Steam and Gas Power Show

Branson, Missouri

We're back from our Bibby/DeLaney Family Vacation...
It's been four years since our last duel family vacation. This year we met in Branson. There was so much to see and do! We only did 1/4 of what Branson had to offer.
We stayed at the Gazebo Inn on the Branson Strip. Tabitha reserved us the Queen Anne Suite and what a sweet suite it was! Two rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen area.
We planned activities in the morning with trips to the Butterfly Palace, Dinosaur Museum and the Bass Pro Shop. We headed back to the hotel for lunch and then put the kids down for naps. The afternoons were spent in the pool, of course. :-)
We each took a night for a date night and the rest of the nights we played Euchre.
More details later! Here is a slide show below with tons of pictures!

Happy Fourth of July

Life with Kids

Life with kids is...
up
down
backward
fast forward
at times, peaceful
challenging
rewarding
convicting

A
W
E
S
O
M
E

Make a joyful noise...

I love it when they play "singing psalms"

Kayla was using a pretend pitch pipe.

Krista loves being the presenter with Big Brother.

Kayla was a "people."

The Big Decision of the Summer

To Undies...

Or not to undies...

Baby Boy Shower Idea

Our theme was Snips of Snails and Puppy Dog Tails, That's What Little Boys Are Made Of...

The Mommy is naming the baby Dallas. So I bought a "D" at Hobby Lobby, painted it and had all the guests sign it or write something for her to take home as memento.
I also scanned my Poky Little Puppy book and used the images around the tables.

The diaper cake came out cute. On the backside I stuck a larger puppy climbing up the back.
I also made snails out of washcloths and used stick pins for eyes. I wish I had taken some pictures of them. :-(

It was such a fun shower.

New Summer Friends

I had no idea Orioles liked humming bird feeders. "Orang-ie" as the kids are calling him has made several visits.

Krista was so excited to see what Big Brother caught.

Have you had any visits from any summer friends?

The Moments In Between..

Between all the of fussing, fighting, teasing, tattling and rough-housing, the Good Lord allows me capture moments like this...

Home Improvement

You may remember when we started working on the front of our home last year... here.
This year I got a great idea to tear out all the ground cover. We've had several issue with spiders and snakes in the past. There were some spots where the ground cover was half an arm deep.
It was quite the undertaking, but we got it done in just a couple of weeks. I'm so in love with the new front of our home and can't wait to fill it in with plants over the years.

Before:

After:

Before:After:
Before:After:

Before:

After:

Today

I love my husband.

I love him for so many things, but mostly because he reminds me to be thankful.
I cannot see my husband without seeing my Lord.
I serve my Lord by serving my husband.
I was perfectly chosen, perfectly equipped and perfectly purposed.
What a blessing it is to have a husband.

Days gone by...

Our first family canoe trip...

It was a time of "firsts" and a "learning" experience, but nonetheless, a GREAT family day!

Happy Mother's Day!

There are many things that I am perceived to be good at....
Motherhood is not one of them.
I fail and on a daily basis.
I forget that they are not my children.
I forget that it is not my will that should rule over our children.
I forget so many things.
But this I remember... that I cannot do it alone.
I remember that I am a sinner and fall short of His glory daily.
I am reminded that I am not expected to be perfect, but much is expected of me.

I am corrected, brought to my knees and bent in submission to the will of my Heavenly Father.
Then, I am sent on my way to complete that purpose which He has graciously given to me:
to prepare their hearts for their Heavenly Father
to love them, cherish and treasure them
to show them His love through my love for them
and to be a beacon through which His light shines.

I am reminded that I have far to go in this journey of motherhood and praise the Lord for it!