Ways to Beat the Heat

Take your friendly chicken for a ride in the gator

Naps in the Hammock (don't be fooled-they aren't sleeping!)

Flat on the porch is pretty cool.... just like the cats do it.

Nothing like a dip in the pond- a bit smelly but oh so fun.

We've been laying pretty low these past few weeks trying to beat the heat. Above you'll see a few ways that we've done just that. We have eaten LOTS of popsicles too. Laurel is down to 1 therapy a week right now until September so we are enjoying the time at home together with no agenda!!

On another note..... hopefully Rachael will share with you her exciting news as to the sex of her baby. If she doesn't soon, I sure as heck will.

Shhh...... I know where Batman sleeps.

Imagine my surprise!

Help a Friend Out...

** Last year, a friend of mine adopted a little girl from the same country as Laurel. This little girl has Down Syndrome and is an absolute doll !! So, they are suiting up to do it again. However, it will be a different country and a very different process. They need quite a bit of money up front. Below you will find her post about an IPAD2 giveaway she will be having on Aug. 4th. Consider entering to help this great family rescue another precious child. Here is her post......

Well...we are back at it again. We are working on raising money for another adoption of a child with Down Syndome. This time we are doing things a little differently. First, we are looking at a different country in Eastern Europe. So the way adoptions are done are quite different.
In order to move forward we need to have a portion of our program fee as well as a portion of our adoption agency fee. Once we have this money we are able to send it in and documents go to the child's country to "hold" him for us. Where as when we adopted Milana there was a chance when we got there she would not be.
Ok...so on with the giveaway. We are doing an IPAD2 + WiFi Giveway. Our goal is to raise at least $5,000. This will help with the initial costs of our adoption. If we reach the $500 mark the winner will receive the IPAD2 + WiFi. Should we not earn enough money to cover the cost of the IPAD and the shipping and handling we will split the proceeds 50/50 with the winnner.
Donations are NOT tax deductible. Money donated will be going directly into our paypal account.
Here is the breakdown for donations:
$10 = 1 entry
$20 = 4 entries
$50 = 10 entries
$100 = 25 entries
You can also be entered by posting on your blog, facebook, and/or twitter accounts. To receive an entry by doing this just leave a comment on my blog and state your name and where you posted the information.
Donations can be made through the chip in on the left of my blog. It says IPAD Give away. Good luck and Thank you :)

Please follow this link to Jenn's blog to donate: http://jennandchrisandkpr.blogspot.com/

Thank you for helping out with this worthy cause!!!

Shiver Me Timbers

My little treasure hunters (they dressed themselves)

Deciphering the Treasure Map

Digging for Treasure (X marked the spot)

VICTORY!! CANDY!!

I would definately say we are in the dog days of summer. HOT HOT HOT. Last week was an incredibly busy week with Backyard Bible Clubs. Lots of volunteers came out every night in the 101 degree heat to play with the children and teach them songs, bible stories and verses about Jesus. Praise the Lord that on Friday night 12 children gave their hearts to Jesus and 5 more wanted to confess sin and rededicate their lives to Christ. We had every excuse to NOT do these clubs last week but pressed on and heaven will have 12 new voices in the choir one day.

Sunday we went to our godson Jacob's birthday party. He turned 5 and had a pirate themed party. The kids LOVED it. So, of course Monday morning I had to "recreate" a treasure hunt that they did. They loved digging for the treasure which was some candy hidden in tin foil. It has been very nice this week not having anything to go to or do. We haven't even been out of our pajamas for 3 days!!! It's been a great time of rest and reconnection. Also, Since Monday night I've been under the weather but the kids have been fine to just stay inside and play quietly. It's been just what we've all needed.

So, that's about it for now. I am so behind in taking pictures this summer so I'll snap some new ones this week.

For all,

Martha

Teri Lyn

I am coming to you today begging for your help. This little girl is named "Teri Lyn". She is in an orphanage in Eastern Europe. She has Downs Syndrome. The picture on the left is her at the baby house where she lived since she was born. However, at the age of 4 or 5 children with "disabilities" are transferred out of these baby houses and into institutions for severely disabled kids and adults mentally and physically. 95% of Downs kids die in these institutions because they don't get the care they need. In most of these places the conditions are horrific and kids and adults that have a condition that affects their mobility are bedridden and NEVER get to even go outside. This has been confirmed over and over again by families from Reeces Rainbow going over and adopting some of these children. Many land in the States and are taken directly to a hospital to be treated for severe malnutrition and dehydration.

I say all of this to tell you that these pictures side by side are of the same little girl. The picture on the right is of little Teri Lyn just WEEKS after being transferred to one of these institutions. The picture says it all. A dear mom of many adopted kids is raising money for the grant fund of this little girl. Money should not be an issue for a family to come forward to rescue her so this lady is trying to raise a substantial grant to make it easier to find a family for her.
If the Lord leads you, please go to www.nogreaterjoymom.blogspot.com and chip in a few dollars for this little girl or better yet, pray about YOUR being the family that does the rescuing. Teri Lyn is feature on www.reecesrainbow.org.

PALMS OF VICTORY, CROWNS OF GLORY

It seems the harder I try to update this thing, the worse I become at it. I know you must get sick of hearing it's busy around here because I know that is the state of most people's households these days. Good things going on, just lots of them at one time.

I did want to take time to pay tribute to our dear worship leader who passed away last night from a brain tumor. To say his diagnosis was a shock would be an understatement. He was diagnosed just weeks after another dear brother passed away from the same thing. These 2 men were such a testiment to God's mercy & grace. Mr. Carson was truly excited to go home to be with the Lord. Yes, he had to endure lots of earthly suffering while waiting. Yes, I have questioned that in my mind many times to the Lord. But, the Lord's plan is not our plan and thank goodness for that. It's so much better. As awful as all of this has been, I don't want to miss what we are suppose to learn from these experiences. Through this suffering and trial, Mr. Carson taught LOTS of people how to have an "eternal perspective". In the end, it's ALL about the Lord. We will all see the King at some point. Make sure your heart it ready to meet him. If you'd like to follow the journey of the family, click on "Mr. Carson" under my friends link.

Oh, and I think he would get a kick out of the fact that Backyard Bible Clubs start on Monday. He started them at our church about 7-8 years ago and I thought he was crazy. I thought it would never work! Ha!! It's been one of the most Spiritually rewarding thing our church participates in. Lots of souls have been won. One day, they'll get to meet the man who laid the groundwork. We'll miss you Mr. Carson. We'll miss your beautiful piano playing, your quick wit and the way you never strayed from your Aim....... Aiming for heaven.

PENNSYLVANIA VACATION

Noah in Gettysburg getting ready for their picture

Laurel & her new doll from Poppy

The whole gang in Gettysburg

Of Course we have to stop at Hershey!

Two train rides! How lucky!

We packed a picnic, got on a train that took us to our picnic

destination. A perfect day!

Learning how to make pretzels at the pretzel factory

Beautiful People

( This face says everything- a good time was had by all)

I am SOOO behind on blogging!! It seems since we have gotten back from vacation that we've hit the ground running and playing catch up! Crazy around here. Anyway, Nana & Poppy took us to Amish Country PA again this year and we had a blast. The babies got to ride 2 trains (including Thomas), go to Hershey, Play on many a playground, learn to make pretzels, go to their favorite farm with TONS of things to do, take a buggy ride and lots of other things that I can't remember at the moment. It is so neat watching the horse and buggy's go by at night and watching how the Amish do things. Those are the hardest working people I have ever seen...... They literally work from sun up to sun down 6 days a week! Anyway, I have many more pictures but these will give you a taste of our week!