sunsets are my love language
July 30, 2021 Leave a Comment
So thankful for sunsets. They are like a warm hug from the Lord.
And thankful that both of our homes face west and we get these ridiculous views.
after school beach days
September 30, 2019 Leave a Comment
Life’s been crazy busy. This kid playing soccer, this one has music, etc. But, we usually have one day a week after school where everyone is available. So we decided on those days we will enjoy where we live by heading to the ocean. If you haven’t been able to tell yet, we love water.
Maybe it’s not the ocean for you, but are you being intentional to make the most out of where you live? Try it! It’s been such a blessing!
summa summa
August 12, 2019 Leave a Comment
Some highlights from our summer. This time of year is so precious for us. We have the chance to spend time with our children and as a family everyday!
I always am trying to find that balance between working and playing. This summer I felt it was actually easier, so I am thankful for all for all of the prayers! I felt like I had so much intentional time with my kids to pour into them. So many great memories.
And here they are first day of school… back at it!
bimini baby
October 20, 2018 Leave a Comment
Luke and I were extremely blessed to have a chance to get away for a few days to Bimini in the Bahamas. I love anything tropical. I love water. And the Bahamas is just about the prettiest water there is anywhere. For real, have you ever Google Earthed the Bahamas? The water is aqua, even on there!
The trip was really needed. When you have four kids and sometimes bonus kids you are fostering… a trip with just you and your best friend is necessary.
It took me awhile to post these pics… just because we returned to find one of our kiddos had a really rough time while we were away. At first, it really put a damper on the whole thing. We felt guilty for going. Guilty for putting others through his terrible behavior. Guilty for stressing him so much by leaving.
But, I think we are coming to a better place with it all. I think God used the time to restore somethings for us, and we realize we really did need it. And I think He’s even used the trip to grow our son. It was just more painful growth than we were wanting.
Anyways, I just wanted to share a few memories!
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DCIM107GOPRO
DCIM107GOPRO
haiti march 2018
March 12, 2018 Leave a Comment
We had such a blast this past week in Haiti.
Because of so many generous people, we were able to bring close to 600 pairs of shoes from Ellie’s Shoe-be-do. 17 huge checked bags!
We passed out the shoes in three different areas in Haiti. Each distribution went so smoothly (probably the best ones yet). The recipients were sweet and thankful, which is a great testament to their leadership (even once we ran out). We choose to pass out the shoes through local ministries, because those pastors and ministries are truly the hands and feet each day in Haiti. They are making such an impact! It is so inspiring. We were just happy to see a glimpse of what they do and help bless those in their ministries/area with some new shoes.
My personal favorite parts of the trip included seeing my girls serve so willingly and selflessly. Ellie and Kira were amazing. I also loved meeting so many new Haitian people and hearing their stories and loved seeing some old faces and dear friends. And last but not least, I always love spending time with the precious children at Wholehearted Home and Grace So Amazing Home.
We were also able to bring some of our Grace Fellowship family along this trip, which made it extra special!
Here are just a few images from our time.
Thank you to everyone who donated shoes! Included Rachel Shoes, who is always so gracious and gives us new shoes each year.
summer fun
August 1, 2017 Leave a Comment
We had so many great adventures this summer! From trips to Chicago, Miami, Legoland, and Haiti to just getting to live at the lake in between, truly priceless memories! I am so grateful we can have our summers all together.
Summer…. do you have to come to an end???
haiti june 2017
June 30, 2017 Leave a Comment
We just got home from an amazing trip to Haiti with our girls!
The majority of our trip was spent with our family at Wholehearted Home. We love them so much and it was extra special to see our children playing together. Luke was able to do driving lessons with the older boys and also work on the new donated bus a little. I did some organizing. Ellie and Kira played hard and helped with odds and ends as well. We even had a night where we made a little fire and ate s’mores. We spent a lot of time laughing, playing, praying, singing, dancing… so fun!
We also distributed the shoes the girls collected in a few different areas (630 of them). One of the villages we went to had some disabled and elderly residents, so the girls went and hand delivered shoes to them. We even met a woman who was 102 years old! I have never met someone that old! And we were also able to give shoes to start up businesses for three women. They can keep a portion from the shoes they sell and be able to buy more inventory. This will be a way for them to make an income for their families! Thank you again to everyone who donated shoes and a special thanks to Rachel Shoes for their continued support.
I loved that we could stop and visit our friends in the mountains and their orphanage, Grace so Amazing. And we were also able to visit a church planted by our friends at HCM and Luke and the girls visited HCM’s new surgicenter.
While there is still so much pain and hardship in Haiti (honestly, it is overwhelming and discouraging at times), it was a blessing for us to witness so many amazing things God is doing there. I encourage you to partner with these organizations who are literally changing so many lives. If you have any questions on how you can get involved, let me know!
I am very proud of my daughters. They served those around them and loved on them freely. They slept and lived with no AC in the summer heat. And they worked hard to make sure shoes went to those in need.
Here are a few images from our time.
We are thinking about planning another trip in the next year. If you are interested in coming along, let us know!
update
March 15, 2016 Leave a Comment
Yikes. It has been awhile.
I am sorry! Life got busy.. and blogging became harder. But, I am hoping to be back more and more in the next coming months!
A quick catch-up on life for us…
We still have this cutie.
He has been with us for 6 months now. Time surely flies. We are still uncertain of his future.. but we are trusting God has a wonderful plan for his life. God has used this little man to teach our family so much. Going to four children was a super hard transition for us, but I believe those hard times have brought us closer to God and to each other.
We have been sneaking away to the lake house as much as we can. It has become such a retreat for our family. The time we spend there is so precious.
And we just got back from an amazing trip to Haiti. Ellie did her annual shoe drive and we were able to bring over 500 pairs of shoes! This was her first trip with us. It was so special. I will be posting more images and details from this trip soon. Here’s a little peek.
haiti- july 2015
August 10, 2015 Leave a Comment
I am way behind on blog posts. So sorry! It’s been a busy, but very blessed summer.
I promise I will catch up soon. I have lots to share.
One of the trips we were able to take this summer was to one of our favorite places in the world, Haiti.
This trip my mom, dad and two of my younger brothers came along. It was such a blessing to have them with us!
We spent lots of time with the family from the orphanage. And we also worked on their property. It was so exciting to see the progress there! If you haven’t checked out what they are doing, please go and visit the website here.
We also were able to bring much needed items to some of the refugees that have crossed the border from the DR. Special thanks to those who were able to donate toothpaste, toothbrushes, shoes, clothes, money, and more. It made a great impact. I would love to talk soon more about this whole process going on in Haiti.. and maybe how you can help more in the future!
But for now… here are a few photos from our time there.
allthingsdear.com 