Monica's Mohawk

While we were in Kansas City Nanny took all of us to the pool for the afternoon. The kids had a lot of fun. Monica loves the water and is pretty much fearless. After we put a life jacket on Daniel he was able to swim the entire length of the pool by himself. He was very proud and so was I!

Monica and Daniel playing at the mall

Priceless Pictures

While we were in Kansas City we were able to take Grandpa Jones (who is almost 92) in to get pictures taken with us. The pictures that they took are priceless. I love the one of the four generations.

Happy 30th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you my dear sweet love. I love you with all my heart. You are the love of my life. You are a great husband and father. Your children adore you and you are greatly missed when you are not at the house. It was fun to see you have a day of sloth and playing nintendo games like a little kid. I am so glad that I was able to give that to you. You are my friend, my sweetheart, my SF!

A much needed update

Things have been kind of busy around here so far this summer. I am sorry for those who keep checking my blog and not seeing anything new. Here are some random pictures from the last couple of weeks.


All of us visiting Grandpa the day before he went into the hospital. Since then he has been moved to Hospice care.


My first attempt to be a good mother and make my son a birthday cake of his dreams. I did not have a cake pan to form the shape, or to help me, so this is what I came up with. Not to shabby huh?

My little larry boy loved it.


My darling Monica at the pool. She loves water!

Then I realized I was bitter and I was all torn up inside....

Have you ever wondered why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer? Have you ever been mad at God that people like Hugh Hefner and Donald Trump have billions when you struggle so much from day to day just to survive? I have to confess that this a thought that creeps into my mind when I sit down and look at the check book and wonder how this month is going to work out. With Brandon's grandfather ill and the expense of the unexpected trips to Kansas City the last month this thought has been on my mind more and more. So why is it that the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper. Amazingly God answered this question for me a couple of days ago. Bear with me a minute while I take you through Psalm 73 and at the end you will also have the answer to this question.
"Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts or PURE. But as for me, I almost lost my footing, my feet were slipping, and I was almost gone, for I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives, their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don't have troubles like other people, they're not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats HAVE EVERYTHING THIER HEARTS COULD EVER WISH FOR! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to CRUSH OTHERS. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused drinking in all their words. "WHAT DOES GOD KNOW?" they ask. "DOES THE MOST HIGH EVEN KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING?" Look at these wicked people enjoying a life of ease while their RICHES MULTIPLY? "DID I KEEP MY HEART PURE FOR NOTHING? DID I KEEP MYSELF INNOCENT FOR NO REASON?" I get NOTHING but TROUBLE all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally UNDERSTOOD THE DESTINY OF THE WICKED." Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at the dreams in the morning. THEN I REALIZED that my heart was BITTER, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still BELONG TO YOU; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your council, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart. he is MINE FOREVER. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."


After reading such a passage how can I now envy the wicked. Their destiny is the wrath of God where mine is the be in his glory for eternity. I might struggle here on earth, but I will be rewarded for my faithfulness. I am now convicted when I think that I deserve more than that, I sound like a "senseless animal" to God, and that those who do not belong to him will see his wrath. They will be judged for the wicked they do. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness to my family. Praise him for our Salvation, which is worth more than any riches that can be found on this earth.

Family Fun

I woke up Monday morning full of excitement. Is today really the day? I have not seen my sister, brother in law, or their beautiful children in over a year. Ever since we moved to Michigan and they moved to Idaho it has been really hard to try to figure out how we can see each other. Our chance had finally arrived. Brandon and I were in Kansas City visiting family, and Andrea and her family were flying in to attend a youth camp in Arkansas. They were going to be in Kansas City for 1 day. I jumped out of bed, and got myself ready as quickly as possible. Then Brandon and I together got the kids ready. We ate our breakfast, loaded in the van and off we went. I could hardly believe that I was finally going to get to kiss Madelyn, hug Brennan and meet Autumn! After about 40 minutes in the car we drove up to the house where they were staying. In the drive way stood Madelyn. She looked puzzled at our van as if she was wondering who it was driving up the drive way. After parking I got out of the van and yelled "Madelyn come see your Aunt Marci" her face light up like a christmas tree and she came running as fast as she could. She jumped on me, wrapped her skinny little legs around my waist, and her arms around my neck and hugged me so tight. My only response was to cry. What a beautiful moment. I will never forget it! The day continued to get better and better. I got to hold my beautiful Autumn Grace. I got to play with Madelyn and Brennan. I got to talk to Andrea, and hug her neck. We were together for 7 hours, and yet it seemed like just a few minutes. I am not sure when the next time I will see them again is, but at least I have a few precious memories to hold on to!

The Boys!

Here are some pictures of the boys playing.






I really enjoyed watching Brennan play. He concentrates so hard on what he is doing.

The Girls

Here are a few pictures of the girls playing together.

To My Father

The old saying goes, any one can be a dad, but it takes a real man to be a father. I guess my dad is the manliest man in the world, because he is one GREAT father. Looking at this picture made me ponder my own child hood. Just a few memories that I have of my father are horse back riding in Naivasha, playing in the pool in Kisumu, trips to the Sareit Center in Nairobi, eating at Hong Kong, going to the movies, and christmas shopping in Kisumu. Another great memory that stands out in my mind is we used to go to SMSU Bears games together, and before the game we would always go to Taco Bell where I would get a taco and the nachos with cheese. That was always a special treat! My dad always took time to be with us. No matter what I know I can always count on my father! His love for me has carried over to my children, and they love him so very much. Daniel has special memories with him that I know he will never forget, and I know there are more memories to come. Dad so many years have passed, so many memories have been made. I love you with all my heart, and I wanted to make sure you knew that today!

Happy Father's Day

I am so thankful for my loving husband. He is such a good father to his children. Every day he takes time to play with each one of them. He is always taking Daniel out for special "daddy Daniel time" and I know that when Monica gets a little older he will do the same with her. Brandon is a great daddy. He shows this on a daily by giving baths, doing diapers, giving discipline, cleaning dirty faces, wiping runny noses, kissing bubus, and doing devotions. I could not ask for a more loving, more loving and Godly man to be the father of my children. His children love him with all their hearts and so do I.

Thank you!

Thank you to Aunt Andrea, Uncle Matt, Madelyn, Brennan, and Autumn. Can you see how excited it was to get this gift? You really made his day!

Words to ponder by Charles Wesley

Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name,
Put Him to an open shame.

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

Day of Daniel

Four years ago today my dear son was born. It is hard to believe that I have known him for four years. The time has flown by and he was turned from my little baby boy, into my ever growing kid. I love him so very much, and Brandon and I made every effort to make his special day as special as possible. This morning when he woke up he was surprised to see his first present sitting in the living room. We got him a scooter! He loved it! Then Brandon went out and got him donuts, which is his favorite breakfast. After breakfast we all loaded into the van and took Daniel to garage sales. Garage sales are one of his favorite things to do. We also stopped by a park where he was able to play on a bounce thing, and ride a pony! Also while we were out we stopped by Meijer to pick up the cake he picked out, and he picked out the ice cream that he wanted to go with the cake. Then we went to Party City and got him some balloons. After that we went to his favorite place to eat lunch, Mcdonalds. He got a chicken nugget happy meal, which he was very pleased about. After we got home he spent the afternoon playing in a blow up pool, riding his bike and new scooter, and playing with his friends. Then of course we had cake, ice cream and present time. Daniel had so much fun. Right before bed I sat him on my lap and said "Daniel what what your favorite part of your birthday?" After thinking for a minute he said "EVERYTHING!" I count that as a successful birthday.

















PS. Thanks to all the family who called today and made him feel special!