The Joy of "15"....

 Fifteen years ago today Merl and I became parents for the first time.  Madison Joy was a dream of a first baby...content and happy most of the time!  Good thing since we had no clue what we were doing!    Sort of strange that often the first borns grow up to be extra capable and independent despite the fact that the parents are usually trying to figure each stage out with no experience...Well either way we have ourselves one amazing young lady we are proud to call our daughter!  One of the words I often hear people use to describe her is "versatile."  That she is... and as I reflect on the last year there are other words that come to mind...

Like brave and willing to try new things...this year at the last minute, Madison decided to try out for basketball.  She did not know any of the 20 girls at the try-out but she boldly went in and gave it her all.  The result?  Making the JV team and a new group of friends and experiences!  The smile on her face that first game was contagious...

Madison is always ready for a game of football or soccer with the guys if that is what is going on at the moment.  She is not only a body - but an asset to the team!  

Even though she loves the intense and fast paced sports, Madison is still enjoying working on her aerial pieces and delights in the performances.  Like in her other activities - part of what makes aerial fun is being in class with a good friend from church...sharing life experiences with friends/family is important to her.

Madison is a gifted cook/baker.  Since she has become independent in the kitchen I no longer am the one baking the cupcakes/cookies/cakes in the house - especially for special occasions!  She loves hospitality and is ALWAYS up for us having guests and pitches in.  She is also the ultimate party planner - throwing awesome parties for her siblings and now getting involved in planning and executing special parties at church.

Baby shower at church....

Jonathan's 6th birthday party...

This is Madison's second year in Classical Conversations.  We have seen such encouraging growth in her self-discipline and studies.  She enjoys most of her subjects and especially shines on independent projects.  

Madison's final geography masterpiece in May...

Madison loves to serve at church and at Hope Women's Center - she loves pulling in her friends and now her younger sister to come with her.  It is a privilege for her to be able to serve alongside her peers as well as other godly women who can encourage her.

This summer Madison decided to try her hand at her own business at the Homeschool Convention.  She named it "The Mango Tree" and it was quite lucrative!  While she loved preparing the handmade bracelets and lip balm and selling them - she is not sure she liked having to stay at her booth the entire two days!  Too much else to miss out on!  Great experience either way....

In February it was a dream come true for Madison and I to visit Oregon where our life long friends now live.  What an absolute joy to be with them and watch their friendship continue even over the miles. Friends are never replaced and always missed - and treasured at the same time.  I appreciate how Madison has learned to live in the moment and embrace and love those she is with!

The bookclub we began several years ago is still going.  The group changes from year to year due to families moving, etc. but hosting our month is always a highlight for Madison to plan and enjoy.  It is a lovely group of ladies...

 Family time is also another favorite of Madison's.  She never complains about visiting family and does a great job relating to whatever age she is with.  She loves her cousins on both sides so much!

Versatile, capable, independent, opinionated, hospitable, positive, joyful - that is the girl that the Lord has given us! Yes she has her disappointments and struggles but it is usually Madison who is telling her mother to not worry, "it will be fine..." or to look at the positive side of something.  Makes it all the more remarkable that when she was born, this was the scripture we picked for her - not knowing at all what her personality or life would be....

"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

 Happy Birthday, dear Madison - you are inspiring and a joy for us!

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