Beginning of the Year Snap Shots

I know this is a very large overview, but I thought that it would be neat to share some of the everyday snapshots from the first part of our year.  Truly, family is a precious gift from the Lord, and He showers many blessings with it.

January

I love this picture.

Daddy sitting there with his two little girls,

and Sarah stroking his hair.  ~ So sweet.

Esther being a sweet big sister helping Sarah ride her bike.

(The bigger bikes always look like so much fun. :-) )

 Starting seeds for the garden...

...and setting up the green house.

Titus bought a guitar.

He was one excited boy when that package arrived!

Bell loves doing the little girlies hair, and they like curls.

She's a good big sister and an excellent helper.

A baby quilt we made for dear family friends back in Ohio who had a new baby.

Though we got it done later than we wanted, the timing in which it arrived was a special blessing to our friend.  The Lord's timing is amazing and perfect.

Working on a puzzle.

Several years ago we put together a puzzle to hang on the wall in our bathroom.  It was such a special memory maker.  Today as it now hangs in our new living room it still brings back memories of the precious time we spent together working on it, and the many hands that helped put it together.   We decided to put together a puzzle for each bedroom in our new home.  So we've begun that process of memory making again.  It will be neat to see the memories that collect as each picture is hung and enjoyed.  The Lord is so good to us, and these puzzles are just little reminders of His many sweet blessings in life.

February

Playing with Dominos

Installing a new air conditioning system with the help of some dear friends.

Little friends all dressed up

Breanna got her permit renewed since moving to Georgia.
The little ones were sweet and prepared a special tea, snack, and music to celebrate.

Sarah loves those puppies. :-)

Daddy teaching Esther how to tie her shoes.
A special Daddy thing.

The Lord blessed us with a large area rug that was given to us by some sweet neighbors.
Here the kiddos are enjoying it the first evening while playing a game of hearts.

Puppy dogs and dollies and two precious girlies. :-)
Hearts so full of life and love.

Moving the new laying hens to the other side of the property.

 Breanna doing the little girls hair up special for church.

Finishing a puzzle.

Sarah reading to Daddy and Esther...

...and Esther reading to Daddy and Sarah.
They are both learning to read and are doing really well!

Writing out recipes.

10 sweet, lively puppies - everywhere!

The kids loved it!

March

Matching Friends for Church

School Fun

Breanna and I both enjoy helping teach our younger siblings.

From time to time we like to take a sweet treat in to the place where Dad works.  This time we placed a trillion dollar tract on each individual baggie.  Though seemingly small, we never know how the Lord may use our small efforts of light.

Riding bikes with puppy company :)

Dad and Mom with all the little ones.  So precious.

Practicing their instuments

Working on the Barn

Here Dad and Tayte are installing the big roll-away door.

 Talking to Grandma on the phone.

Between the times we get to be together, we stay very in touch via the phone. :)

Elizabeth's 11'th Birthday

Due to a visit from special friends on her birthday, we surprised Elizabeth a day early by decorating the dining room and preparing her special dinner.  She was thrilled!

 She got a mandolin for her birthday.

Something she's been wanting for a while, and was very excited about!

Angel Food Cake is Elizabeth's consistent birthday request.

We only put one candle on the cake, and thanks to a creative big brother she got to blow it out 11 times. :)

Tayte and Sarah enjoying suckers, and each other.

Trip to the Tyson Museum where Dad works with sweet friends, the T. Family

 

Four sweet little friends

A bit blurry, but worth the capture of these four big smiles.

These two fellas made us a fenomenal breakfast of biscuits and eggs.

Yes, these boys can make biscuits! :)  Thanks to Mrs. T. sharing her excellent recipe, we are now frequently enjoying wonderful whole wheat biscuits.

April

After my bus trip up to Ohio, Grandma and I made the drive back down to Georgia.

That fifteen hour drive is a long hall, but we were smiling and laughing when we drove up and were greeted by a yellow smiley face balloon tied to the mail box followed by excited big hugs from everyone.  Inside they had decorated the dining room too, complete with smiley face sugar cookies (Grandma's favorite) :-).  It sure was good to be home.  Truly, there's no place like it!  We are all so thankful to the Lord for blessing us with each other.

Grandma reading to the little girls.

Each spring as part of the afternoon service at our church we have a time of people playing and singing hymns.  It's a neat way to see the children progress in their skills, and is encouraging to everyone.

 Titus playing Jesus, Lord of Glory

Esther playing Oh How I Love Jesus

Sarah playing Amazing Grace

Elizabeth playing Come Thou Fount

Elizabeth playing Rejoice in the Lord Always

Mom's Birthday

Mom's special request for breakfast was scones and poached eggs; her favorites.

For dinner we did a fish fry, and her favorite dessert - cheesecake with cherry topping. :-)

One of Mom's significant gifts was a coil binding machine, complete with every thing to get started.  She is extremely creative, and enjoys and takes very seriously organizing and taking care of everything in our home, with school, and with our hearts.  We are so thankful for her.  She is truly a virtuous woman of great price.

 

On the rare occasions when Daddy sits in the back seat, it's a big deal. :-)

You can only imagine where all the kiddos want to be.

Playing the Math Game

Daddy and the little ones playing ball

A quilt we made for another dear friend who recently had their first baby girl.

Thus ends our overview snapshots of the first four months of 2015 in the Alexander home.  Pictures are such a special way of capturing and remembering all those special memories and blessing that the Lord sends into our lives.  May we always take everything that He sends into our lives as sent from His hand for our good, growth, and joy in Him.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

- James 1:17 -

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.  He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."

- Ecclesiastes 3:1,11 -

~Brittany

Trust~The Secret to Having a Quiet Heart

Will you say to the Lord,

“I am willing to receive what You send,

to lack what You withhold,

to relinquish what You take,

to suffer what You inflict,

and to do what You command

and to be what You require.”?

~Quote shared by Elisabeth Elliot in her message A Loving Providence

~Breanna

~Brittany

25 years and still dreaming . . .

In a world that does not value God's design for marriage or children, may every Christian marriage and family be a beacon on the hill.

This is one of Seth and I's favorite songs.  It goes beyond the promises that we keep before God.  After 25 years of marriage, we have been through a lot together and truly leaned on one another.  What a joy to still delight and dream of one another.  Truly God is good.  On our wedding day, I really do not think there was one person attending that thought our marriage would last.  But God . . . He had other plans.  He saved us and has been showing us our His marvelous love through one another for many years now. I know more of Christ because of Seth.  As I watch him love me and serve our family I see something so beyond self.  I am so thankful for him.  God's Word is truly our guidebook for all of life. May we truly surrender to Him and taste and see how good He and His ways are.   

Yielding... to Gain the Only Thing Worth Having

" Man has a claim on God, a divine claim for any pain, want, disappointment, or misery that will help to make him what he ought to be.  He has a claim to be punished, and to be spared not one pang that may urge him toward repentance; yea, he has a claim to be compelled to repent; to be hedged in on every side, to have one after another of the strong, sharp-toothed sheep-dogs of the Great Shepherd sent after him, to thwart him in any desire, foil him in any plan, frustrate him of any hope, until he comes to see at length that nothing will ease his pain, nothing make life a thing worth having, but the presence of the living God within him; that nothing is good but the will of God; nothing noble enough for the desire of the heart of man but oneness with the eternal.  For this God must make him yield his very being, that He himself may enter in and dwell with him"

George MacDonald

As I read quotes like this one and read the Scriptures, I am so thankful that I can see the hand of the Lord in my life - teaching, taking away, growing, stretching, strengthening me, orchestrating everything in my life for me to become more Christ like, to be conformed to His image.  When we have the perspective that everything is for our good and growth spiritually, and is sent from the loving hand of our Father, it really helps to change our outlook on everything that comes up and helps us to have a meek, moldable spirit and allows us to rejoice in the loving working hand of our gracious Lord.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

1 Peter 4:12-13

"Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering...

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

James 1:2-6,12

~Brittany

New adventures

Brittany was able to travel with a dear family friend, who is like a little brother to her, back to Ohio to help Grandma travel down to Georgia to come see us.  :-)  (15 hours is a long ways for my mom to travel by herself.)  This was the first time Brittany had ever rode a bus or traveled so far away without any of us.  We were thankful for Tim being willing to be her traveling companion.  What a mix of emotion as we took her to meet the bus.

A bit fuzzy and not a good pic of Es but the love of each of Brittany's siblings for her is so precious.  She puts so much into each of them, it was so sweet to see the notes and little things that each one did for her.  They all love their big sister A LOT!  How special it is to be apart of a family and be surrounded by so much love.  

They had to switch buses in Cleveland and there were only a hand full of them going on to Indiana.  It was so neat though because one of the other young men from Hicksville got on that bus from a different bus.  It was a neat experience and Brittany said it was a comfortable environment.  Pioneer Trials is a Mennonite family owned company and draws a lot of Amish and older people.  A great way to travel down south or to the Midwest.   

Grandma was there to pick up Brittany with a huge smile and lots of delight to see her oldest granddaughter.  :-)

I asked Brittany if it felt like she was home; being back in Ohio.  She said that Ohio will always be special to her.  It is so beautiful.  

But she still says she can't wait to get home and be back with her family.  We can't wait to have her back home too!  We miss her!!!  And an added bonus is that she is bringing Grandma with her.  We can't wait to see her too.  We have not seen her since the beginning of November.  It has been too long. Lord willing, they will pull in tomorrow evening and the adventure of life will continue on as we enjoy having Brittany back home and enjoy Grandma for a month or so.  

We have so very much to be grateful for.  May we never cease to recognize all the little and big things in life that we should be grateful for and thank the Lord for His goodness to us.  

Counting our many blessings,

~Karen