I've started a new blog....

Hi everyone! I've started a new blog on wordpress called The Diary of a Happy Housewife. It was just an idea I had and I'll be doing all my blogging from my iphone so wordpress is easier. Go on over and check it out! I hope you enjoy it :)
https://diaryofahappyhousewife.wordpress.com/

Promises

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Family Picture

The nurses took a few pictures for Brandon and Amanda. ❤ Today they are making the final arrangements for little Waylon's body. Watching my brother call funeral homes today made my heart hurt for him even more. Thankfully a nurse offered to make phone calls and help him find one. Please keep Brandon and Amanda and Keylan and Ashlynn in your prayers today especially. They really appreciate and need them.

In The Arms of Jesus

My brother Brandon and his wife Amanda went to the hospital this morning for the birth of their son Waylon Brantley. There were some complications and baby Waylon has gone to be with Jesus. Please pray for them and their daughters Keylan and Ashlynn, as well as the rest of the family.

Goodbye Spring!

So Spring is over down here, and since I took a lot of pictures and never shared them, I thought I'd do a Spring wrap-up post of my favorite ones.... plus I promised Marci I'd post some pictures of the kids... so here they are! ;)

Provy... Also known as Miss Cheeks

Beri

One of the new calves.. it was tiny!! And yes, my sisters ARE beautiful! ;)

 I love these two... I mean THREE. *squeal*

Freshly picked blackberries... brings back lots of good childhood memories! =) 

Brason & Caramel the pet calf. 

Mmmmm Jasmine! 

Well I said he was a pet didn't I? ;) So far he's made it all the way into the kitchen once. He thinks he's a dog. haha.  Isn't Provy ADORABLE??!!

Practicing three legged racing. =)

The new pig... her name is Bacon... so yeah.

Three pretty sisters. =) Brianna just turned 14!!

On a different note, please keep Emily and Amanda in your prayers for their pregnancies. They are both doing very well so far praise the Lord! Ben and Em found out recently that they are having a GIRL!! =) Her name is Georgia Rose. I got to see her on a 3D and 4D sonogram and she's already adorable! =) I can't wait to meet her and Brandon and Amanda's little Waylon. The family is growing rapidly!! =)

Then There Were THREE!

AAAHHHHHHH!!! I know a lot of you already know this, but I still had to make the announcement because I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!! =) Ben and Emily are expecting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D
Click here to read Em's announcement. ;)

I can't WAIT to meet the little one sometime in September! =)

Brother's and Sisters

One of the greatest blessings of living here is that I get to spend lots of time with my younger brothers and sisters!! I've gotten to stay with them a few times while Mom and Dad had to go somewhere, and it's been SO much fun! =) After 3 years away, they've all changed a lot, and it's nice to sort of get to know them again. 

 Bo ~ He's funny, kind, gets lost in his own thoughts a lot, doesn't always pay attention or listen, is a bit of a philosopher. When I took this picture he was in the middle of telling me a story. ;)

Brason ~ He's smart, with a quick wit, mischievous, a bit cocky at times, but still sensitive and soft hearted.  

Bethany ~ Sensitive, quiet, very softhearted, funny, talented and smart.

Brianna ~ Talented, creative, artsy, beautiful, well-read and smart, a dreamer.

Providence ~ Adorable, funny, mischievous, sweet, and did I mention ADORABLE??

 Berakah ~ Cute, mischievous, smart, soft hearted, funny.

Of course I've left out a lot of things... I can't possibly cover everything. I'm just loving my time with them, and I thank the Lord for the opportunity. I really am Richly Blessed.

♥

In Case You Hadn't Noticed....

See this guy?

I love him.

 He's a man's man. Not an ounce of sissy in him. ;)   

He's handsome. He hates having his picture taken. I love the goofy looks I get... even though for his sake, I don't usually share them with you. ;)

He has blue eyes like me.

He's a loving husband. He's an honorable man. He's a gentle man. He's a forgiving man.  

He has an awesome sense of humor. 

He's a hard working man.

He's a godly man. He is my hero, my real life Prince Charming.

He's MY man, and that, my friends, makes me the most blessed girl on the planet.

"Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest,

so is my beloved among the young men.

In his shade I took great delight and sat down,

And his fruit was sweet to my taste.

He has brought me to his banquet hall,

And his banner over me is love.

Sustain me with raisin cakes,

Refresh me with apples,

Because I am lovesick.

Let his left hand be under my head

And his right hand embrace me."

Song of Solomon 2:3-6                  

A Sermon in a Song

1. This song has been on my heart today, and so I decided to share it with you. Have you ever really listened to the words of 
2. this song? It truly is like a sermon for my heart. =)
3. 
   
4. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
5. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
6. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
7. ~ Joseph M. Scriven, 1855

Ginnie Springs

Over New Year's weekend Josh and I and Ben and Em decided to go camping at Ginnie Springs, which is about 2 hours north of where we live, near Gainesville, Florida.  I'm so glad we did! It was really beautiful, and we had so much fun with Ben and Emily! In the evenings we played Mad Gab (Ben and Emily beat us. Badly.), Clue, and one of mine and Josh's favorites (and now I think one of Ben and Emily's favorites too)- Rail Baron. The park itself was really beautiful, and there were very few other campers, so it was quiet and nice. =)

I wanted to share some of the MANY pictures I took over the weekend. =) I hope you enjoy them!

 This is the main spring. Isn't the water beautiful! We really enjoyed swimming here.

 There are actually two springs under the water in this picture. Josh took some underwater video that I will try and share with you soon! =)

 The "run" where the water from a spring runs out towards the river.

 So much better than a swimming pool!

 Me and Josh swimming. =) 

 Lovebirds. ♥

 Here's one of the other areas with a spring... we didn't swim here but it was sure beautiful!

 This is what the main spring at Ginnie Springs looks like when it's lit up at night! =) Those rocks are a few feet under water, and it's about 20 feet deep in the blue part. There's a huge cave under the rocks. It was so neat!!!

 The road we were camping off of. 

On Sunday we went kayaking. Actually Ben and Em when kayaking and Josh and I went canoeing. ;) I love the look on Em's face! Can you tell it was fun? =) 

 Cypress trees are so cool! I love all the roots on the bank.

 The Santa Fe river. It's beautiful.

 Look at the size of this tree! 

My handsome husband. ♥

 Ben tied Emily's canoe to his on the way back so she could have a rest from rowing. =)

The woods behind our campsite were really pretty! I went out there one evening and did a little exploration. ;) 

Check out this Cypress knee! They are so odd looking! I've rarely seen any that were this big.

 I sat down in front of some of the roots to show you how big they were!

 Enchanted forest! =)

 There were lots of these little dried flowers out there. They're pretty.

We hope to go back and camp there again sometime. Maybe when we are certified to dive! =) Have a wonderful afternoon everyone!