Here are some more pictures of our camping trip and sweet little Finn who will be 6 wks. now. He sure is growing and was a pleasure to take camping as were his mom and dad.

HOORAY!!! Our first camping trip of 2007 and we decided to go to Seward. I had a 3-day weekend due to a school in-service and Bernie took the day off. We packed our bicycles and stopped and shopped for groceries in Anchorage. It is such a blessing to just go and not have to pack everything but the kitchen sink.

We invited both the Grandmothers and also Gretchen, Phil, and Finn down. The great-grandmas couldn't make it this trip but Phil, Gretchen, and Finn came and spent Saturday and Sunday with us. We all had a good time and the weather was beautiful! Psalms 148. "Praise him, sun and moon. Praise him all you shining stars. Praise him highest heavens and you waters above the sky. Let them praise the Lord beause they were created by his command. He put them in place forever and ever; he made a law that will never change. Praise the Lord from the earth you large sea animals and all the oceans...

HAPPY AND A BLESSED EASTER TO ALL!!

Here we are after coloring eggs for Finnley's first Easter. His dad Phil is quite the artist when it comes to dying the eggs. We had a total of 20 people over for dinner after church. We also had two more visitors in the afternoonn and it was so delightful to visit with them. Lori Crouse whom we went to school with and another friend, Anne Roberts. There was so much delicious food, it was hard to resist. Dawn, Sherry, and Jessica outdid themselves on the desserts. We had lemon meringue pie, 4-layer dessert, knox blocks, chocolate truffle tart, chocolate peanut butter pie, cream puffs with berries, and Lynette made a carrot cake.

The vinyl got laid on Saturday before and it came out great. The other vinyl hadn't been changed since we moved in 24 yrs ago. It was long overdue. I painted the walls a buttercream yellow and soon it will be finished. Bernie and Phil did some more work on the walls tonight and tomorrow the toilet will be remounted. Good thing no one uses this bathroom now.

Some thoughts about Easter. We focus so much on the fact that Jesus died for us. We sometimes forget that he lived for us too and still lives for us. If Jesus had come simply as himself and not as one of us the Bible makes it quite clesar that we could not have borne the sight of his presence, any more than Moses could have looked directly at the face of God.

Imagine what it would be like to be at the Father's side one moment and struggling to sleep in a cattle trough the next. Imagine what it would be like to go from hearing the praise of angels to suffering the taunts of stupid men. The cost to Jesus is an indication of the incredible value of what He came to give us. And because no one will ever fully know what that cost Jesus, we can only begin to understand the incredible value of His gift to us. Eternal Life. Jesus overcame death and rose from the grave. He died to give us life. He is alive.

What a Wonderful Spring Break!! Despite the snow and cold, there was much to do indoors. A time to clean, a time to paint the bathroom, a time to visit, a time to spend with Finn and Gretchen. Soon I was wondering where the time went. Bernie and I went to the Home Show at the Sullivan, the Motorcycle Show at the Egan, adn the RV show at the Northway Mall. Things never got slow, and we were busy all the time. I loved every minute of it.

We had a good time visiting with the Benavides family. Sue made a tasty lunch and we visited for quite a while. Sue and Sam's gracious hospitality are worthy to be praised. I also had the opportunity to visit with Marion and Grif Griffiths at the Sleepy Dog Cafe. We had such a good time. Grif turned 80 years young last week!

Dawn and Sherry threw a shower/luncheon at Grandma George's house for those who could not make it to Finn's shower. They did such a good job. The food was wonderful especially, the homemade Chai Cheesecake and Brownie Tart.

We started a Daniel (Beth Moore) Bible study here with 6 ladies. I am looking forward to what God will be teaching me and the others as well.Beth Moore has always been inspiring as well as challenging.

Max Lucado writes..."Proverbs is a collection of lamps. Not spotlights that blind. Not bonfires that blaze. But lamps. Lamps that do for your heart what the lamps in your house do for your eyes. They chase away the darkness." These commands are like a lamp wrote Solomon.

It is so important to read the Word of God every day and let it speak to you. It is like a mirror, a reflection of myself, and what I do about it is up to me. It's a choice. What's on the inside will eventually come out. Time spent in Proverbs makes a heart wise.

SPRING BREAK - MARCH IS IN LIKE A LION...LET'S HOPE IT'S OUT LIKE A LAMB...
Our weather is still cold but this is the start of our spring break we have...a whole 10 days off. It's plenty warm inside and the sun is absolutely shining outside. The warmer weather will undoubtedly come. I planted begonia bulbs inside in flower pots today so hopefully by Memorial Day weekend they can go outside.

Finn is getting bigger and so much fun to watch between his stretches and his facial expressions. Gretchen had her appt. today and is recovering nicely. Finn has passed his birth weight and is in the 90th percentile according to the Dr.'s charts.

We now have renters which is an answer to prayer. They move in this weekend. This weekend we are taking in the home show and also the motorcycle show at the Egan Ctr. We are looking forward to both.

Within the seed lies God's creative power
He's given us the joy to see it grow;
And when He puts new life within our heart,
His wonder-working power we can know.

In the first photo you'll notice that Liam has on Gretchen's Croc's and was walking around with them. He is so cute and never far from his big sister Isabel.

This was Finn's homecoming week and he had many visitors including cousins Liam and Isabel, Elic, Georgea, and Carsten. Aunts Dawn and Sherry came as well as Barbara and Debbie and also Grandma George. He and his mom and dad are doing well and are getting adjusted to his schedule.

Finn has his nights and days a little mixed up right now but soon to be scheduled according to Gretchen and Phil. He is a happy little guy when being held.

Here is our beautiful Baby Finn on day two. His proud papa and G-Pop are holding him as well as Chrissy. Finn has started to eat and is getting the hang of nursing. Gretchen is doing well also and has gotten up to do a little walking...still not much sleep though, for she or for Phil. There were so many visitors yesterday including both grandmas, Great Aunt Chrissy, Sara and Dori, Great Grandma Rhea, co-workers, friends from church, and family friends.

Psalms 100:3 "Know ye that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of his pasture."

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW...

Welcome to the world Finnley Patrick Courtney weighing in at 9 lbs and 2 oz and 20 inches long. He is beautiful. Congratulations to the proud parents Phil and Gretchen Courtney! We couldn't be happier for you.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God...

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

"Be consistent with discipline." "No means no!. " "Enjoy every moment with your little one from diapering and feeding on." " Lots of love." " Have a sense of humor." "Let the housework go and enjoy your baby." " Encourage your husband to be the Godly and spiritual leader of the home because Finnley will walk in his steps." These were some of the pieces of advice which were given to Gretchen as she enjoyed her second baby shower.

Thanks to Susanna for hosting and playing the games, Christa for decorating, and Sue B. for making the cake. We had 22 adults, 5 kids, and 3 babies attending. Gretchen received many wonderful and needed gifts for Finnley. The picture of the little items on the pan are from a game with bubblegum to see who could craft the best baby. Amy Washington was the winner...and she won the Price is Right for guessing the closest dollar amount on baby items. Thanks to Natalie for coming up with the great game idea!!

Finnley Patrick is due on March 8th. Pray for Gretchen and Phil as they take the awesome responsibility of parenthood. They will be great!

Here we are at Gretchen and Finnley's baby shower which was held Saturday at Barbara's house. Everything was wonderful including hospitality, games, foodnot to mention all those who came. Gretchen was really blessed by all those who attended and gifted Finnley Patrick. We can hardly wait for his arrival. I'm guessing at March 4th...but the actual due date is March 8. Special thanks go to Barbara for hosting, Dori and Sara for coordinating this efforts and Chrissy for her part in organizing the games and for bringing Carsten!!

"Children are an heritage of the Lord." Proverbs "The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you." Proverbs 23:24, 25