Happily Celebrating Nona Klare

Wow!! It has been almost six years since this sweet girl hesitantly entered our home. It was the longest pregnancy ever and I learned so much about trusting God through it. I learned lots of other little things too. For one, if you don't know your due date don't just assume that on halloween( and the many days that follow) you can eat all the candy bars you want just because you've already been thinking "the baby" should be here anyday for a whole month. You Will Get Sooo Fat!!! So will that late baby. Also, if you don't know your due date, go ahead and get that sonogram. Even if you really want to be the most natural birthing mom ever---really----just get it. You don't even have to tell the other all natural mommies you did it. Also, when you find out you're pregnant, if that baby is your sixth and you've told her husband you don't want to tell people you're pregnant yet, cause some people already think you are freaks, don't just assume he won't tell every single person in the world secretly anyway! That part, looking back now, is sweet just because he was so excited. How many men can you say that about?

Anyway, here she is now.....

My plans are to take her with my nice camera to take some pics of just her before her birthday and maybe out for tea. Her sweet little top tooth is just getting loose and it makes me sad. Even though still beautiful, once those baby teeth are gone their little faces change so much. Sooo, that's why I need to get pics NOW! Her birthday is not til monday but everyone has special plans for her. She has mentioned a candyland cake and her biggest sis is planning to "go all out" for her with the cake. I think we'll be heading out for special pans and candy of course.

Nona Klare is such a special gentle little blessing in our family. We all love her so much.

Oh, and here she is still with baby teeth.....

Cowboy

My daddy bought these boots about 17 years ago when Richard and I first moved to Dallas. You know....Texas.....cowboys......boots. I think he bought them in Ft. Worth. Maybe Dallas. I can't remember, but we'll say Ft. Worth cause its more the cowboy town. He gave them to Cason as soon as they fit him and now they fit Cole. Max just can't wait for his brief moment of papa's boots fitting him, so he's trying them out already. This cowboy is ready for whatever comes his way. He's tough, but still needs his momma too.

About three times a day, he takes a break from his "doings" and says "hold me like a baby". I know that sounds pitiful, but really it's not. He doesn't say it in a little whimpy voice if that's what you're imagining. Oh, no. It's a command. A cowboy command. I have no choice. Not that I'd want it any other way. We usually rock on the front porch for a minute. I forgive him for all he's done since the last time he commanded me to hold him like a baby and think about how he probably won't be asking much longer. I love being his momma!!!

Best Buddies

Love 'em!! They can really cause some trouble though!! Walking the neighborhood at Bonclarken---in the rain. It was a fun day.

Ballerinas at Sullivan's Island

Dance on Wednesday mornings and then guitar classes for the older girls on Sullivan's Island right after. Looking forward to lots of walks on the beach while we wait. 

Coconut Truffles and Pretty Fudge Shapes

When Richard and I got married, we received an electric wok as a wedding gift. It was one of my favorite and most used gifts. It came with a little pamphlet-like cookbook with about 20 recipes.  Richard made stir fry chicken and broccoli at least twice a month the first year we were married. I learned alot about him watching him in action. Really, I remember thinking how different we were. He is a perfectionist. I am not. He would have all the ingredients lined up ready to go. I would NEVER do that: ) Silly boy! He never started til he was totally ready. I jump right in there all confident and stuff. He brought his A-game everytime for sure. He had every ingredient everytime. I use what I have. It called for cornstarch that was mixed with chicken broth. He would measure it exactly.(heehee) I would have just dumped it all in. Anyways, he's a better cook!! Unfortunately, since that first year, I don't think he's walked in the kitchen until today. That first year he was motivated by his clueless and hungry bride. Today he was motivated by Nona Klare! She showed him the two recipes she wanted to make. The recipes are called "Coconut Truffles" and "Pretty Fudge Shapes". The two of them went to the market and shopped for all the ingredients. She was so excited and especially happy to be going somewhere all by herself with her daddy. And just as when we were first married, Richard brought his A-game. They all had so much fun cookng in the kitchen with daddy. I loved watching him in action. It's so sweet seeing him enjoy making his girls happy. Some things never change. I love my family.

Oh, yeah, while I was snapping some photos, Karis announced she was blogging about daddy cooking. I immediately said, oh no, missy! I'm blogging. After a little spat, we decided it would probably be OK for us both to do it. She also challenged me to a competition. So, whose blog post do you like best?? If you pick her post as your favorite it will be a compliment to us both cause I'm her momma and teacher: )You can find her at Winsome Composition in my.. stalker...I mean followers list.

How Firm a Foundation

I was listening to Michael Card sing this beautiful hymn which I've heard so many times before over the years and I finally listened to the wonderfully deep words.  Know what I mean??? Hope these words can encourage someone else as it has me.

(this might be my favorite stanza)

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

Scenes from Late Summer

Pretty baby with her Nana....just enjoying country life....

Nona at Nana's with a flower in her hair....

Cason receiving advice at his meet from dad!

Kimmi REALLY having a fun time with her cousins!!

Karis and Kamryn-sweet girls of mine!!!

Surprise-----We have kittens

Mommy and her baby!

Kimmi driving her papa. He always gives good lessons!

Max and Kamryn waiting their turn to drive. I'm serious!