July 4th is coming up!

I have always loved this time of year.

I would list what I love,

but really it is EVERYTHING!

I always get a little choked up

when I see a soldier.

I think of all of those that have fought for our

FREEDOM!

From the American Revolutionary War,

to the war we are in now.

My brother Ryan is in a battle zone.

He is away from his family for a year.

This is a picture of my mom telling her baby goodbye. 

I love it.

I found this poem, that I think goes perfect with this picture.

I AM A SOLDIER"S MOTHER

I am a soldier’s mother; I sometimes march alone

And yet I stand with many, trying to be strong.

You may not recognize me as you pass me on the street;

I may look like any other that you by chance might meet.

Like any mother, in a lot of ways I still remain,

But watching my son become a soldier brought a forever change.

For deep down inside where you cannot see

My own battle rages that’s as real as it can be.

It starts with feeling pride in all he has become,

But often worry creeps in before the day is done.

Then there is his absence that never will seem right -

The days without a word that causes many sleepless nights.

And at the sight of another soldier, my heart skips a beat,

For it reminds me of my own, and that face I’d love to see.

And I have a deeper sense of the sacrifices our heroes make;

I can see the hardships on the families – the loneliness, the heartache.

But in spite of all that’s raging, this mother’s love holds strong

As I’m wrapped in God’s peace and comfort and given strength to go on.

© Cynthia Gibbs

I am so grateful for this country we live in.

And I am so thankful for those that have fought and are fighting.

God bless the USA!

Fundraiser Number One

For those who know us this will not come as a surprise.

WE ARE ADOPTING AGAIN!!

Jace's birthmother is having a baby and would like 

us to be the parents,

OF COURSE WE SAID YES!!

We love her and are so excited to see her again.

But since it was a surprise, 

we need to raise funds

ASAP!

Fundraiser number one

YARD SALE

 Yard sales, are not my thing.

I do not like asking people for help, 

but here I was/am asking.

 We asked for donations, 

and as you can see

PEOPLE ARE SO GENEROUS! 

 We also did a bake sale.

This is my sweet nephew, Jackson, helping out.

 We were exhausted!

 But as you can see, we did raise some money.

We are so thankful for all the help we received.

It was so humbling to see how many people care.

Fundraiser number two is just around the corner:)

Easter 2013

We had such a great Easter!

Kade loved finding the eggs!

Jace got a golf set, he hasn't stopped playing with those clubs.

But it is a constant teaching moment, no hitting!

 Kade got some outside tools, which he was thrilled with.

He was pretty excited that morning. 

 Man I love the sweet, innocent joy!

 Daddy had to help Jace get some eggs, 

that silly Easter Bunny put them very high.

He must be pretty tall.

 Even Kade needed help on some of them.

 We have the same picture of Kade when he was this age.

It's so fun having Daddy lift you so high!

 Jace kept hitting the golf balls and chasing them.

 Our Easter pictures before church.

Love these boys!

 I just can't get enough of them!

 Kade can be so sweet.

 We did try to get them together.

This is one of many!

 So we got a few single shots, like this one.

I love it.

 Showing off how big he is.

 After church we had the annual Easter hunt at Grandmas.

Look how sad Kade is.

He skinned his knee, and it was SO SAD!

 We had them look for eggs in five groups.

This is group #1 Tagg and Jace.

I forgot to take group #2 pictures but here is #3

Kyler, Kaleb and Jackson

 Group #4 looking for eggs before their time.

Austin and Wyatt.

 And group #5 Silas and Lafe.

It just wasn't the same without Berklee!

But we are glad she is serving the Lord in California!

Kade didn't even look for eggs.

Just sat on Grandmas lap.

 Jace did, and he loved running around.

 Todd enjoying the craziness!

 Each kid got 13 eggs this year, we had to keep checking the little ones.

Heather, Grandma, Kade, Amy and Kaleb. 

 Tagg and his Great Grandpa

 We had three golden eggs and one silver.

 Kyler found the silver!

 Here are the luck ones!

Jackson, Wyatt, Lafe and Kyler

 Brinlee was pretty lucky!

 Everybody checking out their loot!

 See how happy Kade was about his dollar!

Tagg was all about the candy.

Love this face.

 This is Jace's favorite past time, pushing the stroller.

He could do it for hours!

 At least the tears stopped.

I am so thankful for the fun things about Easter.

But of course I am most thankful to know that 

He has risen on that day, so long ago.  

I am so thankful for this knowledge.