Market 101

Snow Dancing

Today I was on my way to Amberfield Apts.  Cassie Grace is in Arlington and I am going down to grandma D's to stay with her while her mom takes Jeff Christmas shopping.
My thoughts are Heaven bound as I am thinking how blessed I am.
I came up to the T-road and put my blinkers on to turn left...
I looked to my right to check for cars...
and there she was...
this little girl with long curly hair and winter attire.
The snow flakes were falling big and wet around her,
and she was twirling in the snow.
First to the right and then to the left.
The smile on her face would have lit up the sanctuary on a silent night.
I smiled at her, and she stopped.  As I turned the car to the left, our little snow dancer continued with her dance in my review mirror.  She was smiling at me, as the gentle arms of Jesus surrounded the whole area.  I continued on the drive, and thought of the Snow Dance all day, and smiled.

Cassie Grace showing her dance moves

Jordyn Noel and Jeff dancing

Cassie Grace doing the side step

Nola Jean dream dancing

His favorite

His favorite!

It was a beautiful Sunday in Foley.  Grams, Jeff, Lila and I had spent the week-end, and this morning gathered up and headed to New Life church.   JaciAnna and Jordyn went to Sunday school and Conner stayed in church with us and listened to their wonderful worship team, then a Spirit lead sermon called "Keep Swinging". 
When we left the sanctuary, I saw him.  A man who belongs to their church...
I don't know his name,
but, every Sunday he has a bag, he stands in the foyer and hands candy out to everyone.
On this beautiful Sunday filled with the spirit of God - he was there.
He was graciously handing out treats from his bag and he looked at me and said...
"do you see that girl right there?" (he pointed to Jaci Anna)
I said "yes, that is my grand daughter"
he said "SHE IS MY FAVORITE"...
it was said with this strong voice and beautiful smile, and as Jaci Anna took her piece of candy, she smiled.
We left church and went back home.
Jaci Anna went straight to  the big ole recliner and was processing something in her mind, something that made her smile a Kingdom like smile...
she said "mom, you know that man that hands out candy at church? He told me that I was his favorite!"
In that instant I felt the power behind our words in a way that I never had.  This man had no idea that this is exactly what this little girl needed to hear in a human voice.
There is no doubt in my mind that it was God using this man to reach out to her.
I will forever be thank-ful for this day in the Foley church, for this moment of God's voice reaching through another human to touch the heart of a child...
and He whispered...
SHE'S MY FAVORITE.

Nola turns 4

Nola celebrated her 4th year of life in Foley with her friends and family.
There was food, gifts, friends, love
and a pinata.
Jordyn and Nola played the day away as friends gathered around and enjoyed
the beautiful day - there was rain.
Chris hung the pinata in the garage, and the kids took turns until it busted and
sprayed candy on the floor...
The busted up pinata made for a great pair of shoes for the girls to wear out in the
wet yard.
pictures were taken by Nola's daddy and will be added soon.

Conner turns 7

This year again, Conner and Nola celebrated thier birthdays together in Foley.
It was a wonderful time together with our family and friends.
The big surprise was his bike and batting gloves.
Many gifts and cupcakes,
a pinata hanging in the garage.
A daddy grilling and a pot luck.
It was a very fine 7 year old day!
Pictures to be added.
June 21, 2014

TRICKY HORSE

It was time to walk Chloe and Nola wanted to come along.
Today her choice of walking would be to use her red tricycle.
She got it for Christmas from her Gramma Doris and Jeffrey when she was 2 years old, she is now 4.
Well, who am I to say she can't ride her trike? She is peddling with the best of them, keeping up with me and Chloe, taking her turns with ease.
We went a long ways our little Nola and me
Smelling the fresh breeze on our cheeks as Chloe smells the fire hydrants...
That night when she laid down to sleep, she slept well.
However, in the morning she told her mom that she had a
"tricky horse".
With those little legs moving the way they were, I have no doubt that the horse was tricky!
One week later she brought her pink bike that she got from "Bubcha and Jadeck".  It has training wheels and a colorful pinwheel on the handles.  This bike is very much her size and she takes the corners with the sense of a well seasoned biker.  Walking Chloe for many blocks, her little sunflower dress waving in the breeze.
The next morning there was no trickey horse!

North Dakota July 8th, 2014

A couple of years ago Carol had mentioned Medora, North Dakota.  Her and Du had went on a trip touring all the national parks and she remembers this as her favorite.  She tells us she knows Curt will like it and that it will be a wonderful relaxing vacation...
So, the wheels got turning and we saved up money and Duey did the planning.  One of the best parts was the 10 hour drive there and home!  We had our cheeto's, a car DVD player that Carol found, magazines, and sunflower seeds.
The motel we stayed at was a great place and Carol brought 4 matching folding red chairs that we set outside on the "veranda" - this is where we gathered in the morning and in the evening - taking in the beautiful sites of rolling hills, rocks, mustard grass, clouds and beautiful weather.
I am trying to think if there could have been any better way to spend our 35th anniversary...
and there just isn't...
it was perfect!!
Driving through the Roosevelt National park, we dodged wild horses and buffalo and searched out wild flowers.   The sunset was breathtaking and the sunrise beautiful...
we ate stake fondu, and pizza...
we built on our relationship with each other and with our friends.
The whole trip went off without a hitch and I am so thank-ful to Duey for planning and to God our creator for letting us see this magical place here on earth.