September Was...

(Now I'm really catching up with blogging if my posts are from the current month!!)

September began with a weekend trip to MI for the funeral of our sweet little Carolyn.  2 days of travel for 3 days of stay, it was short - but very worth the trip.  It was a sad but special time to be together as a family.  The funeral message was beautiful: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."  Our children asked countless questions, seeking verifications of Biblical truths.

It was difficult to say good-bye to her little body, but we rest confident "knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God... for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Corinthians 4)

Some pictures taken during our trip: cousin Jessica's soccor game...

Watching the game on a chilly, breezy day...

Daddy helping Grandpa spread top soil...

All the little cousins admiring Marianne's new cast, shoulder sling and hospital band...

Hannah with her new friend, Miss Nicole...

And the rest of September has been filled with helping Daddy with landscaping...

Watch out, littly kitty, Daddy swings hard to break up those roots...

Hannah squeezing her furry friend...

Selah finishing her math lessons in the shade...

September was also settling into school days...

Our timeline of world history (ever hear of the 7 C's of history?)...

Isaiah diligently working on his Thinking & Readiness Skills book...

Judah's nice job of outlining the horses...

Selah, pondering her next stroke in her handwriting book...

And also in September the Lipsy family came for a visit.  Selah finally could hold baby Joshua...

The boys decided to dress-up in costumes for the occasion- here's cowboy Isaiah with smiling Joshua...

Policeman Judah also had his turn...

And just last week we celebrated Daddy's birthday...

New landscaping lights for his newest bed and a card from Judah...

New slippers for the king of our house...

Reading Selah's birthday card...

 We love you, Daddy!

Filling up the Summer Days

So, with what did you fill your summer?  It went by so fast, didn't it?!  Vacation Bible Schools, swimming lessons, morning math & phonics lessons (just emough to keep the mind from regressing), worm searches & getting fingernails grubby, trips to the library, even a trip down the shore...

Here are a few misc. pictures from the end of our summer, too cute to be filed away without sharing...

Mr. Judah (another one of Daddy's silly bath-time ideas)...

Miss Hannah with her hair finally long enough for a real pony tail...

Hannah's new favorite play-mate 'Frisky'.  They are best of friends, following each other around the yard.

The kitten submissively lets Hannah grab him and carry him around, and Hannah in turn never complains about his sometimes-not-so-gentle claws.

A tickling romp after family worship ended with a big love sandwich...

Daddy & Hannah must be the bread while the middle three are the 'sandwich fixings'...

"Help, I'm smothered with love and I'm enjoying every minute of it!!"

Selah working with Mommy on her birthday blanket kit...

And finally, we started first grade that last week of August.  I forgot to take many pictures, but here's one of Selah making everyone a patriotic snack during break time.

 

A Purse Party

Her birthday was in July.  But the week was busy and we had the stomach virus.  So a month later we finally 'officially' celebrated Selah's birthday with cake, games, presents and family.  (We like excuses to get together and have fun!)


It was a purse party, so here's the purse cake with its matching coin purse...

Decorations ready... where are those cousins...

Why is the little one so sad?

The little one wants the big one's markers (permanent fabric ones), but the big one has the wisdom of 6 years to know to refuse her little sister...

Ahh, the little one gets her own purse for the party...

Cousins arrive and games begin.  Now, do you understand all the rules for the purse relay game?

Helena choosing another purse item during the game...

Examining the purse specials...

Boys don't call them purses, theirs are 'bags'...

Hmmm, now what could be in that big special box?

It's a brand new kitten!!  And he sticks his paws out to play with the children...

So many little hands reaching for a stroke of that soft kitten fur...

Now, back to the games.  It's time to pass the 'hot' purse.  Try not to get out!

Cousin Alexander snuggling up to the birthday girl...

The little one is growing up too fast...

PRESENTS!  Thank-you Mrs. N. for making this girl excited with your extra scrap-booking supplies...

Yeah!  Beads to make her own jewelry...

Daddy handing her the best gift of all, God's Word to treasure...

(Do you still remember/treasure your first Bible?)

The gift of a purse, of course... with gum, bracelets...

...and her first perfume!

"Happy birthday, Dear Selah..."

"...Happy Birthday to you!"

Can she blow out all six?

YUP!

How old is Selah?

 

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! May God give you many more years to live out the meaning of your name, to rest in Him, to take the time to be still and know that He is your God.  We will continue to pray that you open your mouth with wisdom and that in your tongue will be the law of kindness.