Birthday Blessings

~I love it!~

~Cheesecake Factory...Reese's Peanut Butter Cheesecake~

~Birthday Tulips from sweet Hubbie~

~delicious birthday cake from my parents~

~my sweet gifts~

~Japanese Cherry Blossom products, Who's New at the Zoo? by Janette Oke,

a new Taste of Home Cookbook, a new rustic vase,

a garden flag, Starbucks gift card,

Food Network cookbook, and several meals out~

~oreo ice cream cake for dessert~

I had a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday, Donna Lynn!!

"R", "D", "S", and I would like to wish you a "Happy Birthday"!! 

We hope you enjoyed yourself so far this Birthday week and enjoy the Big Day!

 



And back again, Presenting the "Gallagher Family Trio" and a tribute to Mommy!!

 We Love You!

Love,

"Hubbie," "R," "D," and "S"

It's here~well, maybe....

Yes, the colder weather has departed...at least for the day...and the kids and I have enjoyed some gorgeous spring weather! :) After a quick trip to the dentist to check on my two-year-old's front tooth, we ran a few errands, came home and played in the front yard. We chatted with our sweet neighbor, met a new neighbor family across the street, and enjoyed some warm sunshine. Tomorrow? Well, let's just say it's supposed to be near 50 degrees and raining...but that's okay. The pollen will get washed away.   ;)

As you could tell, I have been taking a little break from the blog, and it has been very nice. I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday wherever you happen to be!

The Secret

I ran across this beautiful poem just this morning...and thought I would share it. Have a wonderful Thursday!

The Secret

by Ralph Cushman

I met God in the morning

When my day was at its best,

And His Presence came like sunrise

Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,

All day long He stayed with me,

And we sailed in perfect calmness

O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,

Other ships were sore distressed,

But the winds that seemed to drive them

Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,

With a keen remorse of mind,

When I, too, had loosed the moorings

With the Presence left behind.

So I think I know the secret,

Learned from many a troubled way;

You must seek Him in the morning

If you want Him through the day.

A Blessing~

These pictures are a little blurry, but you can tell
what our blessing is, can't you?  ;)

~Hubbie took this picture while I was driving~

~the big "turn-over"~

we are so thankful that our Chevy

has run so well for the last 6 1/2 years!



And so, I continue~

I Thessalonians 5:18--In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Not just when times are easy, nor when times are difficult, but every. single. day. I should be looking for the many things I have to be thankful for! The verse says "in every thing"...big or small...noticed or unnoticed...important or mundane...new or old...I am to give thanks in every thing. And, so, my list continues as I join Ann and many other believers on this amazing journey...



Counting~#21-35

21. the faithfulness of my husband
22. quiet time with Jesus before the children wake up
23. a special friend for my son
24. reading to my kids before bed
25. smiling faces when I say "Daddy is on his way home!"

26. the "Night Night Book"
27. cleaning supplies
28. good health
29. coffee with peppermint mocha creamer
30. the study of Acts with my church family on Wednesday nights--I've learned so much!

31. planning for some family time
32. comfortable bed
33. warm socks on cold mornings
34. godly parents
35. my Sunday School class

Psalm 91:1-2

Psalm 91:1-2

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:

my God; in him will I trust.

St. Patrick's Day~2011

I hope everyone had a nice Saint Patrick's Day! Did you know Saint Patrick was a missionary to Ireland? His story is a very fascinating one if you ever get the chance to read it. You can find his story just by typing "Saint Patrick" in your search engine.  :)

With Irish ancestry in both my family and in Hubbie's family, we usually wear green and have some sort of decorations in the house. Here's a picture of our dessert tonight. Everyone agreed~it was yummy (and it was sugar-free)!

~what's under that lid?~

~a shamrock cake, of course!~

I hope each of you has a wonderful Friday and a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by today!

Simple Joys~

Happy Wednesday! Or "Hump Day" as we used
to call it when I was in college.

This may seem a little silly, but the other day,
Hubbie and I were at Chick-Fil-A.

We went through the drive-through, and then
parked the car so we could enjoy our food.

In our bag, we found a
chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and this!

How clever is that design?

And, yes, Hubbie graciously took a picture of it before he used it.   ;)

Details...

Aren't you glad that God cares about the little details?

With a conflict of schedules for our upcoming dentist appointments, I called the office yesterday to see if I could change the appointment. The receptionist said, "I know I'm not crazy, Donna, but I cannot find you and your kids in my book for April 14th." Someone evidently had failed to write us in...but God knew we would not be able to make that appointment anyway!

We were rescheduled for two weeks later, but I love how God knows and cares about even the little details of my life!

One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11~

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

Where I Want to Be

This beautiful hymn is one that my oldest daughter sings in her Bible class...and it speaks volumes...

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Beneath the cross of Jesus

I fain would take my stand

The shadow of a mighty Rock

Within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness,

A rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide heat,

And the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus

Mine eye at times can see

The very dying form of One

Who suffered there for me;

And from my smitten heart with tears

Two wonders I confess

The wonders of redeeming love

And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow

For my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine than

The sunshine of His face;

Content to let the world go by,

To know no gain nor loss,

My sinful self my only shame,

My glory all the cross.

This hymn was written by a Scottish woman in the 1800's. Elizabeth Clephane, although frail and weak, was known in her community as a cheerful and helpful person, but died at the early age of thirty-nine. She wrote a total of eight hymns. This hymn and "The Ninety and  Nine" are her only hymns that have endured to this day. I found this information here.

Have a beautiful Thursday!

Waiting

~ready, waiting, and watching for dessert!~

Starting my List

For some time now, I've been wanting to join with other bloggers to count the gifts God has given me. I'm going to start my list today...and I'm linking to A Holy Experience.  I am really looking forward to seeing how God is going to use this in my life!

#1-20

1. my salvation
2. a loving and God-fearing husband
3. being able to check on my mom this morning
4. my own copy of the Bible
5. a pastor who loves God
6. hugs from my husband
7. winter is almost over
8. beautiful, godly music
9. three beautiful children
10. a washer and dryer
11. good food to eat
12. clean water to bathe with
13. freedom to home educate my children
14. a working computer
15. knowing that God knows and cares about each situation on my prayer list
16. knowing that God will answer each request in His time
17. a sweet group of children for my Sunday School class--we had 27 kids yesterday!
18. Ladies Bible Study at my church
19. good friends
20. reliable transportation, that even at 99,000 miles, still runs really well 

Just having fun~

With a cowgirl and a soldier, I am well-protected here at home!  ;)

Happy Thursday!

Around the Corner

Spring really is around the corner...even though the temperatures might not reflect that this morning! In my area, it is supposed to be in the 60's by Friday!  WooHoo! Here are a few pictures that remind me of spring...Enjoy!

~the best part about spring--short sleeves and no coats!~