16 June 2012 Amanda's Baby shower...

My very special niece, Amanda, flew in from Las Vegas recently for her baby shower!  We are so very happy for she and her husband, Dan!  They are expecting their first son in October.  (he may join us sooner, as she is in a high risk pregnancy due to type 1 diabetes)  She is doing amazingly well, but could only be with us for a few days before she had to fly home...but what a wonderful time we all had helping her celebrate and prepare for her son!

Amanda has loved monkeys since she was a little girl...and I was so happy I was able to find some 'monkey' board books for her little guy....and I was able to make her....

A monkey blanket!  The front has brown monkey faces on a cream background, and the other side is brown with white, yellow and green polka dots...I used 1 1/4 yards of  flannel for each side, so he can use it for many years....and the double flannel wears like iron and gets softer the more it's washed...so I hope it gets many years of love!

Three generations...my mother-in-law, Ro...her daugher, Maureen and Amanda.

My nephew, Ben, his wife Crystal and their boys Hayden and Austen made it in from Deleware for the shower.  Ben is in the Air Force and we don't get to see them as much as we would like, so it was a treat to see them all!

Amanda (due October) and my sister-in-law, Kelli (due beginning of September)

It was a beautiful shower!  My sister-in-law, Maureen did a great job!  Many prayers and much love to Amanda, Dan and their little guy!!!

Father's Day...

What a very nice Father's Day!  Our Saturday services at church are much less crowded and quieter...and knowing it was going to be a busy day, we all went to church last night.  What a special service for everyone, especially the fathers!  At the end of the service, a group of men went forward and pledged the resolution in the movie 'Courageous'...held accountable by each other and led by our pastor...and then all the father's in the service went forward, linked arms and prayed together while we sang "We raise our white flag...we surrender all to you..." by Chris Tomlin.  So special!  The men of our church will be doing a special study this fall based on the movie and the book and Ron is very excited to start it.

Today....we all slept in after yesterday's excitement of my niece, Amanda's baby shower...then the girls and I prepared all the food for today and got the house ready while Dad took his 68 Plymouth Fury out for a quiet spin....my Dad came over for dinner and dessert as well as my sister and mother-in-law for a delicious dinner and celebration of Father's Day!  What a wonderful husband and father my Ron is!

Sara's High School Commencements!

(sigh)  I think I still can't quite believe it...both of my oldest daughters have graduated from our homeschool.  I marvel when I think back and remember all the fears I had...not knowing the end from the beginning...but my Heavenly Father knew...and will continue to guide our family as we continue on this homeschooling journey He has set before us...for 10 more years.  No fear now...just joy!

Our Sara 'Sunshine'...graduated very early at 16...when we started she was so young, but has always been a determined little girl and anything her older sister did, she insisted on doing also...so she started homeschooling when she had just turned 4 years old....and skipped ahead a grade right before starting her highschool years.  We are so proud of her!

As we enter this new season of life with Sara...we trust that the Lord will indeed, open doors...lead and guide her as she trusts Him for her future....we love you, Sara Catherine!!!!!      Love, Mum and Dad

23 years ago....

Twenty three years ago...we said "I do"...and we have...we have loved...we have and continue to be committed to each other and especially following hard after God...we have truly been thru "...in sickness and in health ( more sickness than health)...for richer or poorer...in good times and in bad...and yes...until death do we part"...as our love for each other grows deeper, so does our commitment to each other...no matter what.  The Lord is what holds us together and deepens our love.  

We are very much looking forward to growing old together...and having a family full of grandchildren!  (smile)  I love you, Honey!

Tyler's Ninjago party!

We are very blessed to have much family on both Ron's and my side living close to us.  We try very hard to stay in touch and be a part of each other's lives...today was my cousin Stacey's little boy Tyler's 6th birthday party...a Ninjago party!

The best part for me was being able to spend time with my great Aunt Helen, and all of my cousins...and watching my little ones play with their children...in spite of the thunder storms, it was a great time!

My grandmother's sister, Aunt Helen...89 years young!

Stacey and Tyler...

Anna got a couple of good whacks in....

Ronnie was the one who opened it all the way....

My cousins Ronnie and his wife Linda...

Twins...2 1/2 year old Bailey and Addison...they were too cute!

Playing "Mom"....

Playing "Mom"...as she so sweetly said...putting on my  ugly, comfy green crocs, sweater and purse...when asked where she was going, she smilingly said "church"...very matter of factly.

My baby...at 7 years old she has very definite ideas of everything...and simply sees some things as "our way"...this is just what we do.  I love when she pretends to be me...seeing life thru her eyes is humbling and precious....thru the eyes of a child....

Taking a piece of my heart....

Saying goodbye is so very hard...Gabrielle has been coming to stay with us for a few weeks for 4 years now...and no visit is ever long enough...especially this year.

It seems like our time has flown by...the 3 girls and various girlfriends have been visiting and laughing...while Meghan worked she's helped with the kids, and discovered that she will be very good at homeschooling her own children someday....she's prepared meals for us, made clean up full of fun and laughter...many serious discussions as well as laughing till the tears come....oh, my goodness....how we will all miss her!

But it's not goodbye....it's we'll see her again soon....Much love to my "daughter of my heart"!

The annual, obligatory tire swing pictures....

At the airport....