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!!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Playin' on Silver Lake

Tuesday we rented a boat and played on the lake that Dw had grown up on....and take a gander at that smile of his...you can see how much it ministered to his sweet soul....this man loves being on a boat probably most of all...


Checkin' out the water just as we start to take off....

the beloved cottage from the water...
Jubilee was so brave!!
She was willing to tube with Graham...
and to think, we doubt she's ever even been on a boat before!!


Josh had actually never been on a boat before either...
but he loved it...and he especially loved tubing....
too bad we forgot to give him the "take your cell phone out of
your swim suit pocket before you tube" speech....


Jubilee's smile says it all...

Isaiah loves a boat just as much as his daddy...


I froze the entire day...and loved being snuggled under the blanket...






Isaiah whispers something to Graham....

Dw gave Josh and Graham the ride of their lives and
they were hanging on like no other...

One very satisfied man on sabbatical....

9 Simply Sweet Words:

stephanie said...

that is so AWESOME! and DW sure looks rested and happy!!!and younger!!!!

Heather said...

glad you had such a great time! I love boats too. I have never gone tubing, but it looks so fun to me!

Just Me - The Champion said...

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! So excited for you. What a beautiful lake AND cottage. And I am SO glad Dw was able to get some well deserved rest. Thanks for sharing your pics and your trip. Love you guys! - jen

Holly said...

You were seriously cold? What was the temp? It is like 100 degrees EVERY day here and I am longing for winter...even fall here is hot! :)
Good times :)

Holly said...

Oh, such wonderful fun!!! So happy you are all having a blast! : )

Jim and April said...

oh those are such sweet photos, i love all the ones of your kids smiling faces!

Jonett W. said...

Family + Boating on the lake = special memories!

Diane said...

I'm so glad you are having such a wonderful time and making such sweet memories as a family! God bless you all!

Jessa said...

those are fantastic photos of your husband - he is definitely looking relaxed and rejuvenated!!

re Josh's phone? Not sure if it is working- it might be too late- but my phone recently went for a swim as well :) I put it in a bowl of rice for a day or two and it is good as new!!