Wednesday, July 21, 2010

There Once Was A Little Girl...


...who loved the mountains so much that she left her home in Texas to move to Colorado where she could be closer to them. 
Besides being in love with the mountains, this girl loved children and couldn’t wait to be a mommy.  The Lord provided the perfect man to become her husband who also loved the beauty in the mountains and the blessing of children. 

For 21 years now we have enjoyed special family time in the Rocky Mountains. As more children were added, we just adjusted what we did so that we could all be together.
Bigger vehicles and larger tents were filled with little people anxious to explore the wonders of nature and enjoy special family time.  Warm sleeping bags were bought and a port-a potty added (to keep mama happy in the middle of the night). 
For Christmas' and birthdays we ask for camping things so that we can continue to go up in the mountains together.
The Bible says “From Your lofty abode You water the mountains, the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your work.” (Psalm 104:13).  I want my children to experience His nature for themselves...to explore and wonder, to see and smell, to touch and delight in it all. 
We are asked often “Isn’t it a lot of work to go camping with so many children?” As I shared in the 
O.K. sooooo...” post, YES! It is.  And we have had some difficult things happen (which, sorry that I wasn’t clear in that post...no, all those hard things didn’t happen all on this last camping trip. They have happened at different times over the last few years.)
So, why do we do it?
These smiles....
Their joy....
These little explorers...
Boys being boys....
Mommy and her little darlin’s enjoying so much adventure.
 When we meet people in the mountains and they say “Wow, we can’t believe that you are up here with all of those children”, I usually just smile and say “Yes, it is very special that we can bring our children up here to enjoy the beauty of the mountains”.
And it is worth it all!

16 comments:

  1. Awesome!

    You are so beautiful :-) Love seeing photos of you with your blessings!

    Hugs sweet friend!
    Jill

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  2. So wonderful how God gives us the desires of our heart. Isn't He good?!

    The photos are beautiful.

    Blessings,
    Sarah

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  3. Oh Shonni...can we go with you? I love the mountains and all of God's creatures up close and personal ;) Wouldn't that me fun!!

    your photography is amazing!

    xoxo
    Kimmie
    mama to 8
    one homemade and 7 adopted

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  4. I'm a mountain girl too. :) Nothing quite like it for sure!
    Beautiful pictures, beautiful children, beautiful you, beautiful God!!
    Much love!
    Lisa

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  5. How fun to see mommy in a picture. So glad you had fun with the family.

    Sending you all my love, precious friend.

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  6. Breathtakingly beautiful! The scenery and even more so, you and your family!!

    Love it!

    Oh and I'm thinkin' you guys should do some sort of camping commercial. It could pay for your next adoption! :)

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  7. As you know, our extra-large family loves camping, too. We are planning another month-long trip across the country. Woo Hoo!!!


    :) :) :)

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  8. I love the mountains too Shonni. The Lord is so generous in providing so many beautiful blessings. The kids look like they're having such fun , and you look lovely as always.

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  9. Beautiful children; beautiful scenery. Awesome God!

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  10. Beautifully said! I look forward to our camping debut with our kiddos ~ we just have to wait for the humidity to back off a bit...
    And I hope that one day I'm camping with as many as you!

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  11. awww your children are so precious...Off to read the other post :)

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  12. What a GREAT post although I would not consider camping with my crew at this point! You are BRAVE! They kids look so happy :)

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  13. It is so beautiful there! What fun experiences you are opening up for your children.

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  14. This post warms my heart! We love to camp with our eight children and hope to retire to the mountains should the Lord tarry. God's majesty is simply amazing!

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