Family Pictures

It's been so long since we got our family photos taken.

I'm so happy we have them now.  

I praise God when I look through these photos.

I cannot fathom the depths of his love in giving me these people to do life with.

So many memories in the year we have been here.

Raising animals, gardening, and home projects have made us a stronger, closer family and we are so thankful for the opportunity here.   

2018, you have been a good one. 

Happy Birthday to AVA!

Happy Birthday to you, Ava D!  

Your hugs are the tightest

Your smiles are the brightest

You are special and loved.

You are beautiful and kind.

And we cannot believe you are 13!!!

We are so thankful that we get to be your Mommy and Daddy.

Happy Birthday sweetie girl! 

Kitchen!

It's done and it's lovely!

The openness of this new kitchen allows for more conversation and more together time which is why we decided to do it. 

James completed this entire kitchen with his own two hands.  

We are so thankful for his labor of love. 

-window

-door

- cabinets

-two moved walls

-countertops

-venthood

-floor 

-shelving

-can lighting

-pendent lighting

-sink

You're a hard worker honey.  

It's been a big project and you've done such beautiful work.  

2018-2019 School Year

Another school year is underway!

We are starting our 5th year of homeschooling.

 I can hardly believe it.

It has become a way of life for us now and God has used our time at home together to teach us all so much.

It seems like everyday is full of learning that go far beyond academics 

We are investing in friendships that encourage us and point us to Christ.

(Sweet new friends to play with at the beach!)

We are giving them time to play and imagine.

(He wants to be a chef someday)

We are reading fun books and celebrating them with creative experience.

(Indian in the Cupboard book club at an archery range.)

We are raising animals.  

Caring for them, loving them, and learning responsibility and hard work.

(Sweet Evie girl with her favorite dude)

(Chore time with Willa and T)

(Working the land too.  Mama cracking macadamia nuts) 

It's going to be a beautiful year.

We anticipate growth of all kinds! 

Sea World!

Our gracious Mimi and Papa gifted us Sea World passes for the year! 

We are so excited to explore and learn more about marine life this year. 

 Dolphins are a total favorite 

Beluga whales too!  

We are so thankful for the gift that keeps giving all year along!  

Many fun memories ahead. 

"Who else has held the oceans in his hands?" - Isaiah 40:12 

Juliana Mini Pigs

Welcome to the family, Opal and Willa

We did lots of research on this bread of pig before jumping in.  

Julianas are small, colorful, spotted pigs

They are soooo fun!

We didn't think this was the right time to add these gals to our little farm but an opportunity came up for us to acquire them for free and we just couldn't resist!  

I mean, can you blame us??  

Oink Oink

History...San Diego then and now

James had a business trip in San Diego so the kids and I tagged along.

We enjoyed the hotel pool and looked around at the city scape from our room window.

(Petco Park...Our favorite!)

In the days to follow we explored the history of the town and the kids were amazed at how much had changed.  

(Cabrillo Lighthouse, Point Loma)

(What a climb!)

We experienced the coaster with some of our sweet sweet friends

(All aboard!) 

And took it to Old Town which kept us busy exploring the whole day long!

This is the way to do history!

And there is so much of it at our finger tips.  

CS Lewis wrote..."History is a story written by the finger of God."

And this is exactly why we find so much joy in discovering it.