Netherfield Park is let at last!

Yep, here they are ladies and gentleman! Our charming new neighbors. We had the pleasure of enjoying their company over dinner Sunday evening. Daddy enjoyed getting to know Mr. Josh, and we girls and mumsie just had a ball and half with Mrs. Jennifer! She's as sweet as as can be. The cute kidies are Miss Emma, and Master Ethan:) True blue hams too! What a joy. We're so glad they have moved into the neighborhood!

Chatting after the meal.

LOL, the household ham keeping up appearances. Yuchie, you are such a cutie!

The little boys "paused imitation" of a high speed chase.

Miss Emma pauses for a snapshot.

Preparing for departure.

A Mothers Musings

Jacqueline here,
Can you believe it? I’m actually blogging! The reason being that it was brought to my attention that we have failed to notify blogland that the Smith Fam is going to Latvia very soon, to adopt a sibling group of 5 beautiful children!
This darling girl has had her 11th birthday over the winter. She and her brother came to Griffin on temporary visas last summer and stayed with us for 5 weeks. If you want to see pics, look back in July 2006 archives. She arrived in blue jeans, but her eyes lit up when we showed her the beautiful pink and blue nitegowns we had made for her. She promptly chose the pink one. The joy of being a girl!! We had some lovely skirts and dresses for her to wear and she steadfastly refused to wear her jeans even for a romp in the woods or to ride a bike, lol, until it came time to dress for the plane ride home.
The oldest boy has turned 8. He is a tiny but spunky fellow. Madi tells him what to do constantly but he has a mind of his own. He is slow to warm up, but very loving when he does!

This picture of the two little ones was just send to us. Aren't they precious!

Bret (Or Big Bret as the term had been going now that little Bret is here) and I will soon go to Latvia for 2 weeks, to stay in a bed-and-breakfast with all five children, but alas, we must come home without our 5 blessings! A month later, I’m to go to court and return home, again, without my chilens. Then, a, month after that, Lord willing, I will make the much anticipated trip to bring all five children home!! We will take them to get their US entrance visas, and then head home. Anybody wanna go and help me get the kids home? I’ll be needing some able bodies! Bret is going to stay home and work to pay for the trip. What a joy it is to love, serve and follow such a Godly leader!

News of baby Bret: Now over 12lbs, still blond-headed and blue eyed. He’s smiling and trying to laugh! Grandbabies are mighty grand! Katie is a fabulous mother; my own dear son Alan is a proud and happy husband and papa. Bret’s first words are destined to be “I love Abuelita” - that’s me- his loveable little grandmother;)

News of Kressant: Kressie seems pretty much recovered from the accident; and is happily anticipating the birth of my 2nd grandbaby in July! She is enjoying working alongside Michael, farming, and preserving, and studying, and they are just both so smart (if I do say so myself!). Michael is a precious son-in-law, and I am so happy that Kressant is entrusted to such a fine man of God!

Rachel and Bethany have been taking advantage of our beautiful southern weather today by alternately working with me on the yard (so it won’t look so neglected when all my dear friends gather here with their sons while our men take our dear daughters to the Father-Daughter Retreat down at Calloway Gardens), lounging on the roof playing a Smithy favorite called Canasta, and taking the little boys to the park across the street. Hmm, now if the sheep would just eat up all wild onions that have taken over the yard…

Hats off to Master Edwin, the hero of “The Phone Tale” in which my pink phone (yes it really is pink) disappears in the confusion of packing up at the Morton’s home, and our brave hero discovers and rescues the much used item from the perils of the yard. Thanks buddy!!

My grandmother always said that “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” Well, I am about to be blessed with a total of 7 sons and 4 daughters and already the grown ones are taking their place in society and going forth to battle against the evil one. I feel like a queen!

If you live in the cold lands (or even if you don’t) come see me in sunny Griffin!
Much Love,
Jacqueline

Bethy

For Kressy-B

From Bethy

The Edwards surprise baby shower:)

I begin this post, (or rather finish this post, as I have been posting pictures about it sparodically for about three days now, lol. Sorry;) with our adventure to the Edwards for a surprise baby shower for Mrs. Kim. She was aware that Alan, Katie, Bret and I were coming Saturday morning to stay the weekend and film. (Though she didn't know the shower was what we were planning on filming.) The Pethtel's had arrived the night before. We pulled in at about 6am Saturday morning, and crashed for a couple of hours sleep.
The morning was then spent in partaking of a jolly breakfast, till Mrs. Kim was sent off, so that we could get ready for the shower that was to be at 2 in the afternoon.

I think the pix can pick up the story from there.
The Edwards were soo sweet to let us in on the fun! Their hospitality was such a blessing:)

~Rachel



Mr. Edwards and Mr. Pethtel's pleasant beginning of the morning, lol.

Mrs. Kim was sent off to have lunch with Mr. Edwards sister Meagan, and whilst they were away their sister Jill came over to put the house to rights, and get ready for the shower.

Close range combat.

"I say, is that my house?"

Here's the quilt so many dear people contributed to! It is quite lovely:)

Here are some of the quilt squares up close.



Katie May drew the pattern, and Mumsie dahling did the embroidery.


Aunt Jeanine's.


Kressy's

Dorothy's

Adeline's.

Martha's.

The valiant knight surveys his castle from the lofty heights...

"Always look on the bright side of life!" What a cutsie;)

Jill showing Mrs. Kim's sweet mother the quilt.

Awaiting the arrival of the guest of honor. (Or, can you be a guest at your own home? Hmm...)

Here they come!

And the crowd surges forward to greet the lady of the day.

"Sisters, sisters, never were there such devoted sisters."

Jill and Meagan did such a wonderful job managing and arranging things:)

The joys of parenthood!

Open wide thy trap.

.

Shall we have a round of cards? (Or more like a battle of cards in this particular case, lol) What fun it was!

Oh! Couldn't you just pinch his little cheeks and give him a kiss!! Such sweetness:)

"A good old fashioned, good natured grin."

The lady of the day with her mother and Mrs. Judith.

Some of the girls I had the privilege of visiting with throughout the day.

"Now see here, this picture of my bride will give y'all a good idea of what our little girl will look like..."

"Aww, look at this Manny..."

Miss Meagan with her sleepy nephew.

The faithful camera man.

And she opens it....