Indiana Dunes

Life is not measure by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away...

One of the things I love about my quaint adorable little town, is our Dunes State Park along Lake Michigan. Sunday was the first day that temperatures reached into the high 80's and low 90's. My sisters and I, along with my camera, decided to take advantage of the nice weather and had some fun after church down by the Lake...

Sharing my mosaic over at the Little Red House.

3 Sisters

Once upon there was alittle girl who thought her family was just perfect. There was a Daddy, Mommy, and her and they both loved her very much. However one day when the little girl was barely over three her Mommy went to the hospital and came home with a baby girl. At first the little girl was uncertain about this tiny little bundle, but she soon came to love her new playmate and couldn't wait til she was old enough to play outside with her.

Well, a couple more years went by and finally the baby (whom they named Brooke) was old enough to play with the "not so little" little girl. However they both decided that they really wanted a baby brother and prayed that God would give them one. Not to long after, mommy went to the hospital and brought back another tiny little bundle. This one seemed to scream even louder than the other baby had. The sisters were very disappointed when mom and dad told them that God had given them another baby girl, instead of a brother. In fact the oldest girl hid her "I'm the big sister" pin when she got to school in her pencil case; after the picture of her new baby sister was a scary one and she had REALLY wanted a brother.

Well the baby grew out of the crying stage and the two sisters were no longer sad that they had not gotten a brother, but instead so very happy to have another playmate. Of course there were times that the three of them would bicker, tattle, and monopolize toys, but at the end of the day the three would make up and all would be well.

Several years have passed and the little girl is now quite big (twenty-three to be exact) and she is more grateful then ever that God gave her two sisters. For what could be better than having not only 3 girls-sisters-but also 3 best friends!

Linking up over at Little Red House for Mosaic Mondays.

All that I am or hope to be...

...I owe to my angel Mother. (Abraham Lincoln)

I wish I could put into words how much I admire and respect my mother. She truly is an amazing woman. I really don't know how she has done it- the last twenty-three years she has given of herself and lived selflessly for her children.

I enjoy every opportunity that I get to spend with my mom. Whether it be cooking side by side, taking a drive with her, grocery shopping together, or folding laundry. Every moment spent with her I know that I am creating memories, moments that will forever be etched in my mind.

I truly am so thankful that I am able to still be home after being graduated from college. I know I have mentioned this before, but really the Lord did know what was best. The last year I have spent out of school and at home has truly been unlike any other. The time that used to be spent doing homework, projects, and extracurricular college activities, I now have been able to spend at home with my mom!

So, on this Mother's Day, I just wanted to express how grateful I am to the Lord for giving me my "angel Mother." Happy Mom's Day, I love you!

Seventeen

Seventeen years old...that's how old my baby sister is today.

I can't believe it...

Seems like just yesterday, I was the proud big sister picking her up from the nursery, and bringing her "num-nums" (her name for candy) for staying dry. Just yesterday she was that annoying little sister who wouldn't leave me alone during my birthday parties and insisted on being a part of them.

I don't know what happened. It seems like I blinked and now before me is a beautiful young lady. I love her to pieces, I really do. I can't imagine if I would have already been married - I would have missed out on this transformation. I would have missed out on so much. No longer is she "just" my baby sister, she has also become my friend and confidant.

She is so different from me in personality, but so many times I see my faults in her and it makes me strive to be better...for her. She, unlike me, is athletic. Good at so many sports, running, football; you name it, and she is up for it! She is totally unlike me in that she dislikes jewelry immensely. No rings, bracelets, necklaces, or earrings; she refuses to wear any except for a watch! She loves to do outdoor work; she is in her glory when mowing the grass and working with Dad. We tease sometimes that she is the brother we never had.

She is a hard worker and musically talented. I really enjoy listening to her sing in the shower; something I can't say about another sibling of mine...;) She is artistic, smart, and might I add beautiful; but more importantly she has a very soft heart and ready to serve attitude.

I am so very proud to call this young lady my baby sis; Happy Birthday, Lauren, I love you!

Debbie and Tarah

I had the opportunity to take two more lovely girls' senior pictures this week.

#1 Tarah

#2 Debbie

Since Debbie is one of my sister's close friends, Lauren jumped into a couple of her pictures. They had a great time and I did as well!

A Place I Call Home

"Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest."

I took some random pictures around the house of things that make my house more than just a place of lodging...things that make it my home...truly a place so sweet.

1. My favorite picture in our house. One that my mom admired for a couple of years, one that my sisters and I were able to purchase as a surprise for her.
2. Our porch swing. Many a cool night have been spent pushing back and forth, back and forth...
3. The dining room table. Probably where the most activity of our household takes place, whether it be homework, scrapbooking, eating, playing board games, or having family pow-wows.
4. The piano. My 7th birthday present. Countless hours have been practiced by my sisters and I here.
5. My favorite wall decal and a favorite verse of mine.
6. A favorite Christmas present from our parents.
7. A thoughtful card from my mom that I framed.
8. LaBate Family Est. 1985.

Linking up to Mosaic Mondays.

Limitless

Limits...something we all have, right?

When I was little I believed my Dad to be super smart and with limitless resources of knowledge. Now, he has explained to me that NO, he does not know EVERYTHING, just... a little ABOUT everything...

Then, there are the limits that the government enforces on cars. For instance, if my mom had her way she would go 80 mph in a 55 limit...

And then there is food consumption. Something that I find really hard to limit myself on!

Limits are something, however, that God does NOT have, and for that I am truly grateful. I serve a limitless God. Think about that for a minute... Limitless, boundless, measureless, uncountable. That pretty much sums up my God. (this next portion is an excerpt from Springs in the Desert by Mrs. Coleman)

We are profoundly impressed with the unlimited resources of the God of the Bible. He never does anything small. When He makes an ocean He makes it so deep that no man can fathom it. When He makes a mountain He makes it so large that no one can measure or weigh it. When He makes flowers, He scatters multiplied millions of them where there is no one to admire them but Himself. When He makes grace, He makes it without sides or bottom and leaved the top off. Instead of giving salvation with a medicine dropper, He pours it forth like a river.

There is no grudging in God's benevolence; He does not measure out His goodness as the apothecary counts his drops and measures his drams, slowly and exactly, drop by drop. When God sets out to do a thing for us, He does it with a prodigality of love-prompted abundance that fairly staggers one who reckons things by the coldly calculating standards of earth.

God's way is characterized by multitudinous and overflowing bounty, like that in nature which is so profuse in beauty and life that every drop of the ocean, every square inch or the forest glade, every molecule of water, teems with marvels and defies the research and investigation of man. Well may we cry with the Apostle, "I have all and abound."

Do I dare to limit God by doubting His abilities and questioning His ways? How can I, a limited mortal, not trust in a limitless God?