BEING A GRANDPARENT IS TOO MUCH FUN!

Richard and I kept Jaden today while his siblings started their first day of the new school year and Jaden's class doesn't start until Thursday. We had so much fun with him. We got out right after our 7:00 a.m. breakfast and helped Richard a bit with the shed he is putting up from a kit. We then got ready and went to a relatively new park about 10 miles from here. It was very nice ~~ just hot today. We had packed and taken our picnic lunch but were so hot by the time we had been out there for an hour that all we could think about was coming home to jump in the pool and eat our picnic lunch pool-side. Jaden didn't argue one bit but said, "Grandma, I'm sweating, too!" Here are a few pics from our park play, but I didn't make any at the pool or picnic lunch.

THEY'RE OFF AND HE'S HERE!!!!

THEY'RE OFF: Isabella and Joshua were out bright and early (6:45) for pics to be made on their first day of school. Belle is in 8th and Josh is in 4th. Of course, their mommy (Principal Amy) has been back to work for six weeks but today will be a busy day for her as all of her prep-work comes to fruition and she over-sees her (15+ but I didn't ask her how many this year) 4th grade through 6th grade teachers and all of the students who are under her supervision. I made some pics of them as they came out and were ready to leave this morning. We all had to chuckle at Belle when she came out the door with ALL of her stuff.






AND HE'S HERE: Kindergarten had Open House on Sunday afternoon for the students and their parents to find out who their teacher is and where their classroom is located, but they don't start class until Thursday. So, it looks like Jaden is in "Grandpa School" today!! We have plans to take him to a real nice new park just for kids for a picnic lunch.

Jaden's K4 Class On Open House Day....

At the beginning of the movie, Jaden is seated at the table across the room with several other children. He is in the green shirt with his back to the camera.

ANOTHER MILESTONE!

Milestones are marvelous markers in our lives. They let us know that we are growing, learning, and achieving goals throughout life. Our 4th grandchild, Jaden, is reaching a milestone this week~~ that of going to Four-Year-Old Kindergarten!! After staying with Grandma (that would be me) for his first 2-1/2 years while his mommy and daddy worked, this past year he attended "nursery school" on campus where Brian and Amy work. He loved the social, mental, physical and spiritual experience and did real well. It is FINALLY going to "Mommy's school" and is so excited that he is going to be in the same building as his mommy and siblings. He knows he is a big boy now!!

Today was Open House for the kindergartners. Amy invited her Dad and I go and see Jaden's room, meet his teacher, etc. We went and it was a lot of fun. Jaden was thrilled to meet his teacher, see his classroom, and is now ready to start school on Thursday. I made a few pics and will share them here as our pledge to Jaden that we will pray for him every day during this coming school year.

Finding his name on the class list...

Making his way with Dad, Mom, Belle, and Josh to his classroom....

Meeting his teacher...

A nice pose with his teacher as Dad and Josh look on...

Jaden's proud parents!

My Sister and Brother-in-Law Playing Their Dulcimers!

My baby sister (by 15 months!) has always had a lot of natural musical talent. Nonie's latest latest venture is that of learning to play the dulcimer. She and her husband Tom are members of a dulcimer group and play several times a week. I surely do want to hear them in person some time and was tickled today to receive this YouTube video ~~ my first LOOK at her playing. She has played for me on the phone at my request, but I hadn't seen her. I loved hearing them play "An Unclouded Day" and hope you will as well:

Take Every Thought Captive!

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Take Every Thought Captive
by Max Lucado

Today's thoughts are tomorrow's actions.

Today's jealousy is tomorrow's temper tantrum.

Today's bigotry is tomorrow's hate crime.

Today's anger is tomorrow's abuse.

Today's lust is tomorrow's adultery.

Today's greed is tomorrow's embezzlement.

Today's guilt is tomorrow's fear.

Josh's Talented Tongue

After eating his ice cream, Josh licked his lips to the extreme. I caught it on video and here he is..........

It's a Tough Job, But Someone Has To Do It!

We invited Isabella and Josh to spend Monday night with us so they would be here on Tuesday as Grandpa and I thought we would take them to the beach for a picnic lunch and some sand and surf time. This morning, we woke up to torrential rain; but by 9:30, it had kind of tapered off so we packed up and headed out. On the way to the beach (some 20 minutes from our house), it poured rain on us all the way. By the time we drove onto the parking lot of the beach, the rain stopped!! We were out there for nearly 3 hours and didn't have a drop of rain. The sky was very dark at times, but it never rained on us. PTL!!! Due to the storms in the area, the water was rough and the waves big, but Belle and Josh had a blast~~ and we had fun watching them! Here are some pics of our fun in the sun which ended with a stop at the Hershey Ice Cream Shoppe on the way back home.

You Put the Devil Out, But Did You Let Him Leave His Bags?

YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT, BUT DID YOU LET HIM LEAVE HIS BAGS?


You got out of a bad relationship because it was wasn't right, but you are still resentful and angry...
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of financial debt, but you still can't control the desire to spend on frivolous things...
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of a bad habit or addiction, but you still long to try it just one more time...
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You said, I forgive you, but you can't seem to forget and have peace with that person...
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of that horribly oppressive job, but you are still trying to sabotage the company after you've left...
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You cut off the affair with that married man/woman, but you still lust after him/her...
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You broke off your relationship with that hurtful, abusive person, but you are suspicious and distrusting of every new person you meet...
( you let the devil leave his bags)

You decided to let go of the past hurts from growing up in an unstable environment, yet you believe you are unworthy of love from others and you refuse to get attached to anyone...
(you let the devil leave his bags)

When you put the devil out, please make sure he takes his bags!

Prayers Were Answered!

Exodus 2:24 And God heard their groaning....

We had three days of a critical prayer need last week. I came on my blog and posted the "unspoken" need. I have no idea if anyone saw my posts and/or responded to the plea for prayer, but I want to give God the Glory and report that our prayers were answered. What needed to happen did happen, and that in itself is a miracle. If you prayed, I humbly and sincerely thank you for your prayers.

Due to the extremely personal nature of the issue that was being dealt with, I cannot reveal what it was on this forum ~~ or in any written forum. I just want anyone who might have gone to prayer on our behalf to know that God answered. To be honest, there is an on-going need for a heart to get right with God and acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. That is our prayer now ~~ if anyone is out there.