Photo Collage courtesy of Lindsey Richmond

Saturday was Melia's Fourth Birthday! Because her party isn't until Tuesday, we went blueberry picking with our friends Lindsey, Chase, Abby, and Grace. The kids had a blast, and us moms did pretty good too! Melia even got a free pint for her birthday! (I wonder how much they ate when we were in the field...)

If anyone is interested in picking, go to Sleepy Hollow Nursery-- the berries aren't cheaper than Costco, but it is a fun experience for the kiddos!

Phew!

Done! Probably a B, but I am done with my Spiritual Disciplines class.

I applaud all of you who take summer courses. This was so hard, and summer has just begun! Thank goodness we didn't schedule our Prophecy class till the August 18 one!

Sometimes I Just Can't Argue....

I am blond. I really really can't argue this point today.

I am trying to fill the chickens waterer. The one we got from my parents/brother had a crack, so I had to dig the one out of the cat house and fill it up. No problem, right?

Picture a chicken waterer in your head. It's gravity-fed.

Picture me, putting the bottom down on the ground.

Picture me flipping the full-of-water top part over to screw it on to the bottom.

Laughing yet?

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Let me help you-- all the water went everywhere. The chickens all gave me a thoughtful look before they went running to catch the water worms. (That's what water looks like on dust.)

And I realized I didn't quite think that through before I did it.

Way Too Funny Link

My friend Karalee posted about our playdate on her blog-- click and read to find out what Karston (her 4 yr old boy) thought of Melia and Kiera, aka, MaKiera ;-)

PS. He has a sister named Makaila....

(Edited: Karalee reminded me-- her blog is private, so I copied and pasted for you here! )

"What cracks me up more than anything is Karston today when ever he would refer to Kiera. He calls her Makiera. I never heard him say Melia and realized after everyone was gone he was rambling about who knows what and was something along the lines of the girls who sister, something about a twin. I was confused because neither myself, Brooke or Denaye have twins.
"I asked him if he was talking about Melia and Kiera. He replies "yea, that's their names" seeming puzzled that both their names were Makiera and they were twin sisters. :) It was rather cute. :)"

I am one of the distinct minority

Check this out:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080623/us_time/christiansnoonepathtosalvation

Basics of poll:
70% of pollsters say that there is no one path to heaven (not suprising)
57% of "evangelical Christians" say theirs is not the only path to heaven (shocking, at least to me)

Wow. I guess I can be positive and say "Maranatha Lord Jesus! Come quickly!" because this is another strong indicator of the age in which we are living.

Me? I believe the Bible (GOD) says what He means, and means what He says.

Cleaning Update!

Well, due to our worthwhile getaway, I was a little behind, but yesterday I tried to play catch up. I finished most of the kitchen/dining area, one living room, and about 1/2 the laundry. So today, working on the girls' rooms, the other living room and more laundry!!!!

Motivation!!!

Happy Anniversary to Us! *8 Years*

Eight years ago I don't think we could have possibly fathomed how much we would grow together, but it has been a very, very blessed time. Thanks to Gabe's suprise planning, we had a very special time together reflecting on what God has done and being humbly grateful for everything.

Monday night, Gabe showed up as I was walking out from work. He kidnapped me (!) and we drove together to Leavenworth to spend the night at the Enzian Inn. Tuesday we played a round of mini golf at the Enzian's putting course, had lunch at the Baron Haus, enjoyed some Starbucks and a little shopping. We stopped at SleepyHollow Nursery on the way back to town and picked up some more mature blueberry plants and 4 grapes :-)

This was all a complete suprise-- I totally thought he was at work :-) Tricky fellow! But what a blessing-- the funny part was that all morning Monday I was feeling a little melancholy about him going back to work, and he was laughing inside, knowing how happy I would be later when he picked me up!

Thank you Lord. I know that everything we share is from You and not ourselves. Without You, we would never be so happy together, nor have such an exciting future to look forward to forever.

Cleaning Week!

Due to the stress and craziness of our lives, our house is a pit! Therefore, I am declaring this week cleaning week!

Please, keep me accountable!

Monday-- basic pick up, due to leaving for work at noon
Tuesday: Laundry and kitchen
Wednesday: Both living rooms
Thursday: Girls rooms and sort out too-small clothes
Friday: Bathrooms
Saturday: Catch-up

If I think about it, I will post pics (if I am not too embarassed!)

The "BOY" Experience

Do I really need to try for a boy? Am I afraid of missing the little boy experience?

No.

I am already emptying treasures out of Kiera's pockets before washing her clothes....

Tonight... It was rocks.

:-) Someday, I am sure I will find frogs.

Long Weekend...

Just a quick note to say that you will not be hearing for me for a few days, unless I have something I just can't stand not sharing, which is entirely possible and likely....

This weekend is my dad's family "camp" (not really camp this year, due to...) and celebration for my grandparents' 60th anniversary and grandpa's 80th birthday!

I promise I will post pictures upon returning... pix of cousins playing, cousins chatting, celebrations, picnicing, the fabulous anniversary/birthday cakes that I am make(ing), and....

Gabe's new truck!

:-) Later!