More Horse-Drawn Wagon Photos

Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride–Spring January Day

On the Farm Again.. Henry just couldn’t wait to get on the farm again…

Wilbur biting the fence.

A little concerned about the proximity of the mighty beasts aka horses and donkeys.  Thanks, McKenzie, for always helping out.

Beautiful animals.

Not the best photo of us and I am wearing a stolen sweatshirt.

Baby of nine.

One of Karen’s nine children.

Another one of nine.

Mom of nine.

 

Toddlers talk.

This totally captures number eight-of-nine’s personality

No, wait, this one is better!

 

Lonely Pony

Stopped by the farm neighbors after giving the kids a lift from the school bus to their house.

4 Months Pregnant

I have been thinking I should really have a photo taken of myself but that usually isn’t high on every woman’s list.

Captivated.  That’s how I feel about Henry.  Last night I was meditating a lot because I just couldn’t sleep.  I am so in awe that there was nothing and then there is Henry.  He is this miraculous being created by God.  I just can’t get over it.

I was also thinking how a relationship with a child as a parent can be much like our relationship with God.  I had a lot of fear before becoming a parent – how it would fit into my life and I think many people have that with God.  “I am just so busy and I have so many priorities that don’t include a child or God.”  And I think people who have a child or have a relationship with God can get jealous or bitter towards God or the child for infringing on their own personal desires.  BUT for the most part, I think it goes like this.  I was thinking of that foam spray that used to be used and may still be used to filling cracks around a door.  I remember my grandparents had it in their hallway leading to their den and it was orange and hard.  When God or a a child comes into your life there is so much joy and love that you never knew before.  With God it fills a void that it was designed to fill.  With both child and God, your life is overflowing with love and the cracks begin to be filled and then it expands so much that all those things you were worried about losing start breaking apart and you don’t even care.  Because, now (especially with God), you are living how you were created to live and you realize all those other things are blessings (maybe cursings) and they just don’t matter as much anymore.

I am overwhelmed with the love for my child and my currently-being-formed-child and especially overwhelmed with a gentle, loving, giving, Fatherly, teaching, caring Creator Who has blessed my life with these people.

Text via babycenter

How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Frankenhauser Family

Today marks three years since David Frankenhauser went home to be with the Lord.  It was a very sudden and a very unexpected death as his family had been spending the Christmas holiday preparing for his return from Korea and his retirement as a Colonel in the US Army. 

I borrowed (stole from Facebook) this photo from his sweet wife Marian who is not in the picture.

Last night I stood in the ladies’ restroom at church watching tears streak down Mrs. Frankenhauser’s face as spoke of her husband of 28 years.  She told me that the sorrow was a blessing because it meant there was love and she would never trade the love. 

Not being able to say goodbye is one of the shocks of a sudden death.  Inevitably guilt follows.  Please pray for her children as it continues to be a struggle in some of their daily lives.

Christmas has deep association with his departure.  My heart is always with my mom the week of Christmas as well because she gave birth after a 36 hour labor to her first born son two days after Christmas whom she lost suddenly too. 

The irony of it all or just very ironic that David commented on a photo of him and Vinny that he couldn’t believe Vinny was gone and then he was taken home less than six months after Vinny’s passing shows the true brevity of life.  We just have no idea.  Time to treasure the people we have and always be mindful and prioritize a closer walk with our Creator.

Prayers, hugs and love to the Frankenhauser family.

Henry Umstead is a Singer

He sings all the time.  In the car/truck he sings at the top of his lungs – especially if Dave and I are having a conversation.  If Henry and I are singing, he will stop and tell daddy to sing too.   His favorite songs right now are:

Bob the Builder, Wonder Pets theme songs, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, ABC’s, Jesus Loves Me, Happy Birthday

Henry tells me he loves me all the time for a while now (spontaneously).  If I say that I love him, he tells me, “Love you, too.”  So cute.  He’s really into dancing now.  If a fast beat song comes on TV from a commercial or something, he will start dancing.

Henry immediately asks for French Toast when he wakes up.

Henry prays for lots of people and lots of animals.  If someone is forgotten, he will remind. 

His schedule is out of control.  Last night staying up late just added to it. 

Image in Christ

I absolutely loved an excerpt played at church last night that was spoken by our deceased senior pastor.  I wish it were online.  If it comes online I am going to write it down word for word.  Here is a summary:

Never ever let your self image be detached from who you are in Christ!  (Amen).  You are not Satan’s accusations, you are not who people say you are, you are not your past, you are not your failure, you are not the thoughts that come to you about yourself.  You will reign with Jesus Christ right now on earth.  DON’T BE SEPARATED FROM YOUR POSITION!!


(If only we would treat other people with this Royal Law of Love – for Jesus said it’s the greatest of the commandments along with Loving the Lord Your God).

My friend recently called me about someone in her church that left because she is clinically depressed.  She and her husband are having marriage problems and there are people in the church that want it blamed completely on her and want her disciplined.  Some have even written her letters.  From the gist of the story this woman is suffering greatly. 

You know what I say?  I don’t think it’s her fault, but so what if it is.  So what.  What about telling people about what God says they are instead of kicking them when they're down?  Even if they are a jerk.

My pastor once said recently that someone was going to tell him off.  He stopped them and said please tell me what God thinks about me and then you can tell me what ever you think about me.
A stinking men.  Amen.  Please let that be my imperfect heart, oh Lord.