And here we are...

Wow, it's been a while! I guess since the little one became mobile life has picked up speed! Here's a few photos to catch you all up!

This was our Christmas photo taken in front of our neighbor's tree...I think they could see us while our friend was taking our photo...=)  If you'd like a tangible photo for your home fridge, e-mail me with your address and I can send one out to you! =)

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Our three kids...we definitely fill up the backseat of the Suby! I'll think we're going to go for one more...but that's no announcement folks! =) Does that mean a minivan is on the horizon???? I never thought I'd live to see the day I'd admit to that...=)

Little "Lijah Bear", as we affectionately call him, is now walking, waving, and working his charm on all he meets. He is an easy smile and loves to be tickled...he also likes to be part of the action and will scurry to the part of the house where he hears the most noise. As number 3 he is frequently getting tackled,  dragged, picked up, squished, and moved by brother and sister, which we hope is contributing to his ability to be flexible. =)

"Gracie Boo" or "Gray" gets all sorts of nicknames, just like the rest of the Rollins family...she is talking up a storm but we still have to ask her to repeat herself so we can catch certain words. This is such a cute language phase!! She is as girlie as her mama is not...but simply entertained with the company of her brothers and the few toys we own that are not cars and trucks or sticks. Her virgin hair has never been cut, though she doesn't have much patience for mama to brush it...we'll see how much longer we can hold out. Our bundle of energy of no fear, is still a "get-in-ta", but no longer dipping into the toilet...Praise the Lord!!!

Josiah, our dear Choleric firstborn...silly, creative, attention-seeker, challenge, responsible...he is such a Daddy's boy! Loves to work and play outside, be independent, help out around the house and comes up with the greatest costumes...always posing the question "What do I look like?"  This year we had lots of struggles with some Asthma attacks and found out he is severely allergic to dust mites. We've made some lifestyle changes and things are under control which has eased our minds quite a bit. Mama is getting geared up to try some homeschooling in the fall....extremely intimidated, but determined to give it a fair go.

Brent was laid off from work at the beginning of the month and has managed to stay busy with home repair projects, helping friends with home improvement projects, leading a community group that meets in our home, playing with the kids (he's a super dad!!), sharpening his cooking and baking skills, making plans towards his next career/schooling move, planning fly-fishing excursions (though he hasn't been fishing in at least 6 months!), and taking our family on adventures. Don't worry...he's not getting too comfortable! =)

Then there's me...learning how to manage a household of 5 (+ 1 new roommate)...to not compare myself to others, to persevere in training up my children...even though sometimes I'm so discouraged, that I need to schedule in play time with my kids and it's OK to let the dishes sit...these are precious and short days, to open open my home in hospitality even though it may not be perfectly tidy, that it is not by MY might nor by My power that I am enabled to do everything well that I am charged to do, that I can be a runner (when my knee isn't disabling me), though I fight for every step, that we NEED community...to be challenged, vulnerable, to bless each other, to learn from each other, serve each other, sacrifice for each other, comfort, encourage...that I need to BE that whether or not I receive that...though we do abundantly!, and that I am exactly where I want to be in life...so be content with today whatever it brings...I will mis it when it's