Our summer is a bit different these days. We are down in numbers as a family. Our two oldest kids each have their own incredible opportunity to serve this summer. Our oldest, Alexandra, is in Central America- she has been building a house for a family, hiking into villages to tell them the Good News … Continue reading Catch and Release

I was adding the finishing touches to dinner when I heard the back door slam and an excited voice. “Close your eyes! I have a big SURPRISE, Mama!” I shut my eyes and turned around with a big grin on my face anxious to see what the surprise was. “Okay, open them,” the little voice … Continue reading “Mama, I found a Honey Hole!”

It was the summer of 1992. My best friend, Jeni, invited me to go on a trip to California with she and her Aunt Vicki. We traveled up the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) from LA to San Francisco. I will never forget our final stay in San Francisco. Yes, the ferry ride … Continue reading See’s Candies with Your Best Friend

We celebrate Earth Day each year on April 22nd. It’s quite grand: We pop a big bowl of buttery popcorn and watch a Nature movie. AND this pretty much sums it up. 🌎 I have learned that a PICTURE perfect Pinterest PARTY isn’t always necessary when celebrating something -sometimes it’s the simple things. This year … Continue reading 🌎 EARTH DAY

There was a very loud, “MAMA!” coming from the living area first thing when I woke up one morning this week. “MAMA- Caleb threw my frozen rabbit skin that I was thawing into the washing machine!!” Maybe it was just a dream since I could hardly understand what Calvin was saying. “I am sorry, buddy, … Continue reading “Mama!!”

This is Henry’s phrase for “I Love You.” It began in January and I can’t get enough of it. He says it when he is eating, when we are laying on the floor with Candy Land between us, when I kiss a boo boo, on a picnic, at bath time, bed time, and many things … Continue reading I Lu Mu!

It was a chilly 1st day of March as we watched my father’s SUV pull up our long winding driveway. The children saw him as well from another window and began saying, “Papa is here! “MAMA!!!“ “Papa is ready to pick you up.” Then Caleb (2nd born) said, “No need to hurry, Mama. If there … Continue reading Kentucky Road

In all of my life (and from what I can tell most people in West Tennessee) this is the MOST SNOW we have ever seen! I believe 3 years ago we received 2 inches or so but our children have a saying. “33 degrees and raining- a West Tennessee Winter. “ HOWEVER, this week we … Continue reading I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Snow Cream!

We have had a fun full week of Valentine crafts, chocolate strawberries, and looking at the real life of a man named Valentine. There are a variety of stories about the real St. Valentine but Father Frank O’Gara from Dublin, Ireland shares this account from history. “He was a Roman Priest at a time when … Continue reading St. Valentine ❤️

Blake has had a new phrase for our family as squabbles arise this past month. “Let’s Be a Family That Spreads Sunshine” Blake has said this as a little reminder that we get to choose whether or not our words criticize, tear down, or bless one another. This has also been a great phrase for … Continue reading Spreading Sunshine