Some Nature Pictures for Aunt Christy's Birthday

Our Fun with Lentil

We had a wonderful time with Lentil. I wanted to share what we learned about at the Robert McCloskey Museum. Robert McCloskey was born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio. We learned that he taught a soap whittling class in Hamilton. I wonder why Old Sneep was whittling?:) He was then asked if he thought he could whittle a totem pole. He gave it a try and as a result won the rights to do the ornamental designs on the building in my photos(in post below) and on the link above.

There is a photo of a harmonica in the slides. This was Robert McCloskey's, we were told that he was in a harmonica band. I guess that's why Lentil played the Harmonica.

We got to see his Caldecott medals, his paintings (which were beautiful), his paint brushes. We also enjoyed seeing drawings of Lentil that were not in the book. We learned that Lentil's first name was actually Frederich. There were drawings of Lentil actually whistling (which he cannot do in the book). We also enjoyed seeing drawings of Lentil's parents. The museum was very small, but oh so worth going to. We were told that McCloskey's daughters donated the items and one of his daughter's lives in Maine on an island that McCloskey bought there. Very interesting.

Right across the street is a Soldier and Sailor's Monument. You can visit on the inside, but each time we went they were already closed. Right down the street, actually on the same block as the museum was a statue of Lentil and a dog (which Gracie asserts was Lentil's dog). Gracie named the dog Candy Cane :) This was very fun to see. From there we headed to Flubb's an ice cream shop to enjoy some ice cream.

Our Fun with Lentil

A Picture Challenge

Mary over at Owlhaven posted this challenge on her blog and I thought I'd play along. Go to the picture files in my computer, find the 6th file folder, select the 6th picture, and post it! This is what I found. Gracie is busy cutting a page from her Kumon workbook. She loves those workbooks. I wish I my sixth picture would have been more of her cute face, but I had to be honest:) It was fun to play along. What's your 6th file's, 6th photo? To play along, simply post the photo on your blog and post the link in the comments below. Have Fun!

One Thousand Gifts cont.

26. Five in a Row
27. My best girl friend, Christy
28. Pumpkin pie
29. Cursive First
30. Seeing John write his first cursive word, "dad"
31. Hearing my children say they want to take pretty flowers to Grandma Joy's gravesite
32. Cool weather
33. Our new to us used furniture
34. Finding osage oranges
35. Squirrels playing
36. Trees praising the Lord
37. My children laughing
38. My husband working hard for us
39. Homeschooling blogs (for encouragment)
40. Memories of my grandma
41. Love of my husband
42. God's safety
43. Good health
44. Mums
45. Beautiful colored leaves on the trees.
46. Wind chimes
47. Bird feeders
48. Old hymns of the faith that encourage my soul
49. My children playing with Play Doh
50. Snuggling with my hubby


Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

More photos of our time with Ping

We had a few loose strings to tie up with our FIAR book, Ping. The next photos are of John and Gracie learning about bouyancy. We had lots of items that we wanted to see whether they would float or not. After all ducks float right and Ping is a duck.
We would make a guess as to whether the item would float or sink before they would drop them in the sink full of water. Most of the time John was correct.

I love the picture below of the big splash. I don't think it shows up as well here on the blog.
We tested pencils, rubber bands, scissors, cans of food, paper clips, really all kinds of things. They've asked to do this experiment again and again.

We then headed out for a lunch of Chinese food at our favorite Chinese restaurant. John definitely eats more of the authentic Chinese food than Gracie does. John asked our waitress if she had ever been to China and obviously she had because she barely spoke English. He also asked her if she had ever seen the Yangtze River, but she could not understand what we were talking about.

John loves fountains, and this has always been one of his favorites. It is at the Chinese Restaurant. They got to throw a couple pennies in. Why do we love to do this?

We then headed to the Krohn Conservatory because I remembered that they had bonsai trees. The one below is called the Crown of Thorns. I love it. It's one of the most pretty bonsai trees that they have.

This is one of my favorites as it looks like a miniature forest. I had to add the picture even though Gracie looks a bit goofy. We went at the right time and the right day, because there was a man there "training" one of the bonsai trees. We got to see the wire wrapped around the trees limbs. They direct the trees in the way they grow. He told us that bonsai means "tree in a pot". I guess that would make sense. He then told us how four thousand years ago the emporer declared that no one was to have a tree bigger or more beautiful than his or else their heads would be cut off. That's why the Chinese began planting trees in a pot.

This led to the discussion of how we have so many freedoms here in the U.S. for which we should be thankful. Thank you, Lord.

This bonsai trees says it was 350 years old. It's amazing. We then headed down to Eden Park to feed the ducks. John and Gracie had so much fun. There were a ton of ducks and they were agressive. They were not mean at all, but they were determined to get something to eat. They even ate our 100% whole wheat bread, unlike some human beings :) We talked about how God put oil on the ducks feathers so they could float. Without this they would sink.

Check out Gracie's smile in the photo below.

The ducks personally made me a little nervous, but I did not let John and Gracie know this. They had no fear at all for which I'm thankful.
This duck was doing exactly what Ping was doing, searching for food when his master was calling. We talked about how ducks eat insects, plants, and snails. Wonder what this guy found?
We then headed to the playground and let them swing and slide for a little while. We had a great time.

One Thousand Gifts

I've seen this on a few blogs that I read. I've decided to join in. The Lord is so good and lately I find myself dwelling on the negative too much with losing my grandma and all the drama that surrounded that.

I want to dwell on the Lord's goodness after all the Bible does say in Psalm 100:5, "For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Now for my list, that I'll come back on add to on several occasions.

1. God's free salvation

2. My husband (who I don't deserve)

3. My son, John, who is a thinker and marches to his own drum

4. My daughter, Gracie, who loves to sing and has a hug for everyone

5. Our humble home with all it's mismatched furniture :)

6. God's Word that comforts me

7. God's grace that amazes me

8. God's goodness that leads me to repentance

9. My mom, my friend

10. Music to lift my soul in praise to God

11. Sunshine, that reminds me of the true Sonshine

12. Crisp fall mornings

13. Beautiful fall leaves

14. My children's sweet laughter

15. Homegrown tomatoes

16. My home church

17. The privilege to homeschool

18. A good children's book

19. Coupons

20. A new recipe

21. Making banana chocolate chips muffins with my kiddos

22. Watching my children play dress up

23. Writing titles for John's made up games

24. Reading aloud to my children

25. Making dinner for my hubby

Political Conversation between a 30, 6, and 4 year old

Today we had the pleasure of going on a walk. On our way back to the house we were seeing political signs. The following is our conversation.
John:"What does that sign say, Momma?"
Me: "It says Driehaus, John"
John:"Are we going to vote for Driehaus?"
Me: "I don't know, John."
Gracie:"I want to vote for daddy"
Gracie again:"No, I don't want to vote for daddy, because I love him."
John:"I don't want to vote for daddy to be the president, because then I wouldn't get to see him all day. Would I, Momma?"
Me:"Well, you probably wouldn't get to see him very much."

Oh, to be a child and to love your daddy that you'd vote for him, but then not be willing to sacrifice your time with your daddy. My children make me smile.

First Day of School

Today was our first official day back to school. For kindergarten we schooled through July and then took off the whole month of August. The break was good, but now we're on to first grade.
John and Gracie started their morning with homemade banana bread and some organic yogurt, oh, and of course their vitamins. John quickly asked if we could have a picnic. This is something I started about a month ago. We usually have a picnic atleast one time a day. We eat our food on a blanket spread on the living room floor, and after I'm finished eating I read aloud to them as they are the slowest eaters in the world. My mom says I'm just reaping what I sowed.

We then headed outside for some "First Day of School" pictures. In the background are all of John's new plants this year. He has become a plant fanatic.

Below John and Gracie are hard at work. I built a problem for John with our Math U See blocks and he's writing down what the number is. The number pictures is 124.

Gracie is busy sorting her beads. These are from our Preschool Activities in a bag swap. She uses her tripod grasp when picking them up.

This is our chart as we are counting how many days of school and after we reach 100 days of school we will have a celebration where we do lots of things with the number 100. Gracie put the fish on this year first as John did it last year. I told her it looks like he's trying to jump out of the bowl and she said the fish was just waiting for his food. The tape looks terrible, but it's the only thing that will keep it up on our basement walls. John is busy writing in the salt box. He already knows how to write his numbers, but we are gearing up for him to wrote them proportionally on primary lines. He's done this a few times on our dry erase board. They love the salt box.
John is placing our story disk on China. We are reading the Story of Ping this week for FIAR. We were discussing the Yangtze River and the Chinese culture. We watched a very interesting video called Families of China. It was really good. It was sad though how much the one little girl talked about the government and how they only "allow" them to have one child per family. John of course said that was not right. Amen, little guy!
Even though Gracie is looking a little whacky here, they are showing off their little booklets they made. One is of China's flag and the other is of a map of China. We took time to look at pictures of the Yangtze River online.

Now I just need to find some chopsticks for them to eat with. Not so bad for our first day of school.
P.S. I don't know why the date turned out wrong on these photos. It's suppose to be 09/02/2008. I checked my camera and my camera says it's 09/02/2008. I finally figure out how to post these pictures and now the date is wrong :)

Blueberry Picking

Some friends from church invited us to go blueberry picking when Aunt Christy was here. Now Gracie loves blueberries more than anyone I've ever seen. This makes this momma happy. So we jumped at the chance to go.

We now know why blueberries are so expensive. It's a lot of work picking berries. We had a huge bounty of them. This is what everyone in the group picked and they were so gracious to let us buy them all to bring home to store for our family. I would have never been able to pick that many with two little people with me.

Six Quirky Things Meme

Jen at Little Things tagged me for a little meme. Here are the rules. First, link back to the person who tagged you. List the rules in your post and tell about your six quirks. Then tag six more people.

So here goes:
1. I love peanut butter sandwiches with sliced dill pickles on it. It's really good, you should try it sometime. This is thanks to my dad.

2. I don't like for food to touch on my plate, it just gives me the creeps. It's getting better the older I get.

3. When I was younger, I would eat one thing at a time. Example: eat all my hamburger before my fries and then I'd eat my fries. I'd only eat them one at a time. I definitely have memories of my family waiting on me at a restaurant. I'm reaping what I sowed as Gracie is the slowest eater in the world.

4. B.C. that is before children, I could tell when someone was into my things. Now I don't have as much time to be as meticulous. I could go away and come back and tell someone had been in my closet.

5. I always have to have hand sanitizer in my purse. My sister calls me a germphobe. I don't know about that, but I'm the one that deals with sick kiddos.

6. I have to have a sheet on me just like Michelle or I can't go to sleep. If it's hot as it usually is in our house in the summer, I have to atleast have the sheet on one leg.

Those were hard to come up with. I guess since I think I'm pretty normal. Just joking, I know I'm not normal, but they were still hard to come up with.

Gracie Girl

Gracie is our child who says the most off the wall things. A few quotes from Gracie now follow.

In the car on the way to church, after watching probably too much of the Olympics, Gracie says, "John, we have to hurry the Japanese are coming."

Gracie has now renamed her babies, Gracie and Shawn Johnson. When she says Shawn Johnson, it's like it's one name too. It's hilarious.

I told Gracie to go put her toys away. Gracie said, "Watch me, momma, I'm so fast I could be in the Olympics."

When putting the children down for their naps, I turn on a tape of Patch the Pirate or Bible Stories, well the other day Gracie says, "Momma, I want to listen to Shawn Johnson."

Now I've saved the best for last. This morning we were picking things up and I said, "I don't know whose this is." Gracie says, "Oh, Momma, those are mine and John's. Granny just gave us some more junk."

Gracie really doesn't think they're junk. It's just that this momma has been flinging clutter out of this house like crazy. How can you not love such a girl?

I'm Still Here

It's been terrible long since I lost posted, actually so long that it is embarassing. Anyway, I guess we've just been busy doing lots of fun and working lots on decluttering this house. There's so many posts I've wanted to put up, but I have a terrible time getting my pictures to load and that's why I've not taken the time. When I get them loaded on the computer I always think to myself, "I can't believe I just did that." That's it for now. Hopefully I can figure out this crazy camera/computer thing.

My Little Man

As a mother, I think I tend to dwell on my kiddo's negatives a lot. I know it's because I'm trying to help them work on them. I know I want to be a good mother. Sometimes there's just times when your children do something and you're like "WOW, that was a blessing!" You really see something come out of them that you tried to sow in to them. Make sense?

We had a time like this on this past Friday. My hubby of course was at the homeschool convention and I heard we were suppose to be getting bad storms. Well, at our house when there are bad storms coming we have to make sure the drain is cleaned off at the bottom of our basements steps that are outside.

When I checked the drain, it needed to be cleaned off and there was debris on the steps as well. That debris could cause us big problems by getting washed down the steps and onto the drain. Well, I did not want to do this nasty job.

I called John and told him that daddy was away and that I needed a job done that a man does and he was the only man home (maybe it helped that we've been reading Old Yeller aloud at night and the boy takes care of the farm while his daddy is away). I told him I needed the drain and steps cleaned off. He said, "Yes, ma'am." He did not complain. I was expecting a complaint about how nasty the drain was or etc. Not that John complains a lot, but these were the thoughts in my own head about that nasty drain.

John was cleaning and Gracie and I were watering the plants in the backyard. John called, "Mama, come look at what a good job I'm doing." I went over and boy had he been doing a good job. He was doing an excellent job. I told him to make sure to clean off the steps too and to be careful.

We went inside and John said, "Momma, you know how daddy works so hard and has lots of jobs to do? Well, since daddy has so much to do, I want to do this job all the time to help daddy."

This was such a blessing to me. I do tell the children about how hard daddy works and let's get this cleaned up or picked up for when daddy comes home. It was a blessing to see John show some initiative.

When, I told Amos, he was happy too. He also said let's see how he feels in the Fall.

I just wanted to share and also encourage other mommas, just hold on you'll reap what you sow.

My Hubby

My husband, our friend Matt, and my mother-in-law are at the Columbus Homeschool Convention right now. They aren't just attending, they are sellers this year. This is the first time they've ever gone. You can see a picture of them here. Amos is the one on the right. They are there to sell things for Dr. Sam Gipp who owns Daystar Publishing.

Daystar Publishing has lots of good books and posters. They even have a Bible curriculum for juniors and seniors.

Gracie's favorite poster is "Wait!". She always says she wants to be a momma when she grows up and have ten kids.

When we were visiting with the Gipps at a restaurant, I told Gracie to tell Mrs. Gipp what she wanted to be when she grows up. Gracie then said, "A widow." We all started laughing and of course Gracie did too. She had no idea what she had said. Hey, she's only 3, right?

John's favorite post is "The Force". He's definitely a plane and train man.

I think everyone definitely has a new appreciation for the vendors at homeschool conventions. They do have a hard job!

What would you do?

After reading Michelle's post on being a Good Samaritan, I thought I'd post about my experience with this.

When I was in the checkout line at Wal-Mart on Tuesday, the lady in front of my did not have enough money to pay for her total. She started to look around for something to take off. She was only short $0.86. I then handed her four quarters. She was able to pay for the her stuff and she left with the change. She was very grateful and kept saying, "God bless you."

I again saw her when I was leaving Wal-Mart she was driving in her car smiling and waving at me.

Where have we come from in our country when these incidents are so rare? I mean I know the Bible says in Matthew 24:12, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." I know this is all because of sin. So many people are hardened.

I've seen people so frustrated in line because the person in front of them doesn't have enough money. They sigh and shift their weight. I mean do you really think the person without enough money feels great about making everyone wait. I'm sure they don't.

Michelle's post and my experience this week are just a great reminder to me and hopefully those reading to be a little kinder and maybe show God's love to someone. It could lead to a great opportunity to talk to someone about Christ's love. Think about it.

He's Still Workin' on Me

It seems like this little song keeps coming to my head. I don't even know all the words or all of the tune. Today I looked it up. I assume it's okay to post on my blog. Here's what I've found.

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME

By: Joel Hemphill

CHORUS:
He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be.It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.How loving and patient He must be, He's still working on me.
1. There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part.But I'll be perfect just according to His planFashioned by the Master's loving hands.
CHORUS:
2. In the mirror of His Word reflections that I seeMake me wonder why He never gave up on me.He loves me as I am and helps me when I prayRemember He's the Potter, I'm the clay.
CHORUS:

Here's the link to the site I found it on. You can even listen to the tune.

I know that I won't be "perfect" until my Savior takes me home, but I'm so glad that He hasn't given up on me and that He is so gracious.

Are you a Friend?

Today I'm sure my post is going to be scattered in some of what I'm going to say. I'm really using this as a way to get out some of my thoughts lately and hopefully in some small way it will be a blessing to those who read it. I know that there's the possibility that when I put so much of my weaknesses out there that people can use them against me. I know I need not worry about it, but there's still part of me that is concerned when I write this that people will say, "Oh, you just worry too much." My response is yeah I know I do, but He's still working on me. Amen! Plus I know the Lord can use my struggles to be a blessing to others. So here goes.

Have you ever thought much about your relationships with other people? I mean sometimes everything seems really good and you feel like you have a close bond. I would say for me personally, I tend to worry too much over this situation. I worry, do they like me? Do I annoy them? Did I say something to offend them? I know all this worrying is just of the Devil and my own flesh. I know I need to just give it to the Lord. To be honest that's easier said than done sometimes for me.

Do you ever feel like you wouldn't have a relationship with so and so if you didn't do all the work? Do you feel like you're invisible sometimes? Do you feel like no one would care if you ever showed up at church again? Do you always feel self-conscious like your butting in? Again, these are just lies, lies, lies. Isn't it amazing how the Devil wants to deceive us, get us off track?

Now you all have seen a glimpse into the real me. Not very pretty. Huh? What I've realized though is although that person over there seems so happy, so content, they're probably feeling the same things I am. They're feeling insecure about how I feel about them. I'm sure some don't, but this seems like an issue that we as women deal with. My husband assures me that men don't think this way, that they're just friends. He says they're not concerned if so and so doesn't shake their hand and talk to them. What freedom!!

Why have I said all this? If you feel someone doesn't like you, don't pull away from that person. Sometimes this is easier said than done too. It's a natural human response to not want to put yourself out there and be rejected. Is this true love? Not at all. I know I want God's love not love for myself. I want to have God's response, not the natural human response. John 15:13 says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." I should be willing to be rejected to try and be a blessing to someone else. It doesn't matter how they respond. It matters that I do the right thing.

It's amazing to me how so many people feel alone in this world. We don't even know it. We just go on feeling like we're the only ones feeling that way. Why? Why do we keep on this type of behavior?

I just want to encourage you, encourage myself to cast aside what we "think" other people actually think about us. Let's worry about what God thinks about us as individuals. Let's remember, Proverbs 18:24, " A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. "

Ultimately people all around us are going through things that we can't even fathom. I know I go through things that others have no idea about. Sometimes it's the people around us who we think are the strongest in their faith that are the ones who are really struggling. What are we doing to be a blessing to those individuals?

My prayer: "O Lord, help me not be consumed with what others think. Let me not be deceived by my emotions and feelings or the Devil's lies. Let me obey what Your Word says. Help me be a friend even when others aren't a friend to me. Help your love to shine through me, that I may bless the one who is lonely. God help me to put others before myself for that's where true JOY comes from."

Ultimately the question really isn't,"Are you a friend?" It really doesn't matter what you or I think. The ultimate question is, "Does God think I'm a good friend?" Now that's convicting.

What our focus should be

Please read this post from Lisa at God Seekers Academy.
Don't miss this post from Ami at Walking by the Way. They both will bless you.

Time to Play!

Jen tagged me, so here are my answers! By the way, Jen, I've never been tagged before, so I count it an honor that you've tagged me. Now to think of five people to tag.


Here are the rules:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people and posts their name, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.


What was I doing 10 years ago: I was working at my in-laws Christian school in the learning center. I also taught the gym and music classes.


Five Snacks I enjoy:In a perfect, non weight-gaining world:
1. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
2. Cool Ranch Doritos
3. Sarah's Peanut Butter Pie (where's the yummy smiley face?)
4. Nachos and Cheese
5. No bake cookies


In the real world:
1. I worry way too much.
2. I hate to put laundry away. (I think it's hereditary,mom)
3. I love to check things off a list
4. I love to read.
5. I don't really like eggs and milk very well (ssshhh, my kiddos don't know)


Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Finance lots of missionaries
2. Travel to lots of mission fields (are we seeing a theme here?)
3. Send all my loved ones to see Dr. Clark
4. Buy property and build a house on land that had trees, a pond (hey, even a stream would do for that matter), and it would include some clear land for my children to run free and explore
5. Pay off all my family and friends houses so it could free them up to give more to others


Five jobs that I have had:
1. Baby sitter
2. Pizza delivery person
3. Sales clerk at Dots
4. Answered phones at an insurance office
5. Teacher at Christian School


Three of my habits:
1. Probably check my e-mail too much
2. Use hand sanitizer when we're out (hey, I'm the one that has to deal with the sick kids :)
3. Did I say worrying earlier? He's still working on me, Amen?


Five place I have lived:
I've only ever lived in Ohio. Although we've moved a ton growing up.

What do you want others to get from your blog: Well, I love to keep Aunt Christy (missionary in Mexico) updated with pictures of John and Gracie. My children are such a big part of my heart and I just love sharing what we're doing with other people who are so kind to read. I do want to be an encouragment to wives and mothers as we serve the Lord by serving our husbands and children. This job can be so isolating sometimes and I want others to know that there's someone else going through it too. Your struggles are normal. Plus we only have "one life" let's use it for the Lord.


Five People I am going to tag!: This was really fun, so give it a try.
1. Candace
2. Sheri
3. Jen
4. Ami
5. Bro. Jason (Psst! He's a really talented artist)

Reading the Bible

There are some days that for an odd reason my children wake up earlier than normal. I am usually still reading my Bible. I try to finish up even though they are awake. This happened to me this morning. Gracie climbed up beside me. She sat there for awhile. She then said, "Momma, I want to hear you do this." I said, "Do what, Gracie?" Gracie said, "Read the Bible."

Gracie got to hear four chapters read out loud to her from God's Word this morning. She sits very quiet. To be perfectly honest, my carnal mind thinks that children her age would not be interested in just hearing the Bible read aloud. I mean it doesn't have any pictures, right? I'm not explaining anything. I'm just reading. How could they be interested?

I've determined it's just a lie from the Devil. Both of my children have responded well to hearing just God's Word read aloud to them. I know as mothers we always worry about having something on "their level" and I think that's all good too. Just don't let the Devil deceive you into thinking that the Word of God is only for "big" people, because it's not.

Matthew 19:14, But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 10:17, So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Maybe that's why the Old Deceiver is so interested in trying to deceive us mommas. I encourage you to start small, it doesn't have to be four chapter, maybe it'll be four verses. As they use to say all the time, "Just do it."

Kids Say the Funnniest Things

My Gracie says the funniest things sometimes. Just this morning I said to Gracie, "One, two, buckle my..." and I paused. Guess what she said! Gracie said, "Buckle my seat belt." We both had a really good laugh. If you know Gracie she has a laugh and a smile that will light up the world. I love your laugh, Gracie girl.

My mom and dad had a used bike given to them that needed some repairs before they gave it to Gracie. The other day she said to me, "Momma, Grampy needs to fix my big bike, because it has rips in the saddle." I told you she was a horse lovin' little girl.

Gracie is so much my opposite it seems at times. I just love her for it though. She's got some many of her daddy's positive qualities. What are those? Happy (well, most of the time), always singing, and friendly. She reminds me of a horse herself, always galloping around the house. She's full of life and energy and doesn't seem to have a care in the world. She has a great imagination too. I love you, Gracie!!!

Our Trip to Krohn Conservatory

Last week we got to go to the Krohn Conservatory on my Birthday. My birthday started at rainy and very gloomy. I do not like gloomy, I love the sun. I originally was planning on making the trip in the morning, but it did not work out. God knew what He was doing, because the afternoon was gorgeous. We got to spend time outside that otherwise may have not happened in the morning because of the rain. John smelling the flowers.
God's beautiful creation.
Gorgeous tulips.

This is me and my munchkins. I finally have a picture of me. I'm the one always taking the pictures, so there are usally no pictures of me. So this is for those who have been wanting to put a name with a face.A beautiful waterfall inside of Krohn. This is one of our favorite spots. It's just gorgeous.

A little lady bug. Isn't God amazing?

Gracie with her Powder Puff.
This is a flower clock outside of Krohn. It is always amazing to me.

I love this shot. It reminds me of Anne of Green Gables.

You can see Gracie is still holding on to that Powder Puff.

I knew most of this post would be pictures. The children were so excited and kept saying taking a picture of this. What else can I really say when so much of God's creation is just amazing. I am so humbled by the things He's given us. This reminds me of
I Timothey 6:17, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;"

God has truly given us so many good things to enjoy. We just have to stop and take the time to look around.