Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Christmas and Year End ~2014~

As this year is sliding out....much has happened....no words, no sharing at this time.  Instead, I want to end my blogging with pictures that bring me joy.  May you find joy in your daily living as I work to do so as well....some days easier than others....










~the end~

Monday, November 3, 2014

Friends Are Life


Best friends are people you don't need to talk to every single day. 
You don't need to talk to each other for weeks,
but when you do, it's as if you'd never stopped talking. 

A true friend sees the pain in your eyes, when everyone else believes your smile. 


As we grow up, we realize it becomes less important to have more friends,
and more important to have real friends.


Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the
pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.   Proverbs 28:9



Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Focus on the Postive

There are many tough things happening.  So...I'm going to focus on the positives in my life and give them the attention.

Here are a few positives in a picture walk....
 




Pictures speak a thousand words.....

HE saved us, not because of the good things WE DID, but because of HIS MERCY. ~ Titus 3:5

Friday, October 10, 2014

Forgive People


Forgive people in your life, even those who are not sorry for their actions.
Holding on to anger only hurts you, not them.
Learning to let go…..I need these words branded on my heart and brain!  It seems like I’ve entered some unreal phase of life where things just aren’t letting up….it keeps going and going.  Some just call it “the teen years.” To think I was so disillusioned to believe that these years would be enjoyable.  Man, was I wrong.

So….deep breathing.  Lots of ibuprofen. Find the joy where ever I can, try to stay positive, know this will pass, retirement will come someday with an empty nest….try to enjoy these moments…write a book and sell if for thousands to pay off the ever growing bills of life…..because if I actually wrote it all out – people would think I wrote the best fiction novel around!

FORGIVENESS, REAL. Real forgiveness means looking steadily at the sin, the sin that is left over without any excuse, after all allowances have been made, and seeing it in all its horror, dirt, meanness, and malice, and nevertheless being wholly reconciled to the man who has done it. That, and only that, is forgiveness, and that we can always have from God if we ask for it.
~ C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Anthony ~2014~

Love this boy….he is my son….
 I love his deep brown talking eyes.

He can make you laugh. He makes me laugh and pull out my hair!
He is growing up, sometimes it scares us! A Senior this year also taking college classes.
Dear Heavenly Father – thank you for bringing this son to us through the gift of adoption. 
We love him deeply.   
I remember the dark scared eyes when he came, so protective of his little brother. 
He is growing toward manhood and knowing what he wants to do with his future, gives him purpose. 
He keeps us on our toes in so many ways, and we pray that Christ and church will be a constant in his life path. 
May we have the wisdom to continue to give him wings to fly and the ability to let him loose, despite fears we have. 
Let others see his awesome heart and experience his kindness.
He is a good kid so when the path forks, we lift him to you to guide him down the right path.  We love him greatly and wish only the best for him. 
Thank you for the gift of Anthony.
~Amen~

Friday, September 19, 2014

Tobias 2014

Love this boy….he is my son….
I love his soft brown eyes. 
His kindness can be humbling.
He is a teenager, walking the path of life.
Dear Heavenly Father – thank you for bringing this son to us through the gift of adoption. 
We cherish him greatly.  So long ago he was but a tiny boy, clinging to my neck. 
Now he is growing toward manhood, looking for his path in life.
He has dedicated his life to Christ and is working hard at keeping his path weed free. 
Keep him safe from the worldly temptations around him.
Let others see his kindness and awesome heart. 
Help our giving child grow into someone who will make the world a better place. 
Take his gifts and show him how to use them to your glory. 
Give him strength when weak times knock. 
Let him always know how loved he is! 
Thank you for the gift of Tobias.
~Amen~

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Courtney 2014

Love this girl....she is my daughter....
 I love her smile
 Her laughter is catching to my soul.
 Storms come and go with this one.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for bringing this daughter to us through the gift of adoption.
The journey she is on, is a rough one. 
She needs your strength to guide her ship through the storms of life.
Continue to give us the widsom needed to help steer her ship in the right path as the choppy waters push and splash in too often.
Guide and steer her to peaceful waters.
We love her so and wish only the best for her, that her life may be full as she walks in your light.
Help the laughing days to be enough and plentiful to carry us on the crying days.
Thank you for the gift of Courtney.
~Amen~
 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Sophia 2014

Love this girl...my daughter...
She loves school.
She makes me smile.
She is a beautiful child of God!
 
Dear Heavenly Father - thank you for bringing her into our lives through the gift of adoption.
She blesses us daily and reminds us of your goodness. 
She is a light in the darkness, bringing joy to those who know her. 
A happy child, full of life and vitality that desires to honor you.
May you continue to keep her safe from the harms of the world.
May she grow up to serve you in Kingdom ways.
~Amen~

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Summer Glory, Summer Fade


Summer Glory, Summer Fade 
Like life, summer peaks in glory.
That mid-life time of all is right,
All is beautiful, all is oblivious of what is to come.
Like the daisy present, shadows reveal the daisy fade.
Grasp the joy in the flower,
For tomorrow brings that slow summer decline,
Stealing away the very life once glory shone.
We too peak and fade, from life to death.
Shine when God gives you bloom,
For tomorrow is a day unknown.
Summery glory, summer fade.
copyright VGBelknap 

Friday, August 15, 2014

First Day of School 2014 - 2015

It happened....First day of School.  For one - it is his first day of his last year!

 
But this scares me the most....
 
Maybe it is the eyes closed - hope he doesn't drive that way!  Praying for safety this school year as this combined College/Senior puts on the miles for school and his YMCA Lifeguarding job too!  Proud of all my kiddos and love them greatly - praying they all have a great school year!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Surviving Strife

Strife – infighting, disharmony, conflict, friction.  While our summer is going very well, we have come through some tough times again.  Things too painful to mention here, but know we have survived, are surviving and growing in the way God continues to challenge us through parenting.  School being out has been WONDERFUL for the most part.  Ease of schedules, lazy summer days mixed with activities for all.  Vacations came and went, of which one was family in Canada and again our glorious Family Camp in Colorado.
I took this picture of the tree stump that grew with/through/around some rocks/stones.  When I saw this, it reminded me of this past year.  While the rocks/stones continue to exist in our lives, we’ve learned to “deal” with them, grow around and over them.  Acknowledging they won’t completely go away, but we can still survive and learn from those things that have been a challenge.

As we reflect back over, we see how far we have come and use that to remind us we can make it.  I’m nervous about school starting again.  I’m nervous about the stress it puts on the kids, but yet the structure and education is good – the trade off is dealing with anxiety that sets in more so for some than others.  If they hold it together at school…..can they hold it together at home.  So….I’ll try not to be a worry wart….remind myself these rocks and stones will always exist and through God’s strength and the faith we hold in Jesus we will make it. 

Meanwhile, we enjoy these lasting summer moments as we shift gears and move ahead.  I love the time I’ve had with each of the kids one-on-one and together….seasons of life, school here we come!

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.  Proverbs 17:1

 Give me the crust of life....

Friday, June 27, 2014

Baptism ~2014~


Jesus came to wash over us, forgiving our sinful ways.  We simply need to accept his offer of eternal life and ask him to be our personal savior. 
This came to life for two of my teens this past weekend at a very special place that many, many years ago, I met the man who is my husband here…..this place continues to provide me wonderful memories and is a joy to see my children love it as much as my husband and I do.
Love the joy on his face!
 
 
Lifting Praises!
 

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