barley academy

random shots

Here are some recent pictures that just make me smile. Hopefully, on those tough days that await me in the future, just looking at some of these will refill my mind with good. "What ever is good.... think on these things..."

zoo lights

conversations

Leah: "Daddy, what are you doing?"
Mommy: "He's trying to ruin Kyle's ears so that he can never hear again."
Leah: "Really, Daddy?"
Seth: "Can you hear me, Kyle?!"
Kyle: "No."
Leah: "Yup. Daddy ruined his hearing."

jones orchard

homemade cards

These are the cards we made for Hannah & Beau.
Instructions:
1. color on sand paper (really layer the crayon on thick)
2. place sand paper on thick paper crayon side down (we used poster board)
3. iron (I placed the pieces between an old t-shirt)

good morning, george. how are you?

goodnight gorilla

Excerpts from one of our favorites, read by Kyle:

daddy's 31!!

Nathan's birthday was trumped by his being late to come home and Seth's soccer game. We celebrated on the run.... welcome to parenthood!

seth's first soccer season

And, his biggest fans!!

It was so much fun to go to Seth's soccer games. He LOVED it and now he's excited to try out some baseball next!! Thanks, Nana and Papa; that was a great birthday gift.

fun at the zoo

Watching this grizzly play with the kids was super cool. It's amazing how brave they are when there's some glass between them and the bear.

joy's wedding

thanks, daddy

Just a plain, old-fashioned, family-fun surprise from Daddy.

rocket science

Thanks to everyone that gave Seth some money for his birthday. You are the official sponsors of this fun-filled family day!

seth turned 5

As usual, Seth was blessed to be able to celebrate his birthday surrounded by extended family. We had such fun. It was so suffocatingly hot, we decided to forgo a day at the zoo and use this day to stay around the house enjoying each other's company. Nathan bought a slip-n-slide and everyone had a great time playing that morning, because the slip-n-slide only lasted until lunch time. Later we did 2 rounds of presents and cake. Nathan's wacky schedule made it so that Mikaila and Seth's "parties" had to be separate, but no one was displeased with 2 rounds of cake!! So, another year is over and I can't believe he's 5 and already in the full swing of school. He's like a little man.

mommy's little readers

We love reading in this house and
I'm always catching Leah reading to Kyle!!
LOVE IT!

independence day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!

starlight spectacular

three...

that is all. I only have three children. Three is not a lot, it is very manageable. I have friends that have four, five and six. Three is easy.

However, tonight at dinner, I felt as though I had 20. I know that everyone has things going on in their lives right now, but if you're reading this, please speak a quick prayer on our behalf. Kyle and Leah have been sick for almost 3 weeks now and we are all very worn out. They are cranky, sobby, weak, needy, lethargic... and yes, still, at times, adorably sweet (just gotta love my Leah's affection and my Kyle's giggles). Our doctors haven't figured out what's going on yet, but it needs to be over. Seth has remained fine through this whole thing. This momma better get to bed so that she can peel herself out at 3 a.m. to give two littles medicine that tastes HoRriBLe! Night, night. Sleep tight.

seth's first stitches

Yes, June held many firsts for Seth. While at V.B.S. at our church Seth "stumbled" into a table and sustained a pretty bad injury. (Well, at least it was the worst our family has seen to date. Thank you, Lord.)

Because it happened at night, we had to make a trip to the E.R. We arrived around 6:30 and did not return home until nearly 1:00. (That's why he's sleeping in the center shot.) While there, the E.R. doctor decided to derma-bond it and send us on our way.... after a popsicle. That was Wednesday. By Sunday, the derma-bond had unsealed and we went to see Dr. Susan on Sunday afternoon. She decided to do stitches.... and now I KNOW why the very kind, soft-spoken E.R. doctor decided to derma-bond that sucker. WOW!! That was traumatic for everyone in the office and down the street.


And, apparently, no matter how loud you're going to scream, they give you a cool tattoo before you get started!