I am a new blogger!

So, this is the first time I have ever had a blog site. I have posted some things through myspace and facebook, but this seems different somehow. Anyway, an update on us is due. We have been living in Lebanon, Oregon for some time now. We moved here six months ago from Grand Junction, CO. We have really enjoyed our time here, but have been immensely busy with the church this summer. This district has two teen camps, jr and sr high, and it makes for a long summer, but it's good for the campers, so I am not complaining. Add in Vacation Bible School, block party's, teen events, and so many other things, and it has just been a long stretch of non-stop going. I am not complaining, though, because through it all God has blessed us in so many ways.

We have met so many great friends here, and are eager to continue to become a part of peoples live's here. Kyle has two wonderful youth sponsors that are a part of the youth group, and that in itself is amazing! We went four years at Junction without having a single sponsor, so this takes a lot of pressure off of me. I can focus more on my kids, and not having to be at everything for the youth group all the time. I am pretty sure this helps Kyle, too. lol...

The youth group is doing great. Our numbers have gone way up, but beyond that we have had two teens accept Jesus into their lives. They are both on fire for God, and it's amazing to see them in their baby Christendom. We really want to start reaching out into the community more, and we had the opportunity to do that this last Tuesday, when four different bands played at our church. The cops were called on us no less than three times, the first starting at 8:00, but all was well by the end of the night.

Gracen and Payton have been having a great summer, too! Payton turned two on May 24th, and since then he has been growing like a weed! He has been talking constantly since we moved, and I am so thankful that I went with my own feeling that he didn't need speech therapy. I knew he had it all in that little head of his, he just didn't want to bring it out yet! He loves going to the river and throwing rocks into the water, and would do this for hours on end if we let him. Gracen is doing very well, also. He loves throwing rocks into the water, too, but gets bored more easily than Payton with it. He loves hiking, and bike riding, and basically anything that has to do with being outside. He turned four on July, 9th, and he can't wait to be five so he can go to kindergarten. (In his words exactly.)

In May I started watching two little boys, Matthew and Isaiah. I really wanted to make sure that I helped the right family, one with similar discipline styles and Christian values as us, and so I put up an add on Craig's List, and made sure to describe these things as best I could. I really prayed about it as well, and God answered my prayer. They have a great family, and the boys are amazing! Having four boys in my home in a challenge some days, but all in all it's been going well. We are getting into a routine and are settling into it quite nicely.

I have to go now, but I will definately keep updating this. I am not sure how often, but I hope to do so weekly or at least monthly. ttyl, Valerie