Our 15 year anniversary

Shawn and I celebrated 15 years of marriage with a weekend getaway. Just the two of us, how "little" we felt without 4 little ones to look after, but how wonderful to have time with just each other, walking and talking, and more walking. :) Pictures to follow, school demands time right now.
Thank you, Shawn, for all you sacrifice for us, what a perfect pick God had planned for me. I am truly blessed to have you and our little ones to love, and live with in this life.

Happy 40th Birthday, Honey!

My dear Honey(after hearing me call Shawn this, lately Noah will hear Shawn's backup beeper on his van when he comes home, and yell,"Honey's Home!") turned the big 40! My aunt joked at the party with me that she didn't know I married an old man! Poor Honey. I like to think of you as not getting older, but getting much wiser. I have treasured watching your walk with God getting stronger through the storms we have been through together, from you taking your first steps with Him almost 12 years ago through today. God picked the perfect man for me and I am so thankful to be blessed with being called, "Your wife."

Surprise party for Shawn

Shawn's mom and dad helped me host a surprise 40th birthday party for Shawn. They had pizza and cake for him, I did the easy part of calling and inviting. We had a great turn out- around 70 total, kids included. His boss and 2 co-workers were among those in attendance,Rick,Dave, and Rick. On the guest list included his brother and sister-in-law, Shane and Christy,their son, Jason, my Dad, 2 sisters, brother and his daughter, Shawn's grandma, his step dad's mom and her step mom, Shawn's uncles and aunts Dave and Joy, and Mike and Cathy, with their grandchildren, his aunt Heidi, her daughter,Brittany with her husband, Adam, his cousin,Elizabeth, with her 2 children, my uncles and aunts, Bill and Marilyn, cousin Leigh, and her 3 children, Harold and Marvis, cousin Becky, and her husband Greg, friends from meeting included Troy and Jody, their son, Brandon and his wife,Brittany and their baby Landon, Vanessa and her 4 boys, and Rick and his 2 sons, and also Shawn's best friend, Scott, and his wife, Deanna. 2 of his firefighter friends, both Jeff's, wandered over toward the end of the party. I think that was the guest list. Hope I got everyone. I will add more pictures to this post later, my children want supper!

School pictures

Waiting for Emily to get off the bus.Emily, my brother Tad's daughter. I get her off the bus and keep her for Tad while he is working. This little lady is like my second daughter, and my kids sister. I quit my job at the bank when we found out my mom had cancer, so I could keep my children, and help Mom. I took over babysitting for Emily when she was 10 months old. She is 8 now, and I think of her and the future struggles she is sure to face, with the events that are going on in her life right now. Children are truly the ones to suffer when things like this happen, very thankful she has a better chance than most, help that most don't depend on. Glad her Dad is taking steps in the right directions, steps we pray Emily will one day walk in.

First day of school, success!

We started school on Monday, August 29, 2011. We had a very good day, this year is going so much smoother than last. A new school room was most of the reason, and one year under our belt with the school program we use was another. I am very glad and thankful that I have the time and oppurtunity to help our children with their education. I am so fortunate to spend my whole day with them, and get to see their minds developing. I know these days are speeding past, and one day my little ones won't be little ones, I want to value the time I have with them more.

Wonderful start for a new year, refreshing at conventions

We had the privilege of 2 full conventions in August. So much was shared, our cups truly run over. I love how God knows exactly what we need to hear, and can speak to us through others laboring with the gospel, that we haven't even meet, yet they speak of things that are in our hearts. At Y.S. on Saturday, Aug. 20th, 2011 during the evening gospel meeting, our oldest 2 boys made their choice to serve God. Zach is 10, Josh is only 6. There were 4 that professed, or rufessed as Josh calls it :)., one of the other 2 was our friends little boy, Jayden, who is only 9, and a 15 or 16yr old girl. My friend Amy's oldest boy,Weston,15, was one of 5 that was baptized. On Saturday, Aug. 27th, 2011, Hannah,12, was baptized (only one). Then that evening, Tad (my brother), and Ellie(Hannah's friend) professed. So, our little meeting has 3 new ones taking part.
A few thoughts that have stayed with me: You can't lead someone any further than you are willing to go yourself, God is trying to get us to stop talking and start listening, You don't have to be perfect parents, with the perfect home, to raise perfect children, The faith God's people have is not just words on their lips.
I don't know why God speaks to me, or has blessed me with a man that walks with Him, and has given me 4 children that I long to return to Him, (thankful for 3 that have felt their need to live for Him((Noah tries, but at 3, he has a bit more to learn))), but I owe Him my life and am so thankful He does want me to be His child.