Monday, June 22, 2009

Random Farm Pictures

Love Bug
Audrey wants the tiger one!
Sleepy time
Ashley and Smokey
Just a couple treats!
Brushing Maxwell
Happy horses, Happy Ashley!
Ashley & Maxwell
The rooster
Glorifying God
Maxwell

Saturday, June 20, 2009

From the Movie "Up"

Fooling around at Chick-Fil-A!

Pools Open!

We opened the pool this week! We had to fill over 1/2 of it with water. We are thankful for all the rain we've had! Our well did a great job filling it! And it was C O L D ! ! ! !

Ashley got the Olympus underwater camera for Christmas last year. She finally got to test it out!


Ashley still COLD!
Dylan
Ashley doing a handstand!
My strange creatures of the deep!
Yes, I know... I look like Ursula from The Little Mermaid!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

What we've been up to!

I promised to update the blog, so here it is! We've had a lot going on these past couple months.

The home improvement business has gotten very slow. The jobs and estimates that Shawn puts out are competing with several others. He has been looking for another job, but with the economy, it has been difficult. So, with much thought and prayer, we decided to put the house on the market.

http://www.coldwellbanker.com/servlet/PropertyListing?action=detail&ComColdwellbankerDataProperty_id=41349715&page=property&brand=CB

Much of our time has been spent cleaning, and preparing for showings and open houses. We've had some interest, but much of the feed back is about the driveway, and going past my grandparents house. We are literally taking one day at a time, and leaving the rest up to God. He has been faithful in times past, even when we were not. We can trust Him with our future, whatever that may be.

The kids are just about done with school! Keeping up with Speech class, Music class, piano, and weekly visitation/canvassing, some things had to get put off until the end of the year. But we're pretty relaxed with it now. We've been sleeping in, schooling in PJ's, and taking lots of breaks to play with friends, so I don't think Ashley and Dylan have too much to complain about!

There is a new resident on the farm. Meet Maxwell, Smokey's new stall mate. He's very sweet, and way more tame and laid back than Smokey. Ashley will definitely be able to ride him, and is looking forward to meeting up with his owners. Smokey is so very happy to have buddy!


I've finished two great books this week. The first one was A Shepherds Look at Psalm 23, that I started last year after we named Still Waters. The author shares his shepherd's insights into the life and character of sheep - and the Good Shepherd who loves and cares for us! The second book was given to me by a dear friend. It was a classic Christian book called Born Crucified, and it has changed my heart and life forever. This author has given me a new perspective of the cross and my identification with Christ in His death and resurrection.

Cousin Tim came for a visit from CA for a few days this week. Mom and Dad had us all to dinner and included Tim and Great Grandmom. I was able to spend some time talking with Tim about the Lord, and even got to visit with Aunt Grace a bit.

Audrey and Jack stopped bye this afternoon. They treated us to dinner and the theatre to see "UP" in 3-D. I am so thankful for them. I couldn't ask for better in-laws. They've been so good to us.
Ashley and Dylan goofing off after the movie.
"Up" was a great movie. Not what I expected at all. Be sure to see it!

Piano Recital

Ashley had her first piano recital on June 4th.
She played, "El Guitarrista de Linares: Garcia," and it was one of the most beautiful songs of the evening!
Ashley with her piano teacher, Mrs. Deanna Porcher. The recital was attended by parents and families, including Gran and Pop Pop, Grandma, and Uncle Jason. Great job Ashley!

SUMMER BREAK FELLOWSHIP

ABC Homeschool Group had their end of the year, Summer Break Fellowship at the shore of Love Point on Kent Island.
In spite of all the rain we have had lately, the Lord blessed us with a beautiful day!

We all had a great time using the kayaks, canoe, dinghy, and water tube in the water.

Moms had a great day of fellowship!

Although it was high tide, the water was very calm most of the day.

Ashley, Katrina and Cammie in the kayaks.

Kyle in the dinghy with Capt. Dylan.

Lisa and Dena playing badminton with Shawn and Paul.
The McMindes swimming with Kelly, Kimberlee, and Olivia.

Dylan, Nick and Christian playing on the water tube.

Relaxing and enjoying the day!



The music class presenting their talents to the Lord!

Kaitlyn, Ashley, and Cammie sang, "I saw Jesus in You."

Josh Moore gave a great devotional on choosing godly friends.

Everyone brought a side dish / desert.

Shawn grilled some great hamburgers and hot dogs.



Everyone was pretty hungry!

Then it was back to the water and playing once again!

It was also Debi's Birthday! And her sweet hubby brought her a cake! Happy Birthday my Best Friend!

The kids playing "King of the Tube!"

Even Annette braved the deep, dangerous waters, and took out a kayak! :-) Love u!

It was a wonderful day, and perfect ending to a great school year! Thank you ABC Homeschool Group for all your support, and encouragement this year! You are all the dearest of friends!

Mother Daughter Banquet

Ashley and I had the blessing of attending the Mother Daughter Banquet at Anchor. Mrs. Cotti did an AMAZING job with the decorations! The fellowship hall was beautiful!
We had a WONDERFUL time together! The speaker shared her testimony with us. We enjoyed the poem that was read, and laughed over some of the games that were played.
There was also a desert contest. Some of them were BEAUTIFUL!
Thank you, Ashley, for being the wonderful and sweet daughter that you are! I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Ephesians 3:14-19

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen."