More Family Photos (By Dorean Beattie)

Special thanks to our friend Dorean Beattie for these photos.

Read Full Post »

I Can Never Think of a Clever Title for Family Updates

Just as it seems like we’re adjusting to our schedule and to life as a family of EIGHT, the schedule will be shifting with the start of school. I’m actually hoping that we’ll feel even more comfortable in our schedule and have more focus as we move into fall.
At this point, I will continue to [...]

Read Full Post »

Exchange Rate

While we were in Ukraine we were very aware of the exchange rate and it’s impact on our finances. The typical exchange rate while we were there was  8 or 9 US dollars to 1 grivna. We were getting the way better end of the deal in a really suffering economy. Our average meal, eaten [...]

Read Full Post »

Cherry Pickin’…. and Eatin’

I almost forgot to post these adorable cherry pickin’ pictures. On our last day in Michigan, John and my sister Tara took the kiddos cherry pickin’ so that I could pack up without a whirlwind beneath my feet. (That’s way different from “The Wind Beneath My Wings”, just for the record)

Anyone want to calculate the [...]

Read Full Post »

Links Are Back in the Sidebar

I didn’t even know my links were not up in the sidebar til a few people have mentioned it to me lately. I have no idea how that happened. They’re back now, and I’ll be updating this list and adding more. 
So please if you follow my blog and you’re not in the sidebar, leave me [...]

Read Full Post »

On Being 41

I’m 41. I have never been one to get all emotional about turning a certain age. 40 didn’t phase me at all. It was actually 39 that I remember being hard for some weird reason.  So 41 is just 41. 
41 years ago I was born. Around 36 years ago my parents became believers. 34 years [...]

Read Full Post »

Emma Finds Her Voice

CHECK THIS OUT! If you’re a regular follower of this blog, you’ll understand how monumental this video is.

To say the very least we all wept after this happened yesterday! I am so grateful that Isabelle happened to have my camera rolling and captured the moment.
Emma has found her voice, but more [...]

Read Full Post »

Happy Birthday Emma!

Emma celebrated her 3rd birthday in Michigan. Her first birthday as our daughter! Most likely her first birthday celebration ever. I thought about the day she was born. I wondered what I was doing, what was I thinking about that day. I know that the Lord knew even then that one day Emma would be [...]

Read Full Post »

Happy Birthday Nick

Nick celebrated his 17th birthday in Michigan. I am so grateful that this kid is my son. He blesses me everyday with his kindness, his wit, his love for the Lord, and his incredible creativity.  I’m so honored to be able to watch him grow into an amazing young man.
 Nick started out his morning with [...]

Read Full Post »

Family=Love

I was done for the night until I saw these in Nick’s photos. Pay to take a photographer on vacation with you!

Read Full Post »