An Inspirational Poem

Be Thankful
By Author Unknown


Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Be Thankful

Be Thankful

When you get what you want as your struggle for self
And the world makes you queen for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that woman has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or husband
Who's judgement upon you must pass;
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

She's the person to please, never mind all the rest,
For she's with you clear up to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the woman in the glass if your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life,
And get pats on your back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the woman in the glass

Flowers In Our Yard.

I took some photos around our yard yesterday of all the flowers in bloom.

Steve jumped in my flower photos...

Monday Night Bonfire With Neighbors

All the kids wanted smores last night. We keep stocked with chocolate bars, marshmallows and gram crackers. Here's Logan, Alexandria, Celina, Danielle, Ethan and Jackie.

All the kids and Adults (Jackie, Steve and Mike)

We bought a few sparklers for the kids to do pre-4th of July. They were a big hit so we'll have to buy some more. Celina trying to keep the sparkler away.

Danielle and Logan dancing with their sparklers.

Logan with his sparkler.

Swimming With Your Clothes On!!

Danielle, Alexandria and Celina all with their clothes on in the pool last night.

Sisters.. Danielle & Alexandria

I let the kids swim with their clothes on last week and now they love jumping in the pool clothes, flip flops and all. Celina and Danielle decided to take a dip tonight.

Swimming with the new float..

Weekend Camping -Sauk Lake

Finally a weekend up at the camper on Sauk Lake.

Steve started mowing the waist high grass as soon as we got there. I set up the camper and kept the kids busy on the jet ski while Steve worked.

The grass is so tall!!! We're staying on the picnic table!!

Logan found 2 of those guns with the caps that pop. Both kids had fun figuring out how to work them.

This was me trying to be creative as I was laying on a air mattress in the shade looking up at the sky.

More me trying to be creative on the air mattress. I was enjoying my little rest.

Papa, Logan and Celina trying to figure out those cap guns. Snap. Ouch that was my finger!

Logan and Celina trying to catch the little fish swimming around their feet.

Logan surfing..

Jumping off the jet ski. We had so much fun out on the lake with the kids. The waves were great!!

Here I go..Jumping off the jet ski! Is it too deep?

More mowing. It just never ends. There's so much of it and the grass is so very tall..

More water fun... I even got in the water on my new float. I loved it. I didn't have to touch the water and I could sit up and float.

Sunset.

The only photo of me. I'm always taking photos and never in them.. So here's my chance to be there with my family in photos...The water did feel great!!

Steve gathering wood for the bonfire.

The fire is ready for marshmallows.

Celina and Logan both made bird nests out of all the grass clippings. This kept them busy playing for a really long time.

We made our first meal, baked potatoes in foil and hot dogs. I was going to try making 2 meals today but we ended up going to town for a easy fast food dinner. Next weekend... I'll try to make spaghetti. It feels more like camping when we attempt to cook.

Logan trying out the baked potato and loving it.

Celina trying out my float on land while eating lunch in the shade of our apple tree. We had a great weekend at the lake. We didn't fish or stay up for long but the weather was great. The kids loved sleeping in the camper, going for rides on the jet ski, eating and cooking outside, swimming in the lake, playing outside and just having fun as a family. We'll be back up there next weekend if the weather is nice.

Fly a Kite!!

The kids wanted to fly their kites yesterday. It really wasn't windy enough but they still had fun trying.

Logan and Belle trying to get the kite up in the air. Run faster Logan.

Still no luck!

Before The Storm..

Photos from the deck of the huge thunderhead building. Can you see the plane?

More deck photos..

This ones even better.

From a distance..

Moon shot.