Huge, Happy Announcement!

First of all, please forgive me. I have been keeping something between my hubby & me (and a handful of the most wonderful friends that have prayed to move mountains, but that's a whole 'nother blog post!). It's been an overwhelming, wonderful day...I look forward to sharing more soon, but right now, I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of our family.

This little miracle is Kendi Hope, & she is 8 days old today.

We just arrived home a few hours ago, & while she's getting acquainted with everyone, I snuck away for just a minute to share our miracle with you.

These are some pictures from our first moments together & after getting home.

There will be LOTS of pictures with her brothers & sisters coming along soon!

Thank you for letting us share. We are overjoyed that God brought us together with this bundle of sweetness.

Happy Birthday, Kade!

Kade turned 11 years old today.

Kade LOVES sports. Seriously, when other kids were playing with cars, he had a ball in his hand. The one sport that really makes him light up is football.

And this year, the dream...he is old enough to play tackle football.

Some of these pics are from last week, & some are from yesterday.

Joe did a good job getting some pictures before the game last week when the guys were running through some plays. I wish I had some action shots, but once that game starts, having a somewhat expensive electronic device in my hand is not a good idea. The boy has some crazy, long runs (some for touchdowns!), so I have to be able to have hands free!

What an amazing blessing to have great grandparents cheering you on!

Dad & Mom are pretty proud of our guy!

And, of course, 2 of his biggest fans (the teenage fans had car keys & left the premises before pictures).

Grandma & Grandpa made the trip for the game, too.

After the game, we enjoyed some time with family for dessert.

And a certain birthday boy was pretty stoked to find out he's headed to the Browns vs. Patriots game in November with Dad. :o)

We love you, Kade! You make us so proud in everything you do!!

Happy Birthday!

Sunday Snapshot: Sweetness

I have about a gazillion photos from our weekend.

Pumpkins, apple orchard, football, Kade's early birthday celebration...

But, out of all of them, this one mesmerizes me, so the others will have to wait,

because this one speaks volumes all on it's own.

Kade tallied over 100 yds rushing today, played some QB, & even scored a TD, but his hero status in our home has nothing to do with his stats.

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Voice Of Truth

Ever been disappointed, discouraged, angry, sad, confused?

Me?

All of the above. Right now.

But, with the help of some friends, my husband, & my God, I am regrouping. Regaining focus.

I choose to focus on the truth.

Sunday Snapshot: {Homecoming}

It happens but once a year.

Kameryn puts on a dress. So, of course, I have to share that!!

This year another first happened. We straightened her hair.

Not an easy task, but we considered it "big girl bonding time".

Several weeks ago, Kam asked if some of her friends could just come over before the dance for a cookout, potluck style. She thought it seemed silly to spend so much money to go out to eat. She also thought it sounded way easier to eat in comfy clothes & not have to worry about some wayward drip of ketchup making its way onto the front of someone's tie or dress.

I love this girl of mine.

So, here's the "before" picture:

And, the "after":

I would say they clean up pretty good!

Kameryn went with one of her best friends, Dante, again this year. They have been friends since elementary school.

Dante actually went with us shopping for a dress. What a hoot! Kameryn is not at all cooperative when it comes to dress shopping. Seriously.

But Dante? He was the man.

He saw a girl walking around with this dress. He just knew Kameryn would like it, so he waited for the girl to put it back on the rack at which point he promptly snagged it & brought it to the dressing room. Kam put it on...done.

I may never take her dress shopping solo again.

This is Kam & her friend, Willie.

Kam & Libby

Kam & Kenzie

Friends

I love this picture. Kameryn with Libby & Kenzie...They have been best friends since the 2nd grade. I always look forward to basketball season b/c that's the one season they all play the same sport together.

Alas, when the dance was over, Kameryn promptly changed into her sweats, hair into a ponytail, & off she went to a bonfire with friends. It was fun while it lasted, but I have to say, it doesn't really matter what she's wearing...I think she's beautiful.

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You can see more Sunday Snapshots by clicking on the button!

Just Crickets?

I feel like the crickets have taken over my blog, b/c that's all that's coming from it right now it seems.

But it's not b/c there's nothing happening. Life is busy with school, preschool, football games, Daddy traveling for business, rugby games, and on & on it goes. We are blessed with some really nice weather this weekend, & Kameryn is going to the homecoming dance tonight (yes, there will be pictures of that for sure b/c this is the one time a year the girl wears a dress!!).

We're also going to try to squeeze in the pumpkin patch in the midst of this weekend's busyness.

So, until I have some fun pictures, blessings to each of you for a fun weekend!

Random--Or Maybe Not?

A few bible verses have come my way lately through various venues that get my heart & mind to thinking.

And, since I've been thinking about them so much, I thought I'd share them. I mean, if they hit me, maybe they will get to you, too. You know, for encouragement or just to get you thinkin'.

Either way, you'll have to let me know. I love to hear how God's word impacts friends. And if you're reading this, then you're considered a "friend"!

"The widow who is really in need & left all alone puts her hope in God & continues night & day to pray & to ask God for help." ~1 Timothy 5:5

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." ~Romans 12:10-11

"Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, & do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Romans 13:14

"...These are the words of him who is holy & true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, & what he shuts no one can open." Revelation 3:7

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." ~Psalm 116:7

And while this is not scripture, it is a very sweet quote I borrowed & wrote in my journal awhile back from someone's blog:

"Lord, I crawled across the bareness to you with my empty cup, uncertain in asking any small drop of refreshment. If only I'd known you better, I'd have come running with a bucket."

~ Nancy Spiegelberg

Random? Maybe. But there have been ever-so-many times that seemingly out of nowhere, words come my way that cause me to stop in my tracks & chat with God about what they mean in my circumstances. Or, sometimes, the words just seem to embrace my whole being. Such is the case with these passages & quote. However, as I sat here being inspired & encouraged, it suddenly hit me...Why in the world would I not share in the event that someone else might get hit between the eyes be inspired & encouraged, too. So, yes it may be random. Or, maybe not. :o)