After the rain....

... it is beautiful outside!

~M~

Labor Day with the Pendletons

Today we got to go to our very good friends the Pendletons for Labor Day.

It was a beautiful day here! :D

Being silly on the way to their house.

Of course, Dad wanted to look at the garden.... and the Pendletons were only too happy to let him pull weeds (he actually likes doing this! :D).

Apparently my brothers (after having three girls in the family) were deprived of "boy" toys.
They had SO much fun learning about Rescue Heroes.

Mom: Ian, can I tell you something?
Ian: You can tell me anything you want, just please don't tell me to stop playing!

Mom: We get to take these home with us!!!!

The Pendleton boys are all done with Rescue Heroes and the toys were looking for a new home....
My brothers were..... let's just say VERY EXCITED.

Talitha :D She is so sweet!

Luke and Andrea.....
More of this "camera fun" that I don't understand....
I don't necessarily like having my picture taken. :D

They have beautiful flowers!

I hope everyone had a good Labor Day!

In Christ,
Marissa

Pictures from yesterday

The joys of homeschooling... a 10 year old girl and 5 year old boy are best of friends!

That is one cooperative insect... or Andrea just has a way with grasshoppers. :D

What a good big sister. :D We love Elaina!

Dad, Seth, Ian, Elaina, Grandma and Charlie (the dog) taking a walk.

It was a beautiful day!

Proverbs 4:18

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Proverbs 4:18

Meijer Gardens/God's beautiful creation

This Saturday, our family went to Meijer Gardens.
We had a lot of fun, and I got tons of great pictures!

Ian and I with 'Grandma and Grandpa'

There was a horse that was so big I could fit under it's hoof! It was really cool!

God's creation is amazing!!

My dad wants to build one of these..... :)

The pump.

How cute!

What a sweet girl.

Hear anything???

God bless!
~Andrea~

Some Pictures...

Andrea took these pictures yesterday...

We got our big, huge, tire-swing tree taken down today. I don't have before and after pictures... but the yard looks a lot different without it!

A huge branch of our peach tree fell a few days ago. There was a weak spot in the tree and the branch just got so heavy it couldn't stay up any longer! Kind of a disappointment, because most of the peaches were on that branch... oh well! We still have quite a few left at least. :D
Blessings,
Marissa

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life.
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no pow'r, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Someone was having fun with black and white.....

Andrea did an almost all black and white photo shoot yesterday. Although God's colors are amazing and breathtaking, it is fun to do some black and white sometimes also. :D Here are a couple pictures of Seth playing on the swing set.

Going down the slide....

"Hello down there...." :D

By day the Lord directs His love, at night His
song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8

Ohio

Last Friday we went to Ohio for a graduation open house.
It was really fun. A lot of our extended family was there who we don't get to see very often.

We were supposed to get there at six, but we didn't know exactly how long it would take. We left too early. :D So at 5:30, when we were about five minutes away, we stopped at a gas station and tried to pass some time. :D

There was a bird in this tree that was being so noisy, I think it wanted us to get away from it's nest. :D

Dad and me. We both look kind of weird because the sun was in our eyes. :D

Seth pointing at.... something. :D Probably the bird.

Ian! :D

Before we left for Ohio, we had a church picnic. Andrea got her face painted by a clown. :D

God's beautiful creation

Here are some pictures that we took a few days ago near our house....

I believe these are called Bleeding Hearts. You can't really see the shape from the side like this, but it does look like a heart.

Andrea took this picture. Isn't it neat?

Elaina smelling the flowers.

Wow, isn't God's creation beatiful?!?! It is just amazing to think about how He planned each little detail about each flower, insect, and especially... person! He didn't have to, but He choose to work each of us into His master plan and He has specific purposes for each of us!
Blessings,
Marissa