Richmond, VA

We've finally arrived in Richmond, VA for our eagerly waited for family vacation! As we swooped over the expanse of green in our airline jet, I was filled with anticipation to see the state of my birth. This week will be full of activity for the Parish Family, and I'll try to keep up on the blog. At the moment, Max, Simon and I are sacked out in the motel waiting for Dan and Kendra's plane to arrive while the rest are out food shopping. A perfect time to spend uploading pictures. :-) However, until pictures begin to be taken here, I thought I'd update with a few more of last week with all the family together!


On the plane today, I took the opportunity to work on C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy series which Max highly recomended I read. While they wouldn't be my normal choice for reading material, they have challenged and interested me. Anyone out there have any thoughts on this intriguing series?

Big bro Dan with little bro Jacob . . .

Daddy Dan with Princess Jaelynn. :-)

The boys
Washing the car
We curled Jayni's hair almost every night. It turned out adorable.

Daddy, Husband and Grandpa. Three in one. :-)

Happy Birthday Max!

Celebrating Max's 21'st birthday was a blast with ALL our family!


What a joy it has been to be Max's younger sister. I am still in disbelief and awe that 21 years have arrived and gone. The bounce in Max's step, his smile, and his deep faith in the Lord have encouraged me in many, many ways. I feel like I can talk to him about anything! There have been many instances that I have just needed someone to hold me and hug me, and he knows right when and how to do it. That says a lot for a big brother! I can never leave a visit with Max with a frown, or a heavy heart . . . because he won't allow it! :-)


Our family has been truly blessed. May God bless you as you seek to follow the vision that He has given you. We love you!!!!

Big brothers+little sisters= An unbeatable combination

"They're talking about Jesus!"

While we were all driving home from our shopping trip yesterday, Mom and I were enjoying some uplifting praise music while the children were catching their afternoon nap. Or so we thought, for all of a sudden, Jayni's little high pitched voice broke into the music. "That's Jesus they're talking about! Jesus and His cross! That He died on, that is Jesus that they're talking about!" She continued on, telling us all about it. Mom and I looked at each other, amazed. Jayni is very perceptive and learns quickly. Though there are many things we are needing to train and help them learn, her innocent heart is a precious thing. :-) May God draw her to himself, and use her for His glory!

Shop till you drop!

Today was a very special occasion. Mom, Jayni, Jacob, and I drove forty-five minutes into Fresno to enjoy our first shopping trip together! Jayni and Jacob get to stay a whole week with us and we are enjoying every minute of it. In Target, Mom and I each took a shopping cart and a child and whizzed around; scrutinizing the childrens clothes for the “very cutest” ;-) smelling shampoos with Jacob, and trying on shoes. ( No, not the red sparkly ones, Jayni!) I personally had a blast, in spite of a nasty sore throat that I have acquired from the passionate kisses of Lillyann; who had a bad cold while we were in Redding last weekend. Mom and I slept in a big King bed while we were there, with Jayni and Lilly in between us. Lilly was covering me with kisses and hugs! I thought a cold as a result would be worth it then, but am not so sure now. :-)



When we arrived at Costco this afternoon, I drove the cart around with the two little ones in the front while Mom waited in the returns line. I noticed people giving me glances, but realized why when, after Jacob dropped a toy I stooped to pick it up right after hearing the offer of a nice older man to pick it up for me. When I came up from retrieving the lost toy, he smiled to Jacob and said, you’ve got a very nice Mom! - Whoa! A Mom? :-)


As we were walking out, Mom handed our receipt to a employee whose lip was curled up, looking like he was born that way. Jacob began to ask me with a confused look in his big brown eyes, Is that a frog? Look! A frog! Is that a frog? Jayni just stared up at him with a pained, compassionate expression, staring and staring until she couldn’t turn her head any more. When we went out of the store, I glanced at Mom, she glanced at me, and we both burst into hysterics!



What a joy these precious children have already been. Jacob just toddles around, trying to keep up with the big boys, while Jayni can’t get enough of our front zinnia bed where the butterflies flock. She comes in and out, excitedly showing us her latest catch, a beautiful yellow butterfly! They hold out their arms to be held, and everyone wants to suggle them. They keep us on our toes, and though our house has been a little out of order while we’ve been trying to get on a routine, I know in a few years we will look back and wonder how we coped without them. We’ll be wondering how we managed with such a boring life!



P.S. More pictures coming soon! Due to the misplacing of our digital camera, we no longer have instant pictures, but are keeping the disposables rolling in the meantime. Thank-you for your patience!

Our First Visit!

Last weekend was the first of many roadtrips to Redding (six hours away) that we have scheduled to visit Jayni, (5) Jacob, (3) and Lillyann (2). You can only imagine the excitement and anticipation that we felt as we drove to meet these precious children for the first time. Mom needed weights on her feet to keep her down on earth! :-)

Answered Prayers

These precious children are an answered prayer for the Parish family! We have been wanting to adopt for quite some time now and we hope that Jayni, Jacob and Lillyann will soon be placed in our home for future adoption. We are confident in God's promise, grace and strength for this upcoming change in our family. Praise the Lord for His goodness!

Janyi, Lillyann, and Jacob
Our precious little girl, Lillyann. Lilly is a curious two year old who is busy learning all about her world! She loves hugs and snuggles, but soon is ready to go exploring again. :-)

Jayni adores all things girly, and is a princess in her dreams. :-) She loves dress-up. Her big brown eyes look up and melt your heart as she reaches for love.

Jacob's grin is infectious. His brown eyes light up with excitement, and one can't help but smile with him! He loves to explore, and is fascinated with big trucks. While going to the park with us, he noticed a biker who was jumping and riding in the skate park. "I'd do that yesterday!" He said confidently, gazing at the biker. Jayni was firm in the fact that she'd "never do that!" :-)

Here-n-There-n-Everywhere!

Thanks to the encouragement and love of friends and family, Simon and I recently took the plunge and traveled to Texas BY OURSELVES! Taking a deep breath, we walked through security, found our correct terminals and gates, (That was an adventure!) rummaged through my enormous suitcase to get it down to 50 pounds, met fellow passengers, flew across the country, exited the airplane, shuffled among many others who were also trying to identify their baggage, and finally met our dear friends and family with many hugs and smiles!

Our adventure together enabled Simon and I to enjoy some special time together. Simon was a perfect gentleman and protector as he guided us safely through Dallas airport.


After a safe flight to San Antonio, I had the pleasure of staying eight whole days with the Huber family!

Their energy and enthusiasm for life, their joy, and love for each other and their Saviour was wonderful. I enjoyed the fellowship of my precious sisters; Nikkae, Katherine, Kristalyn, and Kaylianna so much that I wasn't relishing the thought of coming home! :-) Thankfully, we made many many treasured memories that will fill my heart until we meet again.
Life was busy for the Huber family that week, and they were so gracious to let me be part of their family for a while. Brandon, Anthony, and Jonathon are in the heat of football season, so I was able to watch Brandon's first game of the season, (his team ended in victory!) and my first game ever on Saturday!
Some of the other things that filled the week were card-making, story-telling, dancing, sewing, many hours of chatting, (one of the best ways to spend time. ;-) laughing, cooking together, enjoying the delights of chocolate, giggling at hilarous video advertisments and clips, trying to get those last few obstinate chickens in their coop while doing chores, (You can look pretty mean with that stick in your hand Nikkae. Ha!) running errands with Nikkae, and watching some great movies! Including many viewings of North and South; a lovely film.

Thank-you so much for the very special week Hubers! God bless you.

Miss Kaylianna Jane~

Kristalyn was an excellent goat milker!

Nikkae and Kaylianna enjoying the football game.

Cards, cards, everywhere!

Christian Valor, and Katherine Joy, enjoying some creativity!


Brenton the goat wrangler









Here are just a few photos of Brandon's football game on Saturday. Christian cheered his brother on (Number 3) with all the rest of us! Go Patriots!

Please check back soon for Simon's side of the trip. I'm trying to persuade him to write about it himself, so hopefully it will be up before long.

Upon Request

To welcome the soon-to-be-here season of Fall and upon special request you will find below a recipe to some of our favorite cookies! Spice cookies with pumpkin dip . . . yummy yummy. They make a perfect seasonal dessert.

Spice Cookies


1/2 C. butter
2 C. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 C. molasses
4 C. flour
4 t. baking soda
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. ginger
1 t. cloves
1 t. salt

Mix all ingredients, form small balls and roll in sugar. Flatten and bake at 375 for 6 min.


Pumpkin Dip

1 8oz. package of cream cheese
1 can pumpkin pie mix
2 C. powdered sugar
1/2-1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4-1/2 t. ginger

Store in fridge. Serve in a festive bowl for best results. ;-)


And the most important part is . . . ENJOY!