Snapshots From Our Iowa Winter

Little blue farmhouse. Warm and cozy inside.

Campbell and his very loved ducks before the cold officially hit!

'Tis hard to fathom, but yes...these are full of the stuff with no home in our house.
Perhaps you heard the howl when we realized most labels
fell off as an unidentified brother lined them up? Oh the joys. :)

Familiar scene in rural Iowa!

These fellas had a marvelous day on a demo job with an Amish friend.

Leaf collecting by the littles. Quite the production line with Crockett at the wheel. :)

Gathering together with our dear ones!

Blessed when I get to have my wonderful girls back in the kitchen!

Quick trip to take care of my sister Rebecca after her surgery. 

Manee (our amazing missionary Mom) was also there,

 so we had tea, green smoothies, bone broth and catching up time for an entire weekend!

Also squeezed in a quick visit with these longtime friends at Homeschool How-To's.

Post on their materials forthcoming!! The way they consolidate facts on EVERYTHING into easy to read, no nonsense booklets for busy Moms in phenomenal! 

I have personally learned so much from them and even had a piano lesson. :) 

Crosby and Campbell decided to start tree decorating at the front door. :)

Sometimes the Bowers men just have to BAKE!

Many a weary soul is revived by something from the grill.

And we love brunch!  

Family walk on a nearby trail with the girls! The best!

Piled everybody in for the ride home. Behold the wonders of the 15 passenger van! :)

Classy scarf.

Dear little friend we got the chance to watch during Christmas Play recordings.

Loved our time with these TN friends who stopped by for supper.

Campbell, Chap and Daddy had a few days off in Destin, FL.

Uncle Dave was there, too. Very fun. 

Early morning view.

 The boys loved catching things.

Death defying moments with your Uncle Dave don't just happen everyday. :)

Daddy was recruited to cook a fabulous Bowers+Bontrager Fondue Dinner.

We did fondue restaurants before politics, AGENDA, and bus traveling.

Cheese fondue is fantastic. Chocolate fondue is fabulous!

The most pots Daddy had on his stove at one time was 30. THIRTY!! :)

Sweet Rebs is an almost sister.

Carver+Joshua in full concert. :)

Things to dip in dark and milk chocolate made us SMILE!

Practically everyone.
Grateful to the Bontragers for their lovely kitchen

 and LOOONG table.

What they don't tell you before moving to Iowa: 

Sub-Zero is not just a fridge! 

We have NEVER been this cold. :)

Precious friends from Romania joined us for several days of singing
and fellowship as they wrapped up a tour of the US. Their stories of God's faithfulness were such an inspiration! We pray for them often as they minister in a very difficult culture.

Their dear baby was in the states for open heart surgery 

and is doing great! Praise the Lord!

Our AGENDA shipping world.

Charlie's local hay business. That is ALOT of breakfast for farm creatures.

Our friend Wyatt, who came for a dose of Bowers life. :)

 Chick-Fil-A on a marvelous trip to Alabama with Daddy.

Happy, happy, happy!


This is very serious, y'all.  :)

The extra brother we found at church one day.

 Always more books to read, 

bigger words to spell and fantastic things to look up.

This wonderful family of 13 piled in with us for several days. Temp outside was -17.

 'Twas a most delightful thing to get my girl fix as their 4 oldest daughters sang and played and baked and gave me good recipes with VINES drawn on them. Perfect. :)
We loved our time with them all.

Charlie's shoe shine service for boot wearing sisters and brothers.

"Morning by morning, new mercies I see!
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."