our days in HIS hands

A little January randomness

2013-01-26T16:23:00.000-05:00

Sick day with bunny...

A picnic on the deck...

Evidence that we have the nicest bunny on the planet...

Christmas 2012

2013-01-24T16:13:00.000-05:00

Christmas began with the best present of all...headphones for everyone! That made for a lovely 12 hours for this momma!

Once we got to FL, the festivities began with a trip to see Christmas lights...in the back of a pick-up, of course.

Then to see some decorations...

Sunday morning, we went to church at the church that mommy grew up in...

Leah, the cat-whisperer...

Rachel getting a pedicure...

Oh, and there were a few presents...

A little happy birthday for Jesus....

And some stockings full of joy...

Then a few "China" cousins... This is Isaac, Nathan, and Elijah.

Miriam and Rachel...

Leah and David...

Trip to Indiana

2013-01-22T21:29:00.000-05:00

In early Decemeber, we took a trip to see our "Indiana family." We started the trip with a day at the children's museum. Absolutely the best children's museum I've ever been to. (Despite only a few pictures.)

Great grandma and grandpa Sorgius

Then we spent a day at the Creation Museum. I am writing a sponsored post on my other blog about this trip next week, but I thought I'd share some of the pics that probably won't make the cut (for various reasons).

Aunt Judi and Luke checking out the dinosaurs...

And the crates they had in Noah's ark (or something like them)

A replica of Noah's ark...

Playing lots of games and puzzles. This is Rachel and Rachel.

There was a full petting zoo, but the animals were like what would have been on the ark.

Lots of old translations of the Bible...

The outdoor gardens were beautiful and lots of fun.

And there's always time to hold snakes.

The Christmas Parade and a little dec

2013-01-20T21:05:00.003-05:00

Nothing other than the coolest Christmas tree ever... crafted by the famous and fabulous, Rachel Sorgius.

To go along with the coolest tree ever...the sweetest bunny ever...

We joined 13 of our friends for a little street parade, Christmas style...

Luke, so enthralled with the giant Thomas that I couldn't get him to look at me.

And of course, there were marching bands. Lots and lots of marching bands!!

Thanksgiving at Hilton Head

2013-01-18T20:04:00.004-05:00

We enjoyed Thanksgiving week with the Sorgius' in Hilton Head. There was lots of BINGO...

Snuggling with mommy...

Lots of sleeping...

Holding Grandpa...

And, of course, more games...

We went to Savannah for the day and explored the candy store.

We walked on the Riverfront...

And explored a nearby fort...

And of course, no trip is complete unless someone attempts to jump into the moat...

Snow Day!!

2013-01-18T12:19:00.000-05:00

We got about 3 inches or so of snow last night. The kids were ready to get their snow clothes on and head out for fun...

We finally got to use the sled that we bought last year for the mountains (when it didn't snow).

The sled was AWESOME. Super fast...

Oops...

I told Luke to smile, he said.."duck mommy..." Yes, that is a snowball flying through the air at the camera.

I'll try and put up the other 400 pics from previous events....eventually.

Fire, Festivals and furry friends

2012-11-05T21:29:00.000-05:00

I was taking a shower when I heard the siren. Positive it was in my neighborhood, I resolved to shower a bit faster so I could go be nosy. Within 5 seconds, leah bolted into the bathroom and announced that the neighbor's house was on fire. Immediate hysteria set in for all three big kids. I was able to figure out that the fire was across the street, so I decided that I had enough time to dry off and put on clothes before going outside.

This was the first thing we saw. Two fire trucks. A ladder truck and a pumper behind it.

Within seconds, a second ladder truck AND pumper pulled into the street.

This was about 3 units down from our house. The picture below was taken from inside our door. Now there were 6, maybe as many as 8 trucks. Or vehicles with sirens and lights. They were working the fire from both ladder trucks, with water spraying form both pumpers.

At 9:30 the fire was out. Below is the smoke and bystanders. By this point the kids got over their hysteria and decided that it was pretty neat to watch them work. Miraculously, the flames never jumped off of the one unit's roof. However, in the daylight it's obvious that damage was done to the units on both sides. Perhaps just water? No one is talking so we aren't sure.

The next night we went to a Hallelujah party with our friends... candy, bouncy houses, and pumpkin bread. Mmmm

It's been a long week, so we "slept" in on Saturday before heading to Chick-fil-a for their fall festival...

motorcycle...

alligator..

hedgehog...

After the festival we baked cookies for the firemen who saved our neighborhood. I thought this would be a good way to help with the nightmares that are still occurring.

Thank you for saving our neighborhood!

It was cool to meet a woman firefighter!

And then, we added a furry friend to our family. Yes, it was finally time for a pet. And yes, I'm suffering from a temporary insanity. Please meet, cookie dough...

Apple Picking with the Nunnerys

2012-11-04T20:16:00.000-05:00

We spent the weekend with a precious family in early October. The time together was wonderful as they are such a blessing to us. On Saturday, we drove up into the mountains and picked apples and a breathtaking orchard.

Kids from left to right:

Luke, Lizzie Gray (9), Leah, Lila (6), Rachel, Nathan, Payton (10), Camden- not pictured (13)

Payton and Luke were great buddies all weekend.

Rachel and Lila enjoyed picking the apples and being in charge of the buckets.

Oh and climbing the trees...

The whole gang at the top of the orchard.

We absolutely can not wait to go back!

Zoo field trip

2012-11-03T19:58:00.003-04:00

We were blessed with beautiful weather and beautiful friends...

Leah kept track of where we had been with her map and a pen.

A trip to the creek

2012-10-12T20:25:00.000-04:00

We walk to the creek on the trail behind our house often. Here are a few shots from the latest trip.

Leah always brings something to write or draw, so she can record her findings.

Nathan...well you know... he hangs his head off the rocks into the creek. At least he is wearing a helmet, huh?

Rachel searches for treasures...

Random August Events

2012-10-10T20:05:00.000-04:00

This is how Luke enjoys his pool time...

Nathan, about an hour after he ran into a little boy at church and split his head open.

A few minutes after surgery...

The next day... SERIOUSLY??

After I jumped up and snapped a picture of the first one, he began showing off.

Luke, partaking in the morning chores... (Rachel runs a tight ship in the kitchen)

First day of School 2013-2013

2012-10-08T19:52:00.000-04:00

Since we took an extended visit with family this summer, we had an official start of the school year. (Usually we just school year round.) Here are some photos from the first day:

Luke is also very interested in school...

After school was over, we headed over to Feeny's to celebrate. Thanks to Nathan's birthday, we had a gift card to make the treat even sweeter!

Green Meadows Farm

2012-10-06T19:29:00.000-04:00

Here are a few more pictures from the farm...

Florida Part 3

2012-10-04T19:08:00.000-04:00

After having lunch with Mimi one day, I took a wrong turn and ended up driving through the airport. We decided to stop and watch the planes lane. The kids LOVED it.

Grandma Cave and Luke on his first Carousel ride.

We played so hard...

Grandma and Grandpa Sorgius took us to Monkey Joe's to play...

Then to Green Meadows Farm...

Florida trip part 2

2012-10-02T17:38:00.001-04:00

We absolutely had to support Chick-fil-a and stand in agreement with them over the Biblical definition of marriage! It didn't hurt that it was yummy...

Everyday while we were at the beach, Leah and I went "shopping," per her request. It was mostly window shopping with perhaps a little salt-water taffy in-between.

In the evenings, we played cards. Everyone LOVED a feisty game of spoons.

We went to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium- home of Winter the dolphin.

Evenings were spent back out on the beach with the sand...

Florida trip Part 1

2012-09-30T22:58:00.000-04:00

We are so thankful for time with family. Our trip started with a stop over at a hotel Got an Embassy suite on priceline for $49. Woot! It was awesome...

The next morning we drove the rest of the trip and landed at the beach. So thankful for Mimi's boss who let us crash at his condo for the week.

Rachel wasn't too interested in coming out of the water, so this is the best shot I've got of her...

Happy Birthday Luke!

2012-09-28T22:11:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe that he is already two! Why, he's old enough to bake his own cake!

Why is it that 4th children somehow have the right to sit on the table? I am positive no one else was this lucky.

Awana 2011-2012 Award Ceremony

2012-09-26T21:15:00.000-04:00

We LOVE Awana. It's such a great way to hide God's word in our hearts.

The kids always gather for the pledge...

Then prayer...

Even Luke prayed, but not without his hands on the ball...

The girls both got book awards for completing their books.

Nathan also completed his book...

Strawberry Picking with Grandma and Grandpa

2012-09-25T20:47:00.001-04:00

When Grandma and Grandpa came to visit in May, we went strawberry picking.

Lego Day

2012-09-24T20:45:00.002-04:00

This is my feeble attempt to catch up on picture from the summer...

Starting with a field trip to a Lego play place where they teach robotics classes. Once you build the piece, there was a zipline to try it out on. Super fun.

CBS Final Share Day

2012-06-17T08:54:00.002-04:00

Here is a video of what the girls did in CBS (Community Bible Study) this year. There is no sound, but you can enjoy the pictures.

Nathan and his friend Walker had their moment of fame when their teacher allowed them to sing at the microphone. They are singing "a little is a lot in the hands of God" Sorry the video is so bad. I turned it at the end and we lost sound, but I decided to still share it because I thought the first part was so cute!

My new chair

2012-06-16T16:06:00.002-04:00

I promise to catch up on some pictures. No, I really do!

For now, I wanted to share with you my new chair. Happy Birthday to me! Woot!

If you build it...you will have a place to sit! Haha...

Horse Camp Day 4

2012-05-11T15:49:00.000-04:00

Horse camp began everyday with chores. The girls would brush and groom the horses and get them ready to ride.

After saddling up, it was out to the ring for a ride. Leah was blessed to have Cara as her guide all week. Cara is a sweet friend from CC and CBS. The two certainly share a love of all things horse.

The girls rode the horses over jumps and around obstacles to help them learn to control the horses.

They even got to trot...

Luke and the other boys would come out and watch the action.

After practice, the girls went on a daily trail ride.

Rachel put buttercups in her horse's mane. I have to admit that Lark was my favorite. I have always loved appaloosas.

After the day's ride was over, the kids would head to the barn to muck out the stalls. No lie. They loved this part. Mrs. Neely, the farm's owner was thrilled to have the help.

Horse Camp Day 3

2012-05-10T14:37:00.000-04:00

Horse Camp Day 2

2012-05-09T13:16:00.000-04:00

Some of the friends at camp...

Leah's horse...

Rachel's horse...

Learning about the horse parts...

Cleaning out Mischief's shoes...

Mischief

Saddle up...