This year, Rebecca invited us all to her home for Mother's Day. We ate a meal together, visited, played games, and opened presents. It was a joyous time together, one of the best Mother's Days I've ever had. As you read along, see if you don't agree that God gives us such wonderful gifts, such that we don't deserve!
The little ones spent time playing...This is Ethan's first experience with having tea...
The little ones spent time playing...This is Ethan's first experience with having tea...
"This would taste much better if it had something in it!"
Esther put on her "I luv Mommy" hat and...
spent the afternoon on her computer. 
Ruthy played in her swing, but was watching everyone very closely. She has a beautiful and heartwarming smile.
Of course Jonathan was an angel, and spent the longest time content to play with the gym. His smile melts my heart.
Rebecca planned and executed a wonderful meal for our ever growing family...
and with our number now up to 15, then adding Grandma and Grandpa, Rebecca had 17 people for dinner! (except the babies, of course)
This task required help from the whole family...Dan is mashing the potatoes...and Hannah obviously thinks he's doing a wonderful job.
Dave is stirring the gravy...although I think he was just hungry and trying to hurry up the process.
GRANDPA!!! GET OUT OF THE REFRIGERATOR!
We all worked together cleaning up afterwards as well.
We found that cleanup time is a great time to visit.
Grandma opening presents...it's a long handled hairbrush!
Rachel's collage frame
Rebecca's collage frame
Daniel, another precious gift from heaven!
I was so blessed by the presence of my family together, that the gifts were like......gravy...just adding to the wonderful day!
By then, we had worn grandpa out...but the rest of us...
played games for the rest of the evening. Some played "pegs and jokers"...
while others played Rook.
If this meal and time together had been the only event of the day, I would have been blessed beyond measure. However, God filled my cup to overflowing.Early that morning, we went to Emmaus Church where we witnessed the "dedications" of both Esther and Ruthy.
(Doesn't she look like she is being trained in the ways of our Lord?) 
Click play to watch a short clip of the dedications service.
NO that still isn't ALL that I was blessed with on Mother's Day. Samuel was honored to be asked to co-preached the sermon in our church that morning. He preached on II Timothy 4:12 which reads...
"Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." It was a joyous thing to hear Samuel testifying of the Lord's work in His life.
You might ask, can it get any better than that? YES IT CAN!
ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
We were blessed on Mother's day with the announcement of another addition to the family, coming in late December or early January. Dan and Rebecca will soon become the proud parents of their 3rd child. We welcome him/her with all of our hearts!
Now I ask you...on this side of heaven, can it get any better than this?
"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!" 2 Corintians 9:15
It was a "country setting", hay bales, wagon wheels and cowboy hats...the works!
Of course, the bride was beautiful!
"Grandma" helped in the kitchen at the reception...and Ethan came for a visit. (He knew where the cake was!!!)
as was the reception
Once they arrived, they set up camp, and played some volleyball.
Later that evening, dad went fishing with the girls... 
Chris and the girls having fun with their flashlight!
Later, they made "smores".
You can guess who initiated this activity!
Sarah caught one!
So did Charity!
With a late night, and so much activity, it didn't take long for Charity to fall asleep on the way home.
Thank you Mr. Lingg for inviting us to this exciting event. We truly enjoyed ourselves.
He has the most angelic smile! 
another girls shot
The little ones