Nuggets Along the Trail

Over the years, we've always compared our family life to a wagon train heading west. Just as everyone had to do his part to get to Oregon years ago, so everyone in our family must do his/her part to make our journey through life successful. If somebody climbs in the wagon and lets the others do the work, we just don't make any progress. We all have to pull our weight and work together. Along the trail we find lots of pebbles that make for a smooth ride and some bigger rocks that jar us a little; we hit the occasional pothole that can slow us down. But if we purpose to search diligently, there are countless gold nuggets and precious gemstones along the way as well. This journal is an attempt to preserve some of those precious moments for our children, and our children's children, as together we travel this trail called life.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Friday, December 26, 2014

12-26-14 Blue Sky Day

Tuesday.

Our nice wading pool. Smile

Can you tell I like blue skies?!

Thursday, December 25, 2014

12-25-14 Silent Night

Silent Night, Holy night, All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon virgin, mother and child, Holy infant, so tender and mild.

Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent Night, Holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar, Heavenly hosts sing hallelujah.

Christ the Saviour is born. Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent Night, Holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace.

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

12-24-14 Varnish Party

Saturday found littles busy in the kitchen with me - - -

While bigger kids varnished woodwork in the shed.

Work’s done, Farming Game fun.

Sunday, Jacob and a few stayed home from church with runny noses/coughs.

Monday’s project.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

12-23-14 Friday

See the shadows?? That means the sun was shining!!! And we’ve had so many gray days lately that every bit of sunshine is celebrated and appreciated greatly, shadows and all! After yesterday (Monday) when it rained literally all day, the sunshine today was stunning. I wanted to soak up every possible ray and savor it, and then save it for the gray days that are assuredly coming yet. I wanted to be outside all afternoon (and almost was!)(until it was time to make supper). I couldn’t stop taking pictures from sunup to sundown, knowing that if I captured them in picture I could keep them forever... or at least until my computer crashes Smile . Those px are still on the camera, though, so that’s another post for another day!

Sunday, December 21, 2014

12-21-14 Behold

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things…

Isaiah 40:26

Friday, December 19, 2014

12-19-14 Wintertime Scenes

Mom-isms

When you've got a lot of irons in the fire, sometimes you're gonna get burnt.
Much gain comes to him who hustles while waiting.
Good intentions produce little.
Efficiency is utilizing effective but careful shortcuts for the sole purpose of making more time for the next productive pursuit or service to others.
Laziness is utilizing shortcuts, careful and effective or not, for the sole purpose of making more time for the next selfish or nonproductive pursuit or activity.
Never try to multi-task while giving haircuts.
Carelessness hurts.
I've never met a mess that can't be cleaned up.
God made dirt not to hurt.
When you go on a walk, take gloves and a bag for trash.
Shortcuts usually aren't.
A job done right has been done twice.
When sick children are almost better, we always regret taking them anywhere.
When sick children are almost better, we are always glad we kept them home.