– Our little story of Livin’ the Dream- “down syndrome style.” Has life ever stolen some of your dreams? Has “Reality”, coupled with pain, loss, and disappointments, stolen your ability to dream and imagine? Maybe that’s why I love to watch Bethany’s uninhibited approach to dreams and life. She imagines what’s possible. And while […]
Bethany came home from Dazzlers with her yearly dance pictures. On the top of the photo sheet was her individual pose- on the bottom, the picture of the team- she is absent- missing- vamoose. Her daddy asked her, “Hey Beth, why aren’t you in the team picture? Where were you?” Immediately she covered her ears, […]
If you didn’t catch my post about our daughter, Moriah, becoming engaged, you’ll want to click here to read their sweet story. It’s so – sigh- romantic! ♥ But as happens with life, one story has many back stories. There is no such thing in life as clear cut or one dimensional. Millions of […]
The first day of school has come and gone- but not without a fashion show and a lot of debate about what to wear. Amy, Bethany, and Finley (5th, 6th, and 2nd) tried on outfits. ( many outfits! 😉 ) I was barely holding in my laughter as they debated about what was too fancy, […]
Make a stone altar and burn the fatted calf! Monumental Milestone! Our 7th child just turned into a teenager! Last time through the turbulent, terrific teens! Jesus was once a teenager! That kind of blows the mind eh? Of course He was perfect, but still, remember the “walkabout” He took when He was twelve? You […]
Bethany and I are still working on “talking fast” (see previous post) Days of practicing is opening my eyes to the MAMMOTH task set before us. I didn’t realize how many aspects to talking and conversation there really is. She wants me to “script” her talking LOL- and that just isn’t possible. I feel like […]
This is the True Story of how Bethany, discovers God out ranks Google in every way! * “MOM! How you spell tummy?” * “t- u- mm- wait! why do you need to know?” * “I need to know so I can finish.” * Finish what?” * “Finish gettin ready to get me my baby!!!” By […]
One morning, I was doing Wii Fit and Cohen was watching “Uncle” Josh getting ready for a day at Washburn. Cohen excitedly informs me, “Nana, when I gwow up, I’m gonna go to college just like Uncle Dosh, but I’m gonna study soccer, basketball, and baseball. Den I’ll graduate and you can come watch me play all de […]
Hugs! We all need them! Family therapist, Virginia Satir, has said, “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day to thrive.” [Tweet “Hugs: we need 4 daily to #survive- 12 for #thriving. #hugs”] So how do I […]
Micah David (Micah- “who is like God?” David- “beloved of God”) 11/11/88 celebrating 23 years on this Veteran’s Day 11/11/11~ you stretched our circle of love! This is the last child that I write a tribute for in 2011. Thanks for bearing with me as I’ve shared my heart about the treasure trove of children the Lord has […]
We are “technically” part of the minority that doesn’t celebrate Halloween. I mean I try to keep it veeerrrry LOW KEY. It’s my least favorite holiday ever! I’ve never liked scary anything and I’m not fascinated by witches, warlocks, especially not vampires, and ghosts…. not even friendly ones. 🙂 In our family, we don’t do SCARY! We have however, “loosened up” in […]
Bethany “Ann with an e” Barclay (if you’ve read Anne of Green Gables you’ll know why) Bethany means “house” and Anne means “full of God’s grace” God surely chose her name and put it in our hearts~ This picture is Bethany and my brother’s little boy- Jason Charles Benedict. They […]
OH- MY- GOODNESS!!! I KNOW YOU’VE ALL HEARD OF TOE-TAPPING MUSIC BUT I’M WILLING TO BET YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OR SEEN TOE PICKIN’ WORSHIP! d [Tweet “Life is short- we have to learn to loosen up and #laugh. #life”] s A little background information before I share the “PLEASE GOD! OPEN UP THE FLOOR & LET […]
A merry heart does good like a medicine! Sometimes you gotta laugh, to keep from crying. 🙂 Presenting Anita Renfroe- singing […]
After 30 years of marriage, being a HENS (Home Executive Nurturing Specialist- aka stay-at-home mom) I have graduated to the supreme status of GHENS– (translated Grand Home Executive Nurturing Specialist- aka a stay at home mom and grandma)! I can’t even measure the blessing of teaching and sharing Jesus and helping pass on the “spiritual baton” to Finley […]