Thursday, April 30, 2009

My shopping trip to Spokane with Karen. What a blast we had!! Here are a few pictures. They start from the bottom.

Yay!! I finally got it!!

Inside the restaurant in Sandpoint. I took home a piece of homemade coconut cream pie from here for ken and John.


This was a really cool place to eat we found in Sandpoint.

Sandpoint. It's very pretty here.

Karen with the Double Tree hotel in the distance in downtown Spokane. This is were we stayed. They gave us warm cookies when we arrived and when we checked out!

The river outside the hotel.

Me with the American flag.


My haul the first day. Not shown is the Bosch universal mixer and the Nutrimill grain mill!!

Karen's haul. Wow! I never saw someone who can spend so much time shopping in one little area, but did she ever find some great deals!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

I got this in an email from Karen this morning. In our case it my have to be running in the snow, but you get the picture!

NEED WASHING??
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said.
'What?' Mom asked

'Lets run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain,'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.

'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?
'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Below is a letter Ken wanted to share with you. Let me add my thanks to all of you as well. I also am humbled by your love and concern. Please keep praying!! The surgery is scheduled for May 6th.


THANK YOU to all you wonderful people who pray for me. I am thankful in all things but this week I'm especially thankful to you.
The pain in my back has gotten progressiviely worse over the last year and 4 months. Two weeks ago the pain felt unbearable even with my recently acquired "registered" drugs. However, beginning Monday, my pain lightened up immensely. I have felt better and slept better than I have for months and this with less drugs than I've taken in months and none of the "registered" kind!
I give God the praise for this and a big THANKS to all of you who love me and pray for me.
I'm humbled,
Ken

Monday, April 20, 2009

PRAYER REQUEST PLEASE!!
I am just asking everyone to pray for Ken. He really needs relief from the pain. He is finally scheduled to have the tumor removed from his spine on the 6th of May, but he is in way too much pain right now. Please pray that ultimately God would heal him, but if not that the pain would be managable until the 6th. Also, that the surgery goes very smooth with no loss of feeling, that the pain from the surgery would be minimal and that healing would be quick! Thank you all.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Alyssa enjoying some green smoothie!! She's a green smoothie princess!!

Angie and Lisa leaving for New York City!! Have fun girls. We love you!!


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

IS SHE CUTE OR WHAT!!

Thursday, April 09, 2009

My birthday 2009
What did I do for my birthday? I had myself a party!! I recieved many phone calls and emails from friends and family which was very nice. All of you made me feel special. I even got sang to by the 1st and 2nd graders and Jaydon even sang a solo in spanish!! This was so cute and made my day. (I originally said Justin. Jaydon made sure to set the record straight. So funny)
Then I saw this cute idea for Easter and just had to try them out, Sooooooo I went and picked up Deidre and the kids and we made cupcakes. Then we went to the store to get the candy for decorating them, came back home and did just that. After they were all done we had to do something with them so we decided to go out and deliver them to some of the kids we know. Below are some pictures of our adventure. On some of our stops, we forgot to take pictures. Some of the expresions were priceless. Josiah was so cute. He was like "THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! I loved that. What a blast we had and Lexy got to experience the fun of sharing and doing for others!
Ken came home with flowers(picured below) and John took me out to eat with Angie and Dad plus he gave me a silicone whisk, which I have been wanting.
From Angie and Dad I got a certificate for a day of pampering with my daughter. First it will start with breakfast, then having my hair done. Then we head off to the spa for a manicure, pedicure and an hour of massage. WOW!! We will end the day with lunch at the park with Deidre. It is going to be fun!! Saturday night Jolene is throwing a girls only party in honor of my birthday! That will be very fun too. This is going to be a progressive birthday.
Thank you all for your love, your calls and emails. I love you all!












Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Seeing it's almost Easter, I thought I would post this video of these children signing "If that isn't love". What a beautiful song and especially at Easter time. don't forget to take time to remember the Savior who left His throne in heaven to come to earth for our redemption. Thanks Grandmother for the song.It gave me this idea.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Lexy and Alyssa at The Cozy cottage.


POOL PARTY IN APRIL!!!
What a fun day we had today. First Deidre walked over with the kids and we went to the dollar store and the cozy cottage. After running a few more errands we came home and got in the "pool" as Lexy calls it. She was very adamant that we go and get her "babing soup" Lexy loved the spa, and by the time we got out she was swimming and walking around without fear. We were watching her closely of course. The hottub is very foamy right now due to the hardness of the water. We are working on it, but Lexy loved the bubbles. It was like a huge bubble bath. I love these kids!!
The snow is almost gone. Finally!! It was such a beautiful day today (14C, I think) which I was so thankful for.

Monday, April 06, 2009

I am so thankful that I have this kind of boys. I love you my boys.


The Boy We Want~Author Unknown

A boy that is truthful and honest
And faithful and willing to work;
But we have not a place that we care to disgrace
With a boy that is ready to shirk.
Wanted--a boy you can trust in,
A boy that is constant and true,
A boy that is good to old people,
And kind to the little ones, too.
A boy that is nice to the home folks,
And pleasant to sister and brother,
A boy who will try when things go awry
To be helpful to father and mother.
These are the boys we depend on--
Our hope for the future, and then
Grave problems of state and the world's work await
Such boys when they grow to be men.

Friday, April 03, 2009


So let the sunshine in
Face it with a grin
Smilers never lose
and frowners never win
So let the sunshine in
face it with a grin
open up your heart
and let the sunshine in
I can't remember the verses, but this is an old song that my mom used to sing to us when we were kids. Does any one remember the rest of it?It's a good song to sing when you're problems are getting to you. It will change your perspective!!


Thought for the Day:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning. Face it, friend: He is crazy about you!

Thursday, April 02, 2009

I recieved an awesome word from God at this blog today. If you want some encouragement go here.
Tracie's blog