A Favorite Verse

James 1:27 (KJV)

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

This really is a beautiful verse to reflect on. Love it.

Recent Pictures

Updates

Our little Justus is getting so big and accomplishing so much. Just a quick update. He is now sitting unassisted for quite a long time, playing with toys in his basket. He is also starting to eat many foods; sweet potatoes, yogurt, applesauce, baby cereal, etc.

Each little milestone reached makes my heart sing. "Slow and steady wins the race"
He'll "get there" in his own timing and as God allows. We praise God for our little Butter boy.

Hello Everyone

Hello Everyone! Just a few pictures. I will update later as I have time. For now, enjoy.

Meet my 'GQ' son, Gabriel

The Castle park in YUMA

Hoover Dam new construction



Sunset at San Diego

click on this picture and read bottom of sign carefully - so funny

Beautiful, sweaty, snotty Chloe

The gang (minus three) in San Diego

April and Butter

Can't get enough beach shots (San Diego)

All giggles and a missing tooth

Miss Ellie

ET and his smiling eyes

Just catching lizards...no big

Yeah ... so hot in this area that there are warning signs.

An electrical ball of excitement!

2009 ~ Sealed With a Kiss ~

~ Sealed With a Kiss ~

Some would say our family has endured much this year. However; Christ has been both our Refuge and our Rock throughout. He has manifested Himself in ways we, at times, find difficult to put into words. He has allowed us to experience great tribulation as well as great joy! The year started with Phillip travelling every week for nearly four months. The weekly goodbyes were difficult. God saw fit to end that and allow a new job in Seattle. Then my best friend experienced a mini-stroke and Christ reminded me just how dear my husband truly is. A month later, we welcomed our sweet Justus in the world. He was born with Down syndrome and a heart condition. We count it such honor and joy to have this special boy within our family. The months passed and we had the opportunity to say one last goodbye to Grandma Bender before she passed in August. My children listened around her hospital bed as their grandfather told old family tales, a blessing in the face of loss. We will see her once again: for she was a believer. August also brought with it a need for me to have gallbladder surgery. I was thankful to say goodbye to the gallbladder attacks. September was the month that our sweet Justus had open heart surgery. That brought our family closer together in ways that cannot be expressed. There is nothing like facing the possible loss of a baby that will drive you and your loved ones to your knees in prayer. After nine days in the CICU, "Butter" as Justus has come to be known - was able to go home with a heart that could now allow him to thrive. The Lord worked in a mighty way in many peoples' lives through this time. Justus has truly been a vehicle for the Lord's blessings in so many ways and he is not yet eight months old. This year is coming to an end and yet is the beginning in so many ways. We are truly thankful for His provision, leading, and care for our family's health needs.

May we not forget the lessons learned this year.

Thank you Jesus for all you have wrought.

Happy Anniversary to Us!!

Today is our fourteenth anniversary! Just seems like yesterday that I said "I do". What an adventure we have been on thus far. I am so thankful that Christ saw fit to bring us together. We are best friends and so much more. I love you Phillip with all that I have, forever more...

Our Baby is Seven Months Old Today