Life with the Coronavirus

As life has greatly shifted with all of the restrictions and changes that have come with COVID-19, we are so thankful for our home and farm that gives us sanctuary and space to run around, complete school-work and enjoy fresh air. We are enjoying slower mornings and longer time in family devotions and prayer, as there is much to pray about. Family dinners linger longer, and we are living life outside as much as we can. There are no dance classes, baseball practices or church events to go to, but there are new things like classes on Zoom and mom doing her best to homeschool and keep everyone on some sort of schedule. There are small group meetings and church meetings online and Facetime phone calls with school friends in the middle of the day. The big kids have taken on more responsibility at the farm feeding the cows twice a day and filling up waterers as Daddy is still working full-time (we are so thankful for this!). We are writing more letters and sending cards to family and friends. We're having fun delivering farm goodies to neighbors and those from church we know are in need. How cool that about a week before all of these changes we picked up hundreds of pounds of beef from the butcher, and they had not been accounted for. So much to share!

Life has slowed down for a season, and it has brought so many feelings and discussions. We are talking about the coronavirus and praying for the tragic deaths. We are discussing how all of these things being cancelled is hard, but it is for the greater good of our community and nation, and we all need to do our part. I pray we can find that as a whole, this tragic virus is bringing us all back to what is truly essential; what really matters. May your perspective be hopeful and not cynical, which steals our joy. Love to each of you!

Exploring the creek and trails at Pole Green Park - just momma and Frazier.

Reading in the hammock at home.


Geoff enjoyed helping a friend who runs a Chick-fil-a on a Saturday. 


One of the bigger challenges with homeschool is this little man who wants to be in the middle of everything. Water play, play-doh, reading and outside time are good distractions. 


Nature art by Frazier.


Nature art by the girls of the bride and groom who will eventually get to wed on the farm.


Must leave the house moment - we took a day trip to Westmoreland State Park to enjoy the water and the trails along the Potomac River.


Dress up Benaiah moment.


Why not get some baby chicks? We needed more animals...

Double Digits for Mary-Michael!!

Mary-Michael,

Your 2 birthday gatherings to celebrate your 10th birthday reflected you perfectly - one on the farm with walks in the creek, time with our cows and silly minute-to-win-it games and one at the mall with shopping, Starbucks and dinner. You are a young lady that enjoys many things and has many friends. We all enjoyed getting special time with you and your friends - a group from school and a group from church and your prior school. 

You have such a gift of bringing people together and connecting others that may not normally be friends. You've unified your class and have no patience for girl drama (thank goodness). 

You bring a lot of jazz, joy, creativity and some slight-drama to the family. You are a young lady that knows what you want and is persistent to get it, whether it's something you want to do or something you "need." We've decided you would do well on the debate team and that advocacy and fighting for justice are in your future. 

Your favorite things to do range from exploring the land and riding 4-wheelers to painting your nails, reading books (especially biographies) and creating art. You love fashion and creating forts and would probably fit in just about anywhere. You have really enjoyed returning to dance this year taking ballet and jazz, and you have really gotten quite good. We are really proud of you. Daddy enjoys picking you up on Mondays after dance and having special one-on-one time with you to hear about your day.

You are also incredibly smart and continue to thrive in school. I don't even know what reading level you are on, but it is high. You are currently reading the juvenile version of Unbroken and recently finished the Diary of Anne Frank and Little Women (for the umpteenth time). You are taking 5th grade math as a 4th grader, and I can't wait to see all that you accomplish as a student both academically and as a leader. 

In the family, you continue to operate as the first-born child and lead your brothers and sister (whether they like it or not). Benaiah adores you and loves to be held by you. You are so patient and tender with him and are rarely irritated. I'm so thankful for your help. 

It's been such a treat to begin to have in-depth conversations with you about faith and the world. I love your inquisitive mind, and I encourage you to investigate, keep reading and keep asking questions. 

Mary-Michael, we think you're great, and we love being your parents even as you challenge, push and lead. 

Love,
Momma and Daddy

Here are some pictures from the birthday celebrations.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Benaiah!

Our little man,

Oh, how you have blessed our lives beyond measure. You bring tremendous joy to so many people, and we love being your parents.

You thoroughly enjoyed your second birthday party focused on tractors, which is one of your favorite words and favorite things to ride around the farm with daddy. You are a boy that loves being outside throwing things, pushing things and riding on anything with wheels. You love running after your siblings and attempting to do anything they are doing. And those siblings of yours love you a whole lot. You have kept them more youthful than they might be without your presence as they play with toys and games that you like, and you have also helped them become more responsible as they are all usually willing to help with you. It’s a beautiful thing!

You continue to be a pretty good sleeper, but you do you like your early mornings. You are growing like a champ and in the 92nd percentile for height and 50th percentile for weight. Your head is still off the charts. You are willing to try most foods, but you definitely prefer bananas, yogurt, cheese, berries, ham and milk. The more milk the better! You can’t get enough.

You’re trying to say all kinds of words including please, more, bubble, nose, eye, Elmo, tractor, Daddy, Momma, Nonnie, Bubba (Frazier), go and of course, no.

You love to read books, but even more than that, you love to look at the photo books of our family. It is so sweet, and we are so happy you are in our family. You are a joyful, sweet, funny, and a great dancer. We love you Benaiah Michael Lawrence.

All our love, 

Daddy and Momma

No Winter Blues Here!

With 4 children, a bustling business and our first wedding at the farm coming in April, things are hoppin' in the Lawrence home. We have done our best to protect our family dinner times and Friday night family night even during wrestling, basketball, dance and tutoring. Here are some pictures from the last month. 


Eggs, eggs and more eggs. How many different ways can you eat them!?

King Benaiah in his royal robe. This is what happens when you have 2 older sisters.


Birthday fun celebrating Emma with a visit to the trampoline park, nail salon and Burger Bach. 


So happy that Geoff finally was able to purchase his dream tractor.


We took 3 nights and stayed at a friend's cabin in PA with no cell service and no wifi. It was glorious to unplug and spend time with dear friends and the Lord. 


We completed a rigorous hike up the One Thousand Steps trail. 


It was a pleasure to serve with my mom and Leila at the Richmond Extreme Makeover at our church. Leila did such a great job. 


More soap does not mean the stain will come out. Oh boy.


Another moment when he succumbed to a big sister. This is a dish towel.


On the less exciting days, cows sneak into the yard, and we get to chase them as a family. It's quite entertaining, especially if you are watching. 


Reading time. Benaiah loves to look at photo books. Over and over. 


Friends came to watch one of Leila's basketball games and enjoy the afternoon. It is such a blessing to walk through adoption with others.


This tractor has a special buddy seat for the little guys. 


Spring babies are coming! Their cute faces never get old.