love is simple...

Is there anything better than the love of your family? 

Especially siblings?

As a parent, I can tell you that the way my kids love each other is amazing. 

I was blessed with a great brother who still loves me despite all of my craziness...

We still talk several times a week.

I am sure that my mother felt the same way that I do when she saw us together.

It makes me so happy to not only see the little ones enjoying each others company, but the big ones love to hang out with the little guys.  They are generally good examples to the smaller kids and love being involved in their lives.

People are the ones who make love seem so complicated.

The reality is that love is very simple and very beautiful.

Just Loving People...

Some friends of ours from church help run the state food pantry... I'm sure I'm getting this all wrong... but I think that is what they do... lol.

They are constantly blessing us with some of the food that they get.

They brought us tons of red, yellow and orange bell peppers the other day.  We chopped them up and tossed them in the freezer.  Oh yeah!

They also brought us 25 pounds of roma tomatoes.

We promptly chopped, mixed and canned those babies... and got 7 quarts of tomatoe sauce!

The thing that I really love about these friends is that they love Jesus with all of their hearts!  I mean, they really love Him.  They see everything they do as doing it for God.  They just want to bless others and in return they get blessed.

They are like surrogate grandparents to my children... full of hugs, smile and encouraging words!

I hope you all have people invest in you the way these folks invest in us...

I've learned so much about just loving people from them...

Thank you, God... for sending these wonderful people our way!  Now, lead me to invest in others the way they have invested in us.

Daddy's and Daughters...

There is a special relationship between Daddy's and their daughters...

Especially after a nice warm bath...

when the daughter is all snuggled up in her pajamas...

and she is ready for a book.

Time with Daddy is very important.

Lessons

Smiles

Snuggles

Stories

...Time

It all boils down to love.

Within it all...

Sometimes, when I take the time to slow down from the everyday household needs, I am amazed at the lovely human beings that we are raising.

I look at how they are becoming compassionate, loving, helpful young people.

They have so much to offer this world. What more can a parent really ask for?

We are so blessed to have so much love in this house.

I am so blessed to have been given this wonderful oportunity to be a mother.

I would have missed out on so much otherwise.


All of the laughs, jokes, fights, teasing, playtime, sad times, love, joy...

I mean, I could go on forever.

If you are a parent you know what I mean.

You really can't remember what it was like before these amazing blessings entered your life.


These days, we are working as a whole at not raising our voices to yell.

We are, naturally, a loud bunch.

You have to be in a large family.

One thing that I never want, however, is to be a yelling bunch.

That is the easy road.

I don't want the easy road.

I want the right and loving road.

I want my children to look back and remember that their parents were loving, caring people who took the time to show them the right way to treat each other... not just tell them.

I want to know that their personalities can shine,

Their imagination can create,

and while this happens they know they can always come to us and find people who will treat them fairly and with compassion.

And within it all there is Love.

You give yourself...

"Tell him, tell him that the sun and moon rise in his eyes; reach out to him. And whisper tender words so soft and sweet; hold him close to feel his heart beat. Love will be the gift you give yourself."

Insightful...

Our kids are really amazing.

We have been having some really deep and insightful conversations around the house the last few days.

When your children say loving, unselfish and deep comments...

well, you just fill up with so much love and pride for the kind of people they are becoming.

We love you guys so much!

I am amazed at how much God has blessed us and continues to bless us!

Twenty years ago, we were what so many young people are...

very self centered.

This journey that we have taken together has taught us and changed us so much.

(Thank Goodness!)

I realize... only now... how much my mom influenced everything that I do.

Thank goodness for a God who gives us all second chances.

Love Never Fails.
1 Corinthians 13:8

the greatest of these...

One of the favorite pasttimes of the hubby and myself is talking an evening walk.

About a week ago, we invited two of the little ones to come along.

They insisted on wearing their sunglasses...

and (oh how cute) holding hands!

I couldn't snap enough pictures.
They would race ahead and then stop and wait for us to catch up.
Isn't it beautiful to love each other?

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

for all you do...

I love this man.

(waking up from a nap)

He works extremely hard.

He wakes up at 2:00 a.m. to go to his job and support his family.

He is the first to say that he wholeheartedly believes in me being at home with our kids, homeschooling and keeping these kids firmly rooted in Christ.

That choice for me to stay home has not been easy for either of us at times.

We have had to make sacrifices.

Lots of sacrifices.

In the end, we wouldn't change a thing.

We love each other, our kids and our life.

He is a loving husband and father.

He gives of himself until he has to be reminded to take a little time for himself.

This man is my hero.

This man makes me strive to be a better person.

Thank you, sweetie, for all you do.

Getting to know you...

5 things I want my children to know before they grow up...

1. We won't always agree, but we will always LOVE each other... unconditionally!

2. I don't care if you are first, fastest, cutest, thinnest... Just always give me your best!

3. When your day goes terribly wrong... thank God that you can start over again in the morning.

4. Remember where you come from... your behavior reflects on all of us.

5. Family, Family, Family... what more can I say?

Amazing...

Where did that little baby go that used to ride on my hip?

Where is that girl who used to sing O Be Careful Little Eyes...

Where is that little girl who wanted pig tails in her hair and a cute dress to twirl and twirl?

When did you become someone I could talk to...one woman to another?

When did you start growing up and start taking your sisters out to lunch and paying the bill without asking mom for money? When did you start ordering your own food?

When did you become someone I could admire and be proud of how you "turned out"?

In the end, I guess the "when" doesn't matter.

It only matters that I love you. I am proud of you. I admire you.

You are AMAZING!

Because you loved me...

I'm everything I am,

Because You loved Me...

(Celine Dion)

Geting to know you...

5 Things I want my children to know before they grow up...

1. You won't leave my home at 18 and have the same life we have. We have worked hard for what we have. We have sacrificed. We did without things so you would be able to attend camps, sports and be a part of youth activities. You will, hopefully, do the same for your family. One day, when you look back at how far you have come, you will be filled with pride for all you have accomplished and all the Lord has provided.

2. The things you put into your brain through books, television and music is what will come out through your thoughts and actions. Choose wisely.

3. Someday your dad and I will be gone. Invest in your relationships with your siblings. There will come a time in all of your lives where you will be so thankful for those relationships. They share your history. They know your stories. They know why "actions and consequences" will always bring a good laugh, there is a alarm that goes off when someone leaves the house and they know the words to "one day I saw a white horse".

4. Love is a choice. It is a word meant to be put into action. Don't get caught up in societies definition of love. It will fail you every time. Wake up each day and CHOOSE to love. Choose to love your parents, siblings, spouse, kids, friends... There will be days when you will wonder how you can love that other person, but you make a choice and love. Then put it into action. Tell them. Do something for them. Spend time with them. Love them.

5. Before you end a phone call with a relative, leave a lunch with your husband, go to work in the morning or send your kids off to school... Tell them you love them. You never know when it will be your last chance. In this life our days are uncertain. You never know when you may not get the chance to speak those words to someone again.

The touch of his hand...

Rough. Calloused. Strong. Hardworking. Gentle. Caring. Powerful. Loving.

Twenty years.

I have been carressed, calmed, sheltered, protected, helped, comforted, taught... the list could go on forever. The man who owns this hand, placed his hand in mine long ago and promised me forever. He has never failed me. He has been a friend, confidant, lover, mate, father, comforter, encourager. When we exchanged rings two decades ago, I never dreamed that the simple act of a touch from this hand could mean everything to me.

I love you. Now and Forever.

Magical Days of Summer...

Have you ever been so impressed by one of your kids that you just know that God put them here on the earth to accomplish something really great? That is how I feel about this kid. She is so amazing. Besides being kind, sweet, helpful, compassionate, understand... and the list really does go on, she is teaching herself to play the guitar. I am learning right along with her. I love to sit and listen to the music that comes out of this young lady. She is better than she realizes. Yep! We spent another day at the lake. I can attest to the fact that it completely wears the kids out and makes them have a really great sleep at night. Maybe that will mean I will get a good sleep as well. Cheyenne usually avoids the camera, but I caught her at a weak moment. Isn't she beautiful!

Sydnee is growing up so fast. She still loves her mommy, though.

Brysen is getting more and more fearless. Today he kept sticking his face in the water. He would come up coughing, but with a huge grin on his face.

"Come in the water so you can throw us, Dad!!" I think I heard this call about 500 times...

No Joke!

...and once again... How amazing is this little two year old boy? He is working on potty training, but I think I need to start leaving out the "working" part since he pretty much has it. I really wondered if going back out to the lake would mess things up, but no way... This little guy is becoming a man!
Today really felt like magic. We are usually so busy running around. This day felt like one of those magical lazy days I remember from childhood. It was perfect.

20 Years, and counting...

Who would've thunk it?

At the end of the month we will celebrate 20 years of wedded bliss. Now, don't let me confuse you, we worked hard for this. I have to tell you, though, I would not have changed a minute of it. This man loves me. I love this man. We have created an amazing family.

God is truly good!

Visits...

My daughter came for dinner tonight. I miss her so much now that she is living in the dorm. Who would have thought that with eight kids you would miss one so very much? I miss her every day. Thank goodness for nights like tonight when I can enjoy her so much.