Twelve

One whole dozen.  Many things come in dozens – eggs, doughnuts, disciples, months… but not years.  They come slowly, one day at a time, slipping past like so many jewels on a string.  Drops of water that run continuously, forming a large stream, small things that turn into larger things.

12 years.

4,383 days.

105,192 hours.

6,311,520 minutes.

378,691,200 seconds.

That’s how long I have had the privilege of knowing this little man.  This miracle of life known as my son.  My precious child.  The baby I loved from before the first time I saw him.  Josiah, my firstborn.

These are a few pictures of the birthday boy.  His life began before I had a digital camera, so the first several years will be omitted in this pictorial history.  Suffice it to say, he has always been a cutie!

Over the years, he just continues to amaze me with his humor, sweet spirit, and tender heart.

Cute as can be…

He’s a great big brother.

All boy – not afraid to get down and dirty (or wet).

Loves to have fun with the family.

Never ceases to make me laugh at his antics!

Oldest child born of two oldest children (think about that for a while).

Enjoys making bunny ears on his siblings…  :)

Finds a solution.

Thinker.

Adventurous.

Good example (most of the time) to his younger brother.

Always ready to laugh!

Standing on the brink of life, just waiting to see what will happen next!

It scares me to death to have a child on the brink of adolescence, with the infamous teenage years just around the corner.  Where has all the time gone?  More and more I understand why God compares our life to a vapor – here for a moment, and then gone.  It really does seem to pass in the blink of an eye!

All that to say this: I love you, Josiah.  You make me so proud and happy!  I am so thankful for the privilege to be your mother.  Have a wonderful birthday!

Yellowstone Adventure–Day 2

Small waterfall in Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs

I thought this looked strange – all the colored travertine made from the mineral deposits over the years.  It is constantly changing, and growing, which makes it really neat.

Boardwalk through the hot springs and mud volcanoes.  Signs everywhere warned against getting off the boardwalk, lest you fall through the thin crust of the earth and be literally boiled alive.  Okay – I was a little nervous  as my kids ran headlong down the walk.  Breathed a sigh of relief when we were out of that part!

This looks like a winterscape, but it is actually a tree in a field of travertine that has, over time, been sucked up into the tree’s system, and has hardened it with minerals until the tree is practically petrified.  These trees can stand like this for years, even though they are dead.  Amazing!

Picnic lunch at the park.  Notice the bear-proof trash cans in the background.

The kids got a real kick out of this magpie who found a grape that someone dropped in the picnic area.  it does sort of remind one of a pig with an apple in its mouth!

Along the Blacktail Drive – it was lovely!

We just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to dip our tootsies in the chilly waters of Lake Yellowstone!

Some people {ahem} threw rocks instead of wading.

We really had a good time together, just driving around the massive park and looking at all the beautiful things God has created.

Yellowstone Adventure– Day 1

Having had a few days between meetings, we decided to take a vacation.  As Paul and I planned this, we realized that it would be the first time we have ever taken a family vacation.  Granted, we have taken time to do some museums and local sight-seeing when the opportunity arises, but these trips are always scheduled around our meetings for the week.  Usually our time off consists of staying at home, getting ready for the next trip.  The typical evangelist has no income when he is not in meetings, so vacations just aren’t in the budget.  Besides, with all the traveling we normally do, getting in the truck to drive somewhere is not on our list of things we really want to do.

However, Yellowstone was calling.  We were only a few hours away, and had nearly a week of time. We took the plunge.  Paul and I both wanted to see the park, and the kids were excited too.  We knew there were so many things to see, and beautiful vistas to enjoy, so I made sure to take the camera.  We were not disappointed.  I did not realize how HUGE Yellowstone National Park is!  We ended up taking two days just to see the main attractions at the park, and another day to visit the Grand Teton park that butts up to the southern side of Yellowstone.  Here are some of the things we saw.

Entrance to the park

Sylvan Lake

Josiah at the scenic overlook.  Many of the trees behind him were killed in the forest fires several years ago, hence the lack of foilage.

Overlooking Lake Yellowstone

Bison grazing in the meadow

Beautiful rolling hills

The Upper Falls – over 100 feet tall

Munchkins on the trail

A beautiful day, blue skies and puffy clouds

The Lower Falls, over 300 feet tall – notice the rainbow?

At the Lower falls

Did I mention the 344 steps we had to climb to see the Lower Falls?

Some of us almost didn’t make it back up to the trail!

Observation deck at the Upper Falls

Hot springs – the water is crystal blue, but the surrounding ground is covered in mineral deposits.  There was also a pervading aroma of sulphur.  Ick!

Geysers

Waiting for Old Faithful to erupt

There she blows!  We saw a great eruption of about 100 feet!  It was worth the wait… I think. :)

Ready to head home after a long day.  Guess who forgot to put on sunscreen?

Afternoon sun over Lake Yellowstone

When we finally got back to Wapiti (pronounced Woppity) where we were staying, we were exhausted.  All the hiking and driving had worn us out entirely!  We headed to bed, tired but satisfied with our first day at Yellowstone.

To be continued…

Once Upon A Time…

…there was a young family.  They were visiting a far-off city when they found the most wonderful park.  All their favorite storybook characters were there – the three pigs, Snow White, Winnie the Pooh, Captain Hook, Bambi, Dr. Seuss, Raggedy Ann & Andy, and a host of other friends.  Can you imagine what their day was like?  Probably not, so I will just let you look at the pictures!

Welcome to Storybook Island!

You will have a wonderful time!

Whoops!  There goes Humpty Dumpty!

Fire trucks and trains

Smiles and slides

I do believe I see the wolf about to hop down the chimney!

And there he is!!!!  :)

Captain Daniel, steering the pirate ship

Argh, matey!  That pirate looks scary, but his parrot looks pretty happy!  :)

Riding Eeyore – somehow reminds me of Guatemala! HA!

Josiah and Piglet – BFF (just kidding)

And who doesn’t love Raggedy Ann?

Raggedy Dan and Esty!  This one cracks me up!

One of our family favorites – the Cat in the Hat (this backdrop looks strangely like my house at times)

Riding on Aladdin’s flying carpet

Snow White at the house of the seven gables, no – wait – the Seven Dwarfs

Riding Perdita from the 101 Dalmations

In Gepetto’s workshop

Somewhere over the rainbow – is a leprechaun and a pot of gold.

Peter Pumpkin-Eater’s House

And there he kept her very well.

Run, run, as fast as you can!

Ride that buffalo!

Everyone could use some ice cream on a hot day – this one’s mine!

My daring husband – sticking his head in the lion’s mouth (to get a drink)

And don’t forget – only YOU can prevent forest fires!

There was an old(well, middle-aged) woman who lived in a shoe,

It was such a bad picture, she didn’t know what to do….

So she just put it on her blog anyway.

Jungle fun

A little merry-go-round fun, and lots of laughter

There are tons of pictures from this little afternoon trip, and even more characters and activities than I have mentioned.  What a delightful place to spend with the family.  Best of all, there is no admission fee, just a donation box!  The kids have already asked if we can go back.  And here I thought they would all live happily ever after!

THIS IS NOT

The End