Little School House in the Snow

Here's a piece of area history. This school house, located in what is known as "Vine Valley" was busy with children from 1874-1937. I plan to get another shot of it in the springtime...and then maybe again in the summer. I love history. If I am ever up near my homtown with my camera, I'll try to remember to take a picture of the school my grandpa went to as a boy.

My Other Life

In my other life I clean a few houses. It gives me some extra cash and the hours are perfect. I can put my kids on the bus, go clean a house, and get back to the house to get the kids off the bus. All my weekends are mine...and so are my evenings. Also...I never have to bring home my work in any form. Clean it and forget about it!

Every good house cleaner needs to know a few tricks of the trade. First off...put on a good pair of "lace up shoes".

Get out your tools of trade.

Put on a few good tunes. I try to remember to worship the Lord...and sometimes I pray while I clean.

This customer happens to live out in the sticks. The view from the upstairs is just beautiful. Sometimes I get here early and sit on the couch in front of the window with this view. A few times I have even borrowed a good devotional belonging to my customer. She's a wonderful sister in the Lord!

Sorry you can't really tell what the view is like from this picture.

On the drive home! I'm always on the lookout for deer. You never know when they'll pop out of the woods. This morning I saw a pheasant..but I couldn't get my camera fast enough for a picture.

Happy Birthday, Audra!

It is Audra's birthday today. She is now 10 years old! We celebrated over the weekend with a slumber party. Four of her friends came to spend the night on Saturday. We took them all bowling, went home for cake and ice cream, and to open gifts.

The night was filled with lots of laughter, talking and giggling. I think they finally settled down around 12:45 am. The next morning was a pancake breakfast and then we took the girls to our church...where there just happened to be a Beach Bash party scheduled during what normally is kid's Sunday school. Sunglasses, shorts and flipflops were the attire for the day.

They all seemed to have fun!

Allen is here wondering if it is safe to come out yet!

Winter Fun

Call me crazy, but I took the kids sledding after school today (plus two friends). Not too far from our house...just a few blocks. The yellow building is the city hall. They all had fun and didn't seem any worse for the wear!

Awana Fun!

Alicia and one of her best friends at Awana tonight with Bobo the clown. He made them each a mouse out of balloons. The kids had a great time!

Train up a child

When I went to go pick up my daughter from Sunday school today, I peeked in the doorway and saw her looking up scriptures. I just happened to have my camera in my purse...so I snapped this shot before she knew I had come. It really delighted me to see her in the Word. I can imagine how delighted our heavenly Father is when we are in the Word as well.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:16-17

We have hope in the Lord

I think I am ready to blog again.

We have had a sad week. Our dear friend Dunja lost her husband so suddenly...just stunning and shocking us all. All of our hearts are with Dunja and her family. We lift them up to the Lord to hold close to his heart. May He comfort them during this time of great loss.

I went to the service today and it truly was beautiful with a strong message of salvation and the hope we have in Christ. Please keep the family in your prayers...they will have difficult days ahead.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps 34:18

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Ps 46:1

Icy night walk

Tonight I went out for a walk in the freezing cold with my camera. I wanted to get some night shots of the ice on the trees. I really was not all that successful. I wanted the spire of the county court house in the background with the ice shimmering in the light of the streetlights. This was quite a challenge since it was only 10 F out and using a camera with gloves is very difficult!

You will have to use your imagination since in reality...it looked way cooler than this photo shows.

My fingers were frozen and I couldn't wait to get back in the warmth of my house. The dog was with me and even he was in a hurry to get home.

Icy day

It being Martin Luther King Day here in the US...the kids didn't have school. We woke up to ice coating everything outside. It made the trees into beautiful ice sculptures. Here is our crab apple tree.

Dishwasher Girl

Here at my house we have the kids take turns washing the dishes after dinner. They think this is paramount to child abuse. Tonight was Alicia's turn. This will be a picture she will treasure as an adult someday.

my swimmer

Today was a swim meet for my daughter. Here she is competing in the 50 butterfly. She didn't win the race, but she ended up taking 8 seconds off her time!

I am very proud of my swimmer.

Recent photos at last!

At last I have figured out how to put pictures recently taken on the web. It will be more fun that way. However...I must be strict with myself in computer use. It is not typing that bothers me. It is clicking and scrolling with the mouse.

A few pictures here.

Allen on Christmas evening at Martha's house.

Alicia with our dog, Sherman.

Audra working on a sewing project.

Me...an update.

The drywall is up. Mudding is being worked on. It is coming along quite well.

I have access to a sloooooow computer. (better than nothing)

I have carpel's tunnel in my right wrist. (Finally went to doctor) I am wearing a wrist splint...not all day, but particularly at night.

Sorry so short. Trying to conserve wrist. Blessings to all!

Unpredictable

Hi everyone. Just wanted you all to know that my computer use will be unpredictable (not as regular) for a month or so. I'll try to duck in once in a while when I can. (If I'm near a usable computer with internet) We are taking down our computer in order to drywall the room that it is in.

Hurray!!!! This means progress on my house!

As you can see by this picture, even my daughter is excited about it!

Things that make you go "Hmmmmm"

I learned something today. Just because someone danced at your wedding (and I have pictures to prove it) does not guarantee that they will have a clue who you are 14 years later.

Happy New Year

As I think about this new year...I'm thinking about how the Lord is continuing to work in me and mold me and make me into the person He desires me to be. I just hope to be as pliable and workable as the clay in this potter's hands.
Wishing you all a Happy 2007!