The Vedder Family

Camping the Roughing it Kind

2009-04-07T10:07:00.002-04:00

Joshy and his friend Josh decided to go camping with only
their sleeping bags, water and "Jiffypop" popcorn!
Now I love camping, but sleeping under the stars with no
covering??? Oh, and did I mention they have to walk to the
camping site, I wonder how far it is?
We will see how their time of "roughing it" goes.
I will keep you posted!

A Day in Ft. Myers

2009-04-04T09:43:00.015-04:00

Paul is doing a Chick-fil-A grand opening

in Ft. Myers so we decided on Saturday night

to go and visit him for the day on Sunday.

If you know me well you would know that

I am not really good at directions, so with that

said a 3 hour trip turned into

a 4 hour trip, UGH!

Well, we got there safely and had a wonderful

Sunday with Daddy.

We hope to go again next weekend to spend

Easter with Daddy.

Lily's Eye Exam

2009-03-26T09:32:00.000-04:00

Today Lily went to the eye doctor, she did really good! Lily's eyes are perfect, yeah no glasses!

Real Life Children's Ranch

2009-03-25T10:00:00.014-04:00

Paul and I would like to share about the exciting ministry opportunity the Lord has given us.

We have been asked to be house parents at the Real Life Children's Ranch in Okeechobee, Florida!

Real Life Children's Ranch is a ministry that offers family style group foster homes for children ages 5-17. "The homes operate as a family doing things like grocery shopping, homework, meals, attending church and community activities together."

What does this mean for our family... well, it means our family will be moving on May 16th to Okeechobee with our official start date May 18th! Our responsibilities are to love, care and make a family home life for the boys God has put in our home. Right now there are 4 boys in the home with room for 2 more. We are also excited to be ministering along side the wonderful people at the ranch. Sarah is also excited to be a part of the ranch, Lily is....unsure

(I don't think she really understands yet).

RLCR is an amazing minsitry and we are exctied and humbled to be called into full time ministry there. So, if the Lord brings us to your heart we covet your prayers for our family as we step out in faith to serve our awesome God!

Below are some of the pictures of the ranch.

This is the pond for the kids to swim in on hot summer days. Notice I said kids, I ain't swimming in that pond, but I am sure Paul will! Oh, and my kitchen window over looks this beautiful pond!

The Fraser Chapel is used for ministry and ranch purposes, (there are no regular church services there).

This is the Baxter and Legacy Home (it's like a duplex) we will be living in the Legacy side.

Beautiful Picnic Pavillion

Horses for the ranch kids to ride.

Barn for animals, right up our alley! :) Now we can raise chickens again!!!!!!!

For more pictures, history and staff just log on to http://www.rlcr.org/ Check it out!

A Chinese Kiss

2009-03-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Oh, how sweet.

The Cutest Isabella in the World!

2009-03-23T22:55:00.003-04:00

Benjamin's "Procedure"

2009-03-23T09:22:00.004-04:00

Today Benjamin had his "procedure".
Poor little guy. :(
He was a trooper, Daddy and I were so proud of him.
Can you tell which picture was after???

Our 4-H Day

2009-03-20T20:05:00.004-04:00

Today my 4-H Club His Handiwork planted some plants at an assisted living facility. The kids did a great job. I am so proud of them!

A Day at the Dentist!

2009-03-18T22:30:00.004-04:00

Today Benjamin went to the dentist. He did quite well for having never
been before. After the dentist we went to lunch with "The Grandmas".

Our Ballet Beauties

2009-03-16T21:37:00.001-04:00

Ballerina Lily she
is so beautiful!
Yes, I am a proud mama!

2009-03-16T21:26:00.003-04:00

Today was an exciting day for Sarah after 7 years of
hard work she is ready for pre-point shoes.
Now for you non-ballerinias that means
she is preparing to dance on her toes!

We are so proud of you Sarah!

SWEET!

2009-03-14T22:53:00.002-04:00

As Pauly would say, "sweet".

Sweet Moments of Parenthood

2009-03-14T22:38:00.005-04:00

Oh, how I remember those precious times
when our children were babies.
Where did the time go? One day your kissing
them on their little heads and the next
day your blogging about them and their babies.

A Day at the St. Lucie County Fair

2009-03-14T22:33:00.002-04:00

More Fair Pictures

2009-03-14T22:28:00.002-04:00

And More....

2009-03-14T22:02:00.004-04:00

Verse for the Day

2009-03-12T18:46:00.003-04:00

"See now that I, I am He,
And there is no god besides Me;
It is I who put to death and give life.
I have wounded and it is I who heal,
And there is no one who can deliver from My hand."
Deuteronomy 32:39

One Year Today!!

2009-03-12T17:24:00.005-04:00

Today marks one year ago we decided to adopt our precious son, Benjamin.
God's Hand moved mightily in our hearts and financially.
We are grateful the Lord has chosen us to be his Mama and Babba (daddy).

Deuteronomy 33:12
Of Benjamin he said,
"May the beloved of the Lord
dwell in security by Him,
Who shields him all the day,
And he dwells between His shoulders."

Finger Painting Fun

2009-03-11T13:11:00.001-04:00

This was Benjamin's first fingerpainting experience.
Lily and Benjamin are quite good artists.

Benjamin

2009-03-09T23:38:00.006-04:00

This must be the most awaited post ever!
Benjamin is amazing! His adjustment has been more than we could ever have asked for. The Lord is good! Someone said to Paul and I that Benjamin looks like he has always been here (in our home). His speaking English is OK, but he understands almost everything we say to him. He eats good, a meat man, not a veggie man for sure. Sweets are right up his alley and he loves fruit. Benjamin is sleeping good, through the night from day one. One of his favorite things is the "parka" (translation park)(he likes to add an "a" on the end of most words). He also loves to go outside to ride his bike, play in the sand, swing and "jumpa" (jump on the trampoline). Benjamin loves books, especially if it delays the inevitable bedtime! So what does Benjamin not like...well, broccoli, carrots, salad (and we are a salad family) and bedtime! We are very blessed, Benjamin is very laid back and easy going, obedient and loves to please, he is a great helper and is concerned about others.
Thank you Jesus!

The Many Faces of Benjamin

2009-03-09T00:23:00.002-04:00

Crazy in Love

2008-12-31T07:24:00.007-05:00

People had been asking me a puzzling question. So, how does it feel to be a grandma? I was not sure how to even answer, since this was my first granddaughter
and I have only spend a small amount of time holding Isabella and staring at her picture at home. But last night I held her for a while, staring at her beautiful face,admiring her sweet lips, button nose, and kissable cheeks. She is perfect in every way. Now I know what it feels like to be a grandmother I am crazy in love with her, it is a different kind of love from the love that I have for my children, but a strong love just the same.

She's Here!!

2008-12-29T09:42:00.004-05:00

Timmy and Betsy we are so proud of the two of you! Betsy you were amazing during labor and Timmy you were the strength Betsy needed to get through it. You are going
to be awesome parents! We love the three of you very much!!!

Benjamin's Coming Home Soon!

2008-12-01T22:48:00.005-05:00

Our family is on another amazing journey of adoption. We are grateful to the Lord for giving us another son. Benjamin is in the Zhejiang Province in China. We will be traveling in January to bring Benjamin home! Follow along on our journey: www.vedderfamily.com

God is Adding Another Blessing to Our Family!

2008-12-01T10:28:00.005-05:00

Paul and I are very blessed to announce
that Timmy and Betsy are pregnant! This is our
first grandchild, Isabella.
Isn't she sweet ?!!!!

What a Wonderful Time to Blog!

2008-11-30T22:08:00.000-05:00

Yes, it is a wonderful time to start a blog!
There are lots of wonderful memories ahead for our family.
Paul and I are so excited we would love to share the many
blessings the Lord has and is allowing in our lives.