Be Strong and Courageous

We very first saw a handful of reenactor's at a local school and followed them through the summer to an event at Ft. Simcoe, WA and then to Tieton Days, in nearby Tieton,WA as well a trip to Ft. Stevens, OR on the coast. Our oldest loves history almost as much as my husband and asked if he could go off to the battle while we were there at the beach.  So we joined as a family and away he went to the battles of the day while the rest of us spectated and enjoyed the wonder of the 1860 life. We decided to reenact because it is a chance to educate the kids as wells a those we come in contact with about the ordeal that was our countries greatest battle for freedom. Freedoms from 'big government' and freedom for us to get to a place of equality for all. As advanced as we are as a nation we are still so judgemental and prejudice, and unloving to others who look different than us. There is much to still learn. For us reenacting is a time to get away together and turn off the outs...

I have been listing my gifts for a few months now and have passed the 500 mark. I have found that I seek to find the beauty in all things with greater ease as  I continue on this journey. There is just a broader presence of God in my days. Of course not every day is 'beautiful' in the moment but I have now learned that every day is a gift. It is in the breath that fills our lungs that even in the dark of night or turmoil we can see that God's hand is holding us together. One night after dropping Keith to work I was greeted with this sunset and had to stop. The Shekinah Glory that streamed down was amazing to behold. I googled Shekinah and came HERE  and loved what it to say about His Glory. The word shekinah does not appear in the Bible, but the concept clearly does. The Jewish rabbis coined this extra-biblical expression, a form of a Hebrew word that literally means "he caused to dwell," signifying that it was a divine visitation of the presence or dwellin...

The last day of school, her very last recess of kindergarten. Her BFF Maci, who sadly is moving away. Her homeroom English teacher Mrs. Hauver, always so sweet and bubbly - the perfect combination for miss Addysen. Being a new Mommy herself, her love for these kids was so evident in her kind voice and demeanor toward them all. As well as her ability to keep 20 kids focused by making learning fun.  Her Spanish  Teacher Sra. Nickoloff, who always had a hug, smile and kind word for all the kids.  Two of her older children are in JROTC with Andrew and one is serving in IRAQ. She was a blessing to have and her prayers and kindness will be remembered for years. Only 3 of the 40 kids missed the last day, due to a move and some vacations. It was a great year.

Addysen's 2 classes got to spent the afternoon at the firehouse in Moxee. They even got to spray the hoses and get sprayed. Emma's year end Band Conert went really well. She wants to keep with band through highschool, we shall see. I cannot believe she is 13, finishing up 7th grade with a straight A's and becoming such a beautiful young woman, where has the time gone?

You make beautiful things you make beautiful things out of the dust, you make beautiful things out of us!

Our Weekend was lovely, this is our 2011 style home for our 1861 reenacting. The girls took and evening walk with daddy and Emma photographed tons of it, I love the way the light shines through the rifle holes in this old outpost building. We took a break and relaxed with a few families from church, thank you McBride, Davis, and Vipond families for making the trek out to visit us. Addysen was being quite a little lady (not), for Emma's photo. The 'guys' (I say that because there were some gals that took to the field as well) had 2 battles a day and there was even a great medical display by the sweetest little family of 'Doctor', Nurse and 4 helping children. 3 of the 4 homes are open to view by public when the park is open. Again Emma was great at capturing them for me. She took over 100 pictures this weekend ( I will not post them all - but more to come for sure). It was so fun on both days the ladies, myself included (on Sunday) got to be int he scenario o...

  It's Friday again and this weeks prompt from Gypsy Mama, is BACKWARDS. So here goes: How perfect that this would be this weeks prompt, as we are getting ready to head and go BACKWARDS in time to 1861. We have been Civil War reenacting this year as a family and it has been a great time. Back in April we attended an event at Ft. Steilacoom (near Tacoma, WA) and our oldest daughter, age 13, said the best part was just being together. This weekend we are able to stay pretty close to home at Ft. Simcoe and I am glad to say the weather is gorgeous for camping out. The reason we like going BACKWARDS in time varies from each one of us, I am sure if you asked a group of reenactors why, you would get a dozen reasons. I love doing it because it seems to bring joy to everyone in the family. My history buff husband likes the meaning and remembering of it all, it took our nation much loss to have great gain and understanding of true freedoms. My son, age 15, love the action ...

Five minute Friday (written on Sunday) Every day --- So every day, for the past few weeks, my alarm goes off at 530 and I turn it off, sometimes I roll out of bed and get to my quiet time, but more often not, especially this last week. I have been linking up with Hello Mornings over at Inspired to Action and trying to get my morning moving in a productive manner. I was doing really well for the first 2 weeks and then the WALL of Doom came in, or at least I let it in, in the form of the OFF button on the alarm. My every day consists of getting 2 teenagers out the door by 7 and the little one to school by 855 and sometimes I am rushed to get her the 6 blocks away. I do not know what has happened to me this year, but we are late or almost EVERY DAY. I have never been a tardy person, always the 5 minutes early, but this year has been different for me; and I am not sure that is a good thing. My every day consists of dishes and laundry, and cleaning of course, I am a stay ...

This is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite worship songs. I love turning it up and taking in it's message. Hope you get to listen to it. I love that my kids, especially my youngest want to listen to worship music (it is almost exclusive in the car and house), and always is asking to have it turned up in the car. Have a blessed day.