Reminiscing...our handmade doll house from a Christmas long ago~

Several years ago I drove out to my parents house while they were away and took several
snapshots of the dollhouse that my parents made for my sister and I one Christmas. I'm guessing
it was made in the 60's. We adored that dollhouse and as I got older I could really appreciate the love
and care that went into making it. It was so special to us!

My mom used a large cardboard box and her attention to detail was amazing! Dad made the wood
items, but she created all the rest of it.

It has seen better days, but I will always love it.  After all it is decades old, but it still stands.  My
daughter played with it when she was small along with several nieces of mine and I am pretty sure
that my granddaughters may have played with it as well. I will have to check that out.

I just love this little wooden candle-holder that my daddy made!

Mom even added a picture above the fireplace that I am guessing was from a
Christmas card. She didn't leave out any details for sure.

Girls just HAVE to have a mirror. (smile) Poor little chest of drawers is showing it's age, but
that's ok. I am too! ha!

My mom  used a round oatmeal container for the chair and even added a ruffle. 

The curtains with rick rack...can you say PRECIOUS? 

My dads attention to detail on these beds was a sign of the wonderful cabinet maker he would
become in the years that followed.

A crocheted rug...or knitted? I'm not sure, but mom sure made it special!

Mom added wallpaper along with "wood" floors and "bricks" on the fireplace with a black marker.

Not just any old pillow, but a lace edged pillow for her girls. 

I am so very thankful for my parents and their love for us all through our lives!! Dad is almost 87
and mom is almost 82 and I am so thankful that they are still with us. They were the most loving
parents a child could have and instilled in us right from wrong and brought us up to
know and love Jesus. What a legacy!!

Merry Christmas to each one of you!!
Blessings~

Our Angel Granddaughter Eden Rain

The past 18 days have been hard...so very hard.

We have questioned WHY over and over and over...

This mommy adores her children...every. single.one.

Eden is so perfect...couldn't be more perfect.

Daddy {our son} loves his girls very much.

Eden is no exception.

He loves her dearly.

Grandma and Grandpa saying goodbye...hardest goodbye E.V.E.R.

They named her Eden Rain...such a beautiful name.

It is hard to tell children that their little sister didn't make it.

Mommy's parents...they have suffered great loss in their lives
 as they each also lost a daughter in the past. This is another great loss that
is hard to fathom. Why do some families have to endure so much I will
never understand. If you think about it please say a prayer for them. 

If you look close you will see a little teardrop on sister Annika's eyelash.
The girls were so excited to welcome Eden into their family.

8 lbs. 2.9 ounces...beautiful baby girl

How do we go on from here? I don't know. I don't have any answers. We are looking for answers as to what
went wrong and we pray that we find some...somehow... someway.

An organization called

Sufficient Grace Ministries 

was called into the hospital when we lost our precious Eden.

They took all these beautiful photos that we will always cherish.

They gave mommy a "comfort bear" to hold when her arms
ache to hold her precious baby.

Matching bracelets for mommy and baby.

They gave the girls each a little bear.

 They also gave books, blankets and a beautiful white dress.

 They made an impression of her little hand in clay.

They also did hand and footprints.

Everything they did and gave was FREE.
If you check out their site you must read their book called:

Sufficient Grace. 

I couldn't put it down.

 God is doing a mighty work through this ministry.



God was present in that hospital room through Sufficient Grace Ministries

and

He continues to hold us during this difficult time.


We covet your continued prayers.

I miss you Eden Rain...so very much...angel kisses
straight to heaven for you...

Fall Family Fun

It is a RARE day when we get the whole family together as we did this past weekend.
We had a fun , fun time taking family photos, going to a corn maze, taking a hay ride
and just hanging out. I wanted to share a few of the pics that we captured.

Above are all our grands except that one that is due in May. lol. If Ainsley looks unhappy
it isn't because she didn't have a sucker. She had one and didn't want it. Thought I better
clear that up right away. ha!

Two of the grands singing Karaoke at the corn maze.
Don't they look the part??!!

The little girls singing LET IT GO from Frozen. The DJ took a video of them singing and put it
on his facebook page. Little stars in the making. :)

The corn maze was fun, but really all it is is exercise disguised as fun! I found that out
a few years ago, but it was still a blast.

I was really beginning to get bummed because according to the weather forecast it was
supposed to rain, rain, rain and rain some more, but it held off for us until after the photos
and after the corn maze fun. We started the bonfire when it was dark and it started
pouring so thankfully we got most of the plans in. 

My oldest son Jason and his beautiful family. The plan was to have the bean stubble
still in the fields for the pics, but as fate would have it the renters plowed the field
 a few days before!!
They haven't plowed it for years and years ...until this year. I need to hang a sign
next year...:)

The kids took several photos of the mister and I. I am so annoyed. He had a gray shirt to wear, but
in all the hustle and bustle I forgot all about it so it is what it is. Hopefully next time I will
be a little more organized.

Sweet little Korrah

All our grands with us. Ages are from 1 year old to 16 years old. YIKES!
How did we get here in life? The years just fly by now.

The boys...Joshua...the little guy in the middle is always making faces. You would
not believe how many poses I got of him. 

I think this was my DIL idea. It turned out pretty neat although I think hubby and I should
have switched places. 

Smooch, smooch...another baby on the way in this family.

Remember earlier how I said it is a rare occasion to get our whole family together?
Well, our SIL Matt is missing from this family. He was in Japan again for his work.
Maybe someday we can get him in the photo.

Goofy, silly, fun!

So this is our family and we love each and every one of them. Thankful for Gods blessings
each and every day!!