Hello: I hope you are all enjoying our beautiful summer. The flowers are blooming, the grass is growing, the chicks are exploding (sure am glad that children don't grow that fast), and the children are growing older, and wiser. (I hope). these pictures are really in no particular order, just a little bit of what it looks like around here these days.
 


My parents have been up visiting from Toronto (will have pics on that later). Went to the park to play a little soccer, inspired by the World cup I guess.
 







We had another birthday this month.
Happy birthday Joanna. Five is just the right number for you
 

We all love the weekend, and no it is not because we don't have to go to work...its when we get to see Benjamin again. He has been enjoying his job at Digi Key in Thief River falls, and has been a blessing to the seniors he visits every week. He has begun a bible study on Thursdays at work, and had the privilege of leading a coworker to the Lord.
The Lord has officially closed the door for his job with Border Patrol...disappointing, but content in his plan for our lives.

 
 
 
















Victoria continues to do well. Please pray for us as we look for a neurosurgeon who is lets say, on the same page as we are in terms of our view of our daughter. Ones worldview sure affects much of how we live and how we view treasures like our Victoria. Sure will be exciting to see what the future holds for us, but till then, we want to be faithful in all we do. We read that tonight in our family quiet time from Rev. 2 Faithful followers of Jesus, through calm days, and when the storms knock the lights out..faithful, till we see the beauty of Jesus, face to face, and here, well done thou good and faithful servant...that will be enough. Press on dear saint, lift up your eyes, shine for Him, enjoy Him.
I won't really comment on any more of the pics. Blessings, Bruce

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day

Lest we forget.
"All gave some...some gave all"
Christ gave all...am I????

One of God's amazing creatures

This bird flew into our flowers tonight. At first I thought it was a bumble bee, as it flew like one. Those are tiny Johnny jump ups its eating in. It had a tiny brown body, and looked like a small beak for eating with. Does any one know what kind of bird it is? Sorry it is not a better picture, but I don't have a very expensive camera. If you double click on the pic, they should get bigger for you.
Tonight the boys and I went to visit an elderly neighbor who is dying of cancer. He has never thought much of receiving Christ, but we shared some goodies and read to him from God's word. If you are reading this, please pray for him. Blessing, Bruce

More living lessons

Linda, have you seen my glasses???? I am sure I left them around here somewhere..oh well, I guess its old age..or not. :))






The girls helped with the planting this year. Planting is almost done now. Unless a potato falls into the ground and dies, it will never make mashed potatoes. Esther, you must release it, let it go. So what are you holding onto that you need to let go and die to? All the kids were such good helpers to their Ma this year. Linda just loves the garden, and does such a good job with it.






We have done such a poor job keeping you up to date with Victoria. As you can see, she is growing, now if only her brain were growing as well, but who knows, maybe it is, as we do serve the God of miracles. (Mind you, just having her here is a miracle of sorts). Nevertheless, we will love her all the same. She loves to cuddle, loves silk things, loves her swing (even swinging with Daddy outside), she held a cat for the first time today, and thinks she is Houdini. (Linda found her after nap the other day with only a t-shirt and diaper on. she had wiggled out of her sleeper which was still fully snapped up.) We have taken her down to Fargo twice now to have her shunt adjusted, and might have to go again soon as fluid seems to be building up again. Please pray that the little device is still working, as we all would not like another operation. It takes awhile to get used to someone who is different. Sometimes I think people are afraid to hold her as they might think they might hurt her, or don't think they will be able to, but she really isn't that hard to hold now...so love her with us :)) Victoria is almost sleeping through the night now, for which we are all grateful. Well, everyone just got back from the dentist, so will wrap this up. Humble yourself under God, and let Him lift you up..Blessings, Bruce

Random pics of our sweet girl

 

 

 

 

Matthew's 12th birthday

May 6th was Matthew's 12th birthday. We are so thankful for Matthew. He is a cheerful helper, loves history...especially when it is being read to him, loves almost any active sport (right now hockey in the garage is the preferred game) and is full of life. We are so thankful that he was sent to 12 years ago...in our Dodge 5th Avenue...a rather exciting arrival for our largest baby, who has so quickly grown into a fine young man. We have had such a warm spring that the tulips are quite a bit ahead of what they normally are. Notice one of the pics in the slide show is from a couple of years ago, and the flowers are way behind.

Update

Thank you so much for praying. Victoria had a good day today with no seizures. She is on a little medication for them, but we are already weening her off of it. We are so thankful.  She is up sleeping peacefully in her new sleigh bed (will post pics later.)
We were sad today to eat at our famous Roosevelt Diner for the last time today as they are now officially closed. Sure was nice while it lasted though. Enjoy your day of rest tomorrow, as we are once again reminded that it is not by works that we are saved, but by resting in the finished work of Christ, and that He is the one that sanctifies us and set us apart for Himself. Blessing, Bruce

Prayer appreciated

Just a short update. Victoria started having some small seizures today. We don't know if it is related to our trip to Fargo where her shunt was adjusted, or if it is just par for the course for someone with her condition. It is quite common for children with HPE to be on anti seizure medication . Our neurosurgeon wanted us to get a Ct scan done tomorrow, so will go to Roseau for that tomorrow. So would appreciate your prayer for wisdom and trust in our great God and Savior. The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth." We are so blessed to have a Father that sees us and cares for us.  Thanks everyone. Blessing, Bruce

Spring...piano recital and time for picnics.

On Saturday evening, April 17th, at 7:00, Reuben, Elizabeth and Matthew had a piano recital.  I think they were a little nervous...but they still did well.  Reuben played "I am Resolved" and "Calypso Carnival".  We have seen so much improvement over this year!

Elizabeth played "God Leads Us Along" and
 "Minuet in G".  She is also preparing to play one hymn with the congregation at our upcoming Share Night.

"For the Beauty of the Earth" and "The Lonesome Pine" are the songs that Matthew played. They all did a little practicing ahead of time on the piano at the church, as it is a little different than the one they normally practice on.

Friday, April 16th, we had our first picnic!  The weather has been unusually warm this spring...completely opposite of last year.  Our tulips are 6" high, daylilies are coming up, the lilacs buds are quickly growing, and the rhubarb is making me think of Jean's rhubarb cake.  On Friday, I also experienced something else...soft grass, prickly pine needles, soft warm garden dirt, smooth hard driveway surface and the rubber of someones running shoes on top of my feet.  Are you wondering how this came about??  With my favorite summer shoes, of course. : )  (which are bare feet...can you guess who is writing today??)

Some more picnic photos...on the menu:  pepperoni or taco pizza, coleslaw and smoothie...along with plenty of fresh vitamin "D"...thanks to the sunshine. : )

                  Easter Sunday mommy was home with three little girls...we made Resurrection Buns.

The buns are made with a marshmallow on the inside, which melts, and leaves the bun empty.  JoAnna had so much fun making them, she wanted to make them every day the next week.

Tomorrow we have an appointment with the neurosurgeon in Fargo.  I think they want to decide whether the shunt needs to be adjusted or not.  The shunt is under her skin, but they can adjust it with a strong magnet if necessary.  Victoria is a very content baby over all, and has become so much easier to care for since some of the CSF has drained, making her head much lighter.  I can carry her without a pillow to stabilize her head now...and that makes cuddling so much easier!  We praise God for His goodness...and look to Him for strength for each day that lies ahead.

  "I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth...O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.  I sought the LORD and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."