Last year of single digits for our sweet Allie...

Another year has whipped by - I am so thankful to have pictures to document the events!  Allie is growing and changing into an amazing young lady with a heart bent toward Jesus and ministering to others...here is a quick review of her year....

Ballet is still one of Allie's first loves...it is her fourth semester at Experience Arts School and she had the opportunity to move up to a new class this year.  Allison works hard to improve and lives for the semester end performances...!

Allie adores her ballet teacher, Miss Stella.  Miss Stella has a heart for Jesus and her little students.  She radiates joy...

 Allie is becoming quite the all-around athlete - and will try any sport!  This summer she played tennis while on vacation, played football with Ryan (so he could learn his plays), and she will play soccer if needed, too!  In May, Allison ran her first 5K with mom and the rest of the family!  She is working to improve her time in the mile at PE each week.  She loves to run!   : )

Allie has a heart to serve and help!  She has been waiting for the opportunity to help volunteer at Hope Women's Center with Madison and her turn finally came.  On the way out after the evening, she said "I wish we could do that every night!"

 Allison and her side-kick - Jonathan is Allie's friend and classmate...I am so thankful for their friendship and enjoyment of one another.  They spend MANY waking hours together!

Allie is blessed to have her grandparents fairly close by - and she cherishes her time with them.  Allison is particularly gifted in the area of encouragement and friendship.  She is selfless in many of her relationships and many children in her classes, at church, and in our life are blessed by her ability to sense the need for a friend - for kindness and grace.  What a gift.  It is fun to see Allison's character shape into a girl who digs deeper when faced with trials and difficulty...she is an inspiration and we love her so much!

Happy 9th Birthday to Allison, we love you!

It's been awhile...

It makes me sad that it's been so long since I've kept the blog up...writing about the days and documenting our life events with photos.  It was my way of scrapbooking!  Life got away from me!  Not in a bad way - but I just couldn't squeeze another moment in to do it...

Maybe in 2014?  

Either way...birthday blogs are coming....

Birthday reflections from the "older one".......

A few days ago a friend asked if I would write my own "birthday blog" since I have tried to consistently write a tribute to the kids on their birthdays.  Great question.  I have never thought of doing it, in fact I'd have to look back but I don't even think I've ever honored my dear hubby with a "birthday blog" on his birthday!  Madison warned me that I had sure better NOT write my own birthday blog!  So sorry Madison - I am writing "sort of a birthday blog."  

I don't mind that I am yet another year or two or a few past 40......I am thankful for each one.  I don't really want to go back to who I was when I was 20 really......I didn't have much life experience and was fairly full of myself.  I wouldn't mind having that body back ...But the maintenance was way too high on that baby - no time for that now! I don't ever find myself wishing I was back in high school, college, or married with no kids again - although I sure loved all those seasons of my life. I feel like I got every ounce out of each stage.  That's a satisfying feeling.  I think it is one of the advantages to trying to give 100% in everything.  There are disadvantages to this approach - like attempting too many things - or being a perfectionist.  GUILTY.

In 43 years I have sure made some serious mistakes and at times been a type of person I am NOT proud of.  I was an example I did not want to be - definitely not a refection of Christ.  The amazing thing about every year with the Lord however is that there can be improvement. I don't have to remain the same year in and year out - just getting older and more cynical. I don't have to settle that I am a certain way and can't change.  I don't need to be despondent and far away from God - in a dry place.  My struggles and challenges are only parts of my refinement, polishing, editing, and reworking!

I am a new creation in Christ - His work is never finished in me until I am in eternity with Him.  His GRACE is a flood of water replenishing me when I am withered, worn, and scorched.  

There were times this year I have been worn - in fact I even had a period of a few weeks where I was not sure any fruit would ever come again from this withering tree.  

But God does not leave us in this place of discouragement if we are in Him.  He calls us out and - renews us and revives us - then equips us for another stretch of the journey.  Christ never said this road would be easy.  

"This hill, though high, I covet to ascend, The Difficulty will not me offend. For I perceive the Way to Life lies here: Come pluck up, Heart; let's neither faint nor fear; Better, though difficult , the Right Way to go, Than Wrong, though easy, where the End is Woe". 

                                                                                                  John Bunyan from Pilgrim's Progress.

So this birthday, when I look around at all the situations that "could be" I am thankful....filled with gratitude for the gift of living another healthy year....for second chances.....for "do overs."   

So here is a little "birthday advice" I am giving to myself:   Acknowledge mistakes humbly, embrace the opportunity to grow - look forward to the Lord's regeneration - fight for joy and thankfulness in all circumstances - free fall into His grace - grasp the extent of Christ's love for me and love others unconditionally.  JUST DO IT!

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ might be for the praise of his glory."
                                                                                                        Ephesians 1:11-12

You know you're old when......

I'm not here to call anyone old.....I mean that is certainly not my specialty....but if I can help anyone out with some indicators well....hey.  I asked Madison if she had any suggestions for how someone could tell they were old and she just shrugged, "How would I know?  I'm not old - I don't have any idea!"So there you have it!  I guess you just know when the time comes! However this morning as I was getting ready for the day I thought of a few signs that might reflect age........

You know you are old when.......

1 - Your 6 year old is often explaining to you how the ipad works.

2 - You must fight the urge to yank gray hair out EVERY time you fix it!

3 - The fashion police of your house have to intervene just about every time you leave to "go out."

4 - All adults around you seem to be your same age......

5 - Really, you just prefer your nice paper planner/calendar to an electronic one.

6 - Vigorously cleaning the house alerts you muscles you weren't aware you had.

7 - All the football and basketball players whose names and stats you memorized as a kid are sitting behind the commentator's desk on TV:  Overweight and balding.

8 - You remember the days you could shoot out of the starting blocks at high rates of speed.....but the last time you actually moved that fast was when one of your toddlers started turning green, said their tummy didn't feel so good and they started puking on the carpet.

9 - You are listening to hilarious comedians crack jokes about all the great things of your day and your kids keep asking you, "What is bactine?" "Who is Led Zeppelin?" "What is a merry go round?"

10 - When talking with a group of young families you realize these people have never lived without a cell phone or the internet.  Like they didn't have to look up words in a dictionary, research in the stacks of a library, make copies with change in the library, and look up files on a microfiche in college!

WHERE IS THE JUSTICE?

But hey - you know you are AWESOME old when......

1 - You like the rock music louder than your kids......(of course that could be due to hearing loss)

2 - You can still fit into your college clothes.....and a double bonus is they are BACK in style!

3 - Sometimes the fashion police still ask you for advice on what to wear.....

4 - You still have your jump shot.....

5 - You are willing to get out there and run and play soccer with the 12 year olds - and you look great while people walk by (but they don't know you couldn't get out of bed the next day!)

6 - You are still champion at air hockey.....

7 - You realize getting older is getting wiser - a nice benefit.

8 - You finally see that a clean house is not the most important thing in life.....

9 - Your kids can make the meals, clean, and pamper you!

10 - At least a few people act surprised when you tell them your age......ba ha!

That's a wrap on #5 for Jonathan and now it is on to 6 years old!

So the week of the "birthday blitz" is wrapping up here with Jon's 6th birthday......Ever since Allison and Madison's birthdays in November he has been asking when it would be his turn and finally the time has come!  I guess that is the story of the last child's life, right?  "When will it be my turn?"  Jonathan always wants to try what his older siblings are doing - and then he always has other tricks up his sleeve to get the attention or laugh!

In his early years, Jon loved sitting at the table with us to "do school."  When he began "kindergarten" at the beginning of this year, he all of a sudden decided maybe he had seen all the school tricks I had up my sleeve and he wasn't so interested! Yikes.  Turns out I think he really just wanted "alone" time with me - so finally this semester I have adjusted some things and he is enjoying his studies more......However he has always got a unique approach!

Every single one of our kids is active and Jon is no exception......He is moving at a highly rapid pace 99% of the time.  I don't think there is a way to slow him down!  I think I am a fairly calm mom when it comes to flying and daredevil boys......but his lack of fear is a little crazy.  

Jonathan is always ready to go outside and rollerblade, play football, or just run.  And it is always at top speed......he runs the mile at PE with the best of them.  While he will be chasing his brother at 6 and a half minutes for awhile, it may not be too long - he is already running a mile without stopping in around 10 minutes.....ahem.....faster than his old mother who is always looking at his cute little rear end!

Seems this boy always feels the need for speed.......

Rain, snow, or shine.....he is ready for fun.

And when he is not moving quickly, Jonathan is usually being silly - making someone laugh with his jokes, faces, or gestures......

Jon has a serious or snuggle side to him too.  He loves to curl up in my lap anytime for a book or after dinner when we are all visiting at the table.  And recently, he has decided that he likes to gently brush Allison and my hair while I read aloud our Bible, history and science.  So sweet! He is a fabulous assistant in the kitchen and with other house or yard work.  He loves to have "jobs" to do and is diligent.  I think Jonathan is fairly patient with being the never ending passenger in the van too!

 Jonathan loves Sunday School and has a keen memory for the things he learned in class.  While I think he looks forward to attending BSF with his older siblings, he also likes the night home with mom alone.... : ) Yet as much as he likes to hang out with mom - this boy is fiercely independent and will "move on" on his own with no problems!  He just shoves off when needed!  I love that about him!

We love you Jon - thanks for lighting up our days!  And we will continue to pray the same scripture over your heart as you grow and mature as we did the day you were born.....

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." 2 Timothy 2:1-2

It's #12 for Ryan!

Upon reflecting on this past year for Ryan I'd say it was a year of S's..........

SPORTS

Ryan hasn't really met a sport he doesn't enjoy - or at least try.......I could have posted many more sports pictures of basketball and roller hockey in the front yard, running a 5k, baseball, soccer, you name it.  He is ultra competitive (I just can't figure out why : )).  This year he really developed a love of watching college and pro football - figuring out all the positions, strategies, and even reading a few biographies of his favorite Christian players.  This year the only organized sport he participated in was water polo - not because he didn't want to do more, but because the bus driver was booked......

Football with friends is a favorite.....

This summer some of us were addicted to the Olympics.......and it was a thrill when Ryan and Madison's swim club hosted Breeja Larson!  AWESOME! While the kids were thrilled, it was mom who teared up at the sight of that gold medal!

SERVICE

Ryan has enjoyed helping more with the younger kids at church, and he also jumped at and loved the opportunity to serve at Hope Women's Center.  When given a clear job - no matter small or large, he has a servant's heart and receives great joy from helping.  

SOAP

In January '12, Ryan and Merl worked through Lemonade to Leadership, a workbook from Excellence in Writing, which walks the student through the process of building a small business. Ryan's goal was to showcase his business in the Young Entrepreneur's Program during the Homeschool Convention '12.  Ryan decided he wanted to produce cold-process soap, and so Saguaro Soap Company was born! He raised the money he needed to fund the business. Then, for over six months, the two of them and eventually the rest of us became involved in the business of perfecting the soap making process, producing the soap, planning and preparing for the Convention, and then selling the soap at the convention! He produces beautiful and wonderful smelling soaps - and now has a steady income!

SIBLINGS

Many of the pictures here show Ryan doing something with his brother and sisters.  This year I was particularly blessed with the way Ryan came alongside his different siblings to support them in their activities.  Both times his sisters had aerial and ballet performances, Ryan and his buddies were in the crowd whooping and hollering for them.  Sweet.  Ryan will teach any sibling to play football, roller hockey, finger football, or basketball!  It is a nice when he finds job in being with his brother and sisters.  It is not all the time of course, but we will take it when it happens!

SPECIAL FRIENDS

About 6 years ago Merl and I were discouraged because it seemed when birthday time rolled around because it seemed Ryan didn't have young friends his age we could invite to celebrate with him.  Most of our friends had girls and we were just starting to develop more friends in the homeschool community.  Merl and I began to pray about this and made some strategic choices in an attempt the change this.  We are overwhelmed by the quality of friends he has now!  These are not just friends that he enjoys.  These are friends that truly love Ryan for who he is and encourage him in Christ.  Boys (and girls) of integrity who love to have fun ...... who could ask for more!  We are beyond thankful for the investment their families have made in Ryan and us - praise the Lord for such great community.  

 Couldn't leave out the 'furry friend' .....though he isn't too loyal if there is a sandwich to snatch off the counter!

It is encouraging to look back each year and celebrate Ryan's growth and the events of his life!  We love you son, and continue to pray the same scripture for you each and every year that we chose for you when you were born.  To God Be the Glory.....  

" I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge ---- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:16-19

20 years and counting......

Even when you try to embrace and enjoy them, the years race by.  How to stop them from slipping away so fast I don't know.....In the throws of life's daily stresses I struggle with thankfulness and the ability to cling to each day as a blessing.  And so, when one hits a milestone, one tends to slow down at least for a few days and look back - giving thanks.

More than 22 years ago as I sat in church one Sunday, I saw Merl from afar settling into his seat with another girl....."I am going to marry a man exactly like that someday," I said to my friend next to me.  We both knew Merl from the training room at UNM.  He had always been a friendly encouragement to me - a guy with good character, but that day when I realized he might also be a believer, the Lord seemed to plant a seed in my heart.  We started dating only a few months before he graduated.....sort of under the radar.  Athletes weren't supposed to date the trainers.....ha ha!  I still remember the first day I met his Mom.....and the way she checked me out from over her glasses.  She had every reason to be suspicious....as I was more than a little rough around the edges!

Merl and I on one of my spring break trips to Miami

Even though I was head over heels in love, Merl had other thoughts.....like a career.  As soon as he drove away that summer of 1990 in his little Nissan truck, I was sure I was going to die of a broken heart.....but he was pursuing his dream job at Doctor's Hospital with the University of Miami - the last thing on his mind was settling down.  We had only been dating a few months.  "It's been great knowing you," he said.  Thus began 2 years of my tears, weekly phone calls, handwritten letters, and only seeing each other 4 separate times.

January 2, 1993

After my graduation in June of 1992, I flew to Miami with no job, a few suitcases,  and $400 in my pocket.  (Mom and Dad, I have a new appreciation for you as you still loved me through this time when I flew away to be with a man you had only met once!) I don't highly recommend this, ha ha!  We were engaged 4 weeks later......and then January 2, 1993 we said "I do" in a little adobe church in front of our dear friends and family.  We flew back to Miami shortly after to begin our simple life together.  Sometimes I wonder how life would be different had we stayed there in South Miami for the duration, in our sweet little house church and with Merl working with the doctors and co-workers we loved so much.  I was a houseparent in a children's home - caring for foster children.  After Merl finished his master's degree, I decided to pursue mine in social work at ASU.

Shark Valley, Florida 1993

Our Lord is Sovereign and perfect in His plans for us, and in the summer of 1994 we loaded up a Uhaul and drove to Arizona.  Here, we have been nurtured, loved, and encouraged by more people than we can count for the last 19 years! So many have helped us along the way as we've gone from a family of 2 to 6. Our lives are rich and we have no regrets about the time we have invested in relationships and our life here. (But we still treasure those times with our dear friends in Florida!) So bittersweet!

July, 2012

So as I reflect back on when we were married 20 years ago I realize I had no idea what I was doing.  Who does?  How do you know what the next day, the middle, or the end will look like?  I got more than I could have ever dreamed or hoped for in this deal.  Who could I ask for a more selfless husband - one who whole heartedly serves the Lord and puts his family's needs before his own?  Neither of us are perfect and we could NOT write a book on how to do marriage - all I can say we have done right was tried to do what we thought the Lord was calling us to do each step of the way - regardless of how hard it was or difficult.  Merl is much more willing to do this with the right attitude.  I am usually the one kicking and whining behind.  But what a blessing to have someone to follow who leads well and wisely.

What are we supposed to do next?  I don't have any idea - I can barely figure out what is for dinner this week and what we will be doing next in the 8th, 6th, 2nd grades and kindergarten! We will probably not agree on it all - that is for sure.  Some days I wonder if we really like anything the same!  Then I look around and see that I am focusing not on the blessings but our differences.  I see that even though I love watching football every day of the week and eating cheeseburgers and he might prefer to go on a hike and eat a salad that these are the minor things. We are one in Christ.  We want to trust in Christ. We find strength in Christ, and we can always go back to Christ when we fail. For this I am thankful. We are both sinners and will never be perfect - but Christ is and in Him we are united.

In front of UNM, where we met...Dec. 2012

                                                                            Visiting the church where we married....Dec. 2012

I don't know if we have 1 more year together or 40 left but in this I have no control.  For now I say thanks to my hubby for accepting me with my flaws and loving me as I am.....for encouraging me and believing in me.....for providing for me and sticking with me - even when I've been unlovable.  Merl is trustworthy, humble, wise, and innovative.  He works long hours, is patient, spends time with the kids, and doesn't complain when we have the same thing for 3 meals a day!  He is strong in the areas I am weak. Even though you know I am not adventurous, thanks for 20 years of thrills, my love!

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." 

                                                                                           Psalm 37:4