That Crazy Hannah!

These are some pics of Hannah. She was so excited about the recent snow we had that even with her ankle still hurt and a brace on it she had to at least "touch" the snow. Being out of school for the day was awesome too! The picture of her and Brian was taken on Valentine's Day (which is the same day the snow arrived) and the jacket he is wearing was her present to him. He got her a balloon and huge soft pillow in the shape of a heart and the sweetest card! And of course Hannah can't leave Cookie out....a picture of the two of them is a must! lol! How I got lucky enough to have mine made with her I don't know but I sure am glad she asked! :)

Psalm 32

BE GLAD IN THE LORD! That's the first line in this Psalm. Such a simple statement but such a powerful truth. In the day we live in being "glad" is hard sometimes. We often let our circumstances dictate our level of "gladness". David says in this Psalm "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Wow! He doesn't stop with the command to be glad, he goes on to say...rejoice....as a matter of fact why don't you shout a while! lol! That cracks me up! I am loud by nature so for me to be commanded to shout makes me glad in that statement alone. I'm quite often told to be quiet, asked to be quiet or given the look...you know what I mean...the look that says "you are really getting on my nerves with your noise level".....but David says we should shout to the Lord with rejoicing! How exiciting!! And you know what??!!! It makes us feel WONDERFUL! Even when I'm down if I start praising the Lord and rejoicing audibly over what He's done in my life, I automatically feel joy springing up! Everything in scripture is for our benefit. Obedience is better than sacrifice it tells us in I Samuel, so start obeying scripture by doing some shouting .......You'll be glad you did....(even you quiet people!)

14 Years Ago Today....

I was about to go into labor with Hannah. WOW!! 14 YEARS!! Tomorrow she will be working her way into her second year of teenhood and it just doesn't seem possible. I am amazed at how quickly time has gone and thrilled to see what a wonderful young lady she has become. She has ALWAYS brought joy into our lives with her optimistic attitude and compassionate heart and that contagious laugh of hers! She is physically absolutely beautiful and the sincerity of her christian walk makes the inside beautiful as well. The past year has held many new experiences for her. She met Brian 8 months ago and knows what it feels like to be bit by the love bug. She has played school basketball for the first time in her life, and she took on more responsibility. She has served Christ by working in the nursery and children's church, being in the Christmas play and singing in the youth choir as well as maintaining a good testimony at school among her peers. Doug and I couldn't be any prouder of her and just when we think we couldn't love her anymore...........we do! What a blessing from the Lord you are Hananh. Happy early birthday!

FYI

To view any of the pics below in a larger size just double click on it. I know all of you are computer geniuses but I thought I'd remind ya just in case! lol!

Mark & Carolyn's Family.....and our girls

Mark and Carolyn were having family portraits made and were sweet enough to ask our girls to come along for the pictures. They had some made of their family and then some with our girls also. They are so good I wanted to share them with all of you. Mark and Carolyn have 4 boys ...Ben 19, Brian 13, Tyler 10, and Chase 5. They are good looking boys and are so sweet! Their personalities and great character are a true testimony to their parents godly instruction and love they have given. I am grateful that God has been kind enough to bring these young men into our lives and we have received the added blessing of new friends as well.