What We've Been Up To

Last time I posted my brother had just gotten married and my husband was on his way to Kenya, Africa for two weeks. Wow! A lot can happen in just a few short months. :) Let's play catch-up. 

Jerod had a phenomenal time in Africa. It changed his life which in turn changed ours. He fell in love with the people and country of Kenya and his passion for Africa grew even more. There will be big changes in our lives that will stem from this trip and we are not sure exactly what that is going to look like yet but we know as surely as we breathe that we will be going back one day. Very soon. And not only to bring our next child home but to do big things for the thousands upon thousands of orphans that need help. Right now we are concentrating on raising funds for high schools to be built and getting kids sponsored and living in holy anticipation of what God has in store for us next.  

He made lots of friends!

He met our two sponsored boys and had the privilege of committing to a new sponsored little girl (pictured above). 

So, after he returned home, we got back into a routine of sorts :) and enjoyed some of our favorite fall activities. 

We made a trip to the apple orchard...

Quite the crew

The girls!

Oldest and youngest

...took a trip to a local tourist attraction...

...threw a surprise birthday party for Little Man's 11th birthday...

Best invention EVER!

Ms. Cindy loves holding those babies!

Papaw enjoying his grandkids

 ...joined friends at the pumpkin patch...

My sister's two oldest joined us this day!!

The pumpkin patch offers a lot more than pumpkins these days

...upheld Texas Panhandle homecoming traditions...

We won!!

...got up bright and early to watch the hot air balloon liftoff...

Everyone wanting a picture 

Chilly early mornings mean hot chocolate for breakfast!

...and carved pumpkins! Whew! And it's not even Halloween yet! :)

Princess' pumpkin

My pumpkin! I'm very proud of it

 There have been some more immediate changes in our lives that have nothing to do (but actually everything to do) with Jerod's trip to Africa. He was offered an amazing opportunity to start a department for the line of banking he does. However, this opportunity was being held in a town 2 hours away from home. So, after much prayer, talking, question-asking and more praying, we decided that this was what God was calling him to do for our family. In the future this will mean big changes for our family. Probably moving and settling in a new town but for now it just means he is working away from home a few days a week.

On the adoption front, there have been two referrals in October (YIPEE!) and that puts us approximately at #20. There are rumors that we are close on the list for a boy but that's not official. (But we can definitely keep our fingers crossed right?) :)

4th of July...very late

Just found this post saved in my list. Oops! :) This was our 4th of July celebration. I'll let the pictures do the talking!

Neglectful!

I've been so blog neglectful!! The last month has been a very fun busy. So I'll update you through pictures. :)

Princess had her ballet recital...she was beautiful as always!

 The kids took turns at different camps so I took advantage of having them to myself. Princess went to American Girl Doll camp and so that let me and Little Man have a date day at the miniature golf course. Then he went to CSI camp and that let me and Princess finish up fun last minute wedding errands... jewelry buying etc.

 Our wonderful friends/neighbors blessed us with their baby furniture. So we moved out the computer a moire and put it in our bedroom to see if the furniture would fit in the room we are wanting to convert to the nursery. It looks like a real room now and I'm so excited to see that it will work. Now we just need our referral so we can add walls and paint. :)

We were thrilled that the computer desk wasn't too big for our room. Now it doubles as our t.v. cabinet as well. 

We celebrated Amanda at her lingerie shower the week before the wedding. SO blessed to have these women in my life!!

Then we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary...I got 13 beautiful red roses. I love my man.  

And then the big day was here!! My baby brother got married! It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever seen! I'm so happy for them. 

But what is a big celebration without a few kinks right? :) This cute little guy (AKA Little Man) came down with strep throat the day before the wedding and had to get a big fat shot to get him over it quickly. He could have felt better for the wedding but at least he wasn't running fever anymore.

My NEW sister-in-law is so beautiful!

The two momma sisters enjoyed getting dressed up for an evening. 

And we personally think Amanda had the cutest flower girls ever!! :)

 My brother surprised her by singing a song for her in the middle of the ceremony. I was super proud of him. 

 And now that the wedding is over and the love birds are on their honeymoon, I have to get busy packing my husband for his mission trip. About 6 weeks ago, he felt the calling to do something more for orphan work internationally and after one phone call, he was booked to go to Kenya, Africa for two weeks. We are just barely over a week from him leaving. More on this...in my next post.

So there it is...a very quick overview of the last month. I hope July doesn't go by as fast as June did but I have a feeling it might. With Jerod being gone for two weeks, visiting family while he's gone and having minor surgery (gallbladder...yuck) I'm sure it will be August before I blink. I hope you're enjoying your summer!