His Grace Multiplied: A little bit of everything news . . .

My beautiful oldest daughter and myself:-)

My serious little "CG"

With these 2 nothing is ever boring. These 2 are the stereotypical brothers with A LOT of rough housing and being each others best friend and best enemy:-) We were in the dentist office in the picture above and they sit in the same chair not by themselves. I wanted to get a picture of them and IMMEDIATELY this is what they do when I ask them to smile. Ahh, the joy of boys.

On the way to the dentist office "R" was dreading telling the dental hygenist about his teeth cleaning. Anyway, the 2 boys were talking about when they got there what to say if it was asked who wanted to go first. It was decided that C would voluntarily say he would go first because R said if he said something it would look like he was afraid :-) then he said "Well, I am afraid.";-) Honesty and brotherly cooperation is a great thing. We got there late . . . it is in a different city and R was so happy because they said they only had time for C but then it got changed and he made it in:-) And funny enough, they thought his teeth cleaning was great! He told me he spent about 20 minutes brushing his teeth in preparation for the appt.

R and C just started swimming lessons up. C amazed me on Saturday when we went to the Y for some additional practice away from class. C started doing head bobs without plugging his nose. HUGE step for this kid. R worked so hard too on swimming and treading water.

I am getting to the point in parenting where I realize that they don't stay little. When I look at the above picture my oldest is not in it. He didn't just not come, he actually loves grocery shopping, but is a very busy kiddo with school. A neighbor said to him "I've never seen you!" He said probably because I study so much (and LOVES that by the way.) Anyway, they just keep growing and finding out the unique ways God made them and what it is they love doing.

These two are a riot.

"A" got a new outfit from Grandma and Grandpa and they wanted to see it on her so she is posing.

"A" stays very busy too. She has a lot of studies and is spending more and more time on

the piano. It is such a joy listening to her practice. We have been blessed beyond measure with

a piano teacher that has made it her mission to be a blessing to our family. And a blessing she is with such a sweet and Christ like spirit and spending A LOT of time coaching "A".

"A" also started back up with swim lessons along with (R and C). She went on Saturday to the Y and practiced and practiced and practiced on diving. She'll get it.

Nothing better than having Daddy home!

Daddy loves it too! He gets bored being away.

By the way, I KNOW I can be thankful I have a husband

that thinks that way.

Busy students. . . J (on left) likes to act like a big kid and is watching a phonics cartoon on sissy's Ipad and C is in school too but probably is just

having fun in this picture. "A" is actually working:-)

When you run on full throttle you have to replenish that energy which he often does on van rides.

Do you see the smile on his face? That smile is my G but the sticking up hair not so much so. We are still trying to figure out his civilian hairstyle. G is a very hard working student and is becoming a good swimmer. He has a tender heart and prays about things. Aside from his studies he is learning a lot about himself this year both the good and the things he needs to work on. That is how life is though and how much better to learn young.

He continues to LOVE his school and everything about it. It is extremely challenging but such a wonderful place to belong too. He holds his teachers and coach (also his mentor) in very high regard. His classmates are kind and everyone gets along which is so nice. He is very small compared to the other kids in his class (maybe with one other exception) which is funny. One time we went to watch him at a timed trials and one of the other kids commented about how little he looked. Of course, they think of him as a BIG brother but next to team mates not so much so!!!