Spring!

It's really looking and feeeling like spring here in Idaho.

My tulips are blooming.....
It's staying light later in the evenings, which makes my girls less anxious to go to bed....

The older ones have to get up at 6:30 for school, so they are pretty easy to convince, but the little ones have been reading themselves to sleep.

It's also a great time of year to begin those outdoor activities. I'm itching to camp out....haven't found time for that yet, but my husband and dad have been out riding 4-wheelers in the hills.

It's warming up enough to go on walks with the family in the evening. Many times, we get little spring showers--the kids love watching for the rainbow that follows the storm. I love the sound and smell of the gentle spring rains. We have beautiful walking paths beginning just yards from our door. Kammy loves seeing the horses along our walk. We all enjoy the spring flowers and budding trees.

Happy Spring!!!

About Mom

My mom had a birthday this week.

She loves lemons, yellow, and she always sang this song to me....now she sings it to my girls. The cake is lemon dream cake. The danish's are some I made up using part of a recipe from Pinterest and adding my own special "lemon touches." They were awesome! The wall hanging is just a canvas that we glued some wooden letters on, painted with yellow spray paint and distressed with a bit of gray. I think she liked it and I know it was a surprise!That's my mom....before my time. She has told the story often--she was on a "date" with dad and some other friends from church, using a child's fishing pole and just tossed it out in the water (no fishing liscense) and quickly pulled in her first fish! I'm sure if dad wasn't already "hooked" he was after that!I absolutely adore the vintage feel to this photo of my Mom and big brother. My dad has been going through old slides and finding some real treasures.

My favorite memories are of the outdoors. There are many more of different family members, but for now, just sharing a few of the birthday girl! Love her so much!

The Blessings

Many years ago a young newly-wed-ish couple bought their first Christmas CD's. They didn't have a lot of money, so they chose one of those (used to be) two for $10 deals at the local Walmart. One was Kenny G and the other "Alabama Christmas." We have enjoyed both CD's through the years and have added to the collection along the way. This however, remains one of my favorites...even though when you really think about it, it does not sound like a Christmas song at all.
I do think a lot about my blessings this time of year though. Hubby helped me put this together using some of our "special" pictures. It is made mostly from his perspective since it is a male voice singing, but I am the one who is really blessed!

Stillness

Do you like to be still? I do not. I am not a still person by nature. Since I have been sick though, I have been much more still than usual. The only kind of still I really enjoy are those moments in the early morning~with a cup of tea or coffee, my Bible, a good book, facebook, or quiet conversation with my hubby. One other kind of "still" I like is the still after the work is completed....the satisfied still of looking around and seeing success. Being sick is not the sort of still that brings me pleasure. Often the laundry is NOT done, the dinner is NOT made and sometimes even the children's hair is NOT combed. It is an uneasy still that does not know what is wrong and fears the worst. I do know this though....that even in the still, He is STILL God.

Our Thanksgiving was one that made memories. Of course, I was feeling sick, but made a few of the traditional favorites anyway in preparation for dinner at my parents. My girls all have colds and Thanksgiving eve, Rick came down with a fever and sore throat! One our way to my parent's for dinner, we hit and killed a poor puppy dog. There was nothing we could do, but of course we felt terrible! The clothes washer also went out recently as did the garbage disposal and we made the horrifying discovery that we have had small furry visitors in our house! Keren WAS one of Job's daughters for a reason, right?!?!

All these things, while I am "still." My only consolation is this, that while I am being "still," I know that He is STILL God!

PS. Please keep me in your prayers. I see the Oncologist Tuesday. I would LOVE for God to heal me before then!

Being a Christian

I LOVE pumpkins. This one was decorated and given to me by my sweet aunt.

While I am trying to recover from who-really-knows-what, I'm sharing a link to a post from last year....maybe you missed it? It's all about a favorite fall family activity of ours.

Read it here:

http://rickarennkids.blogspot.com/2010/10/parable-of-pumpkin.html

Fall & Family

Fall is such a cozy family time of year. I really think that it is my favorite, but then...when winter comes, I like it, and in spring it is the best. The hot summer is probably not my favorite, but even it has a place. The changing seasons are such a wonder!I have not been feeling well at all lately, hoping the doctors find something soon, and that it's not too serious. Anyway, my family is so sweet and kind. Kammy wanted to make me breakfast in bed on Saturday. I had to go back to bed and wait for it, and daddy and big sisters helped her. I thought it was about the sweetest thing ever!Junk mail. Kaite drew on this piece, and I thought it was awesome for a 2 year old!I love fall veggies. Above is some spaghetti squash we stuffed.The girls and their friends made some pretty pumpkins out of rolls of toilet paper yesterday. To add some "puffiness" we wrapped each roll in a couple of shopping bags before wrapping them in fabric scraps.We have also been enjoying the outdoor firepit. Rancher loves to beg for roasted marshmallows. Even he knows that they are WAY better roasted!The kids are always good for a hot dog off the grill or roasted straight off the fire.When we moved here in June, we planted tomatoes. It was late in the year, so we didn't expect too much. They never turned red. The solution?Fried green tomatoes. Dipped in ranch! Yum!

Dressy Shots

Wouldn't you know it? Rain on picture day! We took a few shots here and there between showers/downpours/thunder ect. Someone would notice that the rain had stopped, so I'd comb ALL that hair as quickly as possible and we'd gather shoes and run outside. Just about the time we'd get all set up, it would start raining again!

I was pretty determined to get something--curling and combing 5 heads of very long hair for nothing, is not my idea of a good day. Between the wind and the rain though, the curls were pretty much gone in the first 5-10 minutes.The umbrella wasn't a planned prop--it was a necessity.My $100 camera has a timer, so I did our pictures myself. Next year, we are going to a studio! (I say that every year--but I mean it this time.)In spite of the weather, the kids were super awesome to cooperate with me!This is one I snapped while we were waiting for the other girls to gather and it's turned out to be a favorite!Kammy looks so lady-like here! Surprise, surprise!Kalli and my mom both mentioned that Kayla is getting so big that they find themselves thinking it is me walking up next to them at first.Happy-go-lucky, fun, bubbly Kalli!I'm really regretting all the ruffles on my sweater and blouse--as if I needed any more bulk! Oh, and Kammy really is leaning WAY back like that on purpose--it's soo fits her personality!Remember, we are on a timer here, so I get the camera set up, the kids set up, the hubby set up, and I RUN like an idiot. (10 seconds!)Another shot of Kaite. She dislikes the hat, and I hat to promise the moon for this one!Rick has flowers behind his back, but they just blended into the landscape.

We do still have casuals to do--with the dog! We decided against trying to add the dog into the rainy pics especially with the dress clothes! I'm thinking that the rain might be a minor hinderance when compared to the havoc a dog will add to this mix!

A Father's manner of love

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God I John 3:1a

I have been blessed in this life with the most wonderful father a girl could ask for, my children too, have the best that I could dream of for them. Most important of all, we (all of us) have a heavenly father with eyes which look on us with mercy and a heart that cares for us with and unfathomable love. I have added just a few of my favorite "father pictures" and personal stores below. They carry a double blessing for me, reminding me of both my earthly and my heavenly blessings.

The photo above reminds me to hold tightly to my Heavenly Father's hand. He knows where He is leading, the path may be rocky, but clinging to him, I will not fall.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

This photo reminds me that His plan is not new. From the very beginning he held us--even before our earthly father did. He knit us together in our mother's womb. Stitch by stitch, loop by loop, each one of our parts was delicately and carefully crafted by Almighty God. He could have blasted us together, or snapped His fingers and we would have appeared, but He chose a more delicate process in which He could be intimately involved. He sees in his heart what he wishes for us to become. His masterpiece.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13While my heavenly father never SENDS hard trials my way, we do live in a fallen world and he does allow trials to cross my path. Who else beside my God has a way of using those hard times to send a special blessing? Growing up, my daddy didn't splurge much on us kids. I remember once, seeing at D&B, an "Idaho" ball cap that I just adored. Well, if it had been just momma in the store that day, I likely would have been the new owner, but daddy was there, and I didn't NEED it. The following week, I had the most terrible bike wreck of my whole life. There was blood everywhere and just as I was pulling my little self up off the ground to go crying into the house, daddy drove in the driveway and stepped out of the car holding that very ball cap my heart so desired! I quickly forgot the pain and saw only the present! See, God not only knows what we need, he know WHEN we need it! When the bikes wrecks of life happen, his arms are always underneath!

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Deuteronomy 33:27

This last photo reminds me of who my heavenly father is and what he is doing. He is always interceding on my behalf. Why would he have died if it were not to save? Why would he have risen if it were not to return? Meanwhile, he has sent a Comforter.

One night not long ago, a small girl's voice cried out in fear sometime during the dark night. My husband ran to our daughter's room and scooped up a trembling little 4 year old in his arms saying, "What's wrong, baby?" Her reply came softly as she drifted back to sleep, "Nothing." Sometimes that's how it is, we just need to know that he is there. That we are safe. He's there. He's praying and pulling for us, and we can make it through the darkest night.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:34

Disneyland

We were all so thrilled when daddy was finally "done" working and we could move on the the fun part of our Cali trip! Loomis worked us hard! Rick worked as many as 22 hour days and as little as 13 hour days--although 16 was the most common. Then, they rewarded the whole family for their patience and sent us all to Disneyland for 3 days! It's not something that was even on our list of family desires, but we found it very, very fun anyway!

Of course, we got to meet all the Pooh characters and have our picture taken with them.This is at the main entrance. Love the landscaping and flowers all over!Great Moments with Mr Lincoln was a favorite for us history lovers!Kayla and Kalli enjoying some pretty places on Main St USAKalli and Kammy taking a break for a game of checkers in the old country store.Kammy listening in on the old party line and having a laugh about something.Outside of Sleeping Beauty's CastleGetting ready to ride the teacupsOn a boat. Getting ready to be eaten by a shark!Kammy closing her eyes. :)Kammy's Mickey-shaped pretzelWalking along with daddyKammy and Kaite loved Tune Town.Kaite driving her little car at Goofy's Filling Station.I guess she got tired of wearing her shoes on her feet?Just plain tired! Playing this hard is lots of work!Me and my girls in Mickey Mouse's house!Making a cake.The refridgeratorI LOVE this laundry room! Kaite at Pluto's dog houseWatching the garden grow!Princess Kammy with her new tiaraEnjoying a lollipop while waiting for the parade to begin.In Frontierville. Kaite had finally fallen asleep, but we wanted her in the picture anyway.Mark Twain RiverboatOn board the boat.The castle at sunsetFireworks over the castle. They were spectacular!Kaite snuggling with Minnie after a nice relaxing bath at the HotelRiding a SubmarineGetting ready for the Alice in Wonderland ride.Kaite looks a little surprised about something.View from the little deck where we ate our lunch one dayKammy enjoyiing her turkey legKaite eating her corn on the cob!Outside the little cabing where we stopped to rest.coloring horse pictures while daddy snoozesOne of Kammy's favorite activities!She had to have her picture taken by anything horsie! ;)Enjoying some frozed lemonadeView from the top of the parking garageKammy at breakfast on day 3. I don't think she was really awake yet.Back at the cabin.Waiting in line to see Pixie HollowKaite's hair-do.Waving like a princessRiding the carosaul for the "last time"Kammy's favorite. The horse-drawn carriage. She even got to help drive!In Critter CountryThe girls with Pooh!Taken from the island.At Pirates CoveKaite ready to play checkers...or whatever!Keeping a sharp eye out!Exhausted!Kayla and Kalli with CinderellaKalli with Belle. She told me Belle is her favorite because she was not afraid to see the potential in the Beast. I think we could all learn a lesson from that story. If you haven't read it, maybe you need to!We all really enjoyed Disneyland, but what I loved the most was the look of awe on the kids faces! Stay tuned, next we visit the redwoods, pet sharks and tour a real working lighthouse with the resident keeper!