From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!
I’m so thankful for the Godly mom God gave me and the Godly mom He gave my husband.
Proverbs 31: 28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Josiah working on Mother’s Day cards for his grandmas.
My children gave me a couple of hanging baskets with some pretty impatiens and Taylor gave me some beautiful marigolds. We have a freeze warning tonight so I’ve brought the flowers inside.
The kids and I went on a hike this afternoon. We hiked a nearby trail that has a fitness trail. There are several stations with workouts to do. The kids enjoy doing the various activities along the way. It’s a beautiful area to hike.
Josiah
Taylor is quite tall but the Red Pines are even taller.
The benches along the trail are nice for a rest.
Tent caterpillars?
Where’s Jake and Zack?
Double trouble times two
Nick getting fit
Violets
The “J’s” (Josiah and Jacob)
Zack
Nick
J.D. gets a lift
Luke
Josiah hanging in there
Kevin doing chin-ups
Let brotherly love continue
Shortly after I got up this morning, I checked the weather and saw that it was a clear morning. I thought it would be a nice day to watch the sunrise. The sun was due to appear at 6:16. I knew I didn’t have time to walk to the spot on the lake where I enjoy watching the sunrise, so I rode my bike instead. I was treated to a spectacular display of God’s glory this morning. I wish I could have captured the beauty of what I saw.
I’ve been enjoying this tree’s beauty on my walks.
Jacob, Luke and I went for a walk this morning but we didn’t walk too far from home since it was threatening to rain. We were able to walk for about 30 minutes before the rain started. The trees are leafing out a little more each day. I enjoy seeing the different plants and flowers that are blooming right now.
We saw lots of daffodils blooming.
I love forsythia bushes.
Luke likes to take pictures.
Today started out as a beautiful morning and turned into a beautiful day.
The lake when I walked this morning
Zack at the park we rode to on our bikes this afternoon
Josiah and Jacob and their sidewalk art
Zack and Nick
Nick
Nick sitting on top of the monkey bars
Luke
As a family, we’ve been keeping track of the books we are reading this year. Kevin set up a family wiki for us so we can record the titles of the books we’ve read. It’s been a great way to encourage all of us to read more and be more mindful and thoughtful of the types of books we are reading. It’s been a practical way for us to encourage each other to read more. This is one small way my family can encourage each other. As I was thinking how beneficial this has been, it reminded me of my church family and how encouraged I am when we meet together.
My parents were faithful in taking me regularly to church. We didn’t just put our time in on Sunday morning but were there for all of the regular services and were active and involved. I know God has used those times to grow me and prepare me for service. I look forward to times when our church gathers together and it’s always a blessing to meet with God’s people.
God intends for us to encourage each other. If I stay home from church I might miss out on an opportunity to encourage another believer or an opportunity to be encouraged by another believer. God is so good to place others in our lives who encourage us and spur us on toward love and good deeds.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Zack likes having his picture taken.
Today has been warm and sunny so I took the kids to Hartwick Pines for a picnic – our first of the season. We ate lunch and then went for a walk and enjoyed checking out the logging museum again and walked some more. Then the kids played on the playground and I did some reading. It was a very relaxing and refreshing time.
Even bologna sandwiches taste better outside
Walking through the tall pines
Chapel in the Pines
Inside view of cross window in chapel
Luke enjoying one of the displays in the logging museum