our trip to iowa

Well, we managed to slip away from Augusta and journey to Iowa a couple weeks ago. It was a fun time of rest, visiting family, seeing new babies, and simply enjoying being "home." The girls had fun helping Grandma Sheri in her garden and keeping Grandpa Leo company. Anna learned to ride her bike without training wheels, too. It was a quick learn for her and she rode many a lap around the corn crib at my parents place. Elly took a shine to Grandpa Leo and enjoyed petting Grandma's kitty, Friendly. We were also entertained by the hummingbirds that came to the feeder near the house.


It's wonderful to see how the Lord has blessed our family this year. The most obvious way is with five babies being born in the last eight months! Talk about being fruitful! My sis-in-law had son Jonathan Edward in November. Our Elly Grace came next just after Thanksgiving. Then my (Jolene's) nephew welcomed a second son, Camdyn Duane in March. My oldest sister, Julie, gave birth to little Jacob James earlier in June. Then, on Independence Day, my brother Marshal and wife Rebecca welcomed baby Hannah Marie into the world! What a quiver-full!!! God is good!