a family snapshot

American families have always shown remarkable resiliency, or flexible adjustment to natural, economic, and social challenges. Their strengths resemble the elasticity of a spider web, a gull's skillful flow with the wind, the regenerating power of perennial grasses, the cooperation of an ant colony, and the persistence of a stream carving canyon rocks. These are not the strengths of fixed monuments but living organisms. This resilience is not measured by wealth, muscle or efficiency but by creativity, unity, and hope. Cultivating these family strengths is critical to a thriving human community.

... hopefully a better family photo soon - but this makes due!

my little man!

FINALLY! i have a picture of me and the *quickly* growing little man

he is always good for a sweet little grin - he makes our world a better place 

bryan thinks its funny that luke is amazed at empty pop bottles... this goes to show you how often bryan has one in his hands

luke *loves* bathtime - he honestly makes more of a mess splashing water outside the tub than emma!

Zoo Day!

it was a great day to go to the zoo, and the kids were in a great mood to do it!

*note emma new haircut :)

i tried to get just one pic of me and the kids... unsuccessful

*thought* we could leave her here, she would fit in QUITE perfectly!

a splurge for mommy and daddy resulted in emma insisting that she carry it... thats the LAST thing she needs to be putting in her crazy little body!

by the end of the day it was ROASTING hot in our house, no let the nakedness begin (for the kids only - lol)

 - Fourth of july weekend -

emma was able to spend a special monday morning with bryan. we thought it would be fun to take her to the park and play in the splash pad - but she HAD to get a nap first... this is how we found her...

so while emma had her daddy time, luke and i were enjoying the shade together!

just a few updated 'captures' of my kids

For a while, the news has been filled with stories about a pollutant called acid rain. Its a problem in the northeastern United States and Canada. Acid rain is the result of sulfur and nitrogen oxides being washed from the air by normal rainfall. These pollutants are killing whole forests and destroying fish, etc.






The people of Israel encountered a similar situation at an oasis they called Marah, which means "bitter." Something had polluted the water so badly that it was undrinkable. The people of God were in danger of dying of thirst.






But when we need God most, He is always there. God directed Moses to a tree that miraculously restored the pureness of the water when cast into it.






Bitter water also can destroy our spiritual lives. James asks, "Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?" (James 3:11). The sweet spirit God wants for us cannot exist in a heart polluted by bitterness. Bitterness on the inside will eventually show itself on the outside. No matter how carefully we think we have concealed it, bitterness will eat away all we are, all we say, and all we do. The only solution is to apply the healing balm of Gods Spirit to the bitterness of our lives.






Are you being polluted by bitterness? Isnt it time for Gods freshness?