Happy Birthday Chynell!  Fourteen years ago tonight you arrived.   We had all waited so long for you to arrive.  You are our miracle baby. We had so many people from church and family and close friends at the hospital waiting for you to be born that they all filled the maternity waiting room and the large waiting room on the main floor and some were outside. Everyone wanted to see you and hold you. You were perfect. Big brown eyes, brown hair and you knew our voices and you and your sister bonded instantly and became so close. The whole time I was pregnant your sister insisted that God had told her you would make it and that you were a girl. She was right.  You are a blessing to our family.You love God. You are like your daddy..we can’t out hug you.  You are like your sister..you love God and people.  You are like me when I was your age.  Yet you are you. I am so proud and blessed to be your momma.  I pray for you daily.  I pray for your future husband.  I can’t wait to see how God will bless others with your life and what He will do with you as you grow.  I love you!  Happy birthday.

Brannan & Chynell ( just a few minutes old)

Our first family picture. You are 3 weeks old & Brannan is 5.

 

Your 1st birthday.

 

You are 2 years old here and already wanting to be a cowgirl..with a California twist.

 

Your 14th birthday party.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been trying all weekend to get on here but I’ve been so busy.  Friday we had Chynell’s birthday party.  It really was a lot of fun..had food, played baseball and volleyball and then she had a few girls stay over for swimming and sleep over..I don’t know why it’s called a sleep over..they were up past 3:30 a.m.  I’ll put pictures of that up later.

Saturday I had Chynell and Kevin go grocery shopping with me. Now mind you, we shop once a month, so it’s a big task, and then during the month we get what little milk or produce that we run out of.  If you have never been shopping with Kevin you are missing out.  In the first place he doesn’t like grocery shopping..really, not at all. So he has to find ways to amuse himself while we drudge through each aisle. He flirts with and plays with all the babies, picks on Chynell and does the oddest things..like disappears and comes up behind me, kissing me on the neck and announcing..hey lady…does your husband know we are meeting here..LOL..He shoots soft products into the basket from down the aisle and if someone is looking for a product he will tell them where it’s at and how they need to get 4 of it.  He tells people that we have seen numerous times how we’ve got to stop meeting like this.So after a day with him, a wonderful lunch with his mom and stepdad….I was tired and ready to come home, put it all away and relax. I tell you, this man NEVER runs out of energy.  He took Chyn to take care of Shiloh and then back to hang out with Ryan.  I get tired just watching him…but I could not be more blessed.

Today has been awesome. We had wonderful services this a.m and had 3 baptized.  But the part I have really loved..was we went to a 5th Sunday Singing. If you don’t know what that is…a lof of churches in the area come and can do whatever..sing, read something, share or whatever.  I sat there with tears as several older couples sang, played guitar and one even whistled through the song.  It so touched my heart.  I could clearly see how the love they had for their God has been so important in their lives.  I wondered if when people look at me did they see my love for my Jesus as clearly.  A trio of American Indian ladies sang a song in their native tongue and several other American Indian groups sang.  I couldn’t help but cry.  Do I use my gift of sign enough to share Jesus with those who can’t hear?  It has been a day of blessings and reflection and learning.

I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.   Psalms 122:1

Chynell and I have had such a good time today.  Got some dinner then went to her very first barrel racing.  She rode a friends horse, Cricket. Of course she loved it.  I have to admit that it was a lot of fun watching her do what she loves. After this we went to take care of Shiloh and Sammy and then we came home and played in the pool.  Now it’s time for ice cream and relaxing.  I love days like this with Chynell.

  

 O.K. I admit it…my name is Darinda and I am addicted to laying out in my pool.  There I said it..it was hard to admit but it’s the truth. 

o.k. guys…if you aren’t involved in this then just pray. I do not want a comment back on this from anyone.  There are two young married people going through some extremely difficult times.  I know they check my xanga so I’m sharing to them specifically on here.  I don’t know them personally so I can comment without taking sides.  Here goes. 

 I have been married to the love of my life for almost 22 years.  I want to tell you two things…when you make a commitment of marriage before God it is forever. bottom line. forever.  not til something better comes or not til you make more money or not til you can have more fun but forever. If you chose to divorce you can’t divorce and love each other the same, you can’t be boyfriend & girlfriend. It’s over.  The sad part is that you have ripped yourselves apart in a way that you’ll never get over.  Marriage isn’t always easy. You have to always put your spouse ahead of you 200% no matter what. No one comes before your spouse, not your family and not yourself!  You may both have to work or live in a small place or not attend the school of your dreams but you do it together as a team and let God provide in His time.  Believe me, some time later you will look back and smile and how you worked together and got through it and are stronger for it.  You will cherish how you’ve grown together as a couple and as individuals.

It breaks my heart to see so many Christian couples get married and then just decide to call it quits because it’s not easy or fun anymore.  That’s expected of the world but as Christians you have a higher power that enables you to do all things..Phil. 4:13.  You have a higher calling to be different.  You have a Father who is the healer of all things.  It’s time to cowboy up! It’s time to show the world that you aren’t giving in.  It’s time for Christians to stop saying well it just didn’t work out. And if you are one of those Christian friends saying to this couple that it’ll be o.k…shame on you!   There is absolutely no excuse at all for it not to work. You have the creator of the universe on your side.  Stand up, put your foot down and say not today satan and do what the world can’t.  Show us how God is the maker of miracles.

O.K. pool is fixed, again, and is now filling back up.  Tomorrow I’ll lay out and swim…sure…we’ll see…I bet just one more thing comes up so I can’t….. Guess I’ll scrapbook til it gets full.

Kevin is home for the afternoon. He is so tired.  He goes back to camp tonight after church and then will be home Friday. Yah! This is the last camp.  After this week he’ll home for the summer…well..unless fishing calls.

aacckkkk….my pool liner has a tear in it so instead of swimming and laying out today… I have to patch it and refill the pool….

My house is so quiet.  Kevin left for camp this morning.  He’ll have no kids he’s responsible for and the cabin to himself.  He’s going up to teach pavilion time since they don’t have enough teachers. So it’s just me and Chyn here today and she’s still asleep.  It’s been awhile since the house was this quiet.  What an odd sound, or lack of. 

 

yah..my house is all clean, laundry done, pool has fresh chemicals, and I’m getting my hair trimmed this evening.  Still waiting to see if Kevin will be going to camp this week or not to teach.  If they have enough teachers he won’t go.  It’s kind of a catch 22.  He really loves being at camp with the staff and all the kids but he also enjoys his work here with the church and being home.

Now my week is all cleared so I can scrapbook and lay out in the pool.  Two of my favorite things.

It’s been a productive day.  Had great emails, good phone calls and our grandbaby will be here in like 7 weeks…great start to my week.

 

 

Daddy says something to Brannan that brings laughter and tears.

 

Every time Kevin sees this pictures he says “Brannan is an angel”

 

“You know you are making me make the longest walk of my life”…Kevin