Counting Down to Victoria's Wedding Part 1

I will always remember Victoria up early making tea. This is one of her last mornings living in our home. I am going to miss my daughter so much, yet I am so happy for her. I am so thankful for her choice of a godly, kind and hard working husband, Blake.

 Aunt Sharon, my sister, came to help us. We had so much to do. Planning and organizing are her gifts. I on the other hand, did not seem to possess this gene. The timing of events unfolding here was orchestrated by the Lord. Sharon got some days off from work for bereavement following the death of our mother, and she chose to use some of those days helping us. In spite of the incredible shock and sorrow we were feeling, God provide grace and mercy for us to focus on Victoria and Blake's special day.

 Sharon provided assurance that all things would work out,  and she supplied order, along with structured plans to help us arrange and decorate our home for pre-wedding photos, and the barn reception.

 The girls and I had spent over a year purchasing dinner plates for about .50 cents a piece at garage sales and thrift stores. These are ready to be taken to the barn.

 Victoria's bride's maids all received special gifts from her. They too, came to help us steam table cloths and decorate the barn.

 The barn is only 100 yards from the house, Sharon's car proved to be a handy way for us to transport.

   

  

  

Notice the hats, coats and gloves. It was about 20 degrees outside.

I praise God for his perfect help in time of need. I thank God for Sharon and her discernment on practical decisions for this exciting event. With the sorrow of losing our mother just days before this, we were kept strong with the Lord's peace and joy. I have more to tell in further posts.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9 
Blessings, Kathi

Tomorrow Is The Day....

 Hello, dear readers. I am feeling sorry for myself. Them nails you see there, well, they have to come off. Tomorrow, I go back to work after having a wonderful relaxing summer.

 Notice that I had to stop and ponder. I had to drink some coffee and think about taking those pretty nails off, those nails that signify that I am living the life of luxury, or at least show that I have had it easy for the summer. Well, actually, I am not trying to prove anything, but rather, I like looking pretty and having pretty hands. I will miss this.

 I am having a hard time. Notice that the right hand has been clipped, but I am hanging on to those "lefty longies," Lol.

 They are pretty. They are long, so long that I have trouble threading a needle, but alas, they cannot hide the arthritis that is evident of a woman nearing her 60s. Wow, did I say that? Yep, but I feel like I am only 30 something, but I digress... 

Here goes. I must take the plunge. I work, after all, in a place that is not beneficial for long nails. I work in water and some harsh detergents. I love my job and I love the people I work with so it is worth this little sacrifice. One more note, who am I to complain? I have so many blessings. I have a loving devoted husband. I have four healthy children. I live in a safe place with pretty things around me. God has been extra good to me. I am so thankful to Him. God bless you as the new school year approaches, our children go back to school, and many of us go back to our jobs. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Colossians 3:23
Blessings, Kathi

Bride-to-Be Special Day

Excitement fills the air. The table is laid with delicacies tantalizing the eyes, for this special event for Victoria, our daughter.

Today her beloved sister, Jessica took extra care preparing a bridal shower for her.

Everything is ready, and now the guests will arrive.

 Victoria was radiant as she was showered with lovely presents from friends and family. This day happened last November. I will be showing photos from her wedding day soon.  We are so happy for her and the wonderful man, Blake, that God brought into her life.
"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" Genesis 2:18
Blessings, Kathi

Praise God For Our Freedom to Worship Him-- Happy 4th of July

I am so thankful we have the freedom to worship the Lord our God in our country, and to take a day off to remember  and spend time with our family.
 
Our kids playing a board game brings me a smile.
My "Steady Eddie" husband, Stacey, at the BBQ. He always makes sure we have a fun 4th of July. I am thankful for this man.
This sweet couple, Blake and Victoria have been married a little more than six months. I have not posted about their wedding, but I shall soon.
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I love spending these happy moments watching my daughter play fetch with our dog.
                      
I have not blogged in such a long time. I have missed you, my friends, and my way of expressing myself in photos and words. I have been through so much since I last posted. So many changes, within a few months. I am now at a place of true rest. I will tell you more about that as the summer goes...little by little.  My husband was able to purchase this heavy-duty used picnic table at a sale. We placed it in a spot over-looking our creek.
  
After we ate we went for a walk along the river. Our daughter Jessica was on a trip to Italy with a group from her college history class. I was supposed to go with her, but I was not given the time off work, so I did not go. I will tell you more about her exciting trip soon. We have ups and we have downs. We have disappointments and thrilling things that happen to us, don't we ladies? It's how we handle these things that matter. Do we thank God, even when we do not get what we want? Do we praise Him each day because He is worthy of our praise? God is good. Let's learn to seek His face and call on Him each day as the Psalmists did. We do not know what is going to happen tomorrow, but God does. "His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 Because God knows, I will trust Him for each day, even if that day brings some disappointment. It was once said that, "Our disappointments are God's appointments, for us." I would much rather believe that His plans are bigger and better than mine, and when I yield to Him and thank Him, even though I do not understand, it is then that He can receive glory, and I will be at peace and I will have joy. 

  Blessings, Kathi

Saying Good-Bye, but Not For Long

Me, saying good-bye, but not for long. I will see my Daddy, soon, in Heaven. As I spoke with my precious father, I asked him, "Do you know what's happening? He smiled and said, "Yes, I am going to be with my Lord." Praise God for His promises. 
                        2nd Corinthians 5:8
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."

Blessings, Kathi

I am thankful to God for my mother. She was so good to me when I was little. She tought me manners and social skills. She built my conscience and helped me to fear God. She is with Jesus now. I miss her.

This photo was taken when she was about 40 years old. She passed away one month ago, and I have not cried yet. 

 This was about 1967, at the beach. I know it was Sunday, because Mom just had her hair done and protected it with her scarf.

 This was a special day; Dad and Mom's 40th anniversary. We thank God they loved each other for a life-time.

This is last summer Mom pushing Dad in his wheel chair. I know the flood gates will open soon and I will cry and cry for my sweet mama. I think I may be in denial. I thank God for loving parents. I am truly blessed.
  "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
 Blessings, Kathi

Birthday Dinner In the Barn

My husband's birthday! We cleaned up the barn, strung up twinkle lights and celebrated on my mother-in-law's black walnut table

and antique chairs. Great friends Norm and Sharla came to be with us.

These are the kinds of friends who you count on, they pitch in and help you and we do the same for them.

My daughter Jessica helped me make a special dinner of brisket, asparagus and roasted potatoes. Jessica made a French apple pie that was out of this world.

All of the kids helped serve the dinner to us out in the barn.

What a special time we had together. I love my husband, family and friends. 

                        Jeremiah 29:11

"I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

Blessings, Kathi

Halloween Barn Party

What a weekend! Our fifteen year old son wanted to have a Halloween party with his friends from school. What better place than in our barn? It already had cob webs and the fun scary elements of a creaky old building and dark stair case. As long as we had plenty of food we knew kids would show up, and they did! 

The plans began with five different kinds of pizza from Papa Murphy's. We added salad, cider, pop, desserts and popcorn.

We decorated with pumpkins, gourds, fake spiders and skeletons, and a few things from Dollar Tree. 

 Indoor and outdoor games. Don't forget the glow sticks for playing "kick the can" in the dark.

 More treats.

 Playing "Mafia" and "Signs."

What is lurking up those stairs?

Come a little closer and I will show you.

 Come now, don't be scared.

 Sorry these are blurry. My wonderful husband rented a projector and set up a screen (white sheet) for the movie, that our son Garrett chose.

The movie was, "Young Frankenstein,

with Gene Wilder 

This is funny scary not gory. It's just enough to make you jump.

 

I think the kids really had fun. There were lots of smiles and lots of laughter.

 Our son and his friends want to do it again, so I know we will. 

                                  Isaiah 41:10
"Don't panic. I am with you. There's no need to fear for I am your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."
                               Blessings, Kathi