Two thumbs up

I thought it would be fun to have a movie review from Madison. Since this time last year, we have only gone to the theater twice to see a movie. In my opinion there isn't much worth watching. We were very excited to go see the Kit movie. It was great! I loved the way everyone dressed in that era. The manners and the homemade goodness of it all were very refreshing. Well lets hear what the real expert thought of it: (We didn't give details to spoil the movie in case you haven't seen it yet :)

My mom, my sister, and I went to see the AG movie, Kit Kittredge last week. I thought it was a very good movie. Kit never gave up and she was always willing to help others. I also thought it was cool that a girl my age could walk around alone in her neighborhood. I really liked her clothes. I cannot wait until it comes out on DVD!!! -Madison

God bless America

If My people, which are called by My name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
-2 Chronicles 7:14

Our country was founded on the belief of God and his commandments. Just a little reminder that because of Him we are blessed in our great nation.

Happy Independence Day!!

*The pictures are from neighborhood homes, flowers in my garden and the kids from the fourth last year. Madison is just on the left of the fire truck :)

Buzz off

To the mosquito that is. I am a mosquito magnet, so are my girls. Until last year we would stay inside during prime feeding hours rather than put on toxic repellent. This past July, I went to the health food store to find alternatives. I thought I would share our proven recipe for natural mosquito repellent as this is a big outside-during-dusk-watermelon-eating-firework-watching-weekend.

Just put about 5 drops of the lemon eucalyptus oil per one ounce of distilled water. You can put it in a mister or any squeeze bottle. We have even put a few drops of oil with our favorite lotion. Carolyn suggested putting it with your sun block lotion to get two jobs done at once. You really can't go wrong. No worries about washing it off even.

On the bright side

When you get lemons you....make yummy lemonade

When you have a rainy day you.......bake cookies

When you can't play outside because there is too much smoke from HUNDREDS of fires you............

Pitch a castle tent in your bedroom!

And when my friend Carolyn goes through a number of very difficult trials all at the same time.......She shines even brighter for God. Please say a prayer for Carolyn, God knows her needs. I love you Carolyn.

UPDATE: I got permission to put the picture up without hiding little bugs face. Isn't he so cute!

A good house

A good house is built upon rock and shelters from the elements,
Foundation to roof with hammers and saws, joined by labor's best, Walls and windows, kitchens and baths, furniture, appointments,
One artfully detailed, carefully crafted, to stand time's test.
For a house to be a home, there's nesting, helping, healing and love. There's hugging, sharing, storytelling, laughing, and crying together.

Home is Mom and Dad teaching, training and telling of things above, It's forgiveness, kindness, friendship, affection - family like no other. Home is where the Lord reigns, where peace is queen and joy is king. A happy home warms the heart, satisfies the soul, soothes the sorrow, It's where words matter, kisses are supreme and children want to sing. God bless this sweet home - these memories make for the morrow.

Tom Despard- Lancaster PA

God's way is the only way

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him. Genesis 2:18

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2: 21-24

I'm one today!

As a blogger that is. It doesn't seem like it has been a year already.......


Yesterday was the last day of school. Both girls came home with a load of goodies from the merit store. They saved the merits most of the year for yesterdays auction. I am so proud of them both. The picture of Jared and Linsey is from last weekend. They are a great couple.



Linsey just finished her first year of Bible college. The picture of Mads and Mia was taken just yesterday.

All Miss Grace's fault

Miss Grace brought us a box of this goodness a few weeks ago. Jared was here this past weekend so we decided we needed another box just for fun. Keith was the prop guy when
I begged everyone to let me take a picture of their treats. I think he did a great job with the sunflowers! For your own box, make a trip to C*stco. My favorite flavor is the lemon.

End of phase one

Madison had her braces removed (temporarily) last week. What a difference 18 months makes. We actually saw a noticeable difference in Mad's teeth just months after having the braces put on. She will take a break from treatment while she looses a few more teeth and a few grow in. The large bump on the left, top gum is a tooth coming down. The next phase will focus on moving her bottom jaw forward and eliminating some of the top gum line. Wow!

Lamentations 3:22-23

His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.


The Lord is so faithful and so good to us. I am so thankful for the days that God will carry me when I ask him. I know he carries me even when I neglect to call on Him. I have been lovingly surrounded by His love and care. NO trial is too big or too small. I recently heard this phrase, "A trial is an appointment with God." So what happens when you don't keep your appointment? I think we all have a few stories we could share about missed appointments.

Sign of the times

This little car is called the 'Smart'. Until I saw this one at the store I had no idea such a car even existed. Kinda cute in a "looks like a toy" sort of way. I just had to take a picture because it was so little and I had my camera. A lady passed my car while I was snapping the photo and said, "I think it would fit in your car." I got to wondering so I looked up its specs. Sure enough, it could fit in my car.

Smart: 8.8 ft. long

5.1 ft. wide

5.1 ft. tall

45 mpg Hwy

40 mpg City

My car: 16.8 ft. long

6.5 ft. wide

6.4 ft. tall

14 mpg Hwy

19 mpg City

Even with the great gas mileage, I don't think the Smart car will work for us :)

Mothers Day

I love these little hands. I love the perfection of the dirt under the nails and the forgotten nail polish. The little scrapes and peeling skin. I love how these little hands fold together and pray. How they hug and help. How they create and learn. I pray for these little hands everyday to follow the ways of the Lord, always.

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear my childern walk in the truth.

Natures perfume

They smell as beautiful as they look. I just love them.

News flash

Mia announced that she is going to be a vegetarian. I asked her if she still likes hamburgers and daddy's tri-tip and she said yes. Then I asked her why she wants to be a vegetarian if she likes meat. She said,"Because the animals are offensive!" She doesn't like any meat with any pasta, she doesn't care for chicken or milk. She said it makes her think of the animal and it is offensive to her. Mind you it is not because she feels sorry for the cute little animals that become dinner. It is because it grosses her out to think of the smelly animal that she is now eating. Funny thing is that she really enjoyed the roast beef dinner at School Cafe last Sunday night. I reminded her that roast beef is meat and if she is a vegetarian she might want to stick with the salad. She has decided that she is Half a vegetarian!

May flowers

Even with the lack of April showers, May flowers appear. Can't wait to see the Magnolia open. We planted it two years ago and this will be its first bloom. The roses are from our yard too. Enjoy this Lords day and praise Him for everything.