Lotsa Fun!

Well, August is speeding by, and we didn't want to let it finish up without enjoying

the fellowship from some dear friends at church!

They're busy...we're busy...but we finally got "unbusy" at the same time! LOL

We enjoyed the opportunity to introduce them to carpetball! :)

They also played a little foosball...

And Catchphrase...another new thing for them!

The pets enjoyed meeting them too! :)

We had a delightful visit (although it went wayyy too fast!)

We wished they lived closer and we could do this more often!

Can't wait til next time!

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.   Romans 1:8

Happy happy happy!

I'm so happy to report that our camera is fixed! :)
The Lord is soooo goood!  I actually did a search on google about it, and was able to figure out that there was a tiny electronics battery hidden...that just needed replaced!  Yahoo!

Anyway, I thought I'd try and catch up a bit!
Bingley is getting to be a big boy now! He's gotten some long legs on him, and is learning new stuff everyday!

The kids and I had the privilege of visiting the church of our dear friends to do chalk art this weekend...

we cherish the time spent with them!

Here we are blueberry picking!

The blueberries are finished in the area I live in...

But up in those PA mountains--they're loaded!

Bri and Brad made a new friend...

We had a fun time!

After blueberry picking, we went back and got ready for their last night of VBS

The girls are helping set up things for dinner

The kids were adorable!

Then we went in for the chalk art

Here's the finished product...the artist, the speaker, and the pastor

We praise God for the opportunity! And, we pray seeds were planted that night.

After VBS we went next door and the sweet neighbors had fireworks

(I never saw anything like this mini hot air balloon!)

They also made a bonfire for us...

Then let the young people play some air hockey

After staying up most of the night...we got up the next morning and went to a park for a hike!

Alas, we had to head home--it's over 3 hrs to drive home

Bri took these of the tunnel on the way home...

Neat huh?

Anyway, thus ends our whirlwind weekend...

we thank God for our friends, and the opportunities He gives us!

Homemaking is an Art...

“Homemaking is an art, and you have the privilege of expressing and developing all your talents there in a little place called home. You get to build…beautify… organize…create…fuss…express yourself. You get to read and study and grow and master nutrition, finances, horticulture, design, wardrobe, etc. And you also get to shape your children, to give their precious lives a bent toward God. To nurture their souls with the good things of God. To pass on the truth about Jesus to one more generation. And to do so means you’ve got to be dedicated, organized, and a woman of purpose. And you’ve got to have the spunk and energy to follow through on all the dedication, organization, and purpose that answering God’s high calling to homemaking requires.” –Elizabeth George, A Woman’s High Calling

Marci's Giveaway!

My buddy Marci is having a $60 giveaway over at her blog Down on the Farm--go check it out!
You get to pick your own prize! You have til August 7th--so hurry!

Swan Song

This fall I'll be entering my last year of homeschooling!

In the next few weeks I'll fill out my final plan book

It will be a bittersweet time for me--and I'll be "out of a job"! :)
(I think that this is my 15th year)

I spent some time with a sweet friend of mine who has already graduated her children, and we were talking about this...

I decided during our conversation that I will spend this year "wool gathering" by writing

down some things I would love to work on, learn about etc...if I had the time

Then, next year I'll have my ideas all ready!

Then maybe instead of being sad, I'll have anticipation for this next, new phase!?

But for now, I'll just try and enjoy this final year.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Eccl. 3:1

Beatitudes For Homemakers

Beatitudes For Homemakers

by Ella May Miller

*Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a work of love;

 for her willing hands and happy heart transform duty into joyous service to all her family and God.

*Blessed is she who opens the door to welcome both stranger and well-loved friends;

for gracious hospitality is a test of brotherly love.

*Blessed is she who meads both stockings and broken toys and broken hearts;

for her understanding is a balm to her husband and children.

*Blessed is she who scours and scrubs;

for well she knows that cleanliness is one expression of godliness.

*Blessed is she whom children love;

for the love of a child is of greater value than fortune or fame.

*Blessed is she who sings in her work;

 for music lightens the heaviest load and brightens the dullest chore.

*Blessed is she who dusts away doubt and fear and sweeps all the cobwebs of confusion;

for her faith will triumph over all adversity.

*Blessed is she who serves laughter and smiles with every meal;

for her cheerfulness is an aid to mental and physical digestion.

*Blessed is she who introduces Jesus Christ to her children;

for Godly sons and daughters shall be her reward.

*Blessed is she who preserves the sacredness of the Christian home;

for hers is a divine trust that crowns her with dignity.

Hope this was an encouragement to you!

July...is 1/2 over! Yikes!

Well, July is flying by isn't it?

We squeaked a few pics out of our dying camera--so I'll fill you in a bit!

Above is Brad's first tomato--a yellow one.

Our Bingley is getting to be a big boy...he's 7.5 lbs now!

We're proud of our Chippy boy, he's adjusting nicely!

We got a new truck...

I made this yummy Zucchini/Corn Casserole

Brad got his haircut in a flat top

 (my brother used to wear those when he was a kid)

We had fun celebrating a birthday--Happy Birthday Katrina!

It's great to fellowship with friends..

and we've had a lot this month with great Christian friends...

what a blessing!

We went to another party today-a family one--but no pics from it with our camera so crazy!

We are looking forward to church tomorrow--and the fellowship dinner after the service.

I hope you have a wonderful Lord's Day!

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.