I am sure you never find your kids like this

Blueberry pickin'

My man with my very tired baby boy

A very thoughtful child, with a tinge of ornery

And of course this one is always fun!

Older pics

I have been going through some old pictures.
At Christmas time our friends the Westermeyers have an
annual hay ride through their neighborhood. I think I was 6 months
pregnant with Samuel here. Fun Fun Fun!

Just sitting here for a bit... thinking about what is important to me.

What really matters?

When all is quiet, and I am alone with God

Everything becomes as clear....

Heart's Cry

"When thou saidst,

Seek ye my face;

My heart said unto thee,

Thy face, LORD, will I seek."

Psalm 27:8

Trees....birds....mud....barefeet....sunshine.....smiles

My Big Blessings!

One more of the whole gang. We have been sick with whatever is going around. Benjamin has had a significant fever, so we are at home, reading books, playing Wii and card games today. Please pray for God's healing on Sam's right eye. He still has a clogged tear duct and we are supposed to take him to Spokane to have it cleared out. Not our first choice, though. :) Have a great week!

Play time

I just love watching him play!

There is something about the curiousity and innocence of children at play.

He is Risen!

I know I am late in posting this, but I am catching up!
Easter time, we made Resurrection rolls and did the Resurrection Eggs.

The rolls are crescent rolls, that represent the clean linen cloth that Jesus was wrapped in,
the large marshmallow represents Jesus, it is rolled in cinnamon and sugar (burial spices)
and wrapped in clean linen clothes. Then the roll is placed in the tomb (handy dandy oven),
and after 3 days (10-15 minutes), the stone is rolled away (open the oven).

Where is Jesus? He is Risen!! (the marshmallow melts into the roll and it is GONE!)
As you do each step, you read the story of Joseph requesting the body of Jesus, the burial of Jesus,
and the two Mary's who come to the tomb to see Him.

The Resurrection Eggs are one dozen eggs, each with a symbol inside and a corresponding scripture
(ie. a small nail=Jesus nailed to the cross, a purple cloth=mockery of Jesus as king, a silver coin=the betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver) The last egg is empty, because He is Risen!

We had so much fun saying all day with our kids "HE IS RISEN!"
They would say, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!"

Even my 4 year old at church was saying it to people as he walked down the hallway! Everyone was laughing......

Adorable.

Easter Fun

This year for Easter we actually colored eggs. The kids had a blast! They colored them with
crayons to make designs before dying them.

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

The first surprise? I am blogging again! I hope to keep up on this a bit better than I have. So many things have happened since February!
My baby boy turned 1! He is walking, and he discovered how much he loves the outdoors.
The kids have almost completed their second round of swimming lessons and are just loving it.
One thing hasn't changed, my Sweetie and I are still busy homeschooling parents, learning to love and walk in grace with Jesus.

My second surprise?

My dear sister in-law called me while I was yardsaling on Saturday and told me my favorite
store had a 1/2 off day, and I should run down there! WoW! I fell in love with this old green
farmhouse hutch, and My Sweetie surprised me and had it delivered! I couldn't believe it!
We are both quite practical with money, and as much as I hated to admit it, we didn't need it
and well, the timing wasn't great....However, being the sneaky guy that he is, and stirring in
the thoughful element...He had it sitting in our living room when we returned home that day!
YIPPEEE!

Thanks to the hard work and willing hearts of a few strong family members, this green beauty became
part of the Cook family household.

Thanks again, Honey. :)