Faithful God, Few Pictures

This will be short and sweet, unlike the majority of my posts lately. :)

 

We are very happy to have Daddy home after being without him for 8 days.  It should have been 9, but he surprised us and came home early from hunting.  Liza and I were busy sewing bags in the basement {me in my gym shorts, sweatshirt, and messy ponytail, leaning over a sewing machine}, when I look up to see my man standing in the doorway.  It was pretty surreal/romantic.  I didn't know whether to cry, laugh or be mad he didn't give me a little warning!:)  We had only talked once due to nonexistent cell phone reception, and then to have him home.  Ahhh... Big Sigh! :)  I'll see if I can get a few pictures from his partner in crime to share with y'all.

   

We've had some gorgeous sunrises lately.  Olivia and I enjoyed this one together while Daddy was away.

Afterwards, she enjoyed devotions.

 We were racing to the garage door this week- they beat me and were lined up so cute waiting. 

 What nuts!

Jules is starting to talk!  Her first {unlikely} words:

"hug", "up", "Jock" {the horse}, "go",  "tracta", "mama", "golf cart", "agua", "water" or "wa wa", and please {in sign language}.  She loves telling us what tractors and horses say.  She raises her arm or arms and starts bouncing when she hears music.  She has taken a couple steps and would probably walk with a little more encouragement.  The girl is constantly rearranging the kitchen chairs! :)  She is so fun; we really, really adore her! 

Pretties in my kitchen

 My favorite salad {caprese} right now with tomatoes from our garden.  Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar... makes my mouth water.

BTW, thank you for letting me share some raw emotion {not that you had a choice- ha!} about some of the icky stuff we've been through.  It's OK to let God know how we are feeling, and even let Him know when we've had enough, as long as it is not without faith.  I wrote a check on Monday {one I shouldn't have had to write, they are painful if you've not had the experience}, but as I wrote it and surrendered the desire to defend ourselves once again, I asked God to return the funds to us x2.  I truly believe He is going to do exactly that. Guess what?  We received two very unexpected checks this week, and they cover three fourths of what we lost.  Did you hear that?  Thank you, Jesus!  I am going to be on the lookout for the rest.  No, our problems haven't gone away, but what beautiful, timely proof, that He hears us, sees us, and loves us!

Psalm 107:6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Yikes!  Did I keep it short? :)

Happy Weekend!

 

Life

Have you even been falsely accused?  Have you ever been right, had proof that you were right, and still lost?  Have you felt helpless against an accuser, someone who sought gain from your loss, no matter the means?  Last week was a very difficult one as our real estate trials remain.  David and I are tired, so very tired of losing.  And yet, we can readily recount the many ways our Father has provided for us, and continues to provide for us.  He is not indifferent, He knows what it is to be falsely accused, to suffer, to pay the ultimate price!  Forgive me, Father, for saying I trust you, but seeking my own defense.  You are our hope, our strong deliverer!  We are not alone, there are countless others who have suffered great lost in recent years, so I pray you draw near to Him, and he will draw near to you!

General life stuff {quotes, pictures, and miscellaneous}       

Olivia quotes:
Daddy and Olivia transplanted a volunteer tomato plant from the compost pile to the garden and she has cared for it ever so carefully.  I overheard her saying this to her plant...
"Tomato plant, I'll always be here. If you have a problem, I'll always be here to make shady dirt for you."


The other day, Olivia asked me this on a walk and I just about burst into tears it was so sincere. 
"Mama, will I fly around when I am an angel and go to heaven?  Can I hold Peyton's hand when we're flying?" 


Peyton"isms"/ quotes:
Thank you is "gathank you", my throat is "my throw up",
We've concluded our homeschool lessons by singing, "This is My Father's World".  One day last week, we finished singing, and were talking when Peyton said, "I have Jesus in my heart".  I told him how awesome that is and how he lives in my heart, too.  His response:  "No, he's in my heart."  HA!  That must be the reason why he said God was in his heart when Olivia invited Jesus into her heart this summer {he figured if Olivia had Jesus, then he was going to have God :)}.
He often wants to get animals out of books to hold them or get in the book with them?  Go figure!:)  The other day he was very concerned while looking at the back of his golden book.  He wanted to protect the kitty and puppy from the bad lion!  he, he

In the Kitchen {or patio} 

I recently learned to wrap cilantro in a damp paper towel and it stays fresh for so long.  I've always been frustrated with how quickly it gets slimy.  Hooray for being able to keep cilantro fresh!


I can't remember where I heard or read this {it was a while ago}, but if you roll up your bacon in the package before trying to get it out, it separates much easier!  It is BLTE season, so good to know. :)

I have a new love: the barbecue.  I have never wanted to learn how to barbecue cuz if I don't know how to do it, I don't have to, right?  But, alas, the men are rarely available to cook in the summer, so I caved on my not-gonna-barbecue resolution, and gave it a try.  I don't know why I waited so long; I love cooking over an open flame, and I must be good because it was the best steak ever. :) 

We have a new hummingbird feeder {thank you, Grammy!} and we've had a ball watching them.  They usually eat their breakfast about the time we sit down to have ours.  What fascinating, greedy little creatures!

Uncle Ladd and Aunt Beth brought these fun straws for the kids.  You drink milk with them and the flavor beads turn the milk into a yummy treat.  They come in four flavors.

Miscellaneous Family

"The Help" is a must-see.  I got the book last fall for our Hawaii vacation {but, duh, I had a newborn and did not have time to read a novel on our vacay}, but I read it this last spring and it was a compelling book.  Liza and I have been waiting for it to come out {dark picture below is of us at the movie}. 

Big girl started ballet at our rural studio and she was the only in the class!  It is the same studio my sister and I attended as little girls.  Hopefully, a few more will join her. :)

Peyton playing during homeschool {we 'wrapped' his cargo like we've seen on the farm}

Recess!

Jules helping Daddy with his hunting laundry

Jules undoing all of Daddy's folding... :)

Lastly, some summer pictures from my Mom's camera {I heart taking pictures with her camera}.

Tough Guy learned to swim by himself and fell in love with the water.

Visit to my great-Aunt Kitty

Goodnight, friends!

Most Happy Day

What could rival the joy of having a baby? 

Your sister having a baby! 

Welcome, precious baby boy!!!

My little sis and baby Hugh

Radiant and gorgeous! 

I love you, Leah, and we are so happy for you!

Picture

Meeting him for the first time...

Big sister, Evelette, in the middle {flanked by two, very excited cousins!}

Just 9 months separates these two little nuts

 He is "ka"uute!

 I don't think we'll be able to stay away from him for very long!  Thank you, Jesus!

Be back soon!

First Field Trip

So, we're only a couple days into kindergarten and we already took our first field trip, but that is the beauty of homeschool, right?! :)  We started earlier, got done, and headed out to the zoo with my super-cute, prego sister, and niece, Evelette.  She is due on Friday {woop, woop}, and the last few days of waiting can be brutal, so we kept busy and did a lot of walking. 

 I think most surprising was how much Julia loved everything!  She would get stiff and make all kinds of noises, and did not miss a thing!

 We've seen lots of beaver dams, so it was pretty cool for the little nuts to get such a good look at one. 

 Cousins!

 Check out her intense stare, she was in love.

 Polar bears are incredible, and we couldn't help but feel bad for them on this 94 degree day.

We could have watched the monkeys for hours.

 Amazing, Beautiful

 Kindergartner :)

 Apparently, this first week of homeschooling has been rough on me, 'cuz I look really tired or maybe it was the long zoo day?!:)

We are excited to be starting swim lessons {Peyton}, ballet lessons {Olivia} and embracing this new/busy season.  I think summer is the only season I really mourn the loss of.  Thankfully, there are fun things to embrace in fall {this is my pep talk}. 

BUT, we still have some more fun in the sun to soak up.  Welcome 90 degree days...

She is ready to partay!

Mi padre y mi amor

Mi amor

Alright, better be off to attack those dark circles.