Hillsong UNITED - Oceans (Where Feet may fail) radio version - Lyric Video

Really enjoying this song lately. Perhaps you will too..? :)  ~Renée

A Monarch Butterfly Sequence

The monarch caterpillar loves milkweed. They start out so tiny you hardly see them.
Good thing for sharp child eyes.

The caterpillar hangs upside down by it's tail sheds some skin and becomes a chrysalis.
The chrysalis is actually a layer of it's skin. Aren't the gold stripe and spots neat?

On day 11 or so the chrysalis turns clear, revealing the butterfly inside.

We've always missed the actual hatching of the butterfly (we had four caterpillars/butterflies this summer)
but here is the butterfly drying it's wings.

We moved the butterfly outside where it could enjoy the sunshine and breeze.
Here he's flapping it's wings. It's going to take off soon, right?

Anytime now.

Nature is very patient. We however are not. But we will not miss this!

And there he goes! Bye Mark the Monarch! Have a great trip south!

* * *

And THIS is a great video by our neighbor of HER two monarchs:

DNR Eagle Cam

Here's a link to the MN's DNR website. They have a live cam on a big eagle nest right now. It's so interesting to watch!

http://www.webcams.dnr.state.mn.us/eagle/

Emily's Fifth

Joel here.  I've been working on a piano piece I'd like to share with you all.  I finished recording it on the 11th, Emily's fifth Heaven Day, so I titled it Emily's Fifth.  I think the music fits her well.  Actually, I think she even likes it!  Enjoy: Emily's Fifth

Jump!

Last week Hudson learned how to jump. The video below shows him "performing" which isn't as good as the real thing. Normally he will jump and jump and jump. Adorable!

onetimeblind - The Stool

Recently we were introduced to the two couples who make up "One time Blind". They do various skits on the Christian Life and really hit home due to the truth of what each skit portrays.

One of our favorites is titled 'The Stool'. Enjoy watching it, but it is also convicting!

For the L family, H family, D family, C family, Ms K, and E.

Coldplay - Paradise (Peponi) African Style (ft. guest artist, Alex Boye)...

Another Piano Guys music video for a beautiful Friday!
This one is for you, Joshua, our precious son!
We thank the Lord for giving us eight wonderful years with you.
We love you!

Charlie Brown Medley - ThePianoGuys

Joel and I have really enjoyed watching The Piano Guys' music videos. They are based in Southern Utah and are extremely talented musicians. I'll be posting our favorite videos for awhile, but you can check them out on their website or on YouTube.

The video below is a surprise concert they put on for a senior citizen audience. 

Enjoy it and have a Happy Friday!

One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful (5 Piano Guys, 1 piano) - ThePi...

Five guys play the same piano:

This is entertaining and very fun to watch! Great music too!

Beethoven's 5 Secrets - OneRepublic (Cello/Orchestral Cover) - ThePianoGuys

Remembering the K family as they grieve the loss of two close family members.

A Nativity Drama

A Surprise for Rachel

A woman from our church brought over a stuffed owl, after hearing about Rachel's desire for a pet owl. The video shown above records Rachel's first meeting with her now beloved animal, which happens to be a "she".

One of Hudson's Talents

Photo (Home) Booth

Peek!

Some News And Silliness

(The moving van; complete with a road biker)

My (Renee) parents (lovingly referred to as Papa and Nina, respectively) have moved here all the way from Indiana! It's great to see them and spend time with them. Of course, the kids are loving having their grandparents so close. It's a real treat! We are very grateful to have them here. They spent the first two nights at our house and then moved over to a resort in town, where they will be helping clean cabins and do other miscellaneous tasks to help out some dear friends. No, Papa will not be bored here. :)

(Rachel's artistic interpretation of Papa and Nina)

(The excited kids)

~ * ~

Here's a video of the kids being silly a few weeks ago::

~ * ~

We have put Rachel on a new diet starting last April and already have seen marvelous improvements. She has turned into a sparkly, happy young girl full of talkative energy and silliness. We no longer have to be so concerned about cross contamination with gluten and I can make wheat bread with Rachel standing next to me- with no after effects. Praise the Lord!

~ * ~

(Hudson helping with the dishes)

Yes, he really helps. Gotta train them early ya know! He shuts the soap door, the dishwasher door and then I help him with the buttons. It's really cute, I wish you could see it.

~ * ~

I just love summer vacation! No "formal" homeschooling, we all get to play more.

Here are some park pictures:

(Daddy being silly on Joshua's bike)

(The trio)

~ * ~

A first loose tooth for Rachel!

~ * ~

One day a year.

Two families.

Up to eight kids so far.

Josh (7); Boston (6); Rachel (5); Trinity (4); Madelynn (3); Asher (2); Hudson (1); Harper (0/3 mo)

That one day is Trinity's birthday. She turns four. Tomorrow Boston will turn 7.

~ * ~

 (A Mommy Madelynn Moment)

~ * ~

Friends! These friends are like family. We don't get to see them very often- but it sure is fun when we do!

 

(Where's Rachel?)

~ * ~

(Hudson and a picture of Josh: both at about 18 months old)

(Our toddler baby)

Hudson still isn't officially walking yet. He is taking his time, with all cautiousness, and with all expectancy to be served in the transportation department. He is really cute though, how can I deny him?? Especially when he plays peek a boo::

~ * ~    Happy Summer!    ~ * ~

Hudson's First Step, Step, Steps!

Emily's Heaven Day

Yes Emily died. But just like Jesus, she was resurrected, into heaven, with Jesus. And that my friends, is why Joel and I can grieve with hope. 
We can cry and smile at the same time.

We can weep and have peace in the same moment.
Emily Grace, along with thousands of others, are alive, they are not dead.
They are in paradise.
They are laughing, smiling, praising the Awesome Creator of the Universe.
And they love Him.

Joel holding Madelynn, June 2009, at the grave site.

God consoles His suffering people, and His consolations, which are proportioned to the nature and degree of their suffering, shall surely appear to all who stick to His truth and trust Him with their souls. It is a demonstration of the faithfulness of God to those that, suffering according to His will, do commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
(I Peter 4:19 NKJV)

::The Following Pictures are taken at Emily's grave side May 2012::

Four children helping their Mommy and Daddy clean up Emily's  grave site, while the June berry tree blossoms.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 

(Psalm 116:15 NKJV)

Hudson helping Daddy

Mourn not ye, whose child hath found

purer skies and holier ground;

Flowers of bright and pleasant hue,

Free from thorns, and fresh with dew.

Mourn not ye, whose child hath fled

From this region of the dead,

To yon winged angel-band,

To a better, fairer land.

Knowledge in that clime doth grow

Free from weeds of toil and woe,

Joys which mortals may not share;

Mourn ye not, your child is there.

-Lydia H. Sigourney

Madelynn smiling

"Oh troubled heart, be still and learn that no selfishness can be in love; that he who loves his Master withholds nothing when He has need of it; and he who loves his child will sink all sense of loss in the everlasting gain of lying safe upon the bosom of the Shepherd."

-Benjamin M. Palmer, 1818-1902, buried five of six children

 Joshua, Rachel, Hudson making 'creeping phlox angels'

Thus says the Lord: 'I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth...The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.'
Zechariah 8:3,5 NKJV

A square on Emily's quilt

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
Revelation 21:4 NKJV

"This is Not The End" by Gungor

Lyrics:

This is not the end
This is not the end of this
We will open our eyes wide, wider

This is not our last
This is not our last breath
We will open our mouths wide, wider

And you know you’ll be alright
Oh and you know you’ll be alright

This is not the end
This is not the end of us
We will shine like the stars bright, brighter

~

And her Daddy has the last word::

Resurrection Morn

by Joel 

Now that I've held death in my arms.

Now that my own flesh and blood has grown cold.

Now that I've seen a soul move on,

leaving behind a little body and a little less of me.

Now that I've seen the heavenly slip away....

Nothings left when the heavenly slips away.

Now that I've seen...

What would've it been like to be there on a hill outside of Jerusalem?

When the earth shuddered and the sky rolled and on the cross hung the One who made it all?

He made the hands that beat Him.

He made the tongues that cursed Him over and over.

He made the nails that pierced His wrists.

He made the thorns that crowned His bloody head.

The Author of Life wrote His death. He wrote in His own blood.

And the Light of the world was extinguished.

And what is a world without the One by whom it is made?

No there's nothing left when the heavenly slips away.

Oh for the resurrection morn!

Oh for the first light of dawn!

All would be lost it that'd been all;

if death could keep a hold on God

Enter the tomb. Pass the stone rolled away.

He is not here. He is risen from the dead!

Oh for the resurrection morn! (Where would we be?)

Oh for the first light of dawn! (Come Lord Jesus come)

The Sun Shines Upon the Storm

I cannot know why suddenly the storm

should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath

But this I know-God watches all my path,

And I can trust

I may not draw aside the unseen veil

That hides the unknown future from my sight

Nor know if for me waits the dark or light;

But I can trust

I have no power to look across the tide,

To see while here the land beyond the river;

But this I know-I will be God's forever;

So I can trust.

-"Streams in the Desert" Devotional p. 196

The God Joel and I serve is amazing. He is truly wonderful. When one of us is down, grieving, broken- He lifts us up. He raises us. He reassures and whispers and comforts. I know I can trust a God who cares about me and the people I love. He did not abandon us during our time with Emily. No, instead He was there every second of it, strong and warm. He whispers to me, "Trust. Trust Me." And I cannot. And yet I can. I can choose to trust. Because His Spirit lives inside me, and He gives me the ability to trust- when I let go. When I let go of my hurt, not letting go of Emily, but letting go of my selfishness, any bitterness and self-pitying thoughts, He enables me to trust Him completely. And then, I am free. Free like Emily.

You Raise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;

But when you come and I am filled with wonder, 

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.