Just love this poem . . .

Dust If You Must....
~~ Author Unknown~~

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read;
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go (and go you must)
You, yourself, will make more dust.

Remember, a house becomes a home when you can write
"I love you" on the furniture....

Two months later . . .

Well, class of 1999 . . . you have let me down. I have only heard from 2 people. Thank you Tonya and Steve. If I don't hear from any more of you then I will consider this reunion over.

Happy Anniversary to . . .

Happy Anniversary to us - the PVBI College class of 1999. Ten years ago today 16 very special people walked the isle of the Straub Memorial Tabernacle and turned their tassels. I am still very proud to be one of the 'elete' class of 1999. Happy 10th Anniversary to us!!!!!

It was suggested to me that we should have a class reunion - and I considered the idea only for a moment when I remembered that we are spread from coast to coast and around the world. But after recalling many memories from graduation day and the four years leading up to that day, I decided to propose a reunion right here on the World Wide Web.

So to the Institute Class of 1999 - you are invited to share in a reunion time by emailing info to me, your class president, at toddawn1@juno.com. If you would please include current address, email, phone, spouse, children & their ages, occupation/ministry. Also include briefly what you feel has been your greatest accomplishment in these last 10 years. I will collect, compile, and post the information I receive here on my blog.

I know many of us keep in touch through blogger, facebook, etc - so spread the word.
I'll be looking forward to hearing from all of you -

Your Class President
Dawn (Gordon) Stinebrickner

School trip to the Nashville Zoo . .

Our church school visited the Nashville Zoo on Monday. Matthew, Erin & I went along for the day. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. The kids were great.

I think I enjoyed it as much as they did.

Kaylee, Matthew, & Erin - 3 of the greatest kids I know!!!!

Braelyn, Kaylee, & Erin

Matthew and the goats - he liked the goats so well that he happened to stay behind when our group left the petting area. We hadn't gone far when I noticed him missing. Paula returned to the goat pen and found him conversing with the zoo keeper. :-)

The whole school group.

Best friends!!! Kaylee & Ethan

"Hannah" . . .

Hannah joined our family just this week. She is a very sweet one and a half year old Golden Retriever. She is great with the kids!

Life is too busy! I just need about 10 more hours in a day. Spring has come to TN - finally - and there is so much to be done.

My adventuresome kids!

Lovin' that ice cream!



Hiding in the cupboard.

Erin getting into trouble.

Kaylee planting flowers.

Just a few random pictures to let you know we're still around. LIFE IS GOOD!!!

Alan & Kara

Alan Gordon & Kara Shelly of Colorado to be married July 2009

Jeffery & Gavan are thrilled with their "new mommy."

Can God really do anything????

Just tonight I was telling Kaylee - "sugar and spice and all things nice" is what little girls are made of. And boys - "frogs, snails, and puppy dogs' tails" . . . . . . . she looked up at me and ask "How does God do that??" I had to laugh.

Yesterday, Kaylee had a helium balloon outside - with many firm warnings that on a windy day it wasn't a good idea. The balloon wiggled its way to freedom and was soon out of sight above the trees. She cried - it was her daddy's birthday balloon. I reassured her that it was gone for good, we couldn't get it back and we'd never see it again. Then she dried up the tears and very seriously asked me to pray that Jesus would bring back her balloon. My response was negative - that wasn't exactly possible.

She said "but mommy, you just told me that God could do ANYTHING." (Leave it to a child to remind you of deep spiritual truths). I swallowed hard and prayed a simple prayer that Jesus would reward a child's faith (since I was seriously lacking in faith just then). :-)

I am really tempted to be the answer to her prayer by going to the balloon shop and getting her another one - - - but I think I'll just wait . . . :-)

Valentine's

HE LOVES ME!!!

And I Love him!!!

(purple is my favorite color)

My new hobby . . .

Well, I can't believe that a whole month has past since I blogged last. We are gearing up for the TN Bible Methodist's Youth Retreat this week end. Our church here in Ethridge is hosting the event this year. Todd is planning to spend Friday night at the gym with the teenage boys and I have opened our home up for some of the girls. We don't have a number of how many yet, but I have agreed to take up to 14 girls for over night - (oh what was I thinking?!?) I will try to let you know if we survive the night - we're not so young as we used to be. ;-)

I also might mention that we have been having some really great services at our church. We have had several visitors in the last month - and that is always encouraging! Our pastor, Bro. Wes, is really pouring his heart into his messages and I believe that God is really using him.

ANYWAY - on to what I was originally going to blog about - my new hobby. I have been trying my hand at a new craft called TAGGIES.

It’s a TAGGIE! Based on the idea that babies and kids
love to rub satin edges, clothing labels and tags.

Promotes motor skills and sensory stimulation.

Makes a great gift babies and toddlers alike
-the perfect gift for any occasion.

My new venture - 'Buttons, Bobbins, & Beyond'

The taggies are made soft fleece - one side solid and the other print.

The ribbons on the edges are satin solids or various prints and textures.

The Pooh print - various scenes of the Hundred Acre Wood friends

Yellow rubber ducky with aqua/blue - my favorite!

The taggies are approx. 11x11 (plus the ribbons). They are great size for travel, church or bed. The cozy fleece is comforting to cuddle with and your baby or toddler will enjoy many hours with their unique 'Taggie. I have some other prints/patterns that I hope to have finished soon.

This idea began around Christmas - when I made some taggies for my kids. I am selling these items locally and also some on ebay. Anything to make a few extra dollars while staying at home with my kids. It has been an enjoyable project so far. In the near future I hope to venture into sewing embroidery.

Christmas . . .

A few pictures of the kids on Christmas morning.

Kaylee with new apron. She loves to help mommy in the kitchen.

Kaylee with her new play food set.

This riding tractor was for all the kids but you might imagine that Matthew liked it the best.

Later on Christmas day - at the Grandma & Papa Stinebrickner's. This was the first for the Stinebrickner cousins to be together. Kaylee is holding baby Nicholas.

Julie & William , baby Nicholas (2mo)

We had a really good day! Having kids this age make Christmas very fun and exciting. The only negative was missing my family in PA. (But hopefully we will get to visit them soon.)