I. R. B.C.

Not much of a view of the lake, but I was having a hard time getting my camera out of the bag and I forgot to take a pic before we left.

The girls of Barn 18

(inside)

(Out side)

(Marlene, Brina, Alex)


Marlene and Alex, bunk mates

Happy birthday Marlene!!!

She is her momma's girl! Not even a flinch at being away from home for a week, let alone her birthday.

My Aunt Lisa and I took the girls to camp yesterday. We had a hard time getting them to stand still long enough to tell us goodbye!

I am sure they will have a splendid time and need to nap all day when they return!

• The kids swam in the rain for 15" yesterday, then the pool closed.
• Thought the weather would be terrible for T ball (like it was on Friday) but it turned out to be a beautiful evening
• Homer is off to Jr. Boys camp til Saturday
• Searched in vain for a Chili's or Outback on my trip to Peru, IL coming up Saturday, but it seems Wendy's, Mc Donalds, Taco (smell) Bell, and Arby's are my choices
• Have you ever noticed how there is a distinct french fry fart smell to a car after a day long trip.... Hate that!
• Gonna be in the kitchen all day
• Hard to cook with out counter tops!
• Finally settled on stainless steal counter tops
• Garbage disposal comes today
• Lost my glasses last week. I think they fell out of the car ( I should have put them in their case... I KNOW!!)
• Using whole wheat flour
• Having a hard time telling when the biscuits or cookies are done. They are already brown!
• Really hard time telling when the base for my gravy is browned...
• Sausage gravy and biscuits for "breakfast"
• It will be 11AM before we eat
• Caused a stir on Facebook
• Still can't figure out if the biscuits are done.....
• Can't live with out the hand blender my Aunt (pronounced AHnt) Kendra gave me for my wedding shower. I'm a minimalist when it comes to kitchen tools. Don, not so much... the hand blender works PERFECTLY for beating the eggs for scrambled eggs, all 18 of them.
• Pampered Chef party to attend Thursday
• Food looks kindy yucky when it's made with brown flour
• Told Don about his "surprise" party on July 10th
• He was glad to know
• Had to find a new venue, our park will be under construction
• About had a panic attack trying to decide on a sink.... under mount, top mount stainless steel, stone, fiber glass, cast iron, white, black, 8" deep, 9" deep, wider on one side, shallow on one side.... Don finally stepped in with his opinion when I was sure I didn't have one.
• Went to see Night at the Museum 2 on Friday after the ball games in the rain. They were sold out at the $1 theatre. Go figure! They haven't had a kids movie for 2 months or more!
• Having my washing machine right next to the dryer is MUCH easier than having them on different levels!
• I still can't keep up with laundry
• Making supper for a family with a new baby
• Craving iced tea

Miraculous Monday (either SUPER late or SUPER early)

I know I sound like a broken record, but...
Loads going on, no time...

Pastor spoke Sunday on miracles and how we still have them, but we may need to look for the less obvious demonstrations of God's power and provision.

Our pastor and his family are one way we see God at work every day. Pastor holds down a full time job and a full time ministry. Both he has been called to. Both are where God has him and needs him. Both keep him hopping and have the potential to exhaust him and his precious family. BUT as he, his wife, kids and our congregation uphold Pastor before the Lord thru prayer, and as pastor says yes to God's plans, God's Spirit pours out exactly the provision needed for the church, his "other" job, his family, and our church.

Our church family is a miracle. So many people, so many personalities, such desire to see God work at various levels in various area. Each person "fitly joined" to supply what is needed in our local body and to further the Message to the many our lives contact with.

And it was not so long ago, they wrestled with the decision of whether to close the doors or keep on keeping on and seek a new pastor. I'm so glad they kept at it!!!

Miracles was actually my plan for my next post, before the message Sunday.

God has been showing Don and I lately the miraculous ways He can and will provide if we wait and Him and let Him.

I have in my mind a list of four things I would really like for my birthday. I really saw no way to end up with more than one of them. God in His love and power has already provided 2 of the things on my list!!! And I have 5 weeks left until my birthday!

God has also blessed us by financially providing to help with the costs of opening our home to those He leads us to minister to.

It was awesome and humbling when we were given a gift card for the exact amount I had just spent restocking our kitchen. Really made me wish I'd have waited on God and not set off on my own armed with Discover card!

So, thank you LORD for all you are teaching us about waiting and watching for your leading and provision. Thank you to all who listened to His voice and have been messengers from Him to us.

And God PLEASE provide quickly for me as I deal with a crying toddler and (p)m.s.!

Summer!!!!

• Sleeping in
• Grocery shopping with 5-7 kids (pretty much makes me certifiably crazy!)
• Working outdoors
• Indoors looks like "ground zero"
• Bike trail
• Parks
• Sleepovers
• Ball games
• CRAZY schedule
• The smell of sweat and sunscreen, strangely enjoyable
• Funky sunburn strips on my shoulders where the kids and I didn't quite get the sunscreen
• POOL!!!!

Kaylee (my one and only niece)

Jesse

Delphia

Jon

Marlene

Simon (nephew)

Homer