Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! If you are looking for our Christmas pictures, head over to our other blog at  http://grantfamilyfunfarmlife.blogspot.com/  See you there!

On His Throne

Sometimes encouragement that God is in control of everything doesn't have to come from amazing seminars, inspiring messages, or moving-of-mountains!

As we worked on kitchen chores tonight after dinner, a few of my siblings who finished early moved to piano and guitar and sang a few praise songs. One of them was "You are God Alone", and it was sweet to hear everyone singing as they worked.

As Ethan brought his dustpan back into the kitchen, he informed me, "He's on His throne right now!"

The older I get, the more I realize the truth in the age-old quip "faith like a child". Praying that God helps us all trust Him more and more, in the regular day-to-day ups and downs as well as in life-changing blessings and trials, and that we remember He is God and we're not. He is on His throne -- right now!

Victoria for the Grants

Dillion Beach Camping Trip

 

The Grant family was blessed to take an awesome camping trip to Dillion Beach (Located on Bodega Bay) a few weeks ago! Following a fun Grant family tradition started by Scott's parents, we met with several other extended Grant family members and enjoyed a week of building sandcastles, catching crabs and clams, and lots of laughter. Since our wonderful Mama wasn't too keen on the idea of cold weather and digging through wet sand for clams, she volunteered to hold down the home fort and graciously stayed home with Levi and Ashlyn, who shared her sentiments on weather. They had a great time going out to ice cream, sewing fun summer shorts, and spending time with friends. And of course, since the absence of two siblings left an empty bunk in the trailer, it had to be filled! We were delighted that Victoria and Savannah's very dear friend Mackenzie was able to join us for the fun.

ice cream + time with mama = smiles

 

Ashlyn with her successful sewing projects!

The camping gang got the trailer set up and arranged, and then headed out to the jetty to go crabbing. We were able to enjoy several crabbing expeditions during our trip.

 

Climbing out on the jetty with a group of uncles and cousins ranging from 6 to 19 was always a slow but interesting experience

Preparing the nets

Laramie loved the anchovies!

For those who have never experienced the fun of crabbing, you start by putting bait (squid, anchovies, fish heads, etc.) into the small metal cages which are attached to large nets. You throw your net as far as you can out into the water, and let them sit there for about twenty minutes. When the time is up, you pull in your net as quickly as possible (to force the crabs to grab hold of the net) while attempting to not get it stuck on any rocks in the water. If you are successful (or sometimes, just lucky...) you end up with crabs!



Ethan loved his first crabbing expeience, and was very proud of this large Dungeness crab he pulled out

 

We were blessed with a large crab harvest and (Despite the cold and occasional 40 mph winds!) thoroughly enjoyed standing around the crab pot every evening, cooking and eating them.

 When we weren't trying to catch the local seafood, everyone enjoyed sitting on the beach, hanging out with cousins, building sandcastles, hosting impromptu foot races, and playing "Ninja".

Per another tradition, the cousins enjoyed burying a reluctant volunteer in the sand!

 

We built a sandcastle, but due to a slight misunderstanding between the older kids, who wanted to call the sand castle "Helms Deep" (courtsey of the Lord of the Rings) and the younger crew, who thought we said "Home Depot" it ended up with the comically unimpressive title "Home Depot"!



The ill fated Home Depot, destoyed by the next morning's tide...

We are so blessed to have been able to take this trip! Many thanks to Daddy for all his hard work and planning, to all the extended Grant family for making the effort to come, and to Mama for watching all the animals to give us a fun vacation.

Ethan (6)

Laramie (10)

Mackenzie (15)

Savannah (16)

Victoria (19)

Scott (Daddy!)

Blessings to all!

Savannh for the Grant Clan

Conversations with five-year-olds...

Happy almost-Easter, everyone! Praying we're all overwhelmed by Jesus' love for us as we celebrate the most amazing victory in history!

Just thought I'd share the following conversation that just took place between my almost-five year old brother and I...

L: "Hi, Victoria. I'm organizing these."
(He's lying on the floor sorting colored zip ties.)

Me: "Good job!"

L: "I'm a cool guy."
(This is the way he currently refers to persons such as Captain America. Who wouldn't want to be known by such a statement-making title?)

Me: "Wow. Am I a cool girl?"

L: "You can if you want to. Do you want to?"

Me: "Yes, I want to."

L: "But you have to follow me where I go."

(Here I sense an opportunity to instill some good, manly, Biblical principles in my little brother...)

Me: "Well, are you going to be a good leader?"

L: "What?"

Me: "Are you going to be a good leader? Because if you're a good leader, I'll follow you!"

(This is working out great so far...I just know he'll be an awesome daddy and husband some day!)

L: "I'm going to take you to your room. You need to clean your room."

(In my own defense, school has taken precedence for the last couple days, so a quick organization is, ahem, probably a fine idea.)

At least the little guy's honest.

Off to follow the fine advice of my little leader!