Family blessings

There's something about family that is just hard to explain.  The inward bond of love that cannot be written in words.  The precious memories created that only those involved will ever understand.  The blessing given to us by our loving heavenly Father that cannot be replaced. And while this is very true for my immediate family, it goes beyond them. My extended family.  My church family.  My family of friends.  The opportunities available to spend time with my families are bittersweet.  The days and weeks before, are spent in anticipaiton of being together.  The time together is spent making memories, cherishing moments, and creating lasting ties.  But when the time comes to part, it's hard to let go.  The only thing that allows the goodbyes to be bearable, is the hope that we have to see eachother again.  If not in this world, then in the world to come. 

While this may sound sappy, it's true.  I love my families.  And I'm so thankful to my God who has given me these awesome blessings in my life to cherish. 

As you probably have guessed, I had a reason to write this post, and yes, it involves family!  This past weekend, Mom, Dad, Jesse, and I spent our first part of our vacation out East with my relatives from Rockville.  It was a blessing.  Many of them I haven't really spent much time with for at least 5 years, and let me tell you that 5 years changes ALOT!  At least for me at my age.  There's something about being 14 and being 19 when it comes to spending time with extended family.  I think I enjoyed it a whole lot better at 19 and I saw the blessing in it. 

So here's a snipet of our time together!

Our home by the ocean for 2 nights

Volleyball games

walks...I took pictures...

eating out at a seafood restaruant.

I felt brave and tried lobster...it was...interesting!

Saturday morning we all got up before 5 to go deep sea fishing.

It was an experience but I had fun!  We were all a little sore the next few days.
I know...that sounds wimpy, but those fish were HUGE! (well depends whose reading this...!)

Jesse, his fish, and the 1st mate...

Joanna and I after the advetenture...we both caught 5 each!

Eating the fish that we caught that day.  It was delicious!

Sunday night we were invited to the lake with several other families.

Some went skiing, others pontooned around the lake taking in the sights.

chillin' w/ my cuz's

Me, Josie, Joanna, and Taylor.
3 wonderful ladies and friends.

 So many memories.  Soo much hospitality and love was shown to us.  We are soo blessed.  Looking forward to my next trip out east!! Anyone's welcome!

More vacation posts to come...

Friend·ship

noun
1. The emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends
2. A relationship between friends created through a bond of love, likeness, and common faith
3. A special bond created between two or more people that is cherished and treasured for a lifetime

Synonyms
1. attachment, relationship, bond, tie
2. friendliness, harmony, affection, fondness, companionship
3. closeness, love, regard


As I was looking up definitions for friendship, I was struck by how cold, formal, and vague the words were that many dictionaries used to describe such an important, complex, and matchless word.  Of course, there's no way one dicionary could even begin to contain the whole definition of friendship.  It's endless.  And its unique to everyone.  It's a concept that is difficult to fully grasp, and definitely something that I take for granted.  It's easily destroyed if not properly cared for.  Fragile.  And it takes effort from both sides to nuture.   But it's truly one of God's greatest gifts that He has created for each of us.  Most importantly, the friendship He offers to us with Him - although this friendship is of a different and even more incomprehensible nature than our earthly friendships. 

So you see, this concept of friendship cannot fully be expressed in words.  It must be experienced, felt, treasured by each person, themselves.  And yet, we need to all understand its importance, its magnitude, and its influence in our life, continuously being thankful to the One who created it for us to embrace.  Thank You, Lord! 

And now to share with you some friendships that have recently entered my life, somewhat unexpectedly, but forever treasured in my heart.  And some others that have been in my life for many years, but grow more precious each day.  I love you all!

Leigha and Jody (1st two girls pictured L-R), some of Karla's friends from Kansas traveled to IL last weekend, and Karla was kind enough to share them with me! ;)

Saturday we spent the morning together horsebackriding up North.  Emily helps out at a horse-breeding farm and set up the day for us.  We had a blast!  Karla and I were the new-bees but I'd say that we got broke in real fast!  (sorry that this picture isn't very good...I couldn't get my horse to turn around or move for that matter...so yeah... I feel like I'm really big and everyone else is tiny!)
And speaking of relationships...My horse, Larry, and I became reeal good friends.  Actually...I kinda miss him...Snnifff sniff!  He was really kind and gentle to me, and I began to trust him with my life as our ride went on!  (and I'm really only exaggerating a tiny bit!)  For only riding a horse 2 others times, we did some pretty crazy things that I would only trust to special people, like Larry. ☺
Ok enough about Larry.  And he was pretty cute, by the way...

I enjoyed spending the day with these four beautiful ladies, and I hope to be able to spend some more time with them in the future! 

And to all my friends out there reading this post,  I want you to know that you hold a very special place in my heart.  I love you all very much, and praise God for giving me so many beautiful friends in my life!

Pigs

Friday I helped mom make a treat for her Sunday school students on the last day of VBS.  The story was The Prodigal Son, so we made little cookie pigs.  So adorable and super easy!  Enjoy!

Ingredients needed:
~ Sugar cookies
~ Pink frosting
~ strawberry wafers cut in triangles (ears)
~ mini choc. chips (eyes)
~ lg. marshmellow cut in 1/2 (snout)
~ peanutbutter/butterscotch chips (on snout)

Recent G-Saling Bargains

Relaxing. Inspiring. Ventersome.  Memorable.  Fun.  Bargain-filled.  Unexpected.
Garage Saling.  A must-do in my family on any free spring friday.  Early mornings to beat the rush.  Inviting friends.  Meeting relatives.  Following maps.  Ending up on dead end streets.  U-turns.  Bargain buys that put a smile on your face and a bounce to your step.  Unpredictable treasures.  Haggling prices to fit your liking.  Making memories.  But my favorite...spending time together with ones that I love. 


(Added some more to this stack today)
To add to my dream library someday! :)



Adorable and cheap.  And a perty sweet photo prop...
to add to my bright oragne chair and yellow couch!



It's new home in our basement...



brown, barely worn, $1 bagain!



Japanese Kimono for a doll...something for our
Around the World Meal



And a Japanese-looking umbrella that I thought we could use as well!



$5, sweet-looking green, banana republic carnigan ;)
Was going to model...but didn't have time! haha



$2 purple purse :D



$2 teal&brown purse :D



White carnigan w/ embroidered stitching.

As you can see...not much of this was anything that I really NEEDED, but those are the best buys, right?!  Let me know if you'd like to join me on another bargain-buying adventure, someday in the near future!

Officially Old

Well, not myself....
My parents.  My mom just reached the ripe, crisp old age of 50 this past weekend.  (Sorry, mom!) But it does sound a little ancient...I mean, next is 60 and then 70 and then....Yikes, lets not go there! Alas, this might be me someday. Might not.  I guess it's a fact of life.  We're all getting older...it just is weird to think that my parents are half a century old. But I wouldn't trade my parents for anything in this world so I guess I'll just have to get over their old age!  And I pray that we have many days left together on Earth, and forever in eternity, since that is really what matters. 

To celebrate, the family surprised mom for supper Thursday night.  Dad had tried to get mom to let him take her somewhere out for dinner (and the rest of the family would show up) but mom decided to through a wrench in our plans and started dragging her feet 2 days before...so dad conned up the idea to have Jesse and I both "have plans" thursday night so he could tell mom that he'd cook her up a steak and have a romantic candle-light dinner.  Jesse and I put on our poker faces and *ahem* told some white lies.... to through her off.  Long story short, dad snuck more than just 2 steaks on the grill and the whole family showed up with the rest of them meal!  It worked marvelous!  And I think she enjoyed it much more than having a huge bash, or even just going to a restaraunt like we planned in the first place.


Sorry it's blurry...mom's expression as she realized what was happening



Isn't she adorable?! (the baby, that is....!)



The rest of the grandkids joined us after supper.



Friday, on her birthday, all of mom's daughters/in laws, and grand-girls did a little G-saling in Bloomington.  Grandma and Darla surprised mom and showed up part way through.  For lunch, we enjoyed the delicious entrees at the Mackinaw Tea Room. 



Lydia was quite pleased w/ her display of food...to say the least!



Mmmm-mmmm good!

God's Sovereignty

Astronomers are now convinced that there are more stars in the universe than there are grains of sand on the beaches of the world.  When you consider that our sun -- the star -- is a grain of sand, this makes Earth infinitestimally small!  And on this eensy speck of earth, out of the billions of people, the Lord of the universe came to earth to save YOU!  Truly, the heavens declare not only His glory, but His mercy!

Spring days

Ahhh... I just love this time of year.  The sweet smell of flowers blooming.  The bright greens of new growth.  The warm sunshine casting a golden gleam across the earth.  Birds singing peacefully in the trees.  Rain falling silently on the widows.  The short passing thunderstorms rumbling in the distance.  It's spring in all its glory!  And I'm in love with it. :)

If only I could take the time to soak it up, daily.  I had to capture of few of its moments to hold onto to carry me through the next week.  Just a few more days, a few more hours, and it will be mine, completely.  Gone with the studies and the lingering projects over my head!  Ahh.... then I will fully soak up its splendor! :)