I'll Never Get Tired of This Image

No matter how many times I see this out the front window

or the patio door, I will never tire of seeing Samuel mirroring

his papa.

Lord, may Samuel mirror Pancho in more than

just lawn mowing!

Just a Swingin'-- Comparison

Here is another comparison collage.

I actually had a picture of each of the kids

at 8 months in a swing!

Because Katrina's picture was not showing her

face, I have one here where we

can really make a good comparison.

Any thoughts?

Joel Thorne -- 8 months

Family Photo Shoot

The extended Gehring family celebrated Easter together

on Saturday.

We had a delicious brunch, hosted by my parents, and

then we all walked to the park in shifts, where the kids played,

several adults played a game of PIG and we took some pictures.

Another New Chapter

Pancho has wanted a dog since before we were married.

Katrina was born and very quickly we discovered

that she enjoys animal life a LOT.

Last summer Pancho and Katrina

really REALLY 

wanted to get a dog.

I was able to buy myself nearly a year by saying

that we were going to have another baby and I

could simply not house-train a dog and

adjust to life with 3 children.

So, they have anxiously counted down the months

and God has been SO gracious to do a good work in my heart,

preparing me for life as a dog owner.

If you know me, you know that I can handle dogs but

I am not one of "those people" that is drawn to dogs at

every park, street corner, etc.

However, as the year has passed God has given me

a real heart to bless Pancho and Katrina with this

special, special gift.

Many people that know of our recent down payment

have responded with shock and even chagrin as they

have heard what we are embarking on.

That has been discouraging, to say the least.

It is the second time in a very short amount of time

that God has led our family to something and His people

have responded with anything but encouraging

comments.

I have learned through these experiences that it is

critical to receive news from family and friends

with grace.

So, on to the good news and the pictures...

Here is a little teaser/game.

Can you guess what kind of dog we are getting by the name?

Well, here is the answer!

Here is a picture of the dog that captures the

essence of the newest chapter of our lives.

*Samuel fell asleep in the car and missed the second visit with the puppy!

Hence the lack of a picture with him and Tundra.

She is a Siberian Husky and her name is Tundra

(thanks, Uncle Nick, for the great name suggestion!).

She will be 3 weeks old on Monday and we are slated to

welcome her into our home in early May.

Yesterday we purchased her first collar and got a

little engraved name plate.

It is very exciting and not hard to get wrapped up in the emotion

that goes along with this process.

That is why the negative comments have stung so much, I think.

This is the right choice for our family.

Some may say, "God doesn't even care about this type of thing,

why are you saying, "God led our family...""

I disagree.

There are instances in the Bible where the Lord used

the animal kingdom to teach VERY important lessons.

Two that come to mind?

Daniel in the lions den

and Balaam and the talking donkey.

We trust that God will use Tundra in our lives in a

special way.

Maybe it will be nothing more than a vehicle to create

some wonderful family memories.

Praise God!

Maybe it will something more profound than that.

Praise God!

We look forward to welcoming Tundra

into our home and we hope you

can meet her soon!

Here Comes Summer...

You know it is warm when Samuel is out mowing.

Well, it doesn't have to be warm but the grass must be showing

for Samuel to feel like having his mower out is legitimate.

It has been warm, however, and today Pancho indulged Samuel

 and raked the front and the side yards with a special

blade on the mower.

When I asked why he didn't do the back he said,

"I thought I would leave the back for another day

since you know Samuel is going to be asking

everyday."

True enough.

So here is Samuel's inspiration...

And here is Samuel.

I wonder if Joel will be out with them next spring?

Joel Thorne -- 7 months

Our girl

Our girl is getting so big.
She is learning to read really well and
thrilling us each evening as she reads us her
school books.
She is a great helper to Samuel and Joel and
to both of us.
She finished her AWANA Sparks book and is
going through it a second time.
She is such a joy in our lives and we are
so thankful for her presence in our family.

Hanging with Papa

Who Would Have Thought?

My brother Shawn and I are 14 months apart.

When we were little kids we were

quite close.

At least that is what my mom says.

I'm not saying that we are not close now,

but you know how it is, right?

I have another brother, Nick, who is a bit younger

than Shawn and those two are as close as close

can be; so I do not feel super close to

either of them.

Do I love them dearly?

More than they will ever know.

Am I proud of them?

(NOT that I had anything to do with whom they have become,

but again, you understand)

More than words can express.

But now I have something in common with Shawn

that I never imagined we would have in common:

We are both parents.

It is not that I didn't think Shawn would have children.

It is simply that I never consciously pondered it, dreamed about it,

nor made plans for when that happened to him.

And now, he is a dad and I am a mama and it is so neat.

He came over for dinner with Noelle while Leanne was

away for the day and had dinner with us.

What a joy to see him with his little girl,

the newest sparkle in his eye.

The love he shares with her is SO evident.

It is SO beautiful.

The love she shares with him is also SO evident,

SO beautiful.

Shawn, who would have thought that one day we would

be parents together?

It is one thing that I really enjoy about getting older,

having more in common with you.

And Nick, don't think I have forgotten about you...

I am dreaming of the day when the three of us will

have this in common.

I am praying it will be soon!