We are moving!

 Check out our new blog at bullcityfamily.com

We are in the process of updating our new blog. Be looking for lots of fun updates about family, adoption and life in the Bull City!

Summer Days at the beach

One morning, we took a break from the beach and headed to the aquarium. 

 He really enjoyed touching the horse shoe crabs and sting rays. 

One of our favorite parts was the tunnel that we were able to walk through. Samuel loved seeing sharks and other fish up close. We even saw a couple great views of some big giant teeth!

We finished up our fun filled morning with lunch at Hard Rock Cafe.

Summer Days at the Beach

We were treated to a week at North Myrtle Beach by my parents. And what a treat it was. The kids LOVED the water and we spent most of our time on the beach or in the pool. 

 I was so impressed with Corrie and her lack of fear. She ran straight towards the ocean and did not care if we were coming with her. 

She was repeatedly knocked down by the waves but would pop up giggling. 

 What a difference a year makes. Samuel spent every moment digging in the sand, going on "mini" walks, jumping the waves and catching crabs. He literally moved the entire time. And when he wasn't running on the beach, he was jumping and swimming in the pool. I think we will be counting down the days until we head to the beach next year!

Jesus Culture

I can NOT get enough of this group. 

I read that they hope their music "ignites revival in the nations of the earth...compels the body of Christ to radically abandon itself to a lifestyle of worship, and are motivated by a passion to see God receive the glory that is due His name".

I know it does something in my heart. 

I'm so thankful for this group and that every time I listen, I am drawn to worship God, "His extravagant love and His raw power".

My strength in life is that I am yours
My soul delights because I am yours
Your will on earth is all I'm living for
Jesus, I glorify 
Jesus, my love is yours
You are my hearts desire
I live to know you more

Wow. Powerful words. I pray that this is true in my life, my husband's and my children.  

(Yes, the video is long and yes, they sometimes get a little cray cray. Yikes!)

Choo Choo

On our summer to do list was riding a train. The Doherty's treated us to one that left Durham and traveled to Burlington. We waited about an hour and took the train back to Durham. It was an early morning but the kids enjoyed the experience. 

The 30 minute train ride was perfect with 2 young kids who have a hard time sitting for long periods of time. By the time they began to get crazy, we stopped. I would definitely recommend this outing. 

Thanks again Tootsie and Bampaw for a great day!

A Must Read

I have loved every minute of reading my friend Kylie's blog. I love walking with her as their family is adopting 2 children from Congo. But most of all I love her desire to live drastically for the Lord. Kylie and John are pushing their family to do more, love more and serve more. 

And all for the sake of being loved FIRST.

Ummmm.... really??? I can not contain all this cuteness.

Summer Days

Ivey and I packed the kids up and headed to Burlington City Park. It is similar to Pullen park, just smaller, but closer to us in North Durham. 

There was a lot to do at a great price! And the look you see on Corrie's face in the last picture? She really did love it... maybe not at first. 

Kisses from Katie

Our book club just finished reading this book in July. And let me tell you... this book is amazing! I can say that I have never read a book that has changed my heart as much as this one has. I recommend this book to everyone!

One of the things that affected me the most in this book was the time she spent in America after being in Uganda for a year.  She described her life as "functioning" without God. If she needed food, she fixed it or went to the store. If she was sick, she went to the doctor. If she had a problem, she talked to a friend. Yes, God was still a huge part of her life, but her day was able to function without Him. Completely opposite from her life in Uganda. It makes me think of how often my life functions without God. I rely on my own strength and my own wisdom throughout the day, especially when it comes to parenting. God is reminding me that I am a broken mom, parenting a broken child and I need the love and grace of a perfect Savior. 

"If being a new mom has taught me anything, it was just how inadequate I am and just how dependent I am on my Father to give me grace and strength for each day." -Kisses From Katie

 Another thing so noticeable when reading this book is her love for people. Even though she sees need all around her, she believes helping one person is success. She referenced helping those in Uganda to emptying the ocean with an eye dropper.

 "I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, let Him use me to change the world for one person.”- Kisses From Katie. 

Lastly, I have felt change in my own heart. I told Ryan it feels as if a veil has been lifted off of my eyes and I am seeing things in a new light. 

“The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific conditions and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children. And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth proclaim to be Christians. The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.” - Kisses From Katie

These are things I can no longer ignore. God commands us to care for the orphans and widows, it is not a 'if you want to'. Ryan and I are thinking and praying about what we can do as a family to help "just one". 

Here is Katie's blog. 

Cousins

It is so much fun to have cousins close in age. Never a dull moment when the Doherty clan gets together!

Sweet Lydia and Samuel look more like brother and sister than cousins.

Samuel 3, Lydia 2, Everett 1 and Corrie 1

And then there is Everett and Corrie. They do not look like brother and sister, nor do they even look like cousins! Don't let this picture fool you.... even though Everett is much larger than Corrie, she is 3 weeks older than him (which I am sure she will hang over his head for the rest of their lives)!!

Milk and Cookies

Yes, this post is about 2 months late. 

For Corrie's first birthday, we had a milk and cookies themed party. We ate lots of cookies, cupcakes, drank chocolate milk and even had to go boxes!

 I am hoping to impart my love of cookies to that sweet girl. 

Kidsweek

Samuel was able to experience his first Kidsweek at the Summit last week. He absolutely loved it, which was a real answer to prayer because whenever we talked about it, he did not want to go. 

He was especially excited to go to work with Daddy and hang out in his office before it started.

The kids staff did a great job decorating and making every moment of Kidsweek memorable. 

Samuel was in awe as Josh sang songs and did motions. We have now downloaded all the songs and Samuel is showing me all the moves. Josh is now a rock star in our house!!

I was so bummed that Samuel woke up Thursday with a fever and had to miss the last two days. We are already looking forward to going a FULL week next year!

Eno River

We love having the Eno River right behind our house. It's a great fix for the "we have nothing to do" kinda afternoon.

We like to search for creepy crawlies, hunt for animals, bring a picnic and enjoy the view.

Brown Farms

Samuel had his first field trip with preschool. We visited Brown Farms and enjoyed picking wheat, feeding the animals, going on a tractor ride and "planting corn".

 Jackson and Samuel have their bags ready to pick some wheat

Samuel's favorite animal was the peacock and both boys loved feeding the goats.

 Tractor ride to the corn fields. Samuel looks pretty excited.

I love this picture. It is so rare when I can get this kid to smile for me!