Happy Birthday, Grace

                                              14 years.......really??????

Where does the time go?  I can remember that moment when the midwives told me "it's a girl" like it was just yesterday!!  But, my little girl has definitely grown over those 14 years.  She is becoming  a lovely young lady, and I am so thankful that God allowed her to be in my life!!

She told me tonight that she likes to read and write, and listen and watch, and play basketball and the guitar, and to sing. Then she said that she just likes life and being alive! :)  I loved it! She has so much life in her, I can't wait to see what the next 14 years will bring to her life.



Grace was ready to eat cake....but Mom had to get the camera out!!  I forgot to use it earlier....I had to have something to help us remember the day!! :)

AAHHHHHH.......butter recipe cake with chocolate icing and mint chocolate chip ice cream!!!  Her favorites!!  Of course, this was after ham, mashed potatoes, and spinach! Yes, she chose all of those...more of her favorites!!



Ginger took the kids to McDonald's after rehearsal to celebrate Grace's birthday!  The manager joined in the celebration and gave her cookies too!! 

This is a great picture of the kids.....Grace, Colleen, Charity, Andrew, Robbie, and Charlie.  Grace loved sharing her birthday with them, and they made it special for her!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRACE!!!!
I love you!!!

Homeschooling choices

Today is February 15th and the weather seems wonderful to my kids outside....the temps are in the 40's and the sun is shining! :)  This definitely is a day to do your schoolwork outside!!

Charity's new found fun....climbing the tree! :)

Andrew just loves to be outside....now if only we could get rid of that allergy to cold!!!

 Only a homeschooler's privilege!! :)

Christmas joys

Now, this is the excitement seen on the kids' faces Christmas morning! :)

Andrew busting with excitement!

Grace with her excitement controlled! :)

The group of anticipation!! :)

We celebrated Christmas on the 22nd this year, and were glad to have Daniel, Brian and Sarah, Darlene, Frank and Sharon, and the Porter family join us for the celebration throughout the day.  We had a pot full of turkey soup that was a big hit due to all the sore throats and coughs going around!!  It was great to see everyone together. :)

Days later, after the crazy times we had some fun time just enjoying the new things....

Andrew and Charity putting together lego vehicles

lots of concentration and brain power needed

Charity agrees that this is fun!!

Andrew is definitely getting a nice engine created!

Grace is enjoying her Nook

She is not stabbing :)  She is saying Yeah!! :)

pretty smile! :)

 

Merry Christmas to all of you bloggers out there.  

 

costumes

As a parent of children in a play, I received the job of sewing uniforms for the "guards" in the play. There are 6 of them, with one being the "man in charge". :)  Little did I know the challenge that it would give me. It was more mental work, than sewing work.  Once I figured out exactly WHAT I was doing, the rest came easily!!  However, the simple task of sewing on a collar and cuffs to already made shirts, turned into a long and tedious task!!  How do you best add stiff material to stretchy knit material????  huuummmmm....well, once I figured that one out in my mind, the next question was, "how do I make these cuffs?"  I was given a picture and basically told to make that. :)  No problem! :) LOL
Well, I am proud to say that as of right now.....I AM FINISHED WITH ALL THE COSTUMES!! :)  YEAH!!  

These are the uniforms! :)

 

 Each one of these uniforms has 2 cuffs, a bodice with buttons, and a sash.  Each posed their own challenges.  But, it looks nice and will certainly look good on the stage. :)

The red one is for the leader in the group!  He needed to be different looking. :)

 

One project done.....
Now, on to getting the cookies and gingerbread houses done for Christmas!!! :) 

Christmas play

Andrew and Charity have been working diligently for months on their Christmas play, "A Stranger in the Manger".  Sunday finally came and they had their program!  It was as joy to watch!  It started out with the young 4-5 year old children.  Words can't describe how precious they were.  They all did a great job!

the 4-5 year old children

 Then all the older kids sang songs and spoke about the true Christmas story.  Charity and Andrew each had speaking parts and Andrew sang a solo too.  I know they were nervous, but they did such a wonderful job.

youth choir singing

Andrew and Max with their speaking parts

Andrew singing his solo

Charity saying her part

The 2 heads you see in each picture are Colleen and Robbie Porter.  They happened to be sitting in front of me.  But, I was still able to see pretty well! :)

It is so nice to see the kids enjoying the Christmas season!!

engagements

Brian and Sarah are now engaged!! :)  I am so excited for them.  We were able to spend the afternoon with her parents on Sunday, and I was blessed to learn more about them and Sarah.  Brian is happy!  Good things are happening!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Brian and Sarah came over today to share a Thanksgiving meal with us today since I will be working on Thanksgiving Day tomorrow.  Not only did they come for some family time, but they brought all the food!! :)  I felt so special, and I enjoyed seeing them and talking with them.  They even cleaned the kitchen when they were done!! :) 
I always enjoy watching the younger kids interact with Brian.  He has taught them to "beat him up" as a work-out for the academy, and they still do it whenever they see him.  One of these days, he might have to tell them to stop....but for now, he is hard as a rock and enjoys to bring this out of them! :)

 

Thank you, Brian and Sarah for a special day!
I thank God for you both and all my children!!  You are a blessing to me!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!