We had a fabulous time on Thursday...Here are a few pictures of our fun day...

Meeting my Swappie friend, Sue, for the first time. She has successfully learned the fine art of wearing lipstick. Doesn't she look fabulous?! I need to buy some and try...again...to learn this art myself. Sue said the best thing to buy is L'Oreal Paris, Infallible. It's on my list...

Sue, Eric, me and Russ...Serious hiking going on. One thing I really loved about being with Sue and Eric was watching the tender way he treated his wife. It was beautiful to witness...

Reagan, Mitchell and Spider Genius, aka Niel, braving the bats, bears and the bugs, just to pose for me.

Reagan and Spidey. I wish they were in better focus.

Perhaps Spidey is trying to subtly communicate to Mitchell that he was tired of hearing him talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk,and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk.....

Russ teaching Mitchell...I don't know. I think it's a guy thing.

Cool millipede, but one I would rather live here and not at my home!

The toad that got away.

Spidey raises chicken and bless us with a "homeschoolers dozen" of his eggs.

Sue blessed us with delicious, run-down-your-face-juicy peaches. They are just like the ones I ate when I was a little girl. Yummy!!!

I think they had a good time, don't you??

We had a fabulous time on Thursday...Here are a few pictures of our fun day...

Meeting my Swappie friend, Sue, for the first time. She has successfully learned the fine art of wearing lipstick. Doesn't she look fabulous?! I need to buy some and try...again...to learn this art myself. Sue said the best thing to buy is L'Oreal Paris, Infallible. It's on my list...

Sue, Eric, me and Russ...Serious hiking going on. One thing I really loved about being with Sue and Eric was watching the tender way he treated his wife. It was beautiful to witness...

Reagan, Mitchell and Spider Genius, aka Niel, braving the bats, bears and the bugs, just to pose for me.

Reagan and Spidey. I wish they were in better focus.

Perhaps Spidey is trying to subtly communicate to Mitchell that he was tired of hearing him talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk,and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk.....

Russ teaching Mitchell...I don't know. I think it's a guy thing.

Cool millipede, but one I would rather live here and not at my home!

The toad that got away.

Spidey raises chicken and bless us with a "homeschoolers dozen" of his eggs.

Sue blessed us with delicious, run-down-your-face-juicy peaches. They are just like the ones I ate when I was a little girl. Yummy!!!

I think they had a good time, don't you??

~In Memory~

It's hard to believe that my mom died three years ago today.

This is the one and only picture I have of her with all of my children. I wish the picture was a better quality, however, it's better than nothing, right? :o)

It's hard to believe that my mom died three years ago today.

This is the one and only picture I have of her with all of my children. I wish the picture was a better quality, however, it's better than nothing, right? :o)

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know its true

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in:

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints.

2. Be sure to link so others can find the entire list of participants! Go over to PamperingBeki's blog to add your link to the list of participants.

Baby robins...Small, helpless, totally dependent.

Heavenly Father, help me to remember that I am totally dependent on YOU!

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know its true

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in:

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints.

2. Be sure to link so others can find the entire list of participants! Go over to PamperingBeki's blog to add your link to the list of participants.

Baby robins...Small, helpless, totally dependent.

Heavenly Father, help me to remember that I am totally dependent on YOU!

Today, we are going to Maquoketa Caves State Park to meet some friends. For your reading pleasure, I am bringing up an old post about an adventure my older children had at Maquoketa Caves 10 years ago.

Today, we are going to Maquoketa Caves State Park to meet some friends. For your reading pleasure, I am bringing up an old post about an adventure my older children had at Maquoketa Caves 10 years ago.

Things In My House Thursday

While I was taking a nap (I had a mild migraine) Reagan decided to bake something for youth group...He made what are supposed to be brownies. My dear friend, Casey, stopped by and tried to eat one. She broke a tooth. Seriously!!!

Every good cook ought to eat what they make, don't you think?

Come join MommySweetMom for Things In My House Thursday and share the things in your house!!

While I was taking a nap (I had a mild migraine) Reagan decided to bake something for youth group...He made what are supposed to be brownies. My dear friend, Casey, stopped by and tried to eat one. She broke a tooth. Seriously!!!

Every good cook ought to eat what they make, don't you think?

Come join MommySweetMom for Things In My House Thursday and share the things in your house!!

Christmas is coming up, sooner than I am ever ready for, but now that I can (perhaps) make some gifts, I need to get started. Look at this yummy fabric I found on Etsy...I can't wait until it gets here and I can get started!

PS...Russ and I are doing fine. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. :o)

Christmas is coming up, sooner than I am ever ready for, but now that I can (perhaps) make some gifts, I need to get started. Look at this yummy fabric I found on Etsy...I can't wait until it gets here and I can get started!

PS...Russ and I are doing fine. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words. :o)

I feel sad when Russ and I are in the middle of a misunderstanding and we can't get past our own pride to sort it out. The good part of being silent? We don't say things that are better left unsaid. The bad part? We don't say things that need to be said. For example, "I love you..."

I feel sad when Russ and I are in the middle of a misunderstanding and we can't get past our own pride to sort it out. The good part of being silent? We don't say things that are better left unsaid. The bad part? We don't say things that need to be said. For example, "I love you..."

Keith and Kristyn Getty have released their 2nd hymn cd. If you haven't listened to their music, you are missing out on great doctrinal truths in music form. Our church sings several of their songs during worship. They are Christ centered, Gospel centered, Biblically grounded and theologically sound.

God tells is that we are to sing to one another...

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

~Colossians 3:16

And here:

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

~Ephesians 5:18-21

Since you can not hear me sing (which should cause great joy to rise up in your heart) I have something else to offer. As a thank-you for my purchase, they are offering all my friends a 10% discount off any purchase at Gettymusic.com in the next 2 weeks. When checking-out enter the following discount code:

Barta32403

This code is valid for 2 weeks (8/3 - 8/17), and can be used as many times as you wish. So please feel free to pass it on to friends or family!

Have a blessed Monday!! :-D

Edit: So far, this is my favorite song:

Compassion Song

Keith and Kristyn Getty have released their 2nd hymn cd. If you haven't listened to their music, you are missing out on great doctrinal truths in music form. Our church sings several of their songs during worship. They are Christ centered, Gospel centered, Biblically grounded and theologically sound.

God tells is that we are to sing to one another...

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

~Colossians 3:16

And here:

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

~Ephesians 5:18-21

Since you can not hear me sing (which should cause great joy to rise up in your heart) I have something else to offer. As a thank-you for my purchase, they are offering all my friends a 10% discount off any purchase at Gettymusic.com in the next 2 weeks. When checking-out enter the following discount code:

Barta32403

This code is valid for 2 weeks (8/3 - 8/17), and can be used as many times as you wish. So please feel free to pass it on to friends or family!

Have a blessed Monday!! :-D

Edit: So far, this is my favorite song:

Compassion Song