We have now eclipsed 2 yrs in our home in Michigan. We have enjoyed the "country" living and yet only 15 minutes removed from work and Grand Rapids. Lisa absolutely loves our surroundings. In the last 3 years she has really taken to gardening and other agrarian activities. She planted, with the help of the 4 girls, and the pestering of the 2 boys, a garden for each of the girls last summer. With my love for berries we (Lisa and Mom) also planted a lot more strawberries and raspberries.
2 yrs ago I decided that as long as we are in the county with a sprawling 2 acres :) why not get a few animals. So we picked up two pygmy goats, one pony, 5 rabbits, a baby alpine goat and 3 baby chickens. Lisa and the little people really enjoy the animals as do I. My work is going very well. I am not sure when or where my next move will be but we are certainly enjoying where we are at now.

With the same size family as Billie and David, I cannot scratch the surface on the details of my little brood, but I will give you a cliff note version for each.

-Johanna-involved in dance and is our little Mommy. She does a great job cleaning and thoughtfully looking out for the others. She shares a bed, without complaint, with Naomi.

Naomi-walking, talking, and singing almost round the waking hours. Her memory amazes me as it is very sharp. She has really done a great job in improving her motor skills. Her joy is to sing and dance with her favorite CD's and to ride her bike with her biking buddy, Chase.

Grace-she has really come into her own. After working/praying with her through some self identity issues, she has blossomed into such a thoughtful and creative young lady. She is quick to care for an unspoken need which often reminds me of how I should be. Grace is now quick to jump in a give something a try without fear. It has been great to watch her come into her own.
 
Madison-still as delicious as ever. One of the few children I have known that from infancy her personality remains the same, cheerful and full of fun. She is a sharp minded young lady and has no problem keeping Johanna and Grace on their toes in her education skill set.

Chase-I took him fishing for the first time and he absolutely loved it. After convincing him that it was ok that the worms (his friends) were eaten by the fish he had a blast retelling the story to his sisters and Mom of how we caught 10 fish. We could have caught minnows and it would not have diminished his excitement one bit

Grant-my cheerful little boy is now an emotional roller coaster. He just turned 2 and he seems to be fitting most of the stereotypes of that age. That being said he is still a comical little guy to watch. I take all liberties to pester him and smooch on him as much as possible.

Lisa-my beautiful wife, she continues to give of herself everyday w/out fuss. I try and send her away by herself in the evening so she can get a break. She loves going to Panera Bread and ordering a portabella mushroom sandwich and home made lemonade. Lisa has a couple of friends here in Michigan which helps her social life a bit.

Well that is probably more than I should have wrote but oh well I don't write very often.
 

Love,
Bobby

Bobby is the son of Peggy Geffre Murphy.