NO. 112 CHICKENS

Every Wednesday, the kids and I get to spend the afternoon at a special place called RiverOaks. The place is pretty amazing and the people are more amazing and near and dear to our family. I drive in and the kids immediately start going a mile a minute about the dogs, chickens, ducks, fish and cats...its like a regular old day at the petting zoo. And here you can be king for the day!

If not living on a farm, these two may just start a band and hit the road. They hear a tune in a loud restaurant or crowded place and ask to stop to everything just to listen. Their current favorites include James Taylor to Irish Christmas music...

NO. 111 SUMMER RECAP

NO. 110 TO BE A FLY ON THEIR WALL...

NO. 109 THE HUNT

We all hunt for things in life - happiness, joy, contentment, satisfaction - and the search continues or comes up empty handed until we (I) stop searching and instead find Christ. I am a slow learner too often, but gladly learning that I don't have to search, but need to accept all that is offered to me from the hands of God. His grace is sufficient and abiding in Him is better than what I was hunting for all along. 

Speaking of hunting, some hunt for eggs at Easter and other's hunt for (insert choice word) moles in our front yard - and in the end, they all found more than they hoped for...

 I couldn't help but sneak these pictures in - Burns is right by her side every waking hour, even when he is tired and ready for a nap. Talk about a good sport...

NO. 108 WISH

Happy Birthday Shannon - you are only how old???

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday and if I could also make a birthday wish today, it would be to have her live A LOT closer to me. I haven't thought the wish out enough to know if that means we would move north or they would come south, but not so sure somewhere in the middle is where we want to all end up...

I married into a great family, a really great one. They have thanked me for "taking them as they are" on numerous occasions and I always beg to differ - THANK YOU for taking me as I am, right from the very beginning. For the most part, I have always known Shannon as a mom and one that I admire greatly. I love watching the relationship she has with each of her children - all very unique from each other and the way she responds fits each of their personalities. I love watching her enjoy her children - really enjoy them and laugh along side them. And speaking of laughing, what a great laugh her and Greg have. Their relationship is one of those that stands the test of trials and comes through hand in hand...

Life is busy in their family right now, but I hope today she felt extra-loved. I thought about you all day yesterday in preparation for your birthday and then at 9pm glanced at my calendar and realized today was your day... enjoy that extra hour of the day that you have on me (until we live in the same timezone).

I love you.