It's Been Way Too Long!

I have failed miserably at updating my blog.... but I am going to attempt it once again. I'll admit; I have become spoiled with facebook and the convenience of keeping that updated on a daily basis and posting pictures so much easier (they don't have to be edited before posting!). But then I realize, I have dear friends who still desire to read my blog and see my pictures.

Well, let's see... what have I been busy with in the past four months? Oh, yes! Matthew turned the big 5 on June 22nd. Faith now is 2, as of July 2 and I am growing older, having reached 32 years of life. Dennis also had a birthday on September 21, maintaining his age just above my own.

School has once again started for Charis; now learning 2nd grade, and Matthew in Kindergarten. Charis is beginning to understand multiplication and division concepts and will be learning more how to write stories and journal entries. Matthew is thrilled with each new word he learns and enjoys putting them together to make sentences. He is very creative when it comes to drawing as well! We have been taking advantage of a homeschool program offered by the local YMCA called "gym and swim." On Mondays, they learn more about swimming and water fun, then on Fridays, they do aerobics and exercise.
After pretty much taking the summer off from violin lessons, Charis has picked it back up and we are working on re-learning what was lost and trying to move forward with some new songs.

We are staying busy with church ministries. Dennis is now the teacher of our young married Couples' SS class and we help out in teaching children's church when needed. I enjoy singing in the choir and solo specials as well as a part in a mixed quartet. Each of our children are also involved in a children's choir group. Charis sings with the Joyful JOES (Juniors Of East Side), Matthew is with the Pee Wee Patch club, while Andrew and Faith sing with the Toddler Tunes. They periodically have opportunity to sing specials in "Big Church" which always leaves us with smiles and blessings, often laughter as well, due to the typical antics of the little ones.

We recently enjoyed a trip to Gulf Shores for a week's vacation. It was refreshing to relax and watch the waves of the ocean. The kids had a wonderful time and it was over much too soon.

The summer has come and gone and the fall is here, along with it's colorful beauty. God has truly blessed us and we are so grateful for His Hand guiding us on a daily basis.

Memorial Day weekend

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We traveled to Natchez Trace and then to Nashville for Memorial Day weekend. We enjoyed a stay in a cabin ("cabinet" as Andrew called it) and swimming and even a pontoon ride on Pin Oak Lake. Enjoy the pictures of horseback and pontoon riding!

My, My, My!

Another month gone by and I am so behind on updates....

I have so many pictures I could post... I guess I need to upload them in a smilebox and add them that way to save on time. We've had a pretty busy month of May. Finished schooling with Charis and she's anxious to start 2nd grade, am I? Matthew will begin kindergarden. But for now, we will just enjoy the summer months to give mommy a break at least! Look back soon for the smileboxes of pictures!

Way Behind!

Yes, I know! I am way behind in my blogging updates. I have found Facebook to be so much quicker and easier to update on a regular basis, that I have forgotten about the faithful few who rely on this blog for family goings-on; and I apologize to you.

Let's see, I believe I have 2 months to catch up on, so first thing was the picture. The kids are now safe and warm... out of the snow. This was their Easter Sunday pictures, taken before we left the house. The ties did not stay on the boys all day! The girls had matching doll dresses for their dolls (which they didn't take to church either). It was fun to have them all matching and looking so dolled up for a day.

March blew in and out and brought the April showers we are enjoying even today. We started a garden indoors to transplant outdoors once weather allowed for it. And everything we had started ended up dying on us. I told Dennis I didn't have a green thumb... maybe now he believes me. So, it will be off to the store/nursery to start over from someone else's success! Now where do I want my garden to grow...?

We have been busy with school and winding down to only 3 more weeks before we are done with the 1st grade! I suppose it is time to look into ordering 2nd grade for Charis and Kindergarten for Matthew.

The Saturday (18th) following Easter Sunday, Charis decided one of her top front teeth was loose enough to come out. Brave Mommy took a tissue and with a twist and a good yank, Charis became Snaggletooth. Until Monday night (27th), when her second top tooth showed enough wiggle room to let loose as well. Who was left to pull? You got it: Mom again! Now she is "toofless" until the permanent teeth make their appearance. I didn't think she would stay little forever, but it's so hard to believe my firstborn is growing up so fast!

Matthew and Andrew are .... well, boys! The keep me smiling, laughing and running after them, hoping to keep some semblance of clean on them.










And Faith, hmmmm, her hair is long and thick enough I can pull it up/back into ponytails or pigtails! Cute as a button, she is the "life of the party" with her precious little antics. Oh, don't get me wrong; she's no angel. This girl has an attitude all her own! I don't think she gets it from Daddy and I KNOW she doesn't get it from her Mommy.....