Here it is -the season of Advent! I am loving our Christmas school that we have been doing along with our daily Advent readings. Sugar cookies, warm tea, candles lit, and good books have all made for a special December! Our family has used several Advent books during December since the children were younger. Here … Continue reading The Season of Advent

Last year, I reported in a Christmas Post about how I had the bright idea that the children draw names for Christmas. I learned my lesson and therefore I HAVE not nor WILL not be making that announcement this year. However, this Christmas season Blake and I had a new announcement that I once again … Continue reading Hey kids, Let’s Put up The Christmas Tree!

On this Thanksgiving weekend I wanted to send a big: I am Thankful For YOU! It is one of my favorite times to reflect on all that I am thankful for. The list is so very long this year as I have been counting my blessings and the list absolutely includes you readers. Your time … Continue reading So Thankful For Each of YOU!

We decided this year that we are canceling Theodore’s birthday. But don’t worry, we had a celebration and we still gave him presents in honor of his birthday. Age 7 is the year that we want to bottle up and keep frozen in time. This is the year that Theodore has been home 5 years! … Continue reading THE One, THE Only, THEodore

Even though we were with Henry for his last year’s birthday, this was his first birthday that he “GETS IT!” He has talked about his birthday for about 4 months prior and asked for everything under the Sun. Balloons for my birthday!! Ice cream cake for my birthday! Legos for my birthday! A horse for … Continue reading Henry’s BIG Birthday

Adopting Henry has been a year of transition and learning our new family dynamics. Also, after adopting Henry we realized that we outgrew our farm house. Actually before Henry we outgrew our house, but AFTER Henry we REALLY outgrew our 3 bedroom home. So after much prayer and many conversations we decided it was time … Continue reading I’m Moving in the Right Direction……

“But there aren’t enough kids to play “Got You!”” (Got You is a made up game that the kids like to play) and these are the words I heard Theodore say in regards to it ONLY BEING the 5 of them around this week. He just didn’t know how they could play without all 7 … Continue reading But there Aren’t Enough Kids

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