Visit to Madison

Today I went for a day with some friends to Madison, Indiana. I had a wonderful time seeing the cute shops, gardens and the architecture.


I especially loved the trees.

We had a good time while getting some good ideas.

I'll have to take mom there someday. It was a lovely day trip.

Littlest Cousin

My sister Amy and little Elena came for a visit today. She's 7 months old now and soooo big since the kids saw her last. Let's just say she wasn't spoiled in the least...

Happy Birthday, Judah!

Wow. My baby is 2 already. What a fun age it is, though. He had two celebrations this week: one on his birthday(the 13th) at home and one at Nena and Papa's on Sunday.



From the beginning, we've chosen not have big to-do's about birthdays. Our general house rule is every 5 years they can have a big party with friends. On the 'off years' we enjoy our small parties of cake and simple gifts, usually with just the family. Since Judah is just two, and we don't need a single other toy in the house , the big gift this year from us was a toothbrush. Believe it or not, once he finished stuffing down his breakfast cinnamon roll (also a birthday tradition around here), he was so excited to see his own toothbrush, he yelled, "TEETH!!!"

We can't imagine life without this little guy. He is such a delight and a treasure.

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

Today, on Mother's Day, is Samantha's Birthday. She would have been 3 years old today.

A sweet friend called me a couple of days prior, to see if it was o.k. to bake a pink cake in honor of her. She gently reminded me to not ignore her birthday, but allow it to be the time to remind the kids the happy memories.

She knew. I was holding my breath, waiting for it to pass, so as not to let it hurt so much. All the time thinking, 'next year' will be easier. It never is. So my tears came that day, but not on Sunday. I wanted the kids to see me joyfully celebrating her memory and being their mother.

What another great Mother's Day.

A Visit With Maddie

Our friends came to visit us today. It was so fun to watch Judah and Maddie interact.

They enjoyed some popsicles.

Then Judah introduced her to the tire swing.

Come back and visit, soon!

The Sands of Time Are Sinking

The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of heaven breaks,
the summer morn I've sighed for, the fair sweet morn awakes;
dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand,
and glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel's land.

The King there in His beauty without a veil is seen;
it were a wellspend journey though sev'n deaths lay between:
the Lamb with His fair army doth on Mount Zion stand,
and glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel's land.

O Christ, He is the fountain, the deep sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I've tasted more deep I'll drink above:
there to an ocean fullness His mercy doth expand,
and glory, glory swelleth in Emmanuel's land.

The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of grace;
not at the crown He gifteth, but on His pierced hand:
the Lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel's land.

Anne Cousin, 1857

Our Last Week of Art Class

The last art class of the season was this week. Our last project was using Prismacolor colored pencils. I taught them how to notice colors and mix them on top of each other to match. The assignment was to take a magazine picture, cut in it in half, then draw and color the other side trying to match as closely as possible.

My example:

Here are some of their works:

I was will miss my 16 students and hope that they will keep up the good work over the summer!