Down, Set, Hike.....

I look outside this morning to find Bryan looking a little more "buff" and padded than normal when playing football with his brothers.

I had him stop for a sec to get a picture & to find out what he'd done! He had stuffed other shirts under his shirt to be padded enough. Anyway, just struck me as funny....and creative.

Someone is SO ready......

.....to be a big sister again! She's had lots of practice with her precious little nieces!

 

 

And she wishes that my "due date" tomorrow meant baby would be here! Tiffany is so excited about this little one and asks me everyday if I'm having contractions yet! And I am, and many times this week have thought "this is it!" But, alas our little one is still quite comfortable INside!

SO dramatic, intense & serious on the field~

This 6yo. gives it his ALL out there, whether in practice or game. 

 

 

 

 

He's pretty much a riot to watch.

 

 

 

 

Then there is his brother who pretty much is JUST serious.  

 

 

Both are doing a great job playing on the same team & enjoy being undefeated.

Jesus came & GAVE.....we can too!

James 1:27 "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  

We didn't go visit orphans today, but we did have 10 orphans come visit our homeschool group from an orphanage nearby. We've been blessed to be a part of this ministry a few times already with our group, and were looking forward to it again!  

Here they are getting off their bus (most of them in blue t-shirts) as moms & kids went to greet them.The excited little boy out in front is who Bryan & Chandler be-friended today! It was SO fun to watch!

They wanted to show him the farm animals

 

My boys played "tag" with just him for I don't know how long!  

When we left Bryan said "Mom, it was just so fun to see him happy! And I had fun too!"

Tiffany attached herself quickly & got to love on a precious little girl.

 

She told me "Mom, I'd adopt her in a second."

What a neat thing to see kids think outside of themselves & their usual "playgroup" time and give of themselves to the little orphans. 

 

 

 

Waiting for baby~

Very blessed~

In the past few weeks, our family has been VERY blessed through the generosity & thoughtfulness of family & friends nearby who are excited with us about the upcoming arrival of our baby GIRL! Having gotten rid of literally everything girly from years ago, we are starting from scratch regarding baby necessity items & clothing! But God has truly provided SO much, and we are SO grateful!!!!  

From diapers & wipes~ 

 

To blankets~ 

 

To baby necessity item filled baskets~

 

To special blessings~ 

 

To many girl onesies & outfits, both new & passed down!!!!  

AND gift cards & SO much more!!!  

Then this afternoon, when I thought we'd been out-blessed already, a friend from the ensemble that I sing in showed up with more gifts not only for baby but also for the big brothers & sister as well! (pink for Tiff & blue ones for the boys!) 

Thank you to the ladies from Voci di Sorelle!!!! What a fun surprise!

 

Thank you to Sara & Julie for the baby shower you gave Lys & I last weekend! We were both truly encouraged!!!! And our girls had a great time too!

 

Oh, and SHE will have a name agreed upon by the time she arrives!!!!! Now if I could just get over this nasty 2 week long lingering hacking cough, I just might have enough energy to get through a labor!!!! I'm on my way to the doctor just as soon as I hit "publish post"!  

THANKS again to all of you who have so generously blessed us!!!!!