My Birthday

Today was my birthday, and it sure was special!!!  It began with my husband whispering "Happy Birthday."  Then, as I was in the bathroom, a formation of geese flew over our house honking their "Happy Birthday"....which made me think of my mother and how much she loved geese flying like that.  Carl and I got to exercise a little bit, and then into the car to drive to Tiburon.  We took the ferry to Angel Island, where the day was spectacular.  The weather was glorious!  Such an answer to prayer!  Although the week has been really windy and cool, today was not windy, totally sunny, and not foggy!!!  Thank you Father!  I am amazed at how much you show your love to me.  We enjoyed exploring the island, taking the tram tour.  I mentioned that it was my birthday, and all of a sudden, at one point, the guide stopped, got out, and said, "I want to take a moment to sing "Happy Birthday" to my friend, Kerstin!"  So the tram tour sang to me :)  We did not think we'd have enough time to climb to the top peak, but we headed out to try.  There were wildflowers and butterflies everywhere.  We were able to climb all the way to the top and see all the spectacular views!  So wonderful.  We had snacks and headed down.  It was such fun to go on the ferry, seeing sea creatures (ducks, porpoises), browse Tiburon meeting German speaking shop keepers who may be interested in hanging my art, eat at Old Chicago Pizza in Petaluma, have birthday cake at home, and open sweet and thoughtful birthday cards and gifts from loved ones.  Carl and the kids went all out.  Thank you Jesus!  My life with you is overflowing!

On the Tiburon-Angel Island Ferry (Angel Island is in the background)

 This island has great climbing!

 It even has jellyfish!

 We get to see lots of views of San Francisco from the tram tour.

 The Golden Gate Bridge and the Golden Fletcher Kids :)

 With Mama

All of us

 My honey and me

 We hike the trail up to the top

 It was simple amazing in every way.

 Can you spot the kids? 

 Use this photo to help spot them in the photo above.

 The summit

 And back down

 Can you see Maggie and Trey?

 Carl found this guy

 All done!

 Waiting for the ferry back...

 Dinner at Old Chicago

 

Yummy Frankfurter Torte

 Present time

Superhero Carl

Psalm 136...a variation by me (on the eve of my 41st birthday)

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

7 to him who made the great lights,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

8 the sun to rule over the day,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 To him who brought me from my mother's womb,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

11 to him who counted my every breath,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
12 the wandering of my toddling steps, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
13 the steps of my growing years, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
14 to him who saved my soul from sin,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                       

15 who opened my ears to hear the Gospel,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
16 the life-giving message of life eternal, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
17 through the selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

18 to him who knows my family,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
19 who watched over my mother’s wasting away, 
 
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
20 to him who called her home, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
21 and comforted me with his tender love,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                       

22 to him who gave me my husband,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
23 as a man to love and minister with, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                    
 24 to him who gave us each of our four children, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
25 bringing their souls into being, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
26 to him who gives each day meaning and purpose,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     

27 who opened my eyes to see his creativity,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
28 the ability to use pencil and brush, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
29 in praise and adoration of him, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;

30 to him who has marked out my days,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
31 today and for all eternity, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever;                                                                                     
32 to him who will call me home one day, 
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever.

33 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
  
   for his steadfast love endures forever.

Day at Doran

Since it is May, and the weather was glorious, and we are allllllmost done with our school coursework...we went to the beach on Monday!

 It was a beautiful day, even at the coast.

 Trey was searching for crabs.  He brought lots of dead whole/pieces of crab home and is drying them out in the back yard.  They all have names...like Andrew, Marcus....

My sweet husband

We found all sorts of creatures, crabs, and this fellow.  It is like an eel, and has the face of a seahorse.

 I love the swirl in a shell.

Maggie found a tiny sand dollar and a dome shell.

 Lily, hard at work.

On the way home, we had to swing by Screamin' Mimis for some delicious ice cream :)  Big smiles!!!

I found this cutie in our garden.

 

 And here are 2 more cuties!

Pippi Longstocking Ballet Show

This week was the final show of this year of ballet.  All 4 Fletchers were in the show.  Lily was a hummingbird and raccoon, Maggie was Pippi's friend, Hanna was Pippi, and Trey was a fisherman.

 Here they all are!

 These were taken during the actual show.  Hanna and Maggie are en pointe.

 Scrubbing the floor with sponges on their feet...

 Hanna dances with the raccoons until they are too tired to do damage.

 The hummingbird flies by the picnic lunch!

 Bravo!  Well done!!!