Fun and Meaningful Project

Yes, I actually did a project with my kids. Those of you who know me well, know this is not normal. I was inspired by Ann at www.aholyexperience.com to make an Easter Garden with Brett and Bri. They were so excited to get started. I know, I should not have said anything till I had all of the things we needed, but anyway we had fun buying the flowers and pot. (I did survive the, "Can we do it, yet?".) We waited till Dad could help us with the tomb and then put it together. We are looking forward to other teaching moments with it in the next week as we look forward to Easter Sunday. Yes, we serve a Living Lord!!!

Samantha Noel Brunk

Kip and Amy's Samantha arrived on Feb. 25th. A few weeks early, but healthy and perfect. We are so thankful to God! We have been blessed again as we gain a niece. The first girl in our family since Briana. We thought it was about time to have a little "sugar and spice" added to the menagerie of Melvin and Connie Riffey's.
She arrived while we were still in Florida, but we traveled to IN on Sunday, the day after we arrived home, to see and hold her. We are glad she is here and that God has taken care of her and her mother through pregnancy and delivery.

May His Name be Praised!

Cameron, her almost 2 year old brother, calls her "honey." It is very sweet!

Happy Birthday, Kami

  Today Kami turns "2"! I wanted to publically say Happy Birthday to her. We are sad that she is not here with us to celebrate, but we have learned (again) that God has a plan and His plan is perfect. We thank Him for the work that He has done in our lives over the last several months. He has taught us so much through this difficult time. We continue to pray the "prayer that never fails" (so says Father Tim from the Mitford series), "Your Will Be Done!" We still don't know what the future holds for Kami coming to our family, but we have learned to trust God in His sovreignty and His unfailing faithfulness. He alone knows what is best for all of us and we are thankful that we can let the future rest in His most capable hands.

  I was reading to Brett about tides and the ocean from "A Child's Geography" last week. It was amazing to think about the oceans of this earth holding 326 million trillion gallons of water and Isaiah tells us that He "has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand." Amazing! How Great is our God!!

  So, today on Kami's 2nd birthday I thank God. I thank Him for bringing her into our lives, I thank Him for the hard lessons learned (learning), I thank Him for sending Jesus so that we can the power to live for Him everday, and most of all I thank Him for Himself that lives within me! May His Name be continually praised!!

Florida Fun

So, I wasn't planning on posting anymore pictures from Florida, but I uploaded these to the computer today and some were just too cute not to post. So enjoy!

We have enjoyed feasting on fresh shrimp a couple of times this year. I always enjoy eating them once I get over the fact that I just boiled them whole in boiling water. I think I prefer the kind already beheaded and shelled!

Brett and Briana getting one more hold time in before U. Dave's left. 

Actually getting to feed Camen was a real thrill! 

It has come time for Cole to leave. Everyone loaded up for the trip downstairs. This morning Brett said, "Mom, I wish Cole was still here." We miss you, Cole! You were so much fun to have this week! What a blessing to look at the world through your eyes!!

We took a walk on the beach this morning with Mom and Dad Riffey. Brett found a fish head to investigate. He wanted to know if he should put it in his bag. I had to laugh, but told him it probably wasn't a great idea. That reminds me of Cole this week. 

About Friday, he asked his mom if they could take a seagull home with them! Boy, wouldn't that be a lovely trip home.

Brett and Grandpa (Dad) walking along on the beach. Brett and Briana's personalities really show when we go shelling. Brett picks one up and says, "This is really pretty, Mom" and then promptly throws it back down on the beach. Bri picks up broken pieces and puts them in her bag for safekeeping. You can tell who the packrat will be!

Daddy and Briana

I will treasure this picture always. There is a bond here that I cannot explain. Sometimes I am tempted to be jealous, but I praise God for this father-daughter connection! God is so Good!

Our Family Arrives

Mel, Dave, Cole, and Camen arrived Saturday morning. Cole was sooo excited to be here. Too bad it was a gloomy, rainy day. We did get enough time to take a walk on the beach and get in the pool a little. It is so refreshing to see him get so excited! Today was cloudy too, but still nice enough to be in the pool. The kids were thrilled. It doesn't matter how much time we spend down there they don't want to get out. Mom and Dad Riffey made it here late last evening. We are enjoying the fresh strawberries and bananas they brought us. We are hoping for a sunny day tomorrow. Here are a few more pictures.

I am so thankful God created oceans and beaches.

Bri can't get enough when it comes to holding Camen. Just when we 

get him fixed, she wants to hold him. 

Dave changing a very dirty diaper!

Brett and Cole having a great time walking on the beach.

Bri is having a great time swimming. 

They have so much energy! They are ready to scoop for shells.

Brett and Briana coming up for air.

They are up now, but not for long! Brett barely leaves time to get a breath.

Bri was gracious for the moment and let Cole dump water on her head.

Florida

We arrived in Florida Saturday morning and are enjoying a few days with just our family before more of the Riffey family arrives. We have had beautiful weather so far. It looks like some rain might be moving in for the next few days, but we have plenty to keep us busy inside too! Hopefully, it won't rain all day and we can at least get a good walk in at some point.
Brett and Bri are definitely at a good age. They enjoy the sand, but I must say that the pool is the highlight this year. Bri took right to the water and remembered what she had learned at swimming lessons last summer. As always it took Brett a little to get used to it again. He took off today and is doing quite well. Of course, he is still a little on the cautious side!!
I have spent time scrapbooking, reading, and a lot of time researching home school curriculum. The latter is quite a chore, but I am trusting that we will find a match for us!

Here are a few pictures taken on Sunday. Enjoy and God Bless!

Camen John Miller

Dave and Mel's 2nd son was born this morning. We are so thankful he is here and everyone is doing well. We were blessed with a little lull in the snowstorm and were able to travel to Kokomo to see the new little one. He is a sweetie!! Truly a blessing from the Lord. He weighed in at 7lbs. 3oz. and his length is 21 in. Congrats Dave, Mel, and Cole! Praise the Lord!!