look what we found

remember way back in the early spring when we got these?

we are minus 2 of the beginning 6. country life can be tough on an ole chick.

but we are proud to say that out of the 4 still chillin' in our coop...

we now we have these...

our 1st showing of eggs...wow!

i must admit i know very little, if anything about chickens. do we even have a rooster? how many eggs do they lay a day? etc etc etc. but thanks to a good buddy- at least i know to play it safe- if you don't know how long an egg has been resting all cozy in the coop - don't eat it!

missions minded

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48


We have been given so much and we are finding ways to give back.

Lately, it seems God is placing more and more ways along our path.


We have Africa on our minds daily.
So, on that note it was wonderful to become apart of an African Fellowship group that welcomes those with hearts for orphans. We loved meeting lots of children from Bristol's Ethiopia. Now, if we could just meet her:)

the 4 youngest kiddos in this clan have only been in the States 6 months from Ethiopia. I talked with the girls and was wowed by their beauty and spirits.



On another note, some of you may have heard from me about a non-profit called Ordinary Hero. They help us find ways to help those in need- ways to be an ordinary hero. From encouraging a woman at the mission house in town, to providing backpacks for children, to finding a place to call home for orphans around the world, to ...

We went last week to the women's mission to take the backpack we had gotten for one of the sweet children... it was a backpack extravaganza...this guy's ready for school now!

a shout out to the founder of Ordinary Hero. she is doing amazing things.

joey hanging out with some proud new backpack girls...

stopping for a quick pic amidst passing out backpacks, snacks, and more...




a good thing to ask yourself...
What have you done for Jesus today?

side note- i did copy and paste a few pics- wish i had taken more with my own camera.

1st day of KINDERGARTEN

after much anticipation and prayer the big day arrived.
mommy had a hard time with this guy going to kindergarten. this guy, on the other hand, thought it was awesome and loved every second of it!

backpack, lunchbox, cool new tee and sneakers...

knuckle sandwiches from daddy...

remember these bracelets we made as kids? i thought it would be fun to make one for the kids to remember mommy by during the day if they needed to. plus, they are cool! (bri got hers last Thurs, brax got his this morning)

brax and bri walking to class...

right outside the new classroom... he's pumped, i'm holding it together.

found his name on his desk, met some friends, started coloring, and waved goodbye...

i am so proud of this guy!

bittersweet day for this ole mom! another milestone in life with my children!

2nd Grade

today was the big day. the first day of the 2nd grade.

she had picked her first day of school outfit (isn't she beautiful?!!). she had her special bracelet mommy made for her. she was full of excitement and ready to go. she bounced right in and sat with her friends- hardly caring at all about her brothers and me.

she's getting way too big!

i miss spending the day with her.

can't believe her brother is about to start too.

happy first day of school my beautiful Briley!

fun with friends

friends, the vineyards, and a 30th birthday

it is always wonderful to celebrate with friends!

no greater

there are hardly words that can explain Sunday August 2, 2009!

this is the day my briley was baptized!
baptized- Christian sacrament; a ritual washing with water, symbolizing a cleansing from sin, linked with repentance and admission to the community of faith; symbolic of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. III John 4
AMEN!!

3D THIS!

it's amazing what fun these little glasses can be!
but it's hard to swallow how much $ it costs now to take 4 peeps to a 3D matinee!