summer highlights

cousins
a grandpa on a favorite porch



a prince

celebrating getting older

(one of these bday girls is more excited than the other)

Gav's trip out West to move a best bud

big family on a river

kids in a "truckster"

cottage hats

cousin-buds

to blog or not to blog

That is the question...

Since the snow melted...

Cole, is our t-ball coach.

Lyric is back hitting the pavement.

Grandpa brought over this toy...not ours...just a one time deal =)

...until Gav and Cole convince us of their dirtbike "needs".

Lyric's final concert at St. Cecilia!

It's a good thing she didn't get my muiscal (in)ability.

Those middle schoolers can play some beautiful music.

Hoses...who needs the pool open anyway?!

Hail

Cole claims this was the most fun he's had, "in the past 30 years"... =)

Our First Easter!

Oh, Death, where is your sting?

Oh, Grave, where is your vic-tor-y...

This song keeps running through my mind today.

I love Easter.

I love Easter traditions...

I love sidewalk chalk...
...by Gavin =)
Thank you Aunt Jill and Uncle Chad for the chalk!
Yea that the sidewalk isn't covered in snow and we can use it!

Ahh, tradition.
Thanks, Mom.


Guess what we're eating this week!



Yup, it's a chocolate bug...

We've been a family of seven for almost two years already, but this is our first Easter all together! Two years ago we met Mical and Moses just after Easter. Last year we were in Florida for my dear friend's wedding, but Moses wasn't with us.

Finally, celebrating Easter together.

At church last night, two people sitting next to me accepted Christ as their Savior!

31 total gave their lives to Christ during that service alone!

Lyric got to walk the "bridge" because she was baptised this past year.

Another church tradition...

Oh, Death...where is your sting...

Oh, Grave...where is your Victory!?

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

So, for my niece, Anna, who loves snow...

I was thinking.

If you want snow while you are in Michigan, next time tell

your mom and dad that you might want to come in April =)

I'm thinking about putting on some Christmas music today...

#11

Gavin, our warrior boy, has turned eleven.

The brave troops heading out to play "capture the flag"... Loud thunder put an end to that plan as soon as they got started. I have a feeling this birthday was one of the wetter party experiences these kids have experienced =)

This cake was totally designed and decorated by Gavin...

I only added the trim and writing.

It's camo on the inside too...I might have to post some pics.

It was a pretty fun project.

We were excited when the rain cleared so we were able to have our bonfire

and most importantly - SMORES!

Gavin asked for his own personal box of cereal so he could be like his

grandpa who likes to munch out of a box =)

Thank you Cory, Kris, Eli and Anna!

It is assembled!

Birthday boy

March 25

Happy Birthday dear Grandpa!!!

Happy Birthday to you!

...and we have have a brand new birthday on the Bronkema side today too!
Our second niece, in the past two weeks, was born this morning.

Photos and details coming soon =)

We can't wait to meet them both!

Oh, Spring, where art thou?

I'm not sure our Crocus are pleased to live in Michigan today...

It's clear that spring HAS arrived... I keep seeing robins and spring flowers!

Now, if only the temperatures would catch on =)

prayer requests

Right now we have friends in three different countries, bringing home their kids.

5 kids!!!

Uganda, Russia and Ethiopia.

So, for our prayer warriors out there, please lift up the Osborns adopting their daughter and son...the Hendriksens adopting their teenage son... and the Larsens adopting their daughter and son.

The Osborns and the Hendriksens both have many weeks ahead of them in country. Prayers for their loved ones and children who wait here in the US. Prayers for God's hand to lead, bond, protect, guide.

I love how God builds families.
I love it when His Hand is so clearly seen leading.
It just blows my mortal brain.

Finances...resources...these become the terms we get caught up in just trying to become a family. Which leads me to another thought.

Our church has an adoption ministry that help adoptive families financially. The "Sam and Ellie fund" will be having their annual Easter Flower Fundraiser starting soon. The flowers are great, but the kids it has helped come home are far greater. So, to the KCC families out there, I hope you'll help bring more babies into our church family =)

It helped us bring two of our kids home, and we will forever be greatful. Now I just want to help others do the same. It's not like spending money on STUFF...
It's LIVES of children.
People are willing to stretch their finances to very creative levels just to bring home their kids. And that is financial planning that I believe the Lord blesses.

Eight is Great!

Cole

Warren

Bronkema

"co-co"

...Playing with our colorful flame candles on the little cake the restaurant gave us at breakfast.

Cole's balloons had lots of character thanks to Lyric and her marker.

Lazer tag

games

pizza

friends
fun

Sassy and Six

I had no intention of this photo being first.

It won't delete.

It won't move.

It's frozen my computer twice.

I think it's meant to stay.

...Mical, less than two years ago.

Our little peanut.

Mical

Ruth

Fatuma

Bronkema...

today

Miss sassy pants =)

God's got big plans for this little lady.
She might not be big in stature, but don't let her size fool you.

Mical and her friend, Ruby, at our pool par-tay!

We love good friends...