Tomorrow We Meet Our Friends and then......

This precious guy (B.) is facing brain surgery in just a few short days! The description of the surgery alone - will bring shivers up and down your spine not to mention tears to your eyes. Please keep this special guy ( B.) and his family ( The M.'s) in your prayers.

H-Bear with Dear K. (B's sister)

Precious C. ( B's youngest sister)

Thanks!

Renee

Have you heard the latest?

If you have seen the film FACING THE GIANTS - you know what Sherwood pictures and Provident films is capable of, but did you know that something else is coming?

Go here http://fireproofthemovie.blogspot.com/2008/03/fireproof-blog-returns-and-trailer-too.html or here http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/main.php to check out a preview of their latest work!

We hear at ATH are currently relishing the summer - but this might just make anticipate the fall!

Blessings to all!

Renee

RED,WHITE, and BLUE

The Cake that the Blessings and I made

Proud of our first glow in the dark necklaces and bracelets!

Waiting for the twilight show!

With Mom

A cool treat for a hot day!

At the parade

The Breakfast Table

We had a wonderful day celebrating our country's birthday! It was hot - but the Blessings did surprisingly well! We even met Meredith and her family - please go here: http://www.lifeat7000feet.com/ to check her wonderful blog out! She was so sweet and I felt that we could have a precious friendship - if we can coordinate our schedules to get together!

As I watched the fireworks and rocked our little S-girl, I found myself with tears streaming down my face and praying fervently for a nation that is on the cusp of some critical decisions both with court rulings and future elections. I pray that the blessings ( both mine and yours)will be able to grow up in a country where FREEDOM is still FREEDOM and where democracy is still democracy and not dictatorship based upon minority opinion and beliefs. Please join me in praying for this nation that we know and love!

We hope that your day was extra special!

Blessings!

Renee

At The Lake

We decided at the last minute to go to the lake the other day! We grabbed fishing gear and headed out into the sunshine! It quickly turned overcast, but we still had a great time!

The LONE Fish - but he was a beauty!

Tired 1

Tired 2
Tired 3
Sweet blessings!

Renee

In Anticipation of the 4th

What is it? Stay tuned and you just might find out!

Just a few of our colorful displays at ATH. Stay tuned for more! And if you want to see other peoples beauty - then go here http://kariandkijsa.blogspot.com/2008/07/join-us-for-fabulous-flag-flying-fourth.html - to see gorgeous ideas and displays of patriotism!

Sweet blessings to all!

Renee

Overheard......

A-Cake: " Jesus died on the kah-woss for my fins... and den he wose again!"

Perhaps we are doing something right - some of the time!

Isn't it funny......

how pictures can romanticize EVERYTHING!
One of the local lakes here -recently had a KIDs' fishing day!

I believe this is the same weekend BELOVED ended up in the ER at 3 am with one of the Blessings and a DOUBLE EAR INFECTION!

It was actually very cold (S-girl and I ran to the car to get jackets for everyone). It was also extemely crowded and the fish weren't really biting.

But....

the blessings each received their new fishing poles and it sure looks a beautiful time! Doesn't it? Who knew?

Sweet blessings to all!

Renee

Remembering........

Dear Beloved,

I love you
(More
than

words)!!!!!!

Happy Day!

All My Love,

Precious

She's Ready..... Just in Case

H-Bear: "I want to name my horse - KELIA ( kelly-uh). Momma, is it okay if I name my horse Kelia?"

Me: "Sure, you can name your horse Kelia if you want!"

Keep in mind that while we DO have the land for horses, we do not currently own a horse and have no impending plans to get a horse anytime soon!

Good for a laugh or two........

Uncle B., Cute Z., and Aunt T.

Recently a new blog was started!

We ask you to go here http://zacharyalexander.wordpress.com/ and check out our nephew's blog!
It is inevitable that you will laugh at some point during your time spent there!

Blessings to all!

Renee

From the Heart.....

Pictures from a dance class in May

A-Cake: "Dear God, Thank you for this food - for my body! Amen!"

Almost There............

We are recovering - but still dealing with the residual effects of CROUP, 2 double ear infections, and what appears to be food poisioning - we think ( the food poisioning is not from ATH mind you - there has been a lot of take out lately as it is rather hard to cook when all the blessings want to do is be held)! It has been a long road here at ATH over the last few weeks ~ BELOVED and I are anxiously awaiting the day when no one feels poorly. We will return soon!

Until next time!

Sweet blessings,

Renee

Check out the new blog!

Check out the new frugal house, home, and family living blog!
You can go http://princess-i-fiedpalacefrugality.blogspot.com/ to check it out! Feel free to leave your own helpful tips corresponding to the posted topic!

Blessings to all, until next time!

Renee

CROUP in June!

The Blessings and Beloved before ATH became croup-i-fied!

Never in our wildest imagination would we have ever guessed that the Blessings would be suffering from croup in June. While we were at the ATH church vacation Bible school last week, I heard a child in A-Cake's class cough a "barky cough" - I immediately thought - that's not good! 3 trips to the Doctor and one trip to the ER at 3 am ~ later. We are in fact

CROUP-I-FIED here at ATH!

Blessings to all until next time!

Renee

An Evening of Praise

I wish that I could describe to you what this evening was like - but... perhaps the above will give you a hint as to what PRAISE BALLET at its finest looks like! H- Bear was too young to participate in this dance - but in a few years she will be doing this too - I am pretty sure that this is a small glimpse of heaven right here!
Too all my directional family (Ahem!) ~ I wish that we could bring this dance with us this summer!

H- Bear and A-Cake with their sweet friend K!

And H-Bear with her precious friend E - who happens to be the daughter of someone who was in Beloved's and My wedding way back when!

H-Bear dancing with her group!

And dancing!

One of the bigger girl dances!

If there is any question about that book on the floor.... well, lets just say it isn't the koran!
And if there is any question about the song... I'll give the small hint - that it is a 5 letter word.

Any good parent knows that a recital isn't complete without flowers!

Little Miss Sunshine

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, The Graduate

The First ATH graduate

While our precious friends the M's were celebrating their son (C's) DOCTORATE degree, we were celebrating our own little ATH milestone. I know it isn't quite the same as M.D., PhD., or PharmD, but it is part of what the school does - so therefore........

WE CELEBRATE H-BEAR's SUCCESS!

H- Bear with her Beloved Friend Sweet G

Humoring Mom ~ Isn't she supposed to be older before she does this about photos?

Receiving her diploma

Celebrating the Day

Unable to contain the excitement

With Sadness On Our Hearts

The Chapman Family - this was their Family Christmas Picture for Dec 2007 - (left to right)

Will Franklin, Maria Sue, Steven, Shaoey (in front), Mary Beth, Stevie Joy, Caleb, and Emily

It is with sadness and heartache, that we ask you to pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family (in the loss of precious little Maria Sue )- who have touched our lives both from afar and personally see - http://lifeataspentrailhill.blogspot.com/2008/03/our-dancing-cinderellas.html

Please go here http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/ to convey your love, support, and prayers!

And, if you are a parent, take the time to hug your precious Blessings a little closer today - even if they cry all morning at a special event for one of their fellow blessings like mine did today!

Lovingly,

All of Us Here at ATH

First Dance Recital

The Blessings participated in their first dance recital recently. They had a blast and have danced every dance since - wanting to relive the moment. We have promised that there will be other recitals in the future!

Enjoy the pictures!

A-Cake enjoys a snack after all her hard work!


H-Bear loved getting flowers after her premiere performance on stage!

Here comes the rain!

Tada!

Look at A-Cake go!

Dancing is hard work when you're little!

Look at that pose! Way to go H-Bear!

The DANCERS!

H- Bear waiting to dance her heart out!

The littlest dancer in the performance!

A-Cake with her dancer hairdo! Who knew it would actually go up!

One Special Night

Beloved in his tux

Beloved and H-Bear attended their FIRST father-daughter formal event recently! H-Bear was on cloud nine! I made a new "better" sash for H-Bear's dress and she picked out all the flowers. It was truly an evening to remember! I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall - but I wasn't invited! No really, I could have gone, but it was really geared towards fathers and daughters! A friend did take some pictures of the event for us and I will try to post them after we get the developed!

H-Bear Kissing her date

H-Bear with Beloved

Posing and Dancing

H-Bear in THE DRESS

H- Bear in Curls, Bow, and Tiara - the tiara was eliminated shortly thereafter in favor of a pretty hairdo that would withstand the evening!

Getting Ready

A Little Piece of History

It is my contention when the LORD wants something to happen - He makes it happen! This is an ATH life story about such a happening!

Emersons are known for their sweet tone! They were considered to be in the top class of pianos in their day!

So the story goes something like this! Recently while Beloved was at work and the Blessings were napping, I came across this ad for an 1885 Emerson piano. Now, I took 11 years of piano lessons, but suffice it to say they really didn't amount to much and I am NO CLASSICAL pianist by any matter of means, AND YET.... I love the piano! I love how it sounds when it is played and played well! I love the home-i-ness of having musical instruments that are accessible at a moments notice! I saw the ad for this antique piano - I didn't do any research (UNTIL LATER) - I just liked the price and I loved how it looked (did I happen to mention we are not a large antique-i-fied home) and yet I thought - MAYBE.... it was time ATH have an antique piano in the home. So I emailed first - then got excited and called in response to the ad. I spoke to this sweet endearing man J. - who told me all about this beloved instrument and then I called BELOVED..... and I said ... You know how you were wanting ideas for a certain holiday....well, how about a piano. I hadn't seen said instrument yet. Keep in mind --this instrument was an hour away! And in addition to all of the above, the blessings had endured 3 really extra busy days - just prior... AND YET... the next thing I knew we were in the ATH van heading towards a musical paradise!

The Emerson in its new ATH home!

I looked it up and down. Played all the notes. Played chords and all that I could remember from yesteryear (all the while holding a growing S-girl) in my arms! I called BELOVED and talked it over with him - BOUGHT this antique piece of musical history and then traversed home with nothing but a bench. And by 9:30 pm I had movers ready and available to move my antique musical glory on the upcoming Saturday!


The Blessings tickling the ivories!

Of course, on Saturday... it snowed.... but that didn't deter the ATH movers. They came promptly for morning naptime where the younger 2/3 of the Blessings enthralled in Mommy's excitement were unable to rest peacefully. And so this beautiful antique purchase came to reside in my non-antique ATH home. Every day since the blessings have tickled the ivories for my delight and enjoyment. Beloved has graciously and loving shaken his head a time or two! That is .....UNTIL the certfied (RPT) Tuner came and said......


Future Musical Prodigy #1


YOU GOT EXCELLENT DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! The wood looks great, everything is in good condition - I only recommend that you ..... at this point! Yes, the tuner only recommended one minor - small financial action on the piano to get it up to par!

Future Musical Prodigy #2 - look at that posture

Of course the tuner did caution that the "BEST" way to buy a piano is to "TAKE THE TUNER" - or ANYBODY more musically wise than me with you when you inspect the instrument of choice. I knew that - deep down I knew I was taking a risk in the worst way and YET... somehow I knew this 1885 Emerson was supposed to ATH's and ATH's alone.
After the tuner left, I very modestly and in a diginified fashion - DANCED AROUND the house singing " I didn't buy a lemon! I didn't buy a lemon!" To which A-CAKE promptly repeated in sing song tone for days later "BUY A WEMEN!"

I relish in the old historical greatness that looms around the piano. I cherish the antiqufied odor which greets my family at the door when we return home to ATH. I adore all the intricate wood carving work that aren't characteristic of pianos today! I love that middle C is crisp, clear, and recognizable even after all these years. I savor the excitement I see in the blessings eyes. I love that BELOVED - who by his own definition doesn't get excited about pianos - plays all those NON-Piano songs that kids who don't take piano learn to play. I hold dear the ability to sit down to embrace, reminisce, and create new melodic memories with my ATH family. Do I wish it was a Yamaha or a Steinway - not today - and probably not ever. I love my antique 1885 Emerson. And so, my friends that is the story of our found treasure - which is not a lemon - but a true piece of history - right in our own little ATH home!

Just a Spot of Tea ~ If You Please

Ever since I wrote the post on my tea cup collection, I have been wanting to post a few pictures of some of my favorites. Unfortunately, many of these pictures turned out a little blurry, as the camera settings were a little off on the day I took these - but at least you will get the idea. I am not about quantity when it comes to my collection - but rather quality. I saw a beautiful royal blue toile courting couple cup recently but I wasn't prepared to pay the price it sold for - so I will keep looking and collecting a little at a time!

The above picture as well as this one show my absolute favorite tea cup - my hydrangea tea cup. In a post about a year ago, I spoke of this cup. It reminds me of some of the flowers from my wedding. This cup wasn't expensive, I bought this cup in a tea shop in a tourist town in Colorado and I don't believe it is bone china, but I love it all the same!

I acquired this cup recently - it is a pale mint green - with hot pink roses on it! As a big Anne of Green Gables fan - this cup is extra special to me! Yes, perhaps it might appear to some as a cheesey gift shop find - but it is actually bone china - and I just couldn't resist!

Our Wedding china - interestingly - all the pictures I took of this cup are for some reason blurry - this china has a beautiful ring with leaves around the edges. Beloved found it and we both fell in love with it!

Our wedding china - a little blury!

Also a little blury, so I will post another one too - but this is our wedding china - it is special... well... for obvious reasons!

I picked this cup up at a resale shop. Even though it probably isn't worth much and despite the fact that I haven't celebrated my 25th anniversary yet, I love the cup! This is the only cup in my collection that has a chip, but that's okay! I still love it!

Ha! I had to laugh! Without realizing it, apparently there is an unspoken theme - in my posts this week! LOL!

Sweet blessings to all, until next time!

Renee

The Impact of One

I was intrigued by this book when I saw that someone was reading it for Callapidder Days Spring Reading Thing . I wanted to read it, because I understood it to be about a missionary having an impact on the Muslim world. While this book was not exactly what I supposed it to be - it was an interesting read. Greg Mortenson is the son of Lutheran missionaries. He grew up in Tanzania. He became a mountain climber and after a family tragedy - he decided to climb the K2 mountain range. Without revealing the entire book - it was this trip (up the K2) that prompted him to have a heart for the people of Pakistan and eventually Afganistan. The book was well written and it opened my eyes to many things of which I was completely unaware. There were moments when I couldn't put it down and there were other times when I wanted to put it down -out of fear, frustration, or anxiety for Mortenson and his work. Sometimes I was in awe - of the ingenuity of the people of Pakistan and other times I was honestly disgusted to the point of thinking I would have never been able to endure something like that without getting ill! While Mortenson isn't really to be considered a missionary he is definitely a humanitarian with a heart for people! That he also sacrificed a lot in order to really make an impact in Pakistan and Afganistan is an understatment. That he has had an inpact in Pakistan and Afganistan - is a fact! That he has sacrficed so much for the sake of his goal is admirable! Do I wish that he would open that door a little more for the sake of spreading God's truth - you bet! At the same time he is meeting their critical needs and it is my belief that most people won't give a listening ear when they are hungry, hurting, cold, or distraught. Would God have done it differently - probably! But Mortenson is there impacting tons of lives in a way nobody else has - and God can use Mortenson's work towards educating women and children in ways you and I might never imagine. So I pray that the result of all Mortenson's humanitarian work is for some yet to be determined outcome. I pray that the rest of the story has yet to be told!

As a mom of three small blessings, I did wonder (a little) - about the sacrifice his ( Mortenson's)family