Birth Order of Children

I know there have been lots of studies done on this and many good books...but I think this is one of the best. What do you think?

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN
confirms your pregnancy.

2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.
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Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing
didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.
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The Layette:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold
them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only
the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
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Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up
the baby
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your
firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
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Pacifier:
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can
go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some
juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
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Diapering:
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or
not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain
about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
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Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing , Baby Zoo,
Baby Movies and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaners.
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Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home
five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number
where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees
blood.
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At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child
isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children
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Swallowing Coins (a favorite):
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the
hospital and demand x-rays
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the
coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his
allowance!
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GRANDCHILDREN: God's reward for allowing your children to live.

What an Awesome God we Serve!

One of my Christmas gifts from Dave was a necklace and earrings that I had seen at a local arts and crafts show. It wasn't real expensive...but he knew I wanted it and had to go out of his way to go back and get it and it was a sweet surprise. I wore it the first time on New Year's Day. Unfortunately...we spent most of that day with Dave in the ER with Sam and me with Lisa and the children at their home. Late that night- I was still at Lisa's- and took off the necklace and earrings and wrapped them in a Kleenex and put them in my purse. Several days laster I took them out and put them in my jewelry box...but when I went to wear them a day or two later...one earring was gone! I was so sad...looked for the tissue but it had gone out in the trash to be picked up the day before. In the next weeks I took the purse apart where they had been, looked all over in the cabinets and drawers near where the jewelry box was...finally took all the jewelry out and carefully looked through the jewelry box. All in vain! The earring was gone. I asked God several times to help me find it. Finally last Sunday I took the necklace and picked it up to make sure the earring wasn't just "hanging" in the necklace. It was not! I looked at the one earring and wondered if MAYBE I could find the same beads at Hobby Lobby or somewhere to make another. I was so sad that this earring was lost. I closed the drawer and then prayed and told God that I knew He had created the whole universe and all in it out of nothing, and reminded Him that it would be nothing to create a new earring...so asked him to please, make me a new earring. I then went back to the jewelry box in the drawer- picked up the necklace- and there in the box were TWO earrings. God, you are so awesome...you care about the little details in my life as well as the big! To GOD be the glory.

You are My Hiding Place

Last night we were accorded the fantastic opportunity to attend the Ballet Magnificat's performance of "The Hiding Place". Words cannot describe the beauty and awe inspiring adaptation of this true story to the way the Omega Company, a company of Magnificat Christian ballet dancers, brought this to life on stage. I am SO very sorry that you of Teen Mania in Garden Valley who had the chance to attend this did not take that opportunity. We took my cousin, Larry Snyder and his wife, Sue, with us as they were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Larry and Sue had helped us once again this year in hosting our Christmas tea and we wanted to bless them with this.




This is Sue on the right and Kelly on the left with Elaine in the middle. Sue had helped me all day (this year AND last..with food preps...I couldn't have done it without her!)

The girls who performed the ballet danced so beautifully and what a joy to see a ballet with no men and girls in beautiful dresses that glorified the Lord. Our hearts were stirred as we relived this story of Hope in the midst of suffering. The girl in the white dress is Betsy, Corrie Ten Boom's sister, dancing before the Lord after she has died in the Concentration Camp of Ravensbrook. It was so beautiful and moving! I hope you enjoy the You Tube clip.

How to Please your Husband

"The married woman must be concerned about her earthly responsiblities and how to please her husband." I Corinthians 7:34
I was listening to Corinthians on the way to work last week and had time to ponder this passage. As long as I keep this in mind, "Lord, how can I please my husband today?", things really run quite smoothly around here. I am very blessed as my man is EASY to please. He is not demanding about what to eat, or most anything. The things he likes me to do are so easy to accomodate in my life. He loves sitting in the hot tub in the morning with me. He gets up and makes our morning drink (consists of frozen fruit, Keifer milk, and a vitamin powder supplment- we love it) and Dave also brews our coffee(he has just the perfect blend of regular and decaf and adds JUST the right amount of French Vanilla Creamer!) He decided years a go that he did both these things better than I did...and I AGREED! The other thing he loves is to go dancing. We did this last Monday after we had babysat for 24 hours for Henry and Jonah. What fun! They are so darling.

We took them home in the afternoon- Sam got out of the hospital that day- then went to the Monday night dance.
What we didn't realize was how tired we were! We were only there less than an hour when we both looked at each other and said, "Let's go home." We hate to admit that our age wears us out sooner than we would like. I thought you might enjoy seeing an East Texas band and how the dance "hold" of East Texas looks They probably think we look just as strange doing Fox Trot, Rhumba and Swing to the country music! We have a great time though and I feel so blessed that Dave loves to dance so much. On Tuesday night we resumed our "Dance class" where we are teaching beginning Rhumba. It keeps us working on new steps ourselves so that we have things to "teach". Somehow, the things that tooks us many lessons to learn when we took dance in Florida- our younger students here pick up in one lesson! It is fun though and we both look forward to it each week. Our students range in age from a 6th grade girl to a 72 year old man. How much fun is that!
The other thing Dave just loves doing at the close of day....as the sun is setting. (This by the way is taken from our dining room window)
..is go out to his big wood pile which he has cut...pick out just the right logs...and build a fire for us to sit in front of and watch...football...or Law and Order ...or maybe Everybody Loves Raymond.
I can usually only handle about one t.v. show a night...preferring to read or work on the computer...but can do that sitting here with him. He makes us popcorn, and pretty much waits on me. What a guy! Pretty easy to "please him." He so pleases me.
If Paul had only known how wonderful married life could be...he may have written the Corinthians a different story!

Saturday at home

Our day starts out in the hot tub...enjoying God's creation and just talking with each other, planning our day, praying and being blessed. God is good!
Dave was anxious to try out some of the attachments to the Tractor today and was very pleased with the results of the "bucket" which can dig, haul and act like a front loader. He LOVES working outside and is really thrilled to have a tractor! He is working on getting a garden ready.
I LOVE working inside and CLEANING...and got to do that all day. It was a great day!

Top 10 Predictions for 2008

1.The Bible still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3.The Holy Sprit will still move.
4.God will still inhabit the praises of his people.
5. There will still be God-Anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7.God will still pour out blessings upon his people.
8.There will still be room at the cross.
9.Jesus will still love you.
10.Jesus will still save the lost.
SOME THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE!!!!!!!!

Have a blessed year!

A visit to the Tabernacle

Although this took place a few month a go...I don't think I ever wrote about it. We were so privileged to visit the replication of the Wilderness Tabernacle while it was on display near here. We took Ashley and Jonathan (their parents were out of town) and since I had just been doing the BEth Moore study, "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place" this was especially meaningful to me.
Above- Jay is standnig before the Altar of Incense.

Here are Dave, Jay and Ashley, behind the Brazen Altar and standing before the Lavar of Brass.


And...the Ark of the Covenant....how blessed we are that we can enter the Holy of Holies and go right to Jesus. I loved the study and the recreaction of the Tabernacle. What a blessing to be able to have Jay and Ashley to show this to and talk to them about it all!

Two in a Row!!!

For the two of you who read my blog... I know this will come as a huge shock for me to post 2 days in a row...but I am trying to turn over a new leaf!

This is a Christmas picture taken of all of us by a neighbor on Christmas Eve Day...see previous post. We are REALLy looking forward to March 22 and the promised family photo that all our kids have made a commitment to have taken as our Christmas gift! It has been 5 years (and 6 children a go since we've had a family portrait so I can't wait!
This morning we got the joy and adventure of sharing our hot tub time with Henry and Jonah. It sure makes it a different experience with a 4 and 2 year old but one we wouldn't want to miss! We are still enjoying our balmy weather with highs in the 70's here in East Texas! What a blessing!

The New Year is Upon us!

Christmas has come and gone...and I MUST blog more often so I don't have so much to catch up on! We loved having all the kids and grandkids (all 26 of us) here for Christmas Eve Day. The highlight for me was the "Christmas Pagent" put on by most all the grandkids. What a joy to see our children's children proclaiming the true message of Christmas! We got to all the homes in the Garden Valley area- David's, JOn's and Sam's on Christmas Day.
This past weekend Amy and family were here for the Twins' Haley and Tori to celebrate their 14th birthday. We got to enjoy the 5 youngest in the hot tub with us on Sat. morning.

Tori caught a small bass but that was the extent of the fishing for the day even though we were able to enjoy unseasonably warm temps in the mid 70's. Tori longs for the days of the bigger bass like last summer!

Teas, Tractors, Times of Grace

I am so privileged to be married to the world's best
guy! He is amazing. Who else would stand for 4 hours and make tea for 45 women?
This is Dave and my cousin Larry, who made the TEA possible for the ladies who attended my 2nd annual Christmas tea. We were graces by the music of "The Aspen Quartet" of
The Rocky Mountain Strings who traveled from Dallas to entertain us with thier music. Their music floated through the air at the entry outside as the ladies arrived, then later was heard in the background as the ladies were served, and finally they played 3 numbers for our entertainment. As one lade said, "This is what I come for! Our 3 grandaughters, Caitlin, Haley and Tori are a part of this group along with Bethany, a friend from church.
Sue and Elaine, my friends were here for 8 hours all day as we backed and cooked and prepared the dainties for the tea. Three girls from Teen Mania came to serve and bless us. It was great to have Lisa, Kelly, and Amy here to share in this time. David was out of town which prevented Beth from being present this year.




This is Dave's latest entertainment. He is anxious to use it to "plow" up the front yard between the house and the lake... Isn't he handsome.....and..what's more..he LOVES to dance and BEGS me to go dancing sometimes twice a week! We dance at a wonderful place about 30 miiles from here- a converted Skating rink with a GREAT floor! Anyway... Last week I asked him to trim back some pampas grass so we could get down the sidewalk and into the house....- this was the day before the tea...note how the grass is kind of blocking the sidewalk....
AFTER: Note all the "white plumes" lying on the ground...ready for the fire...But...HE LOVES TO DANCE!!!! That's my guy and I do so love him!

Good Bye Jake

This was happier days last summer...nice remembering as the COLD front moves in here in East Texas- it was 76 when we got here to Lisa and Sam's but will be 36 by tonight. BRRRR!!!
Yes, it has been a LONG time since I have visited my site and I've probably lost my 3 readers!!!


This morning we said goodbye to Jake as Dave loaded him in the truck and took him off to the Doggie Rescue Depot. After having 3 different neighbors bring him home and complain about him and then yesterday- I came home from work early and found Jake locked in his cage- so let him out- not knowing that Dave had locked him up because the new house down the street was pouring cement...anyway...he got in LOTS of trouble yesterday so today...he is probably on his way to doggie heaven.
So...we bid Jake a fond farewell and wish a Happy THanksgiving all!

Still # 1 Helpmeet

We have had many busy days since I last wrote...that was when Jake first showed up and I wondered if I was being replaced...well, I'm happy to report that I have not! But....the dog now has a name...Jake..and has taken up residence here. He is an outside dog...so that is good. He seems to entertain Dave and keep him company when I'm gone.
Two days a week I head out early and drive down to Teen Mania- a 35 min. trip- to act as "Life Mentor" to about..maybe 20-30 girls right now...I haven't really counted. I just work the two days and have appointments every 30 min. on a bi-weekly basis and have my days about filled. I also attend a class there for 1 1/2 hours each week, plus Staff Chapel, and various other meetings that take part of my days. I lOVE my job and am so thankful that GOD is allowing this season in my life.

This is what the Honor Academy at Teen Mania is about:

Teen Mania's Mission Statement
To provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take His life-giving message to the ends of the earth!

Our Core Values

Faith
We receive direction, provision, and motivation directly from God and His Word to take the Gospel to the world.

Integrity
We are who we say we are, and we always do the right thing, regardless of expediency.

Relationships
We have servants' attitudes, and we go to heroic lengths to meet the needs of others.

Vision
We dare to dream as big as God dreams and believe that, with God on our side, we can achieve the impossible.

Excellence
We demand of ourselves uncompromising quality and strive to be people who demonstrate excellence in everything we do.
The girls I visit with are either Interns, Grad. Interns, Staff or Staff Associates in the Honor Academy at Teen Mania. They are women of God who are truly interested in living their lives for Jesus and wanting to grow more in the position of becoming a godly woman. Who am I to mentor them in this? It is but the GRACE of GOD and the way HE has so awesomely worked in my life to allow me to be there. I fall on His grace each time I go and plead for HIM to speak through me to the many issues that these girls are facing in their generation. It is certainly a DIFFERENT world from that in which I grew up as a young girl in my early 20's! I pray I can be the Titus 2 woman to them. GOD have mercy on this generation!
We have been able to see all our children again in the last two weeks. Yesterday Amy and family came to celebrate Abby's 3rd birthday and spend the night and today with us. David and family and Lisa and children were able to join us this afternoon and the cousins had such a fun, fun time together as the adults caught up on each other's lives in a very relaxed atmosphere.
Dave and I are involved in teaching a Ballroom Dance class each week in a neighboring commmunity and have about 20 students in the class right now.
We are teaching Beginning Swing this month. We laugh at ourselves sometimes that WE are TEACHING dance! We would love to be TAKING more lessons but there is no such thing in the area! We dance almost weekly at a Texas Country dance where we are able to incorporate our ballroom amidst the Texas Two Step crowd!
I am in a Beth Moore Bible Study on Monday nights- teach dance on Tuesday nights-we are taking a class at our church on Wednesday nights- play cards with a church group on Thursday nights- go dancing Sat. nights- Church on Sunday...(and I work all day at Teen Mania on Wednesday and Thursday)...this is the life of retirement...any chance we get...we drop EVERYTHING and go visit our kids and grandkids! God is so good to us!

WHO is the helpmeet???

I had my first day at work at Teen Mania two weeks ago on Wednesday, Sept. 5th. All day I was thinking about Dave and wondering if he was keeping busy at home and how he was doing. I came home to a VERY excited husband who had 3 things to tell me...what order did I want them in? The most scary, the most exciting, or the most suprising. Knowing that he does scary things like crawling around on the roof and almost cutting off his fingers with chain saws and the like- and worrying about what might happen if he got in trouble with me gone- especially with no vehicle at home and no near neighbors...I was almost afraid to ask! I chose the scary one first just to get the pain over with! He proceeded to tell me about coming around the side of the house and seeing a 5 ft. snake! Neither of us likes snakes~! I could have done without that information. I chose interestesting 2nd since he told me I'd have to wait with the most exciting until we went out to eat.... So he went to the back door and opened it and this is what awaited me.
Oh yeah! Seems this little dog just came out of no where and sat by the hot tub in the morning while Dave sat their alone and cried out for him! At this point- we are trying to figure out that IF we want a dog at all....do we keep him or get a "real dog"??? Only problem...he has named him Jake and I think they have already bonded and he is to be the helpmeet while I am gone to work 2 days a week.
The big surprise...and this is really kind of sad...Dave caught the BIGGEST BASS of his lifetime...and no one was here to see it or even take a picture!~ He caught a 7 lb. bass off the pier- also a 5 # and 2# so he was QUITE pumped! He had a very exciting day...and I missed it all...but absolutely LOVED my first day and work and every day since!
We had a very bittersweet moment last week as we said goodbye to our 5th wheel. I remember how absolutely ecstatic we were when we bought it and had all the days ahead planned and anticipated...visiting our kids in Florida, Texas, and Montana- going to Canada with Family and friends, camping in the mountains of Colorado...travel... BUT...now for almost a year our 5th wheel has sat in our front yard as we have our own "resort" out back with possibly the best BASS fishing lake in the country right out there! So..we decided it was time to sell the 5th wheel and close the chapter on that season of our life. We both stood and watched it drive off with tears in our eyes and a kind of empty place in our hearts.
Dave has had some great days of fishing in the last couple of weeks. God is good!

O Lord, let me proclaim your power to this new generation

In this season of life I have been seeking the Lord and asking Him what He would have me to be doing? I have felt restless and useless at times....even though I have the job of being a Creative Helpmeet to Dave...sometimes I don't feel AT ALL creative..and being a mom to my 8 children- (including the 4 in-love's) and a grammy to my 16 grandchildren...which I love! You would think this would be plenty! But...believe it or not...sometimes I feel really bored and feel like I can't play one more Free Cell or watch one more Law and Order! (Although- now that we have high speed- I don't have to play Free Cell QUITE so often!) Several months a go...I read Psalm 71:9 and wrote "2007" in the column...I wish I would have written the date! It reads:
"Now, in my old age, don't set me aside." I was crying out to the Lord for direction in my life.
This morning, while looking for "healing" verses for a friend in Psalms, I ran across this Psalm and then was SO very Excited about the verses I found here which explain to me so clearly what I want to be doing. Next week, I will begin a part time position at Teen Mania and I believe these are the words the Lord is saying are my job description.
"I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I willl proclaim your saving power for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me. I will praise your mighty deeds O Sovereign Lord, I will tell everyone that you alone are just and good. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me. O LOrd, Let me proclaim your power to this new generation-your mighty miracles to all who come after me." Psalm 71 15-18.
Isn't God good? I will be in a position of being available as a mentor to the girls who are in leadership there...the Core Advisors and Resident Directors...these are usually girls who are about 21-23 years old. THey have been through at least one year of the Honor Academy- generally right after high school- and are now over a group of girls in the Internship of the HOnor Academy at Teen Mania. I am SO excited that God has opened this door for me and I pray that I will be worthy in His sight to walk through it and be the Titus 2 woman for some of the women there.
I ask all my praying friends to keep me in your prayers in this new venture.

This is WHY we have peace TODAY

This is NOT the time to have a house for sale in Florida... but we do! (This is the house last Jan...we started the process of building it in Nov. 2005...long before this crisis...but it was not completed until March of 2007!So we are asking for Prayer FROM ANYONE who reads this blog. Our peace is based on the following. All glory and honor and praise be to our Lord and Savior JESUS!

"A Christian's inner peace is never based on his ability to take the teachings of Scripture and figure it all out. Our peace always rests on the presence, power, and character of the Lord." - p. 30, Instruments of Change in the Redeemer's Hands"

Haszy, Crazy, Lazy Days of Summer

Today is to be our FIRST day of summer of 100 degrees...quite a contrast from last summer where we had 33 days over 100! This is another picture from camp....this is what summer is all about.

TO GOD be the GLORY

July 9 was my last update! To give you an idea of why I have not blogged in a month...and this is an account of GLORY to GOD for giving us the health, strength, home and lifestyle to be able to do the things we have done in the past 30 days. To GOD be the GLORY...great things HE hath done!

July 10-13...we held The 2nd Annual Grandkids camp- Pirate Cove...at our house

July 14- Sam and family and Jon and family came to spend the day boating, swimming, etc.

July 15- Shower at Kelly's for Lisa Hasz

July 16, 17- Work at Amy's to help her pack to move to Dallas area (PRAISE be to GOD..in one week all prayers were answered-they sold their Garden Valley house, bought a home in Little Elm- north of Dallas- and Brian got a job!

July 17-18- We kept 4 of the Smith kids while Amy and Brian finished up some business in Dallas

July 19-Invited to David and Beth's home for dinner

July 10 Went to Tyler and saw "Sound of Music" with Sam and Lisa

July 21-Babysat her with Henry and Jonah while Sam and Lisa went car shopping

July 22-Went to Sam and Lisa's for homemade icecream

July 23,24- helped Amy pack- kept Smith 6- 2 went to Dallas with mom and dad- for 2 days

July 24-26- Smith "6" kids here

July 26- Smith kids picked up at 5 p.m.-Fisher 6 from Hong Kong arrive for a week

July 27- Attend play with Sam and Lisa

July 28- Sam and Lisa visit to swim and boat with kids

July 29- Pack up Smith moving truck

July 30- Fischers still here- enjoy time with them

July 31- Drive to Tyler to visit grandbaby Bridget- born at 12:45 today.. PRAISE THE LORD..she is Sam and Lisa's 3rd child..our 16th grandchild. GOD is SO GOOD!

August 1 Take Fischer's tubing

August 2-Dave and I take Sam to Dallas to drop of "new" car for repair...Dave takes me to Amy's to help unpack..thier new home is a much bigger house to accomodate all they do with 8 children, home schooling, etc. Fischers leave to head out to Tulsa and more visitation on their summer visitation from Hong Kong.

August 4- Dave comes to Dallas to pick me up

August 5-Jon, Kelly and Jordan, Sam, Lisa, Henry, Jonah, Bridget and Mary (Lisa's mom) come for the day for swimming, fun and fellowship.

So, you can see, there has just been NO time for blogging...but...oh, much time for praising God for His goodness to us. We have loved every minute of being able to serve our family-immediate and extended. We loved having the Fischers here from Hong Kong. What wonderful house guests they were! We hope to get to Hong Kong some day and visit them and see their ministry up close and personal. And...so goes our life...Thank you FATHER GOD for your kindness and goodness to us!

Let freedom ring...and ring...and ring...

4th of July...with family....what could be more fun? Sam and Lisa had invited some of the staff and interns from Teen Mania for the afternoon and evening...David and family came too...great time was had by all. Steven-one of the staff provided us with QUITE the fire works display! We were all impressed as he and Sam lit one after another and lit up our skies to celebrate our freedom.

We spent the next 3 days packing and moving David and Beth. They exchanged houses with themselves...long story....exhausting move!

Now we are ready for camp to begin tomorrow. Be sure to check in on my camp blog site on the side bar here. We will try to post daily. Even though we've been busy moving...getting ready for camp...Dave still finds time to fish...yea! That is why we're here...well, besides our kids and grandkids...well...mostly the kids and grandkids and the fishing is an added bonus! ( Well, I"ve been waiting for 40 min. for the next picture to post...the joys of living in the middle of no where TX where there is no high speed internet available!!!) Good night....no more pix!

The Boat Dock

Okay...this is for John, requesting pictures of the boat dock...this is in varying stages...we have to go out in the boat one of these days and take some shots from the lake side...it is hard to get it all from land! Here Sam, Lisa and Dave have probably just put the boat in the slip for the first

time- quite an exciting and long awaited day.

The lower picture was taken the day the construction part of the dock was completed- before it all was stained and the boat lifts were in- that was sometime in May.

Below is the

picture of how the kids appreciated the WARM wood of the dock in early May- when the water was cold! Now...the water is more like bath water and the kids are loving swimming and having a great time. I'll try to get some photos of that next time!

The rest of the story

The rest of the story....

Tori registered the catch for the day! Yes, Josiah! So....we called Amy...she very calmly said, take him to the DR. in Mineola-we'll meet you there. Josiah was very calm, this is his second hook in I think the same ear. We all loaded up and went to the DR- all being Haley, Tori, Josiah and us. It cut the fishing day very short- much to all the fisherman's dismay!

Since then...we've had all the family here to eat, swim and fish several times...taught Vacation Bible School for a week and packed and sent off Dave for a week in Canada on the fly in fishing trip with Jon, David and Sam. They should be up there by now and are probably fishing away! I pray for lots of fish and good weather and fellowship----and not too many Ding Dongs, Ho Ho's and Twinkies so they can all survive the week!

Family time together

yep...that is Dave..in his office! This is where he arranges for most of the family gatherings, does his business...and ...generally drives Sam nuts when talking to him because he has to hang up to land a fish!

June is just a really crazy month for the Hasz household. We have 13 birthdays and 2 anniversaries..Father's day...Vacation Bible School and the Hasz boys Fly in to Canada Fishing trip.


In just this past week we have had 3 family gatherings with all 25 of us present! Isn't God good? We love having our family so close together that we can celebrate life together.


Last week Dave helped David, Jon and Sam host the First annual Teen Mania Track Meet with abouat 700 participants! That was a great event- perfect weather-fun to be a part of it.


Over Memorial Day we hosted the Family Campout here. THings didn't materialize quite like we'd planned- Amy couldn't get their camper to work so the 5 oldeset kids spent the night here in tents and Amy and the little ones "comuted". It was fun to have them here! Sam and Lisa found a problem with their 5th wheel when they went to pack it out from home so Dave and Sam spent much of Sat. repairing. How great that they can do things like that!


Everyone enjoyed the great weather, the new dock and boat house, the great fishing and swimming. We were able to grill out down by the lake and spend much time just enjoying the kids and each other. We are so grateful to God for allowing us to live here and have a place that our family can enjoy.


The Smith kids (the 3 oldest) spent the night here on Monday...asked if they could go early morning fishing...and we said 'yes" provided you don't wake us up! About 6:45 there is a knock on our bedroom door...."grammy....." "Yes" Josiah needs you. to be continued when Blogger will download the next picture....