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Modern Day Guy

Valerie Basham

March 29, 2013

It’s been a very lovely weekend, for someone who just got a year older! 🙂 This birthday (on Monday, March 25) was much better than my last one. I enjoyed a short trip away with my family, a meal at Olive Garden, a bouquet of flowers and several cards and gifts from family and friends. Oh, I can’t forget the 100+ birthday wishes I received on Facebook! That really made my day, especially the wishes from our missionaries around the world! Thank you for thinking of me and taking the time to write me! It means a lot. A whole lot.

Last night, I snapped a few photos of my little boy playing on Terry’s laptop. He looked so cute and “modern”. Our children will be the technology age, that’s for sure. We as parents must teach them to use these advances in right ways.

He enjoyed looking at lions and elephants online. 🙂

Buddies.

Thanks for reading!

Never Give Up on Him

Valerie Basham

3 comments

March 22, 2013

My youngest girl has gotten into the habit of saying “Thank the Lord!” about everything. She is using the phrase sincerely, but I worried that it might become flippant. One night, after she said it, I was about to gently suggest that she use these words carefully. I was going to explain about taking God’s name in vain. As I was about to speak, she began quietly singing “I will never give up on Him…” It was her own “made up” song, about believing in Jesus and trusting Him. She was thankful for His help as she played her DS game! In my opinion, that was a trivial matter, surely she was being flippant! But then I stopped and thought a moment. I realized that my burdens probably seem trivial to others who face harder things, too! Her burden was real, to her. Her need for the Lord is real and genuine. I did later explain about the importance of never using God’s precious name irreverently, but at that moment, I just sat and listened to her song.

I took that opportunity to meditate upon that thought, that I should never give up on Him. You see, sometimes, I do! I give up believing that He will help me or bless me. I begin to think that He is far away and unconcerned with my life, after all, there are multitudes who are facing more difficult problems than I! But the truth is, He does care. He will meet my needs and ease my burdens in His time, not mine.

The question is, will I give up on Him? I shouldn’t because He will never give up on me.

A Boy Lives Here

Valerie Basham

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March 20, 2013

This is what I found at the foot of my bed the other day:

When I saw this little assortment of items, I knew Matthew had come and gone. I thought, “It’s so obvious that a little boy lives here!” And then I thought, “I am so glad.”

A Treasure

Valerie Basham

2 comments

March 20, 2013

My sweet little Leslie Anne made me an early birthday card a few days ago. It is one of the sweetest notes I’ve ever received, which is how I feel about every note any of my children give me! I especially like the part that says “I wish I could stay little all my life.” I feel the same way.

I am thankful that she is happy, and I am thankful that God gave her to us.

Clippings

Valerie Basham

3 comments

March 15, 2013

I was recently organizing my precious papers – love notes, drawings and crafts that my family gives me – when I realized we have several newspaper clippings featuring us! This got me thinking about how they are going to yellow with age after a while. That thought led me to remembering the various newspaper clippings about my wedding…fifteen years ago! I dug those out of the albums where I’d saved them. I gathered all the clippings up and, along with a picture from an old calendar that I love, got them laminated for safe keeping.

It’s hard to see them all in this photo, but there are some clippings of me and the kids at our library’s summer reading program last year, one of Lauren at the Watermelon Festival in 2011, our engagement and wedding announcements and a brief article featuring my husband when he took our first church in Texas over seven years ago. The large colorful picture is from an old Mary Engelbreit calendar. It says, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. – Dr. Suess.” I have this hanging on the wall beside my sink in my bathroom. I decided to have it laminated because hairspray was making it wrinkle and warp. I like seeing this reminder that, while these are precious days, I don’t need to be sad because they are going by so quickly, I need to thank God that I’m getting to live them at all.

As I looked over these memories, I couldn’t help but smile. I have been so blessed!

The Swing

Valerie Basham

1 comment

March 14, 2013

Last Saturday, March 9, we enjoyed a very mild, albeit cloudy, day. I was inside doing my usual Saturday chores – cleaning my bedroom, bathroom and folding laundry – when I heard shrieks of delight and bursts of laughter outside my window. I peeked out of the shades and saw that Terry was pushing the kids on our homemade tree swing! I grabbed my camera to bronze the moment (and sneak in some practice!). I took almost 400 photos in just a short time, but don’t worry, I’m only sharing a fraction of them here.

It was a very cloudy day. Aren’t these clouds lovely, though?

Terry gave the kids “underdogs” on the swing. In case you’re unfamiliar with that term, it means pushing the swing up above your head and running out from underneath it. This makes them go…

…very high!

Which, of course, they love!

Laci is getting her “underdog.” Not sure from whom Mitch is hiding here.

Loving the altitude!

I enjoyed getting these shots of them in mid-air.

Lauren up high.

Mitchell, my “ham”!

And we see, like father, like son! By the way, this is Terry being silly. He would never smile this big in real life.

Ah…my little, I mean big dare-devil!

Okay, this is more like his normal happy expression. 😉

Lauren

I tried taking some portrait shots outside, since I’m terrible at indoor shots right now (unless I use the “Auto” setting). I still need practice because some are still a bit out of focus, but I like them. Well, I like my subjects!

Mitchell

Leslie

Laci

And Matthew! He’s not smiling, obviously, but I still like this one. (He didn’t want to smile for me so he cried. It was nap time…for both of us!)

My big boy is learning to ride the scooter!

And he enjoys raking.

Such a little man.

A few of the family resting after a long morning of playing.

I know that in just a few short years, this is how our swing will look. Lonely and still, swaying only if a breeze can blow it hard enough. I’m enjoying my house full of children while I can, and making memories to keep me company in the years to come.

Helping Mom

Valerie Basham

1 comment

March 14, 2013

On Sunday, March 3, Matthew wanted to help me out in the kitchen. Usually, I don’t let him in the kitchen when I’m cooking because of safety issues. (Wouldn’t want him to get burned!) But, on this day, I was just putting my BBQ chicken in the crock pot, so I knew it would be safe to have a mini assistant. 🙂

I love my little helper!

Vintage Valerie: Random Photos in Topeka

Valerie Basham

3 comments

March 2, 2013

Today on “Vintage Valerie”, I’m sharing some miscellaneous photos from our time in Topeka, Kansas. I hope you enjoy them – I sure have. 🙂

Granddad giving Lauren a piggy back ride.

My little cowgirl – she has always loved western things, and guns and knives!

Aw, she let me fix her hair!

Cutie pie. And somebody’s watching in the background!

My one year old, all dressed up for church!

He scored two points, with a little help.

Has anyone seen Mitchell?

Lauren hit her face on the door facing, and I can’t remember how she did it now, but here she’s telling Nana and Papa all about it. She’s four here.

Poor thing!

This tree was in our front yard. Isn’t it just lovely?

Proverbs 31

Valerie Basham

1 comment

March 1, 2013

Four years ago, I wrote a small Bible study on Proverbs 31. It’s a verse-by-verse walk through this wonderful chapter, doing one verse every day for a month. You can either just read it online or print it out and answer the study thoughts. I wrote it for myself, but hoped the Lord might be able to use it to encourage others. Here’s the link: 31 Days of Proverbs 31 Just click on the individual day to read it or print it out.

Thanks for reading, and happy March!

Tough Guy

Valerie Basham

8 comments

February 26, 2013

My parents used to tell my brother when he was very little, to “Make your tough guy face, Kevin.” On cue, Kevin would crinkle up his nose, make angry eyes and cinch his lips together. It was adorable! Well, I think it was adorable, he’s older than I, so I can only imagine. But I thought of that story when I saw these photos of Matthew. He loves to “fight”. Lauren came into our room, where he was playing yesterday, and said, “There’s monster in the house!” Matthew said – almost while she was still talking – “I gotta go, Mom!” and hopped down to go defend the family. He loves guns and swords and wrestling. He usually puts on his fight gear first thing in the morning, often before he’s even dressed, and will remain in it most of the day.

And it’s just adorable.