I believe in...

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them"
~Jesus (Matthew 18:20)

Ice Cream?

CONFESSION: We have been goofing off at The Glen. We are tired of school work and projects so tonight after dinner we headed over to the Jersey Dairy for ice cream. Our excuse? We were helping our niece, Samantha, with HER school work. We have her FLAT STANLEY who is a character in a book that travels to other states. We NEEDED.... we absolutely HAD to take Flat Stanley to get an ice cream!! Our kids make any trip out of the house a fiasco...we did have fun and the evening was BEAUTIFUL!!!

Stanley wanted to try the Cotton Candy ice cream...he finished it!

Mitchell was taken prisoner by painted COWS!

The goat wanted a tiny little taste of Stanley...this is when Stanley started to get nervous about being our house guest!

Sam always gets a ride when he is weary of walking. Stanley got to ride on Sam's back and Sam was SO pleased! Squint and you will see Stanley above Sam's head...does he look panicked?

I don't know if it is EVER a good idea for FIVE KIDS to try to sit on a cow...by this time Stanley was crying for mercy!

Juggling Act

Whew! It is one of THOSE weeks...school is coming to a close, field day, final projects, research papers, Spring play, costumes to go with play, a case of poison ivy=doctor's appointment, plants to put in the garden...all good, all a part of life but a bit crazy!!
Catch up with you real soon!
Have a blessed day!

Recapturing a moment in time...

Two years ago I took a wonderful trip to Savannah with three good friends. Our days were filled with historic sightseeing, shopping and good food. (NOT in that order.) At night as we neared utter exhaustion we would sit on this patio which at the time was GLORIOUS with spring plants in bloom. (This photo is rather lame!) Our favorite place was all the way to the back where that trellis was absolutely ENGULFED with blooming honeysuckle laced with white lights. We would sit and talk and talk and just ENJOY LIFE and the scent of honeysuckle.

Fast forward to our move to The Glen. My Dad constructed a wonderful trellis and my dear mother in law provided the most beautiful honeysuckle...it is called Pink Lemonade and it is growing at GREAT SPEED! I am going to take photos of it throughout the summer!
I am absolutely thrilled!

I cannot wait to invite my dear friends over to sit under my Honeysuckle Arbor and enjoy a nice chat! Care to join us?

Happy Memorial Day!

Remembering those that have served.

I trust you will have a wonderful time of relaxation with family and friends today.

Celebrations!

We are celebrating two very special people this weekend...Beth and Tim!! WOOT! WOOT!!! My mostly sweet (had to say mostly 'cause you can't be sweet ALL the time can ya Bep?), wonderful cousin, Beth...whom I have adored from the moment she stepped foot into this world got ENGAGED!!!

We were all settling in for some TV watching when Beth and Tim SUDDENLY appeared in our kitchen from out of NO WHERE and they were both BEAMING so big that we KNEW immediately what had transpired! My girls were jumping up and down with GLEE and Sam joined in with GUSTO even though he had NO IDEA what was going on!!!

Congratulations Beppie and Tim!
We love you!!

Decoration Day!

It is a loose tradition for my family to go to our cemetery over Memorial Day weekend and tidy up grave sites and put flowers on family graves. It turns into a social time when stories are told about various family members who have died before us and of long ago friends and their families. I enjoy it so very much.


I love this grave marker...is is no longer legible yet so beautiful. I wonder the circumstances of this person's death. This marker is in an abandoned cemetery outside our village limits. No-one has been buried here in decades...as a small girl I walked to this cemetery with a neighbor, Miss Bruce, who had family buried there and she pointed out many unmarked graves in that cemetery. She told me, "God knows their names."

As I watched my Aunt clean and tidy my Uncle Sam's grave stone my eyes were drawn to the words inscribed on his grave stone. I have read this line dozens and dozens of times yet each time I read it I am struck by how true and awesome the line is:

"Don't weep, I now have life that's fuller far than you have known."

Pre-school is over

Sam really enjoys pre-school. He is quiet but loves every minute of it. He affectionately calls his teacher: MIZZ MICKEY...it is actually Mrs. Nicki but she does not mind the mispronunciation.
He has done MANY wonderful crafts this year and he takes GREAT PRIDE in each one...he was very pleased to give me this little flower pot with a recipe attached, it is so cute:

A Mother's Recipe
Ingredients: 2 cups Love
1 cup Kindness
1 cup Care
1 cup Security
Add a dash of Prayer
Fold in Common Sense and Discipline.
Mix all the above thoroughly.
Sprinkle with enough fun to create good memories.

Yields: One happy and content child


Check out just how TAN Sam's skin is from playing outside already! He browns up so fast and so beautifully!

Simple order...simple pleasure.

The year's at the spring,
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his Heaven -
All's right with the world!

~Robert Browning

Just a tiny bit tighter...

I just finished a wonderful novel...wonderful is NOT a good word...it was more of a traumatic, soul wrenching, brick in the pit of your stomach work of fiction that you KNOW has much truth in it. My dear friend, and soon to be fellow adoptive mom, Ame recommended it to me...but also warned me that it is one of those books that tear at your heart yet you are compelled to finish it. In short the story is based in China in the 70's when an anti-Communist movement threatens the Cultural Revolution. From the book: Life in a world of oppression and pain is portrayed through stories of resilience, sacrifice, perversion, courage and belief.

After finishing that book...I had to go and hold my Chinese American children a bit tighter...and be EVER so thankful for them. We are so very proud of their Chinese heritage but are SO THANKFUL they are here, in our home...sleeping safely and soundly.

Thank you dear Ame...and I pray for Little Dumpling.

Welcome to PLASTIC WORLD

When it comes to housework there are TWO things (well more than that but these are the top two) that I dislike doing in a BIG way.

1.) Emptying the dishwasher - I will load it without a thought but put off unloading it!
2.) Putting away the clean laundry - Don't mind washing, drying and folding but getting it into closets and drawers is not a favorite duty!

Bob is good about emptying the dishwasher with the exception of what he calls: PLASTIC WORLD. He despises that place called Plastic World. This made me think of when our Plastic World BOOMED. Yes, you have to have your small plastic containers with lids for leftovers, lunches etc. But, with little kids you collect all manner of sippy cups, lids, valves, special little bowls, spoons, cups etc. They bring colorful, wildly imaginative plastic eating paraphenalia home from parties and restaurants and when I try to discard of such items one of the kiddos will catch a glimpse of the item in the trash and say, "MOM! I got that hippopotamus straw at Abby's party...I love that!!" Then I say..."QUIT rummaging through the trash!!"

Here is one of our two plastic world drawers...not in bad shape but just awaiting the five sets of hands that will dirty them all up again and again and again!

Do you think there is a MATCHING lid for every container??

What do you mean you have homework?!?!

We are down to the last TWELVE days of school. With that are nice sunny afternoons, runs to the jersey dairy for an ice cream cone, bike rides...AND...projects, papers, testing and the like! UGH! We are all suffering from school work BURN OUT! I WHINED the other night to my four oldest kiddos that I have already completed the ninth, sixth, fourth and first grades!!! ACK! I know, I know...NO WHINING!!! Oh are we looking forward to the end of school!

Books! Books! Books!

Bob and I are both avid readers and collectors of books. Our biggest challenge when we moved to The Glen was going through our huge collection of books and weeding them out. I love all kinds of books, especially OLD stories no longer in print like PIGS IS PIGS published in 1906...this one came from my Nana Boo and Grandad's collection about a comical Mr. Morehouse and his dilemma over whether Guinea Pigs are categorized as domestic pigs...my kids love this story. It is written in Mr. Morehouses' dialect which is entertaining when read aloud.
"Pets thim animals may be, an' domestic they be, but pigs, I'm sure they do be!" I remember reading it in my Dad's childhood bedroom as a little girl and thinking it was SO FUNNY!

Now Mitchell is a reader too...he likes a good comedy and got his hands on the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid (NOT scholarly literature, but wonderful to a twelve year old who loves slap happy humor!) He stayed up VERY late reading and then the next day had his light on reading at 6 a.m.!

The three little kittens...one year later...

One year ago our sweet, country cat Clarice had a litter of kittens on our front porch! Oh how we LOVED those kittens! We are celebrating their FIRST birthday!

Cody with his new owner Nathan. He is not fond of his party hat. They came over for a visit. All the kids were SO EXCITED.

Asher said he would NOT wear his hat but he WOULD play with it!!

Asher has the BIGGEST body AND personality! He makes us laugh on a daily basis!

We were sad not to have sweet Lilly in the festivities. She was hit by a car in winter. She had the most wonderful kitty life with her new family. We all miss her.

Who would have thought when those kittens were born they would teach us so very much! I am so thankful for God's amazing creatures!

BEWARE of ducks in raincoats

I woke up this morning to claps of thunder and lightning flashing in our bedroom windows...I would have LOVED to have rolled over and gone back to sleep! RAIN, RAIN, RAIN...I got my coffee and have enjoyed sitting on my porch this a.m. watching the rain fall...I actually think I can SEE my grass and Mitchell roses GROW before my very eyes!!! SPRING truly has arrived.
Happy Thursday dear ones!

When you are tired...you go to sleep!

Madeleine is quite possibly the most reasonable 7 year old I have EVER known. She listens and takes in information and then remembers it and uses it for her own good. She is practical AND smart! She has always known her limits in the area of sleep...her motto: "When you are tired...go to bed!" Many times in the course of her short life she has put herself to bed whether it be for a nap or for the night! (I should note here that she is my ONLY CHILD that does this!)

Tonight we were staying up late (that means past Madeleine's usual 8 bedtime) to watch American Idol. She showered and came in to watch and then we realized...


Okay...please notice we have an ALMOST eight year old thumb sucker! She has taught herself NOT to do it during the day but at night...forget it! We have tried SO MANY THINGS and it doesn't seem to work!! Her teeth are definitely affected by the thumb sucking...ANY NEW OR DIFFERENT IDEAS??

DINNER!!!!

We had some sun today! OH! GLORIOUS SUNSHINE! The youngest three kids announced they were going out to the field to hunt corn for our newest boarder, Gertrude, the Goose. She and her mate, George, have been living in the corn field next to our house. We think they are making a nest out there somewhere.

Dinner was JUST about ready and I went out to look for them knowing they would need awhile to wash up for dinner. THOSE THREE FIND A WAY TO GET MUDDY NO MATTER WHAT!! I spotted them in the distance and simply yelled:
"DINNER!!" (Ya gotta squint a little...my camera is not so good.)


Can't ya just HEAR Sam yelling "Wait for ME, wait for ME!"

I have seriously thought about putting in a dinner bell but with this kind of response I'll save my money. I wonder whatever happened to my Mamaw and Papaw's dinner bell?

NEWS just in: Woman found napping in the clothes washer.

I am on very intimate terms with my washer and dryer...I bet YOU wear heels and a skirt while YOU are doing laundry right? Now, do you think my family will notice I am missing if I just lay my head down for a tiny nap while unloading the washer?



Monday already???

Happy Mothers Day

It is Mother's Day and I want to wish ALL a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! Even if you are not a mother you had a mother and each and every one has an important role!! What an awesome and challenging job it is...I would NEVER trade it...NEVER!!!

Being an adoptive mom is a blessing beyond all blessings. I pray a very special prayer for all the birth moms, many of whom have no idea where their beautiful babies are that they gave life to...may God fill their hearts with peace in knowing that their children are loved beyond measure. What gifts!!

Thanks to MY mom who is an awesome, Godly, example of a loving, hardworking, strong, selfless mom!

Happy Birthday AND Happy Mother's Day to my Mother-in-law today!! Hope you have a wonderful celebration!

Fun Friday

There are words and phrases that make me smile. One I just recently heard and LOVE is
HEAVENS TO MURGATROID!! This was coined by a dear, sweet, PINK, lion who is known for his distinct style of speaking and lack of fierceness. If he is pleased, he will do a "majestic lion roar of joy...cheer even!" Snagglepuss is often indignant at his lowly treatment and the "abdominable" food served and says, "My roar hinges are a little rusty but my appetite is still sharp!"

Go see a clip of our buddy Snagglepuss!

I am SO VERY HAPPY it is Friday...I think I will do "a majestic lion roar of joy...cheer even!!!" Have a great weekend!

Meet Jon...he is one of God's treasures!

One person that has heavily influenced my life is my cousin Christi. Christi's mother would say..."she is 37 years old, still lives at home, won't get a job or even do her own laundry!" Christi has Down's Syndrome. People with Down's Syndrome have such a special place in my heart!! I came across this video of Jon and had to share it with all of you but especially with my family as they will truly fall in love with Jon!!!



Isn't he amazing!???
Now go visit one of my favorite websites to see some more of God's ambassadors:

Grab This Button

Belated May Memories

May snuck up on me this year...maybe it does every year...I got caught up in having company, planting new trees, running the kids and completely missed the fun and magic of MAY DAY. I was remembering the May baskets I used to make as a child. I grew up in the country on a thirteen acre "mini farm." Our homes were spread out, but my grandparents lived next door and my aunt and cousins lived in the next house. What a utopia for growing up! I remember gathering wild flowers and weeds from the fields and painstakingly arranging them in a paper basket I had colored and put together with LOTS of staples and tape. I would sneak to my grandparent's house and hang a basket on my Mamaw's door and run at HIGH SPEED and much glee to hide behind her brooder house and watch as she would exclaim how BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING the flowers were and she would "wonder" VERY LOUDLY WHO on EARTH could have left the basket. I still smile thinking of how pleased I was with this process. I then would leave a May basket for my aunt with similar results. What a wonderful memory of childhood. Pure blessing! Then, I feel sad...each day I look at the photos and read the stories of the many, many children who do not have homes and do not get to experience the pleasure of a Momma tucking them in at night, or a Daddy who will dance a Cinderella dance with them or a Mamaw who will love them... no matter what.

Donette DRIVEN

Earlier in the year I shared about my habit of observing fellow grocery shopper's grocery carts while waiting my turn to pay. I was often critical of the contents of their carts but then I know the TRUTH is I would LOVE to eat the stuff in their carts!! Well, a certain bloggy friend of mine from There's Always Room For One More had been Facebooking about her consumption of white powdered donuts...which was the beginning of my craving/quest to get my hands on some of those white gems!! The challenge...I needed to get them when my kids are NOT around as the sight of them puts them in a frenzy and I am SURE to only get one or if I am lucky TWO. While out running errands alone, I purchased a bag of these sugary treats and consumed an inordinate amount of them.

I did NOT...I will repeat...did NOT eat the whole bag...I left FIVE...one for each of my sweet children...can I tell you the ecstatic look on their faces when they found the bag and then disappointment when they realized there were only FIVE left??? The sign below is needed in a large poster size on my pantry as it will be awhile before I buy another bag...ugh!

And as for the quality of these circles of sugar...they contain absolutely NOTHING nutritious in them...but when they are fresh they are YUMMY!

Celebrating a DECADE!!!

Emma is TEN YEARS OLD today!! Oh, how we remember our hurried drive to the hospital to get our first look at this beautiful baby!! At The Glen...birthday tradition dictates the day off school for the birthday child and the day off work for our Daddy. Next is a meticulously planned out day of birthday fun called "Daddy's Day Out!" Bob and Emma are getting ready for a full day of birthday events right this moment!
Daddy's Day Out 2003!

Daddy's Day Out 2006!

Emma's ninth birthday...she has changed SO MUCH in the last year...she no longer has braces...so much taller and mature...her love of her family and God amazes us! She told me the other night...I love being in this BIG family! Bob and I know it is complete with EMMA in it!!!

Tonight, we celebrate with cake and ice cream! I had better get a cake in the oven PRONTO!
We love you our Emma Boo!!

A week in pictures...

Hi everyone! We have had a BUSY week or so...Bob's folks came from Maine to hang out with us for a few days! What a treat to have them visit and we were busy playing games, enjoying the spring weather and EATING! We seem to do a lot of that when we have family gather together.
I thought I would share some photos of our time with Pap and Nana.

This is "Jack in the Pulpit," it is a beautiful plant. If you look close you can see Jack.

The kids climbing the rock formations.

The kids love to watch the creek...it is so peaceful.

Beautiful May Apple. We saw so many spring plants. Pap and Nana know their names.

Pap and our Glamour Girl!

Sam feeling how cold the water is...

Emma and Nate enjoying the water fall.

I often wonder if Nate should be a naturalist...he is at his best when he is in the great outdoors.

Does anyone want a S'more? Whew, that fire was HOT!

Nana rocked Sam two times and he was FAST asleep!