Can I Just Show Off My Family?

So a month ago we did family pictures before sending our boys off to school in different states. I didn't want to make a huge deal of it so we simply went to our backyard and took a few pictures.

Before we started Clint decided that he needed to cut off the hammock ropes from the trees that were going to be in the background. Yes, they did need to get cut off because they needed to get replaced but ...

The kids didn't quite understand why their dad chose to do it at that specific time. :)  Thank you Rachelle for capturing this moment! I love it!

MY LOVE

#1 priority ... my main man Clint!

Clint is the man of my dreams.
He is a man of great integrity who continually strives to be more and more like Jesus Christ.
He compliments me by being an extrovert. He seems to talk more than I do most of the time, which is ok with me.
He loves unconditionally like no one I have ever met before.
He forgives like no one I've ever known.
The way he leads our family is done with strength and authority.
He has extended an incredible amount of grace to me.
He fights for me.
He fights for our marriage with all that he has.
He is well respected by those around him.
He listens to and hears me.
I love the way he loves me.
I'm so grateful for this man, my best friend!

OUR KIDS...

... have all been through some challenges in their lifetime. Being in a stepfamily tells you that pain happened before they became siblings. They have all experienced death and loss more than I would ever want my kids to endure. Ultimately they have all had a death of a family. Michael and Anna through divorce and John Michael, Ben and Bekah through death.

I am so proud of the way they have fought through the grief and pain of it all and have come out on top! They have all had to walk through healing and been forced to cling to Jesus through it all. It hasn't been easy much of the time but they have shared a lot of laughter in the midst of it all.

They walk, talk and live like real siblings. They have grown up together and pushed through obstacles and loved each other consistently. Like normal siblings, they haven't always liked each other but they have always loved each other.

I have to say that each of these young adults and teenagers are pretty amazing!! I'm so proud of who they are!

MICHAEL

The one thing that this guy loves to do is laugh! Oh my goodness, his laugh is contagious!
I remember laughing with him when he was having his pictures taken. It was awkward for him and we laughed about it with him.

This 22 year old young man loves to worship Jesus with all his heart. I have seen him grow immensely in his ability to lead worship with grace and sincerity. The Holy Spirit honors the sincerity of his heart and shows up with his sweet presence.

This summer I enjoyed seeing how he changed because of the healing truth of Jesus in him. I'm excited to see more of that in him.

"You amaze me Michael with your ability to pursue God with all you are and to step out in faith because that is what you are called to do."

JOHN MICHAEL

This 20 year old continues to amaze me. Twelve years ago I never dreamed that he would be doing
what he's doing today. He continually has to work to overcome challenges and he is learning how to do that with persistence.

He loves sports just like his bio-dad did. Being an Eagles fan will always be a part of who he is. Wheelchair basketball has become a huge healing part of his life. Without that life would be very different. There's no doubt that the sport of wheelchair basketball has been a gift from God from the beginning.

His gift of playing guitar has been a pretty big blessing. I thoroughly enjoy it when he worships with his guitar. It's healing for us all.

He still likes to hangout with his mom. :)

"Keep doing what God has called you to do. I'm proud of the way you have grown up and are learning along the way. Keep pursuing God in the midst of it."

ANNA

Life together with this 20 year old hasn't always been easy. We both know that we had a rough relationship for a long

time. Because of prayers and persistence God has done an incredible healing miracle with us! I am in awe of what God has done!

I am amazed at how she has grown up to be one that loves God through serving him and others. Worshipping Jesus is so much of who she is. It's not only a talent but a gift.

She enjoys hugs.
She enjoys gifts. ... giving and receiving.

"I'm grateful that we have both pursued the truth of Jesus in our relationship. What would we do without that? Your honesty with me is refreshing to me. Don't stop being who God designed you to be. Keep pursuing Him!"

BEN

Oh Ben! He just turned 18 and I can't believe he's a legal adult now.

I love the way he still gives me hugs ... long hugs ... just like he always has. I have to remind him to not lean on me anymore because he's bigger than I am now. It's a thing with us.

He has discovered that he's a really good singer. His voice is much like his bio-dad's and I love it. He went from a tenor to a baritone this year in choir, which is kind of fun.

He is so good with little kids. They love him.

Being with his mom doesn't embarrass him. :) I like spending time with him and hearing his heart.

"Keep being who you are and strive to be more and more like Jesus every day. I love the way to still love on me and appreciate me. I'm proud of you and who you've become. Keep going after God."

REBEKAH

My sweet Bekah. She's my baby, even at 15 years old and almost 6 inches taller than me.  I can't believe she's going to be

driving next year! I just told her a few days ago that I think all my kids should be toddlers again. :)

I love when she plays her piano so beautifully! It's one of my favorite sounds ever! She plays keys on the student ministries worship team and is beginning to lead as well. We've driven to a lot of piano lessons and it's paying off.

I love that she still shares her heart with me. Some of our best conversations happen at bedtime.
She still wants to spend time with me and makes me go shopping with her. :)

"Stay sweet. I love your heart and how much you value your relationships with your friends and family. The way you worship on your own is a joy. It blesses me to hear you play piano and sing. I love how you want the best for people. Keep pursuing the heart of God."

FAMILY 

My family is pretty awesome!

Becoming a family unit from two different families isn't easy. It comes with a lot of work and determination to overcome the challenges of pain and grief that come with us. It's all been worth it because it has shaped us to be who we are today ... so much better than we were before.

Every single one of us put a lot of effort into becoming a family. We all love and adore each other!

We have laughed and cried together many times. Sometimes the tears were from laughter and sometimes they weren't.

Today there is a lot more laughter than tears. I'm grateful for that.