Softball and Zoo

Kenzie in action.
There was this pipe thingy that actually provided a lot of entertainment - and seating.

If little brother smarts off to big brother one too many times ...

... this could happen. So that's what the pipe was for! (Note for anyone who doesn't have rowdy boys, don't worry, everybody is ok ;-)

ZOO DAY! We love getting together with old friends and meeting new ones! It was a hot day, and we really didn't see many animals ... but that's not the reason we went. We just love the family time with friends!

On our way and Daddy's on the phone - yep, it's sweet corn time business!

Unloaded and on our way. Take note, we were ON TIME!

Did I mention it was hot?

But the carousel was fun!

I guess :)

We'll guard the food and stroller while the boys check out the snakes.

Butterfly Garden

Chow time - that's what I'm talkin' about!

Lovin' the misters!

Hey, guys, smile! You shoulda seen the mamas scramble for our cameras when we saw the daddies consulting a m-a-p ;-) They're good sports!

More walking

The best exhibit of all ;-) Seriously, look at those beautiful kids! One family had already left for the day, and some of the kiddos aren't home yet so this isn't a complete picture.

Signing off till Falls Creek ...

Happy Father's Day!

Three awesome dads who'd do anything for their kiddos ... like traipse through the zoo in blazing heat!
Yes, they are amazing! Thank you, God, for fathers and husbands! (photos by KH - thank you!)

Talkin' to Myself

This may seem like a repeat of things I've said previously - but then again, sometimes it takes me several times to get it :/

Many times our circumstances are completely out of our control. Or we find ourselves waiting for something for which there is nothing more we can 'do' to attain that which we wait for.

Or we are faced with the unknown, and we justify worrying. Or we just don't have the answer we need.

You know what I'm talking about, those situations where we've done everything we can do, physically, spiritually, prayerfully ... and there is nothing more we can do. That's when the dirty duo 'worry' and his partner 'fear' can set in.

BUT that's just not the answer. Worry won't change a single thing! (I tell my mom this every time we fly to China;-) It makes us distraught, feeling powerless and out of control - which we are.

While we can never fully understand the glory and endless power of our Almighty God, we ought to realize a portion of it ... just by looking out our window, looking into the night sky, watching the ocean tide, marveling at the miracle of human life - you get the idea.

So, if He can set this Universe into motion and create every good thing, why do we (I) try to limit Him?!?

I have come to the understanding that I don't have to know all He's doing to know He is at work. I don't have to know what the path from Point A to Point B is going to look like as long as I'm looking at Him.

It is only when we realize even a portion of the power of our Almighty God that we can experience peace in lieu of worry, especially in those times we are completely powerless and 'in the dark.'

If I keep tellin' it to myself, I will get it! Only because He is transforming me ...

Currently Reading ...

"Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God."

Amazing book! I think I'm going to find myself quoting a lot of this book. For instance:

"Christianity was always intended to be a verb. And, more specifically, an action verb. ... If the twenty-first-century church said less and did more, maybe we would have the same kind of impact the first-century church did. Some of us live as if we expect to hear God say, 'Well thought, good and faithful servant!' Or, 'Well said, good and faithful servant!' ... There is only one commendation, and it is the by-product of pursuing God-ordained passions: 'Well done, good and faithful servant!'"

If you'd like to follow our now private wild goose chase, please email me.

It's That Time Again!

Falls Creek, here we come!

We are looking forward to what God's going to do this year in our youth group! We've got 30 campers, 2 cooks, 8 sponsors ... and no Baby K's for the first time in five years:( Who will I carry, chase, bathe in the kitchen sink or share my twin bunk with?!? Hmmm, I still have three days to rethink my decision...

June is halfway gone!

It's been a typical busy week. Not many pictures (or at least many good pictures). Kenzie got her nails done ...

and her ears pierced (or re-pierced since letting the piercings grow closed)

We watched lots of baseball and softball. Batter up!

Way to watch that bad pitch. He'll take first!

Lots of kitchen help making chocolate chip cookies!

I looked out the kitchen window and saw this precious sight, Kolton swinging Kambry.

The same area before the boys moved all the 'farm stuff.' We are reclaiming the back yard and making it completely kid friendly ;-)

We got together with our local friends who have beautiful multi-cultural families like ours and enjoyed the splash pad at the park.

Who's the boss?!?

The princess and the tomboy - I love them!

A whole bottle of bubbles ... all for me?
This week is much the same: baseball, softball, final preps for Falls Creek, trip to the zoo to meet up with some very special families, littles to SIL's so Kolton and I can go to Falls Creek, just weeks away from first sweet corn picking :) :) :)

Giveaway Reminder!

Just 19 more days to enter our giveaway drawing! Click on the 'chipin' button above to enter and help contribute to our adoption. Some folks have sent their entries directly to me, and if you're more comfortable with that, please let me know, either by leaving a comment or emailing me. Wow, June is flying by!

Life Preserver

Do you ever feel like you're sinking? Are you going through a season that begs the question, "Why?" Do you ever search for answers when there just aren't any? Have you ever been in a place where the only answer is complete trust in the unseen? Have you ever had to trust completely in God's faithfulness, goodness, provision... without the benefit of understanding?
I'm right there with ya', sister! Our circumstances change, people in our lives change ... shoot, the whole world changes! There is only One who never changes, our Almighty God! I am so grateful He is my Life Preserver! I may not have control of my circumstances, but He sure does. And I've learned that I don't need to fully understand His will to have the faith to know He is good, just, faithful, steadfast, ever-present, all-knowing, almighty and so much more! I have experienced more growth in the times of faith-testing than any other season. He always uses my junk for His glory. I've learned that it's easy to praise Him when everything is going good; it's another to praise Him in the storm. My life trials have caused me to stretch, grow and step outside the box ... and He is always there, my Life Preserver!

~These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Pet 1:7

~He is the rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. Deut 32:4

~For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

~For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11

May He be your Life Preserver today!

Dadblasted skeeters

When Kayden came home we learned how ugly mosquito bites can be on a child allergic to the creepy critters. Part of it has to do with her beautiful Asian skin. The site will welt up, then seep, then turn purple and scar for about a month and eventually fade away. We quickly realized we had to protect Kayden's skin anytime she was outside, and if she did get bitten we'd give her Benadryl and cover the bites with Calamine.

Apparently Kaeleb is even sweeter! He will be covered in bites when there isn't a single sign of the critters on anyone else. Saturday his hairline was covered in bites, and Sunday he got bitten on the brow. Monday his right eye was swollen shut, and even Benadryl wouldn't treat it. We hope his visit to the doctor will render the cure my precious boy needs. I can't even post his picture because it looks like he's been socked a good one - poor baby.

All this to say, once you bring home your precious Asian born child, you may need to take extra precautions against pesky mosquitoes. We were shocked the first time we saw our children's reaction to the bites.

UPDATE***

The doctor didn't think Kaeleb had a secondary infection in his eye. He says to keep using repellent and follow up with Benadryl.

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

No words needed :)

A truck and a tractor ... that's all a boy needs!

It's not safe in the jungle anymore ;-)

Sissy will check out your glasses and card.

Happy birthday, Kaeleb Jon! I can't believe how much you've grown in the last year. You are such a blessing, and we love you like crazy!

Another Miracle!

Congratulations to the Hamm Family on the referral of your beautiful Korean-born daughter!

His Word Never Returns Empty

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like an eagle; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
Every day as I read my devotional passages I am in awe that God gives me the same message over and over. So many of the same Scriptures He has given me in our journey of prayer, He is affirming daily. He's good like that!

Yep, It's Summertime!

What are the 'lazy days of summer'? Someone please tell me ;-) We seem to be sleeping less and running more... and I love staying home!
Kenzie and Company leaving for her last Children's Camp. Next year it will be youth camp!

No, Mom, this is not a chair. This is our ship and we're sailing. Hmmm, what's that sailor in the back up to?!?

Late night baseball with a popsicle and a friend!

Summertime means giving the flowers a drink...

...riding our bikes...

...and shading our face.

How's your summer going?

New Giveaway Fundraiser!

Do you see our beautiful button above? Thank you, Jennisa, for making it! I'm going to give a larger text description of the items in our giveaway here, along with a few pictures!

Giveaway:
1 ~ Book set, includes 2 Lysa Terkeurst books, coffee mug, bookmark
2 ~ Necklace/Earring set
3 ~ Necklace/Earring set
4 ~ Handbag by Humor, Carnival Bloom (Crazy Dazy)
5 ~ Backpack by Stephen Joseph (Crazy Dazy)
6 ~ Handmade Cross décor by Karlea’s Art
7 ~ Manicure gift set by Pembrook Salon
8 ~ Pedicure gift set by Pembrook Salon
Eight items, eight opportunities to win! Enter the giveaway for $10. Click on the ChipIn button to enter. You don’t need a Paypal account to enter.
Also, add my button to your blog, site or Facebook, leave a comment with your link, and you are automatically entered for 1 item!