Gotcha Day #4!!

Born not from our flesh

But born in our hearts

You, Faith RenLan Serna, were longed for 

 AND WANTED

 and loved

 from the start!!!

Happy 'Gotcha Day', Faith!!!

Look Who is a TEENAGER!!!

"It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be." - The Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

Gabe, I can't believe you are 13 years old. 

A teenager who loves to read, is so musically talented, and who grows each day in his walk with God.

You are known for your big smile - but it is just a gateway to your big heart. 

You are smart and handsome.

You are imaginative and creative.

And you care deeply for your friends and family.

It has been a delight to watch you grow into the young man you are today. 

"Happines can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Albus Dumbledore

 We are so very proud of you and the light that shines from within you. 

Happy birthday, Gabe!! We love you so much!!

Happy Thanksgiving 2018!

Come ye thankful people, come.

Raise the song of harvest home.

All is safely gathered in, 

Ere the winter storms begin.

God our maker doth provide

for our wants to be supplied.

Come to God's own temple, come.

Raise the song of harvest home.

We wish you a very safe and happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for. 

Faith is SEVEN!!

Today is Faith's 7th birthday! 

Yesterday we had a utility man come to our door and Faith quickly told him that her birthday was tomorrow. He asked how old she will be, which she proudly responded with "seven". He looked at her and asked, "How did you get to be so cute in just seven years?" I could not agree more. 

This year she wanted a rainbow-unicorn-cupcake birthday. Such an appropriate theme for our sparkly little sunbeam!

She has the most adorable dimples, high on her cheek and I have finally gotten a picture of them!

She is still full of joy and happiness. She loves panda bears, laughing loudly, her friends and her big sister. She also loves to eat...her favorite thing is potato salad.

Each year I am more humbled and grateful that God chose us to be her family. 

Happy birthday, Faith! You are SO LOVED!!!

Halloween 2018

We started celebrating Halloween a few days early by carving a pumpkin and roasting the seeds.

Byron is our master carver.

He did an awesomely spooky job!!

The kids had fun putting together costumes this year. We recently cleaned out their closets and saw that we have many, many costumes. I told them that instead of buying more costumes this year, we should use what we had. 

 The boys made swords with our neighbor and decided to be knights so that they could use their swords. Selah used an old Jedi costume and made a Sacagawea costume. Faith was a black cat - we just added $2 ears and a tail to complete the outfit. 

Byron and I were a farmer and his cow using the cow pajamas I was gifted in our Christmas PJ exchange.

This year we did something new for Halloween. Our church hosts Boogers and Halloweenies throughout our county. They ask members of the congregation to be host homes and then provide hamburgers, hot dogs and buns. Then, each host home feeds their neighborhood and loves on their neighbors on Halloween night! We went to our friend's house to help them serve their neighbors. 

We handed out candies with Gospel tracts and offered each person dinner, too!

 So many people came to have a hot dog or burger.

Byron cooked a couple hundred hot dogs!

GiGi and PopPop was able to spend Halloween with us, too! They make some super grandparents!

They weather was wet and chilly, so they stayed home, but it was fun having them here for Halloween! Everyone had a great night!