The Best of Times is Now!

Dear Friends,

As each day passes in a whirlwind of activity with a houseful of rambunctious youngin's (and beautiful young ladies), I try to "pull focus" and remember how fleeting these times are, and how precious time at home is.

One of the greatest joys in my life is watching my children grow and develop into their own personalities, and seeing them invent stories and re-enact their favorite characters.

Here are the oldest three girls outside the theatre where Mr. Graham took them to see "The Desolation of Smaug." It took some thrift-store shopping and sheepskin-chopping, but we pulled together Bilbo, Fili, and Kili outfits to dress up in. AnnaMarie tried handing the attendant her swords for safe-keeping. She said, "Careful with these, I just had them sharpened" a la Fili, but he told her she could keep them instead. I love having such "socially-deprived" homeschooled girls! ☺

AnnaMarie has written an original feature-length film, which we all helped make. Audrey did an amazing job on the editing, adding sound effects and music. Everyone become very good at playing several roles!



Of course little Hyrum is still the king of the household however, taking up our days and filling our hearts with lots of endorphins.

"Now offering Baby-Hugging Therapy services"

We could play with his feet all day!

Most of our days are spent doing this and that, learning and sharing, fussing and making up, nourishing body and soul and seeking to build up the kingdom of God on this earth. At the end of the day I'm usually too tired to write it all down in my journal, but I hope that the lives of my children and children's children will be a testimony to my love for the Lord and desire to live a life that glorifies Him in all things.

So much to learn, so little time!

We are grateful to be able to share with you, our dear friends, our little happenings and joys, and pray for God's blessings upon your own family.

Love,

Marqueta

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The best of times is now
What's left of summer but a faded rose
The best of times is now
As for tomorrow, well, who knows
Who knows, who knows

So hold this moment fast, hold it fast
And live and love as hard as you know how, 

 And make this moment last, moment last
Because the best of times is now
Is now, is now

~As sung by Perry Como

Someone Had a Birthday~

Dear Friends,

Our oh-so-stylish Evangeline had a birthday this week, making her an official Nine Year-Old. You can see by the photo above how excited she was!

We are so grateful to have our little Dolly (as we affectionately call her) in our family for another year. Besides keeping us entertained with themes and variations of songs on the piano, she has been such a great help with little Hyrum, offering to hold him and change his diaper because she loves babies so much. She will be a great mommy someday!

Below are a few photos of the day, plus a photo shoot Tasha took of her wearing some of her favorite clothes~ Enjoy.

 

Love,

Marqueta

A New Year Begins

Dear Friends,

I guess I'd better finish my New Year's post, since January is already half over with! I'm good at sticking pictures on my blog and leaving them for a week or two until I have time to type something.

We had a New Year's Eve "good riddance" party bonfire 31 December. We write down everything we regret about the past year (things we did or didn't do that we wish we hadn't or had), then burn them in the backyard. Since we don't have a fireplace in our home, we love every chance we have to smell wood smoke!

On New Year's Day Evangeline, Rebecca, and I took a walk in the woods by our house and found this deer skull, robin's nest made with grape cluster stems, and branch with tiny white shelf mushrooms, for our nature shelf. They speak of birth, death, and eternal renewal.

Hyrum just keeps getting bigger and cuter, expressing himself with his eyebrows. His "real" hair has grown in now, complete with Widow's Peak hairline.

The family "Rapunzel Club" keeps expanding, with Evangeline's hair getting just about as long as everyone else's~

Frankie has been keeping busy making duct tape armor and trying to find victims to sword fight with (He can scarcely wait until Hyrum is big enough to assail him)~



We love the feeling of starting over that a new year gives us, but most especially we love each new day that we are here together at home, seeking to better ourselves and to speak more love into each others' hearts. Life is such a precious blessing, and such a fleeting thing. May we truly appreciate the gift that it is!

Love and blessings to you all,

Marqueta

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Ode on Solitude

By Alexander Pope

 

 

Happy the man, whose wish and care

   A few paternal acres bound,

Content to breathe his native air,

                            In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,

   Whose flocks supply him with attire,

Whose trees in summer yield him shade,

                            In winter fire.

Blest, who can unconcernedly find

   Hours, days, and years slide soft away,

In health of body, peace of mind,

                            Quiet by day,

Sound sleep by night; study and ease,

   Together mixed; sweet recreation;

And innocence, which most does please,

                            With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;

   Thus unlamented let me die;

Steal from the world, and not a stone

                            Tell where I lie.