New pics of us girls

 

 

 

 

Prom time

Janelle and the girls
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Jordan and Krista
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Jordan Reese and a couple of "Reese cups."

A great weekend (mostly off work)

Here is an album of pictures from the weekend. P & P headed out to Jamaica High school with Aunt Jamie to see our cousin Jordan and his girlfriend Krista all dressed up before prom. Then, today, we had a little fun in Grammy's backyard with the camera. Click here to see the pics.

more zoo pictures...

click here for Jamie's web album. Some good zoo pics

A day at the zoo

I personally didn't take many pictures during our zoo trip to Indy yesterday. These are a few that Brittany emailed me. Our personal photographer, my sister Jamie, should be sending me some pics, and when I get the album, I will post it. I am anticipating some cute pictures of kids and animals. There were 11 of us walking around in occasional drizzle, not much sun, and temps in the 50's. The zoo wasn't crowded, and nobody overheated! Below, a group shot of us on the train, all 7 kids (too bad no Mia Kate), and one of Peyton trying to get warm by getting under my oversized jacket!

 

 

 

We all met up at the mall last Monday for "The Week of the Young Child." It was a rare opportunity to get a picture of all 8 of the great-grandkids.

 

 

Planting season...I hope corn doesn't grow out of their ears!

Last night, I had two happy, tired and completely filty little girls brought back home. They were covered in dirt from head to toe, and they were SO excited! They were talking 100 miles an hour about their day, and all the fun they had. The girls spent the day in the field, during planting at the family farm. Their daddy took them with him just after lunchtime, and they stayed until late in the evening. I think that it is great when kids can have fun, with no tv or video games involved. Not even any toys. They just "played outside." Then they brought the outside inside with them when they came home. Of course, my absense from this day means that there were no photos taken. I was in too big of a hurry last night to wash the field off of them to get a picture of their dirty faces when they came home. But I did decide to include one of my favorite "kids at the farm" pics. This one hangs as an 8X10 at my house, and I love it. It is Peyton and Paige a few years ago during harvest, hanging out in the back of the truck with their Great-granddad. He is a wonderful man, and I love that my children have been able to spend so much time with their great-grandparents. Thanks daddy, for "taking us to work" with you!

 

Fun on the trampoline

click here for a short video from the Picasa Web album.

Anyway

It is late, but I couldn't sleep, so I was watching part of a broadcast of the Country Music Video awards. I love Martina McBride, and she closed the show with this song, that I had never heard before. I loved the words.

You can spend your whole life buildin'
Something from nothin
One storm could come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You could chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great but sometimes life aint good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like i think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This worlds gone crazy
And it's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all you heart
For all the right reasons
And in a momemt they can choose to walk away
Love 'em anyway

God is great but sometimes life aint good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like i think it should
But I do it anyway
Yeah I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singin'
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yeah sing it anyway

I sing
I dream
I love anyway

Paige's latest creation from art class

 

A break between sick days..

Since Peyton and I were both sick on Thursday, and we were up in the night with complaints of an earache, I am grateful that all was well yesterday! Yesterday was a truly great day with the kids. It was a day that I could honestly look several years into the future to imagine what our relationships might look like. Paige had an art class, which Peyton "kinda" wants to do, but not really. So Peyton and I headed to Royal Donut, and got a drink and a snack. In the car, just previously, Paige had been crying. A song she heard made her sad. Peyton likes the song, but I promised Paige I wouldn't play it again with her around. It was a rare secular song that I felt like hearing, so I downloaded it, along with the Twila Paris stuff I was thinking about, and put it on a CD for the car. The song actually reminded me of good times in the past, but the words of this old Dixie Chicks song didn't set well with Paige, and they upset her. So after I apologized for hurting her (wow, music is powerful at all ages!), she went in and started her art class.

So anyway, Peyton and I sat in Royal Donut and talked like friends. We read from the Bible the story of Hannah's answer to prayer in having Samuel, and what an impact that child had on the world. We discussed prayers, and how God answers them. It was a neat time to spend one on one with Peyton. I was able to discover some specific things that were troubling her, and discuss some possible solutions. We were certainly not going to be able to completely solve her problem, but it was possible to trust God for some relief.

Peyton called Brad and asked him to come by the Blue Kangaroo, which was where art lessons were. So he did, and the kids were thrilled to see him. They love time with HIM. From there, we headed to see "Firehouse Dog." This was a great family movie, and I enjoyed it. And finally, last night, we went to the Civic Center to see the Lippinzer Stallions. Not exactly my idea of a Friday night out, but it was a bit of "culture."

Hopefully, the earache will be short lived, but the memories of a great day spent together will be long lasting!

Paige started an art class today. Peyton went to the church an practiced with her "Heelys." I think it is good that the twins are developing different interests.

A Handy Little Chart

I "borrowed" this from a blog that i stumbled upon tonight...

HANDY LITTLE CHART -

YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

Happy Easter

I am again drawn to a Twila Paris song, which describes the true meaning of Easter. Twila has a beautiful soothing voice, and her lyrics are full of truth. I pray that this Easter season is more that a fun holiday family time, I pray that is is a reminder of how grateful we each should be for Christ's finished work on the cross!

Artist: Twila Paris
Song: How Beautiful
Album:
[" " CD]

How beautiful the hands that served
the wine and the bread
and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful the feet that walked
the long dusty roads
and the hills to the cross.
How beautiful
how beautiful

how beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the heart that bled
that took all my sin
and bore it instead.
How beautiful the tender eyes
that chose to forgive
and never despise.
How beautiful
how beautiful

how beautiful is the body of Christ.

And as He laid down His life
we offer this sacrifice
that we will live just as he died:
willing to pay the price
willing to pay the price.

How beautiful the radient Bride
who waits for her Groom
with His light in her eyes.
How beautiful when humble hearts give
the fruit of pure lives
so that others may live.
How beautiful
how beautiful

how beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the feet that bring
the sound of good news
and the love of the King.
How beautiful the hands that serve

the wine and the bread
and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful
how beautiful

how beautiful is the body of Christ.

Lyrics > T > Twila Paris Lyrics > How Beautiful Song Lyrics

The New Heely's and the Egg Hunt

For some reason, the previous post wouldn't let me leave captions. These pictures are taken at the church gym (and the back of mom's car). Andrew and Steven were kind enough to help Paige and Peyton learn how to use their new Heely's. There is still much practice to be done, but they are improving! Thanks also to Anna, Lydia and the Benzings for cheering the girls on and helping. You may be able to load a short video from the Picaso web album linked below!

click here for the web album for the day

 

 

 

The Warrier is a Child..

This past week, I have had the opportunity to "arm" my children with spiritual truths that I wouldn't imagine are usually given to such small children. We have been memorizing Psalm 71:1 which says "In thee O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion." My kids understand confusion quite well, so we discussed things that confuse us, and how we can always trust God for the answers we need. I am thankful for these times with the girls. I am fully aware that a year ago, I would have just wanted them to memorize, and I wouldn't have had the desire to make sure they understood what they were learning. We talked about how I might confuse them, and Daddy might confuse them, and things even others that love them might say or do to confuse them. However, they can always count on the Bible, God's word, to stand true. If ANY person in their life tells them something that confuses them, they can always seek the truth on ANY matter in the Bible. This was comforting to me also, because lets face it LIFE IS CONFUSING!

Yesterday, I picked up a book about Church discipline. It was one pastor's account of a true story from his church. THe book "Beyond Forgiveness" by Don Baker has been excellent for me to understand the responsibilities of church discipline, and how it frees up God to work and others to forgive. In the book, Pastor Baker refers to his fallen staff member as a "wounded soldier." He wasn't evil, or a predator, he was wounded, in the same way anyone can fall into deep and public sin. This got me thinking of an old Twila Paris song that I liked. So I looked up the lyrics and included them here. I guess I dedicate this song to my girls, who are "young" soldiers, my family and church family, and many others around the world who have prayed for me and my family. A reminder, we ARE winning battles!

The Soldier is A Child

Lately I've been winning battles left and right

But even winners can get wounded in the fight

People say that I'm amazing

Strong beyond my years

But they don't see inside of me

I'm hiding all the tears



(Chorus)



They don't know that I go running home when I fall down

They don't know who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

'Cause deep inside this armour

The warrior is a child



Unafraid because his armour is the best

But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest

People say that I'm amazing

Never face retreat

But they don't see the enemies

That lay me at His feet



Chorus x2



I drop my sword and look up for His smile

Because deep inside this armour

Deep inside this armour

Deep inside this armour

The Warrior is a Child

My poor skinned puppy!

I took Ella to the groomer on Monday because her hair was very matted. The groomer informed me that she would require a very short cut. Here are a few photos of how she is looking these days. Since the weather turned colder, she could use to wear her sweater. Her trips outside are definetly quick right now! She is healing well from her surgery. I didn't think she would ever play again, as much as she laid around over the weekend. But she is playing and almost back to her old self now.


curled up in a ball this morning for warmth!

sitting with the girls while they read their schoolbooks

At the Covington park, right after the hair cut