Finally A Cooler Day!

We have had the warmest late summer/early fall that I can remember!  

I hate running the air conditioning.  

When the windows are all closed, I feel a bit like a caged animal.  

But when its 85+ degrees inside 

and one has an air conditioner, its hard not to turn the thing on!

Praising God, today is a lovely day.  Livi is busy playing out on the patio.

And I was inspired to do a little bit of decorating for Autumn.

Connor is busy playing with his new toy!

And now I need to go fold a couple of loads of laundry and start making supper!

Olivia Is Four This Week

Our girl is getting SO big!

She was born during the Beijing Olympics, so the summer Olympics will always be a bittersweet reminder of our girl coming into the world.  

A tragic loss for her first family, but such a sweet blessing to ours.  

She is creative,

 athletic and graceful,

 and very imaginative.  

Happy Birthday Olivia Xing Lynn.  

Your family loves you!

Independence Day 2012

Water balloon toss, egg relay, whipped cream bubble gum blowing.

Fire in the fire pit.

Fire works in the neighbors back yard.

Lots of RED, WHITE, and BLUE!

The June Marathon of Celebrations

Always a slew of things to celebrate in June!

Christopher turned 22!

All together to celebrate.

Father's Day.

Some of the girls.

Christopher and Nate with a photo bomber!

Connor's High School Graduation

Yippee!!  

He is finished.

We did it!!

It wasn't always easy.  

Connor was not always a willing participant. 

But, with all the ups and downs and twists and turns, God is faithful.

He gave us the strength and perseverance to finish what He called us to do. 

Now, its a new chapter for these happy grads.  So excited to see what God will do in their lives.  

With the happy sisters and brother.

With the proud grandparents.

Connor playing drums at the Baccalaureate Service.

In front of the class banner.

  

Here We Go Again!

It is with joy and excitement (and a bit of nervousness) we are happy to announce that we are beginning the paperwork to adopt another little girl from China!  

We don't know who she is yet, or how old she is, or when we will go to China.  We do know that the Lord God Almighty has called us to the journey even though we are old, don't have the money to do this, have a small house, the list goes on......  

So, we are going to be selling everything that isn't nailed down.  And we won't be going on a vacation anytime soon.  And trusting that the Lord will equip us to do what He has called us to do.

We are trading those things for the joys of having another little smiling face sitting around the table with us.  Another sweet someone to hold and love on.  

Oh man, can't wait!  

So,

join us as we say,

"Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again -- rejoice!!"

Phil 4:4

We are indeed full of joy and rejoicing.

Spring Soiree

Each year our school has a formal dinner-dance for the upper class men.  The seniors are allowed to invite a guest.  Connor invited Sarah.  They had a super time!

Aren't they lovely?

With cousin Teagan

Tyler, Myles, and Connor

Sarah and Liesel