counting my blessings

For the longest time I have wanted to update the sidebar of my blog. Those pictures were all taken over a year ago and our children have all grown so much.

But, as life goes, we never seem to find the time to actually get decent updated photos of everyone together.

With the snow coming before we know it, yesterday we did a little impromtu photo shoot after church.

Because as you can see behind us…we’ve already had a hint of snow on the mountains where we live.

And I’m just not ready for winter pictures. Yet.

I am so, so proud of this sweet daughter of ours. The one who opened our eyes to the blessing of adoption! What a beautiful young lady she is becoming–inside and out.

Our oldest son. My precious firstborn who showed me that being a mother was what God had called me to be in this life. And the one who has so graciously put up with all our blunders as we have figured this whole parenting thing out over the last thirteen years.

How did he ever get to be almost as tall as me so quickly? They really do grow up way too quickly.

Sweet, sweet Haven. Our beautiful little quiet one. How we love this daughter who has been part of our family for four years already! Life just would not be the same without her here with us.

Just a hint of a smile. The camera is definitely not one of her favorite things. What a treasure Haven is!

There always has to be one in every family, right?

The guy who just cannot take things too seriously (except going to his classes two days a week!). That’s our Cade. He laughs at the silliest things and just makes life so much more fun.

I can never thank the Lord enough for giving me this child whom He knew would be such a joy to my heart.

My sweet second-born. What a delight this son is to us. Always kind. Always considerate. He is an absolute blessing in every way.

And I think he is looking more and more like his handsome Daddy.

Adorable Harper. The amazing little girl whom God added to us when we least expected it. I look at her and I simply cannot, cannot imagine Harper anywhere but right here with us. Two years with her in our lives has just made life extra special.

She is getting so big, and more and more stunning every day.

And our darling Hailee. Our sweet little miracle girl. Finally starting to look all grown up. No words can express how far Hailee has come in the last two years. She is an absolute joy and a delight.

I have lots of pictures of Hailee to share with you, as well as an update on her recent growth