Assurance vs. Fear

If you know me, you know that I am a news junkie. My dream family room is a wall of TV screens with all of the major news channels showing at once and running 24/7/365. I am obsessed with politics, current events, and human interest stories. I know, it's a sickness!

Yesterday as I was glued to the screen watching the events unfold in Canada, my heart ached for the people of our neighboring country. I know that yesterday was the day that a "new normal" will begin for Canada, just like 9/11 was the beginning of a "new normal" for the USA.

At one point, as I watching the eye witness accounts, a song popped into my head. At first I thought what a strange thing to think of at a time like this. But then I realized that it was an affirmation of assurance in the face of fear.

I serve a Risen Savior,
He's in the world today.
I know that He is living
whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer.
And just the time I need Him,
He's always near.

He lives! He lives!
Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives!
Salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

Praying today for Canada, indeed for the World.

See What I Made!

While visiting JD and Janel in Kansas, Dan and I stopped off at Menard's. We don't have Menard's in Phoenix, but we sure wish we did! One of the items we purchased was a craft glass block. It was priced at $8.99, but rang up for $3.00. I thought about purchasing two more, but I didn't. After we got home I started playing around with ideas for my glass block. This is what I came up with:

The trees are from my Christmas Village. The snowflake lights were purchased at Menard's. Not only do they have three light settings, but they stay on for six hours, turn off for 18 hours, and then come back on for six hours. I have run them now for over a week and they never fail to come on and go off at the same time each day. Jessica made the bow for me (because I am bow-challenged).

After I made this, I called JD and asked him to run out to Menard's and buy me two more blocks! He did and will deliver them to me at Thanksgiving. I'm excited to see what I can do with them to add to my Holiday decor!

Grandkids

Here's some photos of what we've been up to lately:

Breakfast at Grammy's

Thunder loves to help with Storm

Sunny and I decorating Halloween cupcakes

Storm snuggling in with Gramps

Four Months

My Official Four Month Photo

That monkey is getting smaller and smaller!

September Family Potluck

Our goal in 2014 was to have a monthly family potluck. We didn't make it every month, but the ones we had have been great fun! In September, our potluck theme was Italian. We munched on Meatballs, Chicken Cacciatore, Lasagna, Baked Ziti, and delicious dessert bars (I can't remember the name of them, but they were awesome!)

Shelby's dad and sister, Jeff and Shauna, joined us. It was great to meet them and they got a chance to meet most of our family. Shauna is in town for an internship and will be here through December, so she'll be around at family events!

Skye enjoying a "horse back" ride

Now it's Thunder's turn

Three generations: Carl, Mark, Matt

Zach and Thunder

The kids' table!

Storm with his souvenir from our trip-

it is so difficult to find a gift for a baby!

Storm in his coonskin cap

Sunny and Skye loved their beaded necklaces

Papa wished we'd brought him a hat, too!

That's me - covered in grandchildren

Dan with his boys

Gigi and Sunny love to color

Mark and Gabe

Mark is showing Thunder how to draw tattoos, hmmm

What a Cute Idea!

I think Jessica got this idea from Pinterest, truly the source for all things cute, creative, and crafty! She takes a photo each month of Storm with his monkey to track the progress of his growth. Here are the first three months:

July 2014

August 2014

September 2014

Home Again!

We've been on the road the past week visiting our oldest son and DIL in Kansas. I miss JD and Janel so much during the year and enjoy every moment we're able to spend with them.

We left last Tuesday afternoon to try to outrun the moisture from Odile, which never materialized in our part of the state. We arrived in Manhattan, KS mid afternoon on Thursday. The purpose of our trip, besides spending time with the kids, was to lay flooring in their home.

Dan and JD got started on Friday morning and finished the job on Sunday around lunch time. It looks beautiful! It's amazing how changing your flooring can change the entire look of your home.

Duke attempting to make friends with Piper

Dan laying the new floor in the entry 

JD working on the kitchen floor 

Part of Janel's container garden,

she has quite the green thumb!  

Me and Janel!

Janel and JD 

Piper, our new grand-cat 

Nym

Me and my son!

Duke, Dan, JD

While the boys were busy working, Janel and I were busy having fun!! Having our priorities straight, the first thing we did on Friday was head to Picture This Plus in Abilene, KS. In case you've never been there in person, you may not know that PTP is on the basement floor of the building and a new and used bookstore is on the street level. The bookstore accepts donations and gives a store credit that can be used at either the bookstore or PTP. Of course, Janel used her credit at PTP! Next time we go I'm going to take our books and see what credit I can get.

Marilyn and her staff are all terrific and available to help in any way needed. I bought four fabrics and one pattern. We'll back there again next July and of course, will stop in again. We also visited a couple of antique shops in Abilene and had a delightful lunch at Mr. K's Farmhouse. Then we ran up to Salina to Sam's Club and then back home.

On Saturday morning, I attended Janel's card club and actually made some cards! I was so nervous about this because I've not really used stamps before (Janel sells Stampin Up products). But Janel walked me through it and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!!

My first attempt at stamping

After lunch, we headed down to Aggieville for the 125th year celebration. Then Janel took me over to the mall.

On Sunday morning, we sat outside and stitched while the boys were finishing up the floor. It was glorious weather, and a nice change from stitching in the air conditioning in Phoenix!! We also got to stitch outside on the deck that afternoon after the boys were through using the saw out there.

Sunday night we went to The Little Grill for dinner. It's a Jamaican place with live music almost every night. We went there last time we were in town and loved it. It's on our list of places to definitely go every time we visit!

I came home inspired to speed up my stitching! It's hard to leave them; Dan and I agreed that we start missing them as soon as we pull out of their driveway. But this year they're coming home for Thanksgiving so I will see them soon. Since JD and Dan worked so hard while we were out there, I want to be sure to have lots of down time for them to spend together here. Jessica, Janel, and I are planning a lunch at The Spicery which will include stitching time for all three of us. I can't wait to see them again!!