Growing Up...

 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

God's Grace

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!

Football....Benjamin

2 months old, Wind, Snow, and Football

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

Football Season...

Football just started with camps this week! It is hard to believe that we will be going to a 7th grade JHigh game, a Freshman game, and a Varsity! I do not understand the concept of football. I love baseball and know the game, but football no clue! So far Bradyn has a good bruise on his thigh! Beau and Benjamin go at the same time! Our boys are growing up! Here is a picture of the kids 4 years ago after one of Beau's freshman games. Mark enjoys this season so much, I on the other hand enjoy visiting other mom's!
Benjamin and Beau are both back from Power Connection and Jacksonville, Florida mission trip! Bradyn went to the Okoboji Bible Conference with Thomas! I am so grateful they got a chance this summer to experience life outside our house!(Good timing to miss out on the water!) This is a picture of Benjamin's power connection group!
Sunday Joni came to our church and did the children sermon! It was such a blessing to hear her speak on Operation Christmas Child! The shoe box ministry, Joni has the opportunity to be able to go and bring a gift to children who never get a gift! Most of all a chance to bring God's word into their hearts! I know Marcus received a box from the United Kingdom! How awesome is God to bring other countries together to bring the love of God to so many children!

Our area has been hit with too much rain! Needless to say... our basement as well as so many others who have never had water in the basement have water in the basement! Beau and Benjamin where both gone on church trips, so we had to pull carpet and through away all the pad! What a mess! My parents also had water which kept seeping in! Last night Mark and Shawn put a new hole for the sump pump in the basement to help stop the water from coming it! Here is a picture of water going over the road! I am just thankful our sewer did not come up like some poor family's!

I have been trying to capture pictures that explain our life to Marcus when he lives so far away. In Iowa you have to know how to eat corn on the cob, in fact Brynn mastered it with her front teeth out! They are just starting to come down, and she is so excited that she did manage to eat some this year!
Joni is heading back to Liberia...we packed a few things for Marcus and the others at the Orphanage! The basics such as band aids, vitamins, Tylenol, itch cream, pepto, pictures, some more pictures, clothes, underwear and Birthday wishes! Marcus turns 4 on the 9th! Found out the Orphanage has a dvd player! A family favorite is Toy Story so needless to say, Toy Story movie, new sheets, a small Buzz, and a Buzz Tshirt! I also packed Little Debbies snack cakes so Marcus can blow a candle and have cake! It is hard to believe this is our 3rd birthday with out him home! Praising God that Joni is able to bring birthday wishes and some fun to all those who are part of Marcus' life!! Joni, Thank You for being our Angel, and "Aunt" to Marcus! Our family's loves You for taking time for our little guy so far away! Most of all, for bringing God's love to all the children, women and men in Liberia!
It is going to be a crazy week up ahead! Preparing for school, football, and other stuff! This verse I need to remember this week!
Praying that God will bless you all!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Thought I would leave you a picture of a typical day with Benjamin!
Praying for Family's who are waiting who are discouraged, and searching for answers! Our family begain this journey 4 years ago sending in our application...whoa what a journey. As we continue to wait for our precious boy in Liberia, God has a plan, and this next week...I just ask for prayers for peace, safe traveling and for God's love to show through our Family!
"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other – each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other." Romans 15:15

Cedar Falls...STATE FOOTBALL!

The Nighthawks didn't win the Championship game!

We had a fantastictime cheering them on!

It was great having family, take the time to go watch and cheer Beau on! Thanks, it meant

the world to Beau, and us to know you took time out of your busy day to support Beau!

Beau got a chance to play at the end of the game!

Beau after the game! Brynn was so excited to see him! Yet a bit shy!

STATE FOOTBALL

Here is a picture that was in our newspaper!!

Beau is number 68!

Our game is on Saturday @ 1:00, in Cedar Falls!

We have a great bunch of young men, and wonderful Coaches!

GOOD LUCK NIGHTHAWKS!!

PRAYING THAT GOD WILL BLESS YOU GUYS WITH THE ABILITY TO DO YOUR BEST,

AND GIVE ALL THE GLORY TO GOD!

Grace is Sufficient!

School pictures....

BrynnBradyn

Benjamin

Beau

Beau's still playing football......:)

Beau is in there somewhere! What fun to have a winning season! God has been so good to the

team and we pray that it will continue! The weather has not been so nice! Needless to say, Mark and I are coughing, and coughing! Tomorrow nights game will be in the 60's ! :)

A friend is going through a treatments for thyroid cancer, and some ladies decided we needed to have a fun night out, with encouragement and uplifting her! The intention is to get her ready to be quiet in isolation.We had a Ugly Sweater Party, and had a wonderful evening for Jo. Please pray for her and her family.

2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

We have been hearing some rumblings about Liberia.....keep praying!

If you get a chance, check out Katelyn's fund Auction Friday night, and Sunday will be an awesome day of worship with other fellow adoptive parents! I am really excited to see the Steven Curtis Chapman's Orphan Sunday!

Blessing's!

My 3 Sons

NIGHTHAWK FOOTBALL

Beau - Varsity

Benjamin

JH NIGHTHAWK FOOTBALL

Bradyn

Midwest Youth Football League

SIOUX COUNTY STORM

Don't they all look so serious, except Bradyn! It is fun going to watch! I wonder

if Marcus will like football???