• Counting My Blessings: Week In Review

    It was a fun week with my family.  While Jake and I were working this week the girls were busy on the farm at Horse Camp.  They were riding horses in the mornings, had a picnic lunch, helped with animal chores, and did a Bible Study at camp.  It was a busy and tiring day for them, but they loved it and several times I think they would have preferred to stay at camp instead of coming home.  They were able to experience a wide variety of tasks – trimming goat hooves, playing with soft baby lambs, washing horses & goats, hunting for chickens eggs, and more good activities.  They had a blast and loved it!

    I want to be accountable to you so the following are snip-its of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.

    Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:

    Monday –Thankful that the kids have the opportunity to go to Horse / Farm / Bible Study camp while Jake and I were working.  They loved it!  Also, it is conveniently located only a few minutes away from my work which is a great bonus too!

    Tuesday – Thankful for Jake and his thoughtfulness.  He went out of his way to stop by the store and pick up some items as a surprise for me.  I had been missing an ingredient in my smoothie drink this week (he picked up the chocolate flavor for me as a surprise), he got a couple non-dairy Mac-N-Cheese mixes for Brina, and bath salts to help me loosen up and relax a little bit more.  Love it when he surprises me with special items that are perfect for that day, moment, or time.  I am richly blessed to have him as my partner.  Love this man dearly more and more all the time!!!  XOXOXO

    Wednesday – Thankful for my acupuncture doctor.  My back and shoulder were really tender and they made time to see me today which was a huge help in loosening me back up.

    Thursday – Thankful for my work and that they are willing to allow me to work around the girls camp schedule.  The kids have been coming into work with me in the morning, I have been stopping to take them to camp and returning to work until they are out of camp.  They have been a big help in getting little tasks done for me at work too.

    Friday – Thankful for an opportunity to get some errands run and chores done at home so we can head into the weekend a little more prepared and ready.

    Saturday – Thankful for my weekend with family.  We had a lot to get done with everything going on and a busy week ahead, but we worked together, had fun, and was able to get some items done that needed attention.

    Sunday – Thankful our church, the message, and a place where our girls can learn and grow with other kids their age.

    What are you thankful for today?  I encourage you to take the time to write down a few blessings that you have in your life today.  It will help cheer you up and turn your focus on the amazing blessings you encounter each day.

  • House Building, Ice Cream Floats, Birds, Cats, and Crab Apples!

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    Fluff was such a good sport and let Brina carry her around!

    We had a grand time in Kansas visiting family.  Our time went by too quickly, but we were able to pack in a lot during our time in the area.  We spent time with Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and more.  Thankful for family and the moments we get to share.

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    We brought ice cream floats to the guys who were working on my brother Josh’s house!  Ice cream floats are a rare treat for the girls since we have one that has a dairy allergy so they were very excited!

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    Karlie enjoying her ice cream float!

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    Brina relaxing and sipping her float!

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    My brother is currently building a house so we got to watch the process and help carry a few boards.  He is getting married later this year so he has a deadline!  It will be a nice place for the new couple!

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    Checking out Great Grandpa Verlyn’s birds!

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    They always love going out to see Grandpa’s birds!

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    Some of the chickens!

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    And a turkey!

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    The girls wanted to help Grandpa collect the eggs, he had already done it that morning, but they had laid some more!

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    A few more eggs, some big ones too!

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    Grandpa Verlyn gave the girls some of his Crab Apples!  He warned them that they were tart, but they insisted that they wanted to try them anyway!

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    Karlie thought the crab apples were great!

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    Brina loved the crab apples too!  I thought the crab apples were a little too tart, but they both thought they were awesome!  There are very few food items especially fruits and vegetables that they don’t like!

  • Travel & Vacation: Visiting Family in Vermont

    Family in Vermont

    Spending time with family in Vermont!

    We had the opportunity to visit family in Vermont this summer!  Jake’s Grandpa Wesley or “PopPop” as the girls call him turned 90 and we were able to celebrate his birthday while we were there.  It was nice seeing Jake’s Mom, grandparents, and his sister’s family while we were in Vermont.

    Family in Vermont

    PopPop with the three girls at the picnic table!

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    Sunning themselves on the rock after going for a swim in the pool!

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    Brina loved Grandma Kay’s chickens!  She thinks we should get some too now, ha!  Midge was very accommodating and allowed the kids to carry her around.

    Family in Vermont

    We made a lean to fort now they are weaving some items.  Always something with this crew.

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    Celebrating PopPop’s 90th Birthday!

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    Nana opening up her singing card!

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    The three girls hanging out with PopPop and Nana!

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    Grandma Kay with three of her granddaughters on July 4th!

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    Happy July 4th from Vermont!

    Family in VermontRunning around by the river!

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    July 4th was a little bit of a raining day, but we still had a lot of fun and managed to squeeze in some time playing down at the river.

    Family in VermontThe three girls putting on a play.

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    These chickens let the girls hold them, which made it even more enjoyable of the kids!

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    Playing the Jelly Belly Bean Boozled Game!  Wonder if Noelle got a good flavor…..nope!

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    Irish enjoying her ham bone!

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    We tried the Vermont Maple Soda for the first time this summer!  The four of us split a bottle.  It was cold and good.  A little sweeter than I expected, but delicious!

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    Splashing around in the cool river on a sunny day!

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    The girls had fun hanging out with cousins at the river!

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    PopPop and Nana relaxing in their chairs!

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    A full table!

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    It was great spending some time with family in Vermont.