For the Grandparents

Some of the grandparents have put requests in for more pictures of the kids, so here it is. A collage of the past few weeks of summer play.

Calvin wading in the kiddie pool at one of our favorite summer time parks

One of the many summer days spent swimming laps in our luxurious crystal blue pool, ( $6.99 at Walmart)
This is a rare shot of Sydney. If you haven't already noticed she HATES having her picture taken. If I have a picture of her it is because I took it without her knowing or she has some sort of weird face that is irritated with her picture crazed mother. So, the other day I decided to lure her into a picture session by having her take pictures by the flowers she had just planted. It worked! I think I got about three decent shots. Here is one of them.

I am sure Calvin is relieved Sydney has some one else to "dress up" now.
Jaclynn also loves swimming around the pool. She actually kicks her legs and trolls around on her own.
Look at those thighs! I had to take this picture. It was too cute to pass up!
During VBS week  at church Calvin and Jaclynn enjoyed a play date with Ben and Micah Flude.  Lots of fun at their new house and the babies even got some "play  time " in too! Jaclynn really liked playing with Micah!

Steven took Calvin to feed the ducks at the park. Fun Father Son bonding time. And, as you can see, Calvin does not mind having his picture taken:)


I think Calvin is cool with princess dress up and tea parties as long as he has on his spider man under wear and train conductors hat.

Gone Fishin'!

Sydney and Calvin were treated to an afternoon of fishing with their Auntie Gretchy and her boyfriend Dana. This was their first time, so I don't think any of us had high hopes for catching a thing. Much to our surprise, they each caught five fish! Now some were tiny, and all had to be thrown back because they were small blue gill but at least they got the experience of catching a fish for the very first time! A big thanks to Auntie Gretchy and Dana for taking the kids out for loads of fun. And an even bigger thank you from me for the time I got to spend one on one with little Jack and cleaning my house without little ones running around! 

  There actually are fish in these pictures if you squint your eyes and look really close!

Jam packed!

We have  squeezed a relatively large family into a tiny house.  756 square feet to be exact. Although it is doable, in some ways we are beginning to feel the effects of our small space. It is funny how it just crept up on us. One day we were doing fine, toddlers playing and enjoying their little room and little back yard. Next day, giant children and a little baby, with minds of their own and an opinion about having their own space. It was inevitable, I just didn't know it would happen so soon. When I think about space and how our family has grown over the last six years I am immediately reminded of Gods promises about provision. 

Matthew 6:26,28-34

26"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor do they reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worthy of much more than they?"

28-30"And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ' What will we eat?' or ' What will we drink?' or ' What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow;  for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

He has always provided for our family the things we truly need.  And although this scripture is not speaking specifically about housing it sticks in my mind about everything we have needed. Right now we have a home. Even though our home is small, it is a wonderful haven and resting place for my family and all who enter it (most of the time, :) ) Soon,  we will outgrow it and need something larger. The same way we have five previous times!  The key to this little dilemma is faith. The scripture says so, "You of little faith!"  Faith in our Father who is so powerful and awesome and yet overwhelmingly full of love and blessings for all who believe in Him. BIG faith is my goal. Sometimes I reach it. Sometimes I don't. For now I am choosing to trust God for our future home, not the housing market or interest rates or any other factor some one may present for us to consider. Our God is good and His will is what I desire. We will see what tomorrow holds. Now in the present, I am trying to come up with anything to make better use out of what we have to work with. So far we have rearranged the kids room a dozen times, made a second linen closet out of a coat closet and used as much garage space for pantry/shelving space as we can. Literally everyday Steven comes home to some new way of organizing or a piece of furniture moved. Today I am asking for ideas. Any tricks of the trade for families in small spaces? Hopefully I will get some feed back. For now, I am off to figure out how to rearrange my dining room now that I have a high chair back in there. Enjoy the day today!

I  added some random pictures of the kids at the request of their papa Mark. Enjoy!