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!

A look back at 2011... And a look forward at 2012

Happy New Year! I'm a little late I know. I'm almost always late but hey, at least I'm consistent! ;)

Anyway...

 2011 held some big changes for us as most of
you know. Josh started working as a financial advisor in the beginning of the year, along with continuing his construction business. After pursuing that career path for a while we began to feel that it was not quite what God was leading Josh to continue to try and do full time, and we were praying for wisdom and guidance, and looking at other options. When my Dad brought up the idea of going into the Hardscape business with Brandon, Ben and Josh, it was something that  we had thought about (not hardscaping specifically but we had thought about working together doing something) and the idea was very appealing and exciting to both of us although we new the risk, and the huge amount of commitment it would take, and we had many concerns. After much prayer, lots of consideration and discussion, and going to a trade show with my dad and brothers and hearing their thoughts and commitment level, we felt that God was leading us to make the move. It was hard to leave our friends and family in Ohio, and more than half our things are packed away in a storage unit, but we love being here and are excited for the future! The Lord has blessed us so far with beautiful weather, enough money coming in through some remodeling work Josh is doing for my Grandad, and many exciting developments and the promise of work beginning very soon in the new company, WoodStone Creations. 2011 ended on a very hectic and exciting note, and 2012 has begun the same way.

 I also cannot forget to mention some of the other exciting happenings of 2011-

The birth of my little niece Ashlynn and watching God's blessing and healing in her little life.

The birth of little Amanda to our best friends Caleb and Sue in Ohio.

The marriage of Ben and Em.

And many other less major but still very exciting things! 2011 was a year full of trials and blessings, and learning and growing. I expect 2012 will be full of those things too. I pray that you and your family have a new year full of blessings. I, personally, cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store!