Concrete Steps of Faith

Florida

2012-01-15T22:55:00.000-06:00

Brody just loved being outside, walking, rolling down the small little ditch. He walked up and down it thinking he was so cool, and he was so cute!!

This little boy, received lots of love and needless to say, got more spoiled!!

Will try to post some pictures soon of the wedding! :)

This picture was taken before wedding rehearsal. Here is Mark, Mark's Dad, Kinzie the Bride, her Dad Marlin who is Mark's Brother and our Pastor who flew down to marry Kinzie and Tyson!!

Beau and Brynn

Mark and I

The Wedding Party, yes we were all cold!!!

Vacation

2012-01-10T11:40:00.000-06:00

Going through St. Louis, MO

Cousin Becky and Brynn!

Looking for Sand Dollars!

Found something else!

Brody swimming with Dad and cousins!

Running down a dock!!

Kinzie was surprised when her best friend Jill surprised her!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-25T07:09:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our Family to Yours!

CHRISTmas Celebrations!

2011-12-22T11:02:00.000-06:00

The week of Christmas is so exciting!!

Fun with Grandpa and cousins!

Bradyn and Kira

Brody opening his gifts!

Fun with Piper and Jacoby!

Christmas Program at Church!!!

The Perfect Tree

2011-12-08T12:05:00.000-06:00

We didn't get a chance to cut down the tree this year, but we did manage to go and pick out the perfect tree to our Family!!! Brody loves the tree, and all the ornaments! He continually pulls the decorations off and says, "oh, oh!" and the biggest smile. Than we hear, "baall"!

I just love the idea's of all the wreaths!

Brynn all excited to pick out the tree!

I have been busy with our Sunday School Christmas Program! I just love seeing the little ones get so excited to sing and praise God! Today I need to paint some inns on large boxes!!

Beau is finishing up his 1st Semester of college, and I am so thankful he is living at home! To see Brody stand at the top of the steps and yell for Beau is priceless! Brody really loves Benjamin, Benjamin can wear that little boy out with all the playing!! Brody is not going to be one to sit back and be shy! I am amazed at how much Brody understands. He is famous for going into Brynn's girly stuff, and we will tell him to pick it up, and he usually does! Beau and Benjamin are finally eating well after having their wisdom teeth removed!! Beau had 5, and Benjamin had 6! Needless to say, Mark and I had a good laugh when they where still under the influence after surgery!! It is horrible what it costs to go to the dentist, and an oral surgeon is even worse!

We had our first snow fall last week and Brynn is just loving walking around outside! It is nice not to have so much snow, the moisture is needed here in Iowa!

Well I better get a moving and fold some more clothes!!

We are so excited to hear about Marcus' visitors coming up!! Praying for safety for Joni and her Family as they enjoy Liberia and make their way back for the Holidays!

Enjoy the Holiday's and remember God's greatest Gift!

“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” Acts 10:36,

Trusting.....

2011-12-08T11:39:00.000-06:00

I became aware of of Pinterest! Finding some great recipes, quotes and crafty stuff!! Love this one and thought to share it!

Thanksgiving

2011-12-02T14:14:00.000-06:00

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

1 Chronicles 16:34

Thanksgiving Day was full of Blessings!

Turkey

Beautiful Nieces and Daughter

Our little busy Boy!

Fantastic Weather!

Fun with cousins!

God has and is so good to us!

Celebrating with Katelyn's Fund

2011-11-14T10:55:00.000-06:00

AWESOME VIDEO!

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Luther Ellis spoke at 1st Reformed Church in Sioux Center, for Katelyn's Fund Orphan Sunday! Luther played for the NFL, and has been blessed with 12 children! He challenged us to listen to God's calling, it maybe adoption, helping those financially adopt, praying and encouraging families!

Mark having talking football with Luther!

Brody fell asleep while eating!

Not the best Family picture, but it works for today!

Missing our little one in Liberia!!

Growing Up...

2011-11-01T14:49:00.004-05:00

Wow, it has been a fun, busy fall for the boys here! Beau is busy with college, and on Tuesday/Thursday he has no classes so he has been in the field helping his Grandpa VV. He is really enjoying it! Classes seem to be going well for him, he does not tell us much!

Benjamin is practicing football with the Varsity, since he is JV they get the privilege of helping practice! The football team won again last night, so another week of practice for Benjamin.

It is hard to believe the boys are growing up, I do miss the days of the 3 of them sitting on the floor watching a movie or playing trains. Brody is now filling in the trains and cars. He is such a sweetie, and oh does he love his brothers, and playing or getting into his sisters stuff!! Brynn had a friend over Friday night, and thought it was great because Hannah is use to younger siblings! They had so much fun together!

Here is a picture of Bradyn and some friends after his last 8th Grade year of football!

This past weekend I went to Omaha with my sisters and Mom! We had so much fun!! Did some shopping, giggling, eating and just enjoyed each others company!

Brynn was so excited to go Trick or Treating!! Brody was a sticky and chocolaty mess!

This weekend we have a Katelyn's Fund Auction and our Church has an Auction on Saturday Night! So our weekend is planned..I guess it involves spending money and visiting with family and friends!!

Volley Ball Action!
Our niece Kassidy plays volleyball tonight with her team for a chance to play at state volleyball tonight, as well as some friends daughters who also play at another place!!
Good Luck Kassidy, Morgan and McKayla!!! So much fun to see hard work pay off!

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,” Ephesians 1:18 NIV

Friday Night, November 4, 2011

2011-11-01T08:40:00.000-05:00

I am so excited this year we can go!!

Tired of Waiting....

2011-10-18T15:13:00.001-05:00

Today as I read the devotional from the Proverbs 31....Tired of Waiting on God?

My mind finds me thinking, waiting, waiting, wow, more waiting. I shouldn't complain, we have been so blessed, health, family, and God's protection. What am I complaining about? Parts of me wish I didn't think so often about the little guy in Liberia! Times I wish God would answer me, whether we should keep pressing on, trying to keep positive for the kids, if Marcus will ever come home! My heart breaks, when the kids ask, "do you ever think Marcus will come and live with us?" Brynn just asked Mark and I last night again. The faith the kids have, is truly awesome!! I know God has a plan, and we just have to hold on, and wait, to see HIS plan for our Family!! We are not sure where we even stand with our agency, regarding adoptions in Liberia. Frustrating, we never hear anything from them. No new good news? No, I would think a little email, a note, "we haven't forgot about you and are continuing to pray for your family, Marcus and God' will to be done", WOW, would that help! To know we have spent money on immunizations, passports, visas, and most of all immigration paper work. Now we are coming up on the fact our immigration paper work is going to expire, and Beau will need to have the finger prints done also now, since he is over 18. Mark and I have been blessed to see how well Marcus has improved since we received his referral. Prayers have been so wonderful for this little boy!! If we never where led to this special little guy, so many good has happened to his Orphanage, friends have been made, and special bonds!! As everything is in the air with Marcus' adoption, we covet your prayers for him and all those wonderful children waiting for homes all over the world!

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”Isaiah 40:31

Last week was my birthday, Mark and I went and seen Courageous!! What a fantastic movie, about the responsibilities of Fathers. Not only you laugh, but the tears roll also. After we grabbed ice cream at Culver's we stopped by and grabbed the dvd from Nikkelle took of Marcus. To see how well he is doing is so good for us all here!! Marcus' smile, watching him play soccer and dance with friends was so good for the heart! Thanks Nikkelle!!! I am trying to find some used soccer uniforms to send to Liberia for some of the children who live with Marcus!! The election in Liberia went well, if you have time, look at Joni's blog over on the right. The pictures are amazing!!! Thanks Joni for sharing!!

We had a celebration this weekend, Bradyn made profession of faith at church Sunday! What a great day! So proud of Bradyn and his faith, and comfort knowing Jesus is the only way!
I am not sure how long we will keep blogging, b/c I don't want it to keep holding our family in the "wait"!
God bless You All!
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

God's Grace

2011-10-07T15:59:00.000-05:00

The weather has changed, the little pesty black biting bugs are back, along with the little centipedes that are in the basement!! The weather has been out of the ordinary, with the temps rising to the mid 80's, and cooling of to the 50's in the evening. Hard to know what to put on the kids for school! Football is coming to a close.

Bradyn will be done next week, and Benjamin's JV games are about done, but he practices with the varsity, so he will be busy! It was so fun to see Benjamin make a interception this past week!! Than my Monday and Tuesday nights are free until baseball.

Benjamin is #23

Bradyn is #74

Brody goes to the games, and of course he is blinking, waving and when we tell him touch down his arms go in the air!! Brynn is at the games too, but she is so busy playing with her little friends, she has no clue who won, or who played!

Brody loves it when Grandpa comes to the games, he know Grandpa will walk with him!

Grandpa Kenny and Brody

The wind here in the NW part of Iowa has been crazy! The farmers are busy harvesting the corn and soybeans. The problem is wind and any sparks will fuel a fire! The fire departments have been busy putting fires out. Usually during harvest you don't want rain, but we are praying for some rain and safely for the farmers!

You can see the dust flying in the air!

This week a Adoptive Family had a horrible accident on the farm. Dillon was a firecracker, I remember him from baseball, and church! He was so blessed to be adopted to his bio father's family in grade school. Benjamin said to me, "Mom, Dillon was so lucky he was adopted, and learned about God's word!" Wow, what a great peace and comfort to know Dillon is in Jesus' arms right now. It is quite a story, but I ask for prayers for Dillon's entire Family.

Dillon

On another note, so excited to read this morning from Joni,

Lots of big news already this morning! Ellen Johnson Sirleaf wins the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, and Samaritan's Purse has committed to building a new ELWA hospital!

"4 days and counting before the election. Campaigns, rallies and marches are happening all over the city by 16 different parties. My co-worker and office mate Weemor just said it best, "My prayer is that regardless of the outcome, we are able to accept it." Please pray that regardless of the election outcome, violence is silenced."

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”Psalm 23:6

Have a wonderful weekend, and may God bless you all!

Someone Special...

2011-10-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

I would like you to meet someone very special.

Katelyn Sandbulte

Here is a little information. Mark's Uncle Milton was an amazing God fearing man. He married Thelma, and Thelma was adopted. Back than adoption was a huge step of faith also, not knowing the plans God has for the Family. There was not much medical history, no tests done and not much information about the birth parents or awareness of diseases that affect mothers. Some years later, Thelma has signs of ms or something that affects the daily tasks of raising a large family. Huntington's Disease is what Thelma and her biological mother had. This took Aunt Thelma life at an early age. Thelma and Milton where blessed with 8 beautiful children. 3 of the children do not have the disease, and will not pass the disease down. If you have the disease, you have a 50/50 chance. The other 5 out of have already are in heaven, cousins Mike, Connie, Vic, Keith and Cheryl! Mike's oldest son Jeff and Vic's oldest son both have enter the gates of heaven also because of Huntington's. (both had the juvenile form) Today Chris,(Connie's son) is struggling in the local nursing home home is in his early 30's, and Niki who is married, also struggling and Katelyn is Jeff's daughter of one the children who has this awful debilitating disease. Katelyn is the 4rd generation going through this, seeing and knowing what is happening and what her future holds! So scary for a 20 year old, when all your friends are planning their future and out having fun! The pain of the hurt for this entire Family has been huge, and to see and let go is unfathomable!

Please take time to pray for Katelyn, her Family, Chris, Niki and their families!
The auction coming up, if you live in the NW Iowa come and join us for waffles on Oct. 22!

She is a sweet girl, who is struggling along with her Family! Who is in need of God's love to fill her and others heart, as well as financial help, so she can continue to live at home with her Family!

Isaiah 40:28-31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Fall

2011-09-22T10:05:00.000-05:00

"For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth." Psalm 71:5

Fall is officially tomorrow!! I love fall, the smells, fresh air, cool breeze, the crunchy sound of the grass and corn, pumpkins, the colors of the trees. God is so good, every season you see God's work in all things great and small.

Our past month has been a bit out of sorts, Labor Day weekend I had knee surgery, and than ended up with the flu! I felt great after surgery and the next day. Than on Labor Day I knew something wasn't quite right. I am so thankful for my wonderful friend Jolene and my Mom for helping out here! When I was in bed for those few days, I thought about those who are sick with cancer and other illnesses every day and how blessed our family is with health!

Mark has been so busy with work, another huge blessing!! The last few years you could really feel the economy drop in the family's cement business, and now it has picked up!!! Beau is going to classes 3 days a week, and working the other 2-3 days!!

Ben and Bradyn are busy with school and football!! Those 2 are really growing up, and it is crazy how all the boys all have different personalities. Bradyn surprised me last Monday night and made profession of faith!! He surprised me at Ben's football game and told me that he had Dad(Mark) take him to church and he is so excited!!

Brynn is enjoying school and friends!! She just had a sleep over with 8 other girls!! She had a blast. Girls are so different than boys, her wonderful brothers love to get her fired up!! It is so great to see how she plays with Brody, and cares for him so much!!

Brody is SO busy!! If he isn't in a cupboard, he is fishing in the toilet, playing with the toilet paper, trying to ride on his little tractors, figured out how to get on the kitchen table and waving bye, bye to go outside!! He loves to be with other children. I dropped him off at day care last week when I had a follow up on my knee. He loved playing with all the other kids and didn't even notice when I left!! Brody is winking, and learning where his nose, eyes, hair, he makes animal noises and is about walking.

As we continue to wait for Marcus and news on Liberia. I ask for you to continue to pray for health for Marcus, for the country as elections are coming up. God has a wonderful President in Liberia, we continue to pray for President Sirleaf. Pray also for our Agency, as we wait for word on adoptions updates in Liberia! I am excited to make a date with the young lady who went to Liberia this summer! Nikkel has a dvd with Marcus and pictures!! God Bless You All!

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Football....Benjamin

2011-09-15T12:23:00.000-05:00

Brody's Birthday Party....

2011-09-15T12:07:00.000-05:00

“The whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3b,

Auntie Lin spoiling Brody!!!

Benjamin stands on the sidelines of the Varsity football game! Benjamin and Brody starting the party off!

Brody enjoyed his cake so much!

A fun tractor, although Brody tries to ride it he loves making truck noises!

" Brody is so spoiled and loved!"

More Cake!

Brody and Jacoby having fun!

Fun riding toy from Grandpa & Grandma!

With all the party celebrating we had to get 2 cakes!

Brody had a fantastic 1st Birthday!! God has blessed us immensely!

He’s given us family: “God sets the lonely in families …” Psalm 68:6

Look who is going to be 1!

2011-08-25T15:29:00.000-05:00

To think that tomorrow morning at 7:21am, God Blessed our Family with a precious Baby Boy!

I was so humbled to be part of the journey, as I stood and held the remarkable hand of someone very special, and see Brody's first cry and first breath!

God is good and we praise Him for the gift of life!

Brody Josiah, we love you very much! Love, Your Mom, Dad, Beau, Benjamin, Bradyn and Brynn

Back to School

2011-08-18T17:57:00.000-05:00

Brody enjoys twinkies a bit to much!

Wow hard to believe school started today! I usually like/enjoy having the kids home, but Tuesday, I realized, it was time for school to start! Beau started college yesterday! It is so weird to think of him as a college student. He is going to college 14 miles from us at a community college, which allows him to live at home, and work when he does not have class! Mark sure enjoys having him to help pour cement! He is thinking of getting his generals than transferring to a bigger college to get a major in elementary education!

Today the oral surgeon called to give estimates on Beau and Benjamin's wisdom teeth! OUCH! Benjamin has 6 wisdom teeth!! The estimate on Benjamin was $2970.00! Oh good grief! Needless to say, we do not have dental insurance! At least Beau's was $600.00 less!
I received the best update on Marcus! He is healthy,(as of now) writing his name, and loves to play soccer! I wish I could figure out a way to send used soccer uniforms for the orphanage with shoes!! What fun what that be for any kid, but for a group of children in an orphanage would be so cool!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:1

If you have time, check out Joni's blog off to the side! She is in Sudan covering the famine!

Enjoy your weekend, and we are preparing for a big celebration for a 1 Year Old next week!!! Let the fun begin!

Baptism and Birthday!

2011-08-13T14:10:00.000-05:00

Little Piper was baptized last Sunday!

Kira and Brody

Happy Birthday Dad! 5 Years ago we celebrated in New York!
So much fun!

A Year Ago

2011-08-13T13:56:00.000-05:00

I can hardly believe a year ago, we where down in Mississippi!

A year ago we met a courageous young lady!

A year ago, we felt the coast hot, humid air.

A year ago..we slept in the hotel!

A year has passed, and we are so thankful for our little brown eyes. Who wakes up waves his hand bye, bye and points to the outside. Brody loves going outside and riding the 4 wheeler!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God is so good!

Happy Birthday 5th Marcus!

2011-08-09T14:37:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Marcus!

Marcus referral picture!

Praying that you have a wonderful day

with all those you love!!

Love You Lots!

Marcus the other day with Joni!

Nikelle and Marcus!

While we wait for something, wait for anything we praise God for the wonderful blessings He has brought to Marcus!! He has been blessed with visitors! Special people over the past 4 years who have made time to go and spend time with this little boy we have come to love!! Nikelle, our hearts swell with joy to know you spent time with Marcus, and of course Joni, who has become to important to Marcus!! I can not imagine the joy that happens when someone pops in to visit!!! (with goodies for everyone, and pictures of a family in another country, band aids, medications, and etc.) One picture we got back you can see older boys looking at the pictures....pictures of things they have probably never seen before!!
We continue to lift all those who continue to wait we are not alone. I know a very special family who also is celebrating birthdays at the end of the week, who have been waiting for 6 plus years. :( Happy Birthday to Ronaldo and Julia in Guatemala! May God's love fill your little hearts with love, peace and comfort...and most of all the feeling deep inside that a family is doing everything possible to get you home!!! Please continue to pray for the governments all over, to give the children a chance at finding a forever family, and parents who will give the unconditional love every child deserves.
Many blessings to you all, and may God fill your hearts up with His love and peace!!

~Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. Romans 8:26~

The Message (MSG)

Jeremiah 29:11

2011-08-04T21:34:00.001-05:00

This is a favorite verse of mine! I have clung to the words, that God has a plan for our Family!! I sent a package and a Bible for someone very special to Marcus, and I hi-lighted this verse in a Bible I had that I sent over for her!
My prayer is that the words may bring peace and understanding to so many people over in the Orphanage! Here is the email I received twice today...thought it was worth sharing here!

For I know the plans I have for YOU, declares the LORD

Dear Women of God
Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness
God is able to do the impossible and is always near
He loves us unconditionally.
Together, let's get 1000's of ladies to praise Him with one voice in this next hour.

Dear God:
this is my friend, whom I love and this is my prayer for her
Help her live her life
to the fullest.

Please promote her
and cause her to excel
above her expectations.

Help her to shine
in the darkest places
where it is impossible
to love.

Protect her at all times,
lift her up when she needs
you the most,

and let her know when
she walks with you,

She will always
be safe.

Love you Girl!

But you have to tell
nine sisters you love them!
Get going girl!!
Do not ask the Lord to
guide your footsteps.
if you are not willing
to move your feet

A LITTLE BOY WHO IS SO FAR AWAY....

2011-07-29T09:30:00.000-05:00

Our family is waiting, waiting and waiting to see God's plan!

Waiting to see what the Liberian Government holds for the

future of so many little ones in Liberia! Our prayer is that God's will may be done.

If that may be staying in Liberia or coming home to our Family!

We are so thankful for the wonderful,

loving, caring and God's servants who visit and love this special boy for us!

Joni and Nikelle, you are God's Angels to our Family!

Look at one of the pictures we received this morning!

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:34

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”Psalm 37:4

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”Romans 15:13

“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer” Psalm 4:1

11 Months Old!

2011-07-28T12:17:00.000-05:00

OUR LITTLE GUY IS 11 MONTHS OLD ALREADY!

As you can tell, he has quite the personality!

I gave him a twinkie, and he enjoyed every minute of it!

Yet, I turn around and he is starting to feed the dog right out of his hand!

Brody has figured out how to climb in and out of everything! Now I know how he gets

past the barricade I have in front of the steps! The other day he made it to his

bedroom and was crying! Little sweetheart! Next month will be so much fun celebrating

a birthday for our little Brody!!!

We praise God for His guidance and leading to our son!

Brody....showing off!

2011-07-26T09:25:00.000-05:00

I am trying this to see if this works! Brody is showing off to his Daddy!!!

BoYs

2011-07-24T18:57:00.000-05:00

With the week being so horribly hot, the boys didn't work so much with Mark. So I thought I could get Benjamin to pull out the dead evergreen trees with the four wheeler! Hmmm...didn't work so well, he thought he could ride them over first and than pull them out with a chain. Needless to say, he didn't pull trees out for too long!

Is this what "Boys will be Boys" come from?

Brody enjoys putting his food through his curls!

This little boy is starting to show his true personality! He figured out how to shake his finger at me when I say, "no no"! He has just mastered shaking his head yes, it is so cute! When in the car he loves to hear himself, he can just squeal and than he just giggles.Brody now has his top tooth pop through, with the other one right behind! He is into anything and everything! All the doors in the kitchen now have Brynn's rubber bands holding them closed! The laundry room door is shut at all times, when the door is left open I can hear dog food being thrown all over, and splashing! I come around the corner and oh man do I get a big grin! It still amazes me how boys automatically know what car/truck noises are. All the boys have made their little tongue do this cheek n tongue noise! He also knows how to get us all to laugh during dinner! Thanks to his older brothers teaching him how to blow, his food just flies out or his milk, and we do more giggling behind our hands! I can't imagine our home with out Brody! We just got his new birth certificate in the mail this week!!! Our little Mississippi Boy! Hard to believe he is 11 months this coming week!! God Blessed our Family so much with this little guy! I know God has a plan for our family, and with out Liberia closing we would never had Brody in our life!
I took Benjamin shopping this past week, and I seen a young gal pregnant, pushing a stroller. Reminded me of just about a year ago, meeting Rebekah! We have not heard much of anything for quite a while. We just continue to pray that God is guiding her in all she does.
I ask for extra prayers for Marcus this week! Marcus birthday is coming up too!! Can't believe he is going to be 5! Joni is hopefully going to go and make a visit, and see how Marcus has been feeling. Nikkel brought some goodies for Marcus, and I am SO ready for some new pictures, I am so thankful for Joni for with out her we would not hear or see a picture, and especially Nikkel (a young gal from our area volunteering for Samaritan's Purse) for bringing a love package for our little guy in Liberia! God brought this beautiful little boy into our life for a reason, and someday we will know God's plan!! Please pray for our agency also, and those who are working out the details in Liberia regarding adoptions!

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36

“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”

2 Corinthians 4:1

Beau, Kassidy, Caleb and Benjamin

This past friday we sent Beau and Benjamin off to our church's youth convention in Estes Park in Colorado! I am excited to hear about their white water rafting went yesterday! Here is a picture of the kids before they left! It is so great for them to go with their cousins! It is fun, Beau just graduated, Kass is going to be a sr, Caleb a JR and Ben a sophmore. and cousin Kade is a freshman! School starts August 18, which is too soon for me! Brody is going to miss the action around the house!

Brody enjoys the view from top!

Brody is starting to notice so much! He was pretty excited to see the big bus!

Carmel RCYF

Here is the group going to ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH!

http://www.synodyouth.org/Youth_Events/RockyMountainHigh.aspx
You can watch live at 7 pm! Hoping to get a glance of the boys! :)

Weird to think 18 years ago Mark and I went with the youth group and left Beau with family!! Praying for the kids to feel the Holy Spirit working in their hearts, and that many of them will accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour! Next week Bradyn leaves for Omaha with his youth group on "Urban Plunge"!

Thanks for checking in our silly family!!
God Bless You All!

HOW HOT CAN IT GET IN IOWA?

2011-07-18T16:58:00.000-05:00

It is so hot here! The heat index is around 110 degrees! Needless to say, our dogs(the outdoor ones) have been having time in my beauty shop, where it is nice and cool, and I only do a few haircuts for family!

Here is the cutest picture of Beau at his last home game!! Brody was so excited to see Beau!

Beau having a little chat with Brody between games!

Baseball is all done! :( It is crazy how we piles in so many games in 6 weeks! Beau is now officially done with high school! I should maybe count how many there where, but I think I best not! Beau had his last baseball game friday night! Beau had a great year, and I will miss watching and cheering him on!

Beau playing 1st Base!

Batting!

Becky & Eric

Our Niece Becky got married this Saturday! She looked so beautiful with her dress and the reception was a blast! Not only did the kids have fun, the adults did too!

Brynn with cousin Becky and her husband Eric!

This was Becky and Eric's Bible verse they picked out! What a great reminder!

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8

Well have a wonderful week!!
God Bless You all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!

2011-07-11T16:42:00.001-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

"Dance with me Daddy, dance me around, don't let my feet

touch the ground. If I am your princess, Your the King of the World."

I Love You Daddy!!

LOVE, BRYNN (and Brody)

God has blessed our Family with an amazing Dad and Husband!

Happy Wedding Week Becky & Eric!

2011-07-11T15:56:00.000-05:00

This coming weekend is Becky & Eric's Wedding!

We are so excited that God has brought you 2 together!

Enjoy your last week of preparation, and enjoy the final days of decorating and organizing!

May God Bless Your Marriage with years of joy and happiness!!

Congratulation's!

~Love You Lots~

“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:7

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

2011-07-04T15:15:00.000-05:00

Last year our Family wondered what this summer would be like with a little one!

We knew we would have a different schedule, and diapers, but this smile and face...it is a HUGE blessings to have Brody in our Family!

Brody has more attention at the baseball games!

As you can see, Brody enjoys every minute of it!

I would dare to say, he is just in much in love with his Family, as we are with him!

I love to swing!

Had 7 JH boys stay over after a JH Baseball game! Wow, who ever said girls can scream? JH Boys can give a good challenge!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Cuddle time with Keri Jo!

boom!

Brynn with a sparkler!

Brody's first 4th of July!

Having fun with cousin Kassidy!

watching the kids play!

Benjamin & Brody

Got to end the night with
Grey Wolf Game!

Brody loves his Auntie Paula!

God is good, and we praise Him for the gift of adoption...

SuMmEr HeRe...SuMmEr ArE ThErE!

2011-07-01T15:15:00.000-05:00

A crazy fun, cold, hot, busy and out of the house summer is in full swing! We finally purchased a new computer, and now I am trying to figure it out! Here are some pictures!

Baseball??

Brody wanting to help organize!

Surprise Bridal Shower for niece Becky!

Grandpa & Grandma with Brody at Bradyn's game!

before haircut

after haircut

Brody enjoys his ride at baseball games!

Beau

Bradyn

Brynn at her game!

Benjamin

My best friend Laura and her daughter Leah!

Brynn with Danica Patrick

Indy Race

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other.
Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.”
Ecclesiastes 7:14

Summertime 2011

2011-06-20T15:40:00.000-05:00

BRODY ENJOY'S THE GAMES WHEN HE CAN LOOK AT CUTE LITTLE GIRLS!

THE MISSIOURI IS FLOODING IN SIOUX CITY!

Our main computer is down, and oh do I miss it! Post more when I can!

VBS and Baseball!

2011-06-09T22:55:00.000-05:00

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!

BASEBALL

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

BASEBALL

BASEBALL AND CHEETOS~

Summer is here, and we have been to games, teaching VBS and we all have had t

he flu!! There is only 1 little person who has not got it....Brody! Praying he does not get it!

Will post more when time allows! Our main computer is done, broke, not coming back. Hopefully we will have time to check into a new one soon!

God Bless you All!

Brody's officially part of our Family!

2011-05-31T18:17:00.000-05:00

Praise God for the gift of Adoption, the courage, strength and love of a special Aunt in Mississippi, who placed Brody into our Family!

FINALIZATION!

2011-05-30T18:56:00.001-05:00

A HUGE DAY AT OUR HOUSE!! WE ARE GOING TO THE COURT HOUSE TO FINALIZE BRODY JOSIAH!! WOOOHOO, PRAISE GOD!! WILL POST MORE LATER!

Beau's Graduation & Brynn's Class Birthday Party

2011-05-30T18:55:00.000-05:00

Brynn's last day of school and we (she) decided...class birthday party! I always had one for the boys, and decided to do it the last day of school. Too bad the weather was rainy, so we ended up doing the movie and pizza party!

This was after the movie, Kung Fu Panda! Whew, 16 little girls make a lot of giggles and the need to use the restroom during the movie!

Here is my sweet little niece Piper!

Micheala, Beau and Courtney

Brody enjoyed licking the beaters of the mixer!

When going through the many pictures, I did not have many of Chris, our neighbor in town. He was at our house a lot. He is now all grown up and married!!

My Mom made this tshirt quilt for Beau!! It is fantastic!!

I put a few pictures together!

My parents with Beau!

Beau and Brody

Here we are with our Beau all graduated!

Oh the Fun!

2011-05-18T17:59:00.001-05:00

It has been busy here graduation!! Here are a few pictures!! Brody is so busy getting into everything!! He learned how to go up steps! He did so good. while weweregetting ready for the graduation party for Beau!

Brody's smile just melts our hearts! We are so blessed!!
Had the chance to go on the field trip with Brynn's class to the Sioux Falls Zoo!! It was lots of fun!!

Our main computer is not working so well, hopefully we can figure it out soon!

Our New Niece...

2011-04-21T11:33:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Family

Piper Annalise

7 lbs, 9 oz

My sister Kari and Family just welcomed a beautiful Baby Girl!!

Piper is welcomed home to 2 Big Brothers and a Big Sister!

(I can't get the picture to turn!)

Piper is going to have to keep these 2 cousins in line!

As my sister Julie and I waited, Jacoby and Brody where all over eachother!

Brody is more aggressive than Jacoby!

You can tell, Brody is use to having older siblings!

3 Baby Blessings in our Family in a year!

God is so good!

Prom 2011

2011-04-18T16:00:00.001-05:00

Prom was this weekend at our High School!! It is so much fun seeing the young adults dressing up!! It was a rainy, cold, breezey night!! I am thankful we only had to rent a tux, and buy a corsage! :)

Someone deleted the pictures I had on my card... :( I got some developed quickly on Saturday I am so thankful I did that!

Beau, cousin Kassidy, Me and Mark!

Here are my Boys!

Cousins, Ella, Kass and Brynn at the school!

Beau and Mark

Beau and his date for the night, Lauren! She looks gorgeous as usual!

Lauren, Brody and Beau

Beau and Brody

Brynn was so excited to have a girl in a picture with her!
Benjamin, Lauren, Brynn. Brody with Beau and Bradyn

It is so fun to have Beau and Kassidy take pictures!

Brody getting spoiled by cousin Kassidy!

Beau and Kassidy

Tomorrow, Lord willing...my sister Kari is going to be induced!! I am so excited to meet and see my new niece or nephew!
Mark and I met with the Lawyer to start the finalization for Brody!!

The Boys are Growing Up!

2011-04-14T16:09:00.000-05:00

I am in awe of how fast the boys are growing! Beau turned 18 this week! Beau is so good with his younger brothers and sister! This weekend is prom! The forecast is not good, chance of rain/snow mix!

Brody snoozing on Beau!

Brody is 7 1/2 months already and still captivating anyone who looks at him! His brothers and sister love him so much, and can't wait to see him after school! Brody ended up having double ear infection, and than a horrible cold. He is just now getting back on track, and sleeping through the night, and better naps!

Bradyn and Brody

Our Family went out to celebrate Beau's 18th Birthday! He was born on Easter Sunday!! It is amazing how a mom never forgets the day your child was born! Now we are trying to figure out Graduation!

Eating our for Beau's Birthday!

Our little Brody, is all over! Over and under anything! He is trying to stand up next to things, and needless to say, he falls down and bumps his poor head all the time! I should get a bike helmet for him! :0

"I can get any where I want to!"

Our dear adoptive Grandma from church, left this earthly world, to her heavenly home on Saturday! Grandma Edna was so special to us! She made us all feel so special and loved us so much!! You could count on birthday cards and anniversary card for our family!! She even managed to get Beau's in the mail before her suddenly met her Saviour! Brody and Grandma Edna shared the same birthday! Brody got the most beautiful blue baby blanket from Edna!

Thanks for the wonderful memories "Grandma Edna"!

I know Edna is rejoicing in heaven! We will miss her!

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

The Death of Jesus

2011-04-14T11:11:00.001-05:00

I recieved this email from a friend...it is so powerful this time of year...
For the next 60 seconds, set aside whatever You're doing and take this opportunity! Let's see if Satan can stop this.

THE (SCIENTIFIC) DEATH OF JESUS

At the age of 33,
Jesus was condemned to the death . At the time

crucifixion was the "worst" death. Only the worst

criminals were condemned to be crucified. Yet it was

even more dreadful for Jesus, unlike

other criminals condemned to death by

crucifixion Jesus was to be nailed to the

cross by His hands and feet.

Each nail
was 6 to 8 inches long.

The nails
were driven into His wrist. Not

into His palms as is commonly

portrayed. There's a tendon in the wrist that

extends to the shoulder. The Roman guards knew

that when the nails were being hammered into the

wrist that tendon would tear and

break, forcing Jesus to use His back

muscles to support himself so that He could

breath.

Both of His feet

were nailed together. Thus He was forced to

support Himself on the single nail that

impaled His feet to the cross. Jesus could

not support himself with His legs because of the pain

so He was forced to alternate between arching His

back then using his legs just to continue to

breath. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the

suffering, the courage.

Jesus endured this

reality for over 3 hours.

Yes,

over 3 hours! Can you imagine this kind of

suffering? A few minutes before He died,

Jesus stopped bleeding. He was simply pouring water

from his wounds.

From common images

we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound

to His side... But do we realize His wounds

were actually made in his body. A hammer

driving large nails through the wrist, the feet overlapped

and an even large nail hammered through the arches, then a

Roman guard piercing His side with a spear. But

before the nails and the spear Jesus was whipped and

beaten. The whipping was so severe that it tore the

flesh from His body. The beating so horrific that His

face was torn and his beard ripped from His face. The

crown of thorns cut deeply into His scalp. Most men
would not have survived this torture.

He had no more blood

to bleed out, only water poured from His

wounds. The human adult body contains about 3.5 liters

(just less than a gallon) of blood.
Jesus poured all 3.5

liters of his blood; He had three nails hammered into His

members; a crown of thorns on His head and, beyond

that, a Roman soldier who stabbed a spear into His chest..

All these without

mentioning the humiliation He suffered after carrying His own

cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd spat in his

face and threw stones (the cross was almost 30 kg of weight,

only for its higher part, where His hands were nailed).

Jesus had

to endure this experience, to open the

Gates of Heaven,

so that you can have free

access to God.

So that your sins
could be "washed" away. All of them, with no exception!

Don't ignore this situation.

JESUS

CHRIST DIED FOR YOU! He died for you! It

is easy to pass jokes or foolish photos by e-mail, but
when it comes to God, sometimes you feel ashamed to forward
to others because you are worried of what they may think

about you.
God
has plans for you, show all your friends what He experienced
to save you. Now think about this! May God bless your
life!

seconds with God...

For the next 60

seconds, set aside what you're doing and take

this opportunity! Let's see if Satan can stop

this.
All you have to do

is:

1. Simply pray for the person who sent this message to you:
2.Then, send this message to people.. The more the better.

3. People will pray for you and you will make that many people pray to God for other people.

4. Take a moment to appreciate the power of God in your life, for doing what pleases Him.

If you are not ashamed to do this, please, follow Jesus' instructions.

He said (Matthew 10:32 & 33): "Everyone therefore

who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge

before My Father in heaven; but whosoever denies Me

before others, I also will deny before My

Father in heaven".

Yes, I love God. He is my source of life and my Savior. He keeps me alive day and night.

Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me".
Philippians 4:13.

This is the simple

proof. If you love God and you are a believer and trust

in salvation through Christ Jesus, share this to all those

you love!

May God Bless Each of You this Blessed and Holy time of year!

Benjamin's Skit @ Swing Choir

2011-04-02T15:21:00.003-05:00

Benjamin did a skit with his buddy, Riley!

Dr Riley, put Wonder Cream on Benjamin's dandruff, acne, and body order!! Needless to say, Riley took a swipe off Ben's armpit and ate the cream(peanut butter)!

Swing Show

2011-04-02T15:19:00.001-05:00

Pictures didn't upload right! I will try to get them up.....

This weekend is the our High School's Swing Show of all different skits, singing and giggles.
Beau is one of the Master of Cermonies, and here they surprised us Mom's singing "My Girl!"

I can't believe he is a SR!

Oh, boy, the Spice Girls! YIKES!

Fun pictures...

2011-04-02T15:17:00.000-05:00

Beau with the SR guys with Mr. Conner!!

Brody has all smiles!

7 Months Old!

2011-04-02T15:15:00.000-05:00

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”Psalm 63:4

Brody is quite the little guy already! Crawling all over!!

“I want you woven into a tapestry of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God. Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery.” Colossians 2:2

Show Choir 2010-2011

2011-04-02T15:13:00.000-05:00

Senoirs having fun!

The whole group!

Wow, and answered prayer for request!

2011-03-24T11:06:00.000-05:00

I am so praising God for answered prayers for Jon, Liz and David!

http://jonlizmoss.blogspot.com/

Our Little Miracle

2011-03-24T09:44:00.001-05:00

I can hardly believe Brody will be 7 months old Saturday! To see him grow and learn is so much fun! I am not sure who is having the most fun when you have 3 big brothers, 1 sister, Mom and Dad cheering you on! Brody is now crawling all over! Sometimes his body goes faster than his arms! He is starting to say, Mama, Dada, Beau and last night Mark got him to do "hi da!" It is so awesome to see the his face when the kids come home from school!! Oh he loves his big brothers and Brynn! He will be busy doing something in the high chair and his arms start doing so big, of course that makes everyone giggle and cheer, which he loves.

He loves cords, remote controls and cell phones. It does not help his big brothers get on the floor and show him the cell phone and he starts a crawlin faster and faster towards them. He is starting to notice so much around him! To see his big brown eyes lighten up, is such a blessing! He is such a blessing to our family! Brody is finally sleeping through the night! Whew....took a few nights of crying, but he is more rested and now we have to master a good nap time! 2 teeth are trying to urge their way up, so he is trying to bite and chew on anything!

I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

We are reminded every day, if Marcus would of came home when he was suppose to, we would of never received this little miracle. Yes, Brody is our little Miracle! We are got all the finalization paper work sent in and now we wait for the day in court to say Brody is paper worthy part of our Family!

~We still do not hear or read anything from Liberia!! Our family asks for prayers, for Marcus and the Liberian Government, and don't forget our Agency!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

There are so many Family's who are facing cancer in our area.

~Please pray for: Sondra as she continues chemo and radiation.

~Warren as he has surgery next week to remove a growth in the bladder.

~Rodney our SW brother in law who has been receiving treatments.

~Monica who is suffering with crones flare up and surgery that set her back b/c a leak, and was septic.

~Prayers for a family waiting to get word to travel to ET

to be united with their son, with the ET government changing rules, it is scary!

Prayers for the family who is praying their 2 home from GuatemalaPrayers for Samaritan's Purse and Joni as they are having a huge crusade in Monrovia! Prayers that many may take a stand and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour!

Prayers for Birth Mom's

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 33:22

PRAISE:

:) Praise for 2 Family's who are home, (one on the way home) in our area that have been blessed

with little ET girls, and are welcomed home to big brothers!

:) Praise for a family who where blessed with the gift of adoption....Charlie Jace! Praying that your paper work goes fast so you can return home to you family!! Congratulations.

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

Brody's 1st 4 Wheeler Ride

2011-03-19T23:11:00.000-05:00

Brody loves the little walker, he scoots all over in it! He found Bruno looking in the house the other day! So cute!

The weather is starting to feel like spring! Beau wanted to be the first one to give Brody a ride! Of couse, Brynn had to jump on too!

I have a feeling this will not be his last ride!! The fun has just begun!

6 months old

2011-03-18T10:34:00.000-05:00

Went to get Brody's 6 month pictures!! He was not to sure about or who was taking them! Little sweetheart, is starting to notice strangers! I will share more later!

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Happy Birthday Bradyn!

2011-03-16T15:07:00.000-05:00

It has been busy with the weather shaping up, Brody is starting to crawl, and needless to say getting into anything he can!! We celebrated Bradyn's Birthday last month and I am finally getting a picture up!

Happy 13th Bradyn!

Shopping with cousin Jacoby!

Beau with Show Choir!

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14

STATE BASKETBALL....

2011-03-01T19:56:00.000-06:00

As I am busy trying to prepare for Beau's graduation, I ran across these pictures of Beau and his class. Saturday night, the BH Comets won their last game to qualify the team for State Basketball. It was an emotional evening, packed gym, playing a team who's team mate was in an accident and recovering in a hospital in Colorado. Both teams playing....playing as a team who has a higher FAITH. Faith that God will provide strength and healing! I know both school are public/community, and the shirts on the Woodbury team had FAITH on the back of their shirts, and our school is making braclets in honor of Sondra with FAITH!

Parade of posters..this year these young boy are now young men are going to state to play Basketball!

Here is a picture of Beau's class...So fun to see their dream come true!

Please pray for our Basketball Coaches wife Sondra, and the Family! As Bill is preparing for state basketball Sondra is still recovering from brain surgery in the hospital yet, while her oldest son will get to play his first state basketball game, while she is waiting to start radiation. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sondrafrancis

God Bless the Comets, that we can show our FAITH on the court and off!
Prayer is the glue that holds us all together!!

On Your Mark...

2011-02-25T21:07:00.001-06:00

This week we had our final post home study update with our SW, Heidi!! We are so special, and since our adoption(s) have taken longer than most, we are blessed to have 2 SW! This is Heidi, and God has blessed us not only as our SW, but a wonderful friend! Here we are at the Casey's Bakery!! Lord willing next month we can celebrate the finalization of Brody Josiah!

Want to see what I learned to do??

Here I go.....

Oh, boy here I go...

Are you watching??

I did it I am up!

Praying for Sondra and her Family!!
Praying for Ronaldo, Julia and their Family waiting for Guatemala to let them come home!
Children waiting to be adopted!

Pictures of a Special Boy with a Special Aunt!

2011-02-25T17:03:00.001-06:00

When I checked out Joni's Blog, and here is the cutest little Liberian!!!

You can check her blog off to the side!!

Thank You Joni and Bev!!!

Still no news on the Liberian front. We know they Government is working hard on

trying to set some laws, and we are concerned with the paper work that was done?!

God will praise each one of them! 1 Corinthians 4:15

Praying for our Sweet Boy in Liberia!!
We love You Marcus, and Lord willing we are waiting for the day we can bring you home!!
You are born in our hearts, no matter what happens!

Our Birthday Boys!

2011-02-22T15:02:00.000-06:00

Benjamin's 15th Birthday!

Beau checking out his new little brother Benjamin, 15 years ago!

Benjamin and Bradyn

The cutest little boys!

Until this little boy came home!

Brody...

February is a busy month of Birthday's!

Benjamin turned 15 on the 9th, and now Bradyn's birthday is Saturday!!
I am reminded daily of turning 13, and how he is going to be a teenager!
For Benjamin's birthday, he chose to go to Sioux Falls, and see a movie,
eat at Texas Roadhouse, and shopping for a pair of cowboy boots with
the money he has been saving and with birthday money, he was ready to pick out a pair!

Bradyn, has a list for his Bday, plus colored pictures he printed out on the computer!!
He has been telling me what I need to bake for "comet time", so he can celebrate with his class!

Brody has been up quite abit at night! Yawn! Last night was every 2 hours!! He hears us coming up to the crib, and he stops crying and starts smiling!! I know he is coming down with a cold, coughing, a bit of a runny nose and sneezing! Tomorrow night will be our last home study visit, and we can finalize in April!! It is exciting to see how much he has grown, and how God has blessed our Family!
Well, time to rock a bye!!

Please continue to pray for Sondra, her 4 sons and husband!!

Praying for some family's who are over in ET, picking their precious daughter up!

Many Blessings to you all!

Taking Life for Granted...

2011-02-16T15:20:00.000-06:00

This past week, life in our community has been struck with such sadness. A local high school student was killed in an car accident. I posted before asking for prayers for a dear friend who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, to find out yesterday it was cancer. Sondra and her Family had hopes and dreams of adopting a little baby girl, and now, her dream will be a fight this cancer. Please pray for them and all their Family and Friends. Benjamin, is good friends to Sondra's son. Hard to explain to your children why God allowed this to happen to such an awesome Mom! Tough! I put together a prayer bucket for the Family. I sent out emails, and facebooked those who know the family to send and email to me of encouragement, prayers and notes so they all could read them, when they need them the most!

Praying also for another Mom in Benjamin and Bradyn's class, Kathy who is in treatment for an addiction! Such hard stuff for kids to understand! I am so excited to see how God has been working in her life, and giving away the addiction she had!

I love my kiddos so much and have been giving them extra hugs and telling them how much we love them! I hold Brody, and praise God for his life, and the blessing he is to our family! I am praying, and searching in the devotionals for the right verses for comfort!

I am going through many pictures for Beau's graduation. Wow, it kind of hit me, whoa, Beau is graduating in a few months! YIKES! Looking at the 3 boys when they where little, oh I was little too! Oh, God has been so good to me and my family!! Our little Brody is growing and getting stronger. Crawling is next, he is so close!!

Sunday night, at church our JR youth group where part of the service. Bradyn gave a testimony about our adoptions of Marcus and Brody!! I did good until our Pastor prayed for Marcus in Liberia, that is when the tears came! Precious boys!

Enjoy your day and your family's!

Many Blessings to you All,

In Him, Kristi

The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him,

to all who truly pray to him!

Psalm 145:18

Happy 50th Anniversary

2011-02-12T11:15:00.001-06:00

Happy 50th Anniversary to Mark's Parents!!

Prayers for Sondra...

2011-02-12T10:46:00.000-06:00

A dear friend and a classmate of Benjamin Mom, just was diagnosed with a brain tumor this week! I am asking for prayers for Sondra as she has surgery Tuesday morning at 8:30! Sondra has just been having symptoms in the past weeks and went in Monday and Tuesday they learned it was a tumor!! Terribly scary for the family. Sondra is a teacher, and Bill is the Guidance Counselor at the High School!

Bill, Sondra and Family

Happy Birthday Benjamin!!

2011-02-09T09:59:00.000-06:00

Today is Benjamin's 15th Birthday!

The joys of Brody

2011-02-08T14:26:00.000-06:00

Loving brother Benjamin!

Enoying Brynn's chair!

Are you looking at me?

Yes, I love attention!

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”Psalm 118:24

Show Choir

2011-02-08T14:14:00.000-06:00

Beau's Show Choir performed in Spirit Lake and received a 1! Way to go!

Brody.....

2011-02-08T14:00:00.000-06:00

I think I finally got this all private for a while! If you know of someone who would like to catch up on our craziness, just have them email me!

Heidi did call and set up a time for our last home study appointment! WooHoo! Since we did not get the last signature from Mississippi until Brody was over a month old, we can not finalize until April! Brody is learning and growing.
This is what is he is up too this past week:
~just about sits by himself
~loves baby food
~rolls side to side
~gets on all 4-crawling is not far away
~knows when he is going to get a bottle
~moved into his crib, and does know how to get Mom and Dad out of bed, cry loud enough for Brynn to come down and tell us, to "get Brody, he is keeping me awake with his crying. I think he should just stay ~down by you because he is keeping me awake!"
~is constantly looking around to see who is around
~loves Zoey(the dog)
~giggles

going private for a bit....

2011-02-02T20:05:00.004-06:00

Oh good grief, I can not seem to figure this out!! Our dear SW called and said I am not post any pictures of Brody, and I bet Marcus too!! Since we have not finalized Brody's adoption here in Iowa, we can no longer post pictures of him! :( Legally he is ours in the state of MS, but here in Iowa we can not finalize until 6 months after the last signature. Rather than take all his pictures off! I am trying to find the correct way to go private so I do not have to delete the blog and looks everything! So I will not be having anything on here until...April...Hopefully I will be able to keep blogging, so Brody will be able to have this journal of the journey of bringing him home to a family who loves him so much!! A journey where his "Aunt" loved him so much, she did what she felt was right for her!
The last few days have been snow days...it was a high of zero today, that is not the wind chill!
I am gearing up for graduation for Beau, we are having so much fun looking at pictures!

So until April... I leave you with these prayer requests:

Marcus in Liberia.....pray for God to open the doors that we can show Christ's love for us, and for all those in Liberia.
R & J who are waiting, and waiting for the Guatemalan Government to let them come home to a family who have been waiting for 5 years...
Adoptive Parents who are waiting for the call!

God Bless You All!

Loving our Little Boy

2011-01-28T13:06:00.003-06:00

Brynn just loves being a big sister. Although, Brody is now pulling her hair, and Brynn can get him to giggle and jabber!

It is beautiful winter day here in Iowa! It is too bad we have kids sick at home. Sore throats, fever, headaches, congestion and some coughing! We are praying Brody can breeze through this one, we do not need him to get rsv!

Have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

5 Months Old

2011-01-28T12:54:00.003-06:00

Brody is 5 months old!! We are so in love with our little boy!

God has blessed us so much!

I have written your name on my hand. Isaiah 49:16

I praise you because you made me in am amazing and wonderful way! Psalm 139:14

The Spirit himself bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:16

You talking to me?

2011-01-28T12:39:00.003-06:00

Brody is enjoying the food, baby food that is! He just loves sitting at the table and getting to eat too! He makes a huge mess, but it does not help when he has how many eyes on him, talking and getting him to smile! What a sweetie!

Baby its cold outside!

2011-01-22T21:13:00.009-06:00

It has been a cold week here in Northwest Iowa! Blow zero wind chills! I am so thankful school is good at having activities indoors for recess! This picture is for the big game tomorrow! Needless to say, Brody is going to be a Chicago Bears fan, because his brothers, Dad, and Grandpa are all crazy, obsessed, football fans! Go Bears!

Brody is just a growing! It is so fun and such a blessing to see Brody learn, and understand what is what! Now he sees a bottle and his arms and legs just move and he makes the cutest grunts for the bottle! While you feed him you can not look at him, or you will never finish the bottle b/c he smiles and just talks! Although if he is beyond hungry, that is when you hear his loudest cry! When we rock a by, he is now starting to look over the lazy boy for one of the kids! He loves our little dog Zoey, I have a feeling, Zoey is not going to appreciate all the hair being pulled! Brody is starting to grab, and put everything in his mouth! He is not sleeping the night yet! He has mastered to rolling in the crib, and he wakes himself up! By the time you get to him, he is crying until he sees you than you see the biggest smile! He is so strong and has to stand and look around! On the floor he'll roll over, and when on his tummy he can scoot forward! On his back he can do a scoot and he will be facing another direction! He has the cutest voice, and his giggles are contagious! It is crazy how you forget all the fun little things babies learn to do! Wow, are we all in love with Brody! Over vacation he melted all the Auntie's hearts, not to mention the cousins! Brody loves his baby food, here is sweet potatoes on his face!!

Brynn ready to show what she learned at the Cheer Clinic!

Brynn had so much fun!

“The Lord says, ’I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.’” Psalm 91:14-16

A Week of Prayers

2011-01-11T19:33:00.003-06:00

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1-6
These verses speak to me tonight! Our Agency is really on my mind and the decisions they make in our Family's lives! I am honestly amazed how our little Brody fits in our Family! Brody is the most easy going, content baby I have ever been blessed to raise! We are trying to get answers from our Agency regarding Marcus...No answers... We get very vague answers back, none regarding the health or care of Marcus. We just read that since we adopted domestically, we are in question of adopting Marcus. We where told that when/if we where chosen domestically, we had to make a choice, Marcus or the Baby. Mark and I said we could not do that. It would have to be the government of Liberia that would have to terminate our adoption! Mark, I and the Director made the agreement that we would continue to keep the paper work up to date in Liberia, and continue with a domestic adoption. Than if the time came, we would have a updated home study or recommendation from our Social Worker(s)!
Honestly I think we should just let God take the wheel, and see what He can do! Why would 1 person have to stand in the way of paper work that is completed, and the Liberian Government? After all it is all in His time! I think I would be more at ease of waiting, and not getting updates if we didn't have so much (yep gonna say it) money involved.
God Blessed us with Brody, and 4 amazing children! God worked that out way beyond my prayers and dreams!

Prayer Requests...

2011-01-10T17:01:00.008-06:00

You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." Psalm 10:17, "

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." Psalm 18:2a

Today is a snow day, no school, all activities are called off, due to the 5-8 inches of snow that has fallen! Mark and I had lunch with Joni who is preparing to leave to go back to Liberia, and do God's work! Samaritan's Purse is so blessed to have her part of their team! We put together a zip lock baggie of stuff for Marcus!

I know there are so many prayers needed and I am going to just write some, that the more prayers the better!

Prayers for Cheryl, who had a mastectomy, will have additional tests on her lymph nodes and now has a large tumor (usually almost always nonmalignant.) in my pituitary gland.

Prayers for Faith, who also receiving treatments for cancer. She just lost her husband, and struggles also with ms.

Prayers for a gal who is from Liberia, who heart needs to soften as she meets a wonderful Family! May God fill her heart, and give guidance to this Family!

Prayers for a Family who is waiting for their 2 children in Guatemala to come home! Soften the Guatemalan Government, please Lord!! It has been to long and so hard on the family waiting!

http://prayingthemhome.blogspot.com/
Prayers for a little boy, waiting for his forever family to finalize his adoption!

Prayers for children waiting in Foster Care

Prayers for Family's who are waiting for "the" call.

Prayers for Adoption Agency's

Prayers for Liberia and all the children in waiting

Prayers for Joni as she travels back to Liberia and prayers for Samaritan's Purse

Prayers for safety with all the snow

Prayers for the Service Men & Women and the Family's at home!

Prayers for a dear friend who's daughter engagement has been called off. Broken hearts and broken dreams.

Praise for our healthy Brody, he is weighing over 15 pounds, and all the love he has received!

Praise for softened hearts in our Family! God is good!

Prayers for Caleb, who was suppose to have a kidney transplant this week, but due to blood transfussions this little miracle is waiting! You can check this couragious little boy here:

Prayers for our past neighbor lady when we lived in town, Helen who is also waiting for a liver transplant.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/helendegroot
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calebsybesma

On the way to Florida!

2011-01-05T17:05:00.007-06:00

Our Family took off to Florida December 20, after school! A long drive from Northwest Iowa to Anna Maria Island! Mark's parents have graciously started this tradition 15 or so years ago! This year we managed to get the houses we rent during the week of Christmas so the college girls can make it! There where a total of 39! What a lot of fun!

We were only missing one boyfriend who was finishing up his job, and was unable to make it because of the last Texans football game! God really has blessed us! We went to church and visitors had to stand up and we had 2 rows! The congregation clapped, it was great to worship, even though we where so far from home!

We stopped south of St. Louis, and found a bit a fun during the middle of the night!

Beau rode with Grandpa & Grandma, and helped drive. So our suburban was a bit less cramped!

Benjamin was all smiles here!

I made the kids take pictures before we left Validosta, Georgia!

We knew we were close when we seen the Sunshine Bridge!

Brody got tons of love, and attention! I really feel, those who questioning our adoption, are falling in love with a little boy, who we call our little Brody!

The 4 oldest Grandsons!

I will post some more, later!

Christmas....

2011-01-05T16:53:00.001-06:00

Grandpa Kenny and some of the kids!

Benjamin getting Brody to giggle!

Brody enjoying the Christmas Program at Church!

Brynn and her friend Tara singing at the program!

Dressing up like my cousin Jacoby!

2011-01-05T16:38:00.001-06:00

So cute, Brody fell asleep while others where opening their gifts!

My sister Julie and I bought matching outfits for the boys!! Here Jacoby was feeling Brody's head!

Jacoby was full of smiles, while Brody looked like we were all crazy!

Jacoby wanted to give Brody a smooch! How cute, and to think, April...another cousin for the boys!

Opening Gifts

2011-01-05T16:28:00.004-06:00

Brody's first gift for Christmas!

Brynn was over joyed with an American Girl Doll cowboy hat!

Bradyn loved his New York Yankee clothes!

Beau opening his stuff for his car!

Outside with Cousins!

2011-01-05T16:20:00.002-06:00

The kids decided decorating was not so much fun, after their ate their fill, decided to go outside!

Dawson looks a little chilly!

Brynn had fun with Addi!

Ooops, the 4 wheeler is stuck!

Christmas with Family

2011-01-05T16:13:00.002-06:00

Brody received a special package from someone very special!

Addisyn decorating cookies!

My Family came early to make cookies/decorate before our Christmas party!

Brynn loved squeezing the frosting on the cookies!

Playing games while some of us decorated the cookies!

Merry CHRISTmas! On vacation with the Family! There are 38 of us in Florida! I will post more when I get a computer!

2010-12-23T15:04:00.007-06:00

Preparing for the Holiday's!

2010-12-17T09:09:00.005-06:00

I can't believe it is this awesome time of year already! I am thinking the older I get the faster time goes by! Mark and I did some shopping yesterday for Christmas get togethers! It was so nice to go out for the day, Red Lobster and some shopping for names we drew on my side! Tomorrow my sisters are coming over, and we are going to do some Christmas cookies, and than the adults are going out for dinner, while the little ones order in pizza!

Sunday we have a busy day of the Christmas Cantata, and Sunday School Program in the evening!! I seen the forecast, not looking so good as snow is moving in Sunday late afternoon! Not so good, we when the boys are finishing their semester tests, and traveling!

Mark and I talked about the biggest gift we could give our children this year. God's biggest gift was His son for US all! We look at our little Brody and think, wow, what a blessing he is, and to think what God had in store for His Son!! We have so much to be thankful for!

While in Sam's Club, we met this wonderful Liberian woman and her daughters! God blessed Mark and I so much by hearing about her life and culture!! We praise God for this gracious, God fearing, loving lady! God sure has a plan, and we pray for our little guy over in Liberia!! This is our 3rd Christmas thinking and praying for him!

"Let be and be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10

Christmas....God's gift to Us!

2010-12-10T10:27:00.012-06:00

Got lucky and had some family pictures taken! The guys where not so happy about having to do this, but so worth it! Brody is 3 1/2 months old already! Full of smile, coooing and giggles!

Brody loves to sit in the high chair so he can see what we are all doing! He is grabbing toys, looking at all the lights and sounds of the house!!

Brody loves his big brother Beau!

It is so fun to talk to Brody and get him to giggle!

Had some fun and curled up Brynn's hair for the program!
Brynn at her school program!

As I sit and look at Brody, to think we were praying that God be with the little where ever he/she was. God has blessed us so much with Brody!! Every Christmas for the last 4 years, I wondered what/where God had in mind for our Family! WE have so much to be thankful for! I pray that God will open the doors for those waiting!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

The Power of Prayer...

2010-12-02T15:15:00.004-06:00

I am asking for prayers for a Family who also attends Katelyn's Fund. They are on their way home from Chicago, with out the newborn Baby they where planning on adopting! My heart breaks for them, and my heart is with the birth Mom also. After seeing first hand what a Birth Mom goes through, you never loose the look in their eyes when you depart. Knowing what an empty room, all ready for a baby/child, and coming home or not going, also makes my heart break.
You can check their blog on the side! ->
Please remember all Birth Mom's today, as we are reminded of the courage it takes to place a beautiful baby in the hands of another Mommy and Daddy! I can't imagine, the strength it takes. I talked to Ms R the other night, and she shared how much she misses Brody. Not a day goes by she does not think of him. But at the end of each day, she knows Brody is where he is suppose to be! Ms. R got the dvd of Baptism, and tons of pictures, she enjoyed the baptism dvd, but shared how she cried during the song the kids sang!

Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth.

Psalm 54:1-2

It is begining to look a lot like Christmas...

2010-11-30T08:53:00.012-06:00

Winter weather has arrived! This is what we woke up too this morning, blowing, drifting snow!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Family and Friends! Bradyn felt crummy all vacation and is starting to perk up a bit! Here are some pictures from our weekend!

Kinzie was home from Houston for the weekend!
Every Thanksgiving, my best friend since 2nd Grade, we meet for pizza with her Family and ours! Needless to say, Benjmain had a good time!
Brody snuggled up to Vanessa and feel asleep!

~Our little boy is 3 months old~

God Bless!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T20:33:00.004-06:00

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." ~Psalm 107:1

“They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”
~Psalm 145:7

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all the wonderful Blessings God has done for me and my Family! I am just going to jot some down, I know I will think of so many more after I write these down, they are not in any certain order!

Mark, Beau, Benjamin, Bradyn, Brynn,our sweet little Brody, Marcus in Liberia, those who care for Marcus, Joni in Liberia, Ms. R and her Family, Family, Friends, Bible, Adoption, Church, Health, Home with the warmth during the cold days and nights, and so many other gifts we have been given, but most of all, I am so Thankful for God's grace, and Jesus Christ!

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. ~ Psalm 105:1

Many Blessing's to all of You!

Ice Day!

2010-11-22T11:08:00.009-06:00

No School today!

We have a sheet of ice on the ground! I thought I would post a picture of what boys do with ice:

Slip and Sliding! Maybe helmets would be smart?

Benjamin's smile with no braces!!!Game Night! Wow, look at that clean door! :0

Brody watching the game!

Brody loves his high chair!
I think Brynn loves the high chair just as much!

"Love GOD, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. (Message)
Deuteronomy 6:5-9

A Wow Service!

2010-11-22T10:31:00.003-06:00

Yesterday we had the privilege of going to a Katelyn's Fund Celebration. In honor of Orphan Sunday and 5 years of Katelyn's Fund, we had a WOW service! Stephanie Fast, shares her story of, being born in South Korea, being abandoned, abused, and survival as a child! She shared life as a child on the streets, trying to find her mother who put her on a train, food, shelter and a family! God spared her life, and brought her a family, and how she recovered from her life of of abandonment to being a child, who was adopted twice! Once by God and the other by her parents!! Brynn was listening because she asked me if she could be adopted twice!! If you have time, please check out her site!! God Bless You Stephanie!

http://stephaniefast.org/

Thank You Katelyn's Fund for the awesome service! It was wonderful to sit and talk to other family's who are also in the process of adopting and have adopted!!

Talked to 2 Family's who are traveling in the next week for their 1st trip to Ethiopia to see their beautiful little girls! So exciting to see their faces talk about the the little girls!

Bridge of Hope Church is in Liberia working with another Orphanage!! To see how churches are pulling together, making a difference in the lives of the children! Nick is going to go visit Marcus!! We are so excited, Marcus will learn he is a big brother! Sent a small little Ziploc baggie of pictures, Tylenol, band aids, ointments, outfit, and of course some new undies!

Prayer Requests:
~Terry & Brenda and Sons
~Brian & Natasha and Sons
~Rod & Dawn and Family waiting for Guatemala to process and unite a family who have been waiting for 5 years to bring home their children!
~Bridge of Hope Church has a group in Liberia, here is a link to their blog! http://www.onebodyonehope.blogspot.com/
~Joni Byker as she prepares to fly back for Christmas
~Marcus :) Our sweet little boy in Liberia! Praying that someday God will open the doors of Liberia so you can join our Family!

The Walk...

2010-11-22T10:17:00.007-06:00

The Nighthawks are done with the year! Going to Bradyn's games on Tuesday, Benjamin's on Monday's and Beau's on Friday Nights. It is so good to have nights free at home! It is a tradition that all Sr's take a walk on the field after the Football Potluck!

Here is a picture of Beau after his sr walk for football! Thought we would take a picture with Beau and Brody! How many sr's can hold their baby brother?

I am so proud how Beau did these past 4 years with football! It has not been easy. He was out his sophmore year, due to knee injury! He didn't get to see too much playing time, but when he did play, Mark and I were so proud of him!!

"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Proverbs 13:4

A weekend filled with God's Blessings!

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Brody and Jacoby!

Aunt Julie and Beau talking to Brody!

Cousin Dawson enjoying the water slide!

Our Little Brody, We praise God for your little life! When we started this journey, we did not know how long, who God intended for our Family! It has just been 4 years that we started and we prayed that God would be with the hand picked baby, and the mother carrying you! I never imagined it would take so long, and I realize, what a special little boy you are! All the tears, and questions are answered when I hold you and look at your beautiful little face!! To witness the love Ms. R had for you, as well as your Memaw! God is good! You are SO loved! God's plan is way bigger than I could of ever prayed! You had so many wonderful people praying for you, and Ms. R! I know they will continue to pray for your "Auntie" and that she may feel God's love, and find joy in her life! I pray that God will enter your little heart and bring you much joy and love!! I know God has a huge plan for you, and to continue to love and raise you, is a huge blessing!! We praise God for your life, and the courage, your Auntie had!! We love You so much and we thank God for you every day!! Someday, Lord willing we pray, you will meet your other brother in Liberia!! You have 3 big brothers at home, and 1 sister who adores you!! Aunts & Uncles, Grandparents, and other adopted Aunts, Uncles, and Grandma's who love you!!
I Love You Brody!

Baptism Celebration

2010-11-12T13:05:00.000-06:00

Grandpa C and Grandma C checking out how cute Brody is in his baptism outfit! Thank You Grandpa for the beautiful gift!

My dear friend Mimi and her daughter Ana holding Brody!

The best part of renting the All Season Center is, you can rent skates or swim! Here are the skaters!

A bunch of them..notice one person has shorts on, yep that is our Benjamin!

Family

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Brody with Grandpa L & Grandma K

My Parents

My Sisters

Mark's Parents

More Baptism

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Our dear Social Worker Deanne! God Blessed us with a very special lady!

Here we all are!

Baptism Pictures!

2010-11-11T09:51:00.003-06:00

Here we are with our "Adopted" Grandma Edna!

Edna made the beautiful blue blanket for Brody! Mark and I both do not have living Grandparents and Edna has filled our grandparent void perfectly!

Standing in front with Pastor Mark!

Brody all snuggled in the baby blanket from Edna, and Grandpa C always buys the baptism outfit for each grandchild! Brody looked so handsome!

Our Precious Brody!

Bradyn, Beau and Brynn singing!

Safe and Sound, by Matthew West! If you got time,

check on you tube the words are absolutely perfect!

Preparing for Baptism...

2010-11-05T11:39:00.005-05:00

This past week I have been preparing for baptism of our precious Brody. Sunday morning should be less hecktic with the Daylight Savings! Which will come in handy, knowing we will get an extra hour to prepare! Our Family and close friends will all be in church and celebrate afterwards at the All Seasons Center.
It would be awesome to be able to invited all those who have supported us and most of all encouraged us along our way! Beau, Bradyn and Brynn are hopefully going to sing, Safe and Sound by Matthew West, (although there is no accompaniment music, I just hope it will sound ok!) during pictures of our journey. In front of church the family's receive a rose in honor of baptism, I ordered another rose in honor of Ms. R, after all we would not be celebrating this day with out her courage and strength. I am excited for Sunday, it is a huge celebration of God's love for us, and to be reminded of God's care, and our devotion to raise Brody in a home where Christ is the head of our house! I ordered a bunch of pulled pork, I am making cheesy potatoes, baked beans, friends and family are taking salads, bars and of course, have to celebrate with cake!!

This week he had his 2 month check up. He weighs 11 lbs and ll 0z, had his shots, and to Bradyn and Brynn's surprise, the had their flu shots!

Here are some special photos!

Here is a picture of Ms. R and me before we left he hospital!

Precious kisses!

Here is our little Brody leaving the hospital. God's special, beautiful blessing!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is so good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 107:1

Our thoughts and prayers are with all Mom's who placed precious baby's with Family's. It is a huge sacrifice, of courage and strength! We love Ms. R!

Our Family continues to lift those who are in the process of adopting. I ask for prayers for a dear friend and her family, as they continue to lean on God while waiting for Guatemala to let their children come home!

2 months old, Wind, Snow, and Football

2010-10-29T14:50:00.012-05:00

This week Brody turned 2 months old, we had WIND, rain and SNOW,

and Beau's football game! Mark and I left Brody and Brynn by a good friend, and off we went in our snow suits! It was so windy, the snow/sleet was horrible! We won 6-3 and now we travel to Harlan, Ia for a game on Monday night! Good Luck Nighthawks! If we beat, we play 1 more team for State! Harlan has a top notch team, but if our guys play well, you never know what could happen!Brody had to take a picture in Beau's football jersey, looks like he is going to have to grow a lot to fit in this some day!

We had no school today and we took Brynn and Bradyn to the movie Secretariat...It was a very good movie!
I am so excited for our High School volleyball team!! I want to shout out a huge Good Luck to our niece Kassidy who plays Tuesday night!! Sub State...our girls never have had a winning season and this year, the Volleyball girls need to win this match to go to State! Play your best Kass and know we are behind you all the way!

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Praise God!

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We are so excited....we got the signature we have been praying for!!
God is good, and we PRAISE Him for this wonderful little blessing, Brody Josiah! This journey has been crazy, emotional, and in it all we give Praise to God for His guidance, and leading us to the most precious little boy in the world! We are so thankful for Ms. R, and how she took care of herself during the 9 months! She is the most brave, loving young lady ever!!
Thanks for all your prayers, and we continue to ask for prayers for Brody, Ms. R, and all those who are in the process and are waiting!

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You:
let those who love Your salvation continually say,
"THE LORD IS GREAT"!
Psalm 40:16

8 Weeks Together

2010-10-21T19:43:00.004-05:00

This post is not working so well! I will try again! Brody has his first case of fever, and a trip to the Dr. Brody cried so hard he stratched his cheek! After a dose of amoxil he is back to his smiley, sweet boy!

Mr. Handsome

Brynn loves her little brother!

Loves to sleep on Daddy!

Here he is loving his new toy!

Iowa in the Fall

2010-10-21T10:47:00.015-05:00

The weather here in NW Iowa has been beautiful! The colors of fall are gorgeous all the trees are turning bright orange, yellow and reds.

Here is the combine, with the wagon loads ready to bring to town or a bin!

All full of corn!

The farmers are all busy in the fields, trying to finish up before the rain/snow set in! Hard to believe last year we h

ad snow already! Our house has fields surrounding us and Brynn was fortunate to get to ride in the combine while taking the corn out! She said it was awesome!

The manure is in the wagon!

The worst part of when the corn and beans are out, the farmers apply manure from the hog buildings! Here is a picture of a manure spreader, knifing in the manure!

Yes, you should smell it out here! You do not want to have a bon fire or grill! While in MS, we tried to explain to Ms. R exactly how this is all done! I still can see her face!

We have a baptism date is place!! We are so excited to have him baptized! We only(haha) have a week left and than we only have to finalize in Iowa!! God is good! Mark talked to our Director of New Horizon's at the beginning of the week, the conversation was, if Marcus would of come home, we would of never have been blessed to have Brody in our Family! We are so Blessed! Thank You Lord, and as we wait for the day we can (Lord willing!) take Marcus home, we continue to pray that God will be with him and Bless him with what his daily needs are!!
Praising God for a wonderful Blogger Family who is welcoming home their son from Liberia today!! Welcome home Daniel!! I am so happy for the S Family!

Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Psalm 150

Family..Sisters...Cousins..Aunts..

2010-10-21T09:48:00.007-05:00

I have been blessed with 3 younger sisters...Oh we have had lots of fun, tons of arguments,

times of sticking up for another, laughter, and tears!

Julie and I are 10 years apart! I always thought maybe we would have babies together.
God knew...here is Julie and Jacoby , Me and Brody
Lord willing in April: my sister Kari and ?

Checking each other out!

So cute how Jacoby studies Brody!

Julie and Jacoby This picture turned out so cute!

Grandma Linda and the Boys!

Monday my Mom and 2 of her sisters had a little lunch get together for the Great Aunts to meet the new babies! Julie came with Jacoby, as well as others cousins and babies. Here is a picture of my Mom, Aunt Grada holding Brody, Aunt Alida and cousin Marsha! Aunt Grada is so much like my Grandma! Both Aunt Alida and Aunt Grada where so supportive of our adoption process. Before I left for Mississippi the 2nd time Aunt Grada called and she shared how even though I was traveling alone until Mark drove, she reminded me that I was never alone that God was with me every moment of each day! I praise God for my Mom, Sisters, Aunts, Cousins and Nieces!
How good and pleasant it is to live in together in brotherly(sisterly) love~
Psalm 133: 1