Saturday, September 19, 2015

Day 10: Canoeing the St. Croix

Pete and I are celebrating our 14th anniversary this weekend sans kiddos!  Today we decided to go canoeing down a 7 mile stretch of the St. Croix River.  These are my favorites from today.



Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Day 9: Chewing Gum and Paint

We are in our 6th week of homeschool.  Gretta is usually the most compliant, joyful, energetic positive kid you could wish for, unless she's doing her language arts or reading work.  We have been battling attitude and issues since day 1.  Finally it struck me today I am trying to teach her like I did my 3 other left brained children.  She is right brained the way I am presenting her work does not make sense to her.  I feel bad it took me this long to figure out that what I am doing is the problem, not her attitude.  Poor girl!  Thank the Lord she is graceful and forgives me when I am so slow to apply wisdom.  So today we approached learning to read in a new way.  We put together words with flash cards, painted pictures and then wrote the words on them and chewed gum to keep our minds steady.  There was significantly more joy in the second part of our day when I started presenting information to her in a  way she could understand!  

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Day: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Today was Julia's first violin lesson.  She is thriving with a full soccer, music, school and social life schedule.  Her extroverted heart is supremely happy with a full schedule.  God has been so generous and kind to provide for her so many opportunities.  I pray Julia glorifies God mightily in each of her endeavors!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Day 7: Beautiful Day

Today was gorgeous.  We had a full day church, celebrating Julia's birthday with grandparents and then a trip to our old neighborhood.
Our bees at my Dad's are doing well.  They love the sedum this time of year.  It was a challenge to capture the bees as they were in almost constant motion.  

Lizzy had a rough day allergies are getting her down.  Yet, she still has beautiful hair and accessories.  She is my detail girl!

While visiting our old neighborhood the girls took an opportunity to recreate a picture they did several years ago.  It was especially touching to me.  Our friend and neighbor Carol had been receiving cancer therapy in Reno, NV several years ago.  We took a picture just like this on her tree to send her and let her know she was being prayed for and was missed.  This time she views from heaven.  I sure miss Carol.  She had such a deep impact on my life.  I remember her for her devotion to God, contagious laugh, frugal financial sense and always being ready for guests with an appetizer and cocktail!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Day 6: Taco Daze

This is our 3rd year attending the Scandia Taco Daze.  It is the only fair we do as a family.  There is the running of the meatballs, cheese curds, beer and a short parade.  It's just our speed.  
I don't ever recall seeing neon pink in nature, until today.  

The waiting for the parade was the hardest part, but the candy makes up for it!

Day 5: The Teens Begin

At 7:37 this morning I officially became the mother of my first teenager.  She's been a joy to behold lately and makes me laugh.  There are trials, but overall this girl is a delight to my heart.  Tonight she is celebrating with some soccer friends with a bonfire and Mrs. Doubtfire.  Thank you Lord, for another year with this one!

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Day 4: Soccer Mom

I have managed to make it nearly 13 years without having my children in organized sports.  This year Julia decided to play soccer with North Lakes Academy.  She is on the varsity soccer team and loving it.  I hope to learn to take some better action shots of her in the future.  I confess I am enjoying watching her.  Her face lights up and she shines when she plays soccer.  Seeing her joy makes me smile!

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Day 3: Playing Hookie

This is a great week for homeschoolers.  As everyone else is headed back to school we took a field trip break.  We are in our 5th week of school so I don't feel too bad!

We took our first trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.  I was concerned it might not appeal to the girls, but they loved it.  It was so nice to see the girls interested in horticulture and curious about nature.  I love these girls!
Grammy joined us for the day.  I wonder if she knows how thankful I am she's able to enjoy field trips with us?   She brings such laughter and fun.  It's good to have her cheering for our team.


Fall is on it's way, I can't decide what to do first take out all my sweaters, make soup or bake a pie!

Dahlias are my favorite flower and coral may be my favorite color.  


The petals on this dahlia are perfection.  I once watched a show on numbers and the fact that flower petals run in a fibonacci pattern.  It was the first time I thought about God really digging math and creating even mathematics with creative yet orderly design.  

These coral rose blossoms were one of the few that were left after summer's peak.  I could have spent many more hours at the Arboretum.  I look forward to going again.  I still can't figure out how it took me this long to go.  My girls were even saying that we should come back again, soon.  It's nice to share some interests with them.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Day 2: Frustration

This day has been filled with mystery smells, forgetful minds,  and challenged attention.  I'll not wish it away just yet.


This was the sweet moment of the day.  In my frustration and feelings of inadequacy to teach these little gems I stole a second to stop and appreciate the gift I have in homeschooling for one more year. I'm making mistakes and struggling alongside the girls, but I wouldn't trade my role for anything.

This I would trade.  Loads of laundry and fumigating stinky little girl mattresses, bedding and bedroom.  How can such  small beings make such an awful smell?  In case you are wondering how to get a mattress to smell better you need to get pet and kid deodorizing spray.   Now what would I trade this for?  A pedicure and pristinely clean house.  I know it's shallow but I do think it would be worth the trade!

Monday, September 7, 2015

A Photographic Journal: Day 1

It's been years since I've opened this account.  YEARS!  This time I'm blogging to keep a journal of what is happening in my life photographically.  I have wanted a fancy camera for years and the day finally arrived yesterday.  Pete bought me my dream camera and then to top it off he took me to one of my favorite parks to hike and try out the camera.  I am one blessed woman.


This is my favorite photo for the day.  Everywhere I looked there was fresh new growth on the forest floor, on the stone cliffs and the decaying trees.  The soft curves of this mushroom are almost luxurious in form and these fluted lips capture my fancy.  Will I ever cease to be enamored by God's voracious design?

Life has grown, abundantly but in directions I could not have prepared myself to take.  These silent years have been a mix of maturing and humbling.  A time of seeking my Lord and His will aside from human voice.  I've had a growing, gnawing desire to express.  I pray this is the outlet the present time needs. At the least I look forward to looking over not just words, but pictures of these fleeting days.