A Nephew is Born

A month early, which tends to be the pattern, we were blessed with a new nephew.  Dashel Jacob Fries was born June 9, and we love having a new baby to smother, I mean love on!

Linda

This is Linda. Gorgeous right? Good Genes people, good genes.  

Linda is my mom's oldest sister.  

These are her people.  

There are a few missing, but that's another story, for another time. 

She loves her people.  

Two things you should know about Linda.

1. She LOVES Jesus

2. She KNOWS Scripture

 ....And she is stuck. 

You see my sweet aunt, the lady who nudged me to wake me up as I was falling asleep in her church, the beautiful woman that would make me a matching dress EVERY summer, so I would belong to her family on Sundays, the woman who lived out self-control daily, that beautiful woman suffered a terrible blow.  

You see Linda, though young, healthy and active suffered a massive stroke Sunday morning.  She was found by her husband, she was rushed to the hospital, and there was nothing they could do but wait....  

wait...

She is stuck in her head, she can't talk, she can't move and yet every person that sees her takes ownership of who she is.  They KNOW she needs them each, MOST.  Her people, they are fighting, they are screaming, they are aching, they are longing for her.  And I know, she is sitting there hating every minute of it.  

It's just. too. much.

too much focus

too much attention

too much about her

You see, Linda is the kind of saint who leaves the party without telling anyone, because she doesn't want to bother you.  She's quietly present, always.  She is a warrior.  And she is fighting.  Not for herself.  She would rather be with Jesus.  BUT she is so focused on everyone else that she is fighting for them.  I know it in my soul.  

God is comforting her. That too I know in my soul. And I know that in her own head, in her stuck, she is singing hymns and reciting Scripture, because THAT is what comforts.  THAT is what changes.  THAT is what matters.  

Her people are my people. 

And I'm serious about the matching outfits.  I have proof. 

And it occurs to me, the thing that I tease her about, the things that I never understood, I see clearly now.  It was never about her.  It was always about HIM.  And through Him, it was and is about you.  

In your quiet, please remember Linda.  

We need His mercy,

We need His grace,

She needs His healing.

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

I know...I know...

LIFE...it's  busy.

I promise to make some sense out of the spring and beginning of summer and post...something.  But for the moment I will go begin my husband's dinner as we are celebrating the wonderful man he is today.

Happy Father's Day Y'all!

more to come....

Happy Happy Happy

Birthday Jack! 

Lylah our sweet 4 year old, decided to have a Duck Dynasty birthday party.  She loves the show and wanted to "shoot ducks and watch Duck Dynasty".  So we complied and invited all of her little 4 year old friends to come "duck hunting".

Now, that is some "bed head"

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

 A friend knitted some beards for Lylah and all the kids that came. I unfortunately didn't get a picture of all of them wearing the beards. They took their "duck calls" or whistles and went duck hunting for duck decoys we hid around the yard. 

 Heather and Jill posing. 

 A little duck, duck, goose.

And then things went down hill.  

Lylah was enjoying the event, but was for some reason lamenting turning 4.  

 She did not want to leave my side...

 She did not want to open presents.

 She was willing to watch a little "Duck Dynasty"

But was VERY unhappy about anyone singing happy birthday to her! 

4 is a hard age to be. 

My love Lylah Rose, 

You are a ball of fire. Your curly hair fits your personality to a tee.  You love your siblings and though for others you are hard to understand, love to talk.  You laugh hard and love harder! You will do anything TJ or Avarie do, if you feel up to it.  You can get them to do whatever you want to do and have mastered the art of pleading, including the lower lip pout.  You LOVE LOVE LOVE babies, and would play "mommy" all day long.  You are starting to learn how to write and you love to "do school" with us everyday.  Other than TJ and Avarie your very best friend is Paxton with whom you would love to boss around all day long.  You have a heart of gold sweet girl and I am so thankful God chose to place you in our family.  I  look forward to watching you grow into the woman He will make you.  We love you precious girl!  - Mommy

Happy Easter!

We had an AMAZING day on Easter. It was BEAUTIFUL outside, which seems to not happen very often. We went to sunrise service, breakfast, church and Sunday school.  Then we had a great dinner and Easter egg hunt with the Fries family.  Of course, mamma had to get some pictures of my beautiful children.  I unfortunately did not get a picture of our family.  

 Good Night! These girls are gorgeous! 

 Check out this handsome boy! 

 Fun mom and girlies self-portraits

 I was sure we had pictures of all the kids with Tim, but for some reason I only have this one.  

 My love. 

 The Fries cousins, minus one little boy cousin due to

arrive in July.

Daddy's Turn

My handsome husband turned 36 the day after TJ turned 10! I have celebrated 13 birthdays with this wonderful man. I look forward to celebrating another 70!  I love you Tim! 

10 Years Old!

It has been a long break since blogging!  That is what happens when you are busy busy busy.  So here are some updates...

 If you can believe it, I can't.  

Our amazing son is 10.  

 TJ wanted a very specific cake, chocolate cake, peanut butter cup icecream, chocolate frosting, frozen.  Your wish is my command, at least on your birthday!  

"Take the Picture already Mom"

 TJ wanted all things Lego and Hunting.  

 He got a new bike too! 

Sweet boy, 

I can not believe that you are TEN YEARS OLD!! How did that happen?  You are such a leader! I pray that you take those qualities the Lord has given you and use them to lead people toward Him.  You love to be part of the party, no matter what kind of party it is.  You love to watch sports with your dad, and like to play, especially to be a part of a team!  You are silly and funny and a fantastic board game player.  You are a protector of your sisters and so good at helping with younger kids.  You constantly ask for another sibling, but only if it can be a boy.  You are a good friend and care deeply for those around you. I love you son, and I am so thankful to be on this journey with you!  -Mama