One day we were playing at the beach when I saw this written in the sand. It says "I love my Family". I thought it was so sweet and it became even sweeter when I learned it was written by one of my dear children.

Family is an amazing thing. Incorporating older children who were not born to us into our family has given us an opportunity to see all of our children learn to love and give of themselves as they become brothers and sisters of the heart.

Every moment has not been perfect or all sunshine and smiles of course, but it is so clear that God has knit our family together in a way only He can.





I am so excited to share with you about a wonderful family and a truly incredible fundraiser. I am so blessed to hear of children who are so excited about their family expanding through adoption and the great lengths they go through to help bring their new siblings home.

Lauren is the oldest of six and this week her parents were blessed by the Ethiopian Courts and were allowed to be the parents of 5 MORE children!!!! They have adopted a precious sibling group of 5. What a gift for these children to be able to be kept together.

Lauren is a gifted artist and is using the proceeds of all of her art work for airfare for her new siblings to come home! Her heart is so pure and beautiful as she yearns for her siblings to come home and share in her family's love.

Her artwork is simply lovely. I would truly love to have any one of her pices in my home. Please go and look and say a prayer that God will supply all of this family's needs as He brings them together.


Lauren's Site~

Her 5x7 prints are available for only $5.50!

Thank you for thinking of this family.

Wordless Wednesday~

While Mama's Away...

Luke and Lea come out and play.

Jim posted this last night on his Facebook. Apparently this is what they do while I'm away...

The funniest part is yesterday these two were begging to play with their brothers' light sabers. I told them no as I didn't want them to get hurt. Evidently I didn't realize they had been fully trained in Jedi Warfare. The Mama is always the last to know.

People often ask Jim and I how we "do it all". The truth is we don't do it all. We are blessed with a small army of helpers.


Our kiddies love brunch so yesterday they asked if they could make it. They are all awesome helpers in the kitchen. I love, love, love working with them. We turn up the music and talk and laugh.
The boys were working the stove..

I had to laugh when I came in the kitchen and saw the boys having a push up contest in between stirring. I could be in such good shape if I lived my life like a little boy.
Our resident baker! She is such a help!
These girls were busy straightening the downstairs and playing with little ones..
These guys mowed and edged the lawn..
It truly is..

a very
wonderful life..

Ephesians 3:14-21~

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,



to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;

that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-21~

Alligator, Bear, Shark...

Warning :Yucky snake pics below.............





















Snake...

Oh My. Growing up my Mommom would never let us say the word hate. She said it was a bad word.

So...I am sorry Mr. Snake (who was on our front doorstep the other day) but I think I really don't like you to the point of hate.

Seriously.

We are really enjoying summer. In fact, I think I am enjoying it more than a Homeschool Mama should ;o).. How can you not love days like these?


Just hanging out with your favorite Peeps..
And swimming, eating, swimming, eating..swimming.... Wow, my "Peeps" really love to swim. They are like little (and not so little) fish.
I especially love to watch this guy swim. He likes to pretend that his hands are shark fins. It's the cutest thing. His brothers are quite perplexed over his swim style as they feel he should use his arms for speed. However, he is all shark. He maneuvers around the whole pool only lifting his head to gnash his teeth at us.

Speaking of boys and sharks we had a long discussion at lunchtime today. If a shark, an alligator, and a bear got into a fight, who would win? Sadly, this Homeschool Mama did not have the answer. What do Ya'll think? I'm afraid my critical thinking skills have been seriously depleted by too much chlorine.

HOME!~

Words can't express the joy. Thank you Jesus! \o/