Last Tuesday DH and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary.  He surprisingly whisked me away to the gorgeous Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells, CA. [DD was also in on the surprise.] 

Our DD gave us this wonderful poem from her heart.  It blessed my heart to read how she sees our marriage...

Happy Anniversary!

Dear Mommy and Daddy,

Happy Anniversary from me to you

I hope you have a great day, yes I really do

I think its great that two people should be together so long

And this is even hapier, because I know it will go on and on

I cannot tell you how happy I feel when each anniversary comes

 And I think it's fantastic that you love each other enough

Enough to stay together to infinity and beyond

And that over the 14 years you have developed such a great bond

I hope you have a fun anniversary

doing whatever you're going to do

And just know that I am thinking about you and you

My poem clearly states how exciting this day is...so enjoy it!!!!!!!!!

Love,
T.

I started 2006 with just one New Year's Resolution...to catch up with my scrapbooking.  I'm normally not one to make resolutions, but something had to be done!

I had 10 years to catch up on ~ don't worry all my pictures have been kept in chronological order.  :-)  My goal was to do one year each month until I was caught up.

A friend shared her method of Power Scrapbooking that has been of great benefit...it's so organized and systematic.  Thank you, Sheryl!

  In January (2003) and February (1999) I met that goal.  March through May saw no activity.  In June I started back up and as of last week I completed 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1/2 of 2000.  Then I was done...try as I might I could not create another page.  Hee hee!!  I've put all my scrapbooking items away for a while. 

There's still plenty of time before 2006 is over...I could meet my goal yet.  But I've found most valuable lessons in allowing myself to stop... 

1.  Instead of looking at what I haven't accomplished, I'm focusing on what I've completed.  It's OK to be kind to myself.

2.  When a task is no longer laid upon your heart...stop.  Lord, author our days...

3.  Take time to refocus and refresh from any task or goal.  Take time to reevaluate.

I was never very excited about history through my own schooling, but homeschooling with my DD is different.  The materials we use, the facts, and the anecdotes have changed since my younger days.  I enjoy learning about history now.

We just returned from a visit to Washington, DC ~ DD's first time.  I was there in 1980.  The weather was gorgeous the day we decided to walk from the Lincoln Memorial, along the Reflection Pool, to the Washington Memorial, the WWII Memorial and on to the Capitol Building.  The sky was bluer than blue with puffy white clouds. 

I'd told DH and DD that the place that had stirred my heart on my first trip was the Lincoln Memorial.  It was the same this time.  Tears welled up in my eyes just looking at his likeness and as I completed the reading of the Gettysburg Address.  It was even more poignent this time, as Tiffani and I have read numerous books relating both sides of the Civil War ~ learning so much more than I'd learned in my history books. 

   Time to read seems like such a luxury at times.  We've just gotten home from a few days away.  Normally I take at least 3-4 books ~ mostly non-fiction on education or health.  [I have such difficulty finding really wonderful, Christian fiction worth reading.  Feel free to leave some suggestions in the comment section.]

This time I took just one book (fictional) that has made several journies with me before, but has never been read.  I read all but the first and last chapters while away.  I finished it this morning just as the sun was rising.  This book touched my heart all the way through, perhaps you've read it...Stepping Heavenward: One Woman's Journey to Godliness by Mrs. E. Prentiss (1869).

This is no ordinary book of fiction.  No preachy bit of non-fiction.  The main character is so real from beginning to end.  The wise women she encounters along the way are beautiful.  I laughed, I cried, I was inspired. I want to read it again and write down the bits of godly wisdom I gleaned. 

I've heard it said of great books that we should never just "get through the book," on the contrary we should "allow the book to get through us."  This book certainly got through me and I pray that I retain at least part of His wisdom that it bestowed on my heart and mind.

So many precious babies being born recently! 

Congratulations to cousins Steve and Laura on the birth of their first child, a beautiful daughter they named Ava Elizabeth on May 15th!

A week prior, another precious baby girl was born to Jarrett and Debbie...welcome Rylan Hope.  Congratulations also go to big sister and big brother, Kendel and Hudson!

Before I started my blog 2 other little ones were born this year...I hope I'm not forgetting any!

Christian Paul, born to Bill & Tami.  Big sisters & brother, Ashley, Billy & Lauren.  Little Christian fought for his lungs to expand in his first days, many prayers were said on his behalf.  He is doing great!

AND

Big hugs for Sidney, born to Jon & Michelle.  Big sister and brothers, Carleigh, Tyler & Chase. 

It's peach season in the desert!  Here's one of my favorite peach recipes.  I took the original and decreased the amount of sugar/butter & increased the amount of peaches.  Play around with it yourself and enjoy!  So simple!

Peach Cobbler                                                                     Desserts ~ Fruit

5 c. peaches, peeled/sliced        1 ¼ c. sugar, divided          ¼ c. water
1 ½ c. self-rising flour               1 ½ c. milk                         5 T. butter

                                                         (or 1 14oz. can evaporated milk)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine the peaches, ½ cup of sugar, and water in a saucepan and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
3. Put the butter in a deep baking dish and place in oven to melt. [I use a 4 qt. casserole]
4. Slowly mix remaining ¾ cup sugar, flour, and milk in a medium bowl.
5. Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir.
6. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup. Batter will rise to top during baking.
7. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

I love my family! 

   My family began with the husband God provided for me...I loved him even before I knew all the reasons that I should.  We complement, we do not compete.  He jokingly says that "together, we are the perfect person."  Hee hee!!  We love creating new ideas together.  He keeps his promises; he protects and provides.  Our marriage has never faltered in 14 years; it is the calm in the eye of the storm, as the chaos happens "out there."

  Our daughter is 11.  She is beautiful inside and out.  I've never met another person who can so easily forgive as her.  She is loving, welcoming ~ kind and gentle.  She loves music ~ singing & piano...she writes lyrical songs that touch your heart. 

My DH and DD make it so easy for me to create a loving, peaceful home. 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ~John 10:27

Today on this Mother's Day I thank the Lord for allowing us to hear His voice and allowing me to be a wife & mother.