Surprise Visitors!

I was sure the kids were joking when they came into the house to tell me that their Aunt Yvette was here. It was so fun to have them come and surprise us with a quick visit. I love my family so much and feel so blessed that she and her husband chose to stop by and visit us on their way home from their vacation. Thanks for visiting, Sister! I love you!


Although this was their chosen mode of vacation transportation, we jumped in our faithful mini van and went to town for lunch. What a blessing the visit was.

Guess what's ripe at our house?

There is nothing quite like picking fresh mulberries off the tree and popping them straight to your mouth. I know, they should at least be washed, but I can't help myself. I'm even willing to risk the thought of losing life and limb to the gardener snakes just to get a quick fix of them.

They aren't all ripening at once so I should have a good supply for weeks to come if I can just think about moderation. Unfortunately, Ally knows where they are and she likes the ones that aren't quite ripe as much as I like the ripe ones.

The Only Thing I'm Sure Of...

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

Friday Nights

The 'warriors' headed off to the lake for some guy stuff last night. Dirk had to load cattle out for awhile but he finished up relatively early compared to most Friday nights, so then the crew headed out to the lake. I still don't think I understand why grown men and almost grown men go out and shoot each other with these things and call it fun. I was looking at their battle scars and it just seems strange to me, but then I'm obviously a girl and Tiff, Ally, Sofie and I couldn't wait to get rid of the guys so we could watch a chick flick. Yay for 'guy fun' which allows for a quiet night of girl times!

Cousins playing Corn Hole.

Sofie has decided that Dirk is alright. She gets the most excited when he's trying to watch tv and she can get in his way by either sniffing his arm pits or standing in front of the screen. Last night she just decided she'd rather have him hold her. Sydnie and Sarah were at the movie so all of our spoiling energy ended up on Sofie. She didn't seem to mind. :)

Too Much Water

It was so sad to see all the water that is flooding some areas of the US. We drove through an area that had obvious signs of flooding and it definitely served to increase our awareness that we need to pray and ask for God's blessing through these times.

Motels Aren't For Sleeping

This weekend we took a quick trip to another state. The great thing was that we got to visit Grandma B along the way and again on the return trip. The middle part of the trip took us to a really nice and clean hotel. But the thing about hotels and having three kids is that we rarely sleep in the hotels. This room was great since it had three beds but it still didn't get us much further in the sleep department. The younger two kids had gone most of the day without really getting any energy out so once we hit the hotel, they decided it was time to roll.




Oh, but I love these three. They are truly awesome kids. I take no credit for it but every day I thank God for blessing me to be a part of their lives.

Dirk's Ark...But Then Again...Not...

The kids and I were enjoying a wonderful day outside and all of the sudden in the midst of our 'corn hole' game, a mother skunk and her babies went for a stroll on the road right next to our house. I'm pretty sure she was a Christian homeschool mother because she had her little crew all nice and orderly (or not) and there were at least seven of them. We watched from a safe distance as she took her little ones out to play and it was so interesting to watch because she took them to the nice tall grass on the other side of the road from their den and then she just took off. I can relate to this, not the leaving your children to play by the roadside part, but the part that says, "Ok, kids, everyone out of the house! This momma needs a break!"

At first, we just took photos from a safe distance but then much to my delight, my knight in shining armor showed up and we jumped in the back of the pickup to get a closer look at the babies. I figured we were safer in the pickup because the pickup can go much faster than my legs.

The awe of nature...
but then something in this photo is just not natural. I can't put my finger on it but I know there's something not quite right...

Ok, back to the nature part. Thankfully, my knight in shining armor took this little one back to his siblings and all is smell, I mean swell. :)

Father's Day

Happy father's day, Dirk! Not only a new mower but the kids are happy to push it for you!

Making the Corn Hole game! Now we just can't wait to play it! Some of our best memories from Ohio are playing Corn Hole with friends and hanging out.
Family time is simply pretty great! My mom and stepdad with Dirk and the kids.

Biology 101

Please excuse these perfectly disgusting photos but you see, we have boys living at our house and that seems like enough of an explanation at the moment.

Obviously, I did not take this close up. The credit goes to Cole.

Life Light Concert!!!!

We had a hugely great time at the concert last night! Our little rocker chick disappeared as soon as she and her group got through the doors. They made it to the very front and remained there for the whole night. The music was so awesome and fun to listen to. Bailey got to go on stage and play the guitar and both girls were given picks throughout the concert by different bands. On a dare, Ally touched the shoe of Rough Draft's guitar player. :) (A bit of her Aunt Lisa in her, for sure.) The bouncer, who happens to be our pastor, either didn't see her or knew the band was safe. lol. The boys were a little more reserved but got into it by the end. A great time was had by all and everyone is dragging today.

NBA Playoffs

Baking and Friends!

Last night was basketball playoffs time at our house. Friends were over, the game was on, but Ally's cookies were missing so when the guys requested "Ally Cookies" she got right on it with her new friend Bailey. Ally loves to bake but the whole night was MUCH more fun for her because although she is quite used to being the only girl and does fine with it most of the time, she misses 'girl' stuff. We were so blessed to have Bailey come with the DePeire's last night! The cookies were great altho the color was quite unique. Everyone had a blast and Ally thinks that after seeing the color of the cookies next time cookie requests are made it won't be for "Ally Cookies" but just "Chocolate Chip Cookies" instead.

Family Time

We were blessed to have family visit for the weekend! In spite of the busy schedule we had a good time! The Corn Hole challenge on Sunday was fun and lunch was pretty great too!

What to do in a tornado watch...

The weather hasn't been the best around here lately. Usually, I am on top of the forecast between the internet and the weather channel but for some reason Polar Bowler got in the way of my usual diligence. (BTW, I'll save Polar Bowler for another days explanation.) The sirens caught me off guard needless to say. The first storm came through with a vengence and definitely had us in prayer mode. Some friends called right in the middle of the storm needing a place to stop so we did have the comforting time of fellowship for some of it. Then the friends decided to head for home and we kept getting reports of another storm heading our way. Not having a basement, encouraged me to seek shelter at our church. So, what better way to get through a storm than in the company of friends. Several of us happened to be in need of the basement's shelter so we ended up having a good time in spite of our husband's deciding to head out in between the storms to check for damages. After getting our thoughts on that subject in line(which I won't share), we had a time of prayer and thankfully, God did protect them and us from the second onslaught.


Playing cards to pass the time!

Sophie and Matt!

Chad and Aric.


For some reason Kristy didn't enjoy the cards as much as some of us did on this night. It might have something to do with the Queen of Spades... :)

M & M's!!!!

Sophie had m&m's last night. Can you tell she liked them? I don't think I have ever seen anyone eat them faster!

Seventeen!

Our firstborn just turned 17! It really doesn't even begin to seem possible. I think most mothers agree that their children grow up way too fast. I tried to take all the well-meaning mothers' advice who have gone before me and enjoy each step, and for the most part, I have. But they still grow up too fast. There is no slowing down the process and in my heart of hearts, I don't want that for any of my children. But as for myself, I wish each day would last a little longer than the one before. I remember so well the day Cole arrived. Ahead of schedule and in his own way. He's always been like that. Happy birthday, Coley, I love you!