The Rest of the Finished Cotumes!

Here ate the rest of our completed costumes for the Reformation 500--Enjoy! Now Iv'e got to get to bed:):)

Good Night, Y'all!

Callie Sue:)

Me!

Lovely Margaret

"Yes, floof my dress, servant!"

"You ready to dance a jig???"

"Here we go!" (I would try to make it sound like he had a scottish accent, but I believe it would be better for all of us if I didn't try:):)

Lil Brothers:)

Cute, cute!!

Abigail

Well, see y'all later!

Posted by Mary

First Completed Reformation Costumes!!!

Here are our first, finally completed (WHEW!!!) costumes for the Reformation 500 in Boston!

CJ--A brave Scottish Covanentor

(and a mighty cute one at that!)

"For Christ and Kirk!!!"

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Abby-- A lovely Scottish Maiden

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Posted by Mary Noelle

The Best Gift

Today was my 41st Birthday -- woo, hoo!!!  I was very busy doing payroll, tax preparations, paying bills and getting ready for our big trip to Boston.  But during the day I took some time to reflect on the events of the day.  The best gift a person can receive is a godly family.  I am so blessed by the Lord for giving me the precious family that I have.  No material gift could bring me the joy that I experienced today just being me!

The day started out with each of my precious children giving me a hug and saying, "Happy Birthday, Mama!" Even little Wills was coaxed into it with his sisters prompting. I received phone calls from all my siblings, both my parents, and my mother in law.  I got another call from my sweet nieces and nephew who sang "Happy Birthday" to me! I almost teared up while they sang because of their thoughfulness.  I recognized each unique voice of these children I have known and loved for so many years, but I thought "Hey!  This is a happy occasion! NO TEARS!!"

My dear children made me the breakfast of my choice, made special cards and notes, a batch of cookies I requested,  as well as watching William for me while my husband took me out for lunch :)
Then most of the Discher family paid me a visit tonight with a gift and some precious fellowship.
I am truly blessed with these sweet and thoughtful loved ones. 
Just being thought of on my "special" day and being appreciated in that way means so much to me.
I thank the Lord every day for this wonderful family!

Posted by: Mama Stricklen
(My Mama may be the only one who recognizes the post time as a familiar one!)

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!

We LOVE you and appreciate you!

We hope you have a good Father's Day!

                                               Love, Your Children

"The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice:

and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him."

                                                                Proverbs 23:24

                                         

                      "A truly rich man is one whose children
                  run into his arms when his hands are empty"
                                                                   Unknown

             

" A father is someone you never

outgrow the need for"

                               Unknown

     

ONLY A DAD

Only a dad with a tired face,

       Coming home from the daily race,

 Bringing little of gold or fame

                   To show how well he has played the game;

              But glad in his heart that his own rejoice

            To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,

 One of ten million men or more   

 Plodding along in the daily strife,  

          Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,

      With never a whimper of pain or hate,

            For the sake of those who at home await.

 

Only a dad , neither rich nor proud,

Merely one of the surging crowd,    

Toiling, striving from day to day,     

 Facing whatever may come his way,

 Silent whenever the harsh condemn,

   And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,       

         To smooth the way for his children small, 

Doing with courage stern and grim  

 The deeds that his father did for him.

This is the line that for him I pen:     

Only a dad, but the best of men.      

Posted by: Callie           

     

 

Summer Days

Collecting the summer rains - How exciting!

Something is wrong with this picture

I don't know what

Just something!

A child shouldn't be sitting beside a TV

IN a cabinet

Son and Father

Grits: "What am I going to do with this child?"

Growing in the Word

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"How to Get Dressed

in  4 Easy Steps"

By William Stricklen

Age 2

Rip drawer open at the risk

of it falling on your toes

(Wear cowboy boots every day as a precaution)

Choose the slobbiest shirt in there

that would go best with worn out sweat pants

Give your older sister a glance as

she tries to make you smile

Proceed in getting dressed -- But be prepared

to choose another "favorite" outfit in about an hour!

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Future Pilot

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Lazy Summer Days

Brothers always have a good time outdoors

"Cotton Top"

Friends Always

Rain Lilies

A view of Bok Tower from our deck

Excitement!  A New Liner = Clean Pool!

...And Summer Nights

Old Glory flying proudly on Memorial Day

Those stained glass windows finally doing what they were intended to do!

Dreams really do come true - Thank you, Lord!

 Callie took this beautiful Sunset picture in our yard

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 Wild Children

(Whose are they?)

and where have their parents been??

Well, there is Daddy!

Daddies make the best horsies!

*********************************************

In the Kitchen

Hmmm, What to do with lots of jalapenos?

Get your gloves and goggles.....

And make some "Stuffed Jalapenos"!! 

These were absolutely divine!

Hava sum PIZ'ZA!

(Ok, bad Italian accent!)

Callie has become quite good at her homemade pizza :)

Margaret's first pie

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Homemade Dill Pickles

We ended up with loads of pickling cukes from our garden.

Callie made some dill pickles and I made some sweet ones.

Callie's Dill Pickles - Sorry, no pictures of the Sweet Pickles

===================================================

Church Picnic in the

"Enchanted Forest"

and Blackberry Picking

Making preparations for the church picnic

Home grown peaches and lots of other goodies

Mary decided to make a chocolate cake

It was delicious!

We have to bring some freshly brewed iced tea!

Our family at the picnic

My parents enjoying the beautiful property the

Lord has provided for them.

This property has become a very special

place for their grandchildren ~ Lots of memories here!

The Waldmans and Dischers along with Terrie and Amanda

William's bucket never seemed to gain any berries!

Sweet Friends

I love this picture!

The end of a lovely day!

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Unusual Visitors!

Argghh!!! I'm here to seize the tea!

Hand it over!

Ahh, Yes, Darling!

Oh, no!  I think they have affected my child!

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Four Bad Mice Come for a Visit!

(The bad mice play while Jane and Lucinda are away)

We came home one day and found these pictures on our camera!

They came just looking for mischief!

Smile big, Mandy, You'll regret it later!

They incriminated themselves

by leaving these on our camera!

I see Hunca Munca,

but where is Tom Thumb?

(Or is that Grace modeling for the latest oudoors line of clothing?)

(Or could she be stealing peaches - She is known for that!)

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Disclaimer: Now, now girls.  Don't be too mad at me!

This was PAYBACK for something (?) long ago.

  You know Aunt Molly doesn't do stuff like this

very often :)