jackson family

My little brother Ross and his family (Angel, Ezra and baby G) dropped by on their way through to OC. We love them all tons.

bunk love

The joys of sharing, sharing toys, a room and really almost everything. I love that we have two boys that can grow up together, play together, fight and forgive, and that they get to have bunkbeds. I always have loved bunkbeds, and now my boys do too.

J says that his is a tree house and O's is a cave. We got these set up a couple of weeks ago. They have been sharing a room since November. They really like their beds, and they love being in the same room. O has slept so much better since we put them together. He used to get scared at night, I think that since he is in the same room with is brother he feels safer. I would, J is a fierce warrior! :) Good times.

12?

We know a beautiful family who has 12 chillins, yep 12 kids-- no not cats. On friday night we got to spend the evening with them, they blessed us with clam chowder, fishsticks, salad and the most amazing cheesecake ever (thanks Claire)!!! We talked, discussed, and made fun of eachother (all in great fun) Brad was blessed as much as I was. It is so fun to be around people that get you, get your jokes and seem to enjoy you just as much as you enjoy them. It was so encouraging also to see that, the older kids are amazingly well behaved/responsible/respectful/sweet/kind and gentle, not only that but also loving with their younger siblings. Honesty, that is a biggie for me, and these folks are honest to the core. We disused stubborn children, and just what that looks like...yes families of 12 have to deal with stubbornness as well. Blessings to them.

I know that we are blessed by them, by their calling and obedience. They are such fun people to hang out with. I could try to tell you their story, but you should check out the blog posts coming from someone who knows what it is like to have 12 kids. Matt Szabo (aka Sabo) (aka Team Sabo leader numero 1) writes his own blog on the struggles, joys and there you can see their heart and fall in love all on your own. Do they really have 12 kids? yep, 12.

There you'll find some fun posts on being a diaper changer for 19 years, on counting our lives too dear, and my favourite....how they ended up with 12 amazing jewels!

ps. for the pictures it was really hard to get everyone in the same area. I didn't do so well with that, but I wanted to enjoy our time there so I just took the above two. I always am bummed that I don't take more....but I just like to visit :)

family

The Chalupsky Residence is our home away from home. We go at least once a year (most years we spend 3 or 4 weekends there) and spend the night, us and several other young families. The other families are usually the daughters of the Chalupsky's, but everyone is welcome. They are family, they include people and love on you. I love Patty and Stu. And Jessica,( my maid of honour in my wedding and I her matron of honour in hers, the same summer!!!) she is one of the daughters and if I have ever had a best friend, she is it- no doubt.

I prayed for family away from family, since my parents are in Spain, my brother is married and in the military...they are the family that I prayed for in college. We met almost 10 years ago, and since day one it just worked, I was hooked. I started going there for New Year's about 9 years ago! It is one of the things I most look forward to about all our holiday celebrations.

I love all the sisters, their husbands too. I haven't ever been blessed quite like at the Chalupsky's, and when we are there it bursts out. A place of respite and love.

Check out the "thief confounding" mailbox it was made by the Chalupsky's, sweet!




Part of the delight is being in the middle of nowhere, no cell reception, no cable...just people time.

Patty has chickens!!! She is now a crazy chicken lady like me.



jessica and her youngest, Russell. She and Aren have two boys too!
the neighbors have llamas, they have dreads.

{a&e and B&b} double date

Christmas comes in Spain (AKA Reyes)

My dad just sent me these pictures of them getting the gifts we sent...I am aching for a visit to la patria.

gingerbread house