And we are finally home...

We arrived home to a special package from a friend (bluegrass simpsons music) and then another package later in the week....fresh hand picked berries from the same friends! I was going to try the berries, but the smell was too overpowering. It was definitely the thought that counts! (Thanks Jen and Todd)

After getting back at 6:30am on friday morning...we spent the weekend somewhat recovering and headed into swim lessons on monday morning. The tough part was that we were coming into week 2 of a two week session. So, after really not swimming since last summer, the big kids got to class and were told to swim a lap. It's been a tough week for Kylie and Josiah...swimming laps and learning to breath and stroke together...but all very worth it. AJ has really enjoyed her class....she got dropped into the deep end (fully clothed) today as part of the class...to make sure she knew how to swim up and grab the side. Josey did a feet first dive here.

AJ and Kylie happened to go off the diving boards at the same time.

We pulled out Kylie's old princess castle she had gotten years ago and all five kids piled in and had a blast. Should've pulled it out earlier if I knew how much they'd be entertained!

Catch up Part 2....

Tom and I have been talking for a little while about what might be in our future. Our position here in Wauchula lasts for one more year from now (I cannot believe we've been here for a year already!). Something that we began praying about (starting in March) is the possibility of overseas missions. We took a trip to Atlanta where MTW (Mission To the World) our denomination's sending agency is located. They held a vision retreat for people who are thinking about missions...it was a sweet time of hearing from missionaries from all parts of the world and meeting other people who are praying through going overseas. We are specifically thinking through going to Japan. Less than 1/2 of 1% of Japan is Christian...and it is the 2nd largest unreached nation. Please pray with and for us as we look towards our future in ministry!

On the way down to Atlanta we had the blessing of spending the night with the Sanders....sweet friends and old neighbors from seminary...here are pictures of me with the Sanders girls....

Sweet Lizzie....
and my friend, Jen


We really enjoyed the grass in Virginia. Florida grass is not very soft and the yard is full of fire ant mounds, so walking barefoot in the grass is not an option down here. The babies (for the most part) enjoyed the green grass. And last is a picture of the kids with grandma....she graciously watched all 5 kids for us for the 4 nights that we were gone to Atlanta. I called her on sunday and she proceeded to tell me that Leighton threw up in the car on the way to the airport (she was dropping someone off there) and Matthias threw up on the way home from the airport. I felt horrible for her, but glad that I wasn't there. :) I know that she was exhausted by the time we got back. Thank you Rose Marie....it was a blessing to know that everyone was well cared for.

Catch up time Part 1

I have been way behind in blogging. The month of June was full of crazy travelling, so now that we're home it's nice to be able to start our summer. We pretty much left town when school got out and were gone for just about 3 weeks! Here's part 1 of what we did......

Uncle Dave (Aunt Julie and the boys) were up at my parents house for several days when we were there, so the cousins got to spend a good bit of time together playing....

A-kong took us all putt-putting....
We always need to get a picture of A-Kong and A-ma with all the kids...
We spend a day at a really fun playground with my friend, Julie, and her kids. (fun fact-Julie and I attended elementary, middle, high school and college together) (Josey wasn't so happy in this pic, too many girls)
The girls and Julie's baby (Tyler)
Our time in NoVA was really nice. A little busy, but for some reason i usually keep my life relatively busy....otherwise I get bored. :) Anyways, this is part 1....our trip to Atlanta comes next...I'll write more about that in the next couple of days (maybe tonight if I get a chance!).

A-kong's birthday celebration!

We celebrated my dad's 70th birthday yesterday. It was a real nice gathering of friends and family at a chinese restaurant. This is a picture of our whole family with my uncle benjamin and aunt susan. It's been nice to be here with the kids....we've done something almost every day, and they have been playing hard with their cousins since they only get to see each other a couple times a year.

JMU girl's yearly reunion

There are 8 of us that have tried to get together once a year since we graduated from college...most of the time there are one or two that can't make it, but several of us can usually get together. Our time was really short this year, but I was glad that we could work out schedules out to do it at all! Thanks, girls, for a sweet time of fellowship!!

we made it!

We left Wauchula at 7:30 last night and arrived in Springfield, VA at 11:30 this morning. Our drive after midnight last night was pretty rough. Tom and I would take 1 or 2 hour shifts depending on how far we could get with our eyes not drooping. We're glad to be here now and the kids have really enjoyed playing with their cousin, Josh. Tom flies out to general assembly tomorrow morning and on thursday and friday I get to gather for my yearly college girl-friend's get together! The babies have had a rough day...hopefully tomorrow will be better. :)

The past week or so has been crazy....

My poor sweet babies have been passing an eye infection back and forth to each other. Leighton started with it two weeks ago (on a monday)....it cleared up, and Matthias got it Thursday...his cleared up and Leighton had it again on that Sunday, and after that cleared up Matthias got it again this weekend. I'm thankful that it has stayed with just them...and we are doing drops for both of them even though Leighton seems clear of it recently.
It was crazy hat day at school this past friday. Josey and Kylie enjoyed picking a hat out of our dress-up box for that special day!
Matthias has been a bit aggressive with food lately. I don't know if you can tell, but both babies had about 8 or so snacks in their bowl, well, Matthias has been into grabbing them out of Leighton's bowl and putting them into his own. Poor girl just cries and cries....can't seem to understand why her brother would do such a thing! It's a lot of fun to see their personalities coming out...they are such a joy!
Bathtime for the 3 littles ones. AJ loves bathing with her babies.
We are very proud of Kylie who received a Top Cat award (kind of like a good citizenship award) for the 2nd time this school year! I cannot believe that school is over in 4 days! This year has flown by....and the kids have done really well at Wauchula Elementary School. I had thought, at one point, of homeschooling next year...but we are planning on sending them again. The twins being as young as they are was a big factor in my feeling like it wouldn't be a good fit for our family right now.

We're looking forward to our trip to Virginia next week. (although the gas prices are going to really get us) I'll be at my parent's house while Tom goes to general assembly in Texas. This week is going to be crazy with end of the year things going on...but i know it'll be fun, too!