Casa Grande Ruins

Our town, Casa Grande, is named after a large native american structure found some 15 miles away. It was from the Hohokam people built around 1350 and abandoned shortly after for unknown reasons. For more information you can visit here.

There is the "Casa Grande."

We had a fun time exploring.

Emsleigh really wanted inside.

I am slowly learning to appreciate God's creation in the desert.

And as usual, Kesed hangs out with duck.

Sweet Girls

Father's Day

Sundays are the worst days for us to try and get good pictures. Time and energy are usually lacking. But we were able to snap these quick pictures before church on Sunday despite the blazing sun. I love this man and I love that he is the father of my precious children.

Maw...Paw...Gage

Emsleigh has shortened Memaw and Pepaw to Maw and Paw. Maw, Paw, and Gage (Emsleigh's cousin) always go together, sometimes it is like they are one word :). She often talks about Maw, Paw, Gage. And we always pray for Maw, Paw, Gage at night. Here is Emsleigh talking on the phone to Maw and Paw.

Maw sent some swimming wings the other day. She loves her 'pink wings' sometimes they not only help her swim but also fly.

Kesed at 1 month

I'm honored to make my first contribution to this blog by saying a few words about our precious daughter, Kesed Naomi Bradford. Kenan and I went round and round about her name before she was born. However, the closer we got to her arrival, it became clear that Kesed Naomi was the name for her. "Kesed" is a Hebrew word that is variously translated as "lovingkindness", "mercy", "grace", or "faithful love." Another fitting translation of this important word is "covenant loyalty." It is the idea of being faithful and true to another through it all. We find many examples of kesed in the Scriptures. Ruth and Boaz, to name a few.

Most of all, God is perfect in His kesed towards His people. Our third daughter is a profound reason to rejoice. And may her name always remind us of God's "faithful love."

Ci Ci for the summer

Emsleigh hasn't gotten her "G" or "Gr" sounds down yet. But she has gotten "Cici" from Grancy. My mom made the LONG, DULL drive from Texas last week. We are glad she is here and I have especially enjoyed the help.

Emsleigh took Grancy's glasses while reading one day. She thinks it is so funny to wear them.

It is good to know she will be as cute as ever if she turns out to have eyes like her father's!

As seen below, my daughter sometimes still thinks she is in the Missouri winter weather. I had to hide her footie pajamas cause she only wanted to wear them and was drenched in sweat every time she woke up!

P.S. Emsleigh busted out two full sentences today. "Mama, hold my hand please." and "Cici, are you ready?" I love hearing her language develop!

Just one more of Abby time

Abby Time

Abby likes to tell her mama that "It's Emsleigh time!" Emsleigh loves her new friend Abby and always enjoys her "Abby time!"

We are thankful for the White Family. They have helped make our adjustment to Arizona much easier and so much more fun!

On my 30th birthday I enjoyed...

some yummy donuts (love those anxious little hands)

a venti latte from Starbucks (yes, i now live close enough to a starbucks to get up go get coffee and come home within 10 minutes!)

a tea party with Emsleigh

lunch with my friend Monica

this beautiful ring from my husband (I have been wanting this ring for many many years!!!)

a gift filled with 30 items from my thoughtful mother

a pedicure (I thought these feet would be much cuter to show off than mine!)

dinner out with these three loves of my life

and an outreach car wash at church.

It was a good day!