It's been a long time since I've posted. Too much going on to summarize. God is good. My kids are getting bigger! We had a super fun day with my brother, Cole and his family who came to visit from Montana. And lots of family days here and there. Is it really past the middle of March?! Happy Spring!

Me and Heath

And here was the happy, happy reunion after 3 weeks of traveling without my love!

Last Set of Summer Pics

All the cousins on my side at my Dad's. My mom, brothers, and all the cousins at Danny's house, and the four kids at Yellowstone. I wouldn't have any pictures whatsoever if it weren't for Abiel getting her new camera and taking them! Thanks, Abiel!

more pics

This set is in Great Falls, Montana on my dad's farm, riding horses, and at the wonderful Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center there.

More Pics

These pics are in Dayton, Wyoming visiting Great Grandma Moser and Uncle Larry and Aunt Diane.

A few pics from our summer trip

This summer the kids and I embarked on another journey to Montana. We were gone for 3 weeks and on the 4th week, Heath flew to meet us and we drove back through Yellowstone together. We had a wonderful time. Here are a few pics of the journey. This set is of our time in Eastern Montana at Plevna with Great Grandma and Uncle Fred. The bottom pic is the kids at Custers Last Stand near Wyoming.

Picture Time

Just a few pics of the fam.

Scream, cry, or laugh? My funny kids

Today had some tension. As we're driving home from ballet at 5:15, everyone was cranky. Of course the little ones get to be more vocal about their crankiness. It's more socially acceptable you know. Asher and Ella were arguing over something that escalated rapidly about 3 miles from home. It went something like this.

Asher now crying, manages to spurt out: "I'm tired of Ella acting like she's the queen of the house."
Ella now screaming at the top of her lungs: "I'M NOT THE QUEEN OF THE HOUSE! I'M JUST THE QUEEN!"

Enter: Laughter from the momma! Oh for the moments of laughter that keep me from going absolutely CRAZY!

Beautiful Ella

My little Elianna, almost 3. Couldn't resist sharing this pic.

Baptizing our kids!

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.

Matthew 8:16-17 That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. All the spirits fled when he commanded them to leave; and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through Isaiah, who said, "He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases."
Colossians 2:12-15 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross. In this way, God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ.

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It was our joy and privilege to baptize Abiel and Judah before the witnesses of our fellowship and family. They shared their testimony of Jesus making their hearts alive and then each shared a favorite verse that has been meaningful to them. Abiel's is John 3:16-17 and Judah's is Matthew 8:16-17. (see above)

Our family has come to understand that the work of Christ on the cross is not reserved only for the forgiveness of our sins but it is also for our healing and deliverance. God's idea of salvation is such a full picture, so complete and truly overwhelming! "When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth." (Eph. 3:14)

It was a great delight to hear Abiel and Judah give testimony of the comprehensive work of Jesus on the cross. It is our privilege to teach our children that once we have died with Christ, we now live through the power of the Holy Spirit moving within us, the SAME SPIRIT THAT RAISED JESUS (and us) from the dead!! Mind blowing! Thank you for your beautiful sacrifice on the cross and your resurrection through the power of the Holy Spirit that has given us life abundantly! We love you, Jesus!

Fun pics

Abiel's birthday! Happy 11th!
Fun pic of our final hours alone at the beach, enjoying a yummy latte and a wonderful hubby.
I felt as tired as I look!
Water is the best cure for boredom and heat.
Look at that handsome boy. Takes after his daddy.

Fun at the Beach

We had fun at the beach with Grandma and Grandpa from Montana.
Happy times with Grandma and Grandpa. Sad that Montana has to be so far away.
What could be more fun than having sand in every crevice of your body?! :-)
Literally. This was the result of a major face plant in the sand. Ewww.
Don't be deceived by these sweet little faces!

My kids as flowers

On our weekend away, we did a lot of walking. As I came upon certain flowers, they would remind me of each of my children's personalities. Here they are.
This is Abiel Kay. Her name means "God is my father, rejoice." This flower was more vibrant in person (as all of them were). The center was a warm, glowing orange that reminded me of Abiel's heart and mind. She knows God is her father and that we love her dearly. These truths have set her heart and mind aglow. That warm glow radiates out of every part of her. She is as bright as the outer edges of these petals and brings this brilliance to those around her. We love you, Sunshine!
This picture doesn't do this stunning red flower justice! As we were walking along a predominantly brown and green path to the beach, suddenly my eyes were caught by this striking flower. It reminds me of Judah, a bit unassuming but bold and eye catching on the backdrop of normalcy! Judah Allen's name means "Praise with peace and harmony." We believe Judah will be a man who brings praise to Jesus with peace and harmony while leading others to do the same. As with this bold little flower, I believe Judah will have the ability to catch eyes and direct them to praising and worshiping the Creator. We love you Judah man.
Asher Chaim. "Blessed, fortunate, and happy life" is our Asher Chaim. This huge, "make me feel happy" flower caused an instantaneous smile! It's just like our Asher. Big, loud and out to make you smile without even meaning to. Keep being you, little man. We love you like crazy.
Elianna Charis, "God has answered me with grace (empowering Presence)." This flower wasn't on the path to anywhere but was in the store, neatly wrapped and ready to be delivered somewhere specific and special. I love the soft, bright color with a little bit of spiky. Ella. She's got a soft little heart in there and a whole lotta spiky everywhere else! She will be a young woman who knows that her God answers her with HIS empowering Presence. I'm confident she will take that beautiful truth to whomever she is with. Her whole little package of soft and spiky will be part of the gift to whoever and wherever she is delivered! We love you little beauty.

All very different. All very beautiful. All very loved and appreciated for their unique beauty. Thank you Jesus, for my little flower garden.

Tribute to 12 years of marital bliss! :-)

A WEEKEND AWAY . . . . ALONE!!!
Fun times at the beach. ALONE!!
Jesus blessed us with a beautiful, fun hotel room! ALONE!!
My handsome husband of 12 years! I can't believe it. It only gets better and better.
Solitary beaches in California DO exist!

We were delighted to spend a weekend away ALONE for our 12th anniversary. We had a wonderful time talking, walking on the beach, eating out, enjoying quietness, enjoying Creation and just being US. I resolved to give a vacation to every topic that causes any tension for us. Success! The problem spots took a vacation and so did we. That left simple enjoyment of our time and each other, remembering why we love each other and why we chose each other twelve years ago. Being a realist, I cannot paint a problem free, wonderful, blissful 12 years for you. But I will honestly say, I wouldn't choose anyone else to walk with through the last 12 years of ups and downs and good and bad. Heath Allen Locke is more the man of God, full of integrity, godly character, passion, purpose, talent, and faithfulness now than I could've ever envisioned 12 years ago. And I'm honored to be with him. I believe one of the primary purposes of marriage is to help mold us into the image of Jesus. Heath has done that for me over and over again. I am grateful.

I look forward to the next 12, 24, 34 . . . years together! Thank you to all who helped us with the kids, the hotel, the gifts to eat out, etc. We were blown away and thankful from the bottom of our feet . . . or is that supposed to be heart?! :-)

I love you, handsome Heath Locke! Glad to be yours.