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, September 26, 2009

Cottage Pictures

Before things completely fell apart.....

Graham and Liberty were snuggling in a seat, listening to worship music on his Ipod....Just absolutely love my kids being buddies....and no they had no clue that I was taking pictures......
He is drumming....(a drummer through and through)....So when things fell apart....and after the RV had been repaired for the second time in just 5 miles (and six hours).......we were debating our options (and praying like crazy)......"do we head to NY in the cottage?" or "do we turn around and go home?" or "do we go 100 miles back to Colorado Springs and get a rental car?" .....And. frankly, when life gets tough and you can't figure out what to do.....candy makes it all better..... especially chocolate for this chick.........

Gummy worms......
Lots and lots of gummy worms...........

True confessions: After the candy feast we decided to head to NY in the RV....Dw wanted to soooo bad and I wanted to make him happy. But everything inside me was screaming, "NOOOOOOO!" Dw said he turned as he was driving and looked at my face and he didn't see fear - he saw sheer TERROR!
Yes, it's true, I became terrified of just what our short-lived beloved RV would do with 1500 miles in front of us....Heaven help us!! So when Dw turned to me, up the road about 8 miles (about the same place we broke down and had to be towed) and said, "Shouldn't we just go back to the Springs and get a rental?" I jumped on it and more true confessions - It was one of the happier moments in my life....and for real......in that short amount of time, my hair coloring was no longer working...the gray was popping out all over the place (no joke!)....and guess what I'm going to buy? A box of Light Golden Brown to cover the RV, I mean, the gray. xo

6 Simply Sweet Words:

Lana@The Kids Did WHAT?! said...

MMmmmmm. Candy can help so much!! :)
I see your smarties are MUCH different than ours! In Canada, your smarties are called rockets, and are a bit smaller. Our smarties are like M&M's. Only better! :)
Is there an address where I can send your family some smarties? If you would like of course!

Melody said...

LOL You're so hilarious Linny!!

Mmmm wafer cookies. I've been craving those bad boys, but haven't bought them because I know my massive lack of self-control! ;)

Graham reminds me so much of my oldest stepson. Except I'm so thankful yours knows Jesus. :)

stephanie said...

Candy makes every thing better I agree. I love how you can get through a really stressful situation with your sense of humor intact.I don't think I would have done such a great job. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Will not bother you again, but the invitation is still up for grabs to swing by.It would be our pleasure.

scrappy quilter said...

I'm sitting here chuckling again. Through it all you can still laugh and change the gray!!
Hugs and continue having a blast.

Are These Kids All Yours? said...

I love the candy fest! It may not be really great for you, but something about sugar is just fun- especially seeing your kids' pics!!! Too cute, and love the buddies:) Too precious. Pray for safety on the rest of your journey. You know out of the blog people I follow- 3 large/adoptive families in the last couple of weeks have had RV/camper issues on their trips. Yikes! No good- just happy all are safe!

Jean said...

Yes candy does help!! I love those sour gummy worms!!

The Rv was fun for awhile! So glad you are safe and sound in another vehicle.

I did share your adventure with hubby! Of course he had a great response! Started laughing all over again! Remember I'm laughing with you! Honestly it feels so good to laugh- it is good medicine! Sorry it took your RV to get me going!!

Hoping the grey goes away soon! You'd be cute with any color of hair!

Love the pics! The RV is an awesome idea BUT not a 26 yr old RV!

Hubby did say... "you know that RV was built in 1983" Which of course is making me laugh all over again- I better go!