Big News and A Little Get-a-Way!!!

About three weeks ago Anna Kayla and Greg came over a little later than they usually do on a Monday night. I didn't think too much of it but I did wonder why they were coming after I had already put the little ones to bed. On the phone she said she was bringing me something. I told her since it was late she could wait until the next day because I knew she was tired. She was all ready on the way so I just waited for them to arrive...little did I know what joyous news they were bringing! An ordinary Monday night turned into a call for celebration. They told us they might not be here for Thanksgiving this year...I just figured they were planning another mission trip for that time since the year before Anna Kayla was in Costa Rica. That's when they said no...they could possibly be in the hospital!!! I immediately said....Are you going to have a BABY and my baby said YES!!!!!! So there I stood in my "jammies" with tears of joy streaming down my face because I had just found out my sweet baby was going to have a sweet baby!!! We are all thrilled beyond words. It is hard to believe that it has been almost four years since their wedding day! She and I had been planning a little mother-daughter get-a-way to Charleston for the weekend. So when she came over to pick me up I had a little something waiting for her... It's a special little pregnancy journal that she can use to record all of the wonderful things that are taking place in her life right now. I want her to be able to look back and remember every single moment because it all goes by so very quickly. Her very being is proof of that.

After she opened her surprise we let daddy take a quick picture of us before we headed out the door! Of course I couldn't leave without a bazillion hugs and kisses from the little ones and a big hug from my big guy Land!

Then we were off for a road trip and then a day filled with taking in the sights and shops of Charleston. Boy did we have fun! I think we looked at everything on King Street!! After a fun filled day we headed back to our room for cheese and lemonade, then out for more shopping and back to our room once again to make a quick change for dinner. We had very late reservations at 82 Queen.

Our beautiful room was cozy and inviting when we returned from dinner with very full tummies(hers more so than mine)!

The next morning I enjoyed my quiet time and coffee from our private balcony while Anna Kayla finished getting ready then...

we had breakfast in the courtyard at that little table in the corner.

Here's my big girl before we left.

Here's a shot of The Jasmine House where we stayed. It was wonderful and so convenient to the market and other fun shopping.

Of course I had to pick up that cute pocket book for spring while I was out and about!

Then with a sigh and a little wave goodbye we headed home. It was such a wonderful time and I do hope we can do it again!!! But I know that very soon my sweet girl's life will be forever changed by her own little sweet one. What a wonderful mother I know she will be and I can't wait to see it all.

Until next time...

This is my prayer:

I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,

and my blessing on your descendants.

Isaiah 44:3

So Blessed,

Robin

Celebrating The Big 6!

Last weekend we headed out to the Farm for our little guy to celebrate his 6th birthday. March weather can be so unpredictable so this just seems to be the best place for a party. Because no matter if it rains(like this post) or if the cold winds blow(like this post) we know that everyone that comes will still have a great time! And the "birthday boy", well we know that he will have a good time no matter what, because that's just the way he is! The first of many laps on horseback.

Sharing the saddle with Clara Beth!

Tipping his hat as he passes by the birthday guests!

Here are some anxious party goers waiting on their turn to saddle up!

Taking some time out to feed a goat that wandered out of the fence.

I just love these next two shots of Emanuiel and one of his buddies standing on the fence.

I just wonder what these two little fellows are cooking up! I imagine that's some conversation going on between the two of them!

Soon it was every one's turn to feed the animals.

These two watched and snuggled up to keep warm!

Clara Beth can be quite the cowgirl!

Emanuiel decided that he couldn't hold enough feed in his hands so he used his hat!

This little goat just followed the feed bucket around.

Here are some of our girls trying to decide just what they should do next.

In this picture Emanuiel is tossing his cowboy hat up into the air. I agree "Hats Off" to another great birthday celebration!

It was one that I am sure he will remember!!!!

Until next time...

May your days be as happy as birthdays and filled with celebration!

Let Your worshipers celebrate and be glad because of You.

Psalm 70:4

Robin

Hope over here for more great Sunday Snapshots!!

Black and White Wednesday...Respite

R is for Respite: The dictionary defines this as a pause or suspension in activity

The thesaurus says:

Recess

Relaxation

Release

Relief

Reprieve

Rest





All of which I am in great need of right now.





We have had some beautiful weather that has left me longing for more. I need a vacation somewhere warm and tropical. Since I don't foresee that in the near future I will have to drink in the warmth with a hot cup of Tension Tamer Herbal Tea...aaah but I know that my true rest comes from the best place of all.


Until next time...
May we all find rest in Him:

Exodus 33:14 NIV
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Robin

(Allie if you are reading this, you see that I still haven't erased your message on our little board!!! Love you lots girl)

Go here to see more Black and White Wednesdays

My Funny Valentines!-Sunday Snapshot

Oh my it has been so long since my last post...I wonder if there are still readers out there. We are still here and we have weathered many storms. The ones outside and in. There has been what seems like so much sickness here and there since my last post. We have had sinus infections, herniated discs, neck issues, and the stomach bug swept through our house with a vengeance. Hopefully we are all on the mend and better days are to come. To help us along the way we had an early Valentine's celebration this weekend. Yes, I finally felt like a little party and what better ones to celebrate with than my family! We got ourselves busy Saturday and did a little happy heart decorating... Those precious little hearts were cut out by the two sweetest little sets of hands.

They both worked away at the kitchen table drawing and cutting with such precision.

There own little hearts were bursting with excitement!

This gracefully hung above our dinner table...oh the squeals it brought!

Tummies were filled and good times were shared along with steak and lobster tails. Yes these two little ones loved the lobster!

The two little ones were very excited to sit in the dining room chairs. Usually we pull the piano bench up to the end of the table for these two because Anna Kayla and Greg often eat with us in the dining room, but since they couldn't make it, there was plenty of room in the big chairs!

Even though we stuffed ourselves with steak and lobster we still managed to save enough room for strawberry shortcakes which my little assistants helped me to assemble. (gotta love matching aprons!)

I have such happy kitchen help!

I also noticed that fingers kept becoming sticky for no apparent reason and there were lots of smiles that followed.

Helping hands!

The smiles of two very happy little helpers lets you know that our Valentine's celebration was...

like the sign says...sweet!

Until next time...

I hope your day of love is also just as sweet!


and remember the greatest love:
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Robin




More Sunday Snapshots here!

Snowed In-Black and White Wednesday

We are on day three of the big "snow in". The winter storm that everyone was anticipating came in late Sunday night and covered us with six inches of snow! This is so unusual for our area and not something that we are accustomed to so everything pretty much shuts down. So we "hunker down" in our cozy home(thankful that there were no power outages) and when we do venture out side we just enjoy the winter wonderland that has surrounded us. Here is Emanuiel running out into the snow, in just a few minutes he was rolling around making snow angels and grabbing for our sled!

This one, was quite the opposite, she took her time, watched her step and proceeded with caution!

Once dad got home(some people did have to work) it was sled time central. These two traveled up and down our driveway many times squealing with delight. I did have a turn on the sled myself, thankfully there are no pictures of that!!!

A little later we loaded up the golf cart and went for a spin(literally) around our neighborhood. We stopped by the Sargent's house for more fun in the snow.

We had to try out their sled and driveway too!!

Our first day out in the snow proved to be a little problemsome for Emanuiel. Snow kept getting on his glasses and obscuring his view. So while we were getting ready for our day two adventure he came into his room determined to keep his glasses clean. He found the goggles from his tool set and immediately put them over his glasses for protection. This little guy is quite the problem solver and he just cracks us up with his inventiveness!!

These two just look like they are ready for some snow fun!!

We climbed aboard the golf cart for yet another neighborhood adventure and then just tromped around the yard to see how many tracks we could make.

Of course no outing would be complete without a sampling of homemade snowballs! And when we could stand the cold no longer we hurried into the house where...

we lined boots up our steps, left wet coats hanging, put mittens over the vents to dry and snuggled in our pajamas in front of a warm fire to enjoy an evening of cards...

giggles, and fun. Today will be spent in much the same way. After some more fun in the snow we will come in to cuddle on the couch while cupping mugs of hot chocolate to warm cold little hands!

Until next time...

God has a purpose for all things...even the snow that falls.

Isaiah 55:10 NIV
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Happy Wednesday!
Robin


Hop over here for more great Black and White Wednesday posts!