So many years have gone by so let me re-introduce you to our 3 incredible kids.
Ranger (9) is "all-boy" all of the time! For me, growing up with 3 sisters I never really knew what boys were like and NOW I know! He is going at mock-speed in all things that he does. Some of his favorite things to do: teasing his sisters, exploring outside, finding animals, playing with Copper (our 3-year old spaniel), playing basketball and flag football and spending time with cousins.
He is ready and excited to head into double digits next year. He is really enjoying 4th grade and he has wonderful friends and a great teacher! His favorite subjects are math and science and of course...RECESS. Ranger does a great job of being the "man of the house" when daddy is traveling. He certainly has a big responsibility with a mom and 2 little sisters to look after.
This August we went to the beach with my family and after having a wonderful time fishing, crabbing and spending lots of quality time together the guys went out and caught a lot of salmon. When we got home, Jeff was curing then smoking the fish. He disposed of the hot coals in the back of our garden. Ranger the explorer wandered out there with no shoes on and stepped right on the burning coals and started screaming. After an intense trip to the emergency room, we learned he had second degree burns on his bottom of right foot and in between four toes. It was a VERY intense day to say the least. After being on crutches for a week he started to heal. He is now fine, but it was a day Jeff and Ranger would both like to forget!
Bella (7) is the 2nd mother of the household. She is always there taking care of her little sister Andie and helping me out whenever I call. Bella is in 2nd grade at West Hills Christian and she loves school very much!
She is a very hard worker and a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to school. Bella does think she has the coolest teacher and the best friends a girl could have. This was her first year of sports and we have discovered our sweet Bella does have a competitive streak in her.
She started playing softball this year and is very excited for it to start up again this spring.
We are so proud to watch her turn into a beautiful young lady.
Bella (7) is the 2nd mother of the household. She is always there taking care of her little sister Andie and helping me out whenever I call. Bella is in 2nd grade at West Hills Christian and she loves school very much!
She is a very hard worker and a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to school. Bella does think she has the coolest teacher and the best friends a girl could have. This was her first year of sports and we have discovered our sweet Bella does have a competitive streak in her.
We are so proud to watch her turn into a beautiful young lady.
Andie, my baby, is now 5! I just can't believe how time flies. This new season of life is wonderful. Because she has a late birthday, Andie is in preschool only 3 mornings a week. Everyone who knows her thinks about her passion for gymnastics. We can be in the store, at the mall, or even in the parking lot when you look over and watch her performing a cartwheel, one-handed cartwheel, round-off or a handstand. And we are taking over 100 every day! When she is not upside down, she is singing. It may be a song she thinks she knows or one she makes up, but rare is their a time she is not active.
Her biggest adventure so far had to be back in November when daddy took her with him for an 8 day trip to Canada to share all about the Berean Way and visit with my family. It was a trip the two of them will not soon forget.
Jeff continues his full-time work with the Berean Way (www.bereanway.org). He traveled to northern India in February and May where he is working with the Christian leaders of the unreached people and tribal groups.
Then back to Uganda in August. In October, he canceled his third trip to India this year and invited his Indian partner, Rev. Sam & Susannah and Jehohanan (5) to spend 2 weeks with us. After a series of miracles, they arrived in Portland. This was an impactful time to finally meet Susannah and share our side of the ministry and learn more about each other's culture. They made a life-long impact on me and everyone they came in contact with.
Then back to Uganda in August. In October, he canceled his third trip to India this year and invited his Indian partner, Rev. Sam & Susannah and Jehohanan (5) to spend 2 weeks with us. After a series of miracles, they arrived in Portland. This was an impactful time to finally meet Susannah and share our side of the ministry and learn more about each other's culture. They made a life-long impact on me and everyone they came in contact with.
The biggest challenge of the year came when a routine mole removal on Jeff's left arm turned out to be malignant. Praise God it had not grown deep and after a larger area was removed, the doctors deemed him clear and cancer free in that area.
Erin, I feel like this last year I have entered into a whole new season of life. My baby is growing up so we have no more diapers, bottles, highchairs...life is great! The kids buckle their own seat belts, take showers by themselves, can sit down and do their homework, and help out with chores! We have officially left the baby stage!! I love this new season of life where we enjoy our kiddos more and more each day.
We still have the privilege of living close to all of Jeff's side of the family. We have cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all within 15 minutes of us. It is definitely a treat to carpool, go to Sunriver and have get together whenever we desire. We are spoiled and we love it!!
Lots of other exciting things have happened this year too! The most wonderful treat Jeff and I had was to take a cruise on the Mediterranean in June.
God blessed us with airfare, a cruise package, time and babysitters (my family). We traveled through Italy, Croatia, Greece, France and Spain for 2 weeks.
We felt like honeymooners exploring parts of the world we had wanted to see for years. It's amazing how quickly you forget all your responsibilities at home and EVEN OUR CHILDREN!! We also met some great new friends that made our daily excursions so memorable.
Jeff and I also followed our passion and we started up a "newly married" community group with our church. We just have the best couples who are allowing us to invest our lives into their lives and who are also challenging us in our marriage and everyday walk. We are really looking forward to many fun times ahead as we get the privilege of getting together each week. ( I think the real reason is that it helps us feel a lot younger...we are really starting to "grow up"...especially my husband...who is now 40;)
In July, my sister and her family moved up here to join us in ministry. They live only a few miles away from us after spending several years in Scotland, then San Diego as missionaries. Tim is the new Discipleship Director for the Berean Way. Having the cousins back together is the most fun for everyone!
We still have the privilege of living close to all of Jeff's side of the family. We have cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all within 15 minutes of us. It is definitely a treat to carpool, go to Sunriver and have get together whenever we desire. We are spoiled and we love it!!
Lots of other exciting things have happened this year too! The most wonderful treat Jeff and I had was to take a cruise on the Mediterranean in June.
God blessed us with airfare, a cruise package, time and babysitters (my family). We traveled through Italy, Croatia, Greece, France and Spain for 2 weeks.
Jeff and I also followed our passion and we started up a "newly married" community group with our church. We just have the best couples who are allowing us to invest our lives into their lives and who are also challenging us in our marriage and everyday walk. We are really looking forward to many fun times ahead as we get the privilege of getting together each week. ( I think the real reason is that it helps us feel a lot younger...we are really starting to "grow up"...especially my husband...who is now 40;)
In July, my sister and her family moved up here to join us in ministry. They live only a few miles away from us after spending several years in Scotland, then San Diego as missionaries. Tim is the new Discipleship Director for the Berean Way. Having the cousins back together is the most fun for everyone!
We have had so many wonderful times with family and friends over this last year that it is hard to recount all of them! I hope and pray that you have gotten a glimpse of our lives this year. We love you and are thankful to God for each of you!
Merry Christmas - Erin & family
Merry Christmas - Erin & family
