Birthdays!

It seems like we had to wait forever.  Between school deadlines and sickness, we had to continually delay celebrating Essie's and Benjamin's birthdays.  But finally last weekend rolled around, and we all gathered together to enjoy a fun evening of birthday cheer.

When it came to the decorating, we had to be very careful not to have too much pink in the color scheme for the birthday boy.  Yellow seemed to be a good compromise.  But the pink gerber daisies still proved to be the perfect accent.

Upon their arrival, we had the kids help us add the finishing touches to the table.  One can't have too much fun with stickers!

The unanimous choice of desserts for the celebration was "Jenny's box brownies."  So Pillsbury won yet again!  Oh well.  Maybe next year I can try a homemade cake...

As usual, everyone had to help put on the candles.

I love the expressions captured in this picture! 

Here is one eagerly awaiting her slice of the chocolate sweetness.

The birthday bunch waiting to open presents...

I was pleased to finally give Rachael the family photo book I compiled of last year's events.  

Essie received the entire Grandma's Attic series, and Benjamin became the recipient of his own Lincoln logs set!

While everyone else was fully engaged in the gift-opening, Grace happily played in a little corner all by herself, seeming to be completely unaware of all the fun taking place around her.  It made us all wonder what she would think of her own birthday celebration.  I guess we'll find out in a month's time! :)

Wisdom's Words

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.

- Jeremiah Burroughs -

Wisdom's Words

Contentment comes not by finding conditions suitable to us but by God's fashioning our spirits to our conditions.

- William Barcley-

Wisdom's Words

When expectations are dashed, renew your commitment to serve because God will fulfill His promises.

-Source Unknown - 

An Added Blessing...

Rachael's graduation is just around the corner (December 2015).  God has greatly blessed her diligent work over the last several years and sustained her through many challenges.  We are so pleased that she is now part of the Sigma Theta Tau International Society Alpha Chapter.  What an honor!  The induction ceremony was Friday, April 10, 2015.

We greatly rejoice at God's blessing in her life!  Congratulations, Rachael!!!

Spring!

Spring is here, and it has certainly been a whirlwind of activity!  I'm a little behind on blogging due to the extra busyness.  Here's a look at some of what's been going on the last month or so.

Pre-Birthday Celebration

Rachael's birthday is just around the corner (April 13), but we decided to have an early celebration in March during her spring break when she could enjoy it.  It was a really fun evening together!

IAHE Homeschool Convention

Capitol Commission was given a booth at the IAHE homeschool convention exhibit the end of March.  I was there on Saturday along with two others to help represent the ministry.  It was certainly a long day, but we had several good conversations with interested people!

Easter Celebration

This year we were able to be a little more traditional with homemade hot cross buns and an Easter egg hunt for the grandkids!

To accommodate the varying ages of children, we decided to have each child find a certain color egg. Essie's and Benjamin's eggs we hid in harder places with Hannah's and Grace's being the easiest.  That way at the end of the day, each child ended up with the same number of eggs.  It was a little challenging to hide all 80 eggs in the four downstairs rooms since the yard was too wet, but we managed.  And the event was a success!

Grace had to find the green eggs.

Benjamin had to put on his eagle eyes and search high and low!

Sarah found all the pink eggs.

All of Hannah's eggs were purple, which we tried to "hide" in plain sight!

Essie rounded up all the yellow eggs.

It was a really fun time, and at the end of the hunt, each child was able to take home the sweet contents from their eggs (jelly beans, M&Ms, and animal crackers).

Women's Statehouse Day

The most recent activity to end this post is the Women's Statehouse Day on Thursday, April 9, 2015.  It was the first event of its kind for Capitol Commission to host, and the Lord greatly blessed several months of hard work and planning!  I was grateful to be able to take the day off to help coordinate the day's events.

On Wednesday (the day before the big event), I went over to Pam Russell's house to help her prepare over a hundred gift bags for our attendees!  We were so grateful the Lord held off the rain the next morning until they were all safely inside the Statehouse.

The color theme was purple.  It was so pretty!

We heard from Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell, and Capitol Commission Field Director Paul Meinsen, and also enjoyed a time of prayer for our leaders.  Following the program, the ladies ate a delicious lunch catered by Chick-fil-A and talked with their state leaders.  And they were also privileged to have a tour of the Governor's office.  It was a full morning and afternoon!

So there's a little recap of some of what's been going on in our lives this spring.  Be watching for future posts on several upcoming birthdays and another book review.  In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful spring weather!

Wisdom's Words

"With regard to God's answers to prayer, expect the unexpected.  Most of the greatest gifts and deepest joys that God gives us come wrapped in painful packages.

- John Bloom -

Wisdom's Words

If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear.  His eye is upon us, his arm over us, His ear open to our prayer - His grace sufficient, his promises unchangeable.

-John Newton-