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

     Four years ago I wrote my first "birthday blog" for Madison.....it is now a tradition that I am so thankful to have started - it is a time to honor each child and celebrate the life each one lives and their individual gifts.  It is fun to look back and see the joy each one radiates!  Madison Joy is no exception.....and this year we celebrate her 14th year!  It was 14 years ago I left my passion and career to begin a new life at home with our little one.  Oh how I thought I knew it all.  Now Madison is the one who "knows it all!"  : )

That is a joke of course - people talk about dreading the teenage years but it is privilege and a blessing to have one in this house!  Actually it is Madison that seems to want to hold on to her childhood and savor it.  That's fine with me.  Plenty of time to be a grown up!  Her heart is to enjoy life and people for sure - but she sure does have a serious side as well!

Even though we are still homeschooling, the highlight of each week for Madison is attending her Classical Conversations - Challenge group each Wednesday from 9-4 pm.  Each week she goes to share with her classmates what they've learned from their studies in Geography, Latin, Science, Math, Language Arts, and Rhetoric.  This has been a challenge for all of us as we adjust to the workload.  Madison has handled it like such a trooper - never giving up or being discouraged - staying up late to finish her work or do it well.  She doesn't stress or worry like her mother - in fact she is the one trying to tell me to be more positive.  I am learning from her!  We are thankful for this opportunity and the friendships and relationships she has enjoyed there. Of course she still enjoys our PE class and her book club friends too.  She is so blessed!

 This year Madison took a special interest in the election and following the views and beliefs of both candidates.......we realized that she will just be 3 weeks shy of voting in the next presidential election.  Ugh!

Almost a year ago we went to a Christmas performance at Experience Arts School to watch a friend perform in "aerial."  I was also checking the school out for ballet for Allie - but Madison tagged along. When she saw the aerial she fell in love and begged to do it.  I did not think her risk management father would go for her dangling high in the air from a silk......but sure enough he said yes!  This month is her second performance in a year.

This girl loves her dog.  Around 3 years ago we adopted Aslan, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and it's been true love for them since.  I am so thankful that she handles most of his care.  He is one lucky dog.

I have always said Madison is a natural with kids. I say she is like the Pied Piper......whatever she says they just line up and do it!  She thinks of the most amazing things to say to them to get their attention.  This summer when our church held an 8 - week vacation bible school (one time per week), Madison and a friend organized and ran the recreation and snack portion of the evening.  I was impressed with the way she planned out each night's activity for all the different ages of kids from 3-12.  She definitely has an event planning knack that I was not born with!

The birthday parties she has thrown for her brothers and sister were such fun.  I know I am biased but this is a true gift!  It is neat to see her get such joy out of gifting others this way.....

                                                     

Every day is not all roses with the siblings but I like to catch things when it is.....once Madison gets an idea of how she can serve someone else, watch out.  I love the times when she bakes with the little ones and last Christmas when she and Ryan decided they were going to put the Christmas tree together  and hang the Christmas lights for dad.

I also asked Madison to join me in my volunteer work at Hope Women's Center this year.  She has helped with a few events there - bringing her friends along with her to energetically serve.  They have such a sweet time!  It is a privilege to serve alongside her.

We praise God for another year to nurture this special one and watch her grow in spirit and character. Each year we continue to pray the same scripture we chose for her on her birthday. We love you, Madison!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13

On cupcakes and zebra print.....

This year I was a little behind with birthday planning because of other surrounding events.....as well as the fact that the "party planner" in the house now has more serious school commitments (which is cramping my style!).....but we managed to still pull off a simple but fun time.  Madison has really been into cupcakes for awhile so Allison agreed upon a cupcake themed party.  Yesterday we descended upon Hobby Lobby - with even the boys in tow.....to try and come up with a plan.  I am happy to report that no lives were lost though I believe a few minor injuries may have occurred......We left the store with thoughts of cupcakes, zebra print, and pink!

Madison was up early starting work on the cupcakes while mom and I did "support work."  She made a batch of vanilla and chocolate.  They smelled divine.

                                            

Thanks to her Pinterest (I swear I am not on that crazy site!  It is her!) addiction, she had several cool ideas for decorating. We were thankful for brothers who can blow up balloons and daddy who did a fabulous job of hanging.......Simple treats this time - fruit, popcorn, and homemade chex mix (thanks Grandma!).

 These cute zebra boxes were too hard to pass up for the girls to take home their decorated cupcakes in.......

Madison set up a decorating station for the girls and boy did they like this activity!

Believe it or not, the brothers were all on site - but thanks to the new "super huge" concrete driveway out front, foosball table hand-me-down, and legos, we hardly heard from them!  There was one party crasher who came in to decorate however.........

This cupcake was unbelievably divine.....Madison's mint chocolate....

The birthday girl's special place........

Allie smiles at her dad while he reads the special bible verse we picked for her when she was born.....

A few of Allie's sweet friends.....

Seems every year we have a pin the _______ on the ________ (whatever matches the theme). I think I've done it so often that Allie automatically thought of an idea this year!  

It was a fun day to visit with the families and enjoy friendship.  Sometimes in the hours before these "party days" I find myself wondering if I should be doing it.....feeling a little stressed.  And then ALWAYS afterwards I am so thankful to have done it.  I enjoy watching our family work together to honor another - a sort of rare time of selflessness......

I am amazed at the way Madison can design a party that always looks great - even if it is simple. I love photographing each of them! And I think the guests leave feeling special which is enjoyable.  It is an act of service toward her sister which I love.  And so, birthday blitz "phase 1" is over - Madison is next on the docket - though she says she doesn't necessarily want a party - she just likes to throw them!

Allison is 8 years old today!

So it was a Happy Birthday to you day here today!  Allie turned 8 years old......how can it be? I don't know what happened!! But I know it has been another wonderful year with our sweetie!  It has been amazing to watch her grow and change.....it is hard to pinpoint just a few highlights....but of course I will......

Allie enjoyed participating in ballet this last year immensely!  She floats around the house all the time!  But when she is outside however, watch out!  She will play football with her siblings, and is mean on those rollerblades!  

Allison loves her cousin and any other little one!  She is nurturing, patient, and so caring.  (Got all that from her dad)  She is not only loving toward little children but is an encourager especially to her momma.  She has a soft heart.

Allie has matured personally and is continuing to grow into a diligent student - who takes her studies seriously!  We have seen perseverance and heart we didn't know she had as she has tackled some challenges this fall!

 So glad she is willing to read to her brother and they sure love to laugh!

This year it has been a blessing to watch Allison grow spiritually as she has expressed such love and devotion to Jesus - her heart is so tender and loving.  And after several years of praying for an opportunity to go to Bible Study Fellowship with her daddy, brother, and sister - she began this year and is studying the book of Genesis.  It is fun to sit with her and study!

Every year at birthday time we like to celebrate each child and the gifts the Lord gave each of them.  We always reflect on the verse we chose for each one when born......it is awesome to read this verse each year - since when we chose it we did not "know" Allison - but it is such a reflection of her:  she gives others much grace, is loving, and is such an encouragement with her actions and words.  We love you, Allison Grace!

"May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his GRACE gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17