First Day of School 2022

This year will be one for the books with a child each in preschool, elementary school, middle school and high school and engagement in public school, private school and homeschool. Whew! All are settling in well, and I am thankful to be closer and driving less and to have an amazing husband who is so helpful and involved in our children’s lives.

Reverse Inclusion Pre-school program at Battlefield Park Elementary.

Final year of elementary (5th grade) in homeschool with Mrs. Mom.

7th grade at Grace Christian School.

9th Grade at Mechanicsville High School.

Sand, Sun and White Wing Doves

We had an incredible family adventure with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Kam in south Texas over Labor Day Weekend. South Padre Island was a beautiful place to wrap up the summer with its warm Gulf Of Mexico waters, shallow coastline and beautiful scenery. We were a little over an hour from where Geoff’s parents grew up and met, which is so close to the Mexican border. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the sights and culture that were significant parts of their childhood, as well as visiting an historical home (The Rabb House) that Grandpa’s great aunt lives in and visiting with Uncle Mike.

A significant part of the trip was dedicated to hunting white wing doves, which is only allowed during a very short season in the valley. The boys had success with this venture! Other highlights of the trip include seeing the wall and talking with Border Patrol about the realities of the border, eating delicious Tex-Mex and BBQ and making great memories with family.

Riders Youth Camp

Last year we had an incredible trip to Kona serving with the Circuit Riders for their 10 day youth camp, but this year was even more spectacular. With 8 students from our youth group plus our 4 children with us, we were a fun and boisterous bunch, and I did a lot of head counting to make sure we didn’t lost anyone through the 15+ hour trek in the airport! These students who are now so dear to us were so much fun and so eager for an encounter with Jesus, healing and teaching, as well as direction for their lives. 

While at the camp, Geoff and I partnered together to provide first aid for the 230 students and 70 staff. We also fell into the mom/dad role as the old people of the group and loved caring for everyone physically, spiritually and emotionally. We were busy from sun-up til lights out, and we really enjoyed serving together. While Leila was a camper the younger 3 tagged along with us, enjoyed playing camp games and throughout the YWAM campus, as well as just being a part of the camp worship and teaching sessions. 

Highlights from our 10 days: seeing genuine transformation in the life of a student we brought who decided to commit her life to Jesus, serving as a family, seeing KJ and Chip (our friends who lead the camp) thrive and lead the camp so well, bonding with our students and being a part of such a life-changing, God-glorifying camp. 

A Visit to The Big Apple

What a joy it was to accompany Brandi and Addison on their important trip to the NYC area for an appointment with a neurosurgeon for Addison. I loved being the driver and trip navigator during our 2 days in the city, and thanks to my dear college friend, Faith, we knew where to go and when to do all the things Addison hoped to do on our visit. Mary-Michael served as the cheerleader and Queen of Fun wherever we went, and she kept all of us laughing. Highlights of the trip were the neurosurgeon saying yes to taking Addison on as a patient, visits to the 9-11 Memorial, the Freedom Tower, Ellen's Stardust Diner and the Lion King on Broadway. It was a trip to remember!

Summer 2022 So Far

So far, we’ve had a rich, relaxing and fun summer. Well, Leila might not fully agree as she’s been working about 4 days a week with Daddy…

There have been get togethers with friends, a few camps, a few short trips and time enjoying our new property in Mechanicsville. A Science Museum membership, family in DC and exploring as we go has made learning fun, too. I’m so thankful I get to be home with my children in the summer and so blessed by a husband that supports that.

I have LOVED leading this ladies small group with my dear friend and mentor, Mrs. Juda, this summer. They have encouraged me, and I love learning and growing together with them.

Mary-Michael made a great group of friends during her first year of middle school, and they have fun every time they’re together.

We made a day trip to Northern Virginia, and Grandma accompanied us to many sites in DC - National Archives, National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Benaiah’s favorite part was the “train ride” (aka the Metro).

We wrapped up our DC day with a fun dinner with the cousins, Aunt Keesha and Uncle Brian. What a great day!

I am so thankful to be married to a family man who made a way for me to take a solo trip down to Charleston, South Carolina, so I could meet our new nephew and visit our sweet niece, Emerson.

Welcome to the world, Luca Benicio Conrad Burrell! 

While I was away in Charleston, the girls joined in on a local mission trip with RVA Hope Center. They served in some underserved and high need areas of our city. They brought fun and educational opportunities to dozens of children.

They served at a local shelter and brought a Vacation Bible School program to the children staying there.

Frazier enjoyed Camp Wakefield while I was away, and had load of fun learning about Jesus, making new friends and doing crazy things like this massive slip and slide. 

We have three cows on the farm with us after Geoff and I spent a good hard week putting up fencing. This is Agnes, our blind calf the kids are bottlefeeding twice a day. And behind her is Rosie and her baby. 

The Science Museum had a membership swap with the Norfolk Zoo, so we took a day trip to explore the creatures there.

This was the only snake Mary-Michael was excited to see.

While Frazier was mowing the fields, he encountered lots of baby bunnies. Here is one we rescued from the whirling blades. 

We love our tradition of going to Lake Anna with some our favorite families. Geoff really enjoys driving these kids on the tubes.

Sweet Stella and Benaiah watching the 4th of July fireworks.

I love all of these kids and the memories they are making together. The Bells are so gracious to host this rowdy bunch each year!