"Jeannie Night" on the Third Day Farm

Once a week, the cousins of the McCluskey/Riefer farm (Daddy calls it the compound) gather at the grandparents' house for what has come to be known as "Jeannie Night". First they all get comfy in the living room to watch cartoons as they enjoy their fill of the pizza that Grandma Jeannie has brought home. Then they usually head outside to play until Jeannie and Papa are through with their supper and are ready to start in on the evening's activities. This particular week, Jeannie planned to take the kids over for a visit at Aunt Lynne and Uncle Hank's farm. They have two new litters of kittens which, of course, desperately needed to be awed over by the grandkids. :) After a delightful visit, everyone headed over to the General Store for some ice cream. I got to be one of the "shuttle drivers" and help transport the little people... so I took the opportunity to bring along the camera and capture some pretty sweet moments. May I say once again, that I am extremely blessed to live in such a wonderful family!!

Cassia takes her turn with one of the kitties.
Sarah makes a new little friend.
One of the babies gets some cuddle time in Kenton's arms.
Love at first sight!
From L to R: Megan, Jenny, Drew, Kelsey, Kenton, Stephy, Sarah, David, and Cassia

Note: Those who were not in this picture or who were unable to come were the three Big Girls, three Big Boys, Grace, Braden, Carrick, Reagan, and John.

A view of "Main Street" in Edgar
Looking across the street from the General Store
Yes, I'm proud to claim these goofy girlies as part of my family! :)

Big thanks to Papa, Jeannie, Aunt Livia, Aunt Lynne, Uncle Hank, and Shirley! We love you!!

John-John

Feeding time, lil' guy!
I'm sorry about the picture being blurry - hopefully you can still see the juice squirting into his mouth! This is his favorite way to take a bottle. I love it!!

"Sometimes those siblings make me sooo mad...!"
Oh, so big!
Smoosh face #1
#2
Josh had wrapped him up in this blanket and was dragging him in circles around the first floor of the house. Eventually John just laid his head down, and then fell asleep within a few minutes! Josh dragged him into the parents' bedroom where he was left to take a nice long nap. :)

Another Success for Fine Linen Drama... Thank You, Nisbetts!!

We have had such fun getting to spend time with all our wonderful friends throughout this production. The girls here at the Riefer house are still reeling from the fact that The Prince and the Pauper is now really and truly over!
Dear Friends

Glory was sitting with me while I took pictures of the cast on stage. After she was finished with her Oreo cookie, she decided her picture ought to be taken as well! It has been a delight and privilege to be her playmate during rehearsals.
"He invites me to run myself through with a lance... Well flowers won't work, Edward hates daffodils!" Our dashing Prince Alex and lovely Lady Elise.
Way to go, Nathaniel! Your best leap of the night :)

Sisters...

Sorry, I'm not in a very creative writing mood at the moment!

The Nathan-Nathan Show...
Don't ask, you just would have had to be there!

The amazing cast and crew

Indeed, the Lord has richly blessed us with an abundance of marvelous friends!
Fun behind the scenes
Don't really know exactly what to say on this one.
A game of Speed... Meg is proud to say it was a tie!
"Take my picture, take my picture... I want to see my face!"

Rejoicing in This Season

Waiting...

Steadfastness, that is holding on; patience, that is holding back; expectancy, that is holding the face up; obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or do; listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear.

~ from "Passion and Purity" by Elizabeth Elliot

So often my young heart cries out in frustration, "How long, Lord, must I wait?" The hopes and dreams I have envisioned for my future seem so good, so perfectly planned, so fitting! The foolish girl that I am yearns to rush ahead and fulfill those desires in my own time... it seems so right, "O Father, please, couldn't I have it all now?" But oh! How ungrateful, how selfish is my plea! This time, the present day, this very moment - it is a gift, a precious opportunity in this life to serve my Lord according to His perfect plan! He is not slow in keeping His promise; He knows where I am... and He is faithful. I am reminded of the passage in Ecclesiastes that speaks of the many seasons in life.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance... a time to embrace and a time to refrain... a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate... He has made everything beautiful in its time." ~ from chapter 3
Day by day, through every trial and heartache, His love is revealed anew. He has given this time - may it not be wasted! Find the joy in each moment! Learn to love, learn to trust, learn to rest... He is faithful.

Over the Last Few Weeks...

The big-boy preschooler, hard at work