I wanted to change up my background a bit. It reminds me of summer and of being free. I know it may sound odd, but I also really like grass! Ian and I celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary on the 16th and I was barefoot in the grass when walking down the isle toward my love. Sweet memories!!

The weekly goings on:
We would appreciate prayers. It has been a rather difficult couple of weeks for Ian and I. Because Ian works on Sundays, we have not being able to go to church and we really miss being fed and the fellowship of believers. Ian has also come down with an illness of some kind and he has felt miserable. To add to it, in keeping up with the news, there have been many deaths lately and that weighs heavily on hearts, especially on that of a police officer. This world can be so cruel, but we believe little Caley Anthony is in her Heavenly Father's loving arms. We've just been emotionally, physically and spiritually drained. My sweet mother in law has offered to watch the girls while Ian and I go on an overnight date to Houston in August. I am looking forward to a recharge when all we have to focus on is one another, but it will also be my first time away from my girls, so please pray for me.

On a lighter note, both my girls are now walking and this keeps Momma quite busy. They usually go in different directions and have me going nonstop from 8:30am to 7pm. It is challenging, but a joy nonetheless. Every day they discover something new and it excites them...and me!
Surprisingly, I have had to discipline Karis more than Kelsie. Karis gets frustrated very easily, she is a stubborn little thing like her Mom, and she thinks that signing "please" gets her anything she wants. Kels seems so sensitive to Karis's needs & wants. Whenever she has a toy that Karis wants, Kels allows her to take it & moves on to something else. She also hates it when Karis is upset & crying. Yesterday, Kare was upset, threw herself on the floor, and laid their crying. She wouldn't get up. Kels went & found Karis's snuggli, took it over to her and tried to help her up. When she couldn't she stood beside her & started to "fake" cry with her. It was sweet to witness.
They have both started jabbering within the past week. When they pick up a book, they point to things on a page and they start talking about it. They also walk around with their play cell phones & carry on a conversation. I will try to get a video clip of it. For now, here's a few pics from this past week.

 My bundles of joy!

'Tis the season...

...to recognize the men in my life that are in the service of our country. It is the time of year to recall all that you, brave soldiers, have done for so many others. To you, my brothers, I wish for you to know my gratitude for your daily sacrifice. The Lord has equipped you to be caretakers of those who would owe you their lives. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for your perseverance. Thank you for your love of God and country. For you, I pray this Psalm and trust the Lord with your future. Thank you for fighting for ours!!

Jeffrey Merryman, Mark Cooney, Jeremy Merryman, and Ian Mader, I am incredibly honored to know you! 

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

July? Really?

I can't believe it's July already. This year has really flown by. Tomorrow's the 4th, and there is a burn ban going on, so there won't be any fireworks, but we are proudly flying our flag and will be celebrating nonetheless! 

Thought I'd post a few videos that I took this week. 

Here's Kels dismounting feet first off the guest bed. I am so glad that the girls have learned how to safely get down from a high place rather than going headfirst & hurting themselves. 

We have also been practicing our animal sounds. Here's Karis demonstrating a few. 

These little ones are hogs for knowledge!