To Everything There is a Season

We have had soooooo much fun blogging these past few months! It has been especially enjoyable for us to use the blog as a means to keep in touch with all of you.

Having a blog has also served as a tool to encourage our creative endeavors and has also helped us document all of life’s special moments and God’s work in our lives.

Thanks so much to you all for caring to read our family’s highlights. And a special thanks to our commenters! Your interaction has been the BEST part for us!

From all of us at the Bowes Family farm we sincerely thank you again, and send a bloggy farewell for now!

P.S. If in the future, we are inspired to blog again, let us know if you’d like us to notify you of any blog address changes!

Beautiful Music!

"It is good to praise the Lord

and make music to your name, O Most High . . ."

Psalm 92:1

Saturday afternoon we were treated to the girls'

piano and violin recital.

Lydia and Caroline on the piano . . .

Well done, Lydia and Caroline!

We could really hear how much you have progressed!

You both played very well!

We loved listening to your beautiful music!

Keep it up!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Caroline played a duet with their teacher, Mrs. Holmes.

We love Mrs. Holmes.

She is such a wonderful person, friend and teacher.

We are so grateful that she was able to take on Caroline and Lydia as her students.

Thank you, Cynthia, for the tremendous blessing you are to us!

And then Victoria and Valerie were delightful on their violins!

(It was the first time Valerie and Victoria had played their violins in a recital.)

Their teacher, Miss Katie, accompanied them on the piano.

We love Miss Katie!

She is so fun, such a sweet person and a great teacher.

Thank you, Miss Katie, for the special blessing you are to us!

Good job, Valerie and Victoria! You did great!

Your music was lovely!

You have come a long way in a fairly short amount of time!

Keep it up!

Welcome Summer!

Hello summer! We're so glad you're here!
So much so, we can't help but cheer!
While we put our rubber boots and umbrellas away,
Please settle in for a nice long stay!
And we'll enjoy each and every minute,
Of your warm and memorable visit!
Though we love fall, winter, and spring,
We are grateful to God for the blessings YOU bring!

Farm Photo Friday -Our Littlest Farmhand Hard at Work:)

Walking in the Way . . .

"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,

we wait for you;

your name and renown are the desire of our hearts."

Isaiah 26:8

Wordless Wednesday - Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Timmyism - "What Do You Want on Your Birthday Cake?"

Timothy, at his tender age of three-and-a-half, is in a stage where discussing the "theme" of one's birthday party is a very important facet of planning one's birthday celebration. He has recently begun asking each of us, "What do you want on your birthday cake?" This, of course, means . . . "What kind of decorations would you like?"

A couple of weeks before Lydia's birthday, Timothy started the discussion on party themes once again. When we asked him what HE would want on his cake, he replied that he wanted "Lydia" on his cake. Then, he asked what Lydia would want on HER cake. She said, "Well, I would like a 'Timmy' on my cake, because I love him SO much!"

This sparked an idea in my head about surprising the two of them with an edible photograph of Timothy on her cake. I called several places, and all their printers were broken. So, I thought up "plan B", and while Lydia was not with us one day, we took several photos of Timothy (most of them were ones that Lydia had taken) to Staples and had them laminated!

And wallah . . . .we had ourselves a "Timmy" party!

We Sure Do Love You, Daddy!

"We give thanks to God always for you . . .

making mention of you in our prayers;

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith,

and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,

in the sight of God and our Father."

(I Thessalonians 1:2-3)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, dads!

We are thinking about you
and want to thank you

for the blessing you all are in our lives!

We love you!

Ted and Robyn,
Lydia, Kyle, Caroline, Valerie,

Victoria, Timothy and Joseph

"I thank my God every time I remember you."

Philippians 1:3

A Blessed 13!

Oh my! Where has the time gone?

Our adorable firstborn baby

is now a sweet and lovely 13 year-old young lady!

And what a precious blessing she is to us!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Happy 13th birthday, Sweetheart!

We love you dearly!

Farm Photo Friday - On Thursday:)

Due to our Friday being reserved for a VERY special occasion and post:), we decided to post our "Farm Photo" today instead! This photo actually has a very long story that could be written about it, (particularly why Gabriel is wearing one of the girls' jackets:), but I think we'll just say that these two beloved farm animals are inseparable buddies. So much so, that Angel, the llama, suffered ill health this week right after they were separated from each other for a time! (This was for some much needed pasture rotation, and in addition to having "separation anxiety" from her goat friend, she was also without shelter for several days in the relentless rain:) Her declining health caused a trip to the vet, and for us to reunite them sooner than we had originally planned. She seems to be making a swell recovery, with some antibiotics, lots of prayer, and her buddy back by her side!

Wordless Wednesday - Budding Aeronautic Acrobat

Mmmmmm . . . It's Smore Season!

But first things first . . .

the starting of a good campfire!

Well, here in the Pacific Northwest,

if you want to have a campfire in June,

you may still need some help from your trusty umbrella:) ! Here Daddy is giving his young recruit his first lesson

on toasting marshmellows to perfection!
Ahh, nothing like a good smore to kick off summer:)!

Farm Photo Friday

This is our resident shepherdess and her "trusty" wethered ram, Justice.

He is known as the "consumer" on the farm, because all he does is . . . well, consume! Well, other than get into all kinds of mischief, like regularly opening the gate to free himself and the other farm animals from their pasture!

Photo courtesy of Valerie

This is Justice before his spring shearing.

Photo courtesy of Lydia

This is Justice after his shearing :) !

Photo courtesy of Lydia

And he says . . . . . ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

End of a Great Season!

The Look . . . .

The Wind-Up . . .
The Pitch . . .

Kyle's baseball season came to end this weekend with a big two-day tournament. They played hard and did well. Their regular season standings were 8-5. Kyle did great, but is sad the season is over:( !

Wordless Wednesday - A Boy and His Fishing Pole

Photo courtesy of his biggest adoring fan - Lydia!

6-2-08

Happy June!

Wow, we can't believe it is June already! The last week of May slipped right by us while we were sleeping off the flu! Thanks so much for your kind notes and for your prayers for us! We are all feeling great now!