Here and there, and everywhere.

Hello to all you out there. Goodness, it's been a while. And as a result, I have photos by the hundreds that I'd like to share with you! Though my posting has momentarily stopped, my camera is constantly clicking. :) Life has just been so ridiculously blessed! Everywhere I turn, God reminds me of His everlasting goodness. In even in the most diminutive ways. I know this is a common thing to say, "I am thankful for the little things" but it is so true! They are the best! One of my favorite things to do is to pause life, as though it were a motion picture, and scrutinize it. I am always, (repeat: always) fueled with twice as much joy from the moment, than I was just watching the big picture. Sometimes there is just so much more at work in our lives than we realize.
--You watch me- I can ramble on and on, going from one thing to the next if I'm not careful. I like to ramble. Mainly when I'm typing and listening to piano, or Celtic music. Music that inspires. That lifts my spirit, and makes my thoughts soar. While I'm in this exuberant mood, I looked up some verses on joy I'd like to share.

Psalm 126:3

The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.

Psalm 4:7

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Joy is such a beautiful thing! 

I have taken photos of our everyday life, and have selected a very few. Enjoy, my dear friends. 

 This is an Anise sucker that my Aunt bought me in Europe. Best sucker in my life. Ever.

 Papa finally built Grandpa's headstone, crested with a special rock from each of his children/grandchildren. It is the most exquisite headstone I've ever seen. It is fit that we took so much care into making it, for someone we cared so much about.

 Candles are one of my many, many favorite things. The blissful aroma, the serene appearance, and look of warmth in it's flickering flames. If you'd ever want to make me purely happy...candles are close to my heart. :)

 My Papa is always doting on his girls. He bought me this new shelf for my Island bedroom, and I love it! It is so perfect. :)

 My pet, Kiwi. This birdie has lived for ages it seems. I'll be awful sad when he is gone. I love him!

 I found this beautiful painting at Goodwill for $10 the other day. It's an original, and very nicely done. Aren't you bursting with thankfulness when you find deals like that? I sure do.

 Having dinner with good friends..

 I simply can't get enough of pencils and paper. The desire is too great!! With a pencil and paper, you can put your imagination, dreams, ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and hopes onto paper..to be saved and remembered. It's an amazing thing!

 My little JQ. :)

 On Memorial Day, we put Grandpa's headstone in.

My Papa, (an excellent worker of pretty much everything) is building this amazing tree fort for the kids. (and for me too. Tree forts never get old..) I can't wait until it is completed!

My goodness! -I've got a handsome Papa!

Brothers? No. Sorry. Can't see a resemblance..

 Jacob was blessed by Papa with a dirt bike.

 It's like every little boy's dream....

 Jacob approves. :)

I tried burning a dandelion the other day, because I've heard that they burn in different colors. They don't. Or at least, mine in particular did not.  It just went *poof* and it was gone.

Levi. Enough said.

The boys love to wrestle after dinner. It's so cute to see Nickolas join in. The little squirt.

Friends! I love friends!!

 Joy fills this house.

 I love Starbucks!

 Food, is no small thing over there. It's what we live to perfect. We are constantly trying something new, and perfecting something old. Especially Papa, and I. It's where we get most of our 'bonding' time. It is one of the most special memories with him.

 Home-made french fries! Slap me, I'm dreaming.

 Nickolas went "hunting" the other day. He made a blind, and got ready to shoot with his cross bow.

 Then he put his tow mater, as a "cow" out in the "field" and shot him. :) -Gotta love it.

 This is Nickolas reading to all of his friends. All of them are Tow maters.

 When the kids are being snots...just make them balance on one foot with the spanking stick on their heads. If it falls..they get spanked. It's a great way to calm them down. :)

 Hillbilly pants. Duck taped and all.

Our pants seem to be growing green, and well. :) That's always exciting.

This is our new strawberry planter box. Super nice, hu? You just walk up to it, and pick strawberries. Why bend down, when you can stand?
This concludes the photos.



I absolutely love my family culture, my life, my Lord, my Savior, my freedom, and my home. There is simply, (oh so simply!) nothing else in this world that makes me happier. It's who I am. And I love it!!
And I know for certain that mostly all of you feel the same way about your life. It's just bliss, isn't it? You sometimes wish that the world would stop spinning, to stay exactly where it is. To stop this moment, and live it for the rest of your life...but that's the great thing about life. For some reason or another, it just keeps getting better. The older you get, the more trials you have, yes, but the blessings are there too. They are always there, adding up. So when you go to sleep at night, you count your blessings instead of sheep. Why? Because there are oh so many blessings the Lord has blessed you with in your life, and there doesn't seem to be an end to counting them. That, in it's self...is a blessing.
"Then they cried to the Lord in their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, 
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!"  Prov. 107: 19- 22

Live as a thankful people, to the glory of the Lord.