Emmy's 2nd Birthday

I had a whirlwind weekend with Annie's kids in Burney. Saturday we visited a new pre-school for Jonathan complete with petting zoo and birds of a feather. Jonathan was so excited--never happier than holding squirt guns patiently waiting to be allowed to fill them with water!
Garret is so handsome and winsome and sweet. I loved spending more time with him this trip than before it seems. He looks like an angel when he's asleep and giggles and laughs when awake!
This little girl is a whirling dirvish of activity--and here she is loving her 2nd birthday party and cake on Saturday night!! (I was never too sure what a "whirling dirvish" is exactly, but this I do know, she is the embodyment of it!)
No fear Emmy feeding the pony and then afterward giving him a big wet kiss on his big wet horselips!

Miss Em counts to ten and higher, talks alot, and knows when she has two of something, and is potty trained! Pretty good for a whirling dirvish huh?!! This Grandma is a bit worn out, but so glad I can go up now and then. I miss them so much already!

"I don't want to go to Heaven, I'd rather be in Thorne Bay!"

When Isaac was about age 3, a story I was reading to him had angels in it. That sparked a conversation about Heaven and with great animation and enthusiasm I told him what I knew about Heaven and he listened so intently that I continued on finally exclaiming, "and we'll live there forever and ever and ever!" Suddenly Isaac's already serious face turned very dark and he reached his arms around my neck tightly and he cried out, "but Mommy, I don't want to go to Heaven! I want to stay here with you!" I realized then and there that this was a child who would analyze everything and he would need the facts before buying into what I had to say! (Think--"I Saw a Tree By the Riverside...")

Well, today Isaac is 33, and some call this the age of perfection. I would say that, yes, Isaac has reached the age of perfection. That is not to say that he has it all figured out, indeed he is a life-long learner--just look at yesterday's blog--or that he has reached any pinnacles where there is no uncertainty or trials he is facing. But Isaac has become a man who seeks the Lord, is leading his family in a Godly way, is an example to his friends and students, and he is a loving and gentle, caring Papa to his girls. His Dad and I are very proud of who he has become. We've always said we named him right, Isaac, meaning laughter, has truly brought such joy to our lives.

On your birthday today, dear Isaac, if someone were to ask me if I wanted to go to Heaven for ever and ever? I would have to say, "I don't want to go to Heaven, I'd rather be in Thorne Bay today wishing you the happiest of birthdays!"