Looking for some encouragement?

If you look to the sidebar to the right of my posts, you will see some other blogs that I like to visit. Each of them is encouraging in their own way.

Today, in particular, I'd like to encourage you to read Ann's blog. Her cyber home is a place of beauty and refreshment. Today's entry spoke volumes to me and I wanted to share it with you.

I pray that "extreme faith" would be what characterizes me!

If you have any blogs you visit regularly that bring you joy and encourage you in your day to day walk, please drop me a comment and share them with me. I'd love to know what you're reading.

The Twins are a Year Old!

One year ago, I had the privelege and blessing of being with my baby sister on the day she delivered her perfect little twins. Finn and Lucy were born in the early evening on October 17, 2007. I am sworn to secrecy regarding which one arrived first. :-) It doesn't really matter which of them cried first. What matters is that they are so incredibly adorable and that they have a fantastic Mama who has proven that she is more than capable of caring for two babies! I'm very proud of my baby sister and I am head over heels for the twins.

Here are some photos of their party today:

Footloose with Lucy:



Auntie Ronette and Auntie Janette with Finn and Lucy:



Me with Lucy:



Lucy's Cake:



Finny's Cake:



Happy birthday, guys! Auntie loves you! Kisses and Hugs!

Do you see more grey hair today?

On me. Not on yourself.:-)

Where in the world has the time gone? On the Loose looks like the identical twin of Screwloose at that age. Wasn't it yesterday that Screwloose was asking me to play blocks with him; to make him a sandwich; to sit down so he could sit in my lap?

Today marks the beginning of a new era: Screwloose is beginning driver's ed! How can my little guy be considering getting behind the wheel of my car? I still picture him in the carseat in the back pointing out all of the police cars on the road. I still hear him asking me a million questions from behind while his mind worked non-stop.

I just cannot believe that he is approaching adulthood and that he will soon drive out of my sight onto his own adventures without his mom to keep an eye on him and protect him.

It's so hard to let go and to watch him grow. On the other hand, it is exciting to see what the Lord might call him to do and to watch how he will follow. My prayer is that he will take all of the things his dad and I have taught him and go out and make a place for himself all the while showing compassion and generosity to those around him.

Drive safe, son. The road before you is full of twists and turns. Your dad and I will always be home to re-direct you when you get lost and give you directions along the way.

National Day of Remebrance

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

As you all know, we are a family who suffered the loss of an infant and we join together in prayer today for all those who have endured a similar loss.

May God comfort all those whose babies have preceded them to heaven.

A Kid Funny...

This afternoon, I informed On the Loose that we would be having company this evening. He asked who was coming. "Pastor Bob," I answered. This met with much excitement as Pastor Bob is his "favorite." ("Favorite what?" asked Pator Bob. LOL!!)

Anyway, he asked who else was coming so Footloose answered, "Mrs. M and Pastor Mike."

"Who else?" The excitement was growing.

Footloose didn't know who else would be here so she answered, "Well, God will come, too."

No answer from On the Loose.

Tonight, our comapany began to arrive for the scheduled Bible study. We were very pleasantly surprised to see Howard. (We all love Howard! :-)) On the Loose got up onto the couch next to Howard and Howard began making some funny faces at him. He looked at Howard and said, "You're funny, God!"

I thought I would die laughing. He obviously had used process of elimination. Pastor Bob, Mrs. M and Pasotor Mike were all accounted for so, of course, this must be God. :-)

I think it's going to take a while to straighten him out. LOL!!

<$BlogFeedsVertical$>

Enjoying the Lake

We have been having such a great time in Lake Tahoe. The kids have been having a ball spending time with my mom (they call her "Ma") whom they haven't seen in a year and a half. We've laughed and we've played.

On Monday, we took a leisurely drive around the lake and stopped for a hike at Emerald Bay. It's a steep mile down and a steep mile back up but the views are worth it!













Isn't it just beautiful? It's no wonder this is our favorite place to be together!

<$BlogFeedsVertical$>

Are We There Yet?

When I was a kid, every parent joked about their kids demanding from the back seat, "Are we there yet?" (Add the whining and imagine the question every 15 minutes.)

Yesterday, we drove 400 miles through the middle of California. Mile upon mile of pistachio trees, grapevines and cows--millions of cows! About every 15 minutes, from the back seat, came the question, "Where are we going, Mommy?" I must say that I apologize for rolling my eyes at my own parents for relating my own back seat antics over the years. Seriously, this should be used as a "technique" for getting the enemy to spill his guts. I wanted to bang my head against the wall. :-)

This morning I sit typing in Sacramento, across the street from the beautiful California State Capitol. In an hour we will take On the Loose to the California State Railroad Museum where he will spend a couple of hours in three year old heaven.

Later, we will make the hundred mile trek through the mountains and get that first view of our beloved Lake Tahoe. My mom is meeting us there this afternoon and we will spend a week sharing our favorite spots with her, playing games, laughing, walking in the brisk morning air and admiring the changing color of the leaves.

Family memories will be lovingly painted in our minds and, in the years to come, we will chuckle over the sounds from the backseat, "Where are we going, Mommy?"

<$BlogFeedsVertical$>