Catching up

Inspired by my best friend to keep this updated for the kids to have when they are older.  We have been back the the US for 1 1/2 years.  We lived in Boiling Springs for about 6 months and could not make it financially with Shay Barbering.  So we had an offer for a house and a job from Shay's dad so we moved to Peachland NC and Shay is working for his dad at Piedmont Flooring.  We love Peachland have lived here a few times.  Our reason for returning to the States was for the kids.  They were not having the childhood we had envisioned for them.  They just finished their first year at Peachland/Polkton Elementary.  They were all at the same school.  They had a great expierence and are looking forward to returning in the fall.  Sierra will be in 6th grade and Jesse in 4th.  Damie should go to the Middle school but we have decided to homeschool him his 7th and 8th grade years due to the poor quality of the middle school here. 
I just went through my phone and picked the highlights over the past year and half.

Our first Easter back.  It was raining and the boys didn't want Sierra to get her new shoes dirty so they literally carried her to the car.  Proof they love each other even if they don't always act like it!!

Above are 3 pictures that represent some of the people we missed sooooo much and now get to see on a pretty regular basis.  1st is the Quinn family we consider them family and love being close to them again.

2nd is Eden, their cousin.  It is so good to be near family.

3rd represents the Kemp Family who we have come to love over the past few years and just want to be around them as much as possible. (they are a good influence on our kids and us as parents)

Scouts!!!  This was very important to Shay to get the boys and Sierra into a scouting program.  They all three have loved it and are better for it.

Birthdays!!  Not sure whose birthday this was, but just getting to be with family on our birthdays is a blessing!!!!!

FALL!!!!  Oh how we missed changing of the seasons!  It was beautiful to see all the colors.

 

Jesse was saved in the DR while watching Restoration online one Sunday morning.  But he was baptized at our new church Elevation.

I hope this doesn't bother anyone but this is at my Grandmothers funeral.  I was so glad for the year we were home and the precious time we were able to spend with her.  It was also a blessing being here to be able to go through this with my mom.

When we left the DR we had to leave behind Shay's truck.  He loved that truck but God blessed us with one I think he loves almost as much and maybe a little more.

Jesse has started dressing up!  For school at least a few days a week and everyday towards the end of the year he wore a dress shirt and bowtie.  He would also wear a suit to church every Sunday even though we went to a blue jeans and tshirt church.  He is a trend setter just like his Papa. (a family joke)

This is one Sunday that the kids did Praise and Worship at Elevation.  You can barley see Sierra in the back.  We thought when we moved to NC that we would never find a church like Restoration.  It took us a few months and being willing to drive about 35 min but what a treasure we found.  Elevation will have to be another post, there is just too much to tell.  We have been so blessed to be a part of this church for the last 8 months.

Sierra and Damie got braces!!!!!!!

 

2nd Easter, don't the boys look cute in their bowties!!!!

Grandmother (my mom) and Grandpa Jack have a sheep farm and border collies and my kids love to help around the farm.

I am not a very girly girl, so it has been good for Sierra to spend time with her Grandmother so she can learn how to dress up!!!!

One of Shay's lifelong dreams has been to have a canoe!  It came true!  We have really enjoyed it and I am sure we will for years to come.

The kids haven't got to fish much and the first time we went only the boys caught fish, but the second time Sierra showed them, she caught 3!!!!

Jesse and Shay built a Pine Derby car and raced it.

 

When we left the DR we had to leave behind 3 of the best dogs, it was very hard.  So we finally have a new member of the family.  Roscoe!!!

We got to spend Mother's Day with our Mothers.  What a blessing!!!!

Grammy Sugar!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has all of her Sugar Babies together, she is very very happy!!!!

 

Mr. Eikas.  Damie's 6th grade teacher.  He was just what Damie needed.

 

6th grade graduation.

For Sierra's Girl Scout award ceremony they had a Sock Hop!  It was lots of fun!!!

Last but not least our little garden.  Something I have wanted to do for a long time.  I know it looks a little sad, but it is really Jesses little project.  We decided to start small, maybe next year we will add a few more things.

 

Well, I know I have missed a lot of things, but his makes me feel better having this updated and hopefully I will continue.  Thanks Kelly for the inspiration!!!!