Fall Fun

One of our favorite Fall Traditions... Butlers Orchard! I love the fall, the crisp cool weather, the colors, the memories =) it has always been a special time for our family and thankfully this year was no different! We had such a good time we went back twice!

Fostering for Pups!

    My cousin, Diana along with her family, runs a non profit, dog fostering programs as she seeks to save dogs in our area. She has over 16 years experience with boarding, training, rehabilitating and more~ she is truly fabulous! Great  at helping to choose a dog that fits well with your family. There is a constant influx of dogs, all shapes and sizes =) that need loving homes- so it this peaks your interest, give her a call!
http://www.dianaspetcare.com/

13 Years- with my Love-

    The trip has started, the snacks, movies and traffic but we are on our way! Heading to Granny Joyce's first, then to Orlando- Give Kids the World, it should be a truly special time. Thanks my Love for the wonderful journey!

THANKS, GIVE KIDS THE WORLD for yet another AMAZING TIME!

  Luke & Kriscinda

9-9-2000

Celebrating 13 Years  God’s Faithfulness & Goodness with my Best Friend

Milestones are the Mile Markers on the Journey 

 such as chapters in the book of ones Life.

     We were young and in love, we had little thoughts about the future just about being together for life and it started simple… a boy loved a girl he had known for such a short time~ the girl loved the boy and thought maybe they were crazy but they were crazy  Love so 13 years ago on her 20th Birthday the best friends became Man and Wife.

Life set in and the journey continued as they wrote their chapters and sought to find their way: faith and friendship, college, community, work, highlights ... The wonderful joys of  children and family and also the intense pain and trial of family sickness and a yellow ribbon of Childhood cancer around our dear boy. Waves crashed and the valley grew darker, hearts were broken and dreams disappeared ~ the little family of 5 turned into 4 and they fought for faith, hope and joy. Alas with a little man in heaven and four beautiful children to make life full, the Lord has carried the Man and Wife for 13 years of laughter & tears, smiles and heartache. He has continued to renew their strength, hope is alive and they long for the day when their faith will be made sight.

    Our Micah lived a joy filled life and taught us so much in a very short time, I can only hope to achieve half as much! Make a Wish and GKTW provided our family an incredible gift of some our last earthy Milestones with our dear boy. It was an amazing gift to our family and thus be here and

 celebrating now is truly a treasure!

Thank You for your kindness and generosity to make this 
 Marker a true highlight in our Journey.           

It means so very much to our family!

From the bottom of our hearts, we are ever grateful!

With Love,

Luke &  Kriscinda

Braeton, Micah, Cianne, Mikelle , Owen

Pancakes!!!! It's the lil things!

This morning Brandon surprised us with pancake batter. Okay I know it doesn't sound fancy but I didn't prepare it,and they smell like Fall! Some kind of apple & cinnamon creation. I tend to fall into the rut of same old good stuff but Brandon always has a fun new creation and these were great! Thanks B it was a nice treat!

Okay so the first batch wasn't pretty- its called the morning rush to get food in Owey! But the were sure yummy

Fun Find!!!

Today was supposed to be a work day here but this morning Ally texted me and said she had time to do my hair- so Luke freed me up an so go enjoy the day! Once I got there she said my hair was covered- by mom ( a super early bday present - how FUN!). It was a great time to catch up, usually the kids mob Ally and we don't get to chat much- so today I talked her ear off!!! Thanks Ally!!! Love my hair too!
Then there is this new lil place that I have been wanting to check out so Luke said of for it. It was toooooo fun. I was like a kid in a candy shop. The owners Terry and Nancy are great and even though they weren't really open when I came they showed me around and I found some really fun treasures. We talked shop for an hour, did I mention it was fun! They are even a supplier for one of my all time fav stores in Lucketts - no wonder I had such a great time! Not to mention a score- Orange Trunk- Love it!!!!
They are off if 108, behind Etchisons Country Store- if u are in the area check them out!!!

The day after

So Micah's anniversary is always a special day for me but a bumpy one too. I think my expectations are still a lil unrealistic :) imagine that. And too I am learning over the years what works well for our young fam and trying to implement those tidbits each year.
This year was no different: some really special highlights and some bumps( mostly just a mommy meltdown- nothing big! ha) A side note to those who are experiencing hardship or a milestone such as we were... Simple is sweet. Think about what blesses and brings peace to your heart and your fam and implement just a few.

Some sweet highlights were a beautiful day, singing and praying together at the cemetery. Luke brought his guitar and we were able to sing some of our favorite songs from the memorial service,letting 6 orange balloons fly to the sky, giving the kids an Eddie, which they loved more than I though they would and that was a delight.
The reason they must all have another.... Mikelle! She LOVES these lil elephants and has been stealing everyone else's, thus creating her own herd. Every night she wants to sleep with lots and lots of Eddies :) Now everyone has ether own color and Kelz can't steal them!!
For those of you who don't know the History of Eddie. My friend Elizabeth gave Braeton an elephant when he was born. An Elephant that Micah confiscated! It became affectionately known as Eddie. On one of our hospital stays Eddie was accidentally taken to the laundromat- never to be seen again :( Then the Buchanan's purchased another elephant and when Micah came home from the hospital it was overjoyed I find Eddie in his toy box ( needless to say we jotted down the maker of our new found friend and promptly ordered a few!!). From then on Eddie went everywhere with Micah and has since been a treasure for us all!

Thanks so much for the many prayers, thoughts, notes via text and email, and beautiful orange flowers ( I wish I could bottle them and make them last the whole month :). It is so very meaningful!!

6 years with Jesus

It is hard to believe.... It amazes me how your lil life continues to give and ripple through us causing us to want to grow, remember and live life well.Grateful for you lil man.
     As I lay in bed last night my thoughts drifted to Eternity, it overwhelmed me on many levels. I can't imagine it, I just can't. I can not imagine each day with my Savior- the peace, the refreshment, joy, wonder,beauty, wellness, life unlimited- just to name a few :) My life is constrained by time and spent trying to make the most of the time I have or achieve much. Yet Eternity with Jesus is vastly different from the world I now live in, each day Though, I catch glimpse of that world here and now and Micah J sure has spread those footprints here for so many of us. Mikes, we long for the day when our faith we will be made sight...until then may we live well. Wuv You so much!!!

Summer Fun

   Last Night at dinner we were talking about our favorite summer memories (between misbehaving, crying and the such that happens at our table as we journey together =) and one of Luke's fav things was getting to go away and visit family for a week, they would swim hav a huge birthday celebration, stay up late, play games and just had a great time making memories. Over the years we too have been blessed to take weekend trips to visit, play and enjoy too. Recently we were able to travel to DE for one such weekend, where we were spoiled with fav foods, a picture perfect pool weekend, games with the family (Luke & JD were the the Corn Hole champs of the weekend!)and time in Micah's garden to snap some photos.

   ~ Rita & Richard created a beautiful garden, Micah's Garden, and to this day is is a place of beauty and enjoyment!

Happy Daddy's Day

    How grateful we are for you! You love, your care, your time. The way you laugh and have fun- the hard work, day in and day out, be it at NRL or here where you have remodeled for well a long time...from dishes to laying floors~ we Love and so appreciate you! 

lil Gymnasts

     This Spring the girls were able to take Gymnastics at Hills- as you can see they loved it! The Olympics was nothing short of inspiring! I think all my front door may need repainted from the countless hand stands practiced! Spills & Skills Day at Hills

Flying horses

Kelz: do horses fly like angels do?
Me: uh, horses well not here on earth but maybe in Heaven
Kelz: well mine doesn't need help
Me: Okay- ?

I love it, flying horses. Is that what she is dreaming about! I want one too!

And More B-days!!

   

    How Cool is it that Cianne and Owen share a Birthday! ( I hoe she thinks that =) Cianne was 5 weeks early and Owen 2- what are the odds?

You guys are wonderful Gifts to our family!!!

   Cianne! My sweet girl, no one serves quite like you do ( you must get that from your Nana!) You a have such a gift a seeing the needs and desires of others and wanting to meet those. Your crazy, passionate, sweet, tender- you love to laugh and entertain, you want the stage! You love Jesus your family and the poor. I am so grateful for the way you  long to care for others and your sacrificial giving already. Thank You for giving of your time and energy now even when you are very young, may Lord only increase your desires, dreams and platform to do great work for Him. I LOVE YOU GOO!

   Owen, you bubby, chub, Owey...any many more fun names- were our happy Surprise!! You love your food!! Watch out if you havent had breakfast- or lunch, snack--- whatever! You are happy and loving, right now you are sitting in the chair "singing" as you "read" your book. It sounds kinda like the ABC song =) You are a snuggler and a great sleeper --- YEAHHHHH for Mommy! Climber--- not so good for mommy! Glad you are a part of this family and we enjoy each day watching you grow!