Father’s Day

I saw a glimpse of Jesus today. 

Elizabeth has a ‘baking business’.  She bakes goods, gives them away, and receives a few dollars from friends. 

Tonight she went out to Dairy Queen with her dad & sister.  She paid, with her baking money, all of it…the money she was saving to buy more baking supplies and frosting tips.  I cried when I found out.  It beautiful when your children share everything they have, everything they worked for, without encouragement.  

Pressure washing & Staining Week

Fr. Mike on the New Ark of the New Covenant

So I wanted to write this down to remember for future reference. Many times when I need a pick-me-up, I'll click on my label PTL (Praise the Lord) and read previous posts. So I'm listening to Fr. Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year podcast. On May 4th "Covenant w/ David" Fr. Mike said that Mary is now our NEW Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant contained the 10 Commandments (John 1:14 Jesus is the Word of God made flesh), the staff of Aaron (Hebrews 4:14 Jesus is our high priest), and the manna from heaven (John 6:35: I am the life). Both Arks were taken up into the hill country of Judah; David to the house of Obed-e′dom and Mary to the house of Elizabeth. 2 Samuel 6:9 - David said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” He leaped and danced in the presence of the Ark. Luke 1:43 - Elizabeth says, "But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" as the babe leaped in her womb. I do love the similarities and to see how God's plans unfold.

Wow! Flowers from David’s Work

David had a HUGE project this last month. He spent 6 mo preparring for it and then the last month project-managing ;) the installation. It was 7day/wk, 12-16 hr days. So work sent ME a bouquet today.

14th Cinco de Mayo

Bishop

Goodbye Earl

Papa Earl went to be with our Lord Saturday, 4/3/21 @ 6:30 pm, Easter eve. (I teased Mom it was better than 5,6,78 - musician joke.) He touched SO many lives and had been in our family for the last 15. His quick wit and easy smile is going to be dearly missed. He was a child at heart and loved bringing the girls to the candy store, playing card tricks on them, & sharing his wealth of musical knowledge with them. Elizabeth loved his willingness to always play a game with her-esp chess. Felicity always loved his goofiness in rough-housing and that they had matching dimples. He and David never lacked for conversation. I was just thankful he made Mom so happy. Thank you Earl for picking up a bunch of loopy ladies, with buckets on top of their heads, singing "Goodbye Earl." Until we meet again...

Hamster Maze

The girls build Sugar a Candy Land Hamster Maze. She did very well! 

The Snow is Going!

New Upstairs Doors

We’ve been wanting to redo the upstairs doors since my in-laws house fire. Solid doors are so much safer than our hollow doors - and block outside noises better.  Projects like this are always fun because they don’t take long to stain, sand, poly and David does the hanging. 2 down, 2 more to go - and maybe some closet doors next. 😉

After: 6-panel door, stained & polyed

Before: hollow door, not sound resistant or fire safe 

 

Maki - Brooks Christmas

 I’m so glad these cousins have each other. Wm 12, Catriana & Felicity 7, Elizabeth & Isabella 10, Nathaniel 2. It was a good day to ring in 2021 & celebrate Christmas. 

Buddy the Fish

I forgot to document another addition to the family.  Buddy the blue Betta joined us because the girls thought we had too many ‘girls’ in the house. So Dad got his ‘Buddy’ who likes to watch Buddy the Elf and flair his fins in the mirror. 

 

Elizabeth Turns 10

I have been struggling with my blogspot.  It’s not as user friendly as it used to be, so I don’t post as often. 

Anyhow... my ‘baby’ turned 10.  She has some friends over, we had a piñata, Subway (her new favorite), played games, hit the arcade, then had the Parks cousins over. She was very appreciative and kept saying, “thank you, mom.”  Her favorite gifts were new Happy Potter books and her Hermione Pez dispenser from her sister.  I’m so proud of the mature young lady she is becoming. She has a huge heart!

 

ND/SD Trip

“Camping”

 We camped, kinda. More like ‘glamping’ 😆
I did a LOT of camping as a child, with my family and the girl scouts. My family asked what I used to do, like I’m some kind of expert. 😄
One family tradition was to use burnt wood and leave your mark on your campsite. 💖

Beach Time With Friends

 Beach time with the Hodapp kids today.

Sewing Again

Felicity also wanted to try her hand at sewing. Here’s her new teddy bear, Cuddles. 

F’s Gymnasics

This little firecracker made it!  I worried that she wouldn’t be able to do it, because she’s never tried it before, and she kept getting stuck on the top. After about 10 times, she made it the VERY last time. 

ALWAYS watch your kids at practice because you’re the 1st person they look for when they succeed!

E’s First Quilt

Elizabeth wanted to try her hand at sewing a quilt. I tried to get her to do something simple to see if she liked it. Of course she wanted squares which was not in my game plan, but it all came back to me after 20 years. She was very patient and did very well. She still won’t press the pedal on the sewing machine, but did everything else.  😆

Pics From Ely Trip

99° in the sun leaving the Ely beach

If I can keep the bunnies out I’ll have a good garden this year. Lots of heat & waterig.

Oh! Our Susie💖

BBQ!!!

Happy 4th of July. 

Mom, Earl, & us girls