Our Boatload of Dreams.....

Welcome to Our Place Called Simplicity.

We invite you into our lives with one goal in mind: that you would be encouraged to live simply and truly love one another.

Married for 33 years, we are the parents of many. Eleven {so far} children. Eight of whom are adopted. We also have four sons and a daughter that we are parents of in Uganda as well. They were raised on the streets and had no parents until we "adopted" them 3+ years ago. So we really have sixteen children total {with more on the way}.

After 7+ weeks in Uganda, Emma {18} and I recently returned to the United States with our newest addition - a baby girl named Ruby Grace. Dw and Emma were leading a missions team in June 2011 where they had the privilege of meeting Ruby - a tiny 11 month old gem weighing only 6 lbs.

Our oldest daughter Abigail and her husband finally{!} allowed us the privilege of being Mimi and Jaja by bringing us our very first grand baby {from Uganda}...making us now, officially, a multi-generational adoptive family. Proof that adoption is a very, very good thing!

We've had the privilege of adopting our treasures from all over the world, some dubbed "special needs" we are convinced that the only TRUE special need a child has is to have a family.

Our peers are empty nesters, but we are certain that given this option to any orphan - "old mom and dad" or "no mom and dad", all would still vote for the old ones. So here we are - the old ones....doing it again....

If you are need of encouragement or wonder if God is able to move your mountain, please head over to the sidebar where Special Posts are listed. Start at Our Wild Adventure Part 1. You will be reminded of Almighty God's deep love for the orphan and how He will move mountains on their behalf....we call Him the Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God!! Yippee Jesus!!

I am humbled beyond words and ever so grateful that the Lord is fulfilling a promise He gave me way back in 1982..."making the barren woman to be at home - the joyful mother of children" (Psalms 113:9). How I praise His name!!

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Isaiah Samuel Turns FIVE

Elijah's birthday is January 25th and three days later it is Isaiah's big day....
Isaiah came home to us from China in August of 2007. It was an amazing story of our Miracle-Working, Mountain-Moving, Awe-Inspiring, Gasp-Giving God....if you missed reading how he came home and how God parted the Red Sea (literally) head over to the sidebar section marked "My Favorite Places to Hang Out" and click on the link "Journey to Isaiah Samuel" (you won't be disappointed - he is our miracle son!):
Breakfast in bed is tradition at our home......
Dinner at Applebee'sElijah has decided to be a little stinkhead whenever we pull out the camera....no longer does he turn away, instead he grins from ear to ear and closes his eyes tight....he is too funny!!
We only could find three candles in our home (the hotel).....
still the sweetest smile on earth!

40 Simply Sweet Words:

Hezra said...

WE just did OUR Isaiah's birthday, # 5! Congrats to your big boy too!!

as written by Barbara said...

Happy Birthday Isaiah!!! You have a wonderful smile!
Barbara Lyman
Marysville, WA

Jill said...

Happy 5th Birthday sweet boy!!
Hope you enjoyed your special day!
Hugs, Jill

Patientlywaiting said...

Happy Birthday, Isaiah! Love the pictures and his sweet grin!

Hugs,
Robin

Lori said...

Happy Birthday to my future son-in-law!! You are the sweetest little thing ever and I'm so thankful that God performed one if his biggest miracles ever in bringing you home!! We love you so much and Lucy asks about you all the time!! She knows a good man when she sees one!!

Love you guys!
Lori

Becky C said...

Happy Birthday Isaiah!!! Hope you have a GREAT day!

Kim said...

Happy, Happy Birthday Mr. Isaiah!

We love you and are so glad you came to across the sea to your Forever Family!

Amy Jo said...

What a SWEET boy! Praying God's amazing blessings upon Isaiah, and his precious family. Continuing to pray for all of you, Amy in OR

scrappy quilter said...

Happy Birthday sweet boy. I just noticed that Elijah's birthday is the same day as our oldest son Todd's is. It so nice to see the smiles on these little ones faces. Love it.

Lisa said...

Many Birthday Wishes Isaiah!!!

blessedmomto7 said...

What a cutie! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD!

Sally- That Girl! said...

Bryson wishes you a happy birthday! From one spiderman to the other!!

Teresa said...

Happy Birthday! My son Jeffrey who just turned five shares your sweet ones bday! Jeffrey was our miracle..he came to us (through adoption) a year into my husbands battle with cancer. While my husband only had 11 months with Jeffrey ..our little man filled our lives with hope when we needed it most. God is awesome! I will be posting bday party pictures soon...there you will find Shauna who is another bloggy friend. We chat about you all often and lift you in prayer.

Adeye Salem said...

Happy birthday, Miracle Boy! I guess having a birthday in a hotel room is such an adventure for a little guy---fun! Looks like you all had a wonderful time together.
Continuing to pray for every need you have. Please keep us updated with prayer requests along the way. Any news on finding a rental?
Love
Adeye

Just Me said...

Happy, Happy Birthday Isaiah!!!!!!!! Oh what an exciting time in the Saunder's home :) Hey Linn, it was not so long ago that you lost a follower after writing a post ... wow how you have grown :) 314 friends following your journey!!!! God is good.

Blessings, Lisa C.

Jean said...

Happy 5th Birthday Isaiah! Bless you, sweet boy! You have joy written all over our face! Your smile could brighten any room! I hope your day was happy!!
Birthday wishes from MN!
Jean

Susan said...

Oh sweet precious Isaiah! God knew you before you were born and what a plan He has in store for you! May you soon have TWO birthday's a year :) (as our John would say.. my first birthday is the day I was born into this world, my 2nd birthday was the day I accepted Christ into my heart)

We love you Isaiah! Have a wonderful FUN time!

Janet and Kevin said...

Happy Birthday Isaiah - from Philip

P.S. thanks for turning my mom and dad's heart to me through your story!

Brittne said...

Happy birthday Isaiah!!

Bestill said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Isaiah!!! I love your smile!

journey to colt lewis said...

Happy 5th Birthday Isaiah!!! I love you and miss you. From Colt- your foster brother from Hope Foster-Beijing China

Nicole A. said...

Happy birthday, sweet little man! Your smile is the best, so contagious. What joy you bring to your family! Have a wonderful day and a terrific year ahead, Isaiah!

All the best,
Nicole A. and family in OH

Shonni said...

Hello, I just found your blog from another blog friend. We also live in Colorado. I am so sorry for the loss of you home.
Your story is very precious to my husband and I because we are passionate for the cause of the orphans. We have 10 children; seven have come home to us through adoption. We are praying to bring home another soon.
Thank you for your story. I look forward to reading more and will be praying for you all!

Julie Hoagland said...

Happy 5th Birthday sweet Isaiah! God's many blessings to you!

Julie, Curt and Isaiah (about to turn 5) Hoagland

Julie Hoagland said...

Happy 5th birthday sweet Isaiah! God's many blessings to you.

Julie, curt and Isaiah Hoagland

mom2-4boys said...

Oh that smiles is just precious. What a sweet heart your special 5 year old must be.

Prayers headed your way.

Tracey and the boys

Amy said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRECIOUS BOY! I am seeing this today because we were celebrating our own precious baby's birthday yesterday. You and Gracie share the same birthday, Isaiah! :) And you both have sweet hearts and beautiful smiles that light up the world! May this be a year full of blessings and SO MUCH FUN for you, Sweetpea! Love from Amy and Family

Rachel said...

Happy Birthday Isaiah! We love you!

(I am totally addicted to seeing that ear-to-ear grin every time there's a picture of him!)

Carolin said...

Ahhhh! Happy Birthday to Isaiah from your Louisville buddies!!!

Waitingfaithfully said...

Happy Birthday Isaiah, you truly do have the BEST smile in the world!
What a precious treasure you are!

Birthday blessings ~

Love,

Tina and family

David and Sarah said...

Yes! A beautiful smile and a beautiful boy! Happy Birthday.
Blessings,
Sarah

Tony and Rett said...

Happy Birthday Isaiah!!

You're growing up so big and strong!

Keep those smiles coming...we ALL need them!

Chrisann said...

What a sweet celebration! Love you guys

Melly said...

Happy Birthday Isaiah!! You're such a big boy now!! (and you are so adorable!!)

Love, The Kopp Family
California

trina said...

Isaiah, did you save me some cake? You are the cutest little guy. Hope your birthday was super special..and breakfast in bed...wow!

Lynsay said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Isaiah! Sheng Ri Kuai Le! We love you so much!! Give Elijah a big hug and tell him happy BIRTHDAY too from all of us!!!

Chris and Sarah said...

Happy Birthday Isaiah! You have the most amazing smile.

tmm said...

Happy be-lated birthday Isaiah!!! Looks like you had a blast!!!

It was great to see your story in B. Riggs magazine!!!!

Tammy

The Kings said...

Happy Belated Birthday to Isaiah! My Goodness he is the cutest little boy! What an amazing smile!

Ellie said...

Just read Isaiah's story for the first time. What a tremendous testimony to the love and provision of our Father in Heaven! Thanks for sharing!