a sunny day with thunder

I had two visitors yesterday at Grammy's Daycare. It is fun to watch Sunny begin to interact with her brother. It is not fun to try to get a decent picture of her doing it. Here's a few snapshots of yesterday.

He loves to watch what she's doing

finally... a smile!

"hello monkey..."

"Grammy, I am SO done with tummy time"

"what is this thing and how did it get in my hand?"

One of the Reasons I Enjoy Blogging and Bloggers

Truth be told I have been down for several months. I know why I'm down and the reason is purely selfish. Because I recognize that I'm selfish, I feel guilty. Because I feel guilty, I purposely concentrate on all of the blessings in my life and how they should offset the one disappointment I have. I do well at that level, until I feel down again.

Yesterday I read a blog post that reminded me that circumstances change. I'm caught up in the sadness now, but in a few months or a few years things will change and this sadness will be forgotten. It occurred to me that others may be in my situation. So I want to share this inspirational post.

I started reading Anneliese's blog quite a while ago, maybe even a year ago. She is one of the "Mennonite Girls Can Cook" girls. Although I don't know her personally, I feel like I know her. Her writing is very open and honest. Please check out her blog. The post I'm referring to is entitled "Reflections on an Emptier Fuller Life". What a great title. What words of wisdom. What motivation for me to pull myself up and get over being down.

Another Day With Sunny

putting a "necklace" on Rascal

the path of Hurricane Sunny

adding the animals from Noah's Ark to the Zoo

patty-cake, patty cake...

roll it...

and throw it in the oven...

A Timely Reminder

I came across this passage in the Bible the other day. I think maybe I posted about this a year or so ago. Whenever I read it I'm reminded of how I should be living. In fact, if I were living my life according to these principles, I'm sure I'd have less stress, less strife, more peace. Less fear, more confidence. Less disappointment, more joy. Since I can't possibly improve upon what these verses say, I'll just let them speak for themselves.

Romans 12:9-21 Love in Action
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Brrr...

It's gonna be cold here. For four days or so. We're expecting highs in the mid to upper 60s. They are actually warning people on the news. Today it will become incredibly windy around noon continuing into the evening hours. The warning is for dust storms to sweep up from the deserts to the south. Next up is the possibility of rain overnight. It RARELY rains in November. So this is a big deal.

But the most alarming news is the temps. They are forecasting a high of 65 degrees tomorrow. Brrrr. That is cold for Phoenix. All of the stores have stacks of bagged firewood out front. Portable heater displays are set up at Target and Walmart.

I am prepared. I have socks in my sock drawer just in case. I've also given Dan the heads up that he may have to remove the window fans from the windows. My swiffer duster is ready in case we have to turn the ceiling fans off (they've been on for six months straight, this will be a great opportunity to clean the dust off of them). And just to show you that this is serious... I put a blanket on our bed.

So, don't worry. No need to call and check up on me. I am prepared...

Four Generations Part 2

In October parts of our family gathered for new Four Generations photos. Since we've added two new babies to the bunch this year, I figured we'd better record the event. My friend Joanna, is the photographer. As always, her work is superb. I highly recommend her if you're in the market for professional photos. You can check out her website here. If you do, be sure to tell her I sent you!

Zach, Skye, Ashley

There's that sweet smile!

Four Generations

the Greats with Skye

This is what 57 years of marriage looks like

this is what 30 years of marriage looks like

cousins

Sunny, Katie, Thunder, Gabe

Four Generations

Sunny would not cooperate...

Papa and Gigi with Skye and Thunder

Grammy and Gramps with the grands

Three Generations

Isn't this the coolest photo?!

SSMT #21

The verse I picked is short and sweet:

Take delight in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

I have not retained the earlier verses as well I should have or could have or want to. So this month I'm going to concentrate every day on committing them all to memory. I know this brain of mine is up to the task. But it's also not as easy as it was when I was a kid!