Is over 5 years enough???

Sorrow is our John the Baptist, clad in grim garments, with rough arms, a son of the wilderness, baptizing us with bitter tears, preaching repentance; and behind him comes the gracious, affectionate, healing Lord, speaking peace and joy to the soul. ~Frederic Dan Huntington

I know very few people have an easy life. And I know more people have a difficult life. Some have to watch their children die of starvation. Some have to watch their children/spouse/family member/dear friend self destruct with drugs/alcohol/sex. Some have constant pain that no medication can bring relief. Some have heartache that doesn't seem as monumental as the others, but just as real.


And those who turn to The Cross, have the advantage of peace amongst the storm. When they cling to it.

Will this be the year when I am released? Will it get worse ( though I can't imagine) before it gets better? Will I see the fire as refinement or whine because I am tired? Probably a bit of both.

But John the Baptist, was an important part of the story.

And I will embrace John, bitter tears and all, and find the grace & healing.

"I give thanks before You, Living and Eternal King, that You have returned within me my soul with compassion; [how] abundant is Your faithfulness!" Jewish prayer upon waking up.

What?? It's been a week????

There are so many things to do during summer, one forgets to catch up so one can look back and remember what we did.

Meaning I haven't had time to blog.

Let me preface this by saying it is H-O-T here in Jersey.

And I don't have central air. And my husband is an HVAC contractor. And that's all I have to say about that.

:P

Well, for the holiday weekend, we went to my sister's in PA. It was fantastic.


She has a pool.

I think this should be EVERYBODY'S reaction when in the pool. Elly did not stop looking like this the whole time she was in the pool. She woke up ready to swim, and had to be dragged out of the pool to go to bed. And eat.
(click to enlarge)


I did make her get out of the pool to give her skin some rest. I told her her hands were too pruney and until they got drier, she had to stay out. Here she is trying to make the sun dry them super fast.


Look who is back from Israel!!!

Contemplating life. And reading on the iPad.


Elizzi, Elly & Tim waiting to go to the fireworks. And since the wait was too long, they made Tim give them rides.


AGAIN, this should be everybody's reaction to fireworks. Elly cheered, laughed, clapped her hands, loved, loved, loved the fireworks!! It was more fun watching her than watching the sky-show.


Since we live in NJ, and fireworks are illegal, and sparklers will get you a few years in jail, and PA sell fireworks in the supermarket... we came home from the big show, and had a show of our own. Samuel, Tim and Lance did a box's worth of their own, which lasted an hour. It was cool!


They spent all that time in Israel together, but it didn't make these 2 any less competitive on who gets the most comfortable couch. Neither was going to get off, so they both dealt with it. Cousins...


Samuel, going for an almost midnight swim.


Football catching.


We are still doing school. We didn't finish so that's that. Even when friends call to get together, the answer is " Did you finish your school work for today? Because whatever your answer is, is my answer." He doesn't like that answer.

And then there is the hard times of life. We just found out that my dad has Parkinsons.

We are still processing.

And we are still clinging to HIM.

(Semi) Wordless Wednesday

Or would you like to swing on a star...

Go over to Becky's and join the short, sweet and to the point!



~woke up WAY too early both mornings.

~ went to Weight Watchers. I have to do something!

~ made homemade pico de gallo.

~ went to a birthday party for 3 lovely sisters.

~ ate healthy at said birthday party.

~ went to bed way too late both nights.

~ prayed with a young lady, together, for GOD to be her first love again, at her request.

~ watched my oldest daughter ( yes she was here!!!) sing Colors of the WInd in a talent show, with her sister in law. They did great!

~ Taught my last Sunday School class for 3 year olds for the year.

~ melted in this heat.

~ missed my son's piano recital because I wrote down the wrong time on my planner.

~ was terribly disappointed about missing the recital.

~ went to the park instead.

~ went to Friday's.

~ watched Wipeout with my 11 year old, and was exhausted just watching these people torture themselves.

~ had a water fight with the hose with my children, instead of watering the garden.

~ got soaked.

~ went redneck and let my daughter be in our front yard in her undies because her wet clothes were making her cold.

Photo of the weekend:

My girls wearing their matching Lillys:

Fly away!

I can't believe how fast the weeks seems to fly!!

I can't believe my daughter's 1 year anniversary is just around the corner!

I can't believe Elly was placed in our arms almost 6 months ago!

I can't believe how much I have NOT accomplished yet!!


But life indeed flies by, and I need to love every minute of it. Good, bad, ugly, sad.

Elly got this thing for John for Father's Day. They are enjoying it, and Samuel is pretty good at it. Elly gets to stand super close. :) But for some reason, they won't let me do that.


And she is one social butterfly. She loves to smile and laugh. Don't get me wrong, she is still as stubborn as all get out, but when she isn't being stubborn, she is a delight!



Speaking of flying...

My son left yesterday for Israel. He will be gone for almost 2 weeks. And how does a 24 year old pack for 2 weeks?

A carry on and a backpack. Words escape me.


Wesley of course packed the same way. lol.



My word of advice to these two as they are trying not to jump out of their skin with excitement??

Don't get arrested.


And speaking of flying..

I definitely DID NOT fly home from JFK. In fact, I took a wrong turn and instead of getting home in about an hour and 20 minutes, I saw this:



That wrong turn, took me into NYC. During rush hour. With Elly & Samuel in the car. And Elly had to 'powder her nose.'

So 3 hours later, I got home. But it was a good time to pray for them and their trip.

And so in the end, it all worked out, and it reminded me that God is good.

All the time. Even when it flies by.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Oh, children are so sweet.

And they smell pretty good, too.

Most of the time.

And the things they say....

While putting her to bed tonight:

Momma, I am 3.

I know honey, you are 3. How old is Samuel?

Samuel is 4.

Oh really?

Yes, and momma is 5.

:)

How old is sister?

Sister is 5, too.

:)

How about brother?

Brother is 6.

lol :)

And how about Daddy, Elly. How old is Daddy.

Daddy is 11.

:)

Good night, my child.

Good night, momma.

This weekend I...

Again, joining Becky at The Keys to the Cottage, to remember this weekend.





~ went to Flemington with a friend and her 4 little ones. So between the 2 of us, there were 6 kids.

~ bought 2 running skirts! One for me, one for my daughter.

~ paid less then 1/2 of what Sport's Authority sells then for!!!

~ bought 5 pounds of raw honey.

~ went to the mall.

~ didn't find anything for my dad at the mall.

~ went to Rita's for the first time this year.

~ had 10 cranky 2.5 & 3 year olds in Sunday School. EVERY parent came and said, " He/She went to bed late last night so he/she may be cranky." They were.

~ went to my parents for dinner.

~ cooked Father's Day dinner to give my mom a break.

~ had a heart to heart with my nephew. Now I know how to pray.

~ helped my mom get ready for Israel.

~ started reading Piercing the Darkness again.

~ finally watched a World Cup game with my mom.