No Greater Joy

This post at least a week overdue, but I just have to share it:

Last Thursday (Feb.25) sometime around 8:00a.m. Ally Grace asked Jesus to come into her heart and be her savior! I was in the middle of fixing her hair when she blurted out, ""I believe in Jesus." She has often said this to me so at first I didn't think too much of it. But, for some reason, in the middle of our mad morning rush to get Sierra to school, I decided to take a little more time and ask her what she believes about him. She told me that she believed that he died on the cross and was in heaven now. I'm sure I've done it before, but I explained again that if she really believed that then she should pray and tell God. Her next sentence took me completely off guard. "I want to do that right now." I almost dropped the comb. The ponytails could wait - this was it! Right there in the bathroom, I led her in a prayer. What a joy to hear her repeat those simple words of faith after me!

Fast forward to this Friday (March 5). We were in the bathroom again getting ready for the day. Ally says, "Mom, you pray after me this time." With a smile in my heart I agreed and put the comb down again. Line by line I followed her in this prayer:

"Dear God, please help me not to do bad sins. I want You to forgive me. I believe in You. And I really want to have a garden in the spring. Dear God, Amen."

Trashin' the Camp

Even with an ear infection and while pushing through her first tooth, she is still a pretty happy baby.

The girls like to listen to track #4 on the Tarzan soundtrack while we clean up before nap time. Obviously they were a little distracted this time. Watch Sierra's awesome white-girl dance moves and Ally trying to figure out her fingers for rabbit ears. They crack me up!!!

My Grandpa

Wise. Kind. Humble. Generous. Honest. Faithful. Servant. Hard Working. Preacher. Carpenter. Mountain Man. Handy Man. Family Man. Garage Sale King. Ice Cream Connoisseur.

Grandpa on the banks of the Payette River.

Grandpa & Valerie


Grandpa & Ally


Grandpa & Sierra picking raspberries.

Grandpa & Grandma Obenchain.

My Grandpa Obenchain is turning 84 this week. He has always been someone that I greatly admire. I am very thankful for the heritage that he has given (and continues to give!) our family.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Oh No You Didn't...

... nearly fall asleep in my walk-in closet while trying to hide from me at bedtime!

... hide your scissors and itty-bitty paper scraps under the couch cushions instead of putting them away in the right place.

... unload 30+ books from the shelf in less than 30 seconds.

...empty my dishcloth drawer for the SEVENTH time today.

.... try to get your princess clock and porcelain Snow White doll off of the top shelf all by yourself.

So there you have it! This is what I've been up to lately, rather than blogging. I'm taking pictures of my three little girls being as naughty as they are cute.

What's a mama to do?!?!

Prayer Poem

This was so good that I had to cut and paste it from Dad's blog today:

I Didn’t Have Time to Pray
(author unknown)

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish I didn’t have time to pray.
Troubles just tumbled about me and heavier came each task.
Why doesn’t God help me, I wondered.
He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I tried to come into God’s presence, I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, “Why, child, you didn’t knock.”
I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day toiled on grey and bleak.
I wondered why God didn’t show me.
He said, “You didn’t seek.”

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

Pancake Girl

Sunday night dinners are always interesting at our house! We usually have big bowl of popcorn (Whirley-Pop, of course!) and some Coke after naps and before going to the evening service at church. By the time we get home it's almost 8 o'clock. So we'll usually have a sandwich, or a bowl of cereal, or left-overs or occasionally we'll grab a $5 pizza at Little Caesar's on the way home. Well - yesterday was unique. After I tucked a tired little Valerie into her crib, I came out to find Marc and Ally in the kitchen....MAKING PANCAKES!!! They really hit the spot and I wouldn't be surprised if they become a Sunday night tradition in our family. Only thing is, I hate sending kids to bed smelling like syrup. Ick.

Tired Valerie. Sundays really wear this poor kid out!

Marc and Ally (poser!) in the kitchen.

I love the look of concentration as she flips them off the griddle.

(By the way, this girl can put down a pancake or two....or five or six!)

A Blessing on Your Head

Reading this passage meant a lot to me this morning:

Matthew 5 (The Message)

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

* "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

* "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

* "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

* "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

* "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.

* "You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

* "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

* "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

* "Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.