As seen through the window:

And then the glory and excitement was shared with ME!  

I felt so privileged to be invited to share in the spying-on of these baby robins.

(It was a little scary on the ladder I admit.  Being stabilized by Zachary didn't improve my confidence, but may have been worth it for a picture and a story in years to come!)

Keepin' Cool

When the Lake is not available...

Life is good.

The Darlingest Help on Earth!

It was a challenge to figure out how to keep the water on with one hand 

in order to feel the cool spray with the other!

 Then my little friend had to taste the peas.

 I think they were tasty.  

It looks like it anyway.

 Another

Mmmmm...............

Now a little leh-tuss.........

It's all satisfactory.  Very letucy.

The garden has become my therapy.  

Add some good company and a camera and it's heaven on earth ;-)

Marvel Hill or Munchkin Land?

Marvel Hill finds itself happily taken over by Smiths, Bugs, et all, and doesn't mind a bit!

Starting with a boy-made tent - not necessarily slept in.  Maybe next time.

Girls doing girl-ish things.

What Dads do:

This doesn't look like "An Army Of One" to me!
I wonder how much work actually occurred...

What Moms do:

Breakfast.

Herd  Lead berry-picking expeditions.

Smile!

Please? 

..........................Anyone?

Okay.  Just stand there  somewhat.....  together    -ish.

*sigh* 

Never mind.  Go back to your berries.

That was Strawberries, but there were Huckleberries to be picked too...

How about giving baby a bath... Marvel Hill style!

Girls and snacks

Little boys and learning to share toys

All Smiths, Bugs, and Cousins, minus the tiniest person.

You may know (or at least have surmised) that getting them all in one shot is no easy task.
Here's the real-time version:

And don't forget dinner......

No we do not run an orphanage.  

These children all have parents (and there are 6 of us total).

No thank you, you can keep yours.

Awe...

Look how cute!

You two look pretty good after 4 days of what you went through;-)

You may need a vacation after your vacation.

Oh yeah,

Moms can be friends too :-)

I sorta fibbed to my friend.  I told here I wouldn't post this picture until one day in the future 

when we thought it made us look good.

but I cropped, black and whited, and grained this picture to help us out some. 

You can't see the dirt now.

Or the greasy hair.

And smiles are good for hiding tiredness!

You always look great, oh friend of mine!  You always will:-)

Keeps on growing...

I have a Zillion things to do, but...

When don't I?
















Today I am excited and overwhelmed to be planning for a beloved husband's arrival home, followed by two weeks of visiting friends.

I'm excited because it is a privilege to share our Marvel Hill with people who are so precious to our family.

Overwhelmed because it won't be that "picture perfect" magazine image I want for it to be upon seeing it for the first time.  I will probably strive to make it so, but there will still be clutter, unfinished projects, and lack of space for shoe removal.

And no complete shower.  As yet.  ( I can say this because they're committed at this point!!)

........................................................................................................................................

Today I had my children help clean up a few things in the yard after dabbling in the garden.
During this time the Holy Spirit spoke to me in an impression.
My heart was soft to receive this truth and here's how it came to me:

Your guests will come.

Your guests will depart.

After all, your children will still be there.

This is nothing new perhaps, but today it made it's mark.

It really sunk how I prepare so hard to impress my friends, and my children even help me.  Then I miss the opportunity to show my  belovedest friends how dear they are to me.  Boy, do I want them to know they are the most important people in my life!  There will be times when it's necessary for outsiders to come first, but that should be after I am certain I have my children's hearts.  If I do, I'll know it because they always participate exuberantly with me in preparation for company when they feel they are cherished.

So, in light of this over-simple idea rattling around in my head,
I decided to forgo the tackling of my endless "zillion things to do" list.  Instead...

We went for a walk,
and the children found berries.

I'm glad I brought my camera.  It hasn't been a great Huckleberry Summer, but apparently the Strawberries are quite happy!  I'm glad Clay got a picture with his cultivated strawberries the other day because those three little berries sure don't look like much now!

 
































Miss Olivia really surprised me with her ability to pick and pick and SAVE her stash!  Wow!  Who knew?  I learned something new about that little daughter of mine today.

 Yes little brother was there.
And yes, he got a piece of the action!  He had his entourage bring the berries to him as he sat as spectator in his green chariot.  And yes.  He likes Strawberries now that he knows what they are ;-)

 This one was the exact opposite of her littler sis.  I hardly saw her WITH a berry because every one she picked went straight into her mouth.  She wasn't a bit sorry though - it was a method that worked fine for her!

 

 

We had a GREAT time.  It was time well spent :-)