Seeking His face...

These words to a popular contemporary Christian song have been going around in my head, "...seeking Your face, and not only Your hand...". (Big Daddy Weave -Audience of One)

We have been seeking His hand and asking for big things lately, but am I seeking His face? It's ALL about the relationship!

Blessed...

Here is the guy who rose up early and called me "blessed!" Thanks so much, honey!!

Three great blessings in my life...

• being the wife of Robb...I would not want to share this journey with any other



• being the mother to five (almost 6) delightful little ones and experiencing the joy that comes with knowing each one



• being the daughter of my mother who invested so much into my life (and now invests in my children's lives every chance she gets)

Yesterday was a wonderful day, not because we did anything spectacular, but because we were all together. That always makes for a good day! (We did get to go bike riding on the greenbelt Saturday evening.) Robb and the kids spoiled me by fixing breakfast and not letting me change even one diaper!

I did miss being with my mother yesterday...it seems like so long ago that we shared Mother's Day together. I am thinking of her especially this weekend as she will be having a hip-replacement surgery tomorrow afternoon and is really dreading it! Please pray for peace and quick healing for her tomorrow. I really wish I could be there with her, but she has some good friends coming to be with her. I hope to make the trip soon to see her.

Another person I have been thinking about this weekend is my dear mother-in-law, Hattie. She gave me the greatest gift by raising her son to be a man of deep character and love. I so wish I could have known her longer and better; she had so much to teach me. I loved the days I did spend with her and there are so many times when I wish our children could know her and her dear ways. Heaven is definitely sweeter and I can hardly wait for the reunion!

A fun Saturday...

Saturday morning while Robb was at the Men's breakfast at church, the kids and I got busy together. After baking bread, cleaning the house (with all four "big" kids helping and Preston napping...I have to add how much I love the chore system I invested some time into from the book, "Managers of Their Chores" by Steven and Terri Maxwell...it has been a life saver for me and the kids really do love to help), practicing violin, mowing the lawn, and Drew and Robb spraying the lawn for weeds, we were ready to have a fun afternoon!
Robb had a cabin to look at and bid out of town, so we headed to McCall, Idaho. It was still a little chilly and snowy in McCall, but we had a great time on the way home as we stopped by the river and let the kids play. The weather was wonderful, and the place we stopped even had a nice little beach. Preston loved the sand!
As evening settled in, we had Subway sandwiches and cookies and Robb and Drew made a fire.

This is the stuff memories with the family are made of!

Preston turns one!

Our baby turned one last week; it sounds like a cliche, but it is so hard to believe he has been with us for a year! He has definitely won his way into our hears, and though he is not the easiest baby in the world right now, we do love spending our days with him! He is a very alert, social little guy, always wanting the "next thing". I know one of these days I will love his curiosity and adventurous spirit, although these days it is somewhat hard to entertain!! He is the most observant child we have had, and at this young age, mimics the world around him. He is a huge fan of hats and earphones and loves it when his dad is wearing both! He is quick to smile and love (and quick to show his displeasure, as well!). I know we have exciting days in store raising and training this little guy, and I know God has wonderful plans for his life.

Preston, may you always know how much you are loved and prayed for!

Cambridge, Idaho

After almost 40 years of pastoring, my parents have bought retirement land! We are so thrilled for them and are equally thrilled that it is not too far from us...about 1 1/2 hours in a beautiful mountain town. In March, we were able to go with them to see it and I can only imagine all the hours of fun the kids and their cousins will have there riding Gramps' horses and four-wheelers, and eating Nana's cooking! Their plans are to build a shop and put a house on it. We look forward to helping them and being a part of their lives in the soon to come future!

News at our house today...

We went to the Dr. today for an ultrasound....

Everything on the baby looked fine and normal...

It appears that the Frenches like to have boys...











BUT...

this time we get to have a







Baby Girl!!!!!

The Dr. is quite sure and we are so excited!!!!! It will be fun to start and end with a little girl. It's still sinking in, but I don't think it will be too hard to get used to!

Blessings on your day!

Eager faces waiting for the news

New definition of "Skinny" - smile for the day!

Last night, Tucker (age 3) was standing by me and said in a sweet little voice, "Mom, you are skinny." My first thought was who he would possibly be comparing me to!

And then he said, while gently rubbing my arm, "You have a lot of skin on your arm, so you are skinny!"

Hey, I will take compliments any way I can get them!!!