Friday, December 21, 2012

Giving Thanks

This Thanksgiving was special. For the first time in seven years, our three oldest children, with their families, were home all together to celebrate Thanksgiving with us! 

We had a marvelous time of fellowship, food, and walks down memory lane; which included reminiscing about our special time of celebrating Thanksgiving for the past five years with our dear friends, the McDonalds.



Rebecca made place markers for everyone.

Elaina made some candies pecans.

The finished product, sort of. They looked better in the bowl!
                                                           
Sweet potatoes waiting to be made into pudding.
       
 Adrianna and Rebecca preparing mash potatoes which is one of the family's favorite dishes.
                                 
Found this heart-shaped potato in the bag. God is so clever!
The girls thought was neat.


Setting the table

Justin having a Firemen Brew and looking like he is really enjoying it. 

    Everyone hanging out and talking while some food is being prepared.

All the guys on their electronics...being so very social, not!  

Melinda brought her camera and took our Christmas pictures.

My daughters leaned in for a group picture.

She gets one with me too.

Justin and Melinda, very loving and lovely!

This little family took their picture on the swing.
After which Mom and Dad gave Jael a ride.

Look at those beautiful Eyes! 

Waiting for the food to cook, more fellowship, and sad but true...
electronics being playing. 



Jael loves Pip, but she was not to happy with him though.

Jael playing with a dolly and pushing the stroller around. It is so fun to think of how many daughters and granddaughters have pushed that same cart around when they were her age. 

Dad cutting the organic turkey...yum!!

The guy bonding at its best! 

Some of the kids playing Uno. Jael joined in the game.
Jen is knitting a ball for Hattie. 

The family at play.

 Finally, we got to the good part dinner!

Yummy...homemade pecan pie... 

...and delicious pumpkin pie.

The Girls playing sorry after dinner.

The men playing Sanford dominoes (played like Hearts).
A family favorite for four generations!
They took turns as it is a four player game and we have lots of guys. 


 Garrison reading one of his favorite books and having a blast while doing it!

 Talking on many different subjects.

Happy 2012 Thanksgiving from our family to yours!










Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The House the Lord Built


Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it...Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward...Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
 
Psalm 127



Our little brown house is nestled in the center of  5.97 acres of land which we have named Shiloh; meaning "He whose right it is". This land, this home, this family, all belong to the Lord to do with "Whate'er my God ordains is right."



This is the house the Lord built.




This is the inside of the house the Lord built.









This is the family, who loves the Lord, that live
in the house the Lord built.

Peter, Nathan, Zachary, Dad, Mom,
Rebecca, Victoria
Adrianna, and Elaina

These are the children, who wait in Cebu, who are joining the family, who loves the Lord, that lives in the house the Lord built. 

 4 J's
(no pictures allowed yet)
Follow 'Journey to Cebu' blog posts:



These are the children, who have grown and gone, who love the family, who loves the Lord, that lives in the house the Lord built. 

Joshua, Jennifer, Jael, and Hadassah due in March

T. Garrison (serving in the US Marine Corps)

Melinda and Justin



These are the children, who have grown and gone, who like the family, who loves the Lord, that lives in the house the Lord built.


Cassandra, Susanna, William, and Derick

These are the dogs, who love the family, who loves the Lord, that lives in the house the Lord built. 

Gertie and Betsy


These are the grandchildren, who crowned Grammy and Gramps, who love the Lord, that live in the house the Lord built. 

Jazlyne (Cassandra)

Julianna (Cassandra)

Jael Mercy (Josh and Jen)

 
Athena (Susanna)

Hadassah (Josh and Jen)



This is the land, that surrounds the family, who loves the Lord, that lives in the house the Lord built.


SW corner


NW corner


SE corner


NE corner 


Our two gardens


 The playground

This is the play and work on the land, that surrounds the family, who loves the Lord, that lives in the house the Lord built.


J & M dancing on her 18th birthday (2008)


J & M dancing on their Wedding Day (2011)


family volleyball game

trampoline jumping


(or walking)


 s'mores at the fire pit


  family horseshoes


July 4th Celebration hosting our Church

mega burn pile fire

climbing and repelling from trees

gun shoots in the spring


shoveling snow in the winter


This is the house the Lord built. And happy is the man and his family!



Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel.
Psalm 128