Nolan Turns 22

 This IS celebration week in our family. Nolan, Josiah, Olivia, Alex and Jamin have birthdays, and there is another birthday and 3 wedding anniversaries on Valentine's Day.  We will have a big party on the 20th to celebrate ALL at once...but  we kicked off the week with a small cake and a few gifts for Nolan. 

There is more smoke every year!

Nolan is working on a business degree and is an assistant general manager at our local McDonald's. He's busy....and we were happy to get to see him on his birthday. 

Non-Super Bowl Party

 Sunday we invited everyone to come to the house for a non-super bowl party. We ate soup, sandwiches and super bowl snacks. We thought we might watch some commercials - but we didn't. Luke and Krista, Carrie, Cy, Livie and Ellie (Carrie's niece), Arielle and the boys, all of us and Jamin came in and out throughout the day. It was a good day. 

Danny, however, seems a bit alarmed by the camera! 

Benny's favorite way to play this game is to put the penquins in alternate locations! Why should they be stuck on a boat? 

Stacia, Livie and Ellie played twister. 

This gives new meaning to "pulling the rug out from under" a person. LOL Benny adds his own touch of excitement. 

I think next year we'll look for kindred spirits and have a bigger non- super bowl party. I actually like super bowl but others are simply tired of all the politics. 

Smiling Cousins

 These two cute smiling cousins! Bre and Arielle most sent me photos too good not to share! 

Jojo - BreZaak's guy

Danny - CoRielle's little one 

Chilling @ Arielle's

 Arielle asked us gals to go thrifting with her this morning.  We don't often get us all together at once - it sounded like a good plan. It was a bit rough getting out of here, but we finally made it. 

It took no time at all to find what was needed - blankets for Kimber - and we opted to return to Arielle's and spend some time chilling. 

I'm not sure Danny thinks Tummy Time is a suitable way to spend a Saturday afternoon. LOL 

Success!!!!

About this time Alex called and was off work. Krista picked him up and brought him over. Benny instantly took advantage of him trying to rest to build an uncle pyramid. LOL 

It was a great way to spend a Saturday! 

Friday - A Perfect Ending to the Week

Fridays have always been special but they are EXTRA special since Stacia and I moved our study day to Friday from Thursday. It makes her day at work a bit easier... Alex and Michael meet on Friday too. 

Stacia and I had been perturbed after observing the gripey, rude Christian at Sunrise. Today we opted for Turkey Red. Would you believe they set us up by a whole TABLE of Christian men. These six men were enjoying their breakfast and discussion of Abraham. We settled in and began our discussion of Acts 1-5. 

I pointed out to Stacia how this group of men were obviously still known as Christians but were polite, considerate of other customers and their presence was a blessing.  In fact, we saw the waitress tell a mom and her children their meal had been paid for.  When we went to check out she told us the men at the table next to us had picked up our tab! She said they come in every Friday and seem to enjoy their breakfast and like to give to others. 

Now THAT'S the way we want to represent Jesus in our community.  Stacia spent a bit of time practicing her rose making skills for a Valentine's Cake she is planning.  

Michael came home and decided to refill the wood box. Arielle and the boys go to a study at their church on Friday. We're settling into a routine where they drop by for a couple of hours afterwards. 

Benny is always quick to help. "Baachan! This is HEAVY!"

Hello, Bright Eyes! 

I have bought a few games to play with the grands when they visit. Benny likes this jumping monkey banana one....

Michael is introducing him to the joy of puzzles. He declared, "Too many pieces!" 

Fridays are a delightful way to end a school/work week. 

Words Matter

 We are trying to read "New Morning Mercies," around our dinner table on the nights when we are home. 

Millie began carrying on and perfectly illustrated tonight's devo for us. She was busily barking at herself. 

Even the dogs talk to themselves

"Every day you preach to yourself some kind of gospel - a false "I can't do this" gospel or the true "I have all I need in Christ" gospel....No one is more influential in your life than you are because no one talks to you more than you do....(we) are in an endless conversation with ourselves....We either preach to ourselves a gospel of aloneness, poverty and inability or the true gospel of God's presence, power and constant provision. 

For further study we were directed to Ps. 42. I love the quick, profound thoughts in this devo. On the busy days we read the original "tweet" and on days when we can we read the devo and linger around the table in conversation. 

On a side note - since this photo was taken Stacia held Millie down and I trimmed her face enough for her to now have eyes. 

Jesus, Tea, Planners and Friends

 

I'm not always happy to be woke early in the morning/ middle of the night...but I DO covet the solitary, morning hours gained by the interruption. We're starting to gain 5 minutes of daylight a day....

My days begin well when I have time with Jesus, tea, planners, and friends via Bible Babes, an online study group.