INTROOODUUCIIING...

Naomi Joy

My new niece!

I told you she would be a cutie. 

I just want to "nibble" on those cheeks.

Mmm...mmm...

Love, Love, Love

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 
but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

AND

"Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love"

Jeremiah 31:3


THAT is great news that gives us great hope!

Valentines Eve Special

SHE has arrived!

My sister delivered a healthy baby girl at home (yes, on purpose) early this morning.
She weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz

I have no pictures yet. But trust me, I know she is a cutie!
She has no name yet, either.
I will keep you posted.

Thanks for your prayers.

Five VERY Sweet...

VALENTINES!

Brian took his 5 sweeties to a Western Father/Daughter Dance at a local church.

They all had so much fun!

These girls love their Daddy!

AND...

their Daddy Lo-oves them!!!

Costing me a Fortune!!

 See these trees?

   

There is a row of them just down from our house. 

Nothing fancy. Just trees. 

However, in the winter, these not-so-fancy trees get frequent visits from the Bald Eagles and they come alive with beauty. Not just one Bald Eagle. Many! We have had as many as 18 at one time. 

Absolutely breathtaking.

Look carefully and you can see two in this picture.

Here is a close up. 

Most of the time they will NOT fly away as we drive by. This time I had my camera.

You may be asking yourself, "Why are these costing her a fortune? What is she talking about?" Well, you see, it all started back about a month ago when I was in the plow-truck with Brian. He told asked me to drop the plow whenever I was driving the truck. And I had been driving it quite a bit because the tires on my car were so bald that I could not get up to the camp. Anyways, I said, "Really? You want me to plow? You do such a great job." He said, "Yes. It is very easy and it will be helpful to me. Just drop it and turn the blade. You can do it." In my mind I was thinking - "ahhg! I REALLY don't want to. But... maybe. We'll see."

Well... we had a big Men's Retreat at Big Canyon. Brian was meeting with the men. It was snowing and I (unfortunately) had the truck. Argh! I toyed with the idea of plowing for Brian so he wouldn't have to leave early and the road would be clear for the men to leave. I wanted to help but I was fearful of "messing" something up. Who knows what. But I am sure I could find something. So I convinced myself NOT to. But, I knew it would be helpful.

Back and forth. 

Yes - No! Yes - No! 

OK! I will just do it! 

I finally decided I could/would do it and earn "points" with my husband. :-)

Abbi was with me. She was cheering me on. She kept saying, "Dad is going to love it. He is going to be so proud." I was just as excited as her.

We got down to Eagles Landing (the trees where the eagles sit) and there were about 5 in the trees and just as we passed 4 flew up from the ground and were flying right along with us. It was amazing.

Then that "something" happened!

I came to the cattle guard.

Let's just say... Not pretty.

Note to self: Lift plow when crossing the cattle guard and 

Don't get distracted by the Eagles.

The plow blade got caught.

It snapped!

Fixing the plow was NOT cheap.

I think I will be suing the Bald Eagles.

After-all, it IS their fault.

Know a good lawyer?

I am wondering if my husband will tell ask me to plow again... hmmm

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; 

they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Brain Damage? Concussion?

Elizabeth and I spent the morning at the ER.

Thankfully, all is well.

Just a concussion.

Early Saturday morning she fell off the top bunk while sleeping. She hit her head HARD! And cried immediately. We comforted her. She seemed to be doing ok. And then things seemed to go down hill - -All she wanted to do was sleep. Then, she threw up. Then her vision was getting blurred. Then she threw up again. 

Then mama began to worry...

Then mama (me) loaded her into to the car and drove to the ER. She threw up again when we arrived. The staff treated her with great care and love. 

Her brain was perfect! 

They had her eat and drink to make sure things stayed down and then we were released.

WHEW! Thank you Lord.

She was given the O.K. to sleep. And that is exactly what she did - with her cat, of course!

The best healing medicine 

for Elizabeth ~ her Toby!

Updates:

1- My sister is still patiently waiting for their 7th blessing to arrive.

2- Caleb is searching high and low for another young porcupine.

We are missing Scout - badly! 

I am praying he finds one because the alternative does not excite me - a baby coyote.  :- 0

And knowing him, he would find one!

3-  My little Sue-Bee (Subaru) has new wheels.

God is so good. He uses others to bless others. We were the ones blessed by others. These "others" knew that we were in need of tires for our car. It was like driving on sleds up and down our snow-packed road. They gave us enough money to buy new all-terrain tires for our all-wheel drive Outback.
This gift brought tears to my eyes.
Completely grateful!

4- I just received an amazing CD from Cindy, a blog friend.

It's a MUST HAVE!
Great music. Awesome talent.
You can order one here.



5- Great News!

Once the snow melts - this place will be "rockin" with campers and lots of fun!

Big Canyon is booked every day (almost) from May - August.
Start praying for the Big Canyon campers. Pray that hearts will be softening (right now) to hear the gospel, that lives will be changed, and that God will be glorified!!

Porcupine 101

Myth or Truth?

Porcupines throw their quills...

Contrary to popular belief, the quills are not projected. When a p.p (porcupine) is nervous, scared or in mode of protection, their pores open up and their quills can be acquired by a simple touch.
Myth!

Porcupines will attack if threatened...

They do not attack. They will turn around and give you their hiney (my spellcheck says hiney is not a word. I beg to differ. I use it all of the time!!) which is covered in quills that normally lie flat but will rise and spread out when threatened. fyi- a p.p. can have as many as 30,000 quills.
Myth!

Porcupines are nocturnal...

P.P's do all their hunting, eating and scavenging at night. Sleep during the day.
Truth!

Porcupines travel many miles in one day...

They are not travelers. They move over time but not very fast.
Myth

Porcupines have orange teeth...

Truth!

Porcupines love sugar...

They lo-ove salt! Always in search of salt. They will chew and gnaw on wood (contains sodium nitrate) just to get their fill of salt.
Myth!

Porcupines are active year round...

They do not hibernate. However, in the cold winters they will den for short periods of time in a hole, hollow log, our friends camper, or a treetop. A treetop is where Caleb found his little Scout.
Truth!

Porcupines can not survive a car ride...

Especially when they have chosen to ride/hide in the engine of the car. 

Truth!

Scout was a great pet for the short time we had him. Caleb was making great progress with him. He had gotten him to the point where Scout would eat out of his hands and he was getting very few quills when he handled him. 

He was fun!

We learned lots. 

He will be missed ~ LOTS!