Off to Africa

As some of you may know Blake and Liss are adopting a little boy from Africa. It has been quite an experience for them, yet they know that God is guiding this process and in his time they will have their little guy...but in the mean time Melissa came up with a great Abbey Project. (This is what I like to call the service projects that we do in Abbey's memory) She thought it would be a great idea for us to collect formula and other goodies to send to the orphanage that is their little guy's home. It is very expensive to purchase formula in Africa and shipping is difficult as well. So the wonderful Lady that they are working with is traveling to Africa and offered to take it as extra baggage!! We were able to collect over 50+ cans and some other fun stuff as well! Blake and Liss hope to be traveling to Africa soon and at that time we will be collecting more formula! If you are ever in the grocery store and see some formula on sale and you want to help us remember Abbey don't hesitate to grab a can or two!! I remember her words, "I love everyone and God loves me!" What a special way for us to show how we too can love everyone...by continuing to love her!!

Adventures with Guela!

I love it when you can take a picture that captures life's journey...this one could be called 'life's twists and turns'...I don't always take the time to smell the roses (or in this case, take pictures of the scenery) but when you are hanging out with Guela it's hard not to. She is so positive and appreciates everything! It makes it really easy to appreciate her. The boys had games today and instead of waiting in the gym for our next game we decide to have an adventure...it took us to a coffee shop on the water. The kids played dominoes and ate sandwiches. Guela and I sipped coffee. Next was a tour of Guela's favorite places in Fairhaven and then we went for a nice ride down Chuckanut Blvd. Life's Twists and Turns...they aren't all bad!!
This one here...she smells the roses...a lil guela in the making!

The boys decided to count all the waterfalls coming out of the mountain...this one is the one that started the game!

Our God is an AWESOME GOD!!

Sometimes....more often then not...it really does pay to stop and smell the roses!!

We had a fantastic day hanging out together!

Oh yeah...the boys played some good basketball too!!

Blessings!

I just love this picture. I really think that it is a testament of God's goodness and grace. These little cuties are Abbey's sisters and are both little blessings from heaven!! They may not look like Abbey but they both carry some of her personality traits! We will never forget Abbey and these girls are not her replacement...but they have helped to brighten a once dark place!! I'm grateful for these girls and for their relationship!! Kali Faith & Daisy Annabelle

Our Christmas...better late then never!!

Well here it is my final Christmas post! I've been waiting for my Computer to get fixed (currently on a lil' lap top) but I got the word yesterday that the Computer is crashed and not going to return!! So I will trudge forward on my lil' guy until we decide what to do...anyways, I realized that I had done all the other Christmas Parties...but I hadn't posted any pictures of our family Christmas. It was a drawn out affair. We decided to start on Monday since we would be losing Jake to his dad's on Christmas day. So the boys (and Kali) agreed to read an hour on Monday so they could open a present! The same went for Tuesday and Wednesday...that is why the kids are in different clothes almost every picture. It was a lot of fun and I think they really liked their gifts. The big surprise came in the form of a small scavenger hunt that led them through the house and back to the stocking where they found certificates for a trip to California!! They were so excited and we are too. We look forward to spending that time with family and all the Disney princesses!! I really hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! I promise this is the last post on the Holidays...until December that is!!

Welcome to the World Hattie Jane!!

Introducing my newest niece, Hattie Jane!! Proud Parents are Brett and Jessie and excited sisters Tessa and Josie!! She looks so peaceful now...but she gave her mama a hard time coming into the world.

It was a super long and very unpredictable labor...but look how great Jessie looks!!

Proud Mama!

Proud Grandma

She's got my number...keeping an eye on me already!!

Brett is a great dad...and labor coach!! Thanks for all the texts Brett!! We are so excited and blessed to have this new little one in our family!! A real answer to prayers!!

Now we will all have to pray that they can settle in and get a little rest!!