Florida

Visiting Nana and Grandpa in Florida was one of the highlights of the trip. I loved being in my childhood home and the kiddos loved that there is a "big pool" and a "little pool" (a spa) in the backyard. They swam at least once if not 3 times a day. Check them out in their new googles from Nana and Grandpa. While we were there, we also spent a day at Disney (a few pictures below) and celebrated my daddy's (Grandpa) birthday.

Momma and Selah on the Aladdin ride

Grandpa and Mason on the Aladdin ride

Kiera, Mason, Selah and Grammy (their great-grandmother)

Mason and Selah swimming together

Nana with her girls, on the boat ride back to our car after a long, fun day at Disney

Grandpa and his boy on the boat ride back to the car

Last picture of the day before going home - we were all pretty worn out by then

Charlotte

We got to visit my brother, sister-in-law and their two children, as well as my cousins and grandparents in Charlotte. Here are a few pictures from the time together.

Releasing a lantern with Grandpa

Aunt Ana curled Kiera's hair

Aunt Ana curled Selah's hair. Selah with her cousin, Mallory.

Driving to the beach - the girls in the middle row

Driving to the beach - the boys in the back row

Birmingham

We had a wonderful very full visit to Birmingham in June. We spent one week there, and then returned at the end of the trip for a few more days. Ross wasn't able to be with us for the whole trip, but he was at the first Birmingham visit and then to Charlotte to see my family. Here are a few pictures from the visit. I think most pictures must be on Ross' phone, but here are some of the ones that I had.

Selah with her cousin, Payton, meeting her for the first time. Payton was such a chill, happy baby - all my kiddos loved her immediately!

Proud Uncle Ross with his baby brother's, Carter, first child.

Visiting my dear friend, Amy. My 3, her 3 out of 4, and one visiting friend :-) (Kiera, Addi, Karis, Mason, Selah, Lily, Emerald. Missing: Amalie)

Kiera and Addi

Karis and Mason

Selah and one of her favorite friends, Lily

At Homewood Park. Mason pointing out fish to "little Selah"

Selah and her friend, Natalie

Sisters

Lane, Ross, Don and Helena (good friends who have cheered us along from leaving Birmingham the first time till now.

My friend, Channing, with her daughter, "little Selah", with myself and "big Selah".

What makes you smile that that? Waffle House!!!

A day at my friend's pool. And yes, there were a few children who were missing from the picture. It was crazy, but so fun!

Another one of those perfect days

Yesterday, Ross and I went for a run with the kids. Normally, he pushes the double stroller and I push the single stroller. Well, yesterday was different. Ross pushed the double stroller, I pushed no stroller and Selah rode her bike. It was so fun! There is a wide path close to our house that we ran/rode on and at one point we were all in a line across the path - Selah on bike, Lane, Ross with stroller. Then, the best part... Kiera and Mason started cheering, "Go, Momma, Go!", "Go, Selah, Go!", "Go, Daddy, Go!". I wanted that moment to last. It seemed like my kids liked each other, they were encouraging and cheering for one another - Selah was saying, "Thank you" and grinning ear-to-ear. Those are the moments to hold onto when the fighting and name calling seems to be gaining hold of the day.

The other precious part was when Kiera and Mason got out of the stroller to run (they were so excited to have their turn). Selah rode her bike next to Kiera running and now it was Selah's turn to cheer. And she did! "Go, Kiera, Go!", "Kiera, you are doing a great job running!" and for Mason, "Mason, you are so fast!". Yes, this is what I value. I value time with my family outside. I value being active with my husband and kids and giving them the gift of loving the outdoors, being active, spotting animals, catching butterflies, encouraging each other, laughing because the day is so wonderful that there is no other suitable response. Yes, that is what I value.

Prayer Requests - 7/14/13

Prayer Requests - 7/14/13

Before any requests, I would like to update a few things - We are getting a house on the YWAM Campus - house #20 :-) We aren't sure of our move-in date yet, probably around mid-August. We are so, so excited to be close to work, school, the lake, our community! Thank you to everyone who prayed for this. It has happened faster than I thought it would (I was expecting October) - so this is a huge blessing and a wonderful surprise!

Also, our trip to Birmingham, Charlotte and Tampa was wonderful. The kids did great, travel was relatively painless, only one ear infection, but no other sicknesses. Super tired kids, but they had a good attitude most of the time. Thank you for your prayers for this also.

Request -
A church home. We have been "church shopping" for want of a better title since we arrived here. I feel like we've been to every church in town that has been recommended and a few that we've just seen while driving by. I long for a church home where we can have consistency in our worship, teaching and fellowship.