Pines Pages

[Dora]

Things seem to be settling down around my place.
My youngest did well fighting off an infection in a wound from a skate board incident.

The kids and cubby played softball last night. I enjoyed watching them tremendously. My middle kid, Ironsharpensiron, had a tremendous hit. I was so thrilled I couldn't quit smiling for 30 minutes. Made me consider how much more we thrill the Lord when we do something to make him proud.

I've been enjoying some tulips that grow near my roses. Every time I look at them I think about grabbing a shot with the camera to share them with you. Finally today, I accomplished this.

I also planted some flowers in my tricycle. Yes I really do have a tricycle.
My youngest helped me plant some flowers in a boot he wore when he was just a toddler and a pot my dad "antiqued" for me. It is rather special because I never asked for this, he just thought I'd like it. He used acid to accomplish this. The rubber gloves he wore had a small pin hole in them. The accid leaked in the glove and the glove held the acid near his finger. He felt a little pain but wanted to finish the pot. So he continued to work. By the time he finished he realized he was in trouble and called 911. He lost his finger over trying to make this pot for me. May 12 marked the 4th year of his presence in the Heavenly realms. I'm anxious to get to know him as he is now after he has witnessed the presence of God and the fullness of His love.

my tricycle...

The little black boot my boys wore as toddlers. Monkeysj planted a little flower in it for me. And the flower pot is the one my dad "antiqued" for me.

I wish I had some ivy to put into it. Would look real nice hanging over the edge.

This is the tulips that are blooming now. Sorry for the fuzzy pictures. They are different than the earlier ones I posted because they bloom later and have yellow on the inside as well as pointed tips instead of rounded ones.




I have to get to work filling in the hole in the back ground were cubby pulled up a ratty looking bush for me. When I get the energy.

[goldieluvs]

awwwwwwwwwww nice sis!!! i just love flowers! Makes me wanna go outside and pick some to put on the table


luv ya

[xxJILLxx]

the flowers are just gorgeous piney!

So glad things are settling down for you sis.

Congrats on that hit ironsharpensiron!

Love u guys!

Gb
♥Jill

[Tam]

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a flower Tricycle.....Thought you were after me again to run me over!
Beautiful flowers..and what a splendid idea with the boot!
Love ya sis

[Dora]

No it's not real, but this one is....



Excuse me Tam coming through.

[Dora]

Wow! What a wonderful weekend.

The weather was fabulous.
Everyone was happy.
I woke up Friday morning so frustrated. It seems everything Cubby and I set out to do we have to walk around a bunch of mountains to accomplish one simple task. There's constantly an abundance of things getting in the way. So I spent Friday in prayer for God to remove obstacles, open doors, or what ever needs to happen to release us from what seems to be some sort of holding back of reaching our goals.

Friday night we ran across and add for a dozen chickens. And a price you can't find anywhere! I was amazed at how cheep they were. So Saturday morning I called. Personally I don't care for the work and effort of chickens. They are rather cool, but messy and smelly. But cubby loves the farm fresh eggs. So we drove the distance to pick up the chickens. Which to my amazement no one had grabbed this deal before us. This never happens. We had a wonderful time getting to know the farming couple and shared stories and experiences before we drove home with our 12 dozen peeping chicks.

Back at home it was time to repair the chicken coop which has been out of commission for a few years now. Cubby asked me to do some work that I hadn't done in years. Wasn't sure if I could remember the proper way to do this. Wasn't sure I could find the tools. To get everything together and complete the tast would take all weekend. But for my hubby I began the task while trying to not let him see my inner attitude of not wanting to do this. And once again to my amazement everything worked out beautifully! Didn't even have to run to the store to pick up parts. Found everything I needed around the house and shed. Well there were a few oops moments that I had to redue my work, but all in all I felt I did well and things worked out better than I had expected. With in a few hours the coop was cleaned up and had lights and electric outlets.

With the barns not being used the grass had grown tall. No animals to keep it all knocked down. So we began mowing and picking up. Cutting down shrubs that had gotten tall. We stood enjoying our days work and as we talked we realized we had enough fence and a gate to make a pen and attach it to the chicken coop so the little chickies could enjoy the outdoors. I'm thinking, this isn't going to work. It never does. I don't mean to sound negative, but seriously, It really never does. Always a mountain or two in the way to go around. No mountains. With in just a few hours the fence was up and attached to the coop.

We began working on the strawberry patch. The kids joined in. We got it weeded together. I absolutely enjoyed this time as it's usually just me doing the weeding. They each chose a row of berries and it will be their new chore to keep that row weed free, runners in the row and berries harvested. Wow what a huge help this will be for me.

Tilled the garden, fertilized, and began preparing rows. Up here in Northern Michigan Memorial weekend is the weekend to plant. I know the rest of the world or just about it seems already has tomatoes on the vines, but we have late frosts so we must wait.

Transplanted a dozen plants into my flower garden. I was amazed at all the work we accomplished.

Cubby has been a bit down lately. Frustrated it seems. I realized just as I have to create to feel fulfilled he has a dream of running his farm and with out this dream being fulfilled he to must feel frustrated. He is a farmer. Always has been at heart. Raising pigs and cows when he was very young despite the fact that his parents were city folks and knew nothing as to how to help him. He did it on his own. I saw in him this week end a new joy spring up and replace that frustration I've been sensing in him. I realized must encourage him to reach this dream and do what I can to help him succeed. Instead of standing back and just being a spectator, I gotta be part of the team. Cause I love him. This must sound rather crazy to people who don't live that farm life.

So anyhow to sum up the weekend it was awesome, cause God answers prayers.

Wednesday marks our 20th anniversary. I keep thinking, wow! 20! Am I that old. I don't feel it. I want to do something special for him to mark this date. Not sure what. Wednesday is a very busy day for us. And life will just be getting busier afterward. He'd be happy with the day being spent just like every other day. Together, sharing in the ups and downs of the day. Traditional gift would be china. But I don't think cubby would be to interested in china.

[Leaps4Joy]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU BOTH!!!


Sounds like you all had a good weekend

So glad to hear!



I LOVE YOU!!

[xxJILLxx]

Wow piney lots to do around your home!

Your a wonderful wifey and maybe a trip to China?



20 years is quite the accomplishment! Congratulations to you both.


God bless

♥Jill

[goldieluvs]

sorry a lil late but HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

[Dora]

Awww ty all.

We had a very busy day yesterday. But did manage to go out to dinner alone. We had fajitas at a Mexican restaurant in between getting ironsharpensiron from drivers training and taking the two boys to boy scouts. Then had to run snowy to town to get stuff for her school project.

Saturday my aunt and uncle is taking us out for dinner to celebrate. Looking forward to that.

My days are filled with preparing for a new foster child we will be getting very soon. Lots to do to make this transition run smoothly. If you think of us, please remember us in your prayers over this new addition.

[Dora]

Today we drove past a farm of a man we've known for many years.

He passed away a month ago.

He planted many fields every year. One field he planted all sunflowers. When asked what he does with them he said nothing. He just likes the way they look. I've always enjoyed driving past that field. Every time I'd see the sunflowers I'd think of him working hard and enjoying that one field more than the others.

Today we drove past and there are no sunflowers. It is the first time in many years there's not been the bright yellow sunflowers to brighten my drive. I cried. Our drive took us to the home of a graduating senior. Who's dad just passed away. I'm amazed at how they are carrying on. Smiles on their faces. Asking me about my family and their needs despite their pain of recent loss.

One uncle is in ICU, another struggling cancer, a niece just attempted suicide. With in my own home an 11 year old who thinks it's us against him. Yet wants to stay here with us.

[jamisfaithnjoy]

The guy you spoke of with the sunflower field sounds like he was such a nice gentleman.I cannot even think of any women offhand that I know who grow sunflowers anymore but yet that gent did.Such a soft soul.Very hard to find a man that likes flowers let alone will sit and just gaze at them.The man you speak of sounds like he will surely be missed sis That is something I myself enjoyed doing as a child.I recall one neighbor had just one growing in her yard and I'd always stop by on my big wheel or just walk to look at it.

I will be praying for you and your Sammy.May the Lord's will be done there.(and of course it will be )I'm glad to hear he still wants to be a part of your home.Every child deserves a loving home no doubt and adults deserve some sanity in the midst of storms.Whether it's our own child that's making life a bit difficult/alot difficult or someonelse's biological child,each and every child deserves a safe,loving home and most preferably one where Christ is in the center of it..Unfortunately,the song doesn't always end that way.This is one cold and cruel world we live in..Without Christ,these children and all children will end up being a part of the horror stories we see on the media,the radio and of course the internet.. I've always been pretty majorly passionate over children that have seen or been through more than most of us adults ever would in a single lifetime... In a perfect world,to be abandoned,abused in all forms,murdered as a result of a child being at the mercy of some God-less person,would never happen..But the year is 2010..it happens and daily...hourly would not surprise me in this day and age and these children are trusting adults(the ones that usually very miserably fail them)to keep them safe and fight for them against things or people of a bigger stature..but we can't..NOT without God and not without each other in prayer...Just a little big ago,my own son was getting ready for bed and I was watching tv and I asked him if he wanted me to pray with and for him before he went to bed...He crouched down and closed his eyes while I prayed..He also went to church both times with me today and had alot of fun the 2nd time..Why is this so signifigant?..Because the Lord works miracles..and He will for you too in all this sis..May the Lord bless you and your family(11 yr. old included there) always..Love ya, Jami