Amazing Gifts part 2

In the previous post I mentioned my love for hand-made gifts.   But I must also profess my love for gifts that help my boys expend their energy...outside!

In July, my parents drove up to celebrate Oliver's entry into the Terrible Terrific Twos.  And with them came gifts and the enthusiasm to create an impromptu party. 

Mima and her sous chef, Jayden, baked delicious cupcakes.  Oliver ate about 5. 

And Oliver became the proud owner of his very own tricycle! 

I have enjoyed watching him speed around the yard with his brother and sister.  

But I have greater enjoyment seeing his exhausted little body sound asleep in his crib!

Hand-made Love

  Oliver turned 2 years old this past July, and although we didn't throw a raging party in his honer he did receive some wonderful gifts.

Marty's mom is abounding with creative inspiration, and without fail produces something unique and personal for the kids on their Birthday's and at Christmas.

This year to stir Oliver's imagination she made him this amazing Safari Landscape, complete with hand-stitched boulders.  Then she filled it's pillowcase-like pocket with a dozen plastic animals.  The whole thing rolls up for easy storage, which was her gift to me!

I love these type of gifts, handmade labors of time and love, because as the years go on they will escape the give-away bin and be kept with other childhood treasurers.   

Long after my kids have out-grown the wonder of playing with them, each home-made gift will serve to remind my kids that their Grandmother loved them dearly and invested her love with every stitch.

A Summer Highlight Video

Last summer we made our inaugural trip to Forest Home for Family camp.  We had such a blessed time, that before we left the mountain we signed up for 2011.  But as the time passed our calendars filled with other exciting opportunities -- India Mission Trip just being one of them!-- and Marty felt that he couldn't take any additional time off from work.  I was in an emotional dilemma because I believed God was saying "yes" to going, but what would Family Camp be without the Head of our family?  How could I manage all the activities without Dad, and would the experience be as enriching for our marriage without us both in it together?   God always has a plan!  And it is always so much better than our own!!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts. "

Isaiah 55:8-9

As it turned out two of my best girlfriends were able to go with us, and their husbands stayed behind as well!  So 3 mama's and 8 kids became a family for a week and God moved in our lives and we will be forever changed.  (And Marty was able to use the alone time for serious reflection and time in God's Word, setting family goals and preparing for the challenges ahead.)

Take a moment and enjoy a glimpse of our 6 day adventure.  Plans are already in the works for 2012 -- you just may want to join us!