"For Everything there is a season"

"For everything there is a season, and a time for everything under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill and a time to heal;

a time to breakdown, and a time to build up;

a time to weep and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn and a time to dance..." Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 ESV

This is definitely a special season in the Happ family. Not only is the summer one of the most fruitful times of the year for us relationally with friends and family, but this summer in particular is a special season in our lives.

Madison is growing up so quickly and beautifully, I feel like God is giving me a glimpse of what He intended for us and a relationship with him. With Madison becoming more independent and willful I am also learning about His patience with me as I make choices and find my way through life. Madison has been using "no" to benefit herself and her wants, and trying to teach obedience and selflessness is a humbling experience. As Brian and I teach our daughter "yes mommy" and "yes daddy," I hear God's still small voice whispering "Yes Father." What a blessing that God is patient enough to teach me things in the gentleness of a little girl. It seems he intends to give me a double dose of it too.

The word is slowly getting out that we are expecting a little GIRL in October. Our due date has been moved up 2 weeks and we are now expecting sometime around the 12th. This means a hot day to deliver, but two more weeks of maternity leave. We still do not have a name so until we do, or decide to share it, our second angel is being adoringly called "sister." Madison recognizes the ultrasound photos as a baby, and knows that there is a baby in mommy's tummy (she also thinks there is one in Grandpa too). She likes to lift my shirt and kiss her sister. We aren't sure how much she understands that "sister" will be sharing mommy and daddy's arms and attention soon, but we are praying for that adjustment now.

We are also in the process of tearing down and rebuilding our backyard. Brian is putting in a beautiful patio with creeping thyme, a lawn, three vegetable beds, and a border of flower beds. being 6 months pregnant, I wait for the opportunity to plant by I cutting weed cloth, playing water girl, and cheering my husband. Madison tries to help both of us.

Reading Ecclesiastes 3 I am reminded that this season is a delightful season of life, growth, and sowing for the future. Because of the hope we have, we also know that loss, hard work, and mourning, are healthy and gifts to us. We are blessed.

Here is a quick peek into the month of June:

CAPERS ACRES

Helping Mommy Bake

Mmmm, Smelling the Roses...All of them!

Daddy's Little Helper

Maddie's Daddy

Daddy's Day 2009

Mt. Shasta May 2009

An article in the paper, a few weeks ago, talked about how any man can be a father, but it is a special, dedicated, loving man who makes a daddy. The article concluded that Fathers' Day should be more fittingly called Daddies' Day; I couldn't agree more. I now want to celebrate my husband as a daddy. Many people see the soft and loving side of Brian as a daddy and a husband, and he and Madison's bond is undeniably one of the sweetest, strongest, and secure there is (In reply to "Who do we love?" Madison shouts "DADDY!" every time without hesitation). However, it is the firm, patient, and consistent daddy that I have been falling in love with lately. The way Brian disciplines is such a close picture of how our Heavenly Father loves and disciplines us. It is sacrificing, unconditional, selfless, and righteous; motivated by love, not power. What a special man!

Okay on a lighter note, Brian has also been hiking A LOT and has made it his new goal to hike ever peak in California. We started with Feather Falls and then Brian left me in the dust when he decided to hike ( I mean CLIMB) Mt. Shasta on Memorial Day. He and a buddy, Ben, climbed to the very top. I don't have pictures of Brian at the top to prove it because the camera died and the only shots he has are on his cell phone (But I saw them and verified their authenticity j/k). In August he and his brother-in-law, Danny, plan to hike Mt. Whitney!

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory of my

Grandpa Scott

A great Scotsman, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and follower of Christ.

February 2, 1913-June 7, 2009

Auld Lang Syne
Robert Burns 1788

And for auld lang syne, my jo,

For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne,

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And days o' auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!

And surely I'll be mine!

And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes

And pu'd the gowans fine;

But we've wander'd mony a weary foot

Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,

Frae mornin' sun till dine;

But seas between us braid hae roar'd

Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!

And gie's a hand o' thine!

And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,

For auld lang syne.