The Newest Nestling

A little pink bundle of deliciousness--

Ruby Adeline

born at home Thursday, August 6th, 1:12am

8lbs., 6oz., 21 inches

Welcome to the family, Sweet Ruby.

This Love That Surpasses Knowledge

Inspired by my dear sister in Christ, Angel...with many thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt-C5IigHyM&feature=related

Ephesians 3:17-19
... so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Romans 8:35, 37-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Plum Tuckered Out

As I was running to and fro from the living room (getting kids ready for the last night of VBS) to the kitchen (helping get dinner on the table), Emma called me in to see this heart-melting sight:

It seems that a sweet little someone will be having a "late supper" tonight.

Punting on the Thames

Who loves Mary Poppins?



WE DO!!

After all, she's Practically Perfect In Every Way.

Unlike this mama, who has a Mount Vesuvius of laundry erupting in her living room--clean, *whew*--and an ottoman that evidently is in need of a good scrubbing, and what's going on with the glass pane in my cupboard? Yikes! But my kids are healthy and happy, not to mention their delightful imaginations, and that's gotta count for something, right?

Fast Friends

Is there a single thing in this world more adorable than a two-year-old girl and a two-month-old kitten? I can't think of one.

While Maggie was away at VBS this evening, Lucy was more than happy to kitty-sit Maggie's early birthday present, a darling sweetie named Clementine.

My Baby Shower of Blessings

Just when I least deserve it, my Heavenly Father showers me with unexpected blessings. I have been a royal grump today, whining and complaining about things that I should be handling with grace. Instead of giving me what I have earned (a good whack or two with a 2x4!), He gives me more, more, more of His love, more of His goodness, more of His tender mercies.

In the mail, today, from a dear, sweet sister-in-Christ, I recieved a gift for our new baby-in-waiting:

Sweet toile (covered in BUNNIES!), satin-y ribbon, snuggly chenille. In a classic sage-y green, just in case--I assume--our expected baby girl turns out to be a bouncing boy! Does it get any more precious than this?

This will be our eighth baby, and let me tell you, if you're not acquainted with many large families, the baby showers ended (understandably) a few babies back, so a gift like this is truly a wonderful surprise!

My dear friend, you have touched my heart today, and encouraged me to once again "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:2 NIV) Can a gift of "earthly things" do that? Yes, it can. Because it reminds me of how much my Father cares for even the smallest of my needs--no, not only needs, but wishes too--and causes me to desire nothing more than to rest in His presence, trusting Him for the Big Things as well as the small.

Dear Sister, may the blessings of the Lord be outpoured on you and your family, abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine. Thank you.

More Pics From The Park

The Fam, plus a smiley Jason. Can you guess which of our kids he hit it off best with? I'll give you a hint: his initials are B. E. N.

Here's Emma, our 15-year-old second-oldest. She's officially a sophomore now, and will begin Driver's Ed. in summer school next week. Then she can make the late-night runs to 7-11 for "Two Old, Cold Men." *wink*

James, one of our 9-year-old twins. I'm not quite sure if this is a "I really don't want my picture taken" grimace, or a case of "I'm trying to smile, but the sun's in my eyes." Or maybe some of both.

And finally, Ben, our very smiley 5-year-old. He's always happy to "Say 'cheese'."