In the morning...

...when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.*

 

(Above:  Notice the little bitty lights on the horizon?

Those are tractors and trucks harvesting and hauling corn.)

*first verse of Give me Jesus by Fernando Ortega. Here is a version of the song performed by Vince Gill.

Swamp Fox Parade - 2013

"Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold"*

This song by Britt Nicole has been on top charts, both pop and Christian, this past few months so it seemed like the perfect theme for our float this year. Each of the 2000 baggies we handed out contained a small plastic gold coin that said "you really shine"...now how cool is that?

We had many waiting for our baggies again this year, apparently they are very well liked! We also had a large number of people excited by the "gold" coins and the music selection (props to my hubby for the play list, he did a great job!).

While it rained right before the parade was to start and we made a mad dash to cover the music equipment, just as the parade started moving, the rain stopped and we were able to get the music playing again. I feel it was an huge success!

Here are a few of the photos I was able to snap while walking! (psst. don't the new shirts and hats look great?!?)

*partial chorus for Gold by Britt Nicole

Little Miss's Birthday!

Our littlest one turned three this month (can you believe she is so big already?!) and since so many family and friends live out of state, I wanted to share some of the highlights with you all.

She has been asking for everything Minnie Mouse for months now, so I felt safe picking that as the theme for her party. I found the "Walter" font and made her a banner. I have altered the photo since we do not post her name online, but I hope you get an idea just how cute this was!

 
In keeping with Micky Mouse Clubhouse, we had a "Hot Diggity Dog" make your own hot dog bar with four different hotdogs/sausages and an array of toppings (like chili, cheese, relish). I think everyone had fun!

Her cake was a chocolate layer of three circles topped with a vanilla layer of three circles to make a mouse head. Older sister decided to frost it in pink with white dots, just like Minnie Mouse's dress. We also had hair bows available for guests to wear, since Minnie Mouse does have a "bow-tique".

She received some very lovely gifts, including the pink Minnie dress she is wearing. It came with a set of ears, but those didn't stay on very long.

Happy Birthday, to our Princess!

Sister had her heart set on giving Little Miss this pink and white lemur from a local store. Every time we visit, Miss wants to hold one and play with it, so I think it made the perfect gift from one sister to another.

She has grown so much this past year, as her vocabulary is taking off. She is fighting to catch up to her siblings in her own spirited way! She and I were talking about the day she was born, three years ago in the corn crib...and she couldn't remember the house. It tugged at my heart a little bit that she will never know the home in which she was born. But my heart is so full of joy that I get to share this day with her...the joy over-rides the feeling of loss. I am excited for what this next year holds for her.

Summer Storms

One of the things I love about living in the country are the storms. There is nothing quite as magnificent as watching a huge storm (we're talking covering a hundred square miles or more) roll into view and then past. The cloud formations, lightning, thunder, rain curtains, rainbows and breathtaking displays as the sun hits a storm with radiant colors.

I have tried to capture the beauty on film on many occasions and never felt the photos did nature justice. On this night (in July), I was able to get more than I ever have before. Still not justice, but close enough to share. I did edit slightly, cropping out the dead space and adjusting the brightness. I did not adjust the color, shadows, highlights, etc.

This first photo shows the back of our garage to the right and the remains of the east side of our north treeline. (The storm was already past us, heading away from me to the east.)

Untouched

Cropped & Brightness Edited

This second photo caught amazing illumination, we rarely see this much in one night and one storm system.

Untouched

 Cropped & Brightness Edited

Picture a Month - September

Well, I finally broke down and took a "selfie" for this month's self photograph. Up until now I have been propping up the camera or using my tripod or using a reflection. I took about twenty and now understand why I don't like taking selfies...either the angle looks funny or my face takes up the whole frame (and that just isn't me). But I am sharing it anyway to show that I am stretching myself outside of my comfort zone.

Celebrating Life Lost...

While working on my last post, I received word that one of my cousins had died. I finished that post and shared it because part of celebrating life is celebrating the lives that have been lost.

Today we say our goodbyes and bury him. It is bittersweet, sweet that we were able to spend time with him for the birthday party and even managed a family photo, bitter that his death was by his own choosing. I have experienced depression and witnessed it in others, but I have not experienced or witnessed the point at which death feels easier. I cannot imagine the weight and hopelessness that accompanies such feelings and certainly didn't see or hear them from him just two weeks ago. I wonder if I had seen it...would I have had the words to lighten the weight and share just a little hope? Could anyone have been able to?

But I have to let go. His life and relationship with Christ were his own. I am not responsible for anyone but me (which, by the way, is really hard for this perfectionist/control freak to come to terms with). I am commissioned to love and encourage and share with those who will listen and let be those who won't. You are loved. You are precious. You are made in the image and likeness of the Living God. Whatever you face, He already has covered for you. You are not alone.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33b NIV

"Of the trillions of possibilities, God chose you specifically.
You are the one He wanted to create, maintain, protect, and provide for."*

* The Ultimate Journey, Study Guide, page 143

Celebrate Life!

In a society wanting to "look 20" forever, I really enjoyed my grandmother's and aunt's 90th birthday with joy and celebration of all they have completed and influenced. They are beautiful, inside and out, for the love and devotion they have shown for so many. In a few short hours, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends filtered through the party sharing their memories, stories and love with these two precious women. I cherish these times with my grandmother and look forward to planning her 100th birthday celebration of life!

"How good does 90 look?" was the theme of the decorations. Ninety balloons, ninety playing cards (both love playing bridge), ninety roses (they had beautiful gardens and have always loved roses), ninety suckers (they each had a box of these in their kitchen for "good little boys and girls"), ninety candy kisses.

I celebrate life by photographing family, friends, experiences and scrapbook them. We have dinners with extended family frequently where we eat good food, share our experiences, laugh, cry and watch movies. I am now a stay-at-home mom so I can experience everyday with our children in ways I couldn't when I worked, sewing projects, baking, games, etc... How do you celebrate life?

Colorado...ready or not here we come!

After leaving South Dakota, we drove through a corner of Wyoming on our way south to Colorado.

We made it! State Forest State Park, Colorado! Seven of the eight kiddos with a beautiful moose statute at the welcome center!

 

Craft time! We colored bandanas and made necklaces and braided hair and colored superheros and....well, had lots of fun!

 

 The kids found big foot's footprint on a hike!

I was more than a little nervous about renting a cabin, sight unseen, in the middle of nowhere for twelve of my family and friends. BUT, it was absolutely lovely! Lots of space inside for the kids when it rained and nice beds for reasonable sleep, propane stoves in each of the three rooms so we stayed warm even with the heavy frost each morning and solar lights that saved our batteries at night. 

 

Almost thirty years after we first met, it was so precious to spend this time together with our husbands and children. I cherish these moments!

 
On our way home we came through Nebraska and visited some college friends. We have stayed in touch with them over the years and enjoyed the quick visit. Here are our kids trying out indoor sledding.

Thank you for allowing me to share with you!