First day of school!

Today we started our 2012/2013 school year! I was expecting a lot of grumbling, but to my surprise they said they were glad to be back. Josh told me he liked school today. We will see how long it lasts. Have  a great day!

First day of school!

Olivia 9 years

Josh 7 years

Nate 4 years (starting pre-K this year!)

Those weird homeschoolers!

I sat up their desk last night when they were in bed. They all got surprises for the first day.

Checking out their notes.

Our goals everyday.

Livy asked me to add this picture. She and daddy dug up potatoes from the garden today. She was excited about this big one they dug up. We will see how they taste with dinner tonight!

Lifelong freinds

We are so blessed to have our sweet friends in our lives. We have many friends that we have known basically most of our lives. Friends that have been there in all seasons of our lives in which they hold us up, pray for us, make you laugh until your gut hurts, take in a late night movie when you really need a mommy break, call just to check in, and knowing that in the end they will be there for you know matter what. Right now we are walking the walk of adoption with our lifelong friends Aaron and Christi. It is so nice to go through this season of our lives together in which we can pray for each other, encourage one another when we feel hopeless, and be so happy for each other when good news arrives because we know what each couple is going through. So this week I was really needing some adoption encouragement and at the last minute I called them over for dinner. Thankfully they were able to come over and lift our spirits and the kiddos are always excited to have them over. Here are some pictures of them having a good time.

Eli and Nate getting a drink from the slip and slide. Two peas in a pod.

The boys! Josh loves having his buddies over to play with.

The clan. 5 boys and 1 girl. Soon to be 3 girls as soon as we get our little ones adopted. Livy can't wait!

The two goof-balls, Livy and Adam. They act just like brother and sister.

Happy 4th

Happy 4th! This is the first year since Livy was two that we have not had our annual cookout. Jeff had to work in Walton and because of the heat we didn't plan one this year. The kiddos are not happy about it, so hopefully next year it will be back on. Instead we went to the Walton parade with Grammy and Allen. Here's Liv in her red, white and blue.

They waved their flags for all to see.

Daddy working hard. He and Grandpa Tom were able to watch the parade with us. Hope you are all staying cool and enjoying your day!

What Happened in June

I know I have been terrible about keeping updated. Our June got very busy all of a sudden and flew by way to fast. Here is a little of what we have been up to. I will try and do better this month.

Livy and I made freezer strawberry jam. It's so good and easy to make.

Working hard on our 4-H projects.

Livy and Lanie went to church camp. They roughed it this year by staying in the huts with no electricity or water. They are a couple of tom-boys.

Finished up softball....

and started up all-star season. She loves softball and can't get enough of it. 

 Josh finished up football. He loved it and can't wait to play again next year. It's so nice to find a sport he enjoys (dad's a little excited). This is the video they put together for awards night. Josh is in a couple of the pictures.

I started a new bible study. It never fails to amaze me to know how God gives you what you need in the time you need it. Last summer I did a bible study that talked about stepping our in faith, which I needed to hear His voice about adopting. This one now is all about trusting Him and letting go of fear and doubt.  I really need this right now as we have had a bump in the road with the adoption. Just tonight I read about Peter getting out of the boat because of his faith in Jesus. However, he began to fear the wind and began to sink. But, Peter put his focus back on Jesus and continued on. Mr. MacDonald adds in the study that, "When we trust God enough to get out of the boat we have to keep trusting Him to walk on the water." That's where we are right now. We don't know what He is doing right now, but we are trusting He will provide. Please continue to pray as we are waiting some answers.