Welcome, Jollene Lynn!!

On May 25 and 26, I got to play "doula" for my cousin while she had an absolutely beautiful, natural birth. It was such an amazing experience. There are hardly words to convey what it meant to me, and the ways it changed me. It felt so "right" for me. I think I've found the one thing I'd want to do in all the world besides being a wife and mother!

My cousin did an excellent job giving birth. She was amazingly strong!! Little Jollene Lynn is so beautiful! I'm just as proud of her as can be!

I prayed a lot during the birth, and could really sense God was present and at work. I know that He was truly made strong in my weakness! I really didn't feel like I knew what I was doing at all in trying to be there for my cousin, but I know that God certainly knew what He was doing. Truly an exciting and fulfilling experience!!

All Time Favorite Photos

Molly when she was 2, kissing her Papa
Hattie, about 5 mo. with Happy the kitten
Samuel when he was 5 looking for "agates" in Lake Superior
Danielle, 3 mo.
Hattie, 2 yrs.

I thought today I'd post a "few" of my all time favorite photos. The problem is they're all my favorites!! I'm going to have to post a "few" more!! Enjoy!!

Man's Best Friend

Most of you know that I was finally able to convince my husband that dog ownership wouldn't be the nightmare he thought. We've had our Katie for a little over a year now, and we all think she's a wonderful dog! Dan really does enjoy her now that we have her. Usually, she's just wonderful. However, there are moments. For instance...

It's raining and one of the kids lets the dog out...(me) "You kids let YOUR dog in and dry her off."

We're debating going out of town for the weekend...(me) "What'll we do with Katie?" (Dan) "That's not my issue. It's up to you. You wanted her."

It's time to scoop poop...(Molly) "Sam wanted a dog. This should be his job."

But on the other hand...

Someone comments on our well trained dog, and suddenly everyone wants to declare the lion's share of responsibility...

"Yeah, I picked a winner!"

"I taught her to do that!"

"Yeah, I told Patty to pray about it first. She thought I was over the top, but she did it! I'm sure glad she listened to me!"

It's certainly true that she's a winner, and I did pray, so GOD gets all the credit in the end. Molly and I hit the humane society last March, after checking out the adoptable puppies on the web. We specifically went to look at Katie and her litter mates. It was love at first sight. She was the only pup not jumping up and down with a staccato bark! She was calmly watching us, with her tail wag being the only energetic thing about her. No barking, no jumping...just waiting...for us...because God already picked her out. In fact, he know her from the beginning. He not only chose her, but created her! Just like us! (Psalm 139)

Hello Friends!

Well, here I am, entering the blogger world! I'm really not sure what to think of this yet. I'm excited to be able to share and communicate with all of you, though. That is, if I get time to do it. I'll try to put a few photos on in the near future. For now, I've spent enough time just figuring this much out!
Love you all!