#1 - Bradley turns 18

#2 - Laura goes boating

#3 - Laura posing in her Flamingo swim suit

#4 - Drum begs for attention

#5 - Luke goes boating

#1 - John, Laura, and Lincoln rest in the recliner.
#2 - Laura swimming
#3 - John and Luke pose in the kitchen
#4 - John, William, and Poppy at Liz's wedding
#5 - Boys in tuxes after the wedding on the putting green

JOYFUL or LESS

I was just thinking (I know you all must think that I do that alot, and I do) about joy. A little while ago, as the kids were playing with these humongous (sp?) balloons, I decided to wear them as earrings. I have on this little pair of pearl studs (dollar store variety) so I put the earrings through the end of these huge white and blue balloons and wore them around the house. The kids giggled and giggled. They thought it was the funniest thing they had ever seen. It was!!!

Children are so full of joy. They are innocent and they love to be happy and to laugh about things. Why don't grown ups want to be full of joy? We meditate on our problems, some percieved and some real, until we are so joyLESS. And then, if we are really bad we suck the joy right out of our little kids too by grumbling and complaining about our life! How terrible. I know some problems are really bad, but how many of us REALLY have it bad?

If we only could realize that God is so good and loving. If we could just understand that our joy comes through our relationship of love and faith in Him, we could laugh and giggle just like the children. Problems would be placed in the Father's hands, our thoughts would transcend our physical surroundings, and peace and contentment would fill our hearts and minds.

Watch your children today. See how quickly they forgive an offense? See how something so small can create a cute smile on their face? See how a simple candy can heal a wound?

Where is your joy? Is it hiding in unforgiveness, disappointment, false expectations of people, pain or illness? Don't let Satan steal your joy. It's so fun to be happy! Lay those burdens down and the alter and let God have 'em. Have some fun with your happy kids today.

DO NOT SQUASH A GIGGLE OR A SMILE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GIVE UP YOUR UNHAPPINESS! YOU WILL BE SACRIFICING YOUR JOY AND THE JOY OF YOUR CHILDREN IF YOU DO!!

Dad's Dress Clothes

With my mom in Abilene and my husband in NYC, my dad and I are doing the job of 4 adults here on the farm. One of our assignments was to buy a new sports jacket for my dad. So, today, all of us went to Cavender's and we think we have him suited quiet nicely. Dad dressed up so we could send a picture to Mom for her approval. So, what do you think Mom? Handsome? I must say he looks really striking in his dress clothes.

Mom, can you call dad and let him know that you are happy with his choice? He said, "Your mother will worry about this jacket until she gets home to see it. Can you send her a picture over the computer?" I think what he really meant was, "I am going to worry about the choice I made until you mother says she likes it so will you send her a picture so I don't have to think about it for another week?"

Double click on the photo for a bigger view.

Laura's first rodeo

Here are 3 of many attempts to get a good picture before we head out to Laura's first rodeo to watch her Great Aunt April ride barrels!

Meredith is in NYC and my mother is in Abilene helping my sister. So, Dad and I decided to take the children to the rodeo tonight. It makes our lonely evenings without our spouses go by faster and keeps the kids busy!

Hope you enjoy my little cowboys and my pink cowgirl!

OH, and one more comment

In all of the kitchen pictures, has anyone ever noticed the empty black plate holder STILL hanging on the wall? Well, there used to be 3 beautiful plates in the holder with scenes of hens and roosters. My mother-in-law gave it to me for Christmas.

Every time I post a picture of my kitchen I think to myself, "I really need to take that empty plate holder off the wall." But then I think, "No, the thing is made of iron. It can hang there until my kids are grown and THEN I will buy some new beautiful plates to fill it."

Now, how do you suppose those plates got broken..................

Let's think about this, hmm.......7 children.....5 of them boys.........perhaps bulls in a china closet?

More Mother's Day Pics

Picture 1 - John letting me know how many eggs he has put under on of his hens that is laying
Picture 2 - Lela serving up lunch as Grandad supervises. She just LOVES for Grandad to supervise her!
Picture 3 - Our sweet Grammy Faye!

I realize that I published our day backwards but sometimes things just go that way. Enjoy anyway!