Happy Mother's Day!!!

The Goffs

The Ochenjeles


Grandma Janeen and Poppa Lou (w/ the wigglers)

We like desserts!










The kiddies

The Clan

The Matriarchs

The cooks...(and not pictured: The Grillmasters)



The snitchers...

Girls Luncheon

~Still trying to figure out this new collage look. It's hard to have a commentary b/c the words don't line up w/ the pictures. Anyway...I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. We had a fun time :) Especially since there was a little celebrity: Gracie!

Time Flies...

My 10 month old cutie! Wills has definitely improved in looks since he was first born. Poor guy, he had a more stressful entry to the world than perfect-lil'-c-section-head Samuel did. :) He's a keeper, though. We enjoy the smiles and laughs he brings to our family. His new word this month is "all done" w/ the sign too! I love it when babies learn to talk. He was calling "Mama, mmmamum" in a really sad voice this morning at 5 am. I went in there (since I couldn't sleep anyway) and he was standing up holding his blue blank. He's back to sleep now. I'd better go do something more productive than blogging. I have some girls coming for lunch. I'll post pictures of Gracie later. I keep forgetting my camera! Ah! ;)

Springtime Activities...

~I mentioned Justin being a great gift giver...well, he and the boys bought me a brand new digital camera as an early Mother's Day Present! I was thrilled, since our old one doesn't work too well. It was purchased 5 years ago in Afghanistan...I'm enjoying it, as you can see. :)~

Happy Friday!!

Big sis, lil' sis

Trying some self-portraits

Some serious card-making


Making Mother's Day Cards

Samuel and Mommy

Playing outside and enjoying the sunshine (and the cherrios)



Spring rain, puddles, a raincoat, and gum boots= Samuel's delight!

Happy Birthday~

Happy Birthday Justin!! Any guesses how many b-day's he's had so far? :)

Justin's a great gift giver. Me, on the other hand, hmmm. I guess I'd have to say I resort to practicality. New boxers and new work jeans. Hey, he really needed them!

That's not his "real" gift though. His real gift was recently ordered, so it wouldn't have been here in time for his birthday. It's a big manual on self-sufficient living. He really wanted to get it. Who knows, maybe we'll need it someday.

We're planning to celebrate again on Saturday...a double date is planned w/ George and Krista. Fun!

Like this!

~ Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13 ~

If I keep my house immaculately clean, and am envied by all for my creativity and decorating sense, but do not show love in my family, I am just another housewife. If I'm always producing lovely things - fine art photos, cute pictures of the kids, and creative house decor; if I lose all that baby weight and always look attractive and cook organic meals but am not loving to my family - I am nothing. If I'm busy in community affairs, go to Sunday school and Bible studies, and help out my neighbor now and then, but fail to give adequate love to my family - I gain nothing.
Love changes diapers, cleans up messes and ties shoes, over and over again. Love is kind, though tired and frazzled. Love doesn't envy another wife - one whose children are "spaced" better, one who exercises more, or one whose kids seem "perfect". Love doesn't try to impress others with my abilities or knowledge as a mother, woman or photographer. Love doesn't scream at the kids. Love doesn't feel cheated because I didn't get to do what I wanted to do today - work on photography projects, read, soak in a hot tub. Love doesn't lose my temper easily. Love doesn't assume that my children are being naughty just because their noise level is irritating. Love doesn't rejoice when other people's children misbehave and make mine look good. Love is genuinely happy when others are honored by their children.

LOVE IS PATIENT
LOVE IS KIND
LOVE IS LONG SUFFERING
LOVE REJOICES
LOVE HOPES
LOVE BELIEVES
LOVE ENDURES