Everlasting Love

My heart is heavy today as I think about my mom. It was 3 years ago to the day that my mom went to be with Jesus. I still don’t think a day goes by when I don’t think about her and wish she was still here. I miss her friendship, her strong faith, positive outlook, her unconditional love and amazing joy she found in spending time and caring for my kids. While Taylor and Brandon still speak of her with great fondness, I only wish she could have built a relationship with Caleb and Emily. I can only image how proud she would be of each of them. I can’t help but think that she would have been Caleb’s greatest cheerleader and constantly holding him up in prayer. Even though our time together was too short her impact was huge! She taught me so much about life, loving others and most of all finding peace and joy in having a personal relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ. Her legacy of faith and love lives in me every day. While my heart aches for her presence, I find peace in knowing that she is in heaven with our Lord. I still don’t understand the whys, but I trust God, the source of live and life everlasting. For God is Good – All the time – for that is His nature.

Special Day with Sarah

This summer we have been so blessed to have a very amazing student named Sarah live in our basement and spend time with our family. She was one of our babysitter's is past year and graduated from NWC is past May. She has been so much help and my kids have grown very fond of her. It will be difficult for all of us to say goodbye in just a few days when she has to leave for grad school in Indiana. In the past two months she has become one of the family. Knowing that our time with her was quickly coming to an end we decided to spend the day together at the Sioux Falls Zoo and a visit Chuck E Cheese.

Caleb went crazy when Chucky came out to visit the kids. He loves big cartoon people!

Emily and Sarah - her first ride on a carousel.

The kids and Sarah

Looking at the Turtles

Sarah & Emily

Emily with the Goats in the Petting Zoo

Emily our little tour guide telling us all about the animals -- too bad we could not understand anything she said.

Sarah and Caleb

Emily loving all the animals!

Batter-up for T-Ball

This summer Taylor played T-ball with the city Parks & Rec program. I wasn't sure if she would like it, but after a few practices it was clear it was a good fit for her. She did really well and turned out to be one of the best hitters on her team.

Taylor in the Outfield
Taylor hitting the ball.

Comin home.

Running the bases.
Warm-up - playing catch.

the team

Summer Fun

Wow! This summer has gone by so fast thus far. Between our travels and the cooler weather it seems like it should be the beginning of June not the middle of July. At this rate the summer will be over before we know it. I need to go back to work on August 3rd and Taylor and Brandon start school on August 20 Nevertheless, it has been a great summer thus far with lots of trips to the pool, swim lessons, T-ball, playing outside, homemade ice cream, and popsicles! Here are a few photos of all the fun!

Emily playing the coupe car on our back deck

The girls relaxing on a beanbag

Sarah pushing Emily in the bucket swing

Caleb and his friend Hannah on the glider on our swing set.

Taylor and Caleb eating Popsicles

Emily at the summing pool

Brandon relaxing at the pool

The boys at the pool

Caleb playing with Daddy at the pool - He loves to go swimming!

Daddy and Caleb

The girls at the pool!

Emily turns ONE!

It is hard to believe, but Emily turned 1 yesterday. She is so much fun and so full of life. She is a strong willed and determined little girl that loves to be in the middle of the action. She starting walking about 3 weeks ago and now there is no turning back for her. She is into everything and between her and Caleb they are double trouble. She is a big blessing to our family and we are so thankful for such a special little girl!

The whole family helping her blow out her candle.

Unfortunately, she was not a big fan of the birthday hat and kept pulling it off.

Celebrating a New Cousin

Last week on July 1st we celebrated a new addition to our extended family. Charlie’s brother Chris and his wife Sveta were blessed with their first child a beautiful baby boy ~ Alexander Couch. Taylor, Brandon, Caleb and Emily are excited to have another cousin and future playmate.

Cute little Alex

9 lbs. 21 inches

Charlie's Brother Chris with Little Alex

Mother Sveta and Alex

Congratulations Chris and Sveta! What a cutie - we can't wait to meet him in person!

Texas ~ Colorado Springs ~ Fort Collins

The trip started kind of rough with a big rain/hail storm just 30 minutes into our trip. The rain & hail was coming down so hard along with strong winds forced us to pull over at a gas station and wait out the storm. Now with all 4 kids awake we hit the road for Longview, TX. Nine hours later in Oklahoma we decided to call it quits for the day as the kids where fried and we were about to hit our wits end. The next day we drove into Longview, TX to visit Charlie’s family. For the past 7 months Charlie’s Dad has been battling cancer - lymphoma. We were thankful that he was feeling pretty good and on a two month break from chemo. We are praying that his next doctor’s visit with reveal good news by extended the break from chemo.

Pops and Emily Sleeping

Pops and Caleb

Pops and Brandon

Fathers Day BBQ

After 5 days of a great visit filled with sidewalk chalk, puzzles, the park, games, beads, and a couple trips to a kids fun center we hit the road again for the long trip to Colorado. We drove the 15 hour trip in ONE DAY with two major stops. Our first stop was for lunch in Amarillo, TX at the Big Texan (home of the Free 72 oz streak). After a great meal we got back in the car and the kids fell asleep for 3 ½ hours (praise the Lord).

Our next stop was in Trinidad, Co. where my Grandparent lived and where buried. We visited the grave of my grandparents and great grandparent and drove by my grandparent’s old house.

My Grandma and Grandpa's old house

After a very long day in the car we arrived in Colorado Springs, Co. at Charlie’s best friend (which happens to also be his cousin) house. Howard and Ann have two kids – Addison & Isaac who get along great with our kids. We spent two fun filled days together. On Friday we went to the North Pole and had a blast with the kids. We only wish we lived closer so we could spend more time together!

Ann holding Caleb

Addison pushing Emily

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On Saturday we headed up to Fort Collins, Co. to visit my family. Even though we were only there a couple of days we had a lot of fun!~ Slumber party with cousins Justin and Makenna ~

Lunch and tons of fun at Chuck E Cheese with Grandpa, Bobbie, Aunt Sheri and Uncle Bob ~ Ice Cream at Cold Stone with Uncle Bob and Aunt Sheri ~ BBQ with the whole family at my sister Sheri's house and a special visit to the cemetery to visit my mom's grave.

Emily at my Mom's grave.