December 2015

Walking in a winter wonderland...no...wait. Swimming in a flooded river is more like it. With warmer then average temperatures and more rainfall then the area has seen since the early 90's, it felt more like spring then winter. Even when we traveled north, there was no snow to be found. Maybe next month...

December is such a great month. Anticipating the celebration of Jesus's birth, spending time with family and friends, and getting a break from regular activities provided a much needed rest. We love doing the Advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas. Each day gives us an opportunity to reflect on why we celebrate and the greatest gift of all, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We had several special opportunities this month. Mommy and the boys got to go and speak to a Bible Study group that has been supporting our family in the foster care journey for over a year. The ladies have poured out their love and encouragement. It was a sweet time of fellowship and thanksgiving for what God has done through them.

We also got to attend a Christmas Party for foster families. There was skating, bounce arounds, goodies, pizza, and a gift for each child. It was so thoughtful of them to give our boys a gift as well as our foster kiddos.

The celebrations abounded this month. We enjoyed a day spent with the Andersons. It was a day packed with games, gifts, cookie decorating, gift making, laughing, and fellowship. What a precious time to celebrate with them!

Another special opportunity was a date night hosted by our church. The church provided childcare, games, crafts, and dinner for the kiddos as well as gift cards for the parents. We did some Christmas shopping and ate a quick bite before heading back to pick up the kids. The boys were having so much fun they didn't want to leave! We have a wonderful church family!

With Christmas quickly approaching we packed the car and headed first to Illinois and then to Wisconsin for some action packed adventures with the Rice side of the family. With so many cousins to play with and so many things to do, we didn't see much of our kiddos. We had so much fun playing games, helping with the animals, baking, eating, and being together. The only thing that could have made our time better was a little snow.

Upon returning home, we opened the remainder of our Christmas gifts. We are so spoiled! Family and friends blessed our socks off! This is a Christmas we will not soon forget.

To top off an already amazing month, we got to meet with Anna's adoption specialist and the lawyer to finalize preparations for the adoption! Stay tuned next month for more about Anna.

We hope that your holiday season was spent with family and friends celebrating the birth of Jesus and reflecting on the most amazing gift of all - Salvation. Without Christ, there is no Christmas, there is no hope, and there is no joy. He is the reason for the season. From our family to yours: Merry CHRISTmas!

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November 2015

Is it the end of November already? This past month flew by in a whir of birthday celebrations, a mini-vacation, and Thanksgiving at camp! Read on for more details.

Elijah turned 8 at the beginning of the month. We still cannot believe that we have an eight year old! As God would have it, we got to witness the adoption of a little girl to some of our best friends on the same day as his birthday. Getting to be a part of this special event made us all the more excited for when it will be our turn to adopt! We hope to announce Anna's adoption date soon.

That weekend we got to be part of another special celebration. We headed to Russellville to celebrate Seth's 5th birthday. The kids loved playing with their cousins before heading to a bounce house! We were so glad to be a part of his special day.

The next weekend we took the big boys and headed to Branson. In the spring, we were gifted with a one night stay at a hotel and indoor water park and we figured now was the time to go. It was such a wonderful and relaxing time. When we arrived we found out our room had been upgraded. The boys had their own clubhouse complete with bunks and TV within the bigger room! So cool! We played in the water park until our fingers and toes were raisins and then we played some more. It was such a blessing to have three families step forward to watch our three little ones.

The Academy that Eli attends two days a week put on a Thanksgiving show. The elementary performed music, recited verses, and did an interpretive dance. Eli loved signing along with the songs! It was so much fun to watch...especially the preschool who had dressed up like little Indians.

The next weekend the boys played in their first piano recital. Thad, being the youngest, was first up. He was a little tentative to take the stage but once seated on the bench, he played great! Eli, with his usual gusto, quickly took the stage, played his piece, and promptly returned to his seat. We are so proud of how hard they have been practicing and how far they have come in just a few short weeks of lessons! Thank God for the gift of music!

We were so excited that Nana and Papa got to come down for Thanksgiving! They arrived in time for the recital and then spent the next few days at our house. Nana and Mama prepared for Thanksgiving by shopping and cooking while Papa and the boys enjoyed several "adventures" around Fort Smith. Wednesday, before Thanksgiving, we headed to Pinecrest camp where we met up with our cousins, the Andersons. For the next couple days we would play hard, eat much, and sleep little.

The littles continue to grow and learn new things. Anna is saying so much more and continues to have an easy smile. Kenneth is her best friend. You can often hear her walking around calling for "Nenny".  Kenneth LOVES to laugh and finds much of life amusing. Even though he only recently learned to walk he can climb up things fast! We are constantly pulling him down from places he shouldn't be! Marie has developed a love for coloring. Now we just need to teach her to keep it on the paper! With all the littles running around it keeps life lively at our house!

We have so much to be thankful for. As we enter the Christmas season and anticipate the celebration of Jesus' birthday, we hope that you find as much to be thankful for as we have. God is so good!

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October 2015

The leaves are changing and so is our family! Read on for more details.

The month saw an end to another soccer season. Eli's team did well and finished in fifth place overall. He had an awesome season and was probably the most versatile player on his team. If he was needed in the front field, he was there. If he was needed in the back field, he was there. He also kicked off and threw in. His speed increased dramatically this year and sometimes I couldn't keep track of where he was because he was all over the place! He was so much fun to watch!

The second week in October, Mommy got the flu. For six days she struggled to get back on her feet. She is soooo thankful for great helpers who did their school and took care of Mommy. Daddy also took a day off to hold down the fort.

The middle of the month we got a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Rice as well as Nana Tucker. It was so much fun to visit Wild Things Farm with them and our cousins. We packed in so much that day. From the farm in the morning to a celebration for Eli in the afternoon, there was never a dull moment! Eli received a new bike and couldn't wait to try it out. Thad was almost as excited to get Eli's old bike and try biking without training wheels. It didn't take him more then a couple times before he was zooming without Dad's help. Learning to turn took a little longer but he is a pro now.

The very next week we added a new little person to our family. Kenneth is only two weeks younger then Anna and all boy. I always thought it would be fun to have twins and now we get to see what it is really like. He has a great laugh, climbs on EVERYTHING, and uses the girls pots and pans as drums. The big boys love playing with him. Anna loves to try and mother him. Marie is super jealous and cannot believe that this little boy has invaded her space. We now have three little ones in cribs, diapers, and car seats. Our house is full, our van is full, and our hearts are full...we think. Please pray for our family during this transition. Please pray for health and also for the Lord's provision as we fit seven of us in a house that is less than 1,200 square feet!

At the end of the month, we had another birthday celebration for Elijah. This time he invited a bunch of his friends and we had a sleepover. I'm not sure why they call it a "sleep" over because they didn't spend very much time sleeping. Eli will officially turn 8 tomorrow. I still cannot believe I have an eight year old. Where did my little man go? Every time I turn around his jeans are too short, his shoes are too tight, and his hugs get stronger.

To put a cap on our month, we went to a fall festival at a friend's church. The kids had so much fun playing old fashioned carnival games. There was even a cool cardboard box maze. Marie and Anna didn't really get the concept of playing a game to get candy. They just walked up to the candy buckets and helped themselves! Everyone thought they were so cute in their "little monster" costumes that they gave them extra candy. We now have enough candy to all gain 10 pounds between now and Thanksgiving!

I love the changes that Fall brings. The days are cooler but time spent with family seems warmer. Best of all, it means we are entering into a season of thanks and celebration for all God has blessed us with. I am so thankful for my family and the way God continues to provide abundantly! God is so good!

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September 2015

September kicks off our really busy fall season. Read on for more details.

This month both boys started another semester of A.S.K. (After School Kids). It is a Bible study for kids in kindergarten through 6th grade that meets after school at our church. Thad has been so excited for this to start because he is finally old enough to attend. The boys are learning about gifts from God this semester.

September also means the start of the fall soccer season. Eli is playing for the same team as last year and two of his best friends play for the same team. They have a great coach and are off to a good start. It is amazing to see how much the players have grown since last season!

This month the boys also started piano lessons. After a careful search for just the right teacher, Eli and Thad began lessons. Both are doing really well and are eager students. We are borrowing a keyboard for the time being but we are hoping to get a piano very soon!

Eli attends Grace Academy two days a week and has been having fun learning about insects and collecting bugs for a bug box collection. Of course, Thad wanted to do it to. I must admit that I am not a very enthusiastic bug catcher but the boys are really into it. I was voted as best mom ever the night I caught Thad a spider but then Daddy one upped me by catching a crazy huge caterpillar two days later. Oh well, I don't think I have a future in bug catching! Eli also loves doing PE with all the other kids. It is one of his favorite parts of the day along with Art.

Jeff and I started back to Bible Study Fellowship this month. We are studying the book of Revelation. So far the study has been excellent. We both look forward to learning more about Christ in the months to come.

One major highlight of the month was Marie's second birthday. It is so amazing to look back at her baby pictures from two years ago and try to compare to the spunky little girl she is now. She has changed so much. She loves to run around, play outside, "read" books, sing, and boss her little sister around. We celebrated with a bubble birthday cake and friends. She LOVES her  new ball popper, doll, kitchen set, hair bows, jammies, art set, and sunglasses. Her favorite words are "no" and "more". She loves to be silly. She also loves shoes.

Another major highlight was attending a meeting with DHS where we declared our intent to adopt Ava! Ava is now in the process of becoming Anna Leigh. We have begun the mountain of paperwork and another wait. Nothing happens quickly with DHS but we have been told that we may have an adoption date in January. We will definitely let you know more details as we know them. Anna loves to smile, "read" books, play with dolls, and annoy her siblings. She is starting to say a few more words but still speaks more gibberish then anything.

In the middle of all this busyness, Jeff is teaching both at Southside and an online class for Grace Academy. He continues taking classes for his Masters Degree and spends any spare time he has with us. He is such an amazing husband, father, and teacher. We are so blessed!

Mommy continues to home school the boys and keep up with the girls therapy. She is also an unofficial taxi driver! Between doctor's appointments, school, sports, Bible Studies, and varies other extras, she in is the van more than ever. Thank the Lord for a comfortable, reliable ride!

As I bring this book to a close, I want to ask you all for prayers. Please pray the Lord would grant us health, energy, and stamina to do all He has called us to do. Please also pray for God's perfect timing in the adoption of both girls. These are exciting times! Thanks for reading!

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August 2015

August was a time of transition. Summer came to a close and another school year began. Below are a few highlights from August.

We were thrilled to finally meet our new nephew and cousin Gabe. He is so tiny, adorable, and absolutely precious. Holding him makes us want another baby. For the time being, we will enjoy holding Gabe when we can!

We fit in a few trips to two water parks before school started. Eli and Thad decided to participate in the Hula-hoop contest at one and while neither won it was entertaining to say the least! Thad also tried several water-slides that he was previously either too small or too afraid to try. He is growing and changing so much. We also enjoyed hiking, biking, running, and preparing the boys for the triathlon that they would compete in (more on that later).

We enjoyed getting to visit with Nana and Papa again, if only for a day. We were also able to visit our cousins in Russellville several times and with several other family friends during the month. Such sweet times with everyone!

All that activity and visiting led us into the new school year. We started the year off with a bang and ended up in the doctors office, ER, or walk-in six times in two weeks. The kids dealt with croup, ear infections, and a nasty virus. They are tough though and we pressed on with school. Thad is so excited to be in kindergarten! The first day instead of doing two pages of math, he did 10 chapters! The following Saturday he got up and did more math. So far math and art are his favorites. Eli was not quite as enthusiastic to start home-school but is really looking forward to attending Grace Academy two days a week starting next month. He will be studying History, Science, Art, Music, and Physical Education along with other home-school kids his age.

The girls continued on with their therapies, play, and generally getting into the boys hair. Ava has figured out how to get onto a chair or the couch and thoroughly enjoys sitting on whoever is closest. Marie loves to blow bubbles, "read books" and "talk" to whoever will listen. She is learning more words but is still mostly unintelligible. They leave a trail of toys, hair bows, and chaos wherever they go. They LOVE to be the center of attention and will do whatever it takes to be in the spotlight (sometimes not so good). They got a new playhouse and think it is so much fun!

The month also ended in a bang as the boys competed in a triathlon. This was Eli's third year and he is a pro. Thad competed for the first time and did excellent. Mama's concerns about whether he would do it were ill founded as he leaped into the pool, biked his heart our, and ran like a marathoner all without stopping except to get shoes on. We are so proud of how hard both kids competed and for finishing strong.

Next month begins a whole new whirlwind of activities. Stay tuned as our busy lives get a lot busier!

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July 2015

On the road again...July was our month to travel and visit family and friends in the north. We had a great trip filled with many wonderful adventures. Read on for more details.

Before we started our journey, we celebrated Thad's 5th birthday with family and friends. It was so cool to have his cousins from Albania be able to partake in the festivities this year! His secret agent party was complete with a secret mission, encoded messages, clues, and a minion pinata. The kids looked awesome in their undercover disguises (see the smilebox at the end). It is hard to believe that our "little man" is now 5. He is an articulate, sweet, funny, spunky little guy!

Next on our agenda was the long journey to visit Nana and Papa in Michigan. It seemed like an eternity was spent in the car but it was so worth it! Our adventures in their neck of the woods included swimming in Lake Superior, visiting cool playgrounds, touring a copper mine, celebrating Thad's birthday again, reading stories, playing games, and so much more. Thank you Nana and Papa for so much fun!

Our next stop was Grandma and Grandpa Rice's and the Rice Ranchers in Wisconsin. Our adventures there included swimming in Uncle Doug's pool and taking tractor rides, playing games of monopoly, battleship, and cards with Grandma and Grandpa, running around with our cousins, celebrating Thad's birthday again (the little man got thoroughly spoiled), and so much more. It was fun to go thrifting with our cousins and find silly things to put on (see the smilebox for a good one of Thad). It was also sweet to be able to finally introduce Marie to the Rice Ranchers. Her cousins were great with she and Ava! It was a blessing to have our good friends Pete, Dorothy, and their kids come for a visit. It was precious to meet the newest addition to their family and fellowship with them.

Next up was the Rice Tribe in Illinois. Our time there was a whirlwind with all the preparations for nephew Caleb's wedding. The kids loved seeing all the animals, playing with their cousins, helping pick berries, and more. The family all converged there for the big wedding and it was such a blessed time to celebrate Caleb and Mariah's union before God. The Lord truly blessed the day as it was supposed to rain and he gave us sunshine and hundreds of family and friends to celebrate with! Thank you Lord!!! Thad was also given the honor of being the ring bearer. He couldn't have been cuter! (see the smilebox again).

We returned home exhausted from the travels and so ready to sleep in our own beds. There were mountains of clothes to wash, mail to sort, and communication to get caught up with. It was so worth it though! During our time away, Auntie Meredith gave birth to our new nephew, Gabriel and we can't wait to meet him. Jeff also continued working on his Master's degree and is finishing up another class. We hope that your summer has been blessed by friends and family as ours has. See you next month!

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June 2015

June has been a really fun adventure. Here are a few highlights from the month:

We went to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO for the first time. It is like stepping back in time but then adding an amusement park to the mix. There is something for everyone. We were blessed to get to enjoy the experience with some friends of ours and their kids. Eli loved all the roller coasters while Thad was more of a splash pad and ball house kinda guy. There is so much to see that we hope to go back again so we can enjoy more of what Silver Dollar City has to offer.

We participated in the local library's summer reading program and both boys got to choose a book to have their name engraved in. We are also in the middle of two other summer reading programs. Reading is a good way to relax after a crazy day in the pool or the water park.

Papa and Nana bought us season passes to the new water park in town and we have been multiple times. There are big water slides, small water slides, a lazy river, wave pool, fun floats, and so much more. The boys love everything but keep going back to the wave pool over and over. Thanks Papa and Nana!!!

The boys both got to participate in swim lessons this year. Eli learned more strokes and beginning diving techniques while Thad worked on breathing and kicking. Both boys are fish and have no fear in the water!

The boys also participated in a nearby Vacation Bible School program. They both had fun learning about walking in the way of the Lord. There were fun crafts, games, and songs.

Daddy took two classes for his master's degree this term and has been busy several hours a week with reading and homework. In his spare time, he has been working on putting up a privacy fence in the back yard and helping out with projects at the Anderson's house in addition to Mommy's never ending "Honey-Do" list.

This month we were able to start the process to adopt Marie. It is going to be a long process but she is worth the wait!

Both girls are growing up so fast. Ava tries to run everywhere while Marie says "no-no". They like to splash in their kiddie pool but Marie's true desire is to be in the big pool with the boys. Marie has started to say some more words and got new hearing aids and orthotics this month.

It is hard to believe that June went by so fast. Stay tuned next month for details about Thad's 5th birthday and our vacation north!

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May 2015

Rain, rain, go away! We have had rain almost every day in May. Our street flooded so high that Jeff's truck had water in the cup-holders! There is standing water everywhere. We drove over the Arkansas River yesterday and the water is so high that only the tops of the trees are visible along the edge of the water. There was a business owner who kayaked to work last week! Along with rain, we have had way cooler temps than normal. It has been a weird weather month for sure!

Thankfully, there were enough breaks in the rain to enjoy trips to the new water-park, the rodeo parade, and time spent with family.

In May, our church wrapped up our Sunday night family ministry: KidXP. We were the fortunate recipients of a trip to Silver Dollar City and an indoor water-park/hotel in Branson. We look forward to heading to Silver Dollar City in June.

The girls are growing up so fast. Ava decided she would rather walk then crawl over Mother's Day weekend. Such a sweet present! Marie has also decided to start saying more words. Yeah!

Thad had the opportunity to ride sidekick in the Rodeo Parade. Our sweet clown neighbor took Eli last year and gave Thad a turn this year. Thad had sooo much fun dressing like a cowboy and smiling to the crowd.

The high-light of the month was definitely having Nana and Papa come for a visit and then getting to see our cousins who are home from Albania! Nana and Papa spoiled us all rotten. Momma enjoyed getting her nails done for the first time in almost 9 years. Eli and Thad were treated to their first trip to Chucky Cheese. Daddy enjoyed some amazing coffee and summer sausage. Best of all was getting to hug, talk to, laugh with, and just be together.

As May wound to a close, we were finally able to wrap our arms around our family from Albania. It was so much fun for the cousins to play together and again for us to be together. God is so good!

We hope the start to your summer has been drier than ours and that your are enjoying the beauty of God's creation. Until next month...

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April 2015

April brought new beginnings and a very important ending. Read on for more details.

April began with a fun filled Easter weekend. We were invited to join some friends in an Easter Egg Extravaganza. There were 400 eggs filled with candy and toys hidden for 10 children. The kids had so much fun finding the eggs and exploring their treasures. Ava and Marie also got in on the fun and were sticky from the candy in no time. We also enjoyed a special time at church the next day reflecting on just what an Awesome God we serve! He is our Risen Savior!

The following week, Marie began therapy full time. She now attends a developmental therapy center 5 days a week. This was a difficult transition for Mom but Marie LOVES it. She now gets all her therapy at one center and Mom doesn't have to drive her back and forth 6 times a week.

Thad's soccer season continued. It is so fun to watch him as he laughs and does silly things while he enjoys the game. He can also be seen picking flowers and looking at bugs during the game. So silly!

The fun came to a screeching halt during the middle of the month when the flu struck our family with a vengeance. Only Marie was spared. It was a rough week and a half to say the least. Thankfully, the Lord has restored health to our family!

On, April 17th, while the flu ravaged our family, Marie's judge made a decision that we have been waiting her whole life for: termination of parental rights. It is a sad ending for Marie's biological Mom but a happy one for us. It allows us to take the next step and begin the adoption process. There are still hurdles to overcome but we hope and pray the Lord will pave the way for her to become a permanent part of our family!

At the end of the month, we found out that Ava too needs some therapy to catch up in areas where she is behind. She started attending the same developmental therapy center as Marie. Mommy's days are about to be very different.

On April 29th, Mommy and Daddy celebrated their ninth anniversary. It has been an amazing adventure and we are so thankful for God bringing us together!

We hope that you too enjoyed the hope we have in Christ as another Easter season came and went. We are so thankful we serve the one, true, living God!!!

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March 2015

In like a lion out like a...lion? From snow, to sun hot enough to give burns, to tornadoes, we experienced it all in March! March brought the usual busyness along with a much needed break. Read on for a brief overview.

Both girls had court this month that brought about changes to their cases. We continue to seek God's will for them and pray for wisdom for case workers, attorneys, judges, and CASA workers. We get calls almost daily to take more children into our home. It is so hard to say no over and over when there are now more than 800 children in our area in foster care. We are not sure why, but our area has the most kids in foster care in the entire state even though we are not the most populated. Please pray for all these children and that God would provide perfect placement for them all. Both girls also hit milestones this month. We celebrated Ava's first birthday with the theme "Cute as a Button". She didn't enjoy being the center of attention but finally figured out that cake is really quite good. Marie is now 18 months old and LOVES being the center of attention. She continues to have therapy to help with development, physical, and speech delays. She is our little adventure seeker and keeps Momma on her toes. She figured out how to climb the ladder to get on the trampoline all by herself. This does not bode well for keeping her off the pool ladder this summer. I guess she will be wearing a life vest at all times when she is outside. :-)

Spring Break came and we headed to Tulsa for a few days with the boys. We enjoyed time at a hotel with an indoor water playground. The boys are fish and we spent three days with wrinkled skin! We also checked out the Tulsa Discovery Museum, Dave and Busters, a playground, thrift store, and restaurants. We got very well acquainted with the kitchen of an Olive Garden one night as a tornado ripped through the area. We came through the storm safe and sound but the same cannot be said for others in the area. It is a vacation we will never forget.

Thad started his soccer career at the same time that Jeff started his coaching career. On game day, Thad's team still did not have a coach and so Daddy stepped in to rescue the team and lead them to a victory over the orange team. Actually, we didn't keep score but all the kids had so much fun that it didn't matter to them. Thad did very well and was seen all over the field with a smile on his face or his tongue sticking out in concentration.

Jeff started his masters classes this month. The nice thing is that the classes are online. The rough thing is having even more homework than the lesson planning and correcting he already has for work. During his spare time (slight laugh), he rebuilt the carburetor on Grandpa Gary's tiller and turned over the garden so planting can begin.

There was so much more but Mom is tired. I hope you get a smile or two from the pictures. Sorry for including so many of soccer. Thad was just so cute out there that I couldn't help myself!

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February 2015

F - Family visited from Illinois. Jeff's oldest brother Kevin, his wife Lynda, and 5 of their kiddos came down and visited for a few fun packed days. We were blessed with both sunshine and rain. Hard to believe that one day the kids were in shorts washing cars and two days later they were in snowsuits, sledding on ice!

E - Exciting news this month was that Marie's hearing has improved in her right ear!

B - Brrrr. Some days we soaked in the sun wearing shorts but more days we bundled up to face the chilling temperatures that February often brings. Jeff had two snow days off of school. It was pretty cold and icy so we stayed warm indoors playing games.

R - Running is a daily part of life - as in taking the car and running to therapy sessions for Marie, Bible Study Fellowship, doctor's appointments, Small Group, Church, and more. Pretty soon co-op classes, and soccer will start.

U - University of Arkansas has accepted Jeff into their Masters Program. Please pray as we begin this new adventure. The online classes start next month.

A - An aquarium trip was in order for Jeff and the boys. Jeff was invited to chaperon the event for the high school oceanography class and was invited to bring the boys. Some of their good friends and their Dad were also invited along. The kids had so much fun! They loved the aquarium but also the chance to ride the big yellow bus - they are definitely home-school kids!

R - Respiratory issues have struck. Thad ended up in the ER with a severe case of the croup. We have also passed around a stomach bug and bad sinus colds.

Y - Your prayers are appreciated for our family. Next month, both Marie and Ava have court. Please pray for wisdom for the judges, case workers, attorneys, and CASA workers. We are excited to see what God has in store for us next month! Until then, we hope you are staying warm and enjoying the amazing beauty of winter. Snowflakes are truly God's handiwork.

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January 2015

January is a month that starts with the promise of an exciting New Year followed by the disappointment of Daddy going back to school. We are so blessed that Daddy's job allows him long holidays at home as well as a couple of months off in the summer. We enjoy the time he is home so much that we are really sad when he has to go back to work.

We decided to start a new family tradition this year. Jeff purchased the game of Monopoly and we taught it the to boys on New Years. Thad seems to have all the luck when it comes to games and often, against great odds, wins. Little did we know that we would be playing Monopoly almost every night for the next two weeks! Leigh Ann finally went out and bought another game to add to the rotation: Life.

This month the boys enjoyed a special field trip to the local hobby shop where they have a race car track for remote cars and trucks. They had so much fun watching all the different remote control cars and trucks race around the track. You can probably guess what they are both asking for for their next birthdays!

Leigh Ann was given a special treat this year. Jeff made a way so Leigh Ann could enjoy a Girls Getaway with several of her best friends. It was a three day weekend and Jeff not only took care of all four kids, he made meals for the following week as well. Talk about Super Dad! Leigh Ann headed to a lake house at a town several hours away. The house in Greer's Ferry is luxurious, relaxing, and the views of the lake are breath-taking. She enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, lots of talking, laughter, tears, games, hikes along the beach, and more talking. She went to bed late a few nights and slept in a few mornings. It was truly a time of refreshment.

In other news, Ava underwent a procedure to open plugged tear ducts. She did great and we pray for a quick and full recovery. She finally moved up in the world and now sleeps in a crib. She also started drinking from a sippy cup. Where did the baby go? Marie started physical therapy this month and is literally giving the therapist a run for her money. The other day, Marie was running through the house laughing as the therapist chased her. The poor therapist still doesn't know what to make of Marie. Thad got his first pair of skates this month and is trying to keep up with Eli. Eli continues to do well with school and has been a big help around the house lately, even more so then usual.

The weather has kept us on our toes. Some days are cold and rainy, others  sunny and warm enough to wear shorts (at least the boys think so). So far our winter has been pretty mild and for that we are grateful. We hope that you have enjoyed the start of 2015 and already seeing ways God is bringing new adventure into your life. Until February...

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December 2014

Immanuel: God with us. Thank the Lord for the reason we celebrate Christmas - the birth of Jesus Christ! December was a month to celebrate. We are so thankful for the gift of Jesus and the salvation he brings!

Ava turned 9 months old and started crawling and pulling up this month. She is still so short that it is comical to see such a little person standing up. She wants to walk so she can keep up with her sister. Marie is now 15 months and is always on the go.

We had our "normal" activities for the first part of the month and prepared the house for the upcoming celebration. We also served others by making cookies for the homeless, purchasing hats and mittens for elementary students who had none, raking our neighbors lawns, sending shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, and buying gifts for a local family in need, The decorating and baking, early gift giving, and singing helped keep our minds busy but the boys still anxiously awaited the coming visitors.

Finally, after over a month of counting down, Nana and Papa arrived from Michigan. Let the festivities begin! Board games, stories, rocket launches, parks, donuts, hugs, gifts, cap guns, puzzles, and legos were just a few of the things that filled our time together. It was such a sweet time. The girls fell in love instantly and Marie couldn't help but entertain our company. It was with tears streaming down our faces that we said good-bye at the end of our time together knowing it would be a while before we saw them again.

As a New Year begins, we can't help but wonder what God has in store for us. One thing is certain, God is with us. Amen and Hallelujah!

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