Joe in blue shirt saved the dog! He is my survivor man.

Destiny and Rusty

Posing for the camera

Lots of fun playing with sticks.

Conner and Ben Best friends

The beautiful path.....

Some wild posing

After we took a long trip to town to get puppy shots and go out to lunch we decided

to go on a hike. We all put on our boots (a requirement with snakes, mud and stickers) and headed off to our river. It sounds really cool to say "our river." Anyway, we leashed up all the

dogs, counted heads and started down the path.

We had driven many times down the path since we had been here but I had never walked it.

It was so incediably beautiful! I had the feeling like I was walking over the Bridge to Terabithia

It was like a trellis of leaves and branches had been covered over the whole path leading us into

an enchanted world. Please understand that I do not have a vivid imagination, but I felt we we transformed into another world of priceless peace.

We examined all the plants, took pictures of the spiders, dug up a old table someone had

buried and wondered what we could do with all of the hay bales someone had left on the property.

It was such a blessing to get away from the daily routine and endless housework, cooking and other tasks that take up the day. I could relax and see my children's reaction to all the beautiful

things we were observing.

Then we go to the bridge over the river.

We just couldn't resist going down to to the water and explore. Mud wasps had made tons of beds all over the bridge wall. In the midst of all this

enjoyment our dogs decided to go for a swim. The only problem was our rottweiler (13 yrs old)

could only swim HALF of the way. We called and called for her to come out of the water but she

just couldn't move. My 12 yr. old son and I had to wade in the mud, weeds and water to pull out a 110lb dog, but with LOTS of effort we did it.

I was sweating, filthy and exhausted, but a

happy exhausted... so thankful for all I have.

Thank you Lord for your never ending beauty...

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
—John 14:27