Outside Playtime & Work!

Very cute Grace!

 

The girls love the tire swing that the Kings left behind

 

While visiting Nana, Laura, Grace and Grant did some weeding for her

Mandy supervised!

Laura spent more time exploring than she did weeding!

But in the end, she and Grant combined picked 8 buckets of weeds! (and groundcover succulants and flowers.. and other oops plants! Nana is so kind about those sorts of things though...)

Whew! That was a lot of picking Laura!

Daffodil Days

A few weeks back the older children took the little girls on a long walk.. we were recently blessed with a wonderful new (for us!) bicycle cart.. which makes 'walks' with them so much easier! :)
This gave Mama time for a rest and provided great entertainment for the little girls! Ashley took a bunch of photos of the adventure..

The girl's new bike trailer

 

Gracie is wearing her treasured necklace that a sweet friend gave to her

 

Typical Grant treasures: shot gun shell and a baby snake! :)

Growing up

Loving the springtime!

 

'kissing' the flowers

 

 

 

 

 

A Birthday Trip

This year my mother took the day off from her job for my birthday and invited me to take the train down and spend 2 days and a night with her to celebrate. We had such a nice time.. thrift store shopping, going out for gluten free fish and chips for dinner (!) and having some very sweet and deep conversations. It was such a nice time with she and her husband Ben. They drove me home on Saturday and spent the evening here with our family.

 

 

The girls were so sweet to hold down the fort while I was gone!

I hear they did a very good job :)

 

Thanks Mama for a sweet time~

 

 

 

 

Just playin' around!

 The weather has slowly been getting warmer.. and staying light later... does that mean spring is just around the corner????

 

Gracie plays with Naomi at fellowship

Grace's friend, Becca

Nice enough to be outside!

What a sweetie!

 

Laura always sleeps so well at the Sebens! She usually takes 3 hr naps on Sunday

A Sweet friend

 

Grace, intently sounding out 'Amazing Grace'

 

My greatest earthly treasure..

Have I ever mentioned that I have the sweetest husband in the world?? Not just because he makes and brings me a steaming hot cup of coffee as I stumble out of bed every morning.. and not just because he works hard to pay our necessary living expenses.. and not just because he is commited to raising his family in the nuture and admonition of the Lord.. and not just because he is a visionary.. a vision which includes the whole world.. but also because he is my best friend who I can always share with and pray with and depend on. I pray that as the Lord continues to grow me up that I can become a better and better help meet to him! :)
This Friday is my birthday.. it used to be that Grady would go out and buy me something expensive which we could not afford and I would get mad at him.. no REALLY! (not a very thankful attitude!)Three times over the past 23 years he has purchased a watch for my birthday. The first one I accidently lost while helping a friend pack and the second one I left at the hospital after I had Gracie. The most precious one however was the year that he took my precious grandmother's golden watch which had been given to me and spend a TON of money getting it back into working order. Sadly it failed working after a few months but the sweetness of that gift was an example of how thoughtful my husband is. The Lord has changed our hearts in regard to spending.. so I was a bit horrified the other day when my sweetie presented me with a beautiful silver watch for my birthday! It is tiny like I prefer (I have a wrist the size of a 6 year old!) and stainless silver which I also like. I bit my tongue while thinking 'What is he thinking! He shouldn't have spent money on me!' The Lord has grown me a bit because although I was *thinking* that, I kept my mouth shut and just thanked him! He proceeded to tell me that he had gotten it at Goodwill for $5. :) It was already my size ( in the past he has had to take out many, many links in order for a new watch to fit me) he said that when he saw it he knew that it belonged on his bride's wrist.. I am so blessed.. ♥♥♥

Daddy saunters into the kitchen.. what is he up to? :)

He presents me with my new beautiful watch..

 

Aww- what a sweetheart! His gift came a week before my birthday..

he has never liked keeping secrets! :) I think he loves giving me things

as much as I enjoy and love receiving from him..

Isn't it pretty? :)