Rainy Day Dance

Happy #7, Kaleb!!!

On March 20, 2002, a beautiful little boy was born...

His momma kissed his soft little cheeks and fell in love...

And his daddy wipped smitten tears from his eyes...

And then they blinked:

Happy Birthday, Kaleb! I have never been so thankful to celebrate a birthday in my entire life. Son, I love you more than you'll ever know. May the Lord BLESS this next year of your life with His love, grace, and mercy! May He keep you healthy and strong! May He use your life for HIS glory! With so much love....

A Lesson on Faith from the Paris Dakar

So my husband was showing the boys video clips of the Paris Dakar this morning. For those who don't know what that is, as I didn't, it is an off-road automobile endurance race where drivers put the pedal to the metal in the middle of barren deserts and the such. I was watching over boy shoulders at these crazy people bouncing their rally cars over dunes and deserts, canyons and crevices at speeds that would absolutely cause me to die right there in my seat. One of the clips showed the inside of the rally car as it was racing and I noticed not just the driver but also a passenger, being whipped and bounced about inside the vehicle. "Why do they have a passenger?" I asked Craig. "He gives the driver directions. He is giving him directions the entire time, telling him when there's a turn, which way the turn is, even what degree the turn is.". Wow! "Really?" I asked. "Boy, you'd sure have to trust your co-pilot!"

And isn't it just like that with God? There He sits, on His heavenly throne and yet right at our side, too. In His infinite wisdom, He's guiding us constantly,directing us to turn here, stay on course there, warning us of danger ahead. But what good is His guiding if we don't trust Him enough to follow His directions? What good is the co-pilot if the driver doesn't trust him enough to turn when he says turn, stay straight when he says stay straight, etc.?

Hmmmm... A new word picture for faith. You know how I love word pictures (smile)!!!

In Sickness and in Health

In Sickness...

And in Health...

Sarah Gracie Goo is feeling much better these days! I tell ya, this girl's a hoot. Ornery as all get out and sweet as a Georgia peach, all wrapped up in one half-pint sized body.

The Housewife

"It is my belief that the housewife makes the home,
...and the home makes the nation"
~Mrs. Caroline Dunwoody
Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping

I Hope You Dance

"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean..."

"Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance..."

"And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance...
I hope you dance"

(Lyrics from "I Hope You Dance", by Lee Ann Womack)

Another Miscellaneous Post

Are you all familiar with Pandora? Our computer is our media center so this online radio station(s) is right up our alley. Just plug in your favorite artist and they create a play list for you with that artist as well as others like him/her/them. Wonderful!!!

Yesterday I participated in my first ever bazaar, of sorts. A community-wide baby shower sponsored by our local hospital, I offered slings and hooded bath towels and clothespin aprons (renamed "Momma Apron" in honor of the event) at my booth. It was fun but the day was spent counting the minutes until I could get back to my feverish little Sarah. My mom and dad held her close while I was gone, which I was so grateful for, but really, I could not breath easy until it was my arms holding her. Life's timing is interesting, isn't it?

Last night, while rocking my wee one, I watched the documentary, "A Walk to Beautiful". You can watch it instantly on Netflix. Here is the summary from Netflix: "In Ethiopia, a country with few hospitals and even fewer roads that lead to them, five women are on a journey to rebuild their lives after suffering devastating losses in childbirth. When the women survive but their babies do not, they are summarily shunned by their families. Now, they must make their way to a hospital in Addis Ababa, where they hope to receive treatment for fistula, a condition caused by obstructed labor during childbirth." It lasts less than an hour and was well worth my time, as an ignorant American woman surrounded by so many obstetric and gynecological options it isn't even funny.

This week continues the kitchen remodel, with drills and jigsaws becoming neighbors with pots and pans. Our kitchen sink is visiting in the living room, some lower kitchen cupboards greet us at the foot of our bed in the morning and dishes are done in the bathtub, with two little girls delighted to assist in their cleansing. Remodeling anything in a small house is an adventure!!! I'm so grateful for a husband so willing and able! He continues to blame it all on Thelma (yes, I named her!!!! Of course! Anyone who knows me will not be surprised at all. Those who are surprised ought to get to know me a bit better!!!!), though I know this remodel has been in the works in the back rooms of his mind for quite some time. While he works hard, I will continue to be adaptable and grateful and will find my crock pot even more handy than before! I'd post pictures except that I am too lazy this evening! Soon....

Hope all is well for each of you! God is good and He loves you so very much! I hope you KNOW that; really, really know that.