Happy Birthday 21 year old!

Happy Birthday to this now 21 year old!  How can my little brother be 21 already, married and with a kiddo of his own?!  This guy has brought more smiles and laughter over the years than I can even begin to count.  He's always had that way of bringing sunshine into a room, making you smile even when you didn't feel like it and finding a way to make even a serious or sad moment turn into laughter.  He was an amazing brother to grow up with, daddy's right hand and has always had a special place in mama's heart!  All of our younger ones adore their big brother!  He's a hard worker, wide open and never afraid to get dirty and always ready to lend a helping hand.  It's been so neat to get to watch him become a husband and daddy and begin his own home.  He is one of the most special guys I know and we are all so very thankful for him!  Praying that this new year brings you and all of your incredible amount of energy and determination into a quest to know, love and serve the Lord in ways you never imagined!  Love you lots and lots buddy!
~Bree for all of us

Miscellaneous musings

It is hard to believe that this beautiful young lady is now 22.  Where have the years gone.  Breanna you have always been such a joy in our home.  We love you so much and are so very grateful that God gave you to this family.

Daddy's Girls  

This man is so surrounded by love!  They truly adore and look up to their daddy!  We were sitting at the table the other day and Esther (age 6) said, "I want to marry someone like Daddy some day."  Brittany (age 25) says so do Bree and I, that is what we are still waiting for.  :-)  How thankful I am for such a Godly man.  

Oh these boys . . . I love them so!  

Our first time getting to celebrate our precious new daughter-in-law's birthday.  Martha is such a blessing.  We all love her SO much!  What a joy she and Tayte are to watch as they have begun their journey together.  

Last but not least of the musings today  . . . Daisy, our super special family dog, had 10 new puppies Tuesday.  The children were so excited.  Anyone need one or two ??  :-)

Hope you are all having a fantastic new year so far and are staying warm.  Even here in South Georgia it has been cold.  :-)

~Karen

~ A Precious Moment ~

A precious moment of Tayte and Martha reading the Bible together.

These two are so dear.

We could not be more blessed.

~Brittany

Random May Pictures

Here are some random pictures from May.  Though a little over-due, hopefully you'll enjoy seeing a little bit of what was going on for our family that month. :-)

Dad and Tayte working on the lawnmower together.

Such a precious sight.

These two have worked very hard together over the years.

Movie night at the Morton's -just we kids- the parents went out.

Here the guys were having a lively, intense discussion before the movie.

We'll spare the details, but all we girls did find it amusing. :-)

Breanna helped the little ones make a sweet banner for Mom for Mother's Day.

The hand print flowers stated some of Mom's character qualities.

The leaves told things that they were thankful for that she did for them.

We're so thankful for Mom and Dad.  The Lord has blessed us with such wonderful parents!

Working on setting poles for Dad's barn/shop.

We enjoy working hard together as a family.

It makes for very special memories. :-)

Mom and Sarah.

One of those sweet, fun moments. :-)

Such precious smiles.

(Gotta love the sticker on Sarah's forehead!)

Another precious, fun moment.

Esther ~ sweet and silly, ray of sunshine. :-)

Breanna playing ball with the kids.

(And our good dog, Daisy, always nearby.)

Mom and Dad taught we children how to play Hearts.

Elizabeth and Titus caught on really fast and enjoyed it,

and the little two like to help hold the cards and lay them.

I think this picture is just classic.  It makes me smile.

Mom and Bell with their sweet smiles, and Sarah with her big eyes like she's getting smothered. :-)

Tayte and Bree in his truck.

I thought this picture was neat.

And I must say, I think it's one perfect farm truck. :-)

The Lord is so good and gracious.  Sometimes we get caught up in the things that aren't going quite right, or how we wish they were, or think they should, or the things that worry us.  But when we look back and reflect, we so see the Lord's loving hand guiding and blessing, teaching and leading.  He has given us and blessed us with so much!   May we continue to look back, and ahead, and see the faithfulness of the Lord!

Our family also took a trip back up north in May.  Mom and I are working on a post for the trip.  Lord willing, we'll soon have it done. :-)

~Brittany

Random Pictures of the Week

Tayte has recently become a reader.

Part of his marriage prep training. :-)

Three matching buddies at church.

And yes, they planned it. :-)

(Thanks to Amanda for the picture.)

~Brittany

Mid-Year Families Farming/Fellowship/Health Get Together

We were very blessed this past Saturday to be a part of some wonderful fellowship with wonderful people.  So thankful to Thomas and Emily for all their hard work in hosting the event!

 The men having discussion over lunch.

I love this picture; so precious.  Reuben loves Tayte.

(And Tayte's pretty fond of him too.

Can't wait to see him as a daddy someday.) :-)

 Though we didn't get pictures of everyone, Breanna and I so enjoyed

getting to talk with all of the young gals.

Precious little baby belly. :-)

Sweet Aunt Emily helping Rosie write her name on her cup.

The kids all had lots of fun!

Thanks to the young adults who kept an eye on them and made their play more fun!

Our gracious hosts, who also happen to be a birthday couple this week.

Happy birthday Thomas and Emily!!!

You are a precious couple, and we're so blessed to know you!

Rosie and Essie both really enjoyed holding William and Hannah's dog.

Sarah was  carrying him around like a little baby doll.  To cute. :-)

Sweet Bree holding little Reuben.

She's a wonderful big sister, and is always helping out with all the little ones

at church or at gatherings.

The day was filled with lots of fellowship, fun and encouraging conversations, and great food contributed by each family.  We had demonstrations of soap making and tortilla making, target practice, along with lots of discussion about health, farming, spiritual encouragement, and much more.  We are looking forward to the next time and what other interesting things will be discussed and learned and how everyone will be encouraged!

~Brittany

Our sweet, hard working guys.  The Lord has been so good to provide steady work for both of them since our move.  Here they are in their new uniforms.  We're very blessed that the Lord has allowed them to work together.
~Brittany

Tayte made the news . . .

He is the one walking on the roof of the Tyson building.

http://walb.videodownload.worldnow.com/WALB_20140221185317287AA.mp4

Happy 18th Birthday Tayte!!!!

Our sweet and wonderful fella turned 18 this month!  It's so hard to believe he's already 18!  And what a fine young man he's become...in my person opinion that is.  :-)  Just today I was so blessed as he had some running to do and let me come with him and we spent time talking together and he even took me out for lunch for the very first time ever!  It was such a precious time...special memories that I will not easily forget! It has been such a joy to watch him turn into the godly, responsible, pleasant and cheerful young man that he is!  I pray the Lord will continue to guide him and make him even more wonderful than he is now!  Okay, I'll stop bragging and share the pics from his birthday!  :-)

We did a surprise birthday party for him, or at least it was supposed to be.  He accidentally became away of it the morning of his birthday.  So hard to keep secrets around here!  Anyways, we were able to sneak him away from work for the evening and had a dear family over from church to celebrate with us.  We had just gotten a beautiful big new table that the Lord blessed us with and it was perfect for having company!  We fit two families around it!  Yay!  Here's the gang...

Embarrassing Tayte singing happy birthday to him! :-)  Love his smile!

He is a true country boy...loves his meat and potatoes!  lol!  The corn, rolls and root beer were an excellent compliment.  :-) 

After supper and dessert we had a wonderful time in the Word together and then retired to the living room for a great time of playing fun games together! 

Playing occupation...

Playing 4 on a couch here, only this particular couch seems a little crowded! It makes for the best times!  These dear folks from church are such blessings to us and so sweet!  What a delight it was to share this special day of celebrating the 18 years of our sweetie with them!

And here are just some random pics taken this week of him.  He's been so busy at work lately, which we are thankful for, but we cherish every minute with him when he's home!

Ti and Bell enjoying big brother!

Tayte and Mom doing what everyone enjoys doing with Mom...

enjoying the bestest of conversations!  :-)

And here he is again...wondering why on earth I keep taking pictures of him!  

Love this guy sooo much!

And thus he begins another year of life.  So much has happened in this past year, so many changes in him...I wonder what the Lord has for him in this year?   I am excited to see how the Lord uses this young man for His glory and works in his life for good according to His good and perfect will!  

~Posted by his adoring sis...Bree

Glories of Farm Life

I have yet to meet a man or boy that does not love farming.  My guys are no different!  Tayte just bought this new baler this year so I thought I would catch some footage to capture this special season of his life.

Random Pictures

Best buddies  . . . they were just too precious to not snap a picture of them.  Playing with the doll house, caring for her baby and all dressed up with clothes pin earrings.  Such sweetie pies! 

Breanna reading to  . . . Brittany and Tayte.  LOL  

Breanna discovered that as good as the Sherwood films movies are the books are even better.  There was no way she was getting to read this one by herself.  Tayte and Brittany were just a excited about reading Fireproof.  Not very often that the three oldest sit and read a book together.  Another precious site!  These three are best friends and such a blessing to Seth and I!