My First Miracle Baby is 17

Alexandra Joy is 17. Her middle name is also my mother's. The word says it all.

She brings joy into my world every day....
with her smile,
her tender spirit,
a rub on the back,
outstretched arms for a hug,
her willingness to dig in and work,
her love for her siblings,
a head resting on her daddy in church,
playing for hours on the guitar or violin,
a request to watch Jane Austen with me,
with her thoughtfulness for others' feelings,
with her eagerness to see what God has in store.

Lord, help me be the mom she needs, to be the daughter You need.Easter 1994. Yes dorky hair and matching dresses! Poor girl. She looks like she's in pain!

Saint Patrick

St Patrick's breastplate is a remarkable hymn. It is a tremendous call to follow Paul's exhortation to “put on the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10 – 18). Patrick put on this Trinitarian armor in the face of human-sacrificing Druids, wizards, deadly tyrants, and worst of all, “the heart's idolatry.”
Despite its nine verse length, it is worthy of congregational singing. I have heard Presbyterian churches sing verses 1-7 as the opening hymn and then close with verses 8-9 as the benediction hymn. Ending the service singing,
“Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me...”


This magnificent hymn reflects the life and faith of Patrick. The original hymn, the Lorica of St. Patrick (meaning breastplate or armor) is found in the Book of Armagh. Historian Philip Schaff says it is “called S. Patricii Canticum Scotticum, which Patrick is said to have written when he was about to convert the chief monarch of the island (Laoghaire or Loegaire)” (Schaff, History of the Christian Church IV, 49). The metrical hymn version is a translation of the ancient Irish hymn by Mrs. Cecil Francis Alexander, wife of the Anglican Bishop of Londenderry, Ireland (1889).

It is helpful to know more about Patrick to appreciate some of the lyrics of
this masterful hymn.

The exact dates of his life are not certain, but about 390 – 461. His day has been memorialized as a Feast Day in the West on March 17. We know of the revelry of this green day, but we should know more of the Patron Saint of Ireland.

He was the son of a Romano-British Christian kidnapped from his home in Scotland at 16 to be a slave in Ireland. He escaped to Gaul where he became a monk and then devoted his life to go back to the place of his captivity to bring them the gospel.

He knew the free grace of God which comes through faith in Christ. He wrote in his Confessio,

"I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many...I was taken captive. I was at that time about sixteen years of age. I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people....And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that,
even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew Him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and He protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son. Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favors and graces has the Lord
deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity."

Enjoy some corned beef and cabbage; soda bread, potatoes or fish and chips; tea and scones and celebrate the grace of another story of one who lived boldly for our Lord.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Me Being Ree

One of my favorite blogs, for 3 years now, has been the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. If we were neighbors, we'd be friends. She's an every day all American mom like me, home schooler, loves her family. But I have no idea what it's like to be a rancher or a good cook. But I can try the cooking part now that her cook book is out! So here's my pathetic attempt at me being Ree. Just don't tell my family, they like what I make!

Beef Stew with Mushrooms Wait until you're done with my post until you flip to her blog. Her pictures make mine look really bad. But it was fun Being Ree!

These are shallots. I never cook with shallots. They were yummy!

These yummy, buttery rosemary biscuit badboys just go in the oven like this! I felt like such a pioneer woman, sans cast iron skillet.

Le Voilà! La pièce de résistance!

Livesay Family in Haiti

Youth Sunday

What a blessing to have some of the junior high and high school kids from our church involved in S.A.L.T. (Students Arts Leadership Training) They have instrumental and vocal training as well as learning what it means to be a leader in worship and life.

Emma and Dexter

Alex and Kelsie "Follow You"

"Speak O Lord"

Alex, my childhood friend's daughter Kelsie Doan and KeeganKrell. Kelsie's mom and I (Leslie Stone) used to sing together growing up. This is such a sweet thing to see our daughters singing together too! But they're both awesome on guitar.

A Thankful Heart

My sister and her family of 5 came over today, my in-laws and my folks. It was a small group of 17. It was a little strange not having any 'outsiders' this year. But it just didn't work out. I was so happy to 'let my hair down'. We have so much fun together. Each and every kid too. Jackson (8) said, "your Aunt Dee is so friendly". She played Hide and Seek in the dark with them. Wow, she IS cool! The food was superb, but really, the company and conversation was the best part.

For boys over 6 feet, basketball is something you do in your sleep.

Harrison showing us some 'classical moves'. You should hear him rock on the electric!

"Can we play ball yet Harrison?" Dex

Just getting started.

Me, my mom and my sis

what to do on a swing set? (Emma 12) Aunt Dee taught her to ride her bike with no hands! That's her claim to glory today.

Jefferson is seriously recruiting his cousin Jackson for Pop Warner. (no way!)

What does a 16 year old do on a swing set?

We Love Sami!

Last night, a beautiful baby Hendricks/Dunham boy was born to Sami and BJ. We can't wait to meet him! Sami has been dear to us for many years. When she was in junior high, I took her home from Homemakers by Choice where she helped in child care. She was new to being home schooled at the time, and she was so sweet to answer all my questions about home schooling. She loved it and was so glad to be home.
Even then, Sam had purpose and knew that she wanted to be a wife and mother some day. BJ worked with the youth at their church and is a few years older than she. They had a sweet courtship and married when she was 20. Alex was 14 then and was a junior bridesmaid in their wedding, Lizzy was a flower girl and I sang and played. It was a gorgeous wedding. They moved to Virginia for BJ to complete his degree in theology and we got to be with them this summer in Williamsburg. We are so excited to meet little Brayden! They will be amazing parents!


Sam and BJ came to Williamsburg in August. Hot and muggy AND pregnant. Bad combo, but she was a trooper!

Isn't she cute?

BJ in his regimental grays!


The wedding, March 2006 (Alex is right behind Sami the bride)

Christmas 07, Chris (note his lovely apron!) , Sami and Alex

Emma Grace, mom Ginger and Sami

My Emma holding Emma Grace when she was 3 months old, 2006 Christmas.

Sami and Alex Christmas baking in 2005

Our families at the zoo in 2005 (above) Sami painting my kitchen (below)

Scrapbooking was something we always loved doing together.

Weekend Project

Here's a weekend project for ya! Redoing the sprinklers. Or something like that. The main valves or spiggots or hoodahadas when I don't know what to call things.

Derrick (engineer) and son (future engineer?) drew up the plans and carried them out.

So, needless to say, the men were a little too fatigued to join us for the play Pride and Prejudice, put on by Moezart Productions, starring our friend Matt Anvik as none other than, Mr Darcy. Of course, all the girls dream of a proposal like this! Even Alex! Well, we kind of staged it, Matt's folks and me!

Week Two at the Beach

Alex and Emily. See how far out the tide is? In the morning it's up to the wall and rocks.

Mirm and me

Clayton and Dex

What a gorgeous week this will be. But strange to go outside, look down the way, and no friends here! Missing them. But this is a great time for just us. We will get caught up on school and enjoy being outside IN THE SUN. Yes, in the sun. I don't enjoy being outside in the sun often. We had the Mohlers (minus Jim) on Friday and maybe they'll come back this Friday too. The Sheps are coming down tomorrow. Emilie turns 10 Friday!! I'm reading a couple good books, Thoene's 10th AD Chronicles book and Chan's Crazy Love.

Tutens, Doans and Krells! What fun! Not a fair picture of Dex. I pushed him down, he's actually my height!

We have a picture like this every year I think. 9 years!!!

Cool California

Dex, Keegan and Sheridan playing volleyball

Jeff was so happy to play catch with Keegan, an amazing pitcher!

Halloween toes, and our matching sandals. Audra and me

Laughing and more laughing with friends (Doans and Krells)