 |
 |
| Picture slideshow made with Smilebox |
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
July - October ... WOW... that is a long time.
Well, I do believe pictures will say all of this better than I ever could. But here are some things that have been going on in RusselLand over the past few months.
July: we got home from the beach and enjoyed a few weeks before school began. We took the kids to LakeFest and had a BLAST. We finished the day with fireworks at the Moorings with the Gee and Lyon family. What a GREAT day! The month ended with VBS and Caedmon's birthday!! Holland Joye attended VBS... with all four kids out of the house for several hours each night Ryan and I decided that when they get older we are going to get season tickets to the Durham Bulls games to fill our time :) Caedmon had Levi, Josh, and Preston over for a sleepover... the end result was lots of WII and Lego playing and popcorn kernels ALL OVER THE FLOOR!
August: Justin and Caedmon along Preston Bright attended Lego Camp at Crossroad Christian. The girls & myself headed to Lynchburg for Adventure's with Oma! We went to Natural Bridge and Amazement Square, great places for any age. We all (Oma included) headed down to Monroe, NC for a visit with the Mayhorn ladies! WHAT FUN!! Kelli and I went out for sushi and drinks affording us some valuable time to catch up and have full conversations! Thanks Oma for watching the kids! Mom spent the next day visiting a friend who she hadn't seen in 40 years!! What fun!
Then school began for everyone. Caedmon is in 3rd grade, Justin & Athan are 1st graders, and Holland is doing 4yr old Kindergarten. Our day begins around 9. We turn off the phones and computer and do school til about 1:00. This year is going so well. I am so pleased with the kids and their diligence to honor God with their minds!!
A precious lady in our community has started a home school co-op we had such a marvelous time!! This month we are dissecting owl vomit!! It was so encouraging to see the other families in our area who home school and then have lunch at the park!
August also ushered in some very hard times for our family as Ryan's dad (Herman) was in the hospital for 5 weeks.
September began with the Maxwell's coming for a visit... always a fun time!! On the 7th we went to court for Justin's adoption. The judge granted us an interlocutory adoption. He is a Russell and the deal will be sealed in about six months! We are so thankful to Joye, Tammy T., and Bo who have been at EVERY hearing and have NEVER testified... but as the judge said "had someone walked through the doors of this court everything would have changed, and you would have been needed." So, we are praising God for unopened courtroom doors. I am so thankful for Justin and how God has graphed him into our family. Living life without him is unimaginable. I am thankful that in all of the unwise decisions that have been made for Justin that his "birth" mom choose to give birth to my son! So, I am thankful beyond words to God for his grace that was extended to Justin while he was still in his mother's womb. THANK YOU LORD!
As many of you already know that same day Joye was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. Sept. 7th was also Joye and Herman's 42nd wedding anniversary!! They spent it together in the hospital :( Herman's nurses wheeled him down for a visit...they and we were all so grateful.
The students and parents of WECC join us every Sunday at our home for "The Truth Project". The small groups of our fellowship prepare meals for us every week and we get to fellowship around food and The Word. It has been a powerful time of discussion and growth for everyone!
Ryan, myself and JoAnny took apart Joye and Herman's downstairs bathroom... we worked GREAT as a team, it was the bathroom that didn't cooperate! So, needless to say, after some small repairs we will paint it another weekend!
The boys began soccer this year and it has been a BLAST for them and us! They are both very talented and the games are a blast to watch! Caedmon scored a goal in his first game and played great defense. Justin had a some great breakaways and did a GREAT job stopping the ball as goalie!
Jordan, my niece got engaged!! She is getting married to a wonderful godly man on April 14th!
The month ended on G-ma's back porch overlooking Kerr Lake enjoying hot dogs and chips in our annual picnic!!
October has been really fun so far. Harvest Party at Camp Kerr Lake, soccer games, school, Kimberly's birthday celebration at the Pizza Pub, a much needed visit with the McGann's, SEW, wedding planning and dreaming with Jordan and Martha, wonderful fellowship with WECC at our new building, Truth Project and Race planning!
This weekend some ladies from WECC and surrounding areas are competing in a Run Like a Girl race that raises money and awareness for ovarian cancer a cause worth supporting!!
That gets us up to date with the RussellSprouts! Pictures to come!
July: we got home from the beach and enjoyed a few weeks before school began. We took the kids to LakeFest and had a BLAST. We finished the day with fireworks at the Moorings with the Gee and Lyon family. What a GREAT day! The month ended with VBS and Caedmon's birthday!! Holland Joye attended VBS... with all four kids out of the house for several hours each night Ryan and I decided that when they get older we are going to get season tickets to the Durham Bulls games to fill our time :) Caedmon had Levi, Josh, and Preston over for a sleepover... the end result was lots of WII and Lego playing and popcorn kernels ALL OVER THE FLOOR!
August: Justin and Caedmon along Preston Bright attended Lego Camp at Crossroad Christian. The girls & myself headed to Lynchburg for Adventure's with Oma! We went to Natural Bridge and Amazement Square, great places for any age. We all (Oma included) headed down to Monroe, NC for a visit with the Mayhorn ladies! WHAT FUN!! Kelli and I went out for sushi and drinks affording us some valuable time to catch up and have full conversations! Thanks Oma for watching the kids! Mom spent the next day visiting a friend who she hadn't seen in 40 years!! What fun!
Then school began for everyone. Caedmon is in 3rd grade, Justin & Athan are 1st graders, and Holland is doing 4yr old Kindergarten. Our day begins around 9. We turn off the phones and computer and do school til about 1:00. This year is going so well. I am so pleased with the kids and their diligence to honor God with their minds!!
A precious lady in our community has started a home school co-op we had such a marvelous time!! This month we are dissecting owl vomit!! It was so encouraging to see the other families in our area who home school and then have lunch at the park!
August also ushered in some very hard times for our family as Ryan's dad (Herman) was in the hospital for 5 weeks.
September began with the Maxwell's coming for a visit... always a fun time!! On the 7th we went to court for Justin's adoption. The judge granted us an interlocutory adoption. He is a Russell and the deal will be sealed in about six months! We are so thankful to Joye, Tammy T., and Bo who have been at EVERY hearing and have NEVER testified... but as the judge said "had someone walked through the doors of this court everything would have changed, and you would have been needed." So, we are praising God for unopened courtroom doors. I am so thankful for Justin and how God has graphed him into our family. Living life without him is unimaginable. I am thankful that in all of the unwise decisions that have been made for Justin that his "birth" mom choose to give birth to my son! So, I am thankful beyond words to God for his grace that was extended to Justin while he was still in his mother's womb. THANK YOU LORD!
As many of you already know that same day Joye was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. Sept. 7th was also Joye and Herman's 42nd wedding anniversary!! They spent it together in the hospital :( Herman's nurses wheeled him down for a visit...they and we were all so grateful.
The students and parents of WECC join us every Sunday at our home for "The Truth Project". The small groups of our fellowship prepare meals for us every week and we get to fellowship around food and The Word. It has been a powerful time of discussion and growth for everyone!
Ryan, myself and JoAnny took apart Joye and Herman's downstairs bathroom... we worked GREAT as a team, it was the bathroom that didn't cooperate! So, needless to say, after some small repairs we will paint it another weekend!
The boys began soccer this year and it has been a BLAST for them and us! They are both very talented and the games are a blast to watch! Caedmon scored a goal in his first game and played great defense. Justin had a some great breakaways and did a GREAT job stopping the ball as goalie!
Jordan, my niece got engaged!! She is getting married to a wonderful godly man on April 14th!
The month ended on G-ma's back porch overlooking Kerr Lake enjoying hot dogs and chips in our annual picnic!!
October has been really fun so far. Harvest Party at Camp Kerr Lake, soccer games, school, Kimberly's birthday celebration at the Pizza Pub, a much needed visit with the McGann's, SEW, wedding planning and dreaming with Jordan and Martha, wonderful fellowship with WECC at our new building, Truth Project and Race planning!
This weekend some ladies from WECC and surrounding areas are competing in a Run Like a Girl race that raises money and awareness for ovarian cancer a cause worth supporting!!
That gets us up to date with the RussellSprouts! Pictures to come!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
March 2011!
March is almost gone and we are exhausted! I find these days full and wonderful. My heart has an understanding that these moments are passing by too fast. Currently in my home we have Caedmon 7, Justin 6, Athan 6, and Holland 3... where has the time gone. Recently at a women's retreat a lady commented to a new mom that before she knew it her kids would be older like "Christie's kids!" That opened my eyes... though there are joys in every stage of parenting... this is my favorite so far. The kids play, laugh, fight, enjoy, and fill this house with motion all day long. All too soon it will just be me and dougie again...so I will enjoy this season and fill it with pictures, memories and TONS of kisses.
Justin's birthday was March 9th... THANK YOU EVERYONE for cards, money, and presents! He invited his best buddy Preston over for a guys night. He wanted a dino cake and a batman cake... with PB&J sandwiches and Mac and Cheese for dinner! His grandma Kelly, her sons Marshal and Jacob along with Jacob's girlfriend Savannah came to celebrate as well! We all had a GREAT time!
Athan's bday was March 17th... AGAIN THANK YOU EVERYONE for cards, money and presents! She had a few more girls over for a sleep over and they planted plants, watched girlie movies, dressed up and played DVD bingo! The boys got to enjoy some time with Levi swinging from the trees and playing baseball!
Our newest adventure has been purchasing fish... they are STILL alive three days later!! But the kids were so excited... I do not have pictures yet of our fish, but they will come!
Kaleb is a special little man who joins in on our life a few days a week!! So, when you see a baby in our pictures we have not acquired another child, just a sweet little man who comes to visit so his mommie can work!
Russell life is good... My heart is preparing for Resurrection Sunday, each morning I am reading short sermons from "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" edited by Nancy Guthrie... Christ work on the cross, His power in conquering death and sin for me has overwhelmed, humbled, and softened my heart to my desperate need for a Savior everyday... His grace is sufficient every moment and I pray that in my life and in the lives of my children we will know the power of Christ and His resurrection everyday!
Love to you all!! Enjoy the pictures!
Justin's birthday was March 9th... THANK YOU EVERYONE for cards, money, and presents! He invited his best buddy Preston over for a guys night. He wanted a dino cake and a batman cake... with PB&J sandwiches and Mac and Cheese for dinner! His grandma Kelly, her sons Marshal and Jacob along with Jacob's girlfriend Savannah came to celebrate as well! We all had a GREAT time!
Athan's bday was March 17th... AGAIN THANK YOU EVERYONE for cards, money and presents! She had a few more girls over for a sleep over and they planted plants, watched girlie movies, dressed up and played DVD bingo! The boys got to enjoy some time with Levi swinging from the trees and playing baseball!
Our newest adventure has been purchasing fish... they are STILL alive three days later!! But the kids were so excited... I do not have pictures yet of our fish, but they will come!
Kaleb is a special little man who joins in on our life a few days a week!! So, when you see a baby in our pictures we have not acquired another child, just a sweet little man who comes to visit so his mommie can work!
Russell life is good... My heart is preparing for Resurrection Sunday, each morning I am reading short sermons from "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" edited by Nancy Guthrie... Christ work on the cross, His power in conquering death and sin for me has overwhelmed, humbled, and softened my heart to my desperate need for a Savior everyday... His grace is sufficient every moment and I pray that in my life and in the lives of my children we will know the power of Christ and His resurrection everyday!
Love to you all!! Enjoy the pictures!
 |
|
| Personalize a free picture slideshow |
Friday, February 11, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Shattered Hopes...
Well, it has been my deepest hope to catching up our blog from 2009 but there are some goals that are just too high and lofty :)
2010 started off much the same as 2009...we had a set number of children 4 and then God decided to double our quiver. January brought four beautiful works of art from our Creator. Tiesha (17), Shantell (14), Montreal (12), and Alatasia (18 months). With the help of Bobby and Allison Maxwell we were able to shuffle the house around to make room for everyone. And with the help of friends we were able to, in one week get the house ready and all the necessary paperwork done to make it all legal. They will be with us for 8 months. We are really looking forward to birthdays, family days out, church events, school achievements, and potty training!
This weekend has been GREAT... we are establishing chores, goals, and fun dinners. The girls and I planned out our menu and went grocery shopping. It was so much fun! We are learning the art of 8 minute showers and enjoying our long dinner conversations.
We are so thankful for all your prayers... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep them coming... there is no way we will all make it through without your prayers and His Grace!
Here are some pictures of Russell Life the new norm...
2010 started off much the same as 2009...we had a set number of children 4 and then God decided to double our quiver. January brought four beautiful works of art from our Creator. Tiesha (17), Shantell (14), Montreal (12), and Alatasia (18 months). With the help of Bobby and Allison Maxwell we were able to shuffle the house around to make room for everyone. And with the help of friends we were able to, in one week get the house ready and all the necessary paperwork done to make it all legal. They will be with us for 8 months. We are really looking forward to birthdays, family days out, church events, school achievements, and potty training!
This weekend has been GREAT... we are establishing chores, goals, and fun dinners. The girls and I planned out our menu and went grocery shopping. It was so much fun! We are learning the art of 8 minute showers and enjoying our long dinner conversations.
We are so thankful for all your prayers... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep them coming... there is no way we will all make it through without your prayers and His Grace!
Here are some pictures of Russell Life the new norm...
 |
|
| Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox |
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A New Year Already?
WOW! There is no possible way an entire year has passed!! As Ryan and I sat by the fire at Martha's house on New Year's Eve we were overwhelmed, thinking of all the events that took place in our Russell World in 2010. Though some blog post have been made, pictures shared, and Christmas Cards sent REALLY it's already 2011? Oh My!
Well, my last post was of Halloween so I have some catching up to do. Early Halloween morning the phone rang waking me from a deep sleep. On the other end the voice of a father Mike telling me that the mother Amanda was ready to have their baby!! Ember Louise entered the world on that Sunday morning and all of our lives have been much brighter since! Congratulations Jancarts!
November oh November... I am thankful that Scripture reminds us over and over that we do not need to worry about tomorrow because really if we knew what was coming we would stop dead in our tracks. It was 4:37 in the afternoon and my daily call from my sister Berni came in... only this time she did not open with "Whatcha doin'?" but with we need you to pray... "all I know is Martha had a seizure and she is being taken to the hospital." Fear, Panic, and shaking ensued. A few hours later another ring and the verdict was in... "Martha has a tumor in her brain." I know that I am more emotional than some... but I praise God that He allows us to feel, to absorb the REAL feelings of the moment.. this was not a made up fear or a bothersome worry... this was REAL and it shook me to the core, screams, cries, moments of peaceful silence. I was emotionally naked and unashamed in the arms of my Savior as He heard my cry, the petition of my heart that He prepare us for His will not our own. There are not enough "Thank You's" on the planet, in the universe to give out to everyone who helped with the children & prayed for us. So, if I have forgotten THANK YOU!! Martha is recovering well and trusting God more and more everyday. Keep praying!
November 12-13 we went to Aberdeen NC to visit our grandparents. We attended a "family reunion" with Grandma Crissman. Uncle Jim, Aunt Barb, Uncle Robbie, Aunt Janice, Aunt Judy, Uncle Kevin, Tina, Jennifer, Tyler & Alex... I am sure I am forgetting someone (I'm sorry) What a precious time.
We visited with Pop & Nanny sharing a celebration for their birthdays and getting to attend church with them on Sunday. Again, had I known this would be Pop's last time in church before his funeral it would have been too much to handle. But the time was priceless... all on one row... Pop, Nanny, Herman, Joye, Tina, Ryan, Myself, Caedmon, Justin, Athan, & Holland... generation after generation worshiping the ONE TRUE GOD! Even to think about it now is too much.
The following Friday... Ryan and I went to see Harry Potter 819283747392 Part 1... LOVED IT! Then I headed to Appomattox to prepare for Thanksgiving with Jordan & Taylor!
Ryan was off the week of Thanksgiving, he attended a ACSI convention with his fellow CCS teachers and rang the cowbell when it was all over! We loaded up and headed north to Appomattox for Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the pictures from November... December will come soon... I hope!
Well, my last post was of Halloween so I have some catching up to do. Early Halloween morning the phone rang waking me from a deep sleep. On the other end the voice of a father Mike telling me that the mother Amanda was ready to have their baby!! Ember Louise entered the world on that Sunday morning and all of our lives have been much brighter since! Congratulations Jancarts!
November oh November... I am thankful that Scripture reminds us over and over that we do not need to worry about tomorrow because really if we knew what was coming we would stop dead in our tracks. It was 4:37 in the afternoon and my daily call from my sister Berni came in... only this time she did not open with "Whatcha doin'?" but with we need you to pray... "all I know is Martha had a seizure and she is being taken to the hospital." Fear, Panic, and shaking ensued. A few hours later another ring and the verdict was in... "Martha has a tumor in her brain." I know that I am more emotional than some... but I praise God that He allows us to feel, to absorb the REAL feelings of the moment.. this was not a made up fear or a bothersome worry... this was REAL and it shook me to the core, screams, cries, moments of peaceful silence. I was emotionally naked and unashamed in the arms of my Savior as He heard my cry, the petition of my heart that He prepare us for His will not our own. There are not enough "Thank You's" on the planet, in the universe to give out to everyone who helped with the children & prayed for us. So, if I have forgotten THANK YOU!! Martha is recovering well and trusting God more and more everyday. Keep praying!
November 12-13 we went to Aberdeen NC to visit our grandparents. We attended a "family reunion" with Grandma Crissman. Uncle Jim, Aunt Barb, Uncle Robbie, Aunt Janice, Aunt Judy, Uncle Kevin, Tina, Jennifer, Tyler & Alex... I am sure I am forgetting someone (I'm sorry) What a precious time.
We visited with Pop & Nanny sharing a celebration for their birthdays and getting to attend church with them on Sunday. Again, had I known this would be Pop's last time in church before his funeral it would have been too much to handle. But the time was priceless... all on one row... Pop, Nanny, Herman, Joye, Tina, Ryan, Myself, Caedmon, Justin, Athan, & Holland... generation after generation worshiping the ONE TRUE GOD! Even to think about it now is too much.
The following Friday... Ryan and I went to see Harry Potter 819283747392 Part 1... LOVED IT! Then I headed to Appomattox to prepare for Thanksgiving with Jordan & Taylor!
Ryan was off the week of Thanksgiving, he attended a ACSI convention with his fellow CCS teachers and rang the cowbell when it was all over! We loaded up and headed north to Appomattox for Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the pictures from November... December will come soon... I hope!
 |
|
| Personalize a free slideshow design |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)