A Huge Thank You!

Our family is sending a huge thank you to the one who gave up his Sunday afternoon to come mow our "knee-high" grass in the hot summer sun! Mark's schedule has been so crazy between work, travel and church that there's been no time to mow over the past two weeks! Our sweet Life group teacher was aware of this and just showed up to bless our family. We wanted you to know Mark was able to take the kids on a bike ride last night rather than stay home and mow! We are so thankful for Christian friends who help take care of us and we are praying a huge blessing on you for helping us! This was a great lesson for my kids to see how God always provides for our needs even the cutting of the grass! Thanks again!

4th of July at Lake of the Ozarks

Most of the great-grandkids on Grandma Brown's merry-go-round in her yard.
Singing "You're a Grand Ole Flag" with Grandma Brown!
My 34-year-old brother Kip trying to pop a wheelie while riding a bike with sparklers on the wheels! As you can see, he's about to wipe out! Our party was hard up for entertainment, huh?
Sadly, my Grandma J spent the 4th in the hospital so we stopped by to cheer her up! These are my brother Kevin's newly adopted girls Shayla, Kayla and Layla. Kip's oldest daughter Ellie is right beside Grandma J. Feel better soon, Grandma!

Happy 4th Birthday Lydia!

Lydia turned 4 on June 22 and wanted an ice cream cone party at the gymnastics place with all her friends. So, whatever the princess wants she usually gets, especially if Daddy is involved! Here's a few pics of the birthday fun!

Holiday World Trip for Mark's Birthday/Father's Day

Lydia and Mark on the Turkey Whirl--she was much more brave than her "chicken" mommy!
Liddy's favorite ride of all time--the carousel! This is the kiddie one but she likes the big one better!
Lydia kept spinning in circles--she looks a little dizzy!
We spent the night with Santa at Santa's Lodge before going to the water park all day!
Mark's birthday funnel cake-yummy!

Blown Away!

Have you ever prayed for a really long time about something and it just feels like God is not answering? And then, out of the blue, He gives you an answer that just blows you away! This is what we've been experiencing this week and we are so thankful to God for answered prayers! When I say we, I mean our family and our church family. Lynwood has been searching for a pastor for awhile now and just when it seemed we would never get one, God comes through and is sending Bro. Mark Anderson back to us! Yes, back to us! He is the pastor we had several years ago that we never wanted to leave. Never in a million years did we dream God would give him back to us. Just proof that we will never have the mind of God and His ways are not our ways and never will be. We are all super excited and can't wait for mid-July when his family comes! Lynwood's miracle is just beginning!

16 Years!

I just wanted to wish a Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband of 16 years today! And we are celebrating by driving in the car for 6 hours with 3 fighting kids on our way to Kansas City! Woohoo! Sounds romantic, huh? We'll probably even get to stop at Burger King for our anniversary dinner!

Seriously, we have had an amazing life together and I wouldn't trade a moment of it! Mark has taken such good care of me and is a really fun dad. He's a hard worker, good provider and loves his Lord. What more could I ask for? Maybe an island trip or diamonds? Just kidding--I love you, honey!

Announcing...!

Caleb, Levi and Lydia are proud to announce their new baby cousin! Macie Claire Brown was born on May 14 at 3:17 p.m. to Kip, Gina and big sister Ellie! She weighed 8 lbs, 2 oz and is 18.5 inches long. Too bad she lives in Kansas City and we can't see her very much! Here's a picture when baby Macie was only a few hours old! Isn't she precious?