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

Here are some more pictures of the big 5-0 guy. He looks pretty good and he is definitely happy with his new shop vac he was wishing for.

The last picture of him is a poster board of pictures of him with one, two, three, and then four kids going from left to right. That's all for now.
"Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him." Col. 1:10

Life is a gift from God to be lived for God.

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY TO YOU BERNIE, DAD, G-POP, BERN-DAWG, OR BJ!!!
WE LOVE YOU!!!!


We had an outstanding time at Bernie's 50th surprise (sort-of) birthday party. Bernie got up at 3:00 am to go to work at Kulis to plow for drill weekend. He came home unexpectedly and I told him to go take a nice nap. He said "I hope you're not planning anything because I'm dog-tired. I told him we were having a few people over but not for 2 hrs. He was so tired he slept soundly for two hrs even when people started arriving. He didn't hear a thing. That's him coming down stairs and then one by one people started to shout "Surprise" as he was peeking around the corner. He was really so happy to see everyone who came. The decorations came out great, food and cake were delicious, but most of all the fun part was to reminisce about their memories and what everyone remembered about Bernie's happiest time, funniest thing he ever did, how he played a part in their life. It was truly touching. He was blessed and said it meant so much to him.
Here he is with his Gomer Pyle lunch box his mom had saved after all these years. He got many cards and gifts and was very grateful. Thank you for all those who came.

Happy New Year 2007

O Lord, our Lord, How Majestic is thy name in all the Earth. Who hast displayed thy splendor above the heavens! Psalms 8:1


Here in Alaska we are having fun with Bernie and Angie who will be here until Jan. 14. Big Bernie is recovering quite nicely from his shoulder surgery with twice weekly visits to the physical therapist for therapy. We have had so much snow this year. It is beautiful and looks like a serious winter wonderland. It's so much to move and Bernie and Bernie have done a fantastic job of piling it neatly with the tractor, 4-wheeler, and snow-blower.

Gretchen and Phil have been visiting us daily since Bernie and Angie are home. Little Finley is growing quite nicely. Everyone will go back to work soon but Bernie and I have both commented how nice and relaxed this vacation has been.

Christmas has come and gone but we look forward to the new year and also two more grandbabies!! Finley should be here in early March and then little Renstrom will be born in June. Two more little cousins for Emme and Baby Levi to play with. God is so good to us!!!

30th Anniversary Photos

First we went on a walk from Elderberry Park in Anchorage down by the water and over to the Park Strip. We walked, enjoyed the scenery, and the brisk fall air. The leaves are so pretty.
Then we e went out for a nice celebration dinner at Simon and Seaforts Restaurant. Dad asked for a nice table by the window so we could enjoy the wonderful view. We both had great meals and reminsiced about the previous 30 years. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times not when you think about all that has happened. God has been so good to us and we praise Him.

The pictures of the little rabbit name "Diamond the Second" were from yesterday when we caught the little critter in our flower bed. It was so cute. We would have lubbed to give it to Emme. We're sure she would enjoy it and it makes great fertilizer!! Gretchen and I ended up taking a walk and letting Diamond go free with about 30 other rabbits on someone else's property.