~Ross Country Cottage~

Been a Busy Season

2009-03-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

It is nearly 11:30 at night and I thought to myself, "Why not try to post a quick blog?" I went into my craft program and found this picture of 4 girls. Since I have 4 daughters I liked it. It is not anyone's birthday here in the Ross household but the picture still felt cute and just right for me. I am not quite there for getting out the camera and doing pictures.

You may wonder just what has kept me so busy. I had a major surgery on February 19th. I am in week 3 of my 6 to 8 weeks of recovery time. I am so blessed to have had so many helping me out during this time. We have had pretty much nonstop meals brought to us since the surgery. My friend from dayz in and dayz out, simply storks sister, arranged meals for my family with many friends from my church and homeschool center. I can not tell you how much meals help to keep a wonderful family balance going.

Each day I am getting a bit stronger and in less pain. I still have a problem that we are looking into to fix. Hoping the fix comes soon but know that I do not walk alone in it if it does not. I have my post op appointment on this Thursday, March 12th. Maybe I will get the go ahead to drive? We'll see! Although I have a big 4 x 4 suburban that is a bit to climb into....so maybe that wish is too soon considering I have a nice size abdominal incision that is healing....getting restless I guess.

I have missed talking to everyone and keeping up on everyone's lives. I hope you all are doing well. Blessings to everyone from me!

2009-01-06T00:16:00.000-08:00

A quick post. We have had a sick grandma here at the Ross household over this Christmas break. Her name is Grandma Shirley. She lives with us and is 87. She does not really like to have her picture taken but I do have a few shots of her...just have not time to sort through and find one. Grandma Shirley ended up going to the hospital last week and was diagnosed with pneumonia and atrial fibrillation. She has spent several days in the hospital and today went to the rehab section of our local nursing home. She should be there for 1 to 2 weeks and then gets to come home. Also at the hospital at the same time was another gentleman from our church who is 93. His name is Jim. His diagnosis ended up the same, pneumonia, and also been transferred to the same rehab center. Please keep these 2 in your prayers. The Doctor who treated Grandma said she was his 4Th elderly person checked in with pneumonia this week. That is a lot considering our hospital is only a 23 bed hospital. It has been a hard winter for our elderly.

~A Clear Bethlehem Night~

2008-12-28T23:33:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas

this year! We had a first here in the Northwest...

a real..I mean real...white Christmas!

We have had loads of snow this month...

Loads is not even an exaggeration!

I had hoped to be able to post a Christmas story

before Christmas but we had the electricity go out

3 different times and also had the Internet go

out ( yes again!). I am going to post one

anyways even if it is December 28Th today!

I hope to post some snow pictures later this week

and also to be able to catch up on saying hi

to you all on your blog sites!

Please enjoy this Christmas story.

I wrote it several months ago for

this years Christmas for my girls.

~~~

"A Clear Bethlehem Night"

It was a clear Bethlehem night and

out from my window I stared.

I could see a lady, on a donkey, great with child

and wondered if for this event of soon would she be prepared.

A man lead her way with concern on his face.

Looking for a spot where she could rest,

in a private space.

Tired she looked but also upon her face

was a resting peace.

For soon, very soon, her baby would be

swaddled in a blanket of simple fleece.

From place to place they looked

for a room.

For this baby would be coming and coming

quite soon.

From place to place no room could be bought.

Till they happened upon a man who

said, "A stable to share is

my only left spot."

With the straw and animals this baby

soon would need to lay.

No time to put it too worry,

for this baby would coming

and coming this day.

I wondered just why the stars

were shining so big, so bright.

Their glow made the sky an

awe inspiring sight.

I thought of this lady

and of this man.

What a special night for a baby's birth,

almost as if to fulfill a great plan.

Curious were my thoughts as

I wanted to learn, hoping to

see more.

Down my stairs I decided to step.

heading out to explore.

I ended up in a stable, and

stood still in a shadow of dark.

What was it about this night

that seemed as if something

was about to embark.

I wondered and wondered and

just for myself had to know.

This baby came and His

presence held a peace to bestow.

Just then shepherds from the nearby

fields to town came in.

Professing and sharing the news

of a newborn King.

I then knew this night was special

and holy, as this baby in a stable was born.

This birth was the beginning of what would

become the first Christmas morn.

To my knees I dropped and gave thanks

for this newborn King.

Thanking God for the plan and provision

of this baby, and all that it is

and will bring.

Not knowing just what it all meant was for me OK,

as God's peace held it to a peaceful right.

In my prayer I simply spoke, "Thank you

dear God that you cared and sent to us

a King on this starlit night."

Written by Kimberly Ross

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2008-12-14T21:16:00.001-08:00

We welcomed our first snow here

in the Northwest this weekend!

It made for some very happy

Ross girls.

The snow is so beautiful.

Our chicken house

Trees lining our yard

Our rocks

The beauty of snow!

Night time sky

Our Internet was fixed and on

then it was off again...we found that

one of our dogs had chewed through

the phone line going into the computer.

It took a couple of days or more to discover

that one! I hope everyone is enjoying

this Christmas season....

Don't forget the real

reason for the season....He came as

a babe...something that we can relate

too and understand...a simple baby....

He stayed here for the just right

amount of time and then died for us...

then He rose again, for us...

He is the Reason for the Season.

The greatest Christmas gift ever!

~Season of Simplicity~

2008-12-03T21:57:00.000-08:00

I am back on! Just in time for the holiday season. We had a phone

repair guy come and he figured out our Internet problem

...moisture in the phone box, down the road from our home.

He fixed it and now we have Internet back. As for me I have

continued to go to the doctors, we seemed to have pinpointed

the problem and I should be having surgery after the holidays.

It will be 1 surgery covering 2 problems...sort of a 2 for 1!

Do you like my header picture? I have a craft program and

found the picture in it. It reminded me of simplicity

and youthful excitement. The kind that I am sure the

Lord loves to see us in..instead of in a holiday madness

and shopping craze.

Christmas has, for many been, stretched to what it is not

...I hope for you and your family that Christmas

remains what it is meant to be instead.

Jesus' birth had a simplicity about it. No fancy birthing suite

in a big hospital. Now I know most of us would prefer not to

give birth in a stable...but the workability of Jesus' birth

is what made it so simple...it worked out with out all the

big shebang and fanciness we think things need. No fancy car to

get Mary and Joseph to the hospital. No modern wheel chair to

get Mary to her birthing spot. No fancy layette for the baby

to sleep in Just a simple space in a simple space....and yet

it all worked out.

I wonder if Christmas can simply work out if we keep it simple

and not complicated...What would Jesus want my celebration to look

like? A mad rush to get it all right or a simpler memory filled with

simple smiles and happiness. It is something to think about for

sure! I have missed "talking" with everyone online! I hope

everyone is doing well...

Wishing everyone an enjoyable time of Christmas preparation......

Remember to simply enjoy this Holiday Season for what

it really is and not for what it really is not!

MRI Update....And Dr. Update

2008-11-19T23:53:00.000-08:00

Hi My computer has been online all day long today!

I am not sure what has been wrong and we did nothing

to fix it but I am glad to see it staying on.

Yesterday ( Tuesday) I had a pain in my upper abdomen

all day long. This is not the pain I had the MRI for.

By days end I called the consulting nurse and she

suggested I head to urgent care (our insurance company's

in between for needed care that is not an emergency).

I went in and it appears I was having gallbladder

troubles ...or perhaps an ulcer. I will be going in next Monday

for an Ultrasound. I went home with

pain pills. After a bit the pain finally settled

down....perhaps it was the 2 pain pills that helped!

I have not been to the Doctor for

years and in the last 2 months I have had several appointments.

I have been examined, poked and prodded all over...

making up for lost time I guess! The Doctor who saw

me last night looked at my chart and saw I was 43

and said "Welcome to the 40's"

During the appointment last night I noticed that my

MRI results were up on the Doctor's computer

screen. I asked her if that was my MRI results and

she said they were. I asked her if she could tell me

what they said. She gladly shared the results with me.

They have came back that the masses appear to be

cysts that are benign.....the "B" word is the good word

to hear and I got to hear it. I will still have to go in for

a consult on December 2nd and we will make decisions

about them. The concern is still the size of the bigger one.

If it is a "functional" cyst then it should go down in size over

the next couple of months. This is what will be watched for.

Also I still have the original pain I went in for so I will be glad

to discuss what can be done to get rid of it.

Thank you all for your prayers. I have felt great measures

of peace over this and know that the Lord is carrying me

leaving His set of footprints in the sand.

I hope to be able to blog with a picture and all real soon!

Bye and have a great day today!

2008-11-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

My Internet connection is still messed up this week!

Thank you all for your prayers!

I did well during the MRI. The more you hold

still the sooner you get out of the machine! I had no

intention of spending too long in it so I held still!

I have an appointment on December 2ND to go

over what they find on the MRI test. They will also

discuss treatment options during this appointment.

December 2ND seems far away. The December 2ND appointment

was made before I even had the MRI. It was the soonest they could

get me in. I am thinking that if I don't hear from them and

if no one calls me right away that that is in my favor?

Sounds good to me! They did say that maybe

my doctor could tell me sooner. I will call him at the beginning of

next week to see if he is able..till then patience is going

to have to be the protocol. God has been good with his

provision of peace and patience for me. I appreciate that

so much. I will get this posted before my connection

goes out. I hope I can figure out what is wrong soon!

Bye for now.....Kim

2008-11-04T21:11:00.000-08:00

My computer's Internet connection

has been going out over and over lately.

I have been unable to get into blogs and read

or to post. I have managed to get on for this

quick moment so I am going to make a quick

post of a prayer request.

I have an MRI on Friday morning at 8 a.m.

Originally I was to have a cat scan on Wednesday

but it has been changed to an MRI.

I have been having some abdominal

pain that needs checking on. They have found a

mass/perhaps cyst that is suspicious and needs checking

on. Please pray for my calm during the test. For some reason

I am calm about it but then when I talk to others it appears

I maybe should be worried about being inside the scanning

machine. I am going to try to place this time in the Lord's hands

and work on not borrowing trouble before the test begins.

Please also prayer for the medical team to be able to

place my IV in me. This has been a struggle in the past

when I have had my babies. The last time I ended up very bruised,

after a long time of digging to get it in. And lastly pray for the

doctor's guidance to be able to see what they need

to see and to decide what is the best next step for me.

My Favorite Flower

The Dandelion...

I think I will think about a field full of these

beautiful ( I mean that!) Flowers while

my test is being done!

They always make me smile as they remind me

of my 4 daughters and all the summer and spring time

hours spent picking them.

~On The Way To A Friend's House~

2008-10-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

I have been unable to get my pictures to load

from my camera into the computer this month.

Add that in with the school year up and going and

yep...I am behind on all blogging. Overall we are doing fine

at the Ross household. I myself have had to

go in for some testing at the Dr. Office for a problem

I have been having. So I have also been a bit tired.

I should find out probably today about that and

then maybe I can get it taken care of soon!

I decided to look in my older photos and see what I had that I

could post just for fun. These are some pictures I took

on the way to a friend's house, this last summer.

For her I am wondering if she can guess

who she is? For everyone else enjoy the everyday

beauty found in our daily trips to and from places!

Oh yeah the pictures loaded out of order as the driving one

should have been first. I am never just sure how a

computer takes over my efforts to do something, but

somehow they do!!!

Another oh yeah...my 2nd oldest daughter says

she thinks she may have figured out the picture loading

problem...hopefully she's right and I can load some photos!

I love old houses! I always wonder about their histories.

Families growing up within the walls, new babies being born,

a newly married man and woman enjoying their first home.

I would love to enter all old houses and sit and just read about

the history of who lived within it's walls.

A picket fence with lovely flowers.

This fence belongs to someone I know.

There is a certain peace that comes

with a white fence and flowers!

An old dock leading out into a lake. Lots of fun had

here by many I am sure!

Hubby's hands safely driving our family on
this drive!

~Road To No Where~

2008-10-06T23:57:00.000-07:00

At times I can be a thinker and a ponderer. I watch myself

and I watch others and I find it interesting to see the many

paths that we people can find ourselves on. Are we , am I , on

the path that the Lord would have me be on or am

I on the path made by my own decisions and choices.

Taking away the lead from the Lord. I know

that it is so easy to stray off the path, that in a quick

moment of time I can be off and planning my own way.

My way never leads in the direction that is best for my steps

to follow. It seems to happen so quickly before I know it

I am on a road to nowhere. Oh I work real hard on this road.

I keep moving, thinking,planning and fixing the path I am on.

...but still I get nowhere.

~~~~

~Road To Nowhere~

What brings out the best

isn't perfection you see.

What makes me the best is those

things that bring me to my knees.

In this world when I do

it on my own,

I can leave God out, but His

love of me keeps me never alone.

He gently on my shoulder will tap,

He'll be patient as He waits

for me to rest in His arms, taking time

to sit upon His lap.

I fight so hard to be all

that I can be.

He waits so patiently for me

to give all my heart to him and for

my eyes to open and clearly see.

No pressure does He place

upon me while I on my own stand.

He allows the consequences of my actions

to teach me, but always waits with His

outstretched hand.

Am I choosing a road to no where,

not looking to Him above?

Or is what I need to seek is His path,

given to me with His perfect love?

~~~~

A trip through the Psalms shows me a lot about

the Lord's path for me. It is a loving path with many

words of encouragement: He guides me, He restores my soul,

He teaches me, He sets my heart free, His path provides me with

delight, He fills me with joy, He keeps my feet from slipping, Keeps my

ankles from turning, He provides a light to my path. With

all that the Lord provides for me why would I ever think my own

road could ever be better. He loves me and leads me better

then I could ever lead myself!

Where is your road going? Toward God or is it

a road to nowhere? I am so glad that God is who He is.

His path is peaceful and it leads somewhere I want to be.

Psalm 23:3

He restores my soul.

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

Psalm 25:4

Show me your ways, O Lord,

Teach me your paths.

Psalm 119:32

I run in the path of your commands,

for you have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:35

Direct me in the path of your commands,

for there I find delight.

Psalm 16:11

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 17:5

My steps have held to your paths;

my feet have not slipped.

Psalm 18:36

You broaden the path beneath me,

so that my ankles do not turn.

Psalm 119:101

I have kept my feet from every evil path

so that I might obey your word.

Psalm 119:105

You word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

2008-09-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hitting the Books!

I have been slow in posting with the school year underway.

There seems so much to do each day. The computer is

a part of our lessons. We have curriculum the girls do on it.

They also use it for research as for reports and homework.

It is hard to find it free in on any given minute of each

day. There is much to learn and many to teach!

My last "Take a Guess Tuesday" was 2 weeks

ago...My picture was of frozen raspberries! YUM!!

I can not find the picture to re post it....lost some where in cyberland

I suppose! I will not post too many of them over

the school year as it is hard to get to. But I will still post,

perhaps slowly, but I will still try!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful fall!

Our weather here has been superb! We have nearly

had a whole month of sun...not completely but nearly!

Fall is my favorite time of year...what's yours?

Enjoy this season! It provides the nourishment

needed to grow a beautiful spring!

~He Changes Times & Seasons~

2008-09-22T23:26:00.000-07:00

~~~

Fall has begun and it seems like along with the falling

leaves twinkling down from their branches that I

my self am falling further and further behind!

Last week I had every hour planned, before

getting our homeschooling schedule up and going, and

the kids fell sick. You know how it goes...we have all been

there. This time around was not to be a quicky to get

over and done with. It is now Monday night and I

have had some child sick for nearly a week now...my youngest

held on the worst but thankfully took a turn for the better

today. I finally saw her precious smile come back on her

sweet face. She has only had a few crackers as of yet but

hopes to be eating a real meal soon! So who is in charge

of this season in my life? My human mind wants

to just have it all over with...no more sickness and

better yet get back to my plans. But I have to stop

and look to see just what it is that He wants. Is it all about

my plans or is it really all about His plan?

Why do we fight so hard to make it our plan. Like

my plan would bring more peace to myself. It always

seems like having it all my way would do that but I am so glad

the good Lord knows the real truth about that and keeps me

on track! He is in charge of this season in my life and

all the seasons before and the ones to come. He already

knows my story. Thankfully so because I am sure

I could not write a better story or live the

plan for my life in a better way then the way

the Lord has planned it for me. My plan is all about me,

His Plan is all for me.

~~~

~He Changes Times and Seasons~

~Daniel 2:21~

"Praise be to the name of God for ever

and ever; wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons;

he sets up kings and deposes them.

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what lies in the darkness,

and light dwells with him.

I thank and praise you,

O God of my fathers;

You have given me wisdom and power,

you have made known to me what we asked of you,

you have made known to us the dream of the king."

~~~

Thank you to Simply for sharing this photo with me!

~Sick Kid's~

2008-09-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

Home again but for today

we have:

sick kids, and one tired mom,

at the Ross household.

Wishing all a great day...

Off to wash bedding from

last night! Us moms can

be tough cookies for sure!

We clean up the grossest messes

and yet love these special children

every step of the way! God

knew just what kid's needed when

he made moms...He knows what

us mom's need to make it through

....He is good that way.

Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

~Heading Over the Mountains~

2008-09-14T23:56:00.000-07:00

I am heading over the mountains again this week,

for 3 days. This time I will be going to my dad's house

to help out for a bit. His well pump went out and

my uncle went over to fix it 2 weeks ago. He is going

back to finish it up. He asked me and any of my girls

if we would like to come along. This seemed like a great

opportunity for some one on one time with my

3rd born daughter and also a great time for my other 3

to have some time together at home with each

other and their dad. My 3rd born is very

excited for this trip! She loves to stay moving and busy!

She is packed and ready to roll....I am off to

pack and then head to bed!

I am going to post my "Take a Guess Tuesday"

after this post and will be back to blog again on Thursday.

Although I am having a bit of a small problem in that my

pictures will not load off of my camera today for some

reason? Computers put us so far ahead and

then at times so lost in the dark!

These are a few pictures on my daughter!

I can rarely get an eye contact picture of

her but I can still get a great smiley one!

Have a Great Week!

~Take a Guess Tuesday~

2008-09-14T12:50:00.001-07:00

Here is last weeks

"Take a Guess Tuesday"

Do you know what this is?

All of you were right again,

although one of you were right on...(Dayz)

it is the Albino snake from the

Reptile Zoo.

This snake goes to different schools, fairs and parks for

kids to be able to hold and learn more about.

It is very long (although I am not sure how long)

All the kids line up and hold onto it. It is also very

heavy! My girls are the 2 front ones (in the blue

and brown sweatshirts.)

The reptile man's show is always a favorite with

my girls! Big smiles all around!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is next weeks

"Take a Guess Tuesday"

Do you know what this is?

Hint?....Yum!

~STAND PROUD...STAND TALL~

2008-09-11T01:20:00.000-07:00

Today is 9-11,

a few years ago that was just another date

on our calendar each year. Now it stands for so much

more. This day brought sadness and shock to us all

as we watched each event unfold. We found out how

weak we were ...we found out how strong we are!

It has been awhile since I put on a poem. I sat

one day thinking upon that day and wanted to

put into words what I feel when I think about 9-11.

The following poem is in memory of those who got up

to an ordinary day with an unordinary outcome.

The purpose that day was to weaken
Americans where we stand....but with

memories of those we lost there is only one thing to do

Stand Proud and Stand Tall!

~~~

9-11...

~ STAND PROUD...STAND TALL~

As the morning dew set the flag

flew high, at the entrance of town.

But in the short hours ahead families

across America would be weakened,
their faces held down.
~

People on flights or sitting at desks,

preparing for the day ahead.

Not realizing life would soon have them

as a special memory instead.

Firemen and policemen off to work

to protect me, to protect you.

Not looking back when the calls rang in,

there was no doubt that they had to go

or a hint of doubt as to what they had to do.

Always ever so strong in

America we like to stand.

But for this moment in time fear gripped

us as word raced across this great land.

How could it be that a plan this

big could be implemented and go unseen.

On an ordinary morning of busyness lives

were brought to the moment where there

would be nothing left to glean.

Amidst the dust and the smoke it

became evident, it became clear.

Special people were gone from our presence

with only their memories to draw them near.

The flags, in towns across America,

dropped to half mass that day.

We wondered if our heads could be lifted up

or if our resilience would return to stay.

For a moment, just a moment, we

wondered if America could recover

from this time of duress,

But American's showed strength as

they dealt with the sadness, trying

hard to remember that they lived in a

nation where they were still incredibly blessed.

One crazed man gathered forces, trying

to make a point to Americans one and all.

I choose to show him I remember those we

lost but my head will remain high

as in America I stand proud and I stand tall!

~KSR~

~Take a Guess Tuesday~

2008-09-09T05:03:00.000-07:00

Here it is one more chance to guess!

Do you know what this is?

Nearly everyone got this right it is wood, "stacked"

(in a way...but not in the way you might have imagined!)

It is stacked onto a planter and glued on!

Up close in the camera it gave the illusion of

a firewood pile!

Here is next weeks

"Take a Guess Tuesday"

Do you know what this is?

Good luck guessing!!

~Fabulous Finds~

2008-09-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I love

shopping at 2nd hand stores to provide for my household.

I did not used to be that way. In fact it takes a bit

of practice to get good at it. Now I find that

90% of what I wear and my family wears is from

a 2nd hand store (or a friend whose children have

out grown their clothing). Also my house is decorated with

mostly used items. We do not have a large income,

but God created me with tons of creativity to balance

that out! I am so thankful for that creativity.

In August I was asked to do a wedding cake for a

good friend of mine. I am not a professional decorator

but have taken Wilton cake classes for fun. That makes

me able to do ok enough on cakes...maybe not for

someone who likes a perfect touch..but ok enough for

someone who wants to be careful with their budget and

wants a cake and is not worried about it being "perfect".

I felt busy and tired this month. So I put this cake into God's

hands. I prayed for him to provide me the money to

make it and also the energy to make it. God is so good...

So what does that have to do with a "fabulous find" in the

2nd hand store? Well I went to a wedding the week before

I was to make my friend's wedding cake and I saw this

version of a cake on a scrolly cake stand. Seeing this really

made me think how much easier it would be to tier a cake this

way then to stack the cake the way I have done before.

I set this to prayer and asked God if perhaps there was a way

I could come up with a version like it that could work

for my friend's cake...Here is what He came up

with for my answer...He really hears our prayers..big or little!

He hears them all and knows what we need and what it takes

to make those needs work...

~~~

Here is the cake I saw at the wedding the week before

~~~

I went to a couple of 2nd hand stores and found

this plate stand, these clear plates, and these 2 candle

holders. The plate stand was gold and the candle holders

were black. I had a can of antique white paint at home

and sprayed them all antique white.

I was not sure if a plate stand would work but gave it a shot.

Here is what my version turned out as...

It was so much easier to travel this cake (traveled 2 hours) and a lot

faster to put it together once I got to the reception spot.

My friend gave me the flowers once I got there and her

daughter and I worked together to decide how to put them on the cake.

It was funny to me that the 2 candles..(which cost $3.99 for both together)

were more expensive then the cake stand or the candle holders!

The wedding and the cake turned out beautiful.

God is so good and hears our prayers and concerns

He also hears my praise everytime I see how he

answered this prayer for me and for my friend!

Something so simple mattered to him and He

provided for it.

Thank you for sharing in my fabulous find!

I have been in smiles over this request being met

for 2 weeks now! I only had a week for this to come

together. God created time and for Him a week

was no big deal!

~Take a Guess Tuesday~....Finally!

2008-09-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy and have not been getting to

the blog like I like to. I posted this

"Take a Guess Tuesday" 2 or 3 weeks ago!

I had better follow through with the answer!

So Here it is...do you know what this is?

If you guessed marbley things you are part right,

but if you guessed FROG you were right on!!!

While making some stepping

stones we had a little visitor!

My girls all love catching frogs! With a huge swamp/pond

on our property they have caught many a frog

for many a year!

~~~

Here is next weeks

"Take a Guess"

Do you know what this is?

Good luck guessing!

~The Pool~

2008-08-29T00:08:00.000-07:00

I have had a very busy run of it lately!

So I am behind on posting

This is the last post from our family wedding we

went to 2 weeks ago. I am doing this post for my daughter,

Hannah. She is my 3rd born and has many"special"

things about her. She always wanted to be a flower girl

and it just did not happen for her. She did such a wonderful job

at excepting that her younger sister was asked to be

a flower girl. Even though this meant a lot to Hannah

she did not complain that her younger sister got to

have this honor. Hannah has been

wanting me to post her favorite part of the wedding, in fact

with 100 degree heat it was most of my kids favorite part! So what was

her favorite part.........The pool!

First of all Hannah with a family friend

and

Hannah with her 87 year old grandma.

Now the Pool!!!
And of course the slide...she was a bit afraid at

first to use it but then loved it!

Thank you for sharing

family time with us and for reading

about Hannah's favorite part of the wedding!

~The Wedding...Flower Girl~

2008-08-21T16:40:00.000-07:00

~THE WEDDING~

At the Ranch, where this wedding was held, was

a cabin called the "Cozy Cabin".

This is where the ladies all got ready for

the ceremony. In this cabin was a pillow

on the bed with the saying,

"Always Kiss Me Goodnight"

I loved the saying on this pillow!

"The Cozy Cabin"

Getting Hair done.

Rose Petals, Lovely Flower Girl

Hot and waiting....100 degrees hot!

The ceremony

The wedding turned out lovely! It was hot but

still very nice! Being outside made for some

very nice photos! My daughter was nervous

but did a great job!

Ephesians 5:31-33

"For this reason a man will leave his father

and mother and be united to his wife, and

the two will become one flesh."

This is a profound mystery-but I am talking

about Christ and the church. However each

one of you also must love his wife as he

loves himself, and the wife must respect

her husband.

~The Ranch..Part Two~

2008-08-19T21:09:00.000-07:00

The wedding we went to was held at a

ranch on the other side of the mountains.

It is much dryer over there so the terrain is

much different then our "wet" side

of the mountains.

Horse riding/practice area

~
Horses getting a cool drink after

a long hot trail ride.

(They had just finished a trail ride with a

group in the 100 degree heat!)

Just like with bowling..on the ranch you

slip your feet into whatever pair

of cowboy boots fit before your trail ride!

There was some up and coming rodeo practice going on.
~

At every meal there were some of these visitors
dining along with us!
~

On the ranch there are boy and girls shower houses.

What's behind the curtains?
The toilets of course...
Along with a signs to let us know to be

sure we hold the handle down when we flush!

Believe me if you didn't the toilet would not

flush!

And of course what is a horse ranch without well

you know......! Yes this is the parking lot... and yes they

do have staff on hand whose job is that of pooper scooper!

Stay tuned to the next 2 posts one is

"The Pool/Reception"

and the other is

"Flower Girl..The Wedding"

~Trip Over The Mountains~ Part One

2008-08-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

We're back!

My daughter and I, and our

family, had a very nice time

together this weekend at a

family wedding.

On Friday my youngest

and myself headed over the

mountains to a family wedding.

Along the way we made a few stops

and enjoyed the scenery.

Heading out on the country roads near

our house.

First stop, a look at a beautiful waterfall.

Then it was time to head over the mountains.
Stop at the top of the mountain pass.

Lunch at the where else but the "Cottage" cafe...
Once in the town of the wedding we found this cafe.
We both decided we had to eat there!

The menu came complete with a
breakfast item called
"The Ross"

After our drive in our little
non airconditioned car we were hot... I mean
100 degrees outside hot! So that meant we
had to go to DQ and cool off with a treat!

Night time Scrapbooking together!

Our room!

My little gal made me a mini scrapbook with MOM on it!

This first day was filled with lots of

talking and smiling together and it was a lot of fun.

~~~

Stay tuned for part two...The Ranch.

~Not To Be Lost In The Shuffle~

2008-08-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend my youngest has been

asked to be a flower girl in a family wedding.

This wedding is on the other side of one

of our nearby mountain ranges.

My youngest needs to arrive early,

for rehearsal. Being the youngest of 4 sisters,

one with special needs, it can be easy

to become lost in the shuffle. She asked me

if there is any way her and I could go by

ourselves and spend the night together.

And the rest of the family show up

in time for the wedding. She even said that we

did not even need to go out and buy any food for it

that she would be willing to have us pack up our own

food that she just wanted the time out

with mom more then anything. I knew this was

a very important request from her so I began to

pray about it. I asked the Lord, if He was willing,

could he provide for this request. On Tuesday we

got a call from a family member saying that 2 rooms,

at a hotel in the nearby town of the wedding, were not

going to be used by other family members and that

they were ours for our family if we wanted them.

This makes it so my youngest and myself can go over a day

early, be ready for the rehearsal and spend some

time together and then the next day the whole family

will get to stay over for a night. These are available without

our family having to pay for them. This was more then

we could have hoped for. I am so thankful

for this time with my daughter and you

should see the smile on her face as she looks forward

to this weekend! She is not lost in the shuffle,

Our Lord fully sees her and knows just what she needs!

Thank you Jesus that you see us

so that we may never be lost!

Matthew 18:14

In the same way your Father in

heaven is not willing that any of these

little ones should be lost.

~Take a Guess Tuesday~

2008-08-12T22:01:00.001-07:00

I am a late poster again this week! It is 10:30 pm

on Tuesday. Here is last weeks Take a Guess Tuesday.

Do you think you know what this is?

If you guessed barn floor you are right!

It is the upstairs of a big barn owned by my husband's

cousin. As you can see it is empty and waiting to be filled

with this years hay!

~~~

Here is next weeks

"Take a Guess Tuesday"

Do you know what this is?

It is easier then you think!