Spring Has Sprung!

We're lovin' the new life and color that spring brings!

Thank you, Lord!

 

"For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord,

I sing for joy at the works of your hands."

Psalm 92:4 

This is a beautiful tree near us.

Is it a Magnolia tree?

So pretty!

The sun has shone brightly for many days already!

And the dandelions have also produced their fair share of color in our yard!

(photo courtesy of Victoria! ;-)

Ben and Dandi-lion ;-)

Caroline and Brielle taking a break from a little spring cleaning! :-)

We also had our family's spring dental cleanings last Monday,

and while at the dentist's office, we happened to be very blessed to find out that (thanks so much, Carolyn!) Dairy Queen was celebrating their 75th year of business, and were giving out

free ice-cream cones!!!!

So, being that we were "in town" already, how could we turn down such an offer? :-)

It felt a little awkward driving our 15 passenger van through the drive-thru to collect ten free cones,

but they were very kind and hospitable to us!

That was a very sweet treat on an otherwise not-so-pleasant trip to town!   

 

Then, last Wednesday and Thursday night, all six adults in our house went to CPR and First Aid class!   This is offered free to foster-home folks as a requirement for licensing.

We feel blessed to be able to be refreshed in this life-saving skill every two years.

Thanks so much to Lydia and Richie for watching the little ones for us on Wednesday night!!

That was a special treat for them! :-)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Woo hoo! Our littlest pets are back!!!

Timothy took all of these hummingbird pictures!!!

 

 

The puppies have all gone to their new homes!

 

 They have been sooooo much fun!

 

 

We were very blessed recently by some friends that hosted a "Spring Dance."

They had a great turn-out for it,

with lots of energy and tons of fun!

Here they are doing the "Postie's Jig,"

one of their favorites!

 On Saturday, us girls were so grateful for an invite to a "Ladies Tea"

that some special friends were hosting in their home.

It is always such a blessing for us to have such sweet fellowship!

It was a lovely time!

The boys enjoy dying "spring" eggs as part of their craft/art time! ;-)

And Timmy's baseball season has started with practices each afternoon!

Their first tournament is this weekend!

Oh boy! 

And Everywhere She Went . . .

 . . .the puppies were sure to go!

(Pictures courtesy of Valerie! :-)

For some more excellent pictures and video of the adorable puppies,

click here! and then scroll down a bit!

Our Time at the Ocean . . . Wonderful In Every Way!

"On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate."

Psalm 145:5

 

 "Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord...

 

O Lord my God,, you have performed many wonders for us.

Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal.

If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them."

Psalm 40:4a and 5

 "O LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure."

Isaiah 25:1

 "But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."

Psalm 73:28

26 Years of Love and Adventure!

We celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary this week!

 

"You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalm 16:11

Feeling so blessed!
This was the beautiful full moon and view from our back deck the evening of our anniversary.
 

A few of us sitting around enjoying the evening and hot dogs around the fire!

 "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."

2 John 1:6

 

Last night, the kids, along with Richie and Lydia, took us out to our favorite Chinese food restaurant for dinner and then,

we were planning on seeing "The Drop Box" documentary in Olympia.

(The Drop Box - Award-Winning Documentary About Life)

But when we got to the theatre, they were already sold out of the one-and-only showing. :-(

 

We thought seeing this documentary about a Korean pastor sacrificially and heroically rescuing unwanted babies would be inspiring to see on our anniversary,

as we ready our hearts and home for additional orphans in need,

should it be the Lord's good plans for us.  

One of the many things I love about my dear husband of 26 years!
He is such a wonderful, loving Daddy;
 seeking to fill his home with as many blessings as pleases the Lord! 

 

"This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

Jeremiah 6:16 NIV 

Now off to the ocean for some alone-time together!

Thank you, Lord, for ALL these blessings! 

She's Been Found!

Yay!  Sally the salamander has been found!

On Saturday morning, a few days after her disappearance,

she was spotted by our little friend Mary,

as she and Benjamin were playing in the living room. 

I think Mary wondered if we always had salamanders roaming around our house! ;-)

Sally was immediately scooped up and placed in another container . . .with a lid!

And today, she was happily released in the pond in our woods.

Hooray for a happy ending for all of us!  :-)

 So, Meemom, have no fear, the coast is clear!!!

(For you to come visit! :-)

 

A Very Special Blessing!

We had a special guest visit us on Saturday.

 His name is Olaf, and he a very special blessing, and an answer to prayer!

We first met him last December while visiting some new friends in Oregon.

He's a very good, long-time friend of theirs.

He is a dear brother in the Lord, and now, we feel so blessed to call him "friend."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Last month, when we were visiting with our friends again in Oregon,

he also stopped by to visit.

Being a logger by profession,

we asked for his opinion on how to take down our old, dead maple tree that had become quite a danger to all the kids that play in our front yard.

To our surprise, he didn't just advise us,

he offered to come and take it down for us!

Wow, we can hardly express what a tremendous blessing this was and is to us! 

Such a very special provision from the Lord!

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So, this past Saturday was the big day!

The Lord also blessed us with another gorgeous, warm and sunny day!

 

The cheering section! ;-)
We were so blessed to have our sweet friends come with Olaf!
All 12 of them!
We had a double blessing of having a wonderful day of
food, fun and fellowship after the tree cutting! 

 

He did such an awesome job!

It safely came down exactly where he wanted it to!

Excellent work, Olaf!

Thank you soooooo very much!  

Pictured below . . . . when Olaf graciously asked Ted how he would like it cut up

(the tree on the ground),

Ted said, "I was thinking maybe carved (the stump) into an eagle or a bear . . .

and with a "welcome" sign would be nice!" ;-)  



We were very blessed to have lots of help cutting it up! 

Thank you, thank you Christopher and Isaiah!!!



So many special blessings in one day!

Thank you, Lord!