Chalk Art by Abby

The Kiddos

Abby's Dream Come True

Abby has always loved horses, but we have never really had the opportunity for her to enjoy one up close and personal. Until now!

Our new church, The GraceWorks, has been such a huge blessing to our entire family is so many ways. One way is that I feel like our whole family is truly worshiping and ministering together. That, alone, is amazing. But we have also had the opportunity to meet some of the most wonderful people, and are so blessed to be able to call them our friends.

Among those new friends is Erika - who, along with her husband, Scott - has become so dear to our family. They are in our weekly small group that meets at our house, and they are so amazingly great with our kiddos. And, as any parent knows, when other people love your kids, they automatically gain a very special place in your heart!

And, to make things even better, Erika has a horse! Her very own horse! And she generously let Abby and I come along to help take care of Bree one evening. Abby thought she was in heaven, and hasn't stopped talking about it since. I'm pretty sure this first visit will not be our last.

Locks of Love...Again

Abby donated her hair to Locks of Love again. This is her third time donating her beautiful locks.

2010


2007


2004

Is that Cole?

Before...




During...


After...

Noah got home from school and said, "Is that Cole?!?!"


And...Mark trying out Cole's hair as his new toupee!!

Tacoma Rainers

Cole is so loving baseball this season. And, it's actually been really fun for all of us to enjoy something other than football for a bit :-)

Thanks to Cole's good buddy Caleb's family, he and Mark were able to enjoy a Tacoma Rainiers game with them on Saturday evening. It was a gorgeous evening and the guys all had a blast!

6th Grade Camp

What happened ...

... to my baby? How did she get to be 9 already? I wish I could freeze time and keep her from getting any older.

Cole's First Baseball Game

Amazing

Abby is amazing. She always has been. It's the way our God created her. She is the most empathetic person I know. She is the only person I know who physically feels other people's pain and suffering. Since she was little, she would feel such sadness when we talked of Jesus dying on the cross for her sins, because she would actually feel physical pain in the palms of her hands when we talked about it.

She talks to her friends at school about her Jesus. Her goal for 2010 was to know God more, by reading her Bible and praying more.

Earlier this week, I found a note from Abby on my pillow when I went to get into bed. It said:

Dear Mom and Dad,
Come in my room. I might be asleep but please write somewhere the answers to the questions I wrote on my white board.
Love,
Abby

When I went into her room, this is what she had written on her board:
1. How often do you see homeless people?
2. Could I save money to buy Bibles for homeless people, so I can give them to them and tell them, "Read these stories. They are true."
3. Will you help me save money to buy the Bibles?

See, I told you she was amazing.

I've told her that I think we should save money as a family to buy Bibles, and then pass them out along with some sandwiches, in downtown Oly or Tacoma. Any of you locals want to join us?