Priority Check

I came across this video this morning. It touched my heart and made me think about my priorities. I just thought I would share.

at Grandma & Grandpa's

Brett, Bri, and I went to my Mom and Dad's the last week of May. We had the privilege to take my first cousin, Brent Boone, with us. He just happened to be in Ohio and had a little free time. I had planned to help Mom in her flower beds while we were there so poor Brent enjoyed our fellowship time of pulling weeds and edging the beds. He did a great job of joyfully helping when he was supposed to be on vacation. It seems like the last few years when I take the kids to Mom's we really accomplish very little except for taking care of kids. I think we are finally over the hump atleast with my little family. I felt like we accomplished quite a bit while we were there and the kids had a great time playing. Brent was so kind to oblige them many golf cart trips around the yard. They were so pleased with their "big" cousin that played with them. I didn't post a picture of Amy working in the flower beds, but she did come to help work. We were thankful for the help. Mel came down on Tuesday so we got to see her and her boys a little, too. Thanks Mom for hosting. We are so thankful you love to have us even though we are a lot of work!

Brent and Mom are working on getting that next to last bed cleaned out. We were all running out of energy. I believe Brent was daydreaming about our upcoming trip to Chick-fil-a!

Watch out, Sami! I am not so sure Cameron is that great of a driver! You were sure having fun, though.

Yes, even though I didn't post about the end of school, Brett can read. It is so rewarding to watch him read to his younger cousins and enjoy it! I think Brett knows it was worth the hard work, now!

Brent also gave rides in the steel wheel - wheel barrow! Poor guy!

Bri loves to help care for Sami! Sami sort of likes her and does put up with her if it means getting a ride on the swing.

Gratitude

I am beginning to see how gratitude/thankfulness can so profoundly effect my life. You would think it would be a given in my life, but I am finding it to be a discipline that needs to be cultivated every day.

After the Holy Spirit prompting me many times the last few months, today, I begin the process of giving thanks in all things by writing down gifts God gives me. They don't have to be big things, but I need the discipline and practice of giving thanks in all things. May God be glorified!

1 -- His Word

2 -- a husband who loves in spite of...

3 -- children who give me so much grace

4 -- the smell of fresh, warm, chocolate cakes

5 -- yellow finches at the feeder

6 -- watermelon, pink impatients shining through the rain

7 -- days at home

8 -- children walking around with their heads in a book

9 -- the opportunity to school our children

10 -- curling up on the couch for a few minutes on rainy days

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

Bowman Family Homecoming

Andre' waiting semi-patiently for his family to arrive.

We are rejoicing that Camille and Pierre have joined their family here in Ohio. We met them at the airport last night. They are all doing amazingly well! We are praising God that they are all home safe and sound. He alone receives the glory!

Visitors in Florida

Bev called me one morning and wondered if we had room for them. The weatherman was calling for yet another snow storm and they thought maybe they would like to avoid it. So they arrived Tuesday morning. We did not have the greatest weather, but we spent some time on the beach and in the sun. The pool was cool because we had had a cool weekend so there was no fun in there. We found a nice large blue crab on the beach that day. All the kids were brave enough to hold it! Thanks for coming, Bowmans, we enjoyed the time spent together.
Kip, Amy, and their family spent our last week with us. We had some good weather and lots of fun! The kids had a great time making a sandcastle and just digging in the sand. I am continually amazed at their imaginations!
Cameron was just not so sure about the pool, but he had fun on the steps!
We celebrated Sami's first birthday! She enjoyed her cupcake very much. Mom and Dad came down and celebrated with us! Happy 1st Birthday, Sami! We pray that you have many more! We are also glad that you warmed up to us after a whole week in the same four rooms!

Marco Island, FL

These are just a few pics of what we have been doing. We have also been seeing dolphins which has been really fun. They feed about 50 feet off the pier outside our condo. Blessings to you all as you sit by the fire enjoying the snow!

Lakeland, Florida

We left Troy, OH at 8 pm on the last Wednesday night of January headed to Lakeland, FL. We estimated we had about 16 hours of traveling. The driving went very well. We were very thankful. We have traveled a lot at night, but haven't always gotten along so well. We arrived at Mom and Dad's trailer about lunchtime. We were very ready to get out and walk around a little. It was very fun to see where Mom and Dad like to go so well. It was good to be there.

Mom and Dad in front of their trailer.

We were so glad that we had brought our bikes. It was great fun to ride through the park.

We spent Friday at The Holy Land Experience in Orlando. It was really fun and I think we picked up a little knowledge. We have studied the Ancients in History with the kids this year so it was fun to see replicas of items that we had studied. It was their first official field trip! Yea, I know, it was high time to take them on one.

We left Lakeland on Saturday morning by way of Plant City heading to Marco Island where we plan to get a little R&R. We picked up a flat of strawberries, a half a box of tomatoes, and a half a box of avocados. It has made for some good eating while we have been here.