Thursday, November 24, 2016

miscellaneous

Validus is becoming more manageable lately as we have tried to be consistent in his training.  Andrew is definitely a favorite of his!  We were really struggling with him and wondering how he was really going to work out as a family dog, but the training has paid off and we are all able to enjoy him so much more.


The burning bushes turned a gorgeous red after the leaves had fallen off the rest of the trees.  They were brilliant when the sun hit them!

Andrew's job is to clean the kitchen after lunch.  He has amazed all of us with his ability to do a super job and with the attention he pays to the details.


Leah- doing her Scripture writing in front of the fire place.  Her "gym bag" is n ever far from her  :)


We have been hit with sickness and poor Leah has been sick the longest.  After a particularly rough early morning, she fell asleep on the couch with her English muffin in hand!


The way we get some of our fruits and veggies in.  Every one of the kids will drink this after it's blended up.  So nutritious!

Cam and Jeb came home for lunch one day, but before I gave them food I asked for their help in balancing an equation in Caleb's chemistry book.  Although I had way more confidence in Jeb's chemistry teacher than I did in Cam's it was actually Cameron who was able to figure out why I couldn't solve it and show me the answer!

After Club Hope.... relaxing.



Thursday, November 10, 2016

2 corinthians 12:9

Overwhelmed. It's a word that has been defining me lately. And as I say it and think it, it speaks defeat.  Too much.  Too hard.

Yesterday, though I was reading in 2 Corinthians 12 and read verse 9.  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

It hit me- I can boast in my weaknesses!  I can speak the word overwhelmed as though, Lucky me!  I am overwhelmed!  I guess now it is going to have to be the power of God in me.

This change in thinking has already had a huge influence on my outlook and my joy.  I am so thankful for God's Word!


Saturday, November 5, 2016

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

birthday hike

It's not often it is close to 70 degrees on my birthday!  It was a gorgeous day to go on a hike :)


















wedding

I'm not sure how you write a blog post on your daughter's wedding.  Especially when it was only 4 days ago and you are still processing!
So for now, I will say this....
beautiful girl, beautiful wedding.

  • Thursday Holly flew into Boston, groom's parents into Hartford, bridesmaids and groomsmen trickled in by car and plane.
  • Thursday we had snow- it was beautiful!  We had a very nice time getting to know Erik's parents at the house and felt very relaxed!
  • Friday we girls got our nails done.  So much fun!  
  • Friday night was the rehearsal.  Mrs. Greene and I cried.
  • The rehearsal dinner was very calm and cozy- a great meal and nice atmosphere!
  • Mom and Dad and the Chases arrived Friday
  • Saturday morning Erik's mom, Melanie, Maelyn, Ashley, Rachelle, Mom, Megan, and the bridesmaids were here for a brunch and to get ready.
  • There was a lot of hairspray, makeup, curling irons, and other beautifying products around!
  • Brianna invited Matt to see her for the first time in her dress.
  • Girls left for church.
  • We all eventually arrived at the church, we had a wedding, I only needed one tissue during the ceremony (after was a different story!).
  • There were 3 dances- Erik and Brianna, Erik and his mom, then Matt with his daughters.  Cinderella (Steven Curtis Chapman) played and it began with Leah for the first verse, Alissa for the second, and when "She came home today with a ring on her hand" it was Bri and her daddy.  I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the place!  (Rumor has it even the groomsmen were teary!)
  • Rachelle was the photographer and even though I've only seen a few photos I know for sure they are the best!  







I am so proud of Brianna and the woman she has become and I am thrilled to have a new son-in-law!  





random thoughts

So I've been doing a lot of thinking.  And resting.  And praying.  And reflecting. I can't believe I am a grandmother- with two mo...