I love these two. They have always had the sweetest relationship.



Noah is crazy about his Hailey.



I am too. I think she has such a beautiful heart.



And I love the way she is not afraid to run with the big boys..



Speaking of big boys..



How this happened I don't know. LOL. I have told them to stop it. Now. They just laugh at me. I love them too.

Our kitchen was full of activity..family, friends, cousins, were milling about and filling their plates with food, and their cups with drink. Out of the corner of my eye I saw our seven year old come by and he made a bee line for one of his sisters. Her back was turned and he raised his little hand and swatted her on the back. Then he ran away. She didn't even feel it or take notice of it and continued talking and laughing on. Curious by this unusual display, I followed him and asked him what was going on.

His little eyes filled with tears and he very seriously told me, " I was seeking revenge." I was briefly tempted to giggle at his word usage, but looking at his little face I could tell this was serious business. I asked him why he would want revenge and he shared that while they were wrestling on the bed with the little cousins she had kicked him and she did not apologize for it. Apparently, she did not even know that she had even kicked or hurt him, yet this was a very real and hurtful offense to him.

We had a good talk about revenge and anger and what God's Word says about it. I shared with him how the Bible tells us that revenge belongs to God and God alone. God is the only One who is good and holy and just. Also, it is because He knows what it does to His child's heart to have anger and wrath and vengeance there. Anger breeds such ugliness inside one's heart. It can take the still waters Jesus yearns for us to rest by and turns them into a tumultuous sea of churning that can quickly drag us under into the current of pride, self righteousness, self-pity. It takes our eyes off of Jesus and puts them on ourselves.

If we are part of any relationship whether it be a husband and wife, or a parent and child, or siblings, or friends, or church family..we are going to inadvertently kick each other. Maybe we are going to kick or be kicked purposefully. It hurts, yet it is not a hurt that Jesus doesn't know about. If we turn to Him with our anger, our hurt, our burdens He promises to give us rest from them and to fill our hearts with blessed peace. Jesus' prescription for getting along with those who hurt us is to do good. How contrary to what the world teaches! Yet, isn't that where we find true joy? Serving, ministering, and doing for others rather than turning our eyes inward.







Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

1 Corinthians 9:24~

I love running, I really do. Even more than running I enjoy watching my kiddies run. They inspire me so much. This is Joel. Everyone loves to run with Joel. He smiles when he runs. He seriously smiles all the time. This is a race he did a few weeks ago. He was running the 3200 meter and on the last lap he really turned it on. The poor guy who was leading literally never saw him coming until he was passing him. Joel won by .4 of a second. Amazing..and all with a smile on his face and a light heart. Paul likens our Christian journey like a race. Oh, may I be found faithful to run to win with a smile on my face and a happy heart.

Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24

Late Easter Pics~

Is time flying this year for Y'all? It is for us. It is going so fast and these little ones are not so little anymore. We are having a great spring and are eagerly pressing on towards the end of the school year. I hope you are all well!

Matthew 18:2-5~

The other night at dinner our Noah was describing a huge feast he was going to have. He told of the food, the candles, the flowers, and he looked at me and said, "You know, we are going to need a longer table." I asked him if he was to be the king at his feast, and he quickly said, "Oh NO! I am going to be the servant. I want to serve my family"

Oh my heart. May I always remember that my Jesus, my example came not to be served, but to serve.

It never fails to amaze me how much my children teach me.

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18:2-5

Isaiah 40:31~

Our sweet youngest boy Ben is so brave. He is so very brave. He loves to climb high and jump from high places and run and crash and lives life with all of the exuberance of an X-Game participant.

The other day at the park he watched as his older brothers and sisters crossed the monkey bars and then poneyed up for his turn. You can see he didn't want any help at first. "I do it myself, please!" is a favorite phrase of his. Jim was right with him and it wasn't too long until Ben asked for a little help from Daddy. He went on about 3 more bars and then again, "I do it myself, please!" came out of his little lips. Jim again took his hands off but was ready to catch him if he should slip. Once again he called for "Daddy's help" and once again Daddy was right there to bring him to the end.

I couldn't help but think as I stood there snapping pictures and giggling at our little one how much I can be like this with my Heavenly Father. So many times I rush into something I think I can handle, I am sure I can handle and then I am left squirming and hanging on for dear life. At that moment I am like Peter sinking in the water and calling out "Lord, save me!" He does, because He is good and I am His child. He loves me and longs for me to seek Him and to trust Him as He guides me. He alone knows when I am not yet strong enough for a task and when I am ready to fly. I simply need to wait on Him and trust His loving hands.

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31

1 John 4:19~

We love because He first loved us. 1John 4:19~

God's love. It is inexplicable and deeper and wider than we can imagine. The most amazing thing about God's love is they way it changes us. It compels us to love others in a way we can not do on our own.

We really enjoy Valentine's Day . It's a chance to lavish a little extra love on the people in our lives. Of course, we can and should do that every day, but with a busy and hectic life it is nice to have that stop, that reminder that time is passing all too quickly and that love shared is love spread to others.

It's a beautiful circle that could only have been created by our loving Father.

We had a fun day delivering Valentine's goodies and having a dinner where we shared blessings. A sweet man from our church wanted to treat us and so we had take out pizza. What a treat! What a blessing to be able to share love and to be on the receiving end. God is good!

Two Boys and a Tractor~

Oh, how I love these two boys. They are so sweet and funny and busy.

I love their relationship with each other. I love that even though Sam is physically smaller than Ben that he is very much the BIG brother. He does have 3 years on him and is quick to remind him when he is doing something "naughty" or "dangerous".

Ben is happy to be Sam's little brother. He adores him and is constantly calling for his "Cheekwan" his nickname for him.


We were at my cousin's farm a few months ago and they cracked me up as they played make believe farmers on an old (and stationary) tractor.

"Let's get to work.."

"You work Ben, I'm going to take a little nap."

"Cheeekwwwwannn! We have a problem.."

"It's all good. Big brother's on the scene."

Love it and love them.

Happy New Year!~

There is something so refreshing about entering a new year. It's a wonderful time to reflect on all that God has done and blessed us with in the past year and to anticipate all that He is going to do in the New Year.

There will be good times and hard times and times that will bring us to our knees and times that will bring us happiness and peace.. The one thing we can know is that our God will be with us through it all.


I was talking with a dear friend last night at a New Year's Eve Party who truly had walked through the valley as she and her family cared for her ailing father in law until he went home to heaven and then her mother was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. My friend herself had health issues and as she spoke to me she shared how her faith had never been stronger and her walk with the Lord had never been sweeter. She told me that His grace was truly enough.

I looked around at sweet children playing chase, mamas cuddling and chasing toddling babies, girls talking and laughing and singing, and young men (and not so young men) lighting fireworks and throwing their heads back in expectation as they went up into the sky waiting for the sparks to come and I thought about how this...this is how we are supposed to greet each new day.

Expectantly, joyfully, busily, depending on Jesus' grace.

Happy New Year!~

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!“
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

K is for Kangaroo~R is for Random

Just a few random shots of our school week. The little ones are learning all about the letter K and Kangaroos and Australia and Dingoes and Great Whites and all things fun.

Our story of the week for the littlest ones was Katy-No Pocket. It's a favorite around here!

Can we jump as far as a kangaroo?

And Random~ Our older 4 on their way to a concert to hear a friend play.

I love these kids and I am so blessed to be their Mama.

Our Sam is fascinated right now with the ages of people and who is younger and older.

The other night before bed he looks at me and says, "Mimi (who is my Mom) is older dan every-body." "Mimi is the oldest.... except God. God older than Mimi."

It was so random and so funny.

Here is what "Ole Mimi" was up to last week which, incidentally.. I discovered on Facebook. Ha!

My Mom is the youngest and hippest Grandma I know. She laughed when she heard what our sweet boy said. Love her!

James 1:17~

Our sweet little man. He never walks anywhere. He is always on the run. There are things to do and worlds to conquer. He is part super hero and all boy. He is a sweet little gift from heaven. We sit and laugh at him and his funny antics so often. Nothing gives my heart a bigger squeeze than when he runs outside and rushes back in with a fistful of flowers for me..his "Mama." What a joy to be a Mama to this sweet and busy boy.


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17~

Our Summer at a Glance~

I wasn't very diligent about blogging or capturing our days after all. We had a blessed summer. We made many, many memories and had precious time with family and friends. Our dear, dear friends are moving this month and it has made each day with them before they go so memorable. The children have made the most of their time arranging days and adventures together. We (the parents) have been along for many a ride and said "Yes" to many things we may have said we couldn't do last summer or ever (like us Mamas sleeping in a tent in 95 degree weather out in the middle of nowhere) and we truly have been blessed for it. Another dear friend of ours was diagnosed with a very aggressive stage 4 liver cancer. He is a wonderful husband, father to 6 children, and friend. We love this family all very much and seeing them walk through this has reminded us what a gift family and friends in our lives are each and every day. There are so many things I will think of as I remember the summer of 2012.

Em and Noah taking off in their swimming abilities..

Their precious friendship with each other..

Days surfing with the kiddies and yes, our John is surfing into the waves. He has his own style in all he does and it is awesome.

Birthday parties. We have 4 in the month of July alone. Fun!

The never ending matching game the little ones enjoyed..

Time with family~

Welcoming home our eldest from a mission trip to Equador..

Big brothers being super heroes!

Shopping time with Jim at Costco.. our favorite date!

Running oh, so many miles with these guys...They are my inspiration!

Seeing my children wash ashore on the waves..

Sister time..

Loving and laughing at these little guys...

Peace out summer of 2012..

Your days were beautiful!