Katherine, Sebastian, & Corn Pt. 2

These were taken today. I'd say the corn is growing at a much faster rate, but that's good. I don't want those cute kids growing up ANY faster than they already are.

Backyard Project #3...99% complete

It's all up! There's still a few finishing touches & clean up to do before it's totally complete.





Next up...cleaning up the flower bed & mowing.
Yuck! :-(
Maybe we'll get the pool up first. Hmm; maybe.
Trying to get everything finished before our trips in June.

Backyard Project #3...A work in progress

Summer Time Fun

Enjoying a Sunday afternoon!

Interesting Observation

Last fall I had a garage sale where I began getting rid of the baby items I had been keeping in the storage building behind our house. Wes was so thrilled for me to finally part with the kids crib, toddler bed, and ten or so plastic totes full of kids clothes. I ended up having a successful garage sale last fall, but only because a friend (who was also having a garage sale that day in Valliant) sent people out my way. Sometimes living outside the city limits is nice, but it makes things a little challenging if you're trying to have a garage/yard sale.

This weekend a friend, who lives in Idabel, was having a garage sale and offered to let me bring a few things (i.e.: the infant carrier/car seat & stroller I didn't want to part with last fall) over to her sale. I loaded up my truck with the rest of the baby items, clothes, and some household nick knacks that had been packed in plastic totes since our move from Wynnewood to Valliant four and a half years ago. There were several small decorative items from early in mine & Wes' marriage and a few ceramic bears & things that had been my mom's. None of the items had any sentimental value anymore and it was time to get rid of them.

Today when I began helping my friend pack up the items that did not sell at her garage sale I noticed something very interesting. My decorative nick knack items sold EXCEPT those that were my mom's. This stands out to me, because last Thursday, May 20th, was the 13th anniversary of my mom's death. Last Thursday was also the day I priced all the items I would be trying to sell. I don't believe in superstitions or signs, but I do find this very interesting. And, I will be keeping those little ceramic bears for a while longer. :-)

Katherine, Sebastian, & Corn

On Tuesday Katherine and Sebastian spent the day visiting the Camp family. I'm still not sure who enjoys it more the kids or the Camp's. Anyway, Virginia was nice enough to send me this picture of the kids in the corn patch. I think the goal is to take a picture every time the kids visit to see whether the corn outgrows the kids. I think the corn will win the growth contest. What do you think? It will be fun to see the progress over the weeks to come. Thanks Nelson & Virginia!

My Tongue Equals Trouble

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world... Philippians 2:14-15

My tongue gets me into all sorts of trouble! I have a habit of grumbling, questioning, & complaining.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32

There are many times corrupting talk comes out of my mouth. More negative words flow from my mouth than positive words. I do not build up others as much as I am called to do. My words and actions more often than not grieve the Holy Spirit. Yes, I struggle with bitterness and anger, which I am called to "put away from me". God calls me to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to others like He is to me. There are some days I can do this very well, but too many days when I fail miserably.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21

I am not quick to hear, slow to speak, or slow to anger. What does that say about me? Scripture tells me "for the anger of a man (me) does not produce the righteousness of God".

I said somethings yesterday with an attitude not of Christ. The above scriptures are what God brought to my mind this morning followed by repentance & forgiveness.

Bookcases

Several weeks ago Wes put together the new bookcases for the living room. I'm slowly putting all our books and things on them, but here's a couple pictures.


Here's the rest of the living room. It hasn't really changed.

Backyard Project #2

We expanded our back porch!





As you can see, it was only a small expansion. Not! It is now large enough for our pool to sit on during the summer, and plenty of other outside items the rest of the year. We LOVE it already!

Backyard Project #1

Phase 1: Unloading the heavy railroad ties.


(and NO I wasn't lifting only holding it steady for Wes to reposition it to get it off)

Phase 2: Laying the ground work for the pea gravel.

Phase 3: Spreading out the pea gravel.
The longest & hardest part of this project!

Little helpers.

Working hard.


Taking a break for a picture.

Phase 4: The finished project!



Woohoo! Not sure who is more excited Wes & I or the kids to have this project completed.

Katherine's Puppet Show