Mr. Kyle. . .

We miss you.

{really, really, really, really, really, really, really - miss you!}

Thanks for all your help to our family during Family Camp.

Here.

Yes, Here.

{home is where the heart is}

much more coming later this week - God is so amazing!

Birthday Adventure

We celebrated Tarver's 10th BIG with friends and adventure. . .

A creeking expedition

Led by two fearless dads (thanks for your help, Kris- Bob would have literally been

up a creek without you!)

Washing up after the creek

{mud = fun}

We might just be disputing the waterproof claim on these boots

Adding a little danger to the post-creeking adventure by demonstrating how to start a fire without matches and then-

Letting our guests fend for themselves by cooking their own dinner.

(P.S. You won't find this move in Hospitality 101)

Braden demonstrated how to bake a peach cobbler over a campfire.

Now, this is what I call survival cooking.

We did a little marshmallow roasting and toasting -

We enjoyed cobbler with vanilla ice cream (so did the ants!)

We enjoyed very much celebrating this milestone in Tarver's life with a wonderful group of young men. Thanks to all for being so good to us!

Double Digits

Our second born, our biggest babe weighing in at 9 pounds and 7 ounces (& two weeks early at that!), turns 10 today.

Officially a double-digit kid now.

We celebrated with birthday donuts for breakfast

and his first gift was a surprise for me, cleverly tucked into the coffee filter area of our maker. Tarver has always been a very thoughtful boy!

A walk down memory lane today. . .why do I do this to myself?

And now we are getting ready to celebrate with some of Tarver's buddies this afternoon.

Happy Birthday to our sweet revraT! We love you so much.

Playing in the Mud

Naturally, the assumption would be to find pictures of at least one of my young men in a mud post. Today, I was the one playing in the mud with my dear friend, Fran. She helped me accomplish one of my biggest goals of 2011: To finish our kitchen grout. After living here almost 9-years it was about time. . .

Mmmm. . .mocha colored grout looks suspiciously like chocolate!

Thank you, Fran!

{a million thank yous. . .and if it hadn't been for one of the kiddos reminding us today through the sound of their play about our home-centered ministries, we might've entertained the idea of going into home repair together. . .maybe!}

Why I Love the Canadians

Or at least one of many reasons why I love the Canadians - two special Canadians, who brought these lovely available.only.in.Canada. delicacies to my door step this past weekend.

Thank you, beautiful international friends. Much, much appreciated {and your gift halfway gone, as you can see- Coffee Crisp hearts Starbucks!}

In Review

5-DAY CLUB

* One week {or 5 days}

*38 Precious Children, hearing The Gospel and stories of the faithful who dedicated their lives for His sake

*Five brave young adult teachers

* Two 9 x 13" pans of ooey, gooey goodness

washed down with

* Ten pots of decaffeinated Starbucks

{yes, 5-day club is for Moms, too}

*25 and 1/2 dozen home baked cookies for the clubbers


* Precious babes too young for club, a few, to keep the conversation lively in the Moms' room

* Beautiful, encouraging, Mom conversation over coffee

* One well watered lawn with a farewell game of water play

*One incredibly beautiful, eternally-minded week

"But Jesus called them to Him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

-Luke 18:16

{too} Early Morning Concert

Appreciated only by Farmcat Bo because it was held at a ridiculous hour in the morning-

Saturday morning.

And for a brief moment, one of Ry's parents - the one who snapped this picture so Ry's Mom could see his cuteness because she was still sleeping.