A fishing we will go.

Daddy and K in the car on the way to the pond. lol

 We usually bring D's pack and play and he and I hang out in the shade. He wasn't having it!

 So instead we hung out in the shade and got to explore! :)

 What a whopper. lol. Joel caught a lot bigger blue gill than this, but of course I had to post the smallest one just to tease! :)

Other friends at the pond that day.

Our little muscle man:

K now says, "God made dirt and dirt don't hurt." Hmmm. Wonder what brought that on?

My favorite moments together as a family have been right in this very spot. We love to go fishing, swim, and camp at Joel's grandmother's pond as often as we can. I love the peace and quiet. Do you have any special places you like to go that make you feel like the world stands still? Or any summer traditions as a family you always do? I'd love to hear about em'.

Look Whoooooos Nine Months Old

I just love this next one. I caught a sweet moment between the two of them.

Can't believe our little guy is nine months old already. Boy does time fly. I am already thinking about ideas for his one year pics, I know I'm bad. Put the camera down! :) I am so thankful for this sweet little blessing. He is such a joy.

David has such a vibrant personality.  His favorite thing to do right now is explore. He loves to touch things and try and figure out what they are and how they work. He loves K. Anything that big brother does D laughs at. K has a very special way with him. D is a snuggle bug, he loves to be held. Anything in his hands goes straight to the mouth, yum. Nine months is such a fun age with their smiles, giggles, complaints, preferences. Happy nine months D we love you.

And the winner is....

Amanda. No wait. Sarah. Sarah & Amanda! :) Thanks for sending me recipes as well. Can't wait to whip up new things. I will email you later today with your prizes. Have a great Saturday everyone!

My nephew is 3 today! Hip Hip Hooray.

This is my adorable little nephew B. Isn't he just as sweet as honey! I sure love him and I can't believe he's already turning 3. I am so glad that K and him get along so well. I thank God for all of my nephews. What great friends my little boys have already. Happy Birthday B. You are such a handsome, sweet, and cuddly little boy. We love you and wish we were there to celebrate with you. XOXO Uncle Joel, Aunt Beth, K, and D.

My Opportunity

My opportunity! Dear Lord, I do not ask
That Thou shouldst give me some high work of Thine,
Some noble calling, or some wondrous task,—
Give me a little hand to hold in mine.

I do not ask that I should ever stand
Among the wise, the worthy, or the great;
I only ask that, softly, hand in hand,
A child and I may enter at Thy gate.

Give me a little child to point the way
Over the strange, sweet path that leads to Thee;
Give me a little voice to teach to pray;
Give me two shining eyes Thy face to see.

The only crown I ask, dear Lord, to wear,
Is this — that I may teach a little child
How beautiful, oh, how divinely fair
Is Thy dear face, so loving, sweet and mild!

I do not need to ask for more than this.
My opportunity! 'Tis standing at my door;
What sorrow if this blessing I should miss!
A little child! Why should I ask for more?

Who knows what future stretches out along
Those strange, far years? Dear Father, if I knew!
Who knows what sorrow, or who knows what song,
Who knows what work those little hands may do?

Who knows what word of mine may shape a thought
To turn his heart to that far heaven above?
Who knows what lesson that I may have taught,
Will turn his heart to the dear God of love?

Thou knowest, oh, Thou knowest! Unto Thee
All things are plain. Help me, Lord Christ I pray,
That I may ever helpful be,
To lead a little child along the way.

My opportunity? I need not seek it far,
It standeth at the door, and waiteth me;
Dear Lord, two trusting hands uplifted are —
A little child, my opportunity!—Marian B. Craig.

Thank you God for the opportunity we've been given. I praise you for our two blessings. Please help us to be godly parents. Help us to show our children Your love everyday and be examples of Christ to them. Help us to train them up in the way they should go. We pray that you cover us when we fail. Guide us on this wonderful journey you have gifted us with.

Cute little recipe cards & a fun giveaway!

I have recently started to venture out and make new things for dinner. I love the old tried and true recipes I have, but I also always love to try new things! :) I made these cute little recipe cards and I will be hand making a recipe box to put them in.

So in the spirit of fun, I will be giving away a set of these recipe cards sent to you via email. :) All you have to do is buy blank index cards and then hit print. Viola! Anyone who comments on this post is entered to win. For another chance to win, send the best recipe you have to marriebeth@hotmail.com. And if its grandma's secret, don't worry, I won't tell! :) I will pick one lucky gal  (http://www.random.org/) on Friday!

The un-perfect date & a heart of complaint.

Last night since K was staying the night away from home Joel and I tried to go on a date. I showered, did my hair/makeup, and got dressed up for the occasion. Got to look good for my man! :) Well our date night ended abruptly when our car broke down on 35. Great!  Good thing we have a cell phone. I get it out of the diaper bag and guess what it's dead. We are stuck and since it is dark nobody stops. So Joel, being the awesome husband he is, is going to run about 4 miles to the nearest place with a phone to call someone for help. Did I mention little D was with? Yeah, that made it all the more interesting. Someone finally picks Joel up and let's them use his phone and help finally arrives. I just had such a stinky attitude about the whole situation. It's not like Joel and I get many date nights. You know the whole, "why me?". Then I realized why not me?

I could have had a better attitude about the whole situation. I know that. A lot of times God isn't as concerned about what happens to us, it's more about how we react. Do you praise God just as graciously when storms arise or do you complain. I have a heart of complaint. Looks like that is something I will be working on. Thank you God for providing for us even when things are bad. Thank You for Your love and for Your precious Son. I do not know loss as You know it. I praise You today with a heavy heart.

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