2006
2007
The GUYS ~ 2007
More of 2007
singed
the night after
2008
names
March 6, 2009
mooing ... a.k.a. {BAWLING}
We're gonna hear a lot of it during the next 2 days.
and when I say a lot ... I'm not exaggerating. Not. at. all.
branding weekend is here.
ready.
or.
not.
{weather permitting ... it snowed a little last night}
and when I say a lot ... I'm not exaggerating. Not. at. all.
branding weekend is here.
ready.
or.
not.
{weather permitting ... it snowed a little last night}
These guys are all ready too!
Let the fun begin!
March 5, 2009
A Quick Poll.
1. How do you encourage others?
~ call them
~ email them
~ send them a note via the post office
~ go see them / plan a date to meet
~ think of them
~ pray for them
~ make/bake/buy them something
2. How do you show them that you care?
~ call them
~ email them
~ send them a note via the post office
~ go see them / plan a date to meet
~ think of how much you care for them
~ pray for them
~ make/bake/buy them something
3. How do you thank someone?
~ call them
~ email them
~ send them a note via the post office
~ go see them / plan a date to meet
~ think of how thankful you are for them
~ make/bake/buy them something
4. How do you maintain friendships with those you can't see regularly {or at all}?
~ call them
~ email them
~ send them a note via the post office
~ go see them / plan a date to meet
~ think of how much you value them
~ pray for them
~ make/bake/buy them something
.....................................................................................
We all have our own unique ways that we {connect} with those around us.
Some are really good about keeping in contact via the Internet/email. Others have the reputation for sending a hand-written note or card. Many try to find ways to {hook up} for coffee or dinner.
Some pray - diligently & continually. Others leave comments on posts of blogs that they read. Some check in on facebook. Some make a phone call.
The key is making contact. Real. Live. Contact.
There are two blog posts I read yesterday that reminded me how valuable it is to make contact ... especially in this world where {time} seems to be non-existent.
Thank you Sarah & Lisa for reminding me of the word {ENCOURAGEMENT}!
Go read their posts ... and then think about the questions I wrote above.
What do you do to fuel/feed the relationships in your world?
We all have different {comfort zones} ... but we also need support, encouragement, and prayer. Miz Booshay always ends her posts with {Encourage One Another}.
....................................................................................
My thoughts ... and they aren't always {right} ... are these:
As you encourage those in your world ... they will encourage you!
If you are just {thinking} of those around you ... start letting them know. They need to hear it and read it.
Don't be afraid to tell them, or write to them, or email them, or leave a comment for them to let them know that you are thrilled for them, sad with them, praying for them, growing with them.
If you don't ... they'll never know.
And as you connect with those around you ... I believe that everything in the world will start feeling right {despite any circumstance you might be faced with}.
Go. Encourage. And if it means stepping out of your comfort zone ... do it.
~ call them
~ email them
~ send them a note via the post office
~ go see them / plan a date to meet
~ think of them
~ pray for them
~ make/bake/buy them something
2. How do you show them that you care?
~ call them
~ email them
~ send them a note via the post office
~ go see them / plan a date to meet
~ think of how much you care for them
~ pray for them
~ make/bake/buy them something
3. How do you thank someone?
~ call them
~ email them
~ send them a note via the post office
~ go see them / plan a date to meet
~ think of how thankful you are for them
~ make/bake/buy them something
4. How do you maintain friendships with those you can't see regularly {or at all}?
~ call them
~ email them
~ send them a note via the post office
~ go see them / plan a date to meet
~ think of how much you value them
~ pray for them
~ make/bake/buy them something
.....................................................................................
We all have our own unique ways that we {connect} with those around us.
Some are really good about keeping in contact via the Internet/email. Others have the reputation for sending a hand-written note or card. Many try to find ways to {hook up} for coffee or dinner.
Some pray - diligently & continually. Others leave comments on posts of blogs that they read. Some check in on facebook. Some make a phone call.
The key is making contact. Real. Live. Contact.
There are two blog posts I read yesterday that reminded me how valuable it is to make contact ... especially in this world where {time} seems to be non-existent.
Thank you Sarah & Lisa for reminding me of the word {ENCOURAGEMENT}!
Go read their posts ... and then think about the questions I wrote above.
What do you do to fuel/feed the relationships in your world?
We all have different {comfort zones} ... but we also need support, encouragement, and prayer. Miz Booshay always ends her posts with {Encourage One Another}.
....................................................................................
My thoughts ... and they aren't always {right} ... are these:
As you encourage those in your world ... they will encourage you!
If you are just {thinking} of those around you ... start letting them know. They need to hear it and read it.
Don't be afraid to tell them, or write to them, or email them, or leave a comment for them to let them know that you are thrilled for them, sad with them, praying for them, growing with them.
If you don't ... they'll never know.
And as you connect with those around you ... I believe that everything in the world will start feeling right {despite any circumstance you might be faced with}.
Go. Encourage. And if it means stepping out of your comfort zone ... do it.
March 4, 2009
Eyes Wide Shut.
What do your eyes look like right now?
I'm not talking about when you look in the mirror.
I'm not talking about when you've just finished applying the perfect amount of mascara.
I'm not talking about when they're so itchy and scratchy, you're ready to trade them in for new ones.
...............................................................
What do they do when they see someone in pain?
What do they focus on in the midst of a storm?
Do they look people in the eye?
Is there a sparkle of hope that others can see?
Do they weep in fear?
Are they focused on others?
Are they focused on you?
Do they let goodness in?
Do they see only what is on the outside of the house or do they look in the drawers of the dresser in the corner of a room and underneath the bed?
..............................................................
I'm wrapping up a lesson on {senses} in my classroom ... and needless to say, I've spent some time thinking about each sense myself.
..................................................................
Sight.
I'm so thankful for it.
My life with my family & camera would be completely different without sight.
I wouldn't see that dimpled chin on Ian & Mack.
I wouldn't see the sunrise through Mason's bedroom window in the mornings.
I wouldn't see the sunset I so desperately need on the days of {harvest}.
I wouldn't see the red tulips on my table.
I wouldn't see the bowl of ice cream I ate last night.
I wouldn't see so very, very much. {through my eyes}
But, I would ...
still feel and touch and know those dimples.
still feel the warmth of the sun as it came through the window and lit up the room early in the morning.
still feel the warmth of the sun fade as the sun set on another day.
still smell the aroma of spring sitting on my table.
still taste the cookies straight from the oven.
still hear the laughter of my boys running in circles with the dogs.
....................................................................
So very much of my world would be different, but it would still be {good} and {blessed}.
....................................................................
Senses work together.
In amazing ways.
And the thing that I've come to appreciate the most about them is that if I was to lose my sight today, or my hearing, or if I was burned horribly like NIE ... I would still {see}.
I would.
And that sight that wasn't based on what my eyes were seeing ... well, I almost think that it would be better sometimes.
It wouldn't be looking at things that cover other things up.
It wouldn't be searching a beautiful, blemish-free face to see what's really inside.
It wouldn't be focused on the world.
.........................................................................
Close your eyes tight.
You can still hear.
You can still touch and taste and smell.
And suddenly, I think you may {see} that there is more to life than looking at things from the outside.
.......................................................................
Eyes Wide Shut.
Not such a bad thing to try once in awhile.
I'm not talking about when you look in the mirror.
I'm not talking about when you've just finished applying the perfect amount of mascara.
I'm not talking about when they're so itchy and scratchy, you're ready to trade them in for new ones.
...............................................................
What do they do when they see someone in pain?
What do they focus on in the midst of a storm?
Do they look people in the eye?
Is there a sparkle of hope that others can see?
Do they weep in fear?
Are they focused on others?
Are they focused on you?
Do they let goodness in?
Do they see only what is on the outside of the house or do they look in the drawers of the dresser in the corner of a room and underneath the bed?
..............................................................
I'm wrapping up a lesson on {senses} in my classroom ... and needless to say, I've spent some time thinking about each sense myself.
..................................................................
Sight.
I'm so thankful for it.
My life with my family & camera would be completely different without sight.
I wouldn't see that dimpled chin on Ian & Mack.
I wouldn't see the sunrise through Mason's bedroom window in the mornings.
I wouldn't see the sunset I so desperately need on the days of {harvest}.
I wouldn't see the red tulips on my table.
I wouldn't see the bowl of ice cream I ate last night.
I wouldn't see so very, very much. {through my eyes}
But, I would ...
still feel and touch and know those dimples.
still feel the warmth of the sun as it came through the window and lit up the room early in the morning.
still feel the warmth of the sun fade as the sun set on another day.
still smell the aroma of spring sitting on my table.
still taste the cookies straight from the oven.
still hear the laughter of my boys running in circles with the dogs.
....................................................................
So very much of my world would be different, but it would still be {good} and {blessed}.
....................................................................
Senses work together.
In amazing ways.
And the thing that I've come to appreciate the most about them is that if I was to lose my sight today, or my hearing, or if I was burned horribly like NIE ... I would still {see}.
I would.
And that sight that wasn't based on what my eyes were seeing ... well, I almost think that it would be better sometimes.
It wouldn't be looking at things that cover other things up.
It wouldn't be searching a beautiful, blemish-free face to see what's really inside.
It wouldn't be focused on the world.
.........................................................................
Close your eyes tight.
You can still hear.
You can still touch and taste and smell.
And suddenly, I think you may {see} that there is more to life than looking at things from the outside.
.......................................................................
Eyes Wide Shut.
Not such a bad thing to try once in awhile.
March 2, 2009
Firewood.
No cutting or chopping.
No splitting. {not yet anyway}
No loading piece after piece.
This is definitely the way to get firewood.
{and thanks to Karl ... we now have a head start on our supply for next year}
No splitting. {not yet anyway}
No loading piece after piece.
This is definitely the way to get firewood.
{and thanks to Karl ... we now have a head start on our supply for next year}
And just in case you were wondering where Mack may have been this whole time ...
He was busy figuring out how many licks it takes to get to the middle of a Tootsie Pop ...
and trying his best to turn on every signal, reset the programed radio stations, lock and unlock the doors at least 100 times, set the emergency brake and shout orders in his own little language from the cracked window.
Firewood.
Log trucks.
Tootsie Pops.
Smiles.
Can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
..............................................................................................................
I can't.
March 1, 2009
Celebrating {Red}.
As the room filled with laughter and smiles, I couldn't help but beam with joy for my dear friend {and old roommate of 5 years}.
Tiff - I'm so very excited for you and pray that as you begin this new adventure of {MRS.} - you will find yourself happier, healthier & continually blessed with so very, very much!
Love you sweet girl!
Be Still.
I've started the month of March reading yet another chapter from {Lord Bless My Child}.
Be Still.
Hmmm.
What a concept.
.................................
I spent some time outside with my boys yesterday.
Watching them play.
Capturing their looks of curiosity.
Laughing as I saw them each do their own thing and suddenly realize what the other was doing.
..................................
The life they have - full of outdoor activities & opportunities to {play} in the dirt every day - I'm so very thankful for.
Thankful because it's an opportunity to feel the wind on their faces and to witness God's creations first hand. To know and believe that God is alive and well all around them.
Do they hear God's voice at this young age?
Are they aware of the beauty He has created?
Have we given them tools to know what stillness is - and the great importance for it in our daily lives?
I certainly hope so.
But just in case they need to witness the art of being {still} a little more ... I'm going to diligently try to give them as many opportunities as I possibly can to {be still ... and KNOW that HE is God} ~ Psalm 46:10.
And when days run into nights ... and weeks just seem to be spinning out of control durning this busy month ahead, I will pray to God that He will provide that time.
That quiet, still, peaceful time that seems out of reach.
That time where patience is essential.
That time where noise is far, far away.
That time where God is near.
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