Thankful Thursday

Each day holds so many things to be thankful for~life itself, the love of a good man, two wonderful daughters and sil's and of course our adorable grand children. We are blessed to have great friends back in California and the beginnings of deep friendships here in Colorado. I am so thankful for the dear friends I've made in blogland and the hope to meet them in person. They are a source of daily encouragement and friendship and I thank the Father for them. I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father for His daily provisions-His Son, His Word, a roof over our heads and spiritual manna as well.
Last night we spent part of the evening with our youngest daughter watching an old video of a christian comedian by the name of Brad Stine. Hubby and I had never heard of him before but sil had seen him at Promise Keepers about 5 years ago. It was so refreshing to see a stand up comic that was clean. His jokes were still very relevant to today and he made some excellent points about our country; now if I could just remember them when I am in a discussion with someone else.
I am so thankful that we live in a country where we are allowed to choose who we follow unlike others who are daily persecuted for their faith. I am so thankful for these brothers and sisters in Christ who willingly and lovingly suffer for Christ and the sake of the gospel as well as for all of us.

What are you thankful for today?

Wednesday Wildlife

While our dear friends from California were here visiting we were able to take them on some drives to explore more of our area. It is hard to believe but parts of northern Colorado got hit with snow this last weekend. We saw the dusting on the trees in one of our favorite canyons and wanted to get a photo of it.

We were able to take them to a raptor center and saw this Bald Eagle. The birds at the center have been permanently injured and will live out their days in a safe haven. The majestic eagle was beautiful! We were also able to find two Bald Eagles sitting on nests near our town; what a sight for our friends to see.

Amidst the other critters we spotted were Prairie Dogs.

More ducks in one of our numerous wildlife habitats.

We had so much fun with our friends, hiking and exploring, that we are anxious to get the grandkids out to these habitats.

Monday Memories

A sweet friend sent me this photo yesterday and it brought a smile to my heart so I thought I'd share it here. A group of ladies from my old church used to meet once a month for two hours and make chemo quilts for children. We had a mass production of the quilts and they were never quilted but tied but we had such a blast making them. It is so interesting when you gather a group of five or more ladies to see all the opinions.
There was only one other quilter in the group and as most quilters are, we had very definite opinions on colors etc. All in all, over one year I think we made around 4 dozen quilts, maybe more. This picture was taken right before we moved and one of the gals is now battling brain cancer.
I miss these sweet friend and the times together, the silly laughter and producing something for gravely ill children. Makes me want to get in and get sewing.

Worship our King

For the last several days this song has been floating around in my head. It is one of my favorites and I love the lyrics.

Lord You're Beautiful by Rebecca St. James
Lord You're beautiful
Your face is all I seek
For when your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me
(repeat)

I want to take your word/
And shine it all around
First help me just to live it Lord
And when I'm doing well/
Help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to you

Lord please light the fire
That once burned bright and clear
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear

I want to take your word/
And shine it all around
First help me just to live it Lord
And when I'm doing well/
Help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to you

Lord you're beautiful
Your face is all I seek
For when your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me

I can see your face now
I can feel your grace now.



We have dear friends arriving for a visit on Sunday and they will be with us for several days; if I'm not able to post know that I will be back.
Have a glorious weekend!
Blessings, Noreen

More Family Fun

Warm days draw children and adults to our nearby lake for lunch, water play and kayaking.

Rain is in the forecast so time outside is cherished as is time spent with family.

Outdoor Fun

Grand daughters playing in the warm sunshine. One looking for a new destination to take a drive to. The wonder of a child's imagination. The blessings of seeing life through a child's eyes.

The Beauty of the City

On Sunday our family spent most of the day in Denver at the Museum of Natural Science and History. It was a free admissions day and when you've got as many kiddos as we do you learn to take advantage of free days. Last week we got hit by a cold storm that brought several feet of snow to Colorado and lots of rain. Sunday was clear and beautiful and this is the view from the museum. I'm not one for big cities but this was breath taking with the Rockies in the background and snow still on the ground. There were children and adults building snowmen but I know that they are gone now as our temperatures have gotten back into the 60's and low 70's.

Have a great day!

Living Science

Yesterday Denver's Science Museum held one of its free admissions day. As a large group our family decided to head into the city and explore the museum. I can tell you that it is much bigger than the museum in San Francisco and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. When I was young I was a "tomboy" by many standards and grew up playing with insects, lizards and a few snakes. I can honestly tell you that I enjoy many creepy crawlies but abhor rodents such as rats. One of our grand daughters has a phobia about spiders so this nana decided that it might be beneficial to hold a large tarantula. I'm not sure I've ever held one before and I was fine with it. That is my hand; then our four year old decided that she would like to try as well...but it didn't go quite as smoothly~not to worry though no harm came to the very large spider.

We all had a wonderful time and learned a lot about our new home state. I hope our grand children will all remember, when they are older, how their nana was great fun.

Spring in Colorado

We recognize the signs of Spring when we begin to see the eagles in nearby trees, baby fox being born and the majestic pelicans coming back to summer on local lakes. Yesterday we were in capris, sandals and applying sunscreen and today we have experienced more rain than I've ever seen here. This year we've only had two days with a slight sprinkling of rain but today it poured and poured. Tomorrow we are supposed to have more of it and possibly get some snow. Only in Colorado; you've got to love the variety of weather. I am enjoying the rain but I love the warm days when we can sit outside and enjoy the warmth. We've got friends coming for a visit at the end of the month and I just hope the pelicans are still here; they are so fun to watch and a bird I never thought to see here.
Have a joyous and fun weekend.

Blessings, Noreen

Oh What A Beautiful Morning

Now that spring is here I am awakened each day to the lovely songs of birds outside. We have a variety and as of yet I can't identify them all but I do hear the sound of doves and red-winged blackbirds. I've also spotted a robin recently. In California we had lots of quail, mockingbirds, scrub jays and blackbirds. It is wonderful to wake up to sunny blue skies and birds singing.
I am trying to set me mood to recognizing the blessings around me this day because I have to go to the dentist shortly. It will be a long appointment; I'm getting a temporary bridge as I had a tooth pulled in December. Not fun I'm thinking but while I'm sitting in the dental chair for two hours I will use the time to pray and thank our Lord for all the wonders this life holds.
Whatever weather you're experiencing enjoy it today.

Happy Birthday Peanut

Today our little peanut turns two. There is a saying that good things come in small packages such as diamonds and new born babes; this is certainly true where you are concerned. You faced many challenges in your first two years with the sweetest attitude possible. You are very dear to our hearts and well loved by your family. Continue on little one there's a lot of life to be lived. May our Lord smile on you and pour out many blessings on your life. With all our love, Nana and Papa.

Springtime in Colorado

Our plants may not be blooming quite yet but we are seeing baby animals.

The sun is shining most of the time and the kiddos are wearing capris and playing in the sand by the lake.

Boys are building sand castles and getting wet.

Life is good.

Good Friday

Thank You My Lord, I just want to thank You
I just want to thank You Lord.

Easter blessings from my house to yours.
Noreen

Happy Birthday Granddaughter

Happy Birthday Shannon! You are four today but in so many ways it seems you are much older. Shannon, you make Papa and I laugh so much with your humor and with the way you look at life. You are such a joy and we are so thankful that you are in our family!
May your day be blessed and may our Lord pour our His perfect gifts on your life. We love you so much.

How Deep

Today's Song "How Deep"

You were broken that I might be healed
You were cast off that I might draw near
You were thirsty that I might come drink
Cried out in anguish that I might sing

How deep is Your Love
How high and how wide is Your mercy
How deep is Your grace
Our hearts overflow with praise
To You

You knew darkness that I might know light
Wept great tears that mine might be dried
Striped of glory that I might be clothed
Crushed by Your Father to call me Your own

How deep is Your Love
How high and how wide is Your mercy
How deep is Your grace
Our hearts overflow with praise
To You.

From Sovereign Grace Praise

His Creation

All winter I have been lamenting that our little red fox was nowhere to be seen. Saturday evening hubby and I spotted her at dusk working on a den; we were so excited to see her again. This fox was a symbol of nature's finest in Colorado and made our move even sweeter last year as we settled into our new area. This year when we didn't see her or our local eagle, we were quite disappointed. Yesterday we were driving by the field where we spotted the fox the other night and now we know why she hasn't been around-she has 6 little cubs to contend with.

These pictures don't accurately show how tiny they are but they are so cute. Mama kept her eye on us as we put the car in park and got the camera out. The picture with the drainage pipe doesn't show Mama inside watching out for her cubs. I immediately called our oldest so she could take her little ones over and possibly do a science report for homeschooling. They came over after they drove over and they actually saw 9 cubs. Later they researched Red Fox and found out that the litters are usually half the size of this one and that the cubs make their first appearance at 5 weeks of age. Oh what simple beauty and joy.

Oh what a glorious world the Lord has blessed us with.

The only song I could come up with for this week of songs is: Holy, Holy Is The Lord.

All of creation in heaven and earth bow down before Him and cry Holy, Holy, They cry Holy, Holy is the Lord.

Preparation for Easter

This week I want to do a little something different and share worships song that touch my heart and take me right to Jesus. May you be blessed as you read the words and prepare your heart for the celebration of His great love.



He Looked Beyond My Fault by Dottie Rambo

Verse Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise, for it was grace that brought my liberty; I do not know just why He came to love me so, He looked beyond my fault and saw my need. Chorus I shall forever life mine eyes to Calvary, to view the cross where Jesus died for me, how marvelous the grace that caught my falling soul; He looked beyond my fault and saw my need.

Friday Fun

I thought today would be a very relaxed day in which I could spend ample time sewing and cleaning house but not so. This morning I've got an appointment to get my hair cut and colored at a new gal's place. I'm excited but a bit concerned too, because when we first moved here I went to a very expensive salon and came out with a horrid color and cut. I'm not one to part with money easily when it comes to hair so it will be interesting to see how well I like my new place and what my family thinks about my cut and color. After all, it is just hair and will grow back but I don't like wasting the resources we have-stay tuned for my opinion tomorrow. Tonight we are going out to dinner with our neighbors who are good friends; afterward I'm sure we'll play dominoes-probably Mexican Train. Love that game. We are supposed to be getting more snow but I hope it waits until Saturday because I don't like to be out and about in it.
What ever you're doing, enjoy your day and give thanks with a grateful heart.

Thankful Thursday

Hello dear friends; although this is a tad bit late today I would like to share some of the blessings I've received today. Firstly and foremost, a brand new day to live and to serve the Lord.
This week has been jam packed with activities, today was no different but it felt so much more relaxed and peaceful. My granddaughter's therapy was canceled so her mama, three girls and I went out to shop. The girls were so well behaved and patient and it was a pleasure to stroll leisurely around the store. We arrived back at their house and right across the street is a large pond. It makes you feel like you are not in a neighborhood but out in the country; a giant blue Heron landed on the grass next to the pond. What a sight to behold; we often seen Egrets but this was unexpected and magnificent. As Peanut and I stood watching it I caught a glimpse of the muskrat that lives in the pond. I wasn't able to get a close look of him but it was fun none the less to see him swim right toward the Heron. I anticipated the Heron going after him for lunch but as we got closer the giant bird just took off.
After leaving my girl's house I stopped by our local coffee shop and visited with two of my good friends. There are weeks when we see each other on a regular basis and other weeks in winter when we don't, so it was nice to catch up.
When I got home I was able to do a bit of sewing on squares for my wall hanging. In a little while I'm going across the street to watch our other grandchildren so mom and dad can go get some coffee with friends. It has been a day filled with love and joy; for this I am so thankful.

Nature Wednesday

I'm not quite sure where my days disappear to; retirement is supposed to be laid back but I actually think I'm doing more each day then when I worked full-time. This picture was the first one we took with my new camera. It was last week after our blizzard had stopped and we just thought the ice hanging off our roof looked like icing on a cake. I'm thankful that most of the snow has melted and we are back to blue skies but according to our weatherman more snow is in the forecast. At least if it snows I will get some sewing done! Either way I love experiencing all the different seasons, inside or outside.
Have a great day and enjoy your weather.

Hugs to you this day!
Noreen