Father and Son Bonding

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

~Ephesians 5:1–2

A few weeks ago, Ken and Joshua traveled to Atlanta to see friends, attend our home church and see the Master's Practice round.  This was the first time they had traveled anywhere for leisure without us girls! Ken has attended the Master's every year for the last 16 years or so. He was able to take his dad and Joshua about 12 years ago. Joshua did not remember this as he was so young. Ken has wanted to take Joshua again and this year the schedule worked out so they could go!

They were only gone two nights, but they packed in a weeks worth of sight seeing in those three full days! They visited both of our former neighborhoods (lived there for 10 years), World of Coke, Pappadeaux Seafood, Legacy Station Train Store, Perimeter Church, Buffalo Wild Wings with Jay :-), Discovery Mills, Benny Shoes,Chick Fil A, McAlister's Deli and finally, The Master's in Augusta!

Unlike me, they left home without an agenda. Totally winged it like guys sometimes do and had a blast together! They are still talking about all of the fun they had on their trip. Finally today I got around to downloading the pictures they took on their trip. These were my favorites:

We have recently been learning the value of quality time with each other. It is so important to make a priority of stopping the busy pace of life and spending time one on one with each other. It doesn't have to be a big trip like Ken and Josh took. Even throwing the ball in the backyard is good quality time spent.

It is our prayer that we can continue to value each other in our family by spending time together. How sad that we have to remind ourselves of this, but extremely important that we work it into our hectic daily lives!

Spring Fever!

Well, it's official. Our family has spring fever! Finally, we are on Spring Break next week! It seems like the whole country has been on Spring Break before us! We are so used to being off of school the week immediately following Easter. I guess this is just the way it has always been done in New England.

What a great feeling to be off school for a week! Our weather is supposed to warm up next week, the baby house wrens on the front porch have just hatched, the grass is greening up, heavy coats are being put away, the forest floor in the back of our house is slowly being covered with greenery! I love spring!

Two days ago we heard a mountain lion calling his/her mate out there! It was 10pm and I was taking Buddy out for the last time of the evening. I am so glad that we have not started the habit of sending him out alone. As soon as I opened the garage door we immediately heard the lion and he was very close by!! Buddy barked and we b-lined back inside and closed the garage door fast! I cracked open the sliding glass door so Ken could hear how close the lion was. He sounded way too close for our comfort!

A few nights prior to this Joshua heard several coyotes in the back yard at 3 am. It is safe to say the animals have emerged from the long winter!

So what are our plans for Spring Break? Catch up on rest, spring cleaning projects, a trip to the library, activities with friends, a trip to the mall, play outside, move a few plants in the flower bed and go fishing!

Ken is leaving for China next week on business and we are planning to spend as much quality time as possible with him before he is gone for 2 full weeks. He will be working durning the day next week but we will be home and can enjoy him when he gets home.  I dread the time when he is away. It does not happen very often, so I really do have to be thankful for that. Please don't even remind me how far away China is because it makes me miss him even more!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

When the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the covenant between me and earth. 
                                                                    Genesis 9:16
               

Today was a very strange weather day. One minute it was sunny, the next minute it was raining. The sun would warm the air then the rain would immediately cool the air. At one point this afternoon it even hailed!

Just as the sun was setting, I was finishing the preparations for dinner and realized it was sunny with a steady rain falling outside! I knew this was the perfect scenario for a rainbow to form. (I have been known to chase rainbows!)  Emily and I raced for the front door and sure enough....a double blessing was awaiting us outside! What a blessing to see it's enormous size covering both horizons! Emily and I squealed in delight and proudly snapped this picture as proof of our amazing experience!

We made such noise outside about seeing this double rainbow that Josh came running upstairs from the basement because he thought the house was on fire! I will not apologize for not being able to contain my joy when witnessing such a beautiful display from our Creator!

Seeing this miracle right outside our front door was such a gift and beautiful reminder of the power and majesty of our Savior.