Prayer Request

I'm not sure why, but being back from vacation and diving back in at work has been very hard for me! I enjoy so much spending the 24/7 time with my kids and seeing them grow and have fun together. When I go back to work, I have extra work to get me caught up with where I left off. With summer here and Caleb getting ready to start Kindergarten, I feel like I need to be at home with them!

Please pray for me as I seek God's guidance. I am so thankful for a wonderful family like my parents and grandparents that have offered spend some extra time with the kids this summer while I am at work. But I want to have a peace in my heart and a good balance with work/home. THANKS!

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer."
Psalm 17:6

Kentucky Fun

We had a fun time in Kentucky visiting with family that we don't get to see very often. For this occasion, my aunt Martha hosted a picnic for us! It was a beautiful day and a great time to visit with family. There was a lot going on in their yard!

Several of the kids swimming while.....


...while the adults were playing! This is my mom and cousin Tina trying to bounce one of the younger kids. We were all standing around waiting for the trampoline to break...but fortunately it didn't!


More games happening:


Here's a picture of my mom with 3 of her brothers. There is a total of 10 kids in their family so you can imagine how big the family is and only continues growing!

More swimming pictures:

My dad was the "lifeguard" and got soaked!

Alisia with Savannah. So what are my kids to my cousins kids called? Whatever that is called- that's what they are.

I don't think he liked the water too much.

I had to take this picture of Isaac for my aunt Barbara who couldn't be there.

This is my Grandparents old house. One of my cousins bought it and has been fixing it up nice so we went to check it out! Thanks for the tour Jason!

In their basement, they have an aweome theater set up! My mom is standing beside the screen/wall for an idea of how big it is! It looked great with the lights out!

I bet they're wishin' they had this when they were living here!

One of the best things of visiting with family is hearing and sharing stories of blessings and how God has been working. God created the tie of family, for a special reason. To love those people enough to share the work God has been doing in your own life. Through this, He is glorified. Don't forget to share with your family how God has been working in your life!

Just as Jesus said "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

Mark 5:19

Thanks Martha and Rusty for letting us stay with you!

Father's Day

We have disappeared for a few days on a long 11 hour trip for a short visit to Kentucky. I'll post more pics later from our trip. Here's a few from today!

Happy Father's Day to my own dad as well as my dear husband!

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a offering and sacrifice to God."
Ephesians 5:1

Enjoying School-Free Summer Days

"He makes me lie down in green pastures..."

Psalm 23:2

God's Provision in a Long Journey

Some very dear friends of ours just brought home their 4th child from China. Jada Yu Esther Moore. They have some amazing stories of God's provision through this journey including His protection from the earthquake while they were there. We are so happy for you and know Jada is a great blessing to your family. We can't wait to meet her! What a great Chineese clothing!
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me."
Matthew 18:5

Schools Out

Yay! Schools finally out! We don't have huge plans this summer, but we are looking forward to making mini weekend-vacations.

Here's a picture of the graduating 3rd grade class at their awards ceremony. Her teacher said she was impressed how much she loved her family. Alisia always had stories about her family to share with the class! She is also gentle.

The end of the school year has brought many fun activities.

As a 3rd grade tradition, before they are officially 4th graders, they get to spend the night at the school. The class has been looking forward to this all year and had a lot of fun! They had dinner, played putt-putt, went to the park after dark, watched a movie, then read stories until the kids feel asleep. They were up bright and early for a pancake breakfast.

I had to run Alisia her allergy medicine to her cause she forgot it and was getting itchy. But I got to see some of the fun they were having!

Ready For Bed?

The kids made the pancakes with food coloring. The girls were happy these turned out as a rainbow:

Alisia also had her spring concert. It was so precious! I'm so excited to see Caleb up there next year!

These are from the dress rehersal:

Here's what she looked like on show day:
The kids were dressed up as animals and were praising their Creator.

Here's a part of one of my favorite songs they sang:

Welcome to the King's animal kingdom, hop on board to see what God has made.

Listen to the wild worship

Listen to the wild sing

Listen to the wild praise you

Praise you lord as king

They lift you up on high
chicks chirp

ducks quack

pigs oink

and hyenas laugh
Horses neigh

Cats meow.....

It's HOT!!

It is SOO HOT! The news said it's 95 w/ index of 110! Well no wonder! We have been trying to think of different things to try to keep cool. Our favorite thing to keep cool is Slurpees! I'm so thankful for this breeze. Oh yeah, let me mention that we do NOT have central air! When it's this hot we use our grill a lot so the house doesn't get hotter! Alisia and I came up with things to do when it's soo hot:

• Drink SLURPEES (or you can make your own popsicles)
• Play in the sprinkler
• Eat watermelon
• Watch home videos
• Play in the grass in bare feet
• Read a good book under a shade tree
• Carry a bottle of ice water
• Visit the library
• Wash your car and play in the water
• Go to Home Depot (or your favorite store that has A.C. to browse)
• Take a shower
• Go swimming
• Take a nap in the hammok
• Go the the movies (it's always soo cold in there!)
• Go to the beach (this is what Alisia's trying to convince us to do!)
• Go to a birthday party or a friends house and have fun to forget about it being so hot!

Whatever you decide to do, have FUN and stay COOL! Share with us your staying cool tips!

CONGRATULATIONS TERESA!!

Joe and Teresa (my brother and sister-in-law) moved!!! They have been living just up the street from us for the past 2 years. Not that we saw them every day, but it's just been nice knowing that they were that close and it was convenient to run over. I'm really happy they found something that fits their family better, but we'll miss having them so close. They have a son Caleb's age, so Caleb will really miss him. So you guys better invite us over!

AND, on top of moving, Teresa just graduated from nursing school! Congrats Teresa! What a big accomplishment! I remember how good it feels to put school behind you. What a happy day for your family!

May God continue to dirrect your steps and take care of your family. May He always be your guide.

These pictures were from her pinning:

Teresa with her son Eston

The family (I just love this picture of Eston in the corner) :

The nurses in our family:

Here's their new house:

School Days

Ever since I got my new job back in November, I've been promising the kids that I'd eat lunch with them since my job will be more "flexible." Well, it hasn't happened yet! So this week that's what I did. And since it's the last week of school, so I hit them both! Caleb on Tuesday and Alisia on Wednesday. It was a lot of fun seeing how they interact with their classmates and teachers.

I am so thankful for a solid education and sacrificing teachers!

This is interresting and kindof scarey! Compare the leading school discipline problems (Time Magazine, Febuary 1988) I wonder what it would look like for 2000.

1940s
Talking
Chewing Gum

Making Noise
Running in Hallways

Getting out of Place in Line

Wearing Improper Clothing
Not putting paper in waste basket

1980s

Drug Abuse

Alcohol Abuse

Pregnancy
Suicide

Rape

Robbery

Assault

Burglary

Arson Bombings

Seeing the World Upside-Down

Alisia had to memorize this passage this year for school. Think about this for a moment and let it turn your world upside-down, as knowing Christ and understanding the gospel often does.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:3-11