10 years

I have been wanting to post today.  Wanting too, but really not knowing what to say.  10 years seems like a life time ago.  So much has happened in the last decade.  Ralph and I have moved 5 times.  Ralph has gotten a degree,  I still don't have one.  We have had 3 beautiful daughters.  Ralph has baptized 2 of them.  I have discovered much about myself, my faith.  I have grown up.  I have been permanently marked.   I would not trade any of the experiences I have had the last 10 years.  That does not mean that I don't wish that I would have a 10 year old son running around.  I do wish that.  I do wish that I would not have had to say goodbye as I was saying hello.  I do wish that my husband had a son to teach what it means to be a man.  I do wish that my daughters had an older brother to defend them at school, even as he picked on them at home.  I have many wishes........

Even as I wish, I know.  I know that I trust the road God has lead us down.  I trust that the experiences I have had in the last 10 years have not been wasted.  I trust that I have grown.  I trust that I have a stronger faith.  I trust that every struggle has been a stepping stone in the path God wants for me.  And because I trust, I can be thankful.

So, happy birthday son.  You are wanting for nothing.  You are whole and healthy.  You are son who is missed.  You are a brother, who has given your sisters a connection to heaven.  I thank God for the opportunity to be your mother....

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills - 

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

he who watches over you will not slumber."

Psalm 121:1-3

Memorial Day - just because

We went to St. Joe State Park on Memorial Day with some friends. Here are some pictures - just because, it was a wonderful day.



Daddy and Morgan going for a wave ride.

Daddy and Morgan saying "See she's ok!"

Madison's back side, the only picture I could get, she wouldn't be still!


Laney, chilling, under the umbrella - her favorite place!

Notice there were no pics of me in my swimsuit, I decided to spare you!

Baptism

Sunday was a very special day for us. Our 2 oldest daughter stood before those in our church and proclaimed that they had asked Jesus into their heart, and they wanted everyone to know. Their Daddy was then able to baptize them. Another reason it was so special was their 2 cousins were also baptized by their dad, Ralph's brother. Words really are not enough to describe how Ralph and I both felt to have the girls so excited for everyone to know that they love Jesus. I am so grateful for all the people that have come along side of us and encouraged the girls with their walk, and Ralph and I in our parenting. I know the journey has just begun, but I am excited to see what God has in store for them.
Here are a few pics!



Ralph & Madison

Ralph & Laney


My favorite picture! I missed the one where he picked Madison up and hugged her also. Laney was so happy when she came up out of the water.


Ralph, Madison and Laney

We had a celebration then at a park for the girls. It was truly a special day. I appreciate everyone that made the day so special for the girls.
I am so proud of you Madison, Laney, Nathalie, and Anslie!

Awards Day

Well, I was going to post pictures of the girls Awards Day, but alas, the lighting was not good and I did not have the camera on the right setting.  Just about every picture I took is blurry or too dark.  I am begging for a Cannon Rebel, digital, but my lovely husband likes to remind me of what Dave Ramesy would say, "Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else."  UGHHH!!!!  I have digressed.

I am so proud of my girls and the huge adjustment they have had this school year.  Moving was harder on them than I think any of us anticipated.  I just assumed they would be so glad to be in Florida near family that the hard stuff would just melt away.  I was wrong.  They have been able to find where to fit in, and have made friends.  They have also been able to do well academically.  Madison got 3 awards - good conduct, accelerated reader, and A-B honor roll.

Laney also got 3 awards - good conduct, high percentage on reading on Stanford 10, and high percentage on math on Stanford 10.   They did not have awards for Morgan's Pre-K, but she also has learned so much and made friends.  I am so proud of my girls, and thankful that they have been able to make this adjustment.  I am blessed.

Look what's in our front yard....

Yep, and there were 3 more that came out of the woods after these.  Bad thing is, they are eating the peanuts that are just coming up!

Whirlwind

That word seems to describe this day!  It has been a good one, but there is so much that was packed in.  Madison had an awards day at school - she got 3- will post pics later.  Home to catch up laundry.  Then pick up the girls.  Home to swim in pool, and friends over.  Quick supper then to our old stomping grounds (Altha High School), where Ralph's nephew was receiving an award.  Then home again, to hopefully sleep, and start the process over again!  Laney has an award program tomorrow!  Wow, the end of school is such an whirlwind of programs and events, that we are ready for summer break.  Anyway, I plan on posting some pics of the girls and their awards.  They are loving school, and I am so thankful.

One of those days

Today has been one of those days.  You know it starts out kind of rough, and if you let it, it will just quickly slide down hill.  The cool things was, that with every rough patch, there seemed to be a silver lining.  

Van wouldn't start, but still made it to KidVenture.  Had a great time serving the kids as they walked, biked and played at Sam Atkins park.  Freezer full of fresh beef.  Had a discussion with my husband - able to work through stuff.  Cousins over to swim and hang out with my girls.  Life group rocked tonight - food was good (thanks to my husband for suggesting a potato bar - he was right, I was wrong).  Even better conversation, getting to know our group better.  Reminder for me to read the fine print.  

So, yeah, it's been one of those days.  One of those days that I am thankful for.

Field Trip

There is no love like that of a mother. That's the only explanation of why I was able to go with my first grader Laney on a field trip, with a lot of other first graders to the Florida Caverns. I hate dark, closed places, that may or may not contain bats. I am thankful that I was able to go and experience it with Laney. As we were walking through the caves, I was letting Laney take pictures, and after one she turned to me and said, "So, are you gonna put these on your blog?" I laughed out loud, which included a loud snort! It was just another reminder that my children are growing up in a completely different environment that I did! It was also wake up call to stay connected in what they are involved with! So, as promised to her, here are some pics of the trip.







Can't remember what this formation was called.


This one was called "Wedding Cake"
My cute Laney Bug!

I have a confession.....

I have a confession.  I do not like Mother's Day.  I don't like be told when I should celebrate my mother, or telling my kids they have to celebrate me.  Maybe it stems from my first Mother's Day as a mom. I had buried my baby almost one year earlier, and had also just suffered a miscarriage. Being a mother, but not having a child kind of puts you in a weird place.  

Every May is hard, I admit it.  It starts with Mother's Day and then ends with May 31.  This year I would have a son that would be 10 on May 31.  A son....the firstborn, the one to carry on his father's name.  No, he is the one that we buried.  The one who we said goodbye too almost in the same breath as hello.  

So, I don't like Mother's Day, the official holiday.  I do love my girls dearly.  I love when they give me the hugs that almost knock me over, just because.  I love when they tell me they love me, just because.  I love when I catch them treating each other with kindness.  Each day I am able to be their mother is special to me.  I don't need Hallmark to remind me or them of that.  

That is my confession, what is yours?

2nd hair cut

Well my youngest decided that she needed a hair cut, one that she could give herself.  This is the outcome was....

I have to admit she did a pretty good job getting her bangs straight.  The bad part of this story is she also cut her cousins hair! Fortunately, it was just the end of a braid.  No bangs for Whitnie!!