Happy Birthday Caleb!

Happy Birthday Caleb!

We celebrated Caleb's birthday this month...I can't believe that our baby is 7 years old!!  Of course he thinks he is just as big as the other boys!  We enjoyed a day full of celebration...beginning with chocolate chip pancakes with a whip cream smiley face!  Caleb was so excited that Megan was home for his birthday...so we were all together!

We enjoyed supper out at a local restaurant and returned home to a chocolate chess board cake (yummy) and various flavors of ice cream as well.  He had a blast opening the cards and gifts he received.  We gave him a darda power loop pyramid...so all the boys joined in to help put that together...and then the race was on for the next hour or so!

C  cutie, cuddly, character

A  acrobat, active, angel :)

L   loveable, lively, loyal

E   energetic, enjoyable, enthusiastic

B   boy, brother, brave, bold

We are so thankful for the gift of our Caleb...you are such a blessing!

A Few of My Favorite Things...Just For Moms

Raspberry-Cinnamon French Toast Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Breakfast-Pizza-8

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/White-Chocolate-Torte

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Mother-s-Day-Recipes/Mother-s-Day-Memory-Box

 

 

I love being a mom!  Thank you Father for the precious gift of each child that you have so graciously placed in our family.  Happy Mothers Day to all the moms!

Multitude Monday

61.  Questions...yes, questions!  I am thankful that my little guys are excited and curious about God's creation and ask many, many questions.  It keeps me on my toes...and humbles me because I realize just how much I don't know!

62.  Hugs...I sure need them!

63.  Attending revival with my niece and her family...it was wonderful!

64.  Another year...I sure don't get as excited about my birthday like I used to...But I know that I am blessed beyond measure.

65.  The thoughtfulness of my family...you all are so precious to me.

66.  Beautiful music...Life Action Ministries provided the music at the revival and it was wonderful!

67.  Books, in particular this week: What is a Family, by Edith Schaeffer.

68.  Smiles...they lift my spirits!

69.  The differences in my children...it would be so boring if they were all the same!!  And Lord, please remind me of this during the week.

70.  Date night with Paul...at a dinner playhouse...oh, so appreciated!

Multitude Monday

51. Lauren and I enjoyed a weekend visit with Megan and Andrew.

52. Safe travel to and from Megan's.

53. The well lived life of a dear Uncle who met the Lord last week...we'll miss you Uncle C.

54. Girl talk with both my girls...oh, how I've missed that!

55. The sturdy lawn mower that hopefully will stand the test of our rocky, hilly, yard!

56. The work of all my guys this weekend to get the yard in shape and start a much needed project in the house...and my azaleas are blooming for the first time this year!!

57. Paul, who rearranged a very busy day to spend the afternoon with me...I love that man!

58. My son-in-law who loves our daughter and takes very good care of her...you are a blessing!

59. An impromptu visit with a friend on a lovely spring day!

60. Kindred spirits who have encouraged me, spoken truth to me, laughed and cried with me, and loved me through the years!

Our Birthday Boys!

We celebrated two special birthdays this month!  Jonathan turned a big 8 years old this year!  He is our fun-loving, ever quizzical son that makes life an exciting adventure!!   We had a wonderful day complete with dark chocolate cake topped with cream cheese frosting and chocolate strawberries...YUMMY!

Luke turned 14...I can't believe it!!  He has grown several inches during the past year and shows no sign of slowing down!  He has the heart of a true southern gentleman.  We enjoyed his favorite cake...strawberry with cream cheese frosting...Delicious!

We are so thankful for our two birthday boys...it is a blessing and an honor to be your parents!

Reflections... 2009

January was a busy month!  Ethan attended Teen Pact Leadership School and was elected representative for the first time.  Lauren, Megan, and I were in the thick of wedding planning.  We had a lovely "girl" day as we assisted Megan in and out of a rack full of white, lacy, billowing, wedding gowns!  It was a "mama" moment when I saw the look on my daughter's face as she smiled at her reflection in the mirror!!

February was filled to overflowing with wedding showers, bridal portraits, and shopping for all things "wedding".  It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...bittersweet...the girls and I paused at times to soak in the moment!  We celebrated Luke's and Jonathan's birthday at the local bowling alley...it was a great day! 

March...the count down to the big day began!  A haze of busyness filled the first weeks of March...dress alterations, final fit on tuxes, decorations, flowers, food, and all the final preparations were winding down.  Before we knew it, the rehearsal night was upon us...and after bidding the wedding party good night, the work began!  We finally put the finishing touches on the church and reception hall in the wee hours of the night.  The ceremony was precious and our bride was absolutely glowing...she was a beautiful bride!  And we added one more son to the family.

April...We rested!    We did find the energy to attend a local tea party!!

May/June...Samuel's11th birthday was in May!!  He was so happy that Megan and Andrew came back for his birthday!  He finally got a paintball gun!  We took a family vacation at the end of the month and the first week of June to Virginia...a dream come true for a history lover like me!! I will never forget the feeling I had standing on the battleground at Yorktown.  Patriots gave their lives on this hallowed ground so that we could have freedom.  Sadness filled my heart at the thought of what is going on now in our country and how far we have drifted away from the source of that freedom, Jesus Christ.

It did feel quite odd without our Megan on the second row seat as we traveled...the kids wanted to go by and pick her up on the way!  We celebrated Paul's and Lauren's birthday on the road. We did stop by to visit Megan and Andrew on our way back home.   June also included a visit from my sister and her children...we had a great time chatting, sipping coffee, and generally catching up!

July began with the celebration of our country's birthday.  This was also the first birthday in which Megan celebrated in her new home.  I am sure that Andrew created a very special day for our birthday girl!

August was here before we knew it and Caleb turned a very big six years old!!  Megan made a special trip home to spend a few days with us...and help Caleb make his birthday cake:)   I cannot believe that my baby is six!! 

September...We paused to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11...we will never forget.  The gang spent a fun day hiking the trails and taking in the view to celebrate Andrew's and Ethan's birthday.  Lauren caught up with us for supper at the Texas Roadhouse and then we headed back home for cake and ice cream.

October...We enjoyed participating in a fund raiser for St. Jude Hospital.  The weather was wet and cool but the kids had a great time at the pumpkin patch.

November...Thanksgiving at Paul's mother's house.  We paused to reflect and give thanks for the many blessings bestowed upon our family. Paul and I took a delayed anniversary trip to the Smoky Mountains.  It was a much needed romantic get-a-way.  Paul surprised me with a visit to the Biltmore Estate...I love that man!!

December...We remembered our Savior's birth...the event that has forever changed the world and our lives.