Young Photographer and Siblings

For Outdoor Wednesday as hosted
by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

Yesterday, Mrs. Rabe and I headed
to Longwood Gardens to begin a fun
project with our Homeschool Co-op.

We have been invited to decorate a
wildlife tree for the Christmas Season.

Honestly, standing in a second story
room, sweating like a pig(far from glamorous!), when it is
90 degrees and humid makes Christmas
seem far, far away.

However, we were very excited to meet
our hostess and new friend, Pandora,
who is in charge of this project.

She showed us samples of ornaments
made for her tree. We are not expected
to duplicate her designs but to come up
with our own of which most will have
an edible component for the many birds
at Longwood Gardens.

After our time inside we left with several
bags of seed pods and other natural items
to begin our work. On the way out it seemed
a good idea to treat the Rabe children to
some time in two treehouses. They were so
patient to wait as we chatted away.

Just outside the first treehouse were these
awesome felled trees and stumps.

I had fun watching the children play here.



Miss Rachel returns from the treehouse
camera in hand.



She spots something in the trees
overhead...raising her camera to
get the perfect shot.




I find a smiling Sarah
willing to pose.



Master Kyle is very intent on keeping
his step on this log.



Looking at these shady photos
you would never know we were
melting!



The sun through the trees.
Love it!



Coming soon...photos taken while we were
without power last evening. Bad, bad storms
blew down trees which took power lines.
We finally got power at 2:20 am.
One good thing...I got to begin
burning my butterfly candle.
It IS pretty!

Honey Wheat Bread...and a Diagnosis

Oops! I did it again!

This is so much easier and more
fun than I could have possibly imagined.

So for breakfast...a thick slice
of bread with butter and my mother-in-law's
strawberry freezer jam...yum...

On a different subject all together,
several of you have asked about Jonathan's back.
Thank you!
He will be starting Physical Therapy for
approximately two months to see if it
brings him relief from the leg pain.

An x-ray revealed a slight scoliosis and
an unusual turn at the base of his spine.

The doctor really doesn't feel that this is
the primary cause of his leg pain but it is
just good information for the therapists to
have as they work with him.

I figured that the x-ray was just fine because
we hadn't heard anything from the doctor...
then she called yesterday after church.
That was a surprise. I guess she was on
duty and was clearing up her paperwork,
or something.



So that is the latest, other than over the weekend Mikey
had that horrible, horrible upper respiratory
and high fever stuff that is going around.
He is finally getting onto his feet.
We will have to evaluate his condition
when it is time for work...
I feel terrible that he worked with
the fever on Friday.
I didn't know that he was sick.
He didn't know that he was sick.
He just thought that it was terribly cold...
and it was one of the warmest days we have had
yet.
Poor guy!

Hope your new week starts out well.


♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Sanctity of Life Sunday

Honoring the value
inherent in human life.

Whether it is the
unborn baby...



For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:1-16



...or the sick and elderly

Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old. Proverbs 23:22



You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:32

All have value in the
eyes of God, the creator.

Blessings on your Sunday.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Another Day of Riding Lessons

Mom and Chelsea are getting to be quite the riders.

It has been a while since I have tagged along for
a lesson but Chelsea said she wanted me to come
today.

It was fun.

The weather here is rather fall like, after nasty
thunderstorms yesterday that dropped hail the size
of quarters in places. Even this morning there was
a heavy morning shower before the air cleared and
the sun came out. It is beautiful now.

Here are some shots of Chelsea's lesson.
She has a very nice way with the horse and
seems to be quite good with having a nice
tight circle when she cuts around a barrel or
other object. It was very pretty to see her
make Sandi trot. I am pleased with Chelsea's
progress.








While Chelsea was taking her lesson Grandma Ruth was
being entertained by Miss Sarah.


I was so fascinated by the intensity on her face as she talked.





Love it!
Then she was off!



After about an hour of Chelsea riding it was Mom's turn.
I know that my Aunt and my Brother will enjoy these pictures.


It was immediately obvious how much more comfortable Mom has become with Sandi. She was right up there talking to her and patting her.









Mom is sitting straighter and definitely more in control now.


It was so nice to be there and see what a great teacher Lindsay is. She is patient with horse and student, alike.
Grandpa Bob and I were able to spend a few minutes chatting while his horse, Cheyenne, ate all of the grass in her area, which happened to be the length of a rope Grandpa Bob was holding. At one point I thought she might try to get at the grass under my feet.

It was nice to see Mrs. Rabe and Miss Paula briefly while the lesson was happening.
Tomorrow I hope to get to have one last fun outing with Mrs. Rabe and Miss Paula before she returns to her home in CA ...we will see.

I just have to mention that last evening I enjoyed watching some of the Olympics with Paula's daughter Kaitlin. It was especially interesting because Kaitlin is a swimmer so I learned more about the suits and the backstroke than I would have by just watching alone. Thanks Kaitlin!
It has been fun getting to know you this visit!

Well, this is a long post, but hopefully you have enjoyed the pictures.

Blessings on your day!

Becky K.

Good Times with Grandma and Gardening with Mikey

Jonathan and Chelsea are about to finish up a great week in Virgina with both of their Grandmothers. Every night the cell phone rings and we get a play by play of their day. It would seem that next week everyone at our house is going to be sore and exhausted. They are keeping so busy: hiking, swimming, mini golf and touring local attractions. Chelsea and Warren's Mom, Georgia went trail riding on horses yesterday. Miss Chelsea has informed me that she will want to do more of this. Loved it!!!

Mikey has been very busy here working, helping us at the church and doing a side job for the neighbor. It would seem that his dream of working in Landscaping is coming true. After being at Longwood Gardens on Memorial Day we submitted an email to them regarding an internship program that is offered. The problem is, they usually only accept students from two local schools. We are not in those districts. I received a reply that Mikey would gladly be considered for a future semester. He is in the process of building a portfolio and making flower beds, etc. to put himself in a position that they would want him.

So, part of that process was making a large flower bed in our front yard. Mikey removed the sod and planted 4 rose bushes, a hydrangea, 2 Russian sage and 4 other perennials whose names escape me. The best part? He paid for all of it himself. Even the mulch that he then covered it with. It is absolutely gorgeous.







As he was making this flower bed a neighbor...whose lawn is "to die for"...stopped and found out what he was doing. She hired him a few days later to do her lawn care...not the mowing...but the weed and feed, caring for the bushes, etc. So, this summer is shaping up to be a busy one for Mikey with his regular part time job and this side job.

To make it even better...her husband knows some men that are in the maintenance department at Longwood and wants to get Mikey together with them. Any and all of these experiences and contacts are great for our ambitious young man.

It has been an exciting time. I am glad for all of my kiddos for the opportunities that came their way this week!

Blessings on your day!

"The Look"

I love after dinner conversations!

Recently we were enjoying one of these,
maybe it was Mother's Day, I am not sure.
Anyway, the time is not important.
What came out of it may be helpful to
someone.

When the children were young and likely
to get tired and cranky in a public place
I developed a "look" that I would give
them that meant "Behave! Now!"
They knew there would be consequences
when we got home if that look did not
change an attitude or a behavior.

I had all but forgotten about it but
Jonathan mentioned it during this conversation.
He said it went straight through him.
It got his attention and he did not like
"the look"! I guess that is why I did not
have to use it much with him.

I attempted to recreate it, but it is not
something I can force.
It had to be sincere.
We all laughed at my sad attempts to
"look mean".

The reason I mention this is for the parents
of young children who find taking them
places unpredictable and stressful.

It does not have to be that way.

Many times children act out in public
because they know you aren't going to
be quick to punish them there.

Note: Punishment does not have to involve
physical pain. The carrying out of the consequences of
discipline does not have to happen on the spot.
As soon as your child is old enough to know right
from wrong they can learn this technique.

If you have an established consequence that is
"painful enough" such as removal of a favorite
toy for a day...or something else that will
prompt the preferred behaviors, all that will
be necessary is that look from you and that
whiny child will find it within themselves to
grasp control and stop the negative behaviors.

You know your child and what his or her triggers are.

If you do not have that secret look established,
now is the time. It will save you and your child so
much anguish. Choose the consequence.
Make it one that matters to your child!
Forewarn your child what "that look" means.

Save "the look" for major infractions. Don't use it for
things that you can correct by conversations on the spot,
but believe me, if you need it...use it!

Follow through!!!!! If you have to use the look and your
child does not straighten up...DO enforce the agreed upon
consequences! Otherwise, you are going to have to work
twice as hard to earn their respect.

So many times I have wanted to pull an obviously
stressed mother over for a one-to-one parenting
consultation right there in the store. It breaks
my heart to see children stomping all over their
parents, so to speak.
I know I cannot do this,
but it doesn't keep me from wanting to!

I tried to remember to tell the children when
they were behaving well. Letting them know what
attitudes and behaviors were desired. Sometimes
we forget that we are still teaching them in
everything we do and every activity. They are
learning how to "be" in this world.
It is so easy for us to get so caught up in
the things we need to get done to push our
children mentally to the side.

I also liked to occasionally offer a positive.
Maybe a treat from the candy at the register
or something special later in the day.
However, be careful with this because I
have heard way too many parents go back on this after
there has been bad behavior and give the "treat" anyway.
Example: Jr. was pitching a fit at the register
and this was the one time that Mom or Dad
could not persevere.

Parenting young ones is a real blessing.

Parenting young ones is a real challenge.

May God richly bless those of you who are in this
stage of your life.
Love those young ones with lots of hugs, kisses,
and discipline.

God loves a Happy Marriage

I have at least three friends who
are in very serious struggles in
their marriages at this moment.

I do not believe that the love is
gone in any of the cases...
I believe that it is a matter of
focus and priority.

We, as Moms, focus so much on raising
our children.
Honestly, in the young years,
what else can we do?
We are swamped!

I can recall a day when the boys
were toddlers that I stood and
cried as Warren walked out the
door to work wishing so much that
it was me.

I loved my boys but I was so tired!

They were busy little guys and I needed
adult conversation and a challenge.

Looking back, I can recognize that this
period of time was so short...it just did not
feel that way, at the time.

But, we Moms, pour so much energy into our
children that what is left for our husbands
when they come home?

Do we feel like taking a walk...just the
two of us?

Do we have the extra bucks to hire a sitter
and go out to dinner?

Can we even stop to think about saying an
appreciative word to each other?

It is hard... but it is crucial!

Marriage takes work.

The work pays off in really big dividends.

A well placed word of encouragement and
confidence goes so far in making a wife
be that person her husband turns to with
both his struggles and his joys.

This is more important than anything else
required of us, ladies.

Our marriage should be our first priority.

Yes, I said, first!
Right after our time with God!

You are saying, "How?
Shouldn't the kids
be number one?"

Nope!

You are saying,
"But I have nothing left...
I am tired!"

It doesn't take a lot.

Just a special look.
A mini back rub.
An unexpected "I love you" or
"Thanks for all you do for us."

Praying for your husband.
That his day would
be profitable and that he would be well.

Carving out a time that is his and yours.

Mrs. Rabe and her husband, Tim, will sit out
on their deck together. They have six children!
They let the children know that this is their time and
they enjoy the fellowship of each others company.
I know this because she has blogged about it at
Creekside Cottage.
A wise woman, indeed!

What a great word for this time...fellowship!

We ladies love to fellowship!
We fellowship with other ladies
and other families...
but do we fellowship with
our husbands?

My Mom has one word of advice for newly marrieds
or those who have been married for 50 years...
"Pray together!"
It has the power to break down walls, to soften
hearts. It is hard to begin if you are not in the
habit...but well worth the effort.

Don't know how to begin these changes, if
this is all new and you are in a pattern that
would make this hard?
How about writing a note to your guy.
Tell him that you love him and you want to
spend some time with him.
Tell him how much he means to you and that
you have missed really being with him.

You don't have to freak him out and make him
think that you need hours...let him know that
you want to know how you can better support him
in his day and that a few minutes each day together
would help you to know how to pray for him.

He might think it strange... but he will love that
you care enough to do this!!!

Don't expect him to express this, necessarily.
Guys are sometimes hard to read.
They protect their emotions until they are sure
that we can be trusted 100 percent!
If there is a gap in that fellowship this can
take a bit of time.

He might think you want a new sink...
or a maid! Ha!

You'll just have to be consistent and love
him unconditionally until he "gets" that you
love him and appreciate him.

By the way, if you are not "feeling" the love...
pray for him. No, not that God would change HIM!
I can hear you now..."Oh, Lord, make my husband more
loveable today!" lol
That's not it!
Pray, "Lord, how can I be a better listener
for my husband? Please be with him today in all he does.
Thank you for blessing me with ______ ."
It is very hard not to love
someone that you are sincerely praying for.

I hope that even if your marriage is completely
happy that something here will give you the
inspiration to just fellowship a little more with
your spouse today and in the days to come.

Invest a few minutes each day in your marriage.
Make it your priority.

Tell me if it makes a difference.

You don't have to leave a comment for the
world. You can email me.
The address is on the side bar.

Join me in praying for the strengthening of
my friends' marriages.
In fact, we should be
praying for all of our
marriages in these fast
paced and pressure filled days.

For the Mommies....

Mommies have power.


We have the power to
shape our world.

We can change the course
of history...

One household at a time.

We have been given a great
and marvelous responsibiity...
to care for our homes
and raise up our children
in the Way they should go.

It is the Mother who is sharing
her values with that toddler
as he learns to be respectful.

It is the Mother who models
forgiveness as her little one
breaks that precious vase.

It is Mommy who models love and
respect for Daddy.
Through her every action
reinforcing the
relationship between
father and child.

It is Mommy who snuggles and
cuddles when things are scary in
this world.
She reassures that,
in God's hand,
all will be fine.

Mother has the power to build
up confidence in a young person.

She also has the power to take
that confidence away.

We, my dear mommy friends,
are preparing the next generation
of our world.

What are you doing
with your power
today?

Let's teach these young people
what is right and wrong.
Yes, there are absolutes!!!!

Let's comfort and genuinely care
about our young people
when they hurt...
And they do sometimes.

Let's come alongside them
in their dreams and goals.
We have the power
to make or break their
confidence by our responses
and expectations.

Let's treat them with respect
and expect the same from them.

Lets raise solid, strong
adults who know what
they believe
and why...

Adults who know
the Word,
and are students
of it.

Who know the value
of a dollar...
and the dangers of
debt.

Adults who wish to
get involved in
the world around them
in a positive way.

Adults who minister to
the hurting they see
around them with
compassion

This is not too much
to ask.
This is possible by
claiming...
or maybe reclaiming...
the power given to
us as mothers.

We are shaping our world.

One Child at a time!

Doing the Right Thing

Sometimes being a parent is all about doing the right thing even when it makes someone, like maybe your child, angry with you. This has been a week where that has been necessary. We have had to intervene in a friendship for Mikey that was taking him in a wrong direction.

I have not enjoyed this...at all!

Mikey is not thrilled with me, at this point!

Interestingly, though, this week has also been hard for two of my friends in almost the same way. They have had to parent the hard way.

You know, I guess that is truly what parenting is. It is natural to love our children and to enjoy their company.

It is hard to do those things that bring their wrath.

We put this intervention off as long as we could and as long as Mikey was taking steps to get himself out of the situation but the friend just could not take "no" for an answer.

We only get a few years to help these young people learn how to make the right decisions and then they are on their own. We are very proud of Mikey for the conclusions he came to. He was really trying to do the right thing.

We hope he forgives us soon for stepping in and amputating the diseased friendship.

Anybody been there? Is there hope?

We are continuing to include Mikey in every family activity so he is not left alone in the house. He grumbles at the beginning but eventually warms up to the fun going on around him. We had a nice dinner, ok it was getting nice towards the end, at a local pizzeria last evening and then came home for a Wii nine hole golf game.
Mikey won!!!!
Of course!!!
He beat his Grandma who has golfed all over the country.

My prayer is that one day he will be glad for our help in this situation that was over his head. I am thankful that we were able to take this step before he got his driver's license next year. Hopefully this person will be out of his system by then.

Please pray with me that Mikey will come to see himself through the love of Christ. He hates himself right now as he deals with a very bad case of acne. It is tough. But he is so funny and likable. So popular with everyone but himself.

I think of Mark Lowery's song, This Too Shall Pass!
It will...so soon our children will be out on their own and we will be remembering these days and shaking our heads...then we will whip out those 50 gazillion photos of the grandchildren and B-R-A-G!!!!

Then we will say a prayer for our children as they, ahem, get back everything they gave us? As they parent their children!

Thanks for listening...

Prayer for our Mikey

I will not share details but would request your prayers for our Mikey, the middle son, as he works through some hard times right now.
It is not easy being a teen!
Also that Warren and I will have the wisdom to know how to help him.
Thanks,

Shelley and Becky - Forever Friends

O.k. You asked for it. This is my friend, Shelley. We raised our children in houses side by side for several years. Shelley was the one who took my preschool boys every day while I was on bedrest for many months while expecting Chelsea.
Shelley is the friend who fell through our ceiling while looking for a document in my attic that I needed to register Mikey for kindergarten. She was there because I am afraid of heights and she came to my "rescue". Warren patched the hole. lol
Shelley is the friend that came to visit one weekend when Warren was away and ended up caring for me while I had the stomach flu. I think if it were me, I would have hurried on back to State College!
Shelley is one of those friends that just picks up where we left off the last time when we talk.
If you don't have one of these extra special friends...go out there and get you one!
Oh, if it were only that easy...
I miss seeing this friend daily...but always know that she is there and will be available if I need her.

We are just nutty sometimes and this picture, unfortunately, captures that pretty well. I am on the right.