July 2026

July 2026
Over the years, we've always compared our family life to a wagon train heading west. Just as everyone had to do his part to get to Oregon years ago, so everyone in our family must do his/her part to make our journey through life successful. If somebody climbs in the wagon and lets the others do the work, we just don't make any progress. We all have to pull our weight and work together. Along the trail we find lots of pebbles that make for a smooth ride and some bigger rocks that jar us a little; we hit the occasional pothole that can slow us down. But if we purpose to search diligently, there are countless gold nuggets and precious gemstones along the way as well. This journal is an attempt to preserve some of those precious moments for our children, and our children's children, as together we travel this trail called life.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11


Monday, April 18, 2016

Littles

Even though our own family has no littles left because they all grew up like *blink* that fast, God is so good to bring lots of other littles our way to love. Last week was abundantly blessed with littles along with lots of sunshine and smiles.

Well by definition a little is any person significantly littler than Josh, so technically the only little here is Lainey, but we’re always glad to have this crew regardless of their size.

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Back to Monday night – our weak attempt to protect a few peach blossoms from the predicted freeze. Whether it froze or not, they seemed to have survived, so step one to a successful peach crop is on its way.

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Kids – don’t do this without your mom’s permission. (For the record: I wasn’t asked for permission. Seventeen-year-olds don’t have to ask. I just took the picture and turned my back. I’ll administer bandaids and sympathy and drive to the ED but I won’t watch it happen.)(Which of course it didn’t.)(I was also told he does this “all the time”.)

Whatever.

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Love this brilliant smile. The excitement & enthusiasm & energy of littles never fails to bless our day!

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Didn’t catch Wyatt’s smile but believe me there were many!

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And how’s that for precious?!

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Horse rides = smiles!!

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Ben keeps Grandpa busy.

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Grandpa keeps Ben busy.

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More littles on Thursday Smile.

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l-r: Nadia, Sarah, Zaine, Jewel, Rachel, Josh, Nic, Katie

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And did I mention that the weather last week was absolutely gorgeous?! Short sleeves and bare feet – summer here we come. And we are ready!!

 

 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Bluffton

by Kate

Last weekend we went to Matt and Tiffany’s.

Saturday morning driving out. Tori had a huge WWII D-day book that she read most the time.

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Ipads are pretty handy to have. Keeps everyone entertained for hours on end. We always have a huge ipad overload while on long road trips Smile.

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Playing with the camera is pretty fun too. We have some great pictures of Jacob that won’t be posted Smile.

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We got to Matt & Tiffany’s mid-afternoon. After supper at their place, we went to Christian Care which is an AC nursing home/retirement center. Matt and his family sang a couple songs, then Matt and a few other guys did a few songs, and then we sang/played awhile. It went good.

Saturday night after we got back from the singing.

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Matt and Tif played a piece on the piano for us…

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and of course Jake had to make a lego tower to the ceiling before bed.

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Sunday we went to Bluffton North in the morning and went to Bluffton Country in the afternoon.

Quick picture after church before we headed home.

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And we’re on the road again! Someone was pretty much always on the ground because we had the front bench out for more room (although there were seats for nine people).  Jake spent a fair amount of time laying down sleeping. We spent alot of time listening to Southern Gospel on the way home. It helps pass the time.

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Sunday was Jewel’s bday so Mom had brought a gift along for her to open. She already had gotten a bicycle for her birthday last week.

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Jacob tries hard to be normal but fails miserably……

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We made it home in good time thus ending a fun weekend.

Thanks Drayers!

                                                                                     THE END.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Smiles

This little gal’s precious smiles just brighten our day!Smile

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Happy birthdays – of course a reason to smile Smile

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Nice hair, Josh – nice smiles both of you!Smile

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These two busy men make me smile.Smile

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Kids have been practicing for a couple of nursing home programs – always makes me smile.Smile

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More smiles in next post as we traveled to Indiana for the weekend!

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Smithville

by Kate

Saturday morning early we left for Smithville, Ohio, to visit Carlton and Candi. Josiah came out with us too to suprise his aunt. It was a success to say the least. We had an awesome time. We had a good drive out although it was very windy.

Sunday morning - proof that Jake can iron a white shirt.

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Sunday morning we also woke up to a pretty layer of snow. Needless to say those of us from Illinios were glad we were going to be leaving the snow behind Smile.

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Heading home! We had a good trip home but again it was incredibly windy.  For some reason we had to stop like four times in only 7.5 hours. Don’t ask me how we made it all the way to Florida……

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Thankyou Carlton and Candi!! We had a great time!

Last Week

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