A Fun Visit

we love when Jess comes to visit!  We miss her so much but know she is right where God has called her.  We love when she brings Skyler along too...what precious times with this darling around!  Love you guys!

Jess is always helping out with our pony...she is a great farrier!

We love her smiles and giggles!

Dance Time

These girls have worked super hard in the past month!  They did awesome at their recital at Dance Visions Network.

We are SO proud of them!

Timber Framing

Ben and Brandon have been working on the Timber Framing class at Jesse Remington High School.  They take a few classes to enhance their home school program.  It has been an amazing place for community, instruction and growth for our children.

The week of Memorial Day, they put the project up on Cow Island....a two story cabin!  All the timbers and people had to be ferried across the lake to be put up.  They were SO excited to be a part of the team!

Memorial Day Weekend

As is tradition for the past servers years, Darrell headed to the Father Son camp with Alert Cadet—he took 7 of our boys and 2 boys he mentors.  They had quite the load as they pulled out of the driveway on Thursday.

They cut wood as a service project, climbed Mt. Monadnock, challenged one another in their faith,  practiced skills for survival, had campfires and lots of yummy food.  It was so encouraging to

hear of their adventures on Sunday afternoon and the excitement they had for the men and sons they met and reconnected with and the adventures and service they accomplished.

While they went on their adventures, Michaela graciously held the fort down for us with taking care of the dogs and horses...we were very grateful for her servants heart.

The three younger girls and I headed to our daughter, Jess’s house for a few days.  We snuggled with Skyler, went for walks, the girls got to go horseback riding and just sharing time with one  another.  It was a sweet time together.

On Monday, Brandon and Ben headed to the Lakes region where they helped their Timber Framing class finish a build on cow Island.  They were so excited to go help on the two story cabin.  They had a bit of fun swimming in the cold lake, and hanging out with their classmates too.

Kiara and I headed to our town celebrations Memorial Day parade.  It was an amazing celebration of our armed forces men and women.  She marched in the parade with a group from the Miss Raymond Scholarship Pageant.  She did a great job as did the other girls on a super warm morning.

Here I am!

It has been long ...I’ve been plagued with computer issues and app issues.  It kind of stinks but I want to say I am trying something new...let’s hope it works because I sure miss being here.

Above is a beautiful stained glass piece that Sara made for me for me for Mother’s Day...isn’t it beautiful!

Brandon playing his first game of Lacrosse for Jesse Remington High School where he takes a few classes to add to our home school.

its been awhile...

It's been awhile since I've been here....it feels like life is whizzing by for sure!  So much has happened that I haven't written about....big things in our life...even better they are good things!

Like a new grand daughter ....Skyler-Ray...she is such a sweet heart and I got to be there at her birth...that was incredible for sure.

We had an 80th birthday party for my mother in law and it was so sweet I have ALL of my kiddos in one place at the same time!  You can be certain we grabbed photos and are grateful for the opportunity!

We spent 4th of July week at family camp and had a wonderful time despite the hot temperatures.  We met so many wonderful folks...it was a blessing for sure!  Our kids can wait to go again! 

I need to make this a priority as all of our kids love to see themselves here...praying all is going well with you!

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day Reflections

Today is a day to celebrate Mother’s….

I've done some reading of perspectives on social media sites and was troubled by some moms and their greatest moms day wish was to be away from their children….speaking of spas, and escapes, and grand vacations from those who made the reason for them to celebrate.

Children…those marvelous little humans that bring us pride, and joy, a challenges in our days….they are gifts…the Bible speaks of them as blessings.

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.

  — Psalm 127:3-5

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

  — Proverbs 17:6

Of course, when we are cleaning, and picking up and dealing with the daily muck…it is hard to see the forest for the trees.

I've been reading Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson in my moms group.  It has given me renewed thoughts and things I've forgotten or put aside from the business of life…it has renewed my fervor to be more intentional of bring beauty into our lives, seek out other mama's who need to be encouraged, to be more intentional in my prayers for my children.

Last week, on the Trim Healthy Mama Podcast….they spoke of home being a place of healing.  Working on simple things like our words, making things lovely, cooking and loving our families through our service brings great healing to our husbands and children.  

It just seems like the Lord has been reminding me of the power of a mom in setting the tone for her home, mothering her children and becoming a healer through the every day things.

I personally know some awesome moms…they inspire me, challenge me, pray for me and walk beside me….all of these things have been encouraging.

It has been a lovely reminder….and here is the simple truth…I love being with my children, I love making my home a place of beauty, I love the aspects of being a mom…but sometimes we need to be reminded of how fortunate we are to do what we do as mothers.  We don't need big houses or lots of money…we need to simply make beauty.  We can do that in simple ways through out the day…setting a pretty table, going out to pick flowers from the garden, straightening the living room up before my hubby gets home, making a craft with the children..simple, yes?  Beautiful, yes?

So this day, the Mother’s Day…let's reflect on the beautiful children in our care, the place we call home, the other moms around you that have been put in your life, our wonderful husbands that provide for us each day…let us be grateful beyond words and enjoy what we have been given!