Sunshine and rain

Today, my husband decided would be the perfect day to take off the covered porch of our house! I wish I had a picture but I do not...the house looks naked now. Completely and totally naked...poor house. But, in tearing it off we found some rotting boards and such.
we started doing it when it rained, but soon the sun came out.
the funnest thing about the construction is watching my middle grandson jacob help. He has his own tool box and today he wore a hard hat and safety glasses. he's a hard worker. When everyone else quit but there was Jake! Hammer in hand, poking the nails.

Family is a wonderful gift. I try not to take it lightly.

The trees are dressed again!

Today the sun came out and not only glowed bright in the sky, but sent heat down to us! This is March in Seattle, we aren't expecting to see or feel the sun for at least two more months. And yet, there it was today. Great fire ball in the sky.

Sadly, we couldn't drive CeeCee to Bremerton because Rosie doesn't do convertibles well, but we drove here enjoying the warmth of the sun on our cheeks through the windshield. Ah.

It's amazing how beautiful the world looks when it's bathed in bright warmth. The trees that just last week were mere naked sticks poking twiggy fingers to the gray dismal sky, today were adorned in brilliant green leaves and some in soft pink and white cherry blossoms. All decked out for this summer day.

Too bad, that even on a beautiful day like today life wasn't all sunshine and blossoms. As life goes, free willed humans can mess up even the most heavenly of days. And today, for just a bit, a former family member showed his mean spirited side again. It makes me sad.

And, then, I am reminded that even if the sun does not shine, and the folks I encounter are surly, still, I will hold fast to Jesus and let my love be genuine, abhorring what is evil and holding fast to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

It can be Son shine on the inside even if it's not sunny outside.

And it's an extra bonus when the trees wear their best!

Let me introduce Isaiah

Let me introduce to Isaiah Lance Baldwin. He was born in March of this year. Apparantly I've deleted the draft post I once had here! This little guy is already six months old, but I knew you'd want to see him at his freshest. And Luke (see above) he's joned the family in May of this year.
I thank the Lord for bringing two beautiful healthy boys to us and may they grow to be not just good cousins but strong brothers in the Lord.
Isaiah has two sisters Abigail and Sylvia and his parents are Josh and Coralie. Luke has four brothers Caleb, Jacob, Ben, and Tyler. His parents are D and Jen Yost.
Papa and I are blessed.

Luke Yost

Cliche' cruisin

I guess it's not so much about the cruisin' as it is about the cliche. And, I'm not talking about your normal cliche. I'm talking about Christian cliche's like "let go and let God," or "the safest place to be is in the middle of God's will."
I love those cliches.
But, to be fair, they're really annoying when tossed out as an answer to some life dilemma. Like, say, you're in the middle of a personal tragedy. Could be death of a loved one, a divorce, or say, you broke your leg, or you just found out you are pregnant, or have cancer. And, you don't handle the bad news so well. You cry, you shut down but you share it with your (fill in blank________) and they say, "Well, you gotta let go and let God. He'll take care of you." Or, better, "The safest place to be is in the middle of His will." My first thought would be, "It's God's will for me to have cancer, get a divorce, suffer this emotional angst?"
Yeah, I know.

So, I'm attempting to rid the cliche's out of my writing and out of my speech. It's not easy. Apparently I am a cliche carrier. I toss them out with some regularity. It is me, I?, who say to the newly devastated - "Sister, let go and let God." That is so not helpful. So, my current quest, to clean up the writing, the speech, and the heart and mind of trite cliches.

It's going to be difficult, because I've become lazy. Even in my prayers. Cliches. No real thought or conviction. Father, forgive me. (And I mean that sincerely).

This is my challenge to you, too. Make a clean sweep of cliches. I think we'll be better for it, but more important we'll be able to help others through life's obstacles and be closer to Him.

Check in later and I'll tell you how I'm doing.

Today it's good to be Home

It's good today in Washington. The sun is out and HOT, the sky is Washington Blue, and the scenery is magnificent. Who cares that we couldn't go to the water, we spent the day instead gardening, planting, watering and making numerous trips in the convertible, just because we could drive with the roof down, and not have to wear the roof down hat. (A wool fake fur lined hat with ear flabs and a tie for under the chin). We wear the hat usually when the roof is down, because it's cold even if we put the heater on.

The boys were having fun, but said, oh it was so hot...HA! I sure do love them, they are doing so well .....they've really blossomed and developed in the past year. It's been great to watch.

Ah, back to the great outside before the sun goes down.