The Olive Tree

Woohoo! I actually uploaded some of my newest art...see my Olive Tree blog!!!

LONG TIME NO BLOG!

My sweet niece, Maddie and her crazy friends. Bear is in there too.

Oh to be 10 again!!! My niece turned 10 a few weekends ago. 10!!! I remember when Jen told me she was pregnant. I was a niave 17 year old at the time. We've been through alot in just those 10 years. We've added precious family members and lost some irreplacable family members. I would have never sat down as that 17 year old and pictured the life the Lord had planned for me. I would have NEVER imagined what 10 years would bring. I count my blessings and pray for strength. I recount my favorite verses for motivation and pray for Jesus to come quickly. I am seeing what it truly means to "run the race," to "wait with expectation," and to "lean not on my own understanding." I so long to tell Maddie, not to mention, my sweet Toby (4 yrs. old) and Bear (7 months old) what it means to love God. To REALLY LOVE God...To celebrate each moment just because God gave it, to find contentment in all your circumstances and to truly be thankful. Please ladies, find a way to perfect this and reveal it to your sweet loved ones, and then, TELL ME HOW! Wouldn't that be the ultimate?!
I mean, look at them...

Daddy and Toby
Mommy and Bear

I am surely lucky. Man, they are funny! I really need to write down the stuff that comes out of Toby's mouth these days. I need a permanant video camera for sure. This weekend at Maddie's birthday party, the kids put on shows. Remember when you used to do that? You would plan it all out in the back room and then proudly march in the living area to show the grown-ups. When did I become a grown-up? What a funny thought! I guess that's where 10 years gets me - Happy Birthday Maddie!!!!