blackberries, invitations, and more sad news....

I was reminded that not everyone can see my slide show's from photobucket.... and I loved the pics we took the other day so I posted the ones from Teal Lake on the previous blog and I will post blackberry picking on today's. I had a small piece of the pie last night and it was soooo good! The kids haven't tasted it yet because I got it in the oven too late. Meghan came over and we addressed the invitations to the wedding reception. Took hours.... but we got them done! However.... I didn't get the kids to Teal Lake and Papa didn't want to take them so when Joel came to get Maddie.... she was crushed. So I am going to try to fit it in today. I hate to tell them we'll do something and not follow through. I don't like it when people do that to me....so I try not to do it to others. Andrew has an information day today at school and Karla's kids have open house so I have to get them back early. Plus I work today. Yesterday the kids played and papa shot the bb gun with them..... they finally ran out of bb's!

Got some very sad news yesterday. More tragedy for our family in Oklahoma. Jim's mother was killed in a car accident. Jim is Rita's husband. My heart goes out to all of them at this time. Especially our niece Becky. She is closer to Lanny's mom than any of the grandkids because she grew up next door to her. She is also the one who has the baby boy, Noah, who is battling cancer and is scheduled to have his tumor removed soon. And now she loses her other grandma. You have to wonder why all this is happening to one family. I am heartsick for them all and praying for them.

Well, best get finished and get in the shower. Have a easy day and may God bless all who read this....

Today: Cloudy and cool with a slight chance of a few sprinkles midday and this afternoon. Brief afternoon clearing is possible too. Light wind turning northerly to 10 mph. Highs in the 60s.

• Tonight: Clouds and a little clearing, with showers limited to the mountains. Lower 50s.
  
• Wednesday: Morning clouds, clearing to mostly sunny. Warming to the upper 60s and low 70s.
  
• Thursday: Mostly sunny after morning clouds. Highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s.
  
• Friday: More sun, warming to the mid 70s.
  
• Weekend: Sunny, with just a few clouds at times. Highs in the 70s.
  
• Weather Summary: A very weak front is brushing by giving more clouds and just a chance of a few sprinkles. High pressure builds the rest of the week, bringing a gradual warm-up into the weekend. Highs in the 70s will be a little more normal for this time of year.

do you take care of others???

"A man's got to take care of himself!" Yeah, we do have to be responsible folks. But, part of being responsible, part of being blessed -- at least as God sees it -- is to care for others, to stick up for the disadvantaged, and to intervene when someone else is being exploited. After all, we are our "brother's and sister's keeper!"

Remove the heart of selfishness, O God, that keeps me from caring for the downtrodden, abused, forgotten, and broken. Give me your eyes of concern and Jesus' heart of compassion to see them and minister to them. In his name, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Dirt clods, bb guns, and blackberries.....

Well, another summer has passed and the kids start school in 2 days. Can't believe the girls will be in Kindergarten! Heather got a job at a day care....gets to bring Jared and Josh (when he doesn't have school). Will be great for all of them! Speaking of Jared and Josh....love this picture Heather sent me!I laughed so hard when I saw this! They have dirt every where!!! And then Josh holding himself tops it! Too funny!!!! These are our original dirtclod boys!!!! The other two were transplants! lol!!!!
We had a great and busy day yesterday. We met Amanda in Silverdale so the kids could get a few school clothes. She found some really cute stuff and good deals! Then we had lunch at Wendy's. Next, we went over and I showed her my gym. She liked it! Then the kids and I went and picked up Maddie and Dylan and we all came here and played. We went on the back deck and all shot the BB gun at targets and cans. That was fun. Lauren and Maddie got bored but the boys had fun! Then I took the kids to Teal Lake and looked around and took pictures. Andrew & Lauren have never been there. Then we drove down by the bridge and loaded up on blackberries! We're making a pie this morning! It was fun! Papa had chicken fettuccini alfredo ready for us when we got home! The boys and I played the clue game Dylan brought over. It has changed.....the house now has a Spa, livingroom, and Guest House....and the weapons now include poison and a bat!!!! I guessed and was wrong...so I lost. Dylan guessed and was wrong but he tried to backtrack and guess again..... insisting it is legal! So we ask mom today. Apparently she is the ultimate judge and authority on clue. He said since it doesn't say in the rules you can't guess again....you can! We're not playing again until Karla lays down her decision. It was a great night, though. Today we're going out to the lake again! Papa and I have the whole day off. Meghan called yesterday and is talking about coming over to work on wedding stuff, too. Well, hope your day is long and filled with good things!

What's Ahead: A nice Labor Day with sun this afternoon following some morning clouds and a little fog. Cool ocean air will keep highs in the 60s.
A weakening cold front comes in Tuesday. That will increase the chance of light rain over Seattle in the afternoon, although most of the storm activity will go north. Other than some left-over clouds Wednesday morning, we're in for more sunshine the rest of the week with some clouds mixing in from time to time. Highs warm back into the 70s.

Oh, and Happy Labor Day! Ever wonder what Labor day is? Here is what the Farmers Almanac says:

September 1—Labor Day

Always the first Monday in September, Labor Day was the idea of Peter J. Maguire, a labor union leader who in 1882 proposed a celebration honoring the American worker. At his suggestion, 10,000 workers held a parade in Union Square, New York City, and followed it with political speeches, fireworks, and a picnic. The date chosen was simply “convenient,” according to Maguire, because it was midway between the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Although the day’s focus on organized labor has diminished over the years, the legal holiday still marks the end of summer and the traditional time for children to return to school.