Wyatt's 6th Birthday Party!

Family Statistics

As 2014 begins, I thought I'd update on our family statistics.  Jason is busy at HISC.  We purchased the San Diego Franchise in the spring of 2013 and are excited to begin an adoption foundation with the proceeds from the business.  We have an excellent staff in San Diego.  Paul King is the office manager and moved along with Dawn and 3 kids to the San Diego area to be close to work.  Debbie is busy teaching the kids at home and running to the various activities that they are involved in.  The kids ages are as follows:  Dallas-12, Brayden-10, Providence-8, Selah-6 and Sawyer- 10 months.  2013 was a monumental year for our family.  It started with sadness and tears and then God so miraculously intervened in our lives and brought to us the gift of Sawyer.  I wouldn't change anything about this year, as it refined me and drew me closer to my Heavenly Father.

Unusual Celebration for New Years!

For the last 16 years, we have celebrated New Years Eve and Day with the Hixson Family. (minus 1 year)  It is tradition.  Well, this year we were supposed to go to Oregon to spend a week with Denny and Arlene and kids.  We were going to leave on December 27, therefore our tradition was going to be on hold for a year.  Well, due to several circumstances, our trip was cancelled.  The kids were terribly disappointed but we thought we could brighten their spirits and at least get together with the Hixsons for New Years Day.  Unfortunately, Providence and Hunter got the nasty stomach flu and we had to cancel.  Jason and I wanted to do something fun for the kids so we went to San Diego, stayed in a hotel, ate at The Crab Shack and just enjoyed each other's company.  So, Happy New Year! We can' wait see what God has in store for 2014.

More Christmas Pictures!

Christmas 2013

December was filled with many activities.  We participated in the usual Christmas events:  Be a Santa to a Senior Wrapping Party, Hemet Christmas Parade

 and the Christmas Celebration at Cornerstone FBC.  The boys had big speaking parts in the Christmas Celebration.  They worked hard memorizing their lines and attending the extra practices.  There were 7 performances this year.  One of the scheduled Saturdays had 2 performances.  Selah also had a special part during the last song of the program.  It was a blessing to see our kids be part of this ministry.  Christmas Eve was spent with the Bakers.  Some of the highlights of the day were:  the annual nativity play put on by the kids with a special appearance by Grandma Jeanne, kids swimming in the pool, good food, relaxed socializing with everyone and watching Rachel doing her duel Yoga poses. (although Hyatt had quite a fall in his handstand routine)  We spent Christmas Day with the Norris clan.  The kids love to be elves and help Santa hand out gifts.  Chaos occurred when the daddy's and boys had a gift wrap war.  One of the biggest highlights of this season was watching Sawyer experience his first Christmas.  He has been such a gift to our family and we just can't imagine life without Him.

Homeschool Fellowship

Our kids joined the EMH PE program in September.  The PE class is on Tuesday mornings from 9am-10am.  Every month the kids learn how to play a new sport.  We all look forward to Tuesdays as it adds variety to our week.  Three other families that we enjoy spending time with are part of the EMH group.  We all agreed that it would be fun to get together on a weekend day and have all family members play the sport that the kids are learning.  Everyone came to our house and we played soccer and then had a potluck dinner.  Although there were several minor injuries, the time was very enjoyable. 

Thanksgiving 2013!

This year we got the opportunity to host Thanksgiving.  We had over 30 people over:  Bakers, Hartmans, Gaults, and Mr. Poore.  The weather was perfectly "fall-like"  which is unusual for Southern California.  The food was great, fellowship sweet and activity full. 

Children's Hunger Fund

My nephew, Tommy, works for an organization called The Children's Hunger Fund.  It is a wonderful ministry that raises money and awareness to deliver boxes of food to starving children all over the world.  Our church supports this ministry and we as a family wanted to have a part in volunteering time to pack the boxes.  Every Saturday from 9am-12pm, volunteers can come and serve.  Unfortunately, the day we had scheduled to go, Providence got the stomach flu so I stayed home with her.  I was thankful that the rest of the family along with Anabel, Jeanne and Hyatt, still went.