New Pics of Kiddos

Well, every mom with multiple children knows how incredibly difficult it is to get "the photo" of all your kiddos. Especially if they are under the age of 5! So......my mom took a slightly different approach and took individual shots of the kids this time. I love them. And surprisingly the girls even volunteered to pose for a shot of them together. I feel blessed to have such a talented photographer in the family capturing all these great photos of my kids as they grow. Thanks, Mom.

These of the girls really capture their smiles.

Thanks to Kinnick for sharing this brand new Illini onsie with us. Apparently his dad wouldn't let him wear it. I wonder why? I think its adorable!
Can you say- future football player?
Love how you can see my ring in this one.
Clearly Titus loves Jesus and is praying....okay maybe not. But, still very cute!

Surprised by Joy

This summer-smiling in co-ordinating PJ's...

Last Summer-treating the girls for lice...

I am loving summer. Like totally enjoying every day. We are having a blast. Road trips, entertaining, play group, pool time, it is seriously the best summer ever. And I am so full of praise for the way I see God answering prayer and blessing our family. I can't help but think about where I was at a year ago. I think last summer was the hardest summer of my life. When our small group got together at the end of last summer we went around the circle and were supposed to share our favorite thing about the summer. I couldn't think of one single thing. My life was full of tears, sickness, lice (ahh!!!!), stress, pregnancy, and uncertainty. Did I mention tears?? I literally felt like I was drowning.

I know so many people have been praying for our family. It is the prayers of God's people that have helped to sustain us. There have been several times in the last month when I have literally felt like I am overflowing with joy. And I just had to share it with you. I have been begging God to send us someone to walk through this time of healing and learning. And I am beginning to see how he is answering that prayer. I find myself totally surprised by joy. I think the best part is he isn't answering in any of the ways I expected. I think we have established by now I am a control, plan ahead, type A personality. But, everything good we are experiencing is from God's hand instead of my own plan. And I am actually enjoying it. I think they call that progress. I have a LOOOOONNNNGGG way to go, but God hasn't given up on me.

Last summer I felt like I was drowning in the ocean of tears over my life's circumstances. This summer I feel like that ocean has filled my cup and is overflowing all over the place. God is good. Not because he is restoring joy to our life. But, because he has been here all along.

Weekend Family Fun

The last two weekends we have spent seeing Grandpa Rick & Grandma Leeanne. The first weekend we went to a big family reunion. It was a very sticky evening, but that didn't stop the kids from running around having fun. They played with play dough, rode bikes, & caught fireflies with their extended cousins. Grace & Faith loved the battery operated four wheelers they got to try out.

Then last weekend Jeremy and I did a little van shopping. We are hoping to replace our mini van sometime soon. The girls loved spending time playing in Grandpa & Grandma's creek while we shopped. Some of the girls' favorite things to do at Grandpa & Grandma's house are feeding the cats, making tea with the whistling tea pot, seeing the train, & making their own train track in the living room.

Not long after this there was a HUGE flash flood storm. The creek flooded and this entire area was covered in water. It was amazing how fast it happened!