Pray! Pray! Pray!

Jim has a ... 

JOB INTERVIEW!

Monday Morning!

Please Pray ...

...  for peace in his heart.

...  for favor with the interview team.

...  that THIS would be the answer

to our many months of prayer.

...  that Jim would GET THE JOB!!!

This is the Middle School Math Teacher position

that I told you all about last week ...

...  at the school he used to teach at.

...  team teaching with his Best Friend.

...  in a town close enough that we wouldn't 

have to sell our house and move.

It has been 2 full years since Papa left teaching.

It has been a very long and hard 2 years.

We are praying that this is ...

... the light at the end of the long, dark tunnel.

Guess What?!?!

It's Time for Another Wedding!

Yes.

It's time for the 3rd 

Big Fat Greek Wedding

in 8 short months.

Which means we got to have another

Wedding Rehearsal.

3 Ring Boys & 3 Flower Girls

waiting for their turn to walk down the aisle.

The Bride ... with the youngest Ring Boy & Flower Girl.

The Proud Papa & The Beautiful Bride

The Very Large Wedding Party

The Vows

The Rings

The Very Excited Bride & Groom

Big Brother Gregg Gets to Escort

Not One, But Two of His Beautiful Sisters.

(Carissa picked up the Littlest Ring Boy)

The Young Ones

The Mama & The Papa

THANK YOU to the two sweet Bloggy Friends who gave us 

gifts which made it possible for us to rent a vacation 

home rather than having to camp this weekend.  

We are ENJOYING a beautiful home with

a community swimming pool.  Thanks!

Please Pray ...

For Our Family This Weekend.

(as 16 of the 17 of us will be together)

For Restoration in Relationships.




(Do you remember THIS post, where I explained that a 
Family of 17 has 272 Individual Relationships?)

Please Pray ...

For healing ...

where there has been deep pain.

For unity ... 

where there has been division.

For respect for each other ...

where there has been contempt.

For humble hearts ...

where there has been pride.

That we would speak when the Lord

shows us we need to speak.

That we would be silent when the Lord

shows us we need to be silent.

That we would seek the LORD's will ...

rather than our own.

That we would ask HIM ...

what WE each need to do ...

in order to bring restoration.

Please also continue to pray for Little Miss.

She had 3 serious RAD rages in 3 days this week.

Please pray that her RAD would not disrupt

any of the wedding festivities this weekend.

Pray that she would know the LORD's love ...

that she would feel HIS peace ...

that she would seek HIS comfort for her pain.

Your love and prayers mean the world to me.

Thanks!!!

Berry Dirty

Carissa and Kati have been spending about 15 hours per day working on the Raspberry Harvester machines.  And ... they get "a bit" dirty.


These young ladies went to work at 8:15 am on Sunday ... and they were still having FUN at midnight.  Nice job, ladies!!!

Their hands are STAINED pink/purple.

Maybe Carissa's will match her

Bridesmaid's Dress

this weekend.

Berry Good!

Raspberry Season is upon us, so we have started stocking the freezer.  We only had about an hour between church and taking Big Kids to work on Sunday, but we headed out and picked about 40#.  Yummm...

Hosanna wasn't too excited to go picking,

since she spends about 8 hours/day

in the processing plant.  But, she knows

she will enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Sarah about climbs into the bushes 

to find the best ones.

Lindsey was even able to join us for a bit.

She's kept pretty busy since coming home

from CO for the summer.

Elijah was not a very motivated picker on Sunday,

but he is always up for a smile for the blog.

We always pick a LOT of strawberries,

raspberries, and blueberries;

but raspberries are definitely my FAVORITE.

There's nothing better than

Homemade Raspberry Jam.

Lake Samish Park

We are doing well with our Summer Goal 2011.  We have lived in this county for 11 years ... and we LOVE to go to the park ... but we are finding out that there are MANY parks that we have NEVER explored before.


Sunday was our first 80+ degree day all year, so we were ready for some WATER FUN!  After taking the Big Kids to work, Papa and I headed to the lake for the day with the Young Ones.


Papa and I enjoyed sitting in the SUN and RELAXING.  While the Young Ones enjoyed the WATER and the SAND.

Some people define "Summer" by "80 degrees or above".


Well ... we've had 3 hours of Summer so far this year.


It was FUN while it lasted.

Berthusen Park

The Young Ones and I are working on our Summer Goal 2011.  We visited Berthusen Park twice last week, and boy did we have fun.

The first time we went last week, the kids played "Army Man" in the woods for 2 hours.

The second time we went last week, the kids spent some time exploring the old tractors and the big barn that was recently restored, before they headed off into the woods.

I didn't get any pics of the Restored Historic Barn,

but I did get a pic of this really cool old cabin.

Josiah, Sarah, and Elijah had

Fun!  Fun!  Fun!

Kickball, Anyone?

When the Big Kids come home ... the Young Ones want to PLAY ... and the Big Kids don't usually disappoint.

When the Big Kids were home for Josh & Hannah's wedding 2 weeks ago, Dean loaded up the Big Van (the only one home for the week who drives the MONSTER van) and they headed out to the park for a few hours.

5 Young Ones and 7 Young Adults set out to have some FUN.

I had them take my camera, so that I could get some pics even though I wasn't there.

Go, Sarah, Go!

I wonder how long it's been 

since Cassie has played Kickball.

Elijah was still on "limited activity" from the surgery,

but they let him be the pitcher. 

So FUN to see the Big Boys (Jared and Gregg) playing.

Cassie, Gregg, and Carissa.

Our Big Kids can get VERY competitive.

Notice that Carissa has 2 knee braces on ...

those are from 3 ACL surgeries.

Looks like Josiah was having FUN

being GOOFY.

Wonder if Ashleigh has EVER played kickball.

Do Texas Cowgirls play kickball?

Hosanna can show those Big Kids how to play.

Run, Rachel, Run!

Yea, Lindsey!

Is Ashleigh going to get Dean out?

Way to jump in there and play Ashleigh and Dean.

Welcome to the FAMILY!

So FUN to have so many Big Girls HOME for the summer!

A VERY FUN TIME ...

was had by all.

This was my THIRD post today.

Don't miss the other two.

Movie Night with The Big D. Family

I mentioned a couple of days ago that Carissa and I watched 3 movies in 1 night.  Yep.  We did.  It has probably been YEARS since I have even watched 3 movies over the course of a couple of days, much less one night.  But ... it was good to kick back, relax, enjoy time with the family.


We were parked by Bl*ckbuster when my children noticed that there was a special that day:  New Release Movies for only $ .49.  Being a Mama that is ALL about the "Good Deal", I said I'd pop in for a minute to see if I found any good ones.  (The children stayed in the van, as I don't want them to even see the cases of some of the movies that are available.)


I was back out to the van in less than 10 minutes, with 3 really good movies.


After dinner, we all gathered for a Family Movie.  We watched, "Letters to God".  Have any of you seen it?  We all thought it was excellent.  I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a wholesome family movie.


Then, after the Young Ones went to bed, we pulled out the Big Kid Movie.  (These are movies that are appropriate for Hosanna and older.)  We all watched, "Like Dandelion Dust" (written by Karen Kingsbury ... a Christian author and adoptive mom).  Wow!  Powerful!  Another excellent movie!  I would NOT recommend it for any young children from an adoptive family, or who have close adopted friends, as it may raise questions of the stability and permanency of adoption.  But, powerful, for any family, especially adoptive families.


Next, after everyone else went to bed because they needed to get up early for work, Carissa and I put on Movie #3, "The Lena Baker Story".  This true life drama will keep you on the edge of your seat, and you may find tears falling down your cheeks.  It is definitely an adults-only movie because of the thematic elements, but we thought it was good.  Ever since I was a young girl, I have been drawn to stories of how the black culture in the U.S. has been treated. Now, as an adoptive mom with two black daughters, this history has become even more important to me.  I have also always loved a good biography, so this story fit the bill.  Lena's story took place in 1944.  It is heartbreaking; but I believe it is important to see and understand how our country has treated blacks over the years.


Well ... I am definitely not a professional movie critic ... nor do we watch many movies at all ...  (I don't even watch 1 per month.)  but, I thought I would share with you the movies that we picked out last weekend.  Let me know if you watch them.

Where Have All My Little Ones Gone?

Sometimes, a simple task can lead to much reflection.


A few weeks back, I asked the Young Ones to do a little project for me.


It was time to clean the winter grime off of the outside Play Toys.  (Yes.  I know it is July ... we were still waiting for summer.)


But, we weren't cleaning them so that we could play on them.


No.


It was time to tell the Young Ones that they are "not so young" anymore.  


It was time to tell the Young Ones that they can't climb on these fun toys anymore.  


They are too big.


They are too heavy.


Some of the toys are breaking because they are too big.


Seriously?!?!


Does that mean that I don't have any "Little Ones" anymore?


I've had "Littles" in my home for the past 27 years.  How could it possibly be that my youngest children are out-growing their toys?


I know.  I know.  We put away the "baby toys" a very long time ago.  But, these are "big kid" toys ... that our Young Ones have out-grown.


So sad.


Do I sell them?


Do I keep them for my friends' kids to play on?


Do I keep them for my future grandchildren ... even though none of my Big Kids even live in our county anymore?


Tough Decisions.




While Mama was pondering, though, the kids were HARD at work ...

Great job, Kids!!! 

But Mom ....

"I just don't LIKE to do the dishes."

Elijah lamented one day last week.

"Well," Mama replied, "There are some jobs that I

don't really like to do either.  But, I do them."

"Really?!?!"  he seemed shocked that Mama

might not absolutely enjoy every single "Mama Job".

"Yes."

"Like what?  What don't you like to do?"

"Laundry ... and paying bills ... and other things."

Mama responded, 
as she walked around the corner

to start the next load ...

and then grabbed the camera to show YOU

what her hallways looked like this morning.

THIS is the boys clothes ...

the girls clothes are in the other hallway.

What are YOUR most favorite and least favorite

"Mommy Jobs"

This is my 3rd post today;
hope you didn't miss the other 2.

Another Family Photographer

Hosanna (14) has had much fun borrowing my Nikon D70 the past few months, as she saves money to buy her own Nikon DSL.


She took some great pictures of Hannah and the bridesmaids getting ready for The Wedding.   (I wasn't there for the Getting Ready.  I was decorating the wedding hall ... driving props to the photo shoot ... shuffling cars ...  and then getting myself ready.)

The Wedding Gown

The Bridesmaids' Dresses

The Bridesmaids' Bouquets

The Hair

The Shoes

The BEAUTIFUL Bride

The Budding Photographer

and

Beautiful Bridesmaid

and

New Sister-In-Law

When did my Little Princess grow up?

You can pop over to Hosanna's Blog 

to see more of her "Getting Ready" pics ...

Don't miss last night's  post,

with pics from the

Wedding Rehearsal.