summer family reunion

Summer is in full swing...almost half over already! Here are some memories from a family reunion we had. Love this family...feel so blessed to be part of it! So many kiddos, so many cousins to catch up with...so much fun! Our Aunt Julia & Uncle Ken have hosted this summer reunion for the second time now. They have the perfect setup at their place and go all out for the kids. cousin Lincoln braving the slip n' slideThree cute girlys cooling off in the pool. {kaiya, leah & bailey}

Giles & Great-GrandmaChit-chattin it up with the girls. Time to line up for the candy hunt. Ready...Get Set...Gooooooooooo!!!
This is serious...there is not only candy, but money involved too.
Now the fun begins...STRAW FIGHT!!
I love Kaiya's face. Grandpa Jerry seems to be really entertained from the sidelines...I think secretly he would like to be part of the fun.Yep, I knew it!Please don't tell me that is my daughter getting ready to throw straw on our gracious hostess.
Oh my oh my...I was not the one behind the camera.Hans and Luca

Already looking forward to the next one!

summer...does it really have to end?

Summer is winding down. This little boy will start kindergarten tomorrow. I can't believe it. He's ready and excited. I will miss him during the days. He's looked at and organized his school supplies over and over. I'm glad he's so excited to go and hope it stays that way.
This is a day, a couple weeks ago, spent at Grandma's making applesauce. Feels good to have the freezer full again.We celebrated my niece, Maci, turning fifteen at the beginning of August. She's a real sweetheart. Loves the Lord and loves her family. So proud of you, Maci! Here's Kaiya getting her hair straightened by Maci...her dream come true.

And sweet little Emmi is walking already...where does the time go?

We were so privileged to have overnight guests at the beginning of August. Kevin's cousin, Randy, along with his family stayed at our place for two nights. What fun to get to know all of them a little better. So fun to watch the kids play together too. marshmallows & hot dogs around the campfire

Kaelin & Kaiya are a little over a month apart. I loved spending time with Jenn...catching up, chatting and getting to know her better...a beautiful person inside and out. She's quite savvy with saving money too and gave me some great tips. Thanks, Jenn.

Reece & Caedmon
Lunchtime

Pool timeKaiya still is talking about Reece & Kaelin...wondering when they are coming back again.

I hope sometime soon. Great memories!
Later that week, we had a little get together with the extended family in their honor. Can't miss an opportunity for a girly cousin photo. =)Corn day was last week. That was one thing hanging over my head that I'm glad is done. My mom helped me and even brought along a babysitter for my kids. Lexi kept them quite entertained.The freezer is full. Now bring on the baby! Baby is due tomorrow. I feel like I'm six weeks overdue with the minutes ticking by soooo slowly!! I have a lot of fears this time. I wish I could look into the future and know the outcome, but I can't. So I will wait and trust what the Lord has in store for our family. We won't know how things are going to go until after the first 24 hours. Thank you to all who have called, emailed & kept us in your prayers! You have been an encouragement to us. Please also pray for the Birthmother & father...for peace in their decision. We'll keep you posted.

The Gift Of The "Present"

That was the title of the sermon last Sunday at our church. Pastor Troy had the message and really made a lot of great points. In fact, both Kevin and I were fighting over a pen so we could quickly scribble down some notes.

It was about making the most of and being thankful for today and we've all heard that before, but he really drove it home last Sunday. Some of us are stuck in the past, but I think most of us are thinking about and focused on the future. We can't wait to finish high school...can't wait to get through college...can't wait to start a career, get married, have children, make more money, buy a larger home, better car, and so on.

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." A quote by John Lennon and so true. My goal is to try to make the most of today, but it is a challenge sometimes for me. Luke 10:38-42 is the familiar story of Mary & Martha. Mary listens while Martha labors...I'm the Martha in this story...I want to be more like Mary.

Pastor Troy challenged us to live in 24 hr. compartments. If I only had 24 hours left of my life, what would I do?

Matthew 6:33-34 in the Message Bible states:

33" What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Here is what we've been up to this week.

A lake day with friends, Amy & Jaime. I enjoyed chatting and sunning with you two!

And you never know who's going to get hurt next around here...this time it was me. A little accident occurred and I'm not even sure how, but by the time all was said and done three out of four people that live here were crying. :) I was bending over and Kaiya bumped my chin with her head causing me to bite my lip pretty hard. As I was quickly walking down the hall holding my mouth with blood on my hand, Caedmon comes out of the bathroom...I run him over...he falls down on his behind and now three people are in tears.

I love the long summer evenings where daylight hangs around a little longer.

And today is my niece Rylie's eighth birthday. We met my mom at Burger King for lunch.

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift; that is why they call it the "Present."