Grace's New Dog

Recently we decided that Gracie is mature enough to have a dog of her own. (She's been begging for years :-) Introducing Coco the Bichon Frise!  She has been such a blessing to our family. Grace has been a very responsible dog owner- feeding, grooming and walking her as she needs. And Coco is so quiet and good. What an adorable girl! We love you Gracie & Coco!

 

 

 

More Babysitting & OCA

Jeremy & Stephanie went away for the weekend and we got to take care of Joshua for 5 days. We had a fun time with him. The Oregon Coast Aquarium was one of the journeys we embarked upon during his stay.

Mandy & Mama experience the hurricane tunnel!

 

Best friends & Sisters

Best friends & mother and daughter

Hi Joshua!

Daddy's turn!

Open wide Gracie! And look out behind you!!!

 

The olders went in on a few pounds of fudge

Oh Yeah!

Grant reads a bedtime story back @ home

Ryan & Ash on the job!

Grady and I have a secret! Shhh don't tell anyone but in our home lives the very best babysitting team in the world!  Once and a while we benevolently lend a few of them out-

Jonathan K & Miss Daisy

Joshua K

Timmy K

Awesome babysitter #1

Matthew K (look at those cute cheeks!)

Awesome babysitter #2

Mini-Reunion!

It was such a blessing to be able to meet up with my (Kelly's) brother Brad who was in Portland on a business trip. He, his wife and darling little girl Felicity live in Boston. It had been almost 5 years since we've seen Brad-   My sweet ( second ) mother Barb was able to get all the siblings together- which is no easy feat! Only person missing in this family photo is my (Kelly's) dad who sadly is no longer part of either Barb's life or our family's life- It was a blessing to reunite though, my adopted brother Andre, and 2 half siblings Katie and Brad & Katie's children. I love my extended precious family so much-

Weekend With Nana

Ashley & Amanda enjoyed staying with Nana and Papa for the weekend. They enjoyed some of the exhibits at Portland Art Museum as well as having fun playing with Flora at the dog park :)

 

 

 

 

 

Grace's 8th Birthday

 

We have seen so many improvements in Grace's sensory issues and behavior this year. She has really matured and is learning every day how to better express her feelings before a meltdown and how to put others first. We praise God for giving us a few ideas and points of focus for prayer with this special little one over the past year. She is blossoming into a very enjoyable and precious, precious sweet girl. We are so honored to have been given the opportunity to parent this complicated and special needs child. Really in the end, we all have special needs..which is good- it's what reminds us that in the end, we need the Lord Jesus to help us and that of ourselves we are pretty needy and weak. We thank him for the lessons he has allowed us to learn through the unknowns, stresses, failures, joys and successes of being Grace's daddy & mommy. We LOVE YOU so much precious one! May God continue to shine his glorious light through your life!