We were thrilled to have some of the cousins join our little bunnies at the Pumpkin Patch this year! Del, Arielle and the boys came up for a couple of days, so we thought what could be more fun in Fall than a pumpkin patch 🙂 The kiddos had great fun and so did the adults, anything from a petting zoo, train ride, sunflower maze to picking out your own pumpkin and a huge carousel ride. Lots of fun memories created and what a blessing to spend time with this cute fam!
It has been a loooong while since I have recorded our memories here. I figured, whether I have time or not, it’s time to sit down and do something about it. Life has it’s way to sneak up on us and we can’t help it but get into it’s cycle of insane busyness. So, here we go! Sometime at the end of last summer, we all gathered at the Griffiths household in Fresno and spend some great quality time, before families got scattered again. TJ, Lily and the girls are now in Florida and Del, Arielle and the boys are in route back to Senegal. Somehow these past 6 months flew by like a breeze, but the memories that we all made will never be forgotten!
By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled, with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4 (NASB)
It’s back to school time for my little love. We started our new journey, with Classical Conversations, a strong Christian homeschooling community. The program offers an amazing variety of studies and keeps little minds sharp. We are all very excited to embark this new form of studying and Bella is beyond overjoyed to go to her classes on weekly basis. There is something about having your child pledge allegiance to the flag and to the Bible or reciting verses with ease. There is nothing more valuable in life than having scriptures memorized to walk and guide you through this difficult life. This year, she will memorize an entire chapter of John 1, not only in English but also in Latin. She will know every state and capitol of the United States and be able to draw a full map with states and capitols by memory, all of the presidents, counting in 2’s through 15’s, human anatomy, Latin, English grammar and History from Age of Ancient Empires to Rising Tide of Freedom, science (anything from four types of tissue to catastrophism, math formulas and etc. In just these short two weeks of studies, this little girl knows which bones make up the axial skeleton, counts in 2’s, 3’s and 4’s, has 8 Latin words behind her belt, knows what an “infinitive” and “a present participle” is, can tell you about the Pilgrims and Columbus, knows 14 historic facts and knows 10 states and their capitals and can easily point them out on the map. Yes, I am a proud parent and can not wait to help her learn, while refreshing and learning myself 🙂 God help us as we learn more about Him and challenge our minds by learning what He has given us on this earth. Grateful for such amazing opportunity for my loves.
First Day of School- Classical Conversations
Foundations
My loves, I took you out to take some pictures of you, so I can capture your sweet little faces as they change daily. I could not have asked for better subjects as you warmed my soul every time I looked through the lens of my camera. Your definitely earned some gummy bunnies and graham crackers in the process but you were definitely happy to be there and smile for mama. I couldn’t wait to get home and load these sweet images onto my computer and when I did, it left me speechless. My tiny bunnies grew up, the faces were not baby faces anymore but faces of young children- wow, when did that happen? Your faces are the most beautiful faces in the world and I can stare at both of you and never get tired. Mama knew she would have some cute babies, but the beauty God gifted you with is just beyond my imagination. You two are stunning! I set at my computer that night and just lived in the moment and praised God for my loves. My heart can burst of my love for you! As I watch you grow and create a close bond between you, I can’t help but smile and even laugh sometimes. It’s in the moments when sissy grabs her little brother and squeezes him so tight to give him a kiss, or when you two shout sweet messages across the hallway with lights out for the night. You two warm my heart and you make this life worth living and this world into a beautiful place, even when it’s full of hate and cruelty. You shed light onto this world and mommy and daddy will do their best to guide you and of course we will never accomplish anything beautiful without our Heavenly Father by our side. I pray for you two miracles to grow strong in your foundation and always remember where you came from and Who created you and for what purpose. You were created to LOVE! No matter of the heartbreaks in life and betrayals, you were created to LOVE. Love is light, beauty, forgiveness, laughter, joy, peace and freedom. If you love, you will be forever free and that is just how God intended it. Mommy and daddy love you to the moon and back over and over and over.
Just the sound of 4th of July, makes me smell BBQ 😉 This holiday is special in so many ways, as it always serves as a reminder that we must be grateful every single day to live in a country that is free to worship and server our Heavenly Father. We celebrated with BBQ and delicious dessert. Nothing like celebrating with family 🙂
As years go by, birthdays are becoming more and more treasured. I say that because as we all know, each birthday means, we have yet been granted another year, another glimpse of life of people and events around us! What a gift we are given, every single minute, day and year! It calls for nothing but celebration. God is Great and that is one message I try to hold on dearly! My day felt special from the very beginning as I had a pleasure of going on an early morning bike ride with my dear friend Alandrea and greet the world as it was still half asleep but with crisp air. We accomplished a hill that neither one of us looked forward to, but the feeling of accomplishment was amazing! While on my bike ride, I got one of the best calls with a birthday message from my dearest brother, what a treat! Later in the day, my sweet little family took me out to lunch to one of my favorite pizza places which was topped with an evening date with my honey. Little did I know my family was coming to surprise me with love, flowers and gifts. I am truly, spoiled and loved! Thank you very and very much to all that made my day unforgettable! Thank YOU Lord for granting me yet another year of life!
I welcomed my part time career of becoming a Real Estate agent. Granted I have had my license for over 6 years, I didn’t feel like it was the right time. So far it has been an adventure, but one that I like quite a bit. I pray that God will equip me with the right tools, to be a guide for those who are looking to buy or sell a place they call/will call home.
Our little family has always been in one place, so saying goodbye to my precious brother was a very difficult task to overcome. He has been planning on changing his career for a while now and we all knew that at one point he and Lilya will go on and establish elsewhere, but once it becomes reality, it hits you hard. All I want to leave here, is that I am beyond proud of my lil’ brother (even though he is older, I still refer to him as my lil’ brother) who has accomplished very much in his young life. God has guided him and equipped him with tremendous amount of patience and perseverance and it truly showed once it was time to go. I pray that God will make his new journey exciting, new and challenging, that he can always look back and appreciate how far He has taken him. Uncle “O” we all love you and are behind you 100% of the way. Hugs and kisses!
I am a huge fan of Easter and it’s strong meaning. I love sharing with my precious little ones what truly happened and why Christ died for us. There is still so much for them to grasp but Bella is definitely at a point where she understands to a certain degree. She knows to share Jesus with those that have not had a chance to know Him and cares that her friends accept Him in their hearts.
We had a lovely time spending Easter with both families this year, in Fresno and at home. Of course the long waited egg hunt took place and wonderful baskets were received full of goodies and surprises. It was a blessed time 🙂
This was a long anticipated trip, as it involved time spent with family and going to see many different attractions. For someone that has never been to San Diego, it was a big highlight 🙂 Thank you for our very sweet “O” and Lilya for arranging out stay at a wonderful and comfortable resort overlooking Carlsbad, we would not have gone this year if it was not for him and Lilya. Since there are numerous images, I will let them tell the story 🙂
