Historic Day

I don't know how time has passed so quickly, one minute I was in the worst pain in my life, and the next I was a mamma. Now I find myself with the most amazing ten year old daughter. I feel like it was yesterday I met you Ella.

Time has gone quickly, but I have enjoyed every moment of your life. You are so full of sweet grace and kindness. I delight in knowing you, loving you, and being a small part of directing the beautiful heart you have been given. You love Jesus and those around you with such tender kindness, I am often humbled by your love.

A long time ago Jason and I decided to take our children on a trip when they turn 10. The goal of the trip is fun, education, and explanation of expectation. I hope to explain to Ella things that will be coming her way with friendships, her body, and life. I'm excited about sharing with her what things I expect of her as a young lady, and what things I most look forward to with her. I have asked special friends to write her letters. I want other voices in her life. I want her to know she has a much larger community than just this household.

I can hardly wait. As Ella comes home from school today, we are headed to Williamsburg, Virginia. We will be staying with a dear friend, and enjoy

all that Virginia has to offer.

Pictures of the trip soon to come! But not too soon, I want to savor every moment of this time alone with my firstborn daughter!

Kindness is Christ

This has been a tough year where I have had to face unkindness head on. I have had to look at the face of hate and anger and press deeply into Christ. In the face of ugly, it is difficult to seek grace and not revenge. Love and not bitterness, Christ and not self.

I have spoken in veiled utterances, but it is clear there has been much pain. But in the place of pain, He has been there. Right there. Ever present, close, steady and certain. As my idols have deminished, He has filled the empty space.

In the brokeness of life, I don't need to be like Christ. I need Christ himself. I realize the being like Christ can just end up in a pile of works, but give me Christ himself, and I will show you perfect peace in the midst of a terrible storm.

True joy is not the absence of pain, but His presence in the midst of pain. I hurt for those who have not seen Christ in their midst lately. Who have refused the joy and freedom of repentance. I long for more, more, more of Jesus, and that consequently means less of me. Less need to defend and be right... I need Him. Guess what I've learned, it was for freedom that He set me free... He set His love on me for that.. To daily give me Himself.. To be enough for today, tomorrow, and eternity

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Overflowing Grace

49. Slow motion that is heat induced

50. Neatly folded laundry

51. Lightening bugs

52. 6 and a half years of nursing

53. 10 year old trip and weaning vacation combined

54. Little girl painted nails

55. Shelling peas and chatting with my brood

Thankfulness

41...Schools out for summer

42...Uncertain times that keep you praying and dependent

43...Chubby baby hand reaching into my hand for a snack

44...Firstborn about to enter next season of life

45...Surprise trip with firstborn

46...Weaning last baby, happy and sad about this one.

47...Heat that grows my tomatoes

48...Fresh peas from the garden

Graduation Blissdom

I have to say this was one of the most proud moments of my life. When the graduates started their walk into the graduation service I started to cry. I kept on crying throughout the entire service. Jason has been done with his schoolwork since October, but this felt like such a special moment to celebrate the many, many years of effort by Jason. More than that, he did it well, parented well, worked hard and was a faithful loving husband in the process. Not many people realize how much it truly cost him to wear his many hats. The weekend was amazing. Friend surprised us, Dad went to great effort to make the trip, and the kids behaved very well. It really was a proud moment.

Sadly, yesterday my phone was stolen with many of the pictures I took over the weekend. It has been very sad. Though I am sad for the loss of my phone, I'm heartbroken that I lost so many pictures. Fortunately, I texted pictures like a proud wife. So I have gotten some of the pictures back. I will post them.

Jason, I'm so proud. So very thankful for you!

Crazy Crazy Fun

There is one place in this world that if I asked my kids if they wanted to go they would all join in a loud voice and say! NASHVILLE!!! In the process of looking for a job, Jason said, "if we could live anywhere, where would you choose?" Again, NASHVILLE!!!

We are certainly open to the possibility of moving there if a call opens up, but as for weekend visits, they are a favorite for our entire family. It's funny for Angela and I, if someone asks us who is coming to town and we mention the other family coming... We get comments like, "You are crazy." "Better you than me." "That does not sound like fun."

Oh, but the fun they are missing. The thing is, combined we have 9 children. It's a heafty sum of kids, but they are all such amazing friends. This past Easter visit, I really can't remember any fighting. Seriously, I'm trying now to remember, and I can't. I'm sure it may have happened, but it was so so fun.

We really used to struggle with our oldest two completely wearing themselves out, but they better know their limits. The little ones still struggle with little people kinds of issues, but here, Nashville, they always happen.

Aunt Angela and Uncle Dana have a house for sale directly facing their house. Ella has been praying we would get that house. Two things I do not have the heart to tell her, 1. We can't afford it and 2. it sold. No reason in upsetting her.

Our kids have built a lifetime of memories together. Maybe someday we will live closer together. I know a lot of little people that would rejoice if that day came.

Anniversary Edition Blessing count!!

30. Jason.. You, so thankful for you!

31. Your gentle love and discipline of our children

32. Your constant kindness toward me throughout my day!

33. Your coffee making skillz!

34. Your face that is reflected in each of my chldren.

35. Your integrity that is unwavering

36. Your faith: constant, true and full

37. Your patience, waiting for me to catch up; I know you are praying for me when I lag behind.

38. For each of the years past, even in our struggles, God has been so gracious to strengthen and deepen our marriage.

39. For the four children these years have brought into our life. I cannot think of anyone I would rather share the laughs with around our dinner table.

40. For the years to come... I can hardly wait boyfriend!!! I love you!

Goal for next year! More pictures of us. We are lacking in that department!But we have plenty of our children!

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