Belle

Our sweet, kind, and passive dog Belle died a week ago. I wanted to post some pictures in rememberance of her. She really was one of the best puppies, but she had some quirks. Some endearing, and some annoying. For the first few years of her life she was extremly energetic. I had NEVER seen a dog run that fast. She was very cuddly. She would find anyone's legs appealing, and back her butt right up to them, and lean all her weight on you. Belle was such a picky eater. She rarely cleaned up the mess on the floor after a meal. And with four little kids, this was something I wished she would have done. But on that same picky note, she never got into the kids toys, shoes, or anything else that was laying around. Belle was so obedient, and listened very well. She was always tolerant of the kids, and well behaved. She was the perfect family dog. We miss her very much. These are pictures of us saying goodbye to her.

top- secret enviornmental recycling program

O.K. so the secret must come out. For now there is proof of my recent activities. For years now I have been secretly involved in an environmental recycling program. Monthly jumping on large cardboard boxes from Nathanael's work. I break them down and burn them up. The mission has been top secret until this last Saturday when the programs vow (Yes... I am willing to risk life and limb) came to pass. Whilst jumping on a particularly large and strong cardboard box, I lost my balance, fell straight forward onto our unforgiving STONE patio.

The outcome of my unfortunate accident, a broken elbow. Recovery will be around six week. We'll keep you updated!

Build up a highway

This is a song that I wrote a few days ago. It is based on Isaiah 62:10 that says, Pass through, pass through the gates. Prepare the way for the people. Build up the highway. Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations!

Here are the lyrics....
His eyes, are searching the land
For eyes, that look for his plan
And his hands, they're reaching down
For hands, that are reaching up

He is searching, he is looking, he is waiting, for his children To come now, and bow down, sayin us me, sayin us me.... to


Build up, build up a highway
Pick up, and remove the stones
lift up, lift high a banner
Make known the unknown, and build up a highway!

A mess that is blog worthy.

 

Innocent you think?? I think not!!! When asked who got into the flour first, Samuel told the truth. I will credit him that! "Who did this!??" I exclaimed. "Samuel or Amilia?"

They Both exclaimed, "SAMUEL!!" Looks like they both had too much fun. I stripped Sam before I got a picture. But he was just as messy as his little sister.
 


We are enjoying a beautiful day here. It is in the mid 70's, so I am filling up the pool for one last dip of the summer!!

Lincoln turned five

Amilia sings to Lincoln!!

Puddle Jumping

Don't you just love Rain Showers on a sunny day. The boys were outside playing in the sunshine, when all of the sudden it started to pour. They came inside and colored. When it was done pouring, we slid on our puddle boots and went out to find the biggest puddle! We had a great walk!

Not too much

Well, this is a first- a video blog entry. I wanted to share this song that I wrote a few months ago called not too much.
Here are the lyrics.

Not too much
By Anna Bailey

Come to me, Come to Me, You are Weary
I will give you rest
Come to me, Come to Me, You are Weary
I will give you rest

What about my rebellious ways
Look what I’ve become
Many days I’ve gone astray
I feel I’m overcome………
But it’s not too much, It’s not too much for HIM

Be at rest, Be at rest, Oh my soul
For the Lord is Good
Be at rest, Be at rest, Oh my soul
For the Lord is Good

But what about my selfishness
And my ugly Pride
I can’t hide my life’s distress
And I’m growing tired
But it’s not too much, It’s not too much for HIM

Let's be encouraged that there is nothing that we do, say, or think that God cannot forgive and make new!

Forgive me- Oh Faithful Blog readers!

So, what are the reasons for my postponed blogging? I think it is because so much has happen over the last few months!

Here are the pictures, and captions in review!

April 12th- Nathanael turns 30! He celebrated with two birthday parties, one in the Cities with family, and one in Duluth with friends.







We celebrated Sammy's third birthday! He giggled all night long at his new CAT dump truck!




Surprise! I also found him doing some light reading!



We celebrated Amilia's gotcha day! It was May 3rd of last year that we began to care for her 24/7. Wow! What a trying and wonderful year we have had!! This picture was taken while she was trying on one of Nathanael's birthday gifts!



I celebrated my 31st birthday with a nice quiet night at home. Nathanael made fajitas that went wonderfully with a glass of wine! Here I am opening a card from the kids!


It has been a busy few months!
Stay tuned- I hope to post more frequently!

One year ago!

 
 
It is so hard to believe that a year has passed since we received our referral of Amilia Degenesh. I got the call on March 6th in the afternoon. I was painting her nursery when the phone rang. I picked it up, heard our social workers voice and screamed! We had been waiting 5 months for that call. After I settled down, I sat down on the basement stairs and she gave me all the information. I then called Nathanael and we both opened up our email- him at work, me at home, and we looked at her picture. What a moment. Seeing your child for the first time.

That night we celebrated and called family and friends.

Now, one year later... it has gone by too fast. It has been the hardest and most wonderful year of my life! After a hard 6-8 months, we have really settled in to our new family. Almost every day I look at her and get close to tears. She is such a blessing.

Our kitchen is done!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

After 7 months of renovation our kitchen is complete. Here are some pictures of the whole process.
*July* we pulled up four layers of flooring the the kitchen, and laid hard wood done. They we had someone come in and refinish them.
a long pause in the action while we waited for the money to come in for the rest!
*December* Made a corner bench out of two pews our church gave to us! Put up the paneling tongue and groove for the breakfast nook. (Much thanks to Dad and Mom Bailey for all their help)
*January* Installed new counters, got a new kitchen table as a gift, and installed a new "old" sink I got at a garage sale for $20!!!
*February* Finished the paneling and painted!

Give till it hurts

 

I always knew there would come a time when I would learn life lessons from my children. Last night was a profound lesson from Lincoln. After christmas we decided as a family to go through our toys and give away some of them. When I first explained the idea to the children, they were excited. So we went through the house and looked for toys that other little boys and girls would really enjoy. When we were nearing the end of the collecting, Lincoln came to me with a brillant idea. "Can I give my blanket to a little boy that doesn't have one?" Now this is the blanket I knit for him before he was born, and has slept with it almost every night. Part of me wanted to say, NO- that's your special blanket that mommy made for you, you should keep it. But I decided to see how this one would play out. Lincoln preceeded to get a ziploc bag and placed his blanket inside. Not much more was said about the matter.
It was the next morning that I realized he fell asleep without it, and didn't even ask for it.
Now toy drop off day was still a week away, so the blanket did make it out of the ziploc for the rest of the evenings. But when it was time to drop off the toys last night, Lincoln remembered the blanket, and placed it back in the ziploc. Out the door the boys went with Nathanael to drop of their things. 20 minutes latter they arrived home, and I asked Lincoln, "Did you leave your blanket there?" He looked at me like, OF COURSE, it's for a little boy that needs one. He had already made the decision, and had the resolve to go through with it. There was no question about it, that blanket was for someone else now. AMAZING!! It seems it was almost harder for me to see the blanket go, than for him.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
Lincoln, thanks for the great life lesson!!

Welcome Elijah Thomas Bailey

Please forgive this belated welcome to our newest nephew! Nathanael's brother Philip, and his wife Abby had their first baby. Elijah Thomas was born on November 13th. He is a very healthy little one, but was tiny when he first arrived. We got to see and hold all 3 pounds and 10 ounces of him just one week after he was born. We are so excited and proud to have Elijah join our family.
 
 
 
 

psalm 126

Lately I have noticed that some of my family and friends are going through times of great trial, suffering, and pain. Some of you may be reading this right now. I want to encourage you with this promise from God.

"Those who sow in tears, will reap with songs of JOY. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." psalm 126: 5-6

This psalm is such an encouragement to me because it holds a promise from God. If we sow the Word of God in our lives and the lives around us during a time of weeping, we WILL reap a harvest of JOY.

Below is the way that I have interpreted and applied it in song




Sow the Seed
Sow the seed, amidst the sorrow
tears of pain, soak the harvest tomorrow
Go forth in hope, of the faithful ONE
He prepares the soil, for the work of the Son

Those who sow in tears, will reap with shouts of Alleluia, Alleluia
Those who sow in tears, will reap with shouts of Alleluia, Alleluia

Reap the sheaves, with Joyous strains
Carry it with laughter, that's replaced the pain
All praise to HIM , he's forever Blessed
He's renewed, restored, and brought a new harvest

Those who sow in tears, will reap with shouts of Alleluia, Alleluia
Those who sow in tears, will reap with shouts of Alleluia, Alleluia




I thank you God for your great renewing promise!