Back to blogging life!

I really want to get back to blogging. I don't think I have many readers, if any. But, I really like the story it tells about my family.
We are moving forward to top speed.
One daughter heading to college.
One daughter heading to high school.
One daughter growing like a weed.
And a mom and dad who just sit back, stunned, wanting to slow it all down. Just a little.

2015 is our year.
I can feel it.

A friend told me that she was praying and felt compelled to tell me that good things are coming my way. But I needed to write "it" down.
Not sure what "it" is, but I will do the writing.

So, Happy New Year!
I feel ready for the journey ahead and the memories of the path that we have travelled so far.

So, if you are reading this, thank you.

God bless us everyone!

Until next time.....

Well, well, well. There you are!!!

Yup! Here I am.
I have not fallen off of the face of this great earth. I have not run away to the jungles of africa.
I have just been a bit busy.
Doing what? Well.....let me think.
Since my last post, Allison has graduated Kindergarten and is thriving in the 1st grade. She is a very sensitive gal who cannot get it through her head that, although she is the youngest, she in not the baby. But I guess she will always be our baby. right?

Emily is finally a Middle schooler. The most important part of this in our school getting to wear more selections of shirt colors and khaki bottoms. When kids wear uniforms to school everyday, they take every little bit of freedom and individuality that they can get. She is an avid reader and waiting for basketball practice to start. The boy craziness comes and goes like it does with most girls her age.

Katie? Katie. Katie. Katie. Our sweet Katie. She is jumping in to her sophomore year with both feet. She is staying active in the drama club, but enjoying the work behind the scenes, She has found some kindred spirits with the crew. She is participating in the choir and auditioned for and made the elite
women's choir at EHS called Bel Canto. That was an awesome boost to her self smile!Her grades remain strong. No thanks to me or Eric. I can quiz her on vocab words, but that math stuff that she has gotten to is way above what I remember. She make me so proud. They all 3 do!!!

My new niece, Madalyn, is now 2yrs old. She is a tiny, mighty vessel of brains and  stinkerpotterness. She is a 2yo and she acts like it. Although you need to address her as the mailman quite often. She is
alot of fun. And she reminds me of her mother all of the time/!!!!

Eric and I are trucking right allong. Almost to our 19th wedding anniversary in October. Wow, huh?
I am so thankful to have him in my life. He is a good hubby and a great daddy to our daughters. What more could I ask for.

We went to Pensacola Florida in August, 2012. It was a wonderful family trip. Time spent together, hanging out, at the beach, exploring lighthouses, museums, more beaches....awesome. It was so nice to spend time together as our family. Love those people to pieces!!!!!

Has it really been that long since I posted???

So much has happened....so much.

I will try to catch up this weekend.

The best part?

I have a precious new niece...born on Memorial Day. I got to be there for the entire thing and it was the most special thing ever!!!

I will try to post pictures very soon...

We are all well. So much going on. Good. Bad. Everything in between.

65 photos....

When I got home from work this morning, I found my EMPTY camera case on the dining room table. When I asked Eric where it was, he told me that the camera was by the kitchen sink.

WHAT?????

I found the camera by the sink....and proceeded to go through the photos on it. Allison has discovered how to take a photo and she thinks that the camera is just as much her's to use as it is mine. Um....no way, kiddo. But, apparently, daddy was preoccupied with another task and Allison went to town, snapping up photos of our home.

But not pretty photos, but pics that a 4yo would love to see...her toy area, the kitchen trash can, the pile of laundry that needs to be put away in mom and dad's room....

and her left hand.

Yes, her left hand. When asked why there we so many pics of her hand, Allison let me know that she took pictures of her hand so I would know what her hand looked like while she was at school. Yes, sweetie. Momma often forgets what your sweet, chubby hand looks like for the 2.5hrs that you are gone in the morning....3 days a week. NOT!!!!!

Allison is a right-handed photographer. And she loves self portraits.

Here are a few, for posterity's sake.

And then Daddy said..."here, let's get a picture of YOU. Apparently, he hadn't checked the photos already taken.

Random kiddo photos....

Just because I haven't posted some pics of the monkeys....

Servant

Last night, as I was getting all of the girls in bed, I was feeling sorry for myself. I was doing all of the work. Eric stepped in for prayers (he had just gotten home from work a few minutes before). But I was the one that did the baths, checked homework, did the snuggles, got the umpteen cups of water....

And I felt a little put-upon. But then I had to remember that this is what I had always wanted. This was my life as a momma. My husband is a wonderful father. He is a good hubby to me. But his focus is on the outside of the house (work, etc.). But, even while I am at work, my heart and mind are here...in this house....on this family.

I realized that that is the way it is for me. That is the way that I wanted it. And I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe a little bit more "Ami" time. Just a little.

Then, this morning, an online "friend" Stephanie Howell posted this and it spoke to me. So I am sharing it.

An essay by Roy Lessin

A woman once fretted over the usefulnesss of her life. She was fearful she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.

"Is it worth it?" she often wondered.

"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of those moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her Heavenly Father speak to her heart.

You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice.

Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to Me. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me. Continue on. Remember you are My servant. Do all to please Me.

2 days post-op.....Allison

Today has been a pretty good day. We started out rough. Allison had a rough night - with a fever of 103.6 (2nd night in a row). She is taking fluids ok....just not moving too much. I wouldn't be either.

She took a 4hr nap on the couch this morning and woke up like a new kid.

She has played on and off throughout the day. She even sat at the table for dinner. She didn't eat much. Just half of a crescent roll with her beloved butter on it.

I have found that she loves Sprite and will drink it with no problems. That is what I have been giving her most of the day. She isn't quite sure how to take it. She asks and I jump. I am just happy to have her drinking.

Right after coming out of surgery. Poor girl. She had an ice pack to her neck and was "snuggling" her Get Better Buddy that her sisters got for her. GBB and her blankie both accompanied her to the OR.

Her first popsicle, in the recovery room. She ended up having 3 popsicles and 2 ice cream cups in the 3hrs that we were there after surgery. Very reassuring.

2 days later...looking better...acting better...

Keep the prayers for a speedy recovery for our girl!!!!