Happy 250th Birthday, America!

For the 4th of July this year, we did a few fun things to celebrate America's 250th birthday. I made the kids some red/white/blue popsicles {not pictured}, and we also celebrated with a fun red/white/blue drink! I mixed cranberry juice, Sprite, and blue Gatorade, and the kids thought it was the most fun thing haha. 

We got to celebrate with our neighbors in our annual cul-de-sac gathering. It was super hot, so instead of meeting outside in our driveways, one of our sweet neighbors opened their home for us. It was a fun time to gather with neighbors, with lots of yummy food and good company. We had plans to do fireworks, but it started raining right as we were about to start. We tried again on Sunday, but again, it started pouring down rain right as we were about to start. But third time is a charm! We tried on Monday, and we were finally able to enjoy some fireworks!

Happy Birthday, America!

{iPhone Rewind} :: May

Mike got to spend time in the Netherlands with some of our missionaries, as well as visit a church in Belgium. It was a great trip, and we look forward to continuing/deepening relationships in both countries.

We learned about the Tabernacle in Bible, and we were able to build it with a Bible Bricks set! I love Eli's complete focus :)

The kids were in charge of watering the lawn while Daddy was out of town...and it went about as well as you would expect. It was mostly Mom redirecting the water flow and reminding them that the water actually has to go ON the lawn, not their bodies :)

Kids are the BEST #nomercy

I had a sweet Mother's Day with cards and flowers and my favorite people :)

Mr. Jesse and Ms. Linda came into town!

His head was cold. Haha. 

We wrapped up the ministry year with our 2 Corinthians study. I love these ladies, and I am thankful for their diligent study.

We just had cold weather and then made it all the way to "feels like 97." A nice warm day for a soccer game. Then it rained, and we were back in the 50s. Gotta love Virginia weather.

We wrapped up our school year! I am so proud of these three and how hard they have worked this year.

Love them.

Easter 2026

He is risen!

For Easter this year, Mrs. Rita {our Children's Director at church} gave us an egg-dying kit {along with some other fun Easter goodies}, so on Saturday we got to test it out. I'm not sure if the kids were more excited to dye the eggs or eat the hard-boiled eggs haha. 

Sunday was a long, full day {especially for Mike}. This year, the church had the sunrise service and 3 Easter services, and Mike was preaching. We are still doing Easter baskets for the kids, and they were excited to run downstairs to find the goodies waiting for them. They each got a chocolate bunny, a craft/creative item, a new book {or coloring books in Maddie's case}, and new Yoto cards. They also got a LEGO-compatible Resurrection Set from Bible Bricks to share.

We loved getting to worship and celebrate with our church family. We had family worship {so no Sunday School this week}, and it was great to have all the kids and families in the service together with all of our visitors as well. 

A quick photo before church...because I never know if we will be able to get one AT church ;)

I sure love them...and they're growing too fast...

We were able to get a family photo after all!

The rest of the day was spent resting, playing board games, and crafting with their new kits :)

We are so thankful for Jesus, and for the hope we have because He walked out of the tomb. 

Because He lives,

I can face tomorrow!

Because He lives,

All fear is gone.

Because I know

He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

{iPhone Rewind} :: February

The men's ministry hosted a chili cook-off, and Mike was excited to submit an entry!

I don't know how he's comfortable, but he sits like this ALL the time...

41: birthday signs, cookie cake, homemade cards, vouchers for mommy getaways, brunch with sweet ministry women, lunch at McAlister's, ice cream samplers, birthday messages, adorable handmade gifts from talented friends

Family game night started with Jenga :)

The girl is obsessed with bacon

Enjoying the warm up before another round of snow

Celebrating Chinese New Year!

We had the good kind of snow- enough to build a giant snowman!

Valentine Love

I love that our kids love Valentine's Day, and that they get excited about celebrating each other. They are starting to take more ownership of making their own cards, writing their own notes for Mike and I, as well as each other. And it's just the sweetest thing.

We don't do a ton for Valentine's Day, but I do try to find them small things to tell them how much we love them. It usually includes chocolate and Dollar Tree finds. I love that that they still get excited about coloring books and simple crafts {and Yoto cards are still a big win for us!}  :)

The kids made sweet cards for me and Mike, and they even made cards for each other. Mike surprised me with another pair of Celtic knot earrings from Brighton, and we enjoyed breakfast-for-dinner as a special way to wrap up our Valentine's Day as a family.

I'm so thankful for ALL of my sweet Valentines :)