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, May 29, 2010

The Baskets

Okay guys! I have gotten such a kick out of all your comments about our laundry room. Yes, I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled with it and the money we have saved.....so thank you for your sweet words. {I love the idea of a framed picture of my Ugandan friend too!! Definitely gonna' do that - several of you guys made that suggestion - thanks for the idea!}



I also thought it was fun that you wanted to know what was in the baskets and a few of you asked if I would share that as well. Come on guys, you know so much about us....infact there have been a few times that I've thought the only thing you sweet bloggy friends don't know is how much I weigh {and you won't ever either - haha}.....so yes, I will happily share with you what goes in the baskets.....I thought I would take some more pictures tonight and then post them tomorrow to show you guys.



And Miss Trina, my sweet friend, I've recently been feeling led to start doing some posts about how to organize a large family as well as how to simplify life {meals, gifts, etc.}, so girlfriend - you been thinkin' what I've been "thunkin'". I am not an expert on either but will gladly show you friends what works well for us. So stay tuned.

19 Simply Sweet Words:

jasnjoj said...

I am SO excited to hear that you're going to do posts about managing life in a large family! We only have four children (6 y.o. and under) - so far - but I would love to hear from a fellow homeschooling mama who has BTDT!!!

Rebecca said...

Can't wait to hear your ideas and words of wisdom!
Thanks for sharing!

natali said...

i CAN'T WAIT for the pictures and organizational tips :)) i'm a single lady as of right now, but one day I'm gonna have a boatload of kids & I'm definitely going to remember these tips :D
Oh, and Linny, I just HAVE to tell you about finding something special on my plate tonight! I looked down and there it was - a potato in the shape of Africa!!! AHHHH!! if you could have just heard me scream! haha! I have a picture of it on my blog for proof. :))

MoonDog said...

I am SOOOOO in need of your organisation tips! 6 at home right now, 9-10 within the month! if I could just get everyone to put their clothes away and keep the laundry done I would be doing good!

Anna said...

looking forward to is as we start our new journey.

Chris and Sarah said...

I can't wait for the tips so please, PLEASE don't make us wait too long.

Stephanie said...

While I don't have a family of my own yet, it's never too early to learn ways to handle the wonderfully large family I hope to have one day in the future. I'm excited to learn. :)

kristen good said...

YAY! I'm excited to hear about managing a large family. My husband and I are newly married, but the Lord has spoken over us, separately and now together that we will have a large family. The number we always get from Him is 8! We are hoping some of those will be foster/adopted children, too! So, I'm excited!!

Jim and April said...

ohh i would love to hear your organization/big family/recipe whatever you have up your sleeve type of blog post! :0)

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

Oooh fun! I love organizational tips. It putting them into use that gets me every time. Haha. Will you also share some recipes that please the entire family? Oh sure, I'm a party of one. But I do a lot of volunteer work that often calls for me to bring meals to share at meetings or Ronald McDonald house, etc. Its hard to know what will please the masses.

Julie Hoagland said...

I LOVE your laundry room....it's beautiful and big compared to mine. :) I too think it would be awesome for you to hang a picture of the woman doing laundry in Uganda...so sweet. Also, I LOVE the color of the walls in your home. Such a warm, cheery color. Since you won't tell us your weight...will you tell us the name and brand of paint? :)

Blessings,
Julie

Melissa-Mom to 4 bugs said...

Can't wait to hear the organizational tips! With our upcoming ransom of kiddo #4 I think we are leaving the American norm and heading toward BIG family. Any recipes you'd like to share would be great too--didn't realize how much young adults could eat!!! (:

Donna said...

L-O-V-E your laundry room!! Looking forward to your "big family" tips - we hope to bring our 6 year old son home from China by the end of the year and he will be kid #6 in our house, so I can use all the ideas I can get!!

scrappy quilter said...

I can't wait to see what's in those baskets. What a great incentive for all of us to look at ways to save those dollars around our home so we can help others. You are the best!!! Hugs and prayers

Mr. Daddy said...

OK, as long as you just share what's IN the baskets and not your DIRTY laundry.....*snicker*


J.K. Love you guy's

Jessica said...

Oh! I love the picture idea! Do you think I could copy your picture to hang in my laundry room? You post really convicted me because I have a VERY small laundry and often have laundry room envy (I know, it sounds terrible just typing it!) and your post really put it into perspective!

Goodness and Mercy Mom said...

I love your new laundry room! Ours is tiny and I end up sorting clothes in baskets on my bed. I'll no longer be grumbling after seeing your friend in Uganda with her "front loader." (You crack me up.) It is truly humbling how blessed we are.

Love the idea of hanging a photo of her in your laundry room. And I can't wait to hear your tips on managing a large family!

Happy Memorial Day to your sweet family! I hope everyone is feeling better.

Much Love,
Kathie

Tiff said...

I am very excited about organizational tips! Our house is very small (not even room for shelves with baskets in the laundry room) and with four kids, I need as many ideas as I can get! Will be waiting patiently... :)

How is the crew feeling?

Jill and Cliff said...

I would love to see your organizational tips as I have four older children and the last one of them left at home and then God gave us my step neice twins when they were 3 1/2 months old to raise. We have custody and want to adopt them and we also became foster parents in the process. I work full time and when I get home I want to spend time with the little ones and boy it is hard to keep a house up with twins that are two and working full time. I see you doing it so I know I can. I need lots of ideas. I love reading how God works in your life and he is really working in ours. I am encouraged by your kind words of wisdom. Thanks for all you do.