Keepin' It Real

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to assume that all the great, exciting, and wonderful things you see posted on a blog are the sum of a families' life? I mean, whether you stay connected with people via Blog Land, Fakebook (oops, did I just type that out loud?? :-P ), Forums, Groups or some other World Wide Wonder it's nearly impossible to get a true picture of what your "friends" lives are all about. That happens here, too.

See, the purpose of this blog is to keep our friends and family up to date on our adventures and things we are learning and doing as a family. It's become a great way for me to chronicle our year since I've gotten so behind on my scrapbooks. I've also found it to be a way to share with other families some of the ways we are working to manage a Larger-Than-Some-But-Not-Ready-For-TV sized family.

The danger of posting all these great pics of all these beautiful faces doing all of these adventurous things is that we may lead you to believe that we have arrived as the Perfect Family. ::snort::  (oops, excuse me while I wipe the screen. ;-) )  We certainly have not gotten to that destination and we have many more miles before we even see it on the radar, I'm afraid. In fact, this week looks to be a pit stop of sorts for our family. Call it flat tires, overheated radiator, leaky fuel pump, or something of the sort. We are taking time to make some repairs before we get back on the journey.

While I'm feeling philosophical, I'll comment once more on the whole Perfect vs. Real dilemma that our current media-driven culture presents. Often I struggle with thoughts that I am only posting the *good* and the *lovely* side of life, leaving out the dingy and dirty that we deal with every day. I mean I could post pics of the laundry piles, the unkempt rooms, or other inconsistencies that plague us around here. I could go into detail about our battles to win our children's hearts and our failings as parents to Follow Through and Inspect What We Expect. I could, but I don't. Am I keeping secrets? Am I trying to hide our imperfections? Am I hoping you'll think that the sun always shines at our house. Am I being fake?

Nope. (I answered that quick and easy-like. :) ) See, I've wrestled with each of those questions and continually come to the same answer. The reason I don't post our struggles is because I know it would not strengthen our family, edify our readers, or honor the Lord. In our house, we strive to apply the truth of God's word in all areas of our lives. That includes Blog Land, too.  And God's word tells us that Real Love keeps no record of wrongs. I don't mind to share with you that we have our times of fear, frustration, and even a week when field trips get cancelled because we all need to attend Attitude Boot Camp instead. Sigh.  But, I have learned (the hard way) that focusing on the weaknesses of others makes us all weak. So, in the hopes that I will continue to encourage and build our family as well as yours, I will refrain from sharing the dirty laundry, so long as you know we've always got a few piles hanging around to work on. ;-)

He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. Proverbs 17:9

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead ; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9

LOOK and SEE what God has done!!!!

David sat for the first part of the CPA exam last month. In order to pass, he needed to score 75 or higher on the exam. He wasn't feeling terribly confident after taking the test. It was rather grueling.

We've been waiting for the results, trying to keep busy and enjoying the study break as a family. The waiting hasn't been too hard, but we've been eager to see what the Lord chose to do with all those months of hard work.

The results came in today.  Remember, he needed 75 to pass....

Do you see it??? Do you see that amazing number there?? That's a score of EIGHTY-FIVE!!!!!  Praise the Lord with us!! We are overwhelmed by His good favor!!!

Thank you to our faithful friends who have been praying for us this year.  We are So Very Grateful! Please continue to pray, as we now press on for the next part of the exam. One down, only three more to go!!

"The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad!" Psalm 126:3

Summer...It's On!

We're on our summer schedule and it's glorious!  We're working on house projects, gardens, yard work, and lessons but still fitting in our daily fun. Grading papers poolside is one of my favorite pastimes. :)

Josh kicked off the season with a great catch.  A 16" large mouth bass. Not bad!

We'll be "Field Trippin'" all summer.  A few stops so far include Great Island Common in Newmarket, NH...

Sand in the toes...not so good. ;)

A fun hike with friends on the trails at the McClane Audubon Center in Concord...

A quick trip to Hampton Beach to see the start of the Sand Sculpture Contest...

and a little fun at the playground...

We've got more planned, so stay tuned!  Have I already said how much I'm lovin' summer this year?? :D

Sweet Sixteen

Sixteen years ago we celebrated our wedding day. (No, I wasn't 16 years old. I did look it though, didn't I? ::cheesy grin::)

It's amazing to look back and think of the way the Lord has led, changed, and challenged us from that day.  Of course, we never imagined we'd be who and where we are now. Yet, today, as then, we are thrilled for the gift of serving the Lord together and joyfully look forward to all He has planned for us in the (Lord willing!) many years to come. 

The scripture used in our wedding ceremony:
"I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." John 17:23

The scripture on our wedding cake:
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." Psalm 48:14

The scripture engraved on our wedding bands:
"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:25

Please join us in our continued prayers that these truths would be the stronghold of our marriage. Our desire to honor the Lord grows deeper each year, because of His work in our lives.

Being Three...

Did you ever see a more adorable troublemaker???

(and yes, the markers are now locked away. Sigh.)



A-Gardening We Will Go!

Our garden has expanded a bit this year, thanks to David and the boys building 4 more boxes.

We added more "garden mix" soil to the original boxes.

The tilling and raking are done.

And, thanks to Elizabeth's planning and planting the seeds and about an hour's worth of thinning in the lettuce beds today, we enjoyed our first harvest from the garden for dinner tonight!

 A beautiful Spring Mix of lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, and beet leaves.



For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

Isaiah 61:11

Happy 3 to Miss Verity-Grace!!

What? You're getting tired from all these birthday posts?? Tell me about it!! It's one party after another over here, and we're SO grateful!! :D

Verity-Grace, the Cutie Face turns 3 officially tomorrow. We celebrated tonite by roasting hot dogs and marshmallows at the backyard campfire. She picked the Ginormous sized marshmallows for extra ooey-gooey fun. 

Ruth caught a "big one"!!

Verity's birthday is the last of the four girlies'. She was so excited to finally have her turn at opening presents.

A new bike

We praise the Lord for you, our sweet girl. As your name speaks to the truth and grace that the Lord offers, may you always be a light for Him!

"Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." 2 John 1:3