Paris is always a good idea and autumn in Paris is a lovely time of year. This is the beautiful view we had from our hotel balcony.
Autumn in Paris
Last day of London
Our last day of London and it was as perfect as all the others. High of 65 F and low of 49 F.
This photo was taken in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel. We stepped inside for a peek and I was drawn to these steps. Regal with just a hint of suspense, don’t you think?
Tower of London
Beefeater, also called ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London
We have been doing a great job learning and getting around using the transit system in London, but this day it got confusing and we walked further than we needed. For the first time (the only time, really, during the entire trip) our feet and hips were sore and we felt tired. But it was all worth it to visit Tower of London, Courtauld Gallery and Westminster Abbey!
Scotney Castle and Dear Friends
Beauty can be found in places we visit and it can be found in friendship. This is Scotney Castle located in Kent, England
“Southwark Cathedral London: History, Highlights & Visitor Tips”
Southwark Cathedral in London is the city’s oldest cathedral church, located along the south bank of the River Thames near London Bridge. With roots reaching back to AD 606, and possibly even earlier, this awe-inspiring Gothic structure blends sacred beauty with centuries of history. Of all the cathedrals we visited during our trip, Southwark was my favorite. “Breathtaking” only begins to describe the experience.
Bankside Walk and Borough Market
After finishing our time at St. Paul’s and crossing the Millennium Bridge, I took this shot looking back across the Themes at the dome of the cathedral. The Themes flows from west to east (left to right) and is affected by the North Sea’s tides, so the river level does rise and fall twice a day.Continue Reading
Back in the swing of things
We realized the time and energy it would take to plan and prepare for our trip abroad but what I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to get back into the swing once we returned home.
Unpacking, laundry, connecting with family, email, snail mail, photos from camera, iPhone photos, sorting photos, editing photos, food shopping, house cleaning, yard work, even making meals is a chore (and you know how I love to cook!)
A cold when I got home (so happy we were well while away) slowed me down too.
I am slowly catching up and getting back in the swing of things as we cherish these these family moments.
Buckingham Palace & The Royal Mews
Don’t miss Buckingham Palace & The Royal Mews if you are planning a trip to London. Check the dates for when the palace is open to visitors. As one might imagine, Buckingham Palace is most beautiful and quite interesting to tour.Continue Reading
Anniversary Adventure LONDON
Did you guess where we’ve been from the Platform 9 3/4 photo in my last post? It was taken in London’s King’s Cross train station during our recent visit. We’ve been across the pond celebrating our wedding anniversary on a most exciting adventure. My blog break was to finish up projects around the house (that, no surprise, are still are not finished) and to complete plans and itinerary for our dream trip to Europe. Kind of a honeymoon, 40 years in the making.
We Still Do… Again and Again
A Note from Me (Ten Years Later)
I originally wrote this post a decade ago, as we celebrated our 40th anniversary, after hiring a photographer to capture a few sweet moments. I paired those images with lyrics from Something That We Do” by Clint Black, which said what my own words couldn’t quite express at the time.
This is just a glimpse into a moment that still makes me smile. We still do. And we’re still thankful.
Ford’s Theatre ~ Lincoln Presidential Box
The historical Ford’s Theatre, located on 10th Street between E and F Streets, in Washington, DC was the site of President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865. Though the building has been completely restored to its 1865 appearance, visiting is quite a moving experience.
Union Station, Washington, DC
Union Station is a major train station, transportation hub, and leisure destination in Washington, D.C. On October 27, 1907, it officially opened at 6:50 a.m., when the Baltimore and Ohio Pittsburgh Express pulled into the Station. The Station was ultimately completed in 1908. source
Sights in Our Nation’s Capital
Fatherless to Fatherfull
Fatherfull…
isn’t that the sweetest word
I am so thankful for my own dad and father-in-law who now reside in heaven.
I am so proud of my husband and the love he has for our children and grandchildren.
I am so grateful for our son-in-laws as they endeavor to love their wives and raise their children.
And, I am amazed that God calls me His child.
Click on this short video and listen as precious Levi and Lia tell their adoption story in a most endearing way. God is good!
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15
Fatherless to Fatherfull (Levi and Lia)-DaySpringLevi and Lia tell the story of their journey from fatherless to fatherfull. Their parents are in the process of adopting a third child. He is from Eastern Europe, and his name will be Luca. If you would like to find out more about Luca’s adoption or donate to Luca’s adoption fund, visit: youcaring.com/andlucamakes5If you would like to see other recent videos from Levi and Lia, check out:1. “That Tomb is Still Empty” Easter video:www.fb.com/video.php?v=101554813144551652. “Luca’s Lessons” video – Levi and Lia share all the things they want to teach Luca when he joins our family:www.fb.com/video.php?v=101556042329551653. “Happy Dance” adoption announcement video:www.fb.com/video.php?v=10155414365600165
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Fatherless to Fatherfull (Levi and Lia)-DaySpringLevi and Lia tell the story of their journey from fatherless to…
Posted by International Christian Concern on Sunday, June 14, 2015
catching up with family
Spring days ~ busy days!
April was filled with lots a family activities and get together’s!
The son of our cousin, Caroline, was married in a lovely wedding.
Caroline, with her family including the newlyweds, Dan & Abbey
(photo taken from facebook. Tyler Boye Photography)
As is so popular now, they had a photo booth situated in an obscure corner. All I can say is that my sister, John and I got some of the funniest pics ever! So silly, that Carol made me promise never to share on any social media! Just imagine, John in the center with a crazy hat and over-sized glasses with basically the same expression in every photo and my sister and I making every goofy face we could possibly think of. Oh, my! Each time I look at the photos, I crack up all over again!
(photo taken from Stephanie’s facebook page)
Then there was a christening for our cousin Karen’s grandson, baby Mark.
Together again with Carol, her daughter, Christine, John and I. Later noticed the framed photo on Karen’s mantle. It is of our daughter, Erin when she was just three year old performing flower girl responsibilities in Karen’s wedding. Such sweet memories!
There were random, every day moments too. I caught this scene of, Erin, Jared and Abbey studying in the family room. Erin is completing her master’s degree, Jared is a high school Junior and Abbey is studying digital animation.
Noah and I went to breakfast one morning and later we did some cooking together.
I even got a pic from Erin as she drove through center city the other day and saw the old Divine Lorraine Hotel.
We had a trip to The Pop Shoppe with the kids, celebrated our dear friend’s 91st birthday during Bible study and peeked in as the kids helped Aunt Abbey create a 5-little monkeys video for a class assignment.
Noah went to work with PopPop and learned about nuclear engineering.
Jared was inducted into his schools Technology Society.
pics with his proud mom and PopPop
Each day that passes, each achievement obtained, each celebration shared, each difficulty acknowledged, each experience learned, each encouraging smile, each laughter and giggle, each conversation, each hug and embrace are all gifts.
“We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary,
small (and yet really not small) gifts.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Gratitude paints little smiley faces on everything it touches.”
Richelle E. Goodrich
Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, & Grumblings for Every Day of the Year
Love is…
Does this sweet Love is… cartoon bring back long-ago memories? When our love was new and young, I snipped these expressions of devotion and affection from the newspaper and added them to a scrapbook I kept of our every moment together.Continue Reading