Happy Birthday Kaylee Grace!!!

Our girl is 5!!! We are all so proud of this girl! We praise Jesus for the joy of being her family and we stand in awe of His great love. 

Happy Birthhday sweet Kaylee!! She was ready for a big girl bike so it made the perfect gift :)))

Auntie Jo and Grandma came in town the day before and brought birthday gifts!

We were up at the cabin with the Giordanos and went on a hike up the falls this morning ~ then had some fun on the lake tubing

 

Mommy and Daddy also got you a tennis racquet and bag

You chose Chinese for your birthday dinner and loved the fried shrimp!

Kaylee Grace, we love you! Jesus has made you special and we are so thankful that He chose us to be your forever family! You are so brave!!! You have faced so many fears head on and courageously overcome them! You make us laugh and your sweetness is a gift to all who meet you! It has been our great privilege to see you beginning to learn to love and trust Jesus. May Jesus grow you up in His love this year!!! 

His Little Feet

We had another great week with the kids and staff from His Little Feet! Busy and full but so much fun! 

We started our time off with a late night swim :). Their bus broke down on their way here a couple times so they were ready to cool off

Kaylee almost sang a song with them (her dream!!) but decided at the last minute she'd like to wait till next year :)

We celebrated Kima's birthday

Had school time

Swam....a lot! 

Played and played and played :)))

Had a day where we did VBS and sports camp here at our house and let the staff have a fun day at the lake with Brodie

They did tug of war

Ate lunch 

Water games

Tennis camp

Thank you, Coach Neil! 

Bible Story

Helped them with school work

We wore this group of kids out!!

We took the bus to yogurt last night :)

We got to catch up with Belay - we are blessed to be his California Family :))). Belay grew up as an orphan in Ethiopia and now the Lord has given him a few awesome families across the U.S. that love him! He will always be a special part of our family :) We got to hear about the amazing work Jesus is doing through his ministry in Ethiopia - Hope for the Fatherless- and we are so excited to come along side him and be a part of God rescuing and restoring orphans in Ethopia....we can't wait to watch the Lord work!!! Soon enough, if the Lord is willing, we will get to visit him in Ethopia!! 

Went to our favorite yogurt place :)

Brodie and Mikey in the front of the bus :)

Keegan and his buddy, Yosef ;)

Dear Jesus, please cover each of these children as they get ready to go back to their home countries. Please provide the perfect forever family for each child. Thank You that each one of them now personally know and loves You- all glory to Your Name!!! And bless the new group of kids that are getting ready to come and spend a year traveling America to Speak Up for orphans all over the world! Prepare their hearts as well to come to know You!!! 

A Night Away!

Earlier this week Brodie and I enjoyed a night up at the cabin.....only the 2nd time we've left Kaylee since she's been home and she did great!!! We enjoyed our 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep :))) And she learned once again that Mommy and Daddy always come back! I think she's ready for 2 nights next time~ we're trying to get her ready for our Haiti trip to pick up Little Brother and Baby Sister :)))

Thank You, Jesus for time away with one another and YOU ;)

More Birthday Fun :)))

We went to Nana and Papa's house for July Birthdays! We celebrated Uncle Dave, Kolson, Claire and Kaylee Grace! 

Kols got an iPod from everyone pitching in :)

Kaylee got a Chinese Barbie :)

The Birthday Girls with Emma and Anna

Aunt Abbie brought the Photo Booth for tons of fun and capturing memories :)

Nana got a special Dora Ice Cream Cake for girls! 

Happy Birthday everyone! 

Backyard Campout

The boys and Kaylee are doing a backyard Campout tonight ;). We will see how late Kaylee makes it......I'm thinking 9pm at the latest ;). But she's having fun planning the night with them! The boys are looking forward to their night out! 

So thankful God made these boys brothers :)

Summer evenings are the best!!!

We miss our Sissy! 

Ready to see her tomorrow!!! She's had a great week at camp ~ a fun time with new friends.....

and a sweet time with "Miss Ashley" who is her counselor and a friend/mentor that started babysitting our kids when Sis was about 7!!!

Can't wait to hear all that Jesus pressed on her heart this week! 

Happy 11th Birthday Kols!!!

Happy Happy Birthday to our sweet 11 year old!!!

You wanted an air soft gun~ you look ready for target practice ;)

Sis had to miss your birthday for the 2nd year in a row since she went to camp again this year. We miss you, Sissy! Just not the same without you ~ but we are happy that you're away having time with Jesus!! 

We had a fun day ~ we relaxed around the house, grilled some great burgers, went to Chosen Yogurt and now that we have Kaylee down, movie time! 

Kols, you are a very special kid! When we went around tonight and said what we love most about you here are some of the things we said:

- you care for others and are thoughtful

- you're always willing to lend a helping hand & do it with a good attitude 

- you have God (Kaylee's words) ~ Dad and I echoed that we've seen your faith grow this year and that's awesome!

- you're kind and compassionate 

- you're easy going,  joyful & cheerful 

We love you, Bud!! May Jesus give you great courage as you follow Him more and more everyday. You are strong in Him and the power of His might!! 

We went to Skywalk yesterday because Kaylee slept in her own room all night long! Yay Kaylee!! You are growing in so many ways.....you've also started to sit at the table and eat with us a little bit! (As opposed to us having to chase you around to get bites in you, LOL!) We are proud of your bravery ~ Jesus makes you stronger everyday and it is a joy to watch!!

Bass Lake

We had a great time celebrating our Nation's freedom & our freedom in Christ at the lake this last week! 

The girls all ready for bed and about to watch a movie

Keegan & his friend Darrien ~ early morning tubing 

Kolson and his friend Meikhel 

The girls ~ Sis, Mia and Kaylee

We all had a great time!!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galations 5:1

Dear Jesus, we thank You for the gift of freedom~ thank You for allowing us to live in this great nation!! May we use our freedom to live boldly and love boldly for You and Your Glory!! May Your people in America, who are called by Your Name, humble ourselves and pray and seek Your Face and turn from our wicked ways. And may You hear from Heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land. May we as a nation recognize our desperate need to turn to You and be covered by You!