Brittney practicing some stunts at cheerleading.

(She's the one in the yellow shirt)

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Riley's First Little League Baseball Game

(He played left field and catcher)

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Riley catching

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Riley at bat

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Memorial Day

John 15:13



"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."


Thank you to all who have served and were willing to lay down your life that I might live in freedom with my family.
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"Whether or not we realize it, all sin is born of those same words, 'I will,' while obedience is found in the opposite words, 'Thy will.'
God willed from the very begining to bless his people (Gen 12:2-3). Satan's 'gospel' is to thwart God's blessing by tempting us to seek and demand our own will."    
~Beth Moore
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What a wild few weeks! Hopefully now I'll have more time to blog again. I still need to put the finishing touches on a grant proposal and its nearing time to gear up for VBS but at least our life is kind of on a normal schedule again. Lots to share but it'll have to wait until tomorrow.  Between Little League, Special Olympics, Dance, end of school stuff, mowing at the church, tumbling, cheerleading, court, starting a new bible study, Steve's job situation, kid's acting out, etc, not much time left over! Tomorrow it's supposed to rain and all my kids will be home except the baby so I might get a bit of computer time.
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Coffee

I had a relaxing time with friends this morning and I really needed it! I just put the coffee pot on and spread the word that my house is open. The best part is that I never know who will show up. I love that my friends are so diverse and yet enough alike that conversation flows and the hours fly by like minutes. :)
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Brittney Performing a Routine on Bars

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"...when you keep your tears inside you all the time, you have a better chance of drowning in your sadness."


From April Shadows by V.C. Andrews
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"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."
Sign hanging in Einstein's office at Princeton
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"In the verse 'He cares for you', the word 'cares' is taken from the Greek word 'melei', which means 'to be concerned; to be thoughtful; to be interested; to be aware; to notice; or to give painful and meticulous attention'. "

Taken from Sparkling Gems from the Greek by Rick Renner. (Thanks Chris!)
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There's quite a bit going on in our lives right now. Unfortunately, I'm afraid to post much. Because this is a very public blog and I don't regulate who can read it, I have to be very careful while the baby is still in the legal custody of the state. Don't get me wrong, nothing bad has happened to her. It's just that there are situations, some beyond my control and some that just feel like they are beyond my control, that are having a very big impact on our lives right now. I thought the issue the last couple weeks was a biggie but it turns out that was nothing compared to the issue we're dealing with this week. I'm going to be so glad to be back into small group bible study so I can pray with some strong christian friends again.
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Remote Control

Wouldn't it be great if life had a remote control: rewind to all the good times, fast forward all the bad times & pause all those moments you never want to end.
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I was able to attend a bible study this morning with some spectacular women this morning. They decided to meet at 6am on Fridays and that actually works into my schedule. We mostly had conversation and coffee this morning and then we'll really dig into the book next week. I'm already looking forward to it!
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2nd Grade Field Trip to the Washington Pavilion

Lots of Taylor pictures because I went as a chaperone with her class

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I'm finding it harder and harder to post pictures that don't include the baby. She's involved in every part of our lives and seems to end up in quite a few pictures but I can't post any of them. I took all six kids to the circus and the baby was in every picture but this one!

 Zeke and his cotton candy

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Swimming at the hotel pool with Grandma Lori.

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Zeke's 1st bus trip with Special Olympics

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Special Olympics Swimming

Zeke is patiently waiting his turn on the chairs at the back

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Zeke is 2nd from the right swimming beside one of his coaches.

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Currently in 1st place

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Finishing his 2nd race amid cheers from onlookers

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Waiting for his award

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1st Place

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Zeke with Coach Sam

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I'm so far behind in posting pictures it isn't even funny. Yesterday I went on a field trip with Taylor to the Washington Pavilion, then got home in time to pick up the baby and go to the high school for Brittney's track meet. I had Riley ride his bike from the meet to his piano lesson.
I got to see Brittney pole vault (2nd place-she actually tied for 1st but got 2nd because of tries), finish 1st in her heat in the 100m dash (she got 3rd overall, I think), run the 200m dash (not sure of her place, maybe 4th?) Then I took the other kids home for supper so I didn't get to see the 800m relay (Steve said they came in 3rd).
Fed everyone quickly and took Zeke to Special Olympics swimming practice. Steve brought Brittney home after the track meet, ate and then went to his softball game. I think he got home around 10:30 last night but I really have no idea because I was asleep.
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Most of our days are like this one so that's why I have trouble finding time to blog lately :)
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Happy Mother's Day!

I'm fortunate enough to have two moms. I'm pretty sure that God knew that I would be too much to handle for just one so he let them team up! :)
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So thank you to the two women who helped make me who I am today! I hope I can make you proud to call me your daughter.

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Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.


Two different lives shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.


One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent. The other gave you aim.


One gave you emotions. The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile. The other dried your tears.


One sought for you a home that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.


And now you ask me, through your tears,
the age-old question unanswered through the years.


Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither. Just two different kinds of Love.

                                                                  Author Unknown

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Results from Brittney's Track meet in Milbank:

1st in 800m relay
4th in 200m dash
(No pole vaulting offered at this meet)
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"When all is said and done, relationships are all that really matter. It doesn't matter how much money we have, where we live, or how many beautiful toys we collected. None of these can comfort us, console us, cry with us, or love us. Our investment in the people we care about is the only legacy that has the power to endure beyond our lifetime."
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From the book One Month to Live by Kerry and Chris Shook
Thanks Holly!
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