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. 

Arielle's Boys

 Oh these boys! Yesterday, I got to snuggle Jojo and today...check out Danny at 11 weeks.

Benny jumped in to "help Danny smile for Baachan!" Such a good big brother. 

I was gifted a chain of snowmen about 18 years ago. Each one has the name of an aunt or uncle on it (the 9 kids). The chain has fallen apart so they now lay around the hutch....Benny is fascinated with the names on the snowmen....

And while we're talking about Arielle's Boys....Congrats are in order for Cory. He used his paternity leave to study for and pass the Real Estate test. We have another family connection in the Alaska Real Estate business. Jamin has business to pass on and is happy to pass it on to Cory. Cory is busy making connections and building his business. If you're looking for an ethical realtor in the Valley - I'd love to put you in touch with Cory. 

But, oh, THESE boys! 

We are blessed. My favorite tea cozy fits nicely on the pot the kids made for my birthday. I think of BreZaak and say a quick prayer for them every morning whilst I drink my Echinacea Ginger Peach Turmeric tea..... 

Baby Love - Birthday Tea

 Bre invited Stacia and I over today for tea. We haven't seen them much. Bre and the kids haven't been out of the house since last Feb. I TAKE THAT BACK. Bre DID spend a night in the hospital when they brought Jojo home! ::snort:: 

I was super-excited. Jojo is about 10 weeks old here - this is my first time to hold him. Oh, baby love. 

An almost smile....

Ah, the spitty face! Love it. 

We had a fun visit. Stacia romped with the kids after tea and Bre and I were able to sit and relax. It turns out this was a birthday tea for ME....the kids made some fun cards, and they decorated this lovely teapot for me. I use it every morning to drink my "immunity tea" - makes it feel a bit more like pampering and less like forced drinking of medicine. LOL 

TWO BULL MOOSE IN THE YARD or the View From My Kitchen Window

 Some days I LOVE the view from my kitchen window!  Is that a moose I see? Why, yes! I do believe it is. The moose have stayed up on the mountain as we've had a comparatively warm winter. It is just getting cold enough that they are showing up in our yard....

This guy STAYED all day long. Cars lined up on our normally quiet road as folks stopped to get photos....We all enjoyed watching the moose too....well, Danny is not sure the moose is worth all the fuss. 

Millie didn't take her eye off the bull all day. 

I finally decided this was a golden moose opportunity and I got closer for some shots. He was very willing to pose. 

He eventually moved over to the swing set.  We're happy to share. 

WHAT? A second bull moose in the yard. This is unusual and could get interesting....

Yep - it got interesting....

Finally, we are left with nothing but photos, prints and poop. 

The bulls turned this long, lazy winter day into a fun day of wildlife viewing. 

Using the Gym Passes

Krista has 2 free gym passes a month. She needed to use them before February arrives. We love it when she invites CoRielle to go to the gym, and we all are able to join them. Josiah and Carrie called to see what we were planning for the day. They joined us with Livie, too!  The boys were working. Michael stayed home with Dad. He doesn't really like swimming in public pools and someone needs to be with Dad. 

We made lots of fun memories, I didn't get photos as my phone isn't waterproof.  Here are mental snapshots I took:

• Livie going down her first water slide with Josiah. She's becoming quite the fish. 
• Benny going down the waterslide with Auntie CoCo - before his parents alerted us that he doesn't like his face in the water. 
• Josiah and Cory talking in the big pool - while juggling Benny and Livie. 
• Visiting with Carrie and Arielle in the Kiddy Pool. 
• Benny gleefully shooting me with the water gun. 
• ALL of us sitting in the hot tub.
• Benny walking out to the lobby in Cory's shorts - someone took his clothes. 
• Benny loves me to the moon, back to the earth, up the stars, and then the ANGELS! That's a whole lotta love.  

Danny isn't 100% in love with the whole pool experience...and yes, I DO look that tired these days. 

Me with Danny, Arielle in the foreground
Photo via Carrie's phone

After the gym the Eagle River contingent headed home, CoRielle went on to new adventures and we came home for dinner....it was the perfect time to give Alex a special bit of mail..... Alex graduated last spring. The ceremony was cancelled and he has chosen not to do an alternative...but he HAS his diploma from the Galena School District! 

Well done! 

A Perfect Friday - Rude Christians?

 Another perfect Friday....it began with the moon as Stacia and I  left the driveway....the time is coming when we won't see the moon for months. LOL 

Our day continued as we discussed the gospel of John over fantastic omelets at Sunrise Grill. 

Whilst we ate we couldn't HELP but HEAR the conversation of two gentlemen several tables away. The main speaker has written a book, or two,  he wanted to share, he loudly condemned compromising churches (including several local churches by name), it became apparent which church he attends (and he doesn't think they've got it "right" either),  he wasn't a fan of President Biden and didn't seem a fan of President Trump either, he used a racial slur that nearly sent Stacia from her seat to his face, but he left...before we said anything but certainly not before the whole place was given a false view of the Jesus we serve.  It saddened us and led to introspection. Jesus help us be aware of the impression we give others of you. May we not misrepresent  you.  And as we've contemplated Pilate I've wondered if I would have the courage to stand up to an angry mob...I certainly need to work on my responses to situations like this...not sure what it all means at this point...but I do think it grieved the Holy Spirit for this to be the representation of Jesus that morning. 

The waiter DID come over and say we were welcome to stay all day and study if we'd like...so maybe they saw the contrast in how we approach our faith?

Arielle and the boys surprised us with a visit. I don't take the joy of having children close enough to stop by for granted! Millie actually was calm enough to stay in the same room with Benny. 

Papa got a smile from Danny.