Company:)

Some of my most precious memories of seminary life were with my dear lady friends...

My Sunday Night Club girls...

Oh the laughs we would have as we shared half price appetizers at Applebee's after 9pm on Sunday nights:)

Oh the deep conversations that were shared as we all adjusted to the fact that each of our husbands had left  "real world"jobs to answer Gods call to go back to school to become a pastor...

Oh the fun we would have at the Seminary Wives Valentines Dance... seriously memories that I still smile and giggle about to this day...

Oh the fun of Friday night family BBQ's right outside our back door on campus in the Woods...

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was blessed by my upstairs Seminary neighbor MaryAnne coming to stay the night while Greg and that big boys were in Haiti... 

Last week I got to visit over the phone with my dearest most precious Friend Becky... oh the passions, and loves that we have in common!

 And last Monday my sweet Sunday night club friend Shari and her family came and visited from Texas! 

We used to be right on their way when we lived in Texas and were able to be a good stopping point for them on their road trips home... 

It blessed my heart to be with their family... The big boys got to experience exploring downtown on Segways with them.  And most of all, I just loved getting to visit!  

What a gift to my heart to either see or hear from 3 of my dear precious Seminary friends all in the last couple of weeks...

All 3 of these families tied blankets for our 4 kids after Samuel died,  and all together (with one additional family) made a huge family blanket for us... They stood tying that blanket and praying over us ... Those gestures won't ever be forgotten... And all 5 blankets still get loads of use in this house! 

Tonight my heart is thankful for friends... new and old...

Family is more than blood...

And this is how we found them early in the morning last week... Heart melter!!!

We are family!  

We are different...

We don't all look or act the same...

But God creatively wove us together...

Biology makes us family... Adoption makes us family... Sacrificing birth mama's made us family... Setting aside fears made us a family...

God made us a family... I could never have dreamt it up to be any better...

Are we perfect... NO way!! 

But we love him first, then each other...

Thankful and blessed!!

A great summer read... You wont' be disappointed...

Hello friends from rainy Chicago...

When I think of the nature of our family and all that make up who we are and what we are passionate about... I think of all of the people and things that have contributed to and all that God has used to mold us in to who we are... and who we will continue to grow into in the future...

 I think of....

So many different members of our dear family...

So many different precious friends...

So many different difficult moves...

So many different crazy life experiences...

And so many tough times thrown in among the beautiful times... 

When I think of our passion for missions and caring for the orphans... I think of our sweet and amazing friends, Dwight and Linny,  the Saunders!  They are the founders of IVO (International Voice of the Orphan)  It is the group we have traveled with to Uganda over the past 4 years... dear friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.  

They break the mold when it comes to laying it down to care for the orphans in our world... 

Whether it means adding those kids to their own family, feeding them in the streets of Uganda, or watching their daughter give up her American life to start a special needs orphanage... it is all an integral part of who they are!

  I admire and look up to them... still opening up their home to another treasure from China while most their age are nearing an empty nest and retirement... 

Are they perfect?  No... but they are the real deal... sold out to walk their faith in action... And it is beautiful to watch... 

I am super excited for the release of my friend Linny's book Rescuing Ruby.  I believe it will be available from  Amazon in a week or so... It tells the story of their precious daughter Ruby and the amazing journey they have been on since she was basically left for dead in a field in Uganda... The transformation in this precious girl's life is REMARKABLE... 

My heart can not be shaken and amazed at the work of our gracious God... This photo taken of Emma the day they found Ruby at the orphanage and a year later after she had come home to their family... It doesn't even resemble in the slightest bit the same child... What a healing work God has done and continues to do daily in Ruby's life... 

Check out her book, Rescuing Ruby... you won't be disappointed... It will be perfect summer reading and I know will challenge you, stretch you, and renew your faith in our miracle working God!  

Here is Linny's blogpost announcing that the book is finally finished... 

http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/2015/06/eeeeeek.html

In just a few weeks their  family will be touring the US and we will be blessed to spend a couple of days with them here... We are thrilled... They were so gracious to house us 2 years ago when we RV'd to California... And now it is our turn... YAY!!! :)

We will be hosting a dessert night while they present their story of Ruby, IVO, and the Gem Foundation (the orphanage their daughter Emma started in Uganda...  www.thegemfoundation.com 

Look for more information, but put the 9th of July on your calendar if you are in our area...

We would LOVE to have you join us!

Typical Summer Days

I got to hang out just with the two of these snugglers before church on Sunday...
Biggest eyes on the planet for our Isaiah... well that is if you take out Louis' girlfriend's eyes... she has big beautiful eyes... kind of the ongoing joke around here:)

Wild woman with the cute adorable hair... She is doing so well... She Misses school and it's structure, but has matured so much over the last year... 

And these two!  TROUBLE!!!  2 peas in a pod... They are so different but love each other so much! The joy when they see each other first thing in the morning is so great!  It totally melts my heart!  

Isaiah is having his first week of loneliness as all the other kids are all either helping or going to Vacation Bible School this week...

We are blessed with Seminary friends, the Stinettes being here this week... It is so fun to catch up and share life with other people in ministry who understand the life as a pastor's family!

 The big boys are heading to the city to do a Segway tour.  That should be a blast! 

The littles and I may head to the pool... 

For now, off to get the crew ready for VBS and out the door:)

Sunday mornings...

Sunday mornings as a pastor's wife with 7 don't always go as smoothly as we would like:)

Even when we live right across the parking lot from church...
(Trust me I consider it a HUGE BLESSING to be so close to church:)

But if the truth be told, most times there is either a blow out diaper, a big spill, lost shoes, some last minute teeth brushing or hair braiding that has to be done...

Last week I caught these cuties on our walk to church...

Is he handsome or what?  Serious love this munchin so very much!

The brothas!  They are the best little buddies and I am so grateful God gave them to us... Isaiah is gaining on Levi in height and I think has him taken in the weight department... So different, yet love each other so so much!

Don't ask me how Isaiah knows "fierce"... The kid is hysterical and on the move like our Hopie girl 24/7:)  Having Hopie prepared me for the curious, into everything, busy nature of Isaiah... 

Regardless of how tired these 2 make me some days, I know I will miss the craziness someday:)  I wouldn't trade it for a minute...  They are both such gifts and are loved so deeply!

My biggest Sunday morning helper, my Anna... 

And... this is how we looked on the way home last week... We picked up just a few extra:) 

Our friends have kids nearly the same age as each of our last five and it is a joy to have them hang out with us:)

Last of Estes...

One of our last days in Estes we tried out a new trail...
The cub lake trail...
My sweet niece Ella hung with Hope, Levi, and I for a bit.  I treasure the memories of getting to talk and take in God's beautiful creation with Ella along the way as we hiked:) (Can you tell Hope is a little thrilled to get her picture taken with her cousin Ella? So cute!)

This picture really doesn't do it justice... the beautiful snow capped peaks are sort of blending right in to the clouds in the sky... It was gorgeous!

Above... Greg and Isaiah... 

Below... Greg and Jojo probably 8 years ago... 

The big boys, Louis and Caleb, taking a break:)

We were laughing hysterically at this chipmunk... He was so fat... The kids were feeding him these salted caramel peanuts and no lie... He had at least 15 in his mouth and cheeks... 

He would take the peanuts in, suck off the coating, bring them out, nibble a bit, and back in again and again... but if you offered another, he would just pack them in there... It was so cute~

Jojo and sweet Baby Poppy...

Anna and her good friend Liam...

Kim and I... Kim had her birthday while we were there and I couldn't believe all we have done together in the last 18 mos since we met... Especially since we live on different sides of the nation... Africa twice, family visits to eachother's home, and now this trip...

I am thankful for all the little facetime visits we get as well, when the kids are chatting... There are a lot of times they are like, why don't you just get on your own facetime...:) 

We have a lot in common, share a passion for adoption and orphan care, our kids are best friends, and our families really have a great time together...  I am so thankful for her friendship... 

The whole crew after a night of game playing... 

This is what is keeping us busy...

The weather has been perfect this week for some great pool time... We have been so blessed to be able to purchase a family pool pass for the last few summers... I think if we go three times we have it paid for... We have already been twice this week... 

And seriously, the place is great for kids of all ages... splash pad and kiddie pool for the littles, a pool,  and a couple of slides for the bigs:)  Grateful mama here:)

Anna finishes off the soccer season with a tournament this weekend... I think she has found her niche... She is leading the team in scoring:)  She is fast and furious... but slightly out of control... Totally just like I was when I played soccer... 

 These two are pretty much in separable... Church buddies, soccer buddies and pretty much down right silly buddies:)

And this little character is pretty much hands down the reason I struggle to get anything accomplished during the day... 

He thought it was a great idea to mix the already cooked pancakes with a drumstick... 

BUSY, CURIOUS... NON STOP is this little guy!  But I wouldn't trade it for the world... 

So while the big guys are away in Haiti, our days have pretty much been filled with...

Pool time... Cleaning up after the littles... some house organizing... soccer... More cleaning up after the littles... ordering school books for fall... late night movies with Anna and Jo...  A few moments of me time when I get out for a run... Some more cleaning up after the littles...

But like I said, I wouldn't trade it for the world... 

These kids are my greatest joy!

Off to Haiti...

The St. Peter Mission team to Haiti June 2015

Last Sunday Morning 24 teens and adults form St. Peter and 3 other churches left bright and early for Haiti... 

I think their smiles say it all...

They were ready to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people of Haiti...

Some of the youngsters on the plane getting ready to take off:)  We were super excited that Louis' girlfriend was able to make the trip with the group as well... Those 2 are both in their element serving abroad...  :) 

Louis is my social media updater... I usually know that if they have Internet access, I can count on him to touch base with us back home and keep us updated on things... 

I have a feeling that they haven't had any decent Internet since the very first night...  We haven't heard a word from Caleb or Greg and... 

Louis texted me this picture the first night saying, "I am adopting him:)!!"  Totally my son!

So I can take it that they are probably all falling in love with the kids, adults, and country of Haiti...

Hopefully we will get some updates, but I always figure not news is good news... 

They had a jam packed schedule of working with a couple of orphanages, doing VBS, the women to do some women's ministry while the men built a roof for a church, as well as working on some farming in some villages... I can't wait to hear all about it when they return...

I am especially excited to hear Louis' perspective... He has felt like he would like to go into missions as a career... He has loved Uganda, loved South Dakota and the work they did on an Indian reservation there last summer, and loves doing disaster relief.  

I am so thankful that he is getting an opportunity to see another county.  While we would 100% support him heading to Africa in missions at some point, I think it is great to see another place and really surrender to what God is calling him to and where... I am praying that God is making His way for Louis clear on if missions is really what God is calling him to do and maybe even a direction that maybe he is pointing him... 

We will support him wherever God calls him... It sure is exciting...  We shall see how the Lord unfolds his plans for him and all of us:)

Last day...

Another last day of school in the books...

Here is Hopie girl with the incredible Miss Blinn... She was an excellent teacher and exactly what Hope needed this past year.  We were so blessed by her and her patience with our family! Oh there were the tears a flowing when we went to pick her up from school yesterday...

Not only was it the last day of being in Miss Blinn's class and seeing some of her friends for a couple of months... but it was also....

The last day with this great man as principal at St. Peter School.  Mr. Kirsch retires after 42 years serving here at St. Peter... What a unique and special experience for the people here.  There are many people who grew up and attended school here and had Mr. Kirsch as a teacher that now have their children here in school... 

He is one of the most personable principals I have ever met... He is there doing parking lot duty and greeting the kids every day. I literally have seen him be the last person at the Sports banquet washing down the tables... 

He even went above and beyond to serve Hot cocoa at the preschool on freezing cold mornings... 

He has a servant's like unlike most others... and has given his heart and soul to this place... 

He will be GREATLY missed by so many...

I have met with him on a number of occasions about the older kids walking over to take some classes... 

Each visit he would always ask if I would just like to put them all in the school... (While we LOVE the school and it is a great help and fit for Hope... I have loved homeschooling the other kids in the past) We have been so impressed with the school on so many levels!  We really do love it!

He would always ask, but never put any pressure on, and he welcomed my Anna this past year with arms wide open for art, choir,  and sports after school... 

She has loved it and Jojo will join her over there for hopefully PE, art,  and a few hours on Friday... 

It is a huge blessing to us and as a principal he welcomed us as homeschoolers with respect, support, encouragement and kindness... I so appreciate that and him... 

It was emotional for me as a mom with just one child there in the school and a couple doing extracurriculars there... I know it was a super emotional day for many...  I realized that I really don't mind change and think that change is good... But in this situation, change is just hard... I know everyone will love the new principal, but it is hard to say goodbye to someone who is a staple here... 

What an example he and his secretary (Mrs. Namakoudis, who has been there for over 20 years) are to the people and especially the kids... Service with a smile and hearts that point back to Christ again and again...

Hope and her friend Faith at the yogurt shop after school... The place was full of St. Peter families... It was a great day!

Emerald lake hike

I am sure I have said it time and time again... but....

Estes Park is so beautiful... 

For me there is something about the snow capped mountains that I can not get over...

The view around every corner is more beautiful than the last...

It truly is breathtaking...

We have done the nymph, dream, and Emerald lake hikes twice before... 

The very first time was a couple of weeks earlier in the season...

At that time we encountered some snow on the hike from the second lake to the third lake...

This time there was snow on the trail head, at the very beginning...

It was unbelievably gorgeous and quite slippery...

But we made it and had a blast hiking the trail!

Here are kids at Nymph lake... totally surrounded by snow!  This is where Caleb and his friend got down to their underwear and made a mad dash to jump into the lake...

As they were getting ready they were drawing a bit of a crowd from our side of the lake and on the opposite side... Oh the laughs we had:)  Talk about a polar plunge:)

Greg, Levi, Louis, Isaiah, and me at Dream Lake... Part of this lake was still frozen... This is my favorite lake... the reflection when it is totally thawed is AMAZING!

Louis and Emma on the Emerald Lake trail, admiring the beautiful views of the Rockies!

We were so blessed to spend time out there with Dear friends and some family!  Hopie loves uncle Johnny so much! 

Jojo at Nymph lake!

All of the adults... with some babies of course:)

Our family up at the end of the hike.  We finally made it to Emerald lake.  The entire lake was still frozen... Even the over pass on trail Ridge road was still totally impassable... There is still too much snow... It has been a cold snowy spring for Estes Park... I think the snow in some ways made it even prettier...

The teens on the hike...

Here is a picture of Dream Lake... my favorite of the three lakes...

And here is a picture from last summer at nearly the same spot... The reflections in the lake are so gorgeous and the water so still... We love the lake either way we get to see it:)


What a blessed week we had... a bit of a rough start... but praise God the van got repaired and we were on our way to enjoying the vacation and relaxing together:)  Loads of laughs and lots of games and hiking...

What a gift to spend a week enjoying the amazing Creation our Lord has made...
And the Mountains sing YOUR GLORY Hallelujah!
Thank you Jesus for every bit of your glory and power shown through out all you created!

Life...

Old post that  for some reason never posted... But since I keep this blog partially for my kids as a sort of journal for all that they experienced while growing up... I wanted to post it anyway:)...

This is how I found these two rascals... brushing teeth and washing their feet in the sink... double trouble for sure... I think Isaiah is the instigator (he is so curious) and Levi just thinks it is too fun to not try it with his brother:):)

Caleb wearing a birthday present from a friend... He loved the gift... Soccer lover to the core!  

And did I mention that we have another licensed driver in the house... 

Clear the streets, Caleb is is on the road... (actually he is a really good driver:)

Louis and Levi hanging out on the outdoor bed:)  We have had perfect weather the last few days to rest, read books on, or just hang out:)  I love how my boys love each other:)

 

Jojo, the tree climber... 

It is a painting party with friends!

Anna and this precious girl.... She is Levi's biological cousin... It is a blessing to have so many of his biological family as a part of his and our lives...

Busy fun filled days that is for sure:)

So blessed and so thankful...

What a journey...

Here we are all 9 of us at the start of our recent journey to Estes Park...
Half of us TOTALLY soaked from watching Lou's game in the pouring rain...

And..... Isaiah apparently, MAD AT THE WORLD!:)  And still so cute...
How does he do that, appear angry and cute at the same time?

Our first view of Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado:)
Amazing beauty around every turn!

And on night one...

Louis takes her in the ditch... busting the back brake line... NICE way to start a vacation!
Thankfully the men were able to get it driven back onto the road... but you do kind of need those brakes when you are traveling through the mountains!

Night one we were told it would be at least a week or two to repair for any repair shops in town... Hello, we were set to leave only 5 days later...

Thankfully, with the help of UTUBE, and some really nice lady at the auto parts store, The menfolk, including the teenage boys,  had it nearly repaired but had to take it to a shop for the last step, bleeding the brake lines...

Due to getting to know the sweet heart of a lady at the auto parts store, she clued us into the repair shop in town, that everyone else failed to mention, that could get it done that next day!  Praise God, we were back in working order in a day... not a week or two!

The kids in Jojo's favorite candy shop! In fact of all the places he could have picked, recently  he decided to send his school business letter to this same shop as part of an assignment...

Levi and his new friend Poppy... Our friends newest baby... What eyes and cheeks... We would have taken her home in a heartbeat....

More Estes pictures to come...