Summer Travels

After just a few days of summer break we were off to explore the world. Ok, maybe just the east coast, but much of it was new territory and in a child's eyes, a new place is a new world! New things to discover, new foods to try, new things to do and new people to meet. Here are the first few weeks of summer in pictures. 

Fort building fun at home.


Daddy took the day off, and we took the kids to Kings Dominion for their first time. We enjoyed a long day of rides and a great concert.


Sisterly love. I love capturing these moments because in reality, it's not always like this. It's a great reminder of what can be!


Enjoying the TobyMac concert with our friends, the Bell's. Here's Sakina, Mary-Michael and Leila. 


TobyMac put on a fun and entertaining show...in the rain. We'd definitely go see him again!


On the road again...After a family weekend at Sherando Lake in our camper (where Frazier got his first concussion from falling out of the loft), the kids and I piled into the car with a bunch of stuff and a small trailer with more stuff. 


We went to Twin Lakes State Park for 5 days with these awesome kids. Last year, Kelly and I plus the kids traveled to Mississippi to visit our friend and her family. This year, she came to us!


I love these 2 women who inspire me and spur me on to be a better momma, leader and woman of God. 


We enjoyed all the park had to offer, including a snake program. All of the kids held a snake! I was holding the baby, so I passed. Aw shucks!


We enjoyed a hike on High Bridge Trail. Here we just finished crossing the bridge over the Appomattox River. 


My faithful friend from college, Faith, came to visit us and meet baby Benaiah. I love her stories from NYC where she lives, and I'm sure my children provided equal entertainment and shenanigans. 


This crew (plus 2 moms) took over Chick-Fil-A for a few hours with a fun visit. These cousins will soon be headed to Okinawa, Japan where my step-brother is now stationed with the Air Force. So proud of them, and can't wait to hear about their adventures!


The two moms - love this lady, Aunt Jana!


Fourth of July cookout fun with some friends from church. 


Post 4th of July exhaustion. Too. Much. Fun. 


Our final and most recent road trip for a while was to NC and SC. Our first stop was Southport, NC to visit my aunt and uncle. Geoff stayed home to work, and my dad and I took the 4 kids. Here's my aunt with Benaiah after a little dip in the pool. 


I love my Dad and thoroughly enjoyed traveling with him. I could not and would not take my 4 little blessings alone! He was super patient and very helpful providing that male authority that is sometimes necessary.


Look at that hat!


it was sleepover style once we reached Charleston, SC to visit my brother and sister-in-law. We love morning snuggles.


It was great to see Zach as he and Christina begin their new journey in a new place with challenging jobs they are excited about. The kids really enjoyed their time with them and are excited they live by the beach, which we thoroughly enjoyed while there.


First time participating on the playground. 


Playground fun!

New Life

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4

Mary-Michael decided all on her own that she was ready to be baptized a few months ago. I was so proud of her because her reservation had been speaking in front of the entire congregation. She's a bit shy!

After several drafts of what she was going to say (she gets that from me!), she landed on something and only ended up saying a bit of it. She was baptized on Father's Day with her proud Daddy by her side and 2 of her grandfathers cheering her on along with many others. We are so proud of her decision to follow Christ and live for Him by loving God wholeheartedly and loving all of those He puts in her life. We know she's going to do great things through Him and for Him. 

June Goodbyes

We are truly blessed and have had quite a year of grace, growth and stumbles. We are 6 flawed humans under one roof, so that just happens, right! June was a great month to celebrate, say goodbyes and enter into a slower season of summer.

Coach Lawrence handing out trophies after a fun (and loooong and rainy) t-ball season.

The coach and his favorite player. Those are 2 handsome men right there.

Leila enjoyed field day the last week of school with a kickball tournament between grades 4-7.

Look at those skills!

Leila had a great year and learned so much at Aylett Country Day School this year. We are so proud of her reading progress and incredibly thankful for her teacher and the ACDS staff.

All the ACDS kids at the Walkerton bus stop.

Mrs. Dillard and most of her class at 8th grade graduation. We LOVE Mrs. Dillard. 


Had to put in a picture of this cutie. #bestbabyever

We enjoyed some extra time with Aunt Christina before she reunited with my brother in Charleston, SC - their new home. We volunteered with Robinson Theater to put on a block party for the Church Hill community.

The kids love serving and partaking in all the fun.

Daddy was the king of handing out water bottles and making others smile.

Mary-Michael received an award for all A’s for the entire year. Go girl!

Frazier received an award for all P’s (like an A) for the year. Such a hard worker!

My sweet boy!

Frazier and some of his crazy buddies. They are so fun, and I loved getting to know his class this year.

I really enjoyed Mrs. McConville, his teacher, this year, too. We have been blessed with some great teachers.

Mary-Michael (and Leila) enjoying one last round of limbo in Mrs. Freeman’s class. This was an end of day tradition all year.

A sweet goodbye. 

Mary-Michael and I enjoyed a momma/daughter day in Williamsburg after school let out. She won an art award and free movie tickets with it, so we saw Incredibles 2, enjoyed Sweet Frog, Barnes & Noble, shopping and a short hike.

Nothing like a good hike in God’s beautiful creation.

Our 3 Month Angel

Wow, our amazing God and a sweet, selfless birth mother has given us such a gift in this tiny little package. From your baby Afro to your big brown eyes and curling little toes, we just love you so much. And now we are blessed with an adorable smile and sweet baby talking. Sometimes, I just nibble your cheeks and cover you with kisses. You are so sweet, my little brown sugar, as I love to call you. You are easy-going and a great sleeper, which God knew this Momma of 4 would need. Since about two months old, you give us full night of sleep with the exception of needing your pacifier a few times. What a blessing! You eat well and the only time you really get upset is when you are hungry or need a diaper change. Otherwise, you are just as happy as can be.

At your two month check up, you were doing everything you should at that age. You weighed 13 lbs. 4 oz. and your head and height were in the 90 to 95th percentile. 

Your brother and sisters love you to pieces. We are so blessed that there really hasn’t been any jealousy or complaining about you joining our family. You are very easy to love!

Celebrating Poppy’s birthday with a cook out at our house.

Giving Poppy a sweet smile.

Bathtime snuggles. Look at that squishiness!

A smile that lights up a room!

So much love.

A sweet sleeping angel that still loves to be swaddled even at three months old.

Muah!

Kick time with Sadie Rae.

Brotherly love. So precious.

Spring Celebrations

Between seeing my baby brother graduate from college, saying goodbye as he and Christina move to Charleston, SC and recognizing I am a momma of 4 living, breathing tiny humans, I was a bit emotional this past weekend. God is good. In the midst of all these changes, I’m even more thankful for His grace and sovereignty. 

Here’s some pictures of our blessed weekend moments.

A proud dad and sister. Zach persevered!

A lovely couple excited for their next adventure!

Proud parents who put on a super fun BBQ celebration.

We love our Uncle Zach.

That about sums up the whirlwind of celebrations.

Leila volunteered 4 days this week for our church’s mission yard sale to raise money for her first mission trip this summer to Philadelphia. Here she is with 2 of her pals.

My sweet blessings that shape me and challenge me like no one else.

Love you guys so much.

The Joys of Easter

We thoroughly enjoyed Easter this year as the big kids are getting older and really understanding why Easter is so important and pivotal to the Christian faith. It is a privilege to get to watch their young minds connect the dots and see them start to own their faith. We enjoyed a 40 day countdown calendar with a daily devotional to prepare our minds and make connections with the Old Testament prophecies. This included lighting candles and well, anytime a child of ours gets to use a match is an exciting moment. Hopefully, we aren't creating future pyromaniacs.

The resurrection eggs were also helpful in remembering the story of Jesus' last days on earth. And through that, we all anticipated our Messianic Seder meal as we remembered Jesus' last supper with his disciples the night before he was crucified. The kids helped make matzoh and prepare the table for our "feast" of traditional food (none that actually fills anyone up, so it is basically an after dinner snack). This is our 3rd year doing this, and the kids are so eager for it. I just love this evening as a family around a candlelit table remembering God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. And I love that we humble ourselves and wash each other's feet and pray over each other. While the children's favorite thing may still be the many candles and bountiful goblets of grape juice, it is still powerful. 

Our newest little Easter darling had no idea what was going on, but he will soon. Our times with family over the few weeks leading up to Easter were a treat, and we know we are blessed to be close enough to gather with so many. Praying your Easter was meaningful, and that if you are in Christ you remember throughout the year that you are a new creation and you are forgiven.