building for 6...and then some

We've been building an extra big family room here this summer, but this room idea was built years ago when we dreamed of one day having space to hold people here as we raise a family. We love opening our doors to others, sharing food together, hearing stories, growing relationships, doing life with others. Like so many other things we hold dear to us in the home-grown area...relationships may be at the top of our list for what we grow amongst our family. 

With that planted on our hearts, we also don't want to not invite people due to lack of space to put them. At least this is how I have felt many times when I wanted to have people over, but didn't know where to have them sit. People don't care about that though. Jen & Markuse reminded me that you simply just have to open your door, open your hearts, and open your lives up to be together. They didn't care that they were sleeping in our 2 year olds full size bed, sharing a shower with 6 other people, eating around a cramped cozy porch table, or bumping elbows in the kitchen. We had enough room to live together for a few days and enough heart space to enjoy the journey. 

I'm super excited to fill our new family room. And I have good growing pains on my heart that remind me it doesn't have to be perfect to be done well. 

 My kids love this guy! He entered our lives a hand full of years ago when Dave met him at YWAM in San Fransisco. Markus is a missionary from Germany. He has lived and worked in San Fran for many years. This isn't the first time he's stayed with us... But, this is the first time he had a lovely wife to bring back with him. Yay!! Congrats Markus & Jen!

 Austin waited outside their door for Markus to wake up. I'm sure they loved the fan club that time of the day :)

 Jen is a ball of happy energy. She lights up a room and Sissy loved taking her in!

 Of course we did as many Mid-west, country cooking, and camp-firing that we could! These city folks thought we were pretty farmish :)

 Summer nights out back...

I think this city guy has some urban-homesteading roots in him. The chickens loved him and he them.

If you want to read more on this sweet couple doing really awesome Kingdom work in the heart of San Fran, follow their blog here...Markus & Jen in the city!

back-yard water babies

building for 6 :: early days

Spring has long been on the calendar, but this spring project sprouted in what felt a little more like summer . This building for six project has been a long time coming... It started off as a dream, became a little goal, ventured into a desired outcome, and slowly started to take shape for this family of six that largely fills out this house and needs a little more space to call home. We're so very thankful for all the right things falling into place so we can make this happen and so grateful for the resources, people, and time to do it. God is good. New room or not, God is good. 

Here's the start of it a few weeks ago... After we tore down the old deck and dug out old bushes and trees!

 The supply truck delivered the goods For two little boys, thats free entertainment. 

Austin loved the pieces. It was like a gigantic puzzle ready to be put together!

Carson loves the activity... always something new to see or explore or talk about. Mostly talk about. A lot.

The start of the new...

We start 'em young.

Post building. A solid foundation. Nothing more important. A house or hearts, a solid foundation must come first.

Of course, building for 6 usually means you have about that many peeps around to keep the construction zone crowded.

We've got some of the most talented carpenters in the area... not to mention hard-working, hug giving, and grandkid holding help for this crew. 

Because who wouldn't want to work with this guy around all day? :) 

she's 1

made to move, our soccer boy

Just as most women with boys of their own told me as this boy arrived, our firstborn is a mover. I remember being told that boys means busyness and through the years, life with 3 boys has proven every single one of those older, wiser moms right on this one. From the early walking days to his latest gig on the soccer field...Jaxon has always loved to be moving. 

We've been slow to get involved in soccer. Partly because I as his mother could never figure out just exactly how to get him involved and always seemed to make the call about 3 months too late for the current season. Finally after a few attempts we landed him on an actual team through our local soccer rec program and he fell into an awesome Coach with a heart for Jesus and a lot of spunk from the sidelines. Right up our alley :) In our experience, coaches can make or break it for these kids at this age. Sports loving Mama's...pray for your children's coaches. This is such a crucial piece of positive experiences with sports and so far for the most part we've been blessed in this area. And the couple times we haven't, we've just found a deeper appreciation for when we do and a few tough life lessons about respecting even when we don't agree!!

This boy loved the soccer experience and I think we may have a continual soccer player on our hands. The constant movement and fast paced game is fun for this kid. It was so fun to watch him, too! Plus, for a kid with lots of energy...as his Mama, it's kinda nice to have him a little worn out by the end of the day :)

Soccer Season 1 down! Fun times following that #23 around this spring...

And the winner is...

After Friday night home-made pizza and bubble baths and a game of night tag, we threw names in a hat the old fashioned way and pulled our lucky winner! Becky B. you win!! Congrats, friend! Hope you love your new Noonday Collection piece. Thanks friends who voted and shared. Maybe next year ;-)

Let me say thank you! And you could win!

A week ago I rallied my social media community and we gathered 752 times to vote over at Noonday Collection's website for Style for Justice with International Justice Mission. 752 votes did not get me to Rwanda... but it got me a front row seat to see how my community rallies for their own, how my community wants to see good in this world, and how my community wants to support a company that is trying to make a difference in how we purchase things. It was quite the show to watch from my view and I ended the contest feeling enthusiastic about bringing attention to such a cause.

I also ended the contest feeling encouraged to keep doing what I do here. Connecting. Connecting with what I'm learning in this life and sharing it with you. So thank you for your kind words, cheering, and votes! It was a fun (and nervous few days!) way to spend some time on social media and I want to thank you...

So friends and family that voted, shared, liked, and voted some more...

Comment a simple hello or smiley face or "voted" below in my blog comment box!  I am going to draw a winner from you voting, liking, sharing peers and be giving away a FREE Noonday Collection Bracelet. One of my very favorites! I'd give one to all of you if I could, but I can't :) So comment away and come back on Friday to see if you won!

And thank you again... Thank you for supporting Noonday Collection, thank you for supporting the women who represent Noonday, thank you for bringing awareness to Noonday's adoption partnership, and thank you for saying yes to something great. It's the little things that make a big difference! You're a difference maker! Thank you!