11-11-11

We drove up to Seattle the morning of 11-11-11 to celebrate Gram's 88th birthday!

The day before, I busied myself packing and cleaning and the morning of, Phil performed some kind of supernatural feat by actually getting everything in the car!  We don't pack light with 7 people and our van is really a station wagon in disguise (with an extra seat).  We picked up snacks, topped of the oil, put air in the tire, filled up the tank and we were ready....until, "I have to go potty."  Phil and I looked at one another and burst out laughing.  With children, it seems that a simple task is an adventure!


This is the birthday card that I made for Gram.  

Ready to party!

Gram and her daughters.  

I hope that my daughters are as blessed in their marriage as I am.  My husband is the most wonderful husband and father.  I adore him!

This is a wonderful picture of my  mom....and my brother.  LOL!

Family picture minus Poppy and Eric.  What would a family picture be without someone (Taylor) putting a party hat up their nose.  LOL!

My Mom and Aunt were terrific hosts.  They put on a delicious spread!  Tina was in charge of decorating and she did a wonderful job.

Here is a Fall project that my children made for Gram's birthday (Ok, to be truthful, I did most of it!)

Poppy and Eric flew in from L.A. late Friday night to surprise Gram Saturday morning for a breakfast get together.

My mom discovered this down by the creek.  The children were itching to run after a day in the car and calm and quiet playtime in the house so I had to insist on some running outside!  I strongly suggested to my mom that she run off her wiggles as well after instigating wild behavior.  LOL!

Glorielle was such a delight.  I know she doesn't look pleased in this picture but she took her naps and tolerated being off her routine very well.  I am so blessed to be her mom!  

There is just some sort of fascination with children and running water!

Poor Brighton, a day with a cat nap only in the car, up almost 3 hours past his bedtime, up early in the morning.  He crashed back at the hotel on Daddy's lap. 

Piles of children on the hide-a-bed.  The girls zonked out shortly after.

Grandma Tracy and Grandpa Cliff drove up from Kent and just hung out with us here in the hotel room.  We would have liked to do something like the Zoo or the Science Center but the children really needed a rest time.

I have to say, Phil and I are so pleased with our children.  They really are a delight and a blessing to us.  Over the weekend, I had many scriptures pop into my head and it felt like an assurance from the Lord and an encouragement to press on.  I also felt His call to step it up in living more for Him.  It isn't enough to survive the day.  I need to live for Him on a minute to minute basis so my children can see more of His light, His joy, His love.  I am pondering what this needs to look like in our home.

This verse to a song kept popping into my head:
Your love oh Lord reaches to the heavens.  Your faithfulness stretches to the sky.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains and your justice flows like the ocean's tides.  I will lift my voice to worship you, my King.  I will find my strength in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 63:7  For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
Psalm 17:8  Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark.

I really felt power of these scriptures to be under the shadow of His mighty wing and to keep my children in the shadow of mine as I teach and train them for the Lord.
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