Sweet Uncertainty of Spring...

     "Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of saddness, it should rather be rather and expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step ,but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time."
  ~My Utmost for His Highest/ April 29th

    So amazed at all that God has placed in my life, thankful for each and every moment. Sometimes life can feel so out of my control. But I rest in Him who will will not only carry me through but will throw me into lifes next big adventure. He is not going to let me perch in my nest...

    We have now married off another child. Bethany Jo married Jared Snyder one week ago today.  Britta and Ben will celebrate their first anniversary in August and Josh and Jen their 5th in June. Jordan will be finishing his first year of college in May so only weeks away from returning home for the summer. God has given us a sweet girl in our life named Jemimah and we are so thankful. And blessing upon blessing we get to meet a sweet little grandson in July and we are so happy and excited for Josh and Jen as they enter the new chapter of being parents. Our own journey has been so sweet,  so very sweet that it hurts sometime to let go. But oh when you do...God just blesses you more. He is SO AMAZING! So on this rainy Saturday I willl reflect on all the days that have gone by so very fast but I am ready for all that He has in store. So very thankful for our family and friends and all that they bring to our lives as we experience this life together~

"It doth not yet appear what we shall be."
     1 John 3:2

Something about snow...

   The first snowfall of 2010 has arrived. It makes me feel like a kid again. So many grumble about it but wow, it is beautiful and part of being in Minnesota. I know I will get tired of the cold, but I always love snow. It just make everything so fresh and new. So many fun times when the kids were little...coloring snow ( no red or yellow,please!!!) Wet mittens and snow pants, and of course the digging out of all those winter clothes was an adventure in it self! The seasons seem to fly by. I always try to embrace each one and appreciate it's beauty. Plus knowing we get to escape to a beach or two does help a bit...
    Trying to be patient and wait to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving but I think I will at least bring out the nativity. Need to unclutter a lot of the living room anyways before the tree goes up. Chaz loves his couch by the window so will leave it there and place the tree somewhere else in the room. Will be leaving them for the holidays so at least let them have a room with a view!
   All the kids home next weekend for Britta's birthday dinner and Grandpa and Grandma's 65th anniversary party. Hoping to get a good family pic for a Christmas card...seems so hard to get all in one place so this is my chance. Thought of not sending cards, but going to go for it.
I love this time of year... just need to get organized early so there is no need to rush.
  Still not sure if I am a "Blogger" ... I am a texter, facebooker, website recipe collector, e-coupon user etc. but not so sure about this yet...and not a Tweeter for sure!
   Looking forward to the weekend. It is coming fast so hope to be very productive tomorrow.
Did get grocery shopping done tonight with Mike so that mean I get to stay home and clean.
The day goes so fast when I have to be out and about. Wondering if Jordan is going to have laundry this time. Last time only bedding and a few clothes.
   Spent part of last weekend at Josh and Jen's. They spoiled us with yummy meals and even dinner out. Mike helped with their basement project. Was nice to spend time together on a snowy weekend. Have projects here...like ripping off wallpaper. Ewwww that does not sound fun. One of these days I will begin. So excited to redo bedrooms. Looking for ideas online and in magazines. So hard to decide on colors. Need to check Craigslist for furniture for rooms here and at cabin. Bedding gets expensive so hoping to be thrifty in other ways.
  
   

Always a welcome sight to see the swans on the lake. They doubled their number from 4 on Saturday to 8 on Sunday.
Could hear them Saturday evening when we returned from Moorhead. Hoping they stay around for Josh and Jen next weekend.

One chick home...

 Jordan made his first trip home from college. It was over 2 months since we dropped him off!!! He and his friends made it home to celebrate ZHS homecoming football game together. Was a sweet night...warm weather, kids and parents and a victory to boot. He got to hangout with most of his buddies, squeezed in a movie with gals and then had a "sleep"over here. Ugggg, did not sleep much. Winnie was not used to the noise downstairs so barked at every noise,real or imagined! We went to dinner with boys and parents. Nice to have something in common and to get to chat about it. We have been so blessed with the people we have gotten to know through our children. This little town is filled with so many memories.
    Mike and I have decided we have adjusted fairly well to our empty nest. We love to spend time together. And we kind of appreciate the quiet. Not that we do not love to have them here, just their plans start so late. I guess we are getting old. Took two walks today. The weather was just too wonderful to stay inside. Doggies got to go on the morning walk but not later. We went to see if we could spot the otter that lives in the Woodlands pond...nope...bummer. Maybe tomorrow...
    Well had my warm cinnamon/vanilla/ honey milk to help me sleep so need to actually lay my head on a pillow for it to work. Good night!

October~Couples Fall Getaway...16th year of our tradition!!!

Light Up the Sky - The Afters - Worship Video with lyrics

Sunday~back home

Relaxing weekend with Mike at the cabin. I did some reading and cleaning and napping, he painted. Regatta Blue for the Lake Room. Should have painted it this from the start but now it is complete. We had planned to stop at Compenero's for dinner Friday but they did not open until 5 and we were 45 minutes early. So went to West Forty instead and there on Saturday. Their final weekend for the year so good we stopped in Was so awesome whent we returned back to cabin I was out side with the pups and saw a huge glowing falling object! Too large to be a shooting star so maybe a meteor. Was so bright and had a tail. Looked like it was going to land in the lake as it went behind the tree line.
 Chaz woke us up last night barking at deer in the yard...scared us!
 Sunny but cool. Fall is here! You forget how gorgeous the colors are! We were going to make a trip to Itasca but got carried away cleaning and it was getting late so we headed for home. A new week...hoping to feel well and get a lot accomplished.