Pics from the 4th of July

These are just some fun pictures that my father and I took of the kids on the 4th of July. Parker found a grasshopper and then had a great time with it. Most of the kids took a turn holding it. Made for some great pictures.

To my Friends

I know that it has been a long time since I have posted. To be really honest, Blogging and Facebook have not had room in my life. Raising kids up to become men and women passionate for Christ, homeschooling them, being a wife, friend and keeper of my home have been far more important and tremendously time consuming. Things are well with me and our family. However, there are personal areas that I have to concentrate on. Right now, Ana is reading a book to Ethan (who is now 9 months), Asher, Parker and CeCe are reading a book together and Bay is practicing piano. So, I decided to steal a few minutes to write this. Unfortunately, I will not be sharing photos right now, even though there are so many that I want to share. You'll just have to wait. In the meantime, here is a little of what is going on...This year Bay is taking a science class that is challanging him and he loves it. He works with his dad 2 hours 4-5 days a week and loves it. This Sunday he will be officially part of the youth. A little scary and exciting at the same time. I fear that the time I have with him is growing short. He is becoming a man and I will have to let go before I know it. So, with that in mind, I am finding ways everyday to grow my relationship with him. I am very blessed with the relationship that I have with him and am enjoying seeing how well he is handling the reponibilities and freedoms that are increasing with his age. Honestly, I love our heart to heart conversations about life! Ana...well she is also growing way to quickly. She is so much like me that it drives me crazy, which only means that I have to work that much harder to keep her and I in the right relationship. IT's worth the extra effort!! Ana will be turing 10 in 3.5 months. Wow!!! She is reading so much more, loves serving people and her heart grows daily. She has such a love for people and such a sweet spirit about her. (Guess she does have some of her dad in her too.) Recently, Ana did something that reminded me of me so much that all I could do was cry. It was something that I struggled with growing up and still do. As Jo from Little Woman said, " I am hopelessly flawed!" :) Well, lets just say that because I saw her struggle and could relate, God gave me the ability and insight to deal with it the right way. Praise God! Had I not, that open window to her heart could have been easily shut and locked! I don't ever want her to feel like she can not open her heart to me whenever. Parker is Parker. He no longer looks like a little boy. He has lost his baby face. He is silly about almost everything, yet very serious about much. It really is a strange combination. He does not like change, wants everything in its place, loves to please me and always wants to get things right. He also loves to play practical jokes and is so quick-witted that we often ended up in tears from laughing so hard. He is playing the piano now and is so serious about his practice. Cece is always there to try something new. She is so smart and I have to keep my eyes on her. She loves playing with her siblings and loves going to church. She is in first grade this year. Asher is 4 and still has a way of just stealing my heart. He is so smart and always eagar to learn! He has a bond with my father (his pop-pop) that is amazing. I am so happy about that. Ethan is getting big and crawling everywhere. He loves to "talk." He is walking along the furniture, eats anything you let him (even though he only has 2 teeth), and is all and all SPOILED. But we are having fun spoiling him. Greg is staying busy in his business and is doing so much to grow it. I am so proud of how he is handling his company and his responsibilities at home. He has grown so much these last few months. I am so honored that I am his wife! Me...well, I really am hopelessly flawed! I love where I am and what I am blessed to have in my short time here. I strive to grow, so that ALL that I do glorifies my Saviour and Lord. I Praise Him for everything I am able to accomplish! Now, it is time to go sing my sweet baby to sleep. I will try and post pics soon....but no promises! Love you all!

Only by His grace,
Deanna