Special guests...

Our special friends--David, Annette, Austin and Emily Marcum came for a weekend visit! We so treasured every moment! God has blessed us with "forever" friendships that originated many years ago! Nett and I talked, talked and talked(while the guys were extremely goofy! ha!).The kids played nonstop( I think they are making forever friendships, too!). Friday evening, my parents and my brother's family stopped by for coffee and dessert....Nate serenaded us with his beautiful guitar playing! (They have all loved Nett since I first brought her home from G.B.S.!) After a leisurely brunch on Saturday, we went to the IMAX and saw "Hurricane on the Bayou". It was a rather moving experience! We also shopped for Colt's gear since Austin is a big Colt's fan! We were "treated" to dinner at "On the Border"!(Thanks guys..it was delicious!) We so enjoyed our time together! We love ya'll! Thanks for coming!

Easter memories...

Easter is such a beautiful time to reflect on all that Jesus has done for us...It is a time of worship and praise to God for sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins. It is also a time of glorious hope for... He is risen! A time to celebrate...to worship as a church family through beautiful songs and the glorious message of the risen Christ AND a time to enjoy family. After church we gathered as a family to eat at Mamaw Smith's house...lunch was delicious! Thought I would share my pictures! Hope all of my blogging friends had a great Easter!

Easter

Family fun...

This past weekend we had family guests from WV[Dan and Becky(Danny's sister),and their three children...Joey, Jenna and Jacob]. We had such great QT! Danny has four siblings and we always enjoy family reunions, but it is so fun to have "one-on-one" time with each family. Dan, Becky, Danny and I were able to "catch up" on great conversation and alot of good laughs. Fun for the kids included an Easter egg hunt at the Gaither's studio(there was a really cool Christian magician/balloon artist there, too), pizza at Ben and Arie's(a game restaurant)and just being together. We also tried out some new recipes... AND got off our diets a bit!(smile) Thanks for coming, guys! We love you! God has blessed us with wonderful family!

Field Trip and Piano Recital...

A couple of weeks ago Danny came home at lunch and we headed out for an afternoon fieldtrip to downtown Indy...We visited the State Museum and had a great time! Corey has been studying about state history and so this was very beneficial to him, but Cassie and Cade really enjoyed it also! We browsed through the museum, watched a couple of movies, had a midafternoon snack of buttery popcorn and pop from the snack stand(SO bad for my diet! ha!), and bought souveniers at the gift shop. We really had a fun family day! Then, last Saturday was Corey and Cassie's Spring Piano Recital... Corey played "Firefly Fandango" and Cass played "Something's Under My Bed".(Dressy attire was required MUCH to Corey's dismay...a suit on Sat.? Cassie on the other hand loves to get dressed up...any day of the week! Typical male and female perspectives...I guess!) Thought that I would share my pictures...

ism,recital

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a

As I recently noted on a girlfriend's blog site...I ALWAYS have a "list". Lists help me stay organized! I am sure that for most of us (Moms or women in particular) that like to keep our ships running smoothly....there is always an "agenda"! A house to be cleaned, a new recipe to try, a project to be done(helping with a book report or even ABC's, sorting SOMETHING, reorganizing SOMETHING...ha!), cartrips(to the dentist, the doctor, the grocery, music lessons, and/or the library),oh! and WHAT about the new exercise program????????(We want to stay healthy and fit, right?)I recently browsed through a book that I want to purchase...."Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver. I feel the need to just "be still" and focus on God! Can anyone relate?(Please don't take this wrong! I LOVE my role in life...it is a privilege and a blessing! I just want God to be the center of my life and to keep a healthy balance in the midst of my daily responsibilities!)

I'm dreaming...

The smell of beautiful spring flowers, the sounds of birds chattering to one another, the taste of homebaked cookies and tall glasses of fresh-brewed iced tea(shared with a friend)... while sitting on the front porch , watching my kids playing on the playground or riding their bikes(no one sick, of course), feeling the warm breeze while taking a walk in the park(with my sweetheart)...Oh! Guess it's still beautiful "winter" in snowy Indiana! Must have been dreaming! (smile) Is anyone else ready for Spring?????????

"For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances". (Phil. 4:11, NIV)

February...The month of love!

I always think of February as the month of "love"! Romantic love shines around this time. Heart-shaped boxes of candy, flowers, fancy restaurant dates, the colors of pink and red...all the above accentuate Valentine's Day. (I love sharing "romance" with my wonderful husband!) My three children enjoy this month from a childlike view...they take great care in picking out their Valentine cards! We have made a tradition of having a family Valentine's party complete with decorations and candlelight. This particular month...Corey was required to memorize "1 Corinthians 13" for school...As I was reading this chapter in the NIV, verses 4-5 stood out to me..."(4)Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (5)It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs." Wow! If we could all just portray "God's" love...wouldn't the world be a better place? Happy Valentine's Day to all my blogging friends!