Something to giggle about...

Wesley is so full of giggles! She reminds me so much of me. I remember being sent to my room, often with my sister, for not containing my giggles at the dinner table! Sometimes when Wesley and Brooklyn start giggling at meal time, I have to remind myself that I'm the adult now for it seems like just yesterday the giggles got the best of me! Okay, so maybe that was yesterday:)! And sometimes I do find it best to just join in!

She also loves to ask deep questions. I find myself constantly saying, "That's a great question for daddy!" Sometimes I'm curious what the answer is too:)! Here's a picture of her new summer haircut which makes it so much easier to brush through! We love you Wesley Ann (7)!

Just Hanging Out

We are discovering some really great parks in Oregon! Here's something fun they found on another daddy adventure!

Mesa and Benjamin

Mesa Hope (22 months)

and

Benjamin River (5 months)

How we remember...

Celebrating life,
Family Time,
Transforming our living room,
Theater seating in comfort,
Watching Brooklyn's miracle video,
Kleenex for tears, Prayers of Thankfulness and
Embracing miracles,
Sharing special dessert!

Thank you, God, for a blessed evening
remembering your miraculous hand!

Our Miracle Girl

Brooklyn Faith (9)!
Today we celebrate life!
Read her story below!

Our Miracle Girl

Kaylee (11), Wesley (3) and Brooklyn (5) being sisters!

Our Miracle Girl

Brooklyn(4) and Wesley(21 months) enjoying a bath!

Our Miracle Girl

Brooklyn (4), with new brother Summit!

Our Miracle Girl

Brooklyn and close friend Chrissy (age 3) playing at church!

Our miracle girl

Another picture of our Brooklyn Faith! (3 1/2)

Our Miracle Girl

Brooklyn, almost 4, waiting for her new brother Summit to arrive!

Our Miracle Girl

Today marks the 7 year anniversary of God's mighty work in our life through the miraculous recovery of our Brooklyn Faith! Just yesterday, or so it seems, we were celebrating the 9th birthday of our daughter, Kaylee Renee, when a tragic accident altered our life forever. Our Brooklyn, 2 1/2 at the time, fell into a pond at the end of the party. When we found her, she was completely lifeless, in full cardiac arrest. Her daddy and I both jumped in the water thinking we would save her but quickly discovered that it was God and God alone that would bring any healing this day! Her daddy and a neighbor did CPR for over 20 min. before she was life flighted to children's hospital with a faint pulse in Denver, Co. where she spent 10 days. Because of God's miraculous hand, our life would be forever changed as God etched on our heart that day that He is still the Mighty God he always was. She has since made a full recovery! Ironically, today she is 9 years old just like her sister was on that fateful turned faithful day many years ago!

After leaving the hospital, I struggled with "survivors guilt" wondering why my daughter recovered when so many mom's longed to hold their baby's just once more! It was then the Lord lead me to a place of peace... a truth about His miracles! He reminded me how He never came only to heal the sick or take away all suffering but to offer something much more noble, longer lasting and something that all of us were in need of... a Savior. Someone who could make eternal life with God no longer a longing but a reality. Therefore, any earthly miracle was only given as a way to point people to the GREATER MIRACLE, a life with hope, a life with Christ! I began to see that Brooklyn was going to be healed either way, a life here on earth or even better, an eternity with Him! May Brooklyn's life be used as an arrow pointing not to the miracle that will only last so long but to the Miracle Worker that will last forever!

*This picture was taken one month after her miracle! Doesn't she look a lot like Sierra in the previous post?

God's gift of grace for me!

This is my little Sierra Grace! One of her favorite sayings is "Easy Cheesy."
Her smile is as full of life as is she! More than any other in our home, Sierra reminds me of how much I am in need of God's grace as I stumble to stay one step ahead of her:)! How dull life would be without her!!!!

Following Daddy

More Adventures with Daddy!

Children are a blessing!

Here is a video that Casey made. At the end of the video, Brooklyn and Wesley enjoy a boat ride. They have been taking swim lessons and the last lesson is a play day in the water. Also, Summit didn't feel well that day so he stayed home with Kaylee which is why he is not in any of the swim pictures. Hope you enjoy it!

My heart is in Joplin

Many of you are probably aware that Joplin holds a very special place in our heart! We spent four years there for college and 2 of my babies were born in St. John's hospital which was greatly damaged by the tornado last night! Scott's grandparents live there as well as some extended family. Thankfully, everyone is safe. Both my parents and Scott's went there for college as did numerous family members. Many of you also know that Michael will be moving there in the fall! My heart aches for any tragedy like this anywhere but it does hit a little closer to home when you have journeyed through life in an area that has been so impacted. My heart aches, along side yours, with the families that lost loved ones or have lost everything in a blink of an eye! Joplin and all those we love there, you are in our prayers! Love, Kimberly

Everyday Days

Sierra, 2010

Brooklyn, 2010

Kaylee, Casey and Mesa 2009

Michael and his first car 2009

This weekend, due to the request of some little ones with colds, we introduced our littles to our "old family movies." We've watched these several times over the years, laughing at our 90's wear or poofy hair. But this weekend something different happened, something that made me angry!

Deep within the movies documenting our life almost 20 years ago, one astounding truth surfaced to the top. These movies held proof that time is slipping through my fingers. Right before my eyes, I saw my dark hair with no hint of my current grey tint. Images filled the screen with memories I no longer hold. And I was reminded of many firsts that I have pondered in my heart over the years... Michael's first lost tooth, Kaylee's chubby cheeks, Casey's first steps.

Unlike other times I have laughed at those silly days gone by, on this day, I was transformed to the days of yesterday, full of hope, joy and youthful dreams. Flashing before my mind were the days in between, racing me forward to today, days filled with a maturing reality that the only true hope is found in my God! Suddenly I remembered so many thoughts, so many memories of days I had wished away...mundane days, lonely days, sleepless nights with newborns, days when the only thing I could do was put one foot in front of the other.

A new reality emerged... it was these very days that carried me from yesterday to today. I am angry at the thought that there were days that I hurried my children along in my mind, longing for the day I could sleep all night or eat a meal in peace, read when I want to read. With one grown child now out of my home, my heart better understands the wise words of those who came before me reminding me how quickly they grow up. It is with this renewed vision I humbly ask the Lord to take captive any thoughts of "overwhelmedness" and continue to replace my selfishness with His selflessness in this calling to mother these hearts entrusted to me, to ponder the mundane, lonely, despairing days in my heart as well as the days full of firsts, vision and hope. For I now know that it will be all too soon when I watch days yet to come in our "old family movies." It is these days that march us forward to that glorious day when His days fill our everyday!

II Timothy 4:7 -8

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

Your fellow sojourner,

Kimberly

Our new church home

Since I am home this Sunday morning with littles with pink eye, I thought you might enjoy a picture of our new church home! Casey has had so much fun taking pictures and making videos for our family that Scott decided he should take some for church. This first picture includes the youth and the second one is our sanctuary. We have been greatly encouraged in our nine weeks here, at the work God has already begun even before our arrival. We are excited to see what things He has in store!

Mesa's Hair

This picture was taken about a month ago. Courtney, I thought you might enjoy seeing how long her hair is from the back. She was born with a full head of hair and it just keeps growing! Her hair almost takes a third of her body:)! Amazing for being only 20 months old. Luckily it's pretty thin for brushing through. But don't even try to let her eat a sucker. Her hair just sticks to it!

A day of Climbing

Casey and Scott found an incredible climbing opportunity just 15 minutes from our home at Skinner's Butte . Scott says it's the best climbing he's ever had near our home. He is relishing the idea of doing more "real" climbing. He decided that since he had Michael belaying him at a much younger age than Casey, it was time for Casey to learn. He did an excellent job! Wish we could have captured a picture of Casey climbing too. Michael, daddy can't wait to take you climbing when you come for your visit! Climb on!

Just for fun!

This is a project that Casey has been working on. I thought you might enjoy it! Only Benjamin and Michael are missing.

Mother/ Daughter Tea

Ready for a Mother/ Daughter Tea!
We had a great time! No boys allowed:)!

A Day at the Beach

It's hard to capture the beauty of the Oregon Coast! Compared to the Ca. beaches I grew up with, the ocean here is ferocious and breathtaking! Oregon is also known for their beautiful bridges, especially covered bridges.

Spring in full bloom!

These are some pictures that Casey captured of Oregon beauty! What a variety of God's handiwork!

More Park Pictures