Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Goodbye Grandpa...

Today we say goodbye to one of the best men I have known in my life, my Grandfather. He was a very strong Christian man, Dutch, very loving, funny and strong. He had a talent for making wood crafts, enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing games and fishing. He is the patriarch of our large family. My mom is one of 12 kids. My Grandpa and Grandma have 52 grandkids, 8 step-grandkids, 128 great-grandkids, and have 5 great-great grandkids! What a large family we have, and I LOVE IT! He loved, loved kids, especially babies. When there was a baby around, he always wanted to hold it. We will miss him so much. He remarried 12 years ago, and leaves his 2nd wife, age 91. My Grandpa lived a long, full life-- he was 99 1/2 years old!

We travelled to Chicago from Colorado for his funeral, which is today. It is hard to say goodbye, but I am so thankful that he has a new body, and is in heaven with his Lord and Savior, JESUS! We will see him again one day in heaven. There is a comfort in knowing that, with strong conviction, he is living in the glory and splendor of God.

On Saturday before we left home, I went to my parents' home in town and found old pictures of him, with my Grandma, and with my mom, me and my two older kids. I am sad that my two younger girls never got to meet him. Here are some of the pictures that I found...

My Grandpa & Grandma at my parents' wedding-- 1966.
 This is what I remember them looking like when I was little...
 Their 50th anniversary-- 1988...
All 12 of their kids together with my grandparents for their 50th anniversary... (My mom is in the gray on the left side)
 My Grandpa holding my cousin and my sister (curly haired) at a family reunion...
This was taken when they were at our house for my high school graduation.
My Grandpa holding Caleb and rocking while singing a song in Dutch. Caleb looked at him like, "What are you saying?" 
My Grandpa holding my oldest daughter Rebekah, me, my mom and Caleb-- 4 generations! (Taken about 10 years ago)
My older brother Dave and my Grandpa wearing matching hats-- looking so cool! This one shows his sense of humor. : - D


1 Chronicles 29:28
(King David) He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.

Psalm 92:14
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,

Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Proverbs 16:31
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Dried lavender sachets

Last week, my hubby gave me some lavender sprigs from trimmings made at our church by the groundkeeper/ custodian. I love lavender, and had some organza bags on hand. I took the lavender off of the sprigs and made 12 small bags full! My kitchen smelled SO good! I will be sharing them with friends and family for now. I need more bags to full more because I still have half of a paper grocery bag left! 


I wish there was a scratch-and-sniff screen, so you could smell it too! I will put these in my dresser drawers and closets.

Have you ever trimmed your lavender plants and made sachets? They were easy to make!

Isaiah 40:7-8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

Matthew 6:28-29
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Luke 12:27
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Summertime craftiness...

Another one of my favorite things to do in summertime is be crafty! I always have craft ideas in the back of my brain, and love when I have time to make some of them! 

This week, both crafts involved using my craft stash and sewing. I made two different things, both practical... I made three coffee cup cozies, from this pin on Pinterest. I also made potholders from this pin, and from a pattern that my mom and I had made a few years ago. I have Christmas potholders that are from the same pattern. The next day I made coasters to match the potholders! It was fun to make them all!





The next day I made some matching coasters with the leftover fabric. They turned out cute, only had enough to make two though...  (the original pattern is for coasters)
These were so quick and easy, it almost makes me want to make a table runner too... almost!
I loved my patriotic place setting at the dinner table one night!


Genesis 3:7
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Matthew 9:16
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Music Festival 2015

Recently my older daughter Rebekah and I went to a local outdoor Christian concert music festival. We had a fabulous time dancing and listening to wonderful music! We heard two of our favorite artists, Francesca Battestelli and David Crowder. We had heard Francesca before, you can read about that concert here. We had a fun time seeing friends and visiting a few vendors. I got a new shirt, which is my favorite color -- purple! <3 p="">
 Francesca B playing...

 We were pretty close to her and loved hearing her beautiful voice!
 The Katinas were there too, they were great!
 Here we are, waiting in line for ice cream-- it was hot that evening!
 Finally Crowder and his band began after 9:15! They were rockin'!
 We loved hearing him talk in his Texas/ Georgia accent...
 This was their "unplugged" part of the set, where they sang/ played into one mike and sang old gospel music. We loved that his band had banjos, violin, cello, two drummers, accordion, mandolin, big and electric bass, and guitars!
 Here is Crowder playing his banjo with lights around the edges! His guitar had the name "Ray" on it.
 The lights were cool when they played "Neon Steeple" and were green around his banjo too! They had fun playing, and we had a very fun time dancing and singing along. They are all so talented. We loved seeing his violinist sing while playing and head bang too! They called it a "hillbilly dance party" and brought along their own porch, complete with a dog! (stuffed) It was a total blast!
 As we were leaving, gathering our things during the last song, I snapped a picture of Crowder on the big screen. He has quite a beard!
I have been loving the music from the Neon Steeple CD and my fun new shirt! Have you been to any concerts this summer?


Psalm 100:2
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

All-Star baseball 2015

Our son Caleb made the little league All-Star team for the third year in a row! My hubby volunteered to coach, so they were both really involved! We endured 3 weeks of practices, and then one week of tournament games. The boys worked hard, played hard and had a great time. They lost two games and were out of the tournament, the last game being a heart-breaker. They lost the game by ONE point. It was a big disappointment for the team. We had a team party with pizza, cupcakes and awards. It was a great season, and we are so proud of our boy!
 The cool jersey shirt!
 Up to bat, ready for a hit...
 Pitching lots of strikes...
 Watching the younger boys play in their championship game...
 What a great group of kids! They are all winners in my book!



1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Galatians 2:2
I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Puzzles in summer...

During the summer, I've always enjoyed making a large puzzle (1,000 pieces+). My sister-in-law gave us two big puzzles that they made in the winter. We enjoyed making both of them, and found the first one to be a bigger challenge. It is a nice thing to work on problem-solving, finishing a project, and perservering until the job is done--  and it keeps hands and minds busy! The first puzzle took a few weeks to finish, as all of the pieces were the same shape. The 2nd one was done within FOUR days! I didn't even get a picture of us working on it, it went so fast!
 Just starting... getting the edges done...
 A few days later... that's a LOT of pieces!
 It's taking shape... still a lot left to do!
 Finally done! That was a tough one!

Puzzle #2...
This one was easier because it had different shaped pieces, and it had so many colors and shapes-- FUN!

Do you like to make puzzles? Do you make puzzles in summer or winter?



Deuteronomy 1:11-13

May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

Daniel 5:16
Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Independence Day 2015

We had another fabulous Independence Day this year! As per tradition, we spent time with my hubby's family in a cute mountain town. We enjoyed a concert in the park, fun girly time doing hair and nails, as well as the parade, water fights, visiting friends and good food.
 Cousin time...
 Bethany dancing to music in the park... love it!

 Our friends playing in the parade on their float...
 Girls enjoying their parade candy...
 These boys' daddy flew the planes that went over us loudly at the end of the parade... so cool!
 The strong team during the water fights... we called them "statues"...
 The weaker team during the water fights, they couldn't get a good hold on the nozzle...
 Silly dancing and cheering in the afternoon... cuties!

Showing a funny video to Nana before we left... we had to go back home before bed. We saw fireworks in the sky on the way! 

Happy Independence Day, America! We're thankful to God for the freedoms we have and for the troops who fight for us. 


2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit ofthe Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

1 Peter 2:17
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
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