My Sweet "A"

"A" made this moving card for me on her ipad. I love it. It is upside down here unfortunately. "A" is is sweet and since she was a little girl she has always been different (in a good way.) She is a bird of a different feather and marches to the beat of her own drum. I love that she is comfortable with who she is!!

"A's" June 2016 Recital

Above the littles are coloring on the stairs during the recital. They did a fantastic job!! They are learning! The week before the went to a senior flute recital! Praise the Lord for maturing:-)

 We have been so blessed here with the piano teacher "A" has. "A" does spend a lot of time practicing but there is NO DOUBT that her teacher Mrs. B is instrumental in what she has learned and gleaned. "A", I think I  have mentioned before on here, responds to her as an athlete does a loved coach. Not only has she taught "A" alot but she has been a huge source of encouragement. She is the real deal of a Christian. Honestly, I could go on and on about her. She is way up on my list of people I revere highly. I pray for God's blessing to be upon her and her family.

"A" playing her piano . . .

Thank you Lord for all your blessings . . . 

for beautiful music, an excellent teacher, and a hard working kiddo.

Ninja Certification

 Big sister "A" has worked with little "J" on becoming a "ninja". She used a vest we had purchased from the dollar store and when he would complete a "ninja" task she would make him a felt badge and put it on his vest. Oh boy did he like this! He also got items like the dollar store toy knife on his wrist after completing tasks. Tasks included such things as walking up the stairs quietly, sneaking up on mommy and giving her a hug without me turning to see him coming, staying in his bed at nap times or night night 3 times (that is a big task but he made it!), etc. She made the above certificate for him on the computer as having successfully completed jr. ninja training. What a special memory for the 2 of them to have as the years go by.

In the above picture she used painters tape to put the big N on his outfit and below she made his hat.

Christmas

"A" LOVES LOVES sign language now! Will be exciting to see if she can continue to grow in her knowledge of that. G is progressing in Latina and modern Hebrew. Here he is singing in Latin. Fun to see their interests!!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Late!)

"A" turns 12 (November 5th)

 It is very hard to believe that "A" is now 12 years old!! All of a sudden my life seems to be speeding up and I see my oldest kiddos growing up. "A" almost 2 years ago now went through a very tough surgery that I have been told is one of the 2 most painful surgeries there are. She was having a birth defect corrected. That surgery was very rough not only for her but for her mommy. I will NEVER forget when she was waking up from the surgery in EXTREME pain and scared about her breathing and helping her through that first night. Something I never want to relive but I wouldn't change it in the world that I could be there for her and remind her of her Heavenly Father's care. I know that experience is all part of her Heavenly Father's plan for her and her ministry for Him.

"A"is a very humble girl that never draws attention to her accomplishments. I am so thankful for her. She is truly a gem from above.

 R got her a speaker for her ipad from the $5 store and she loved that!

 Big brother G gave her a HUGE package of NERDS 

for which she was very happy with.

We got her leather teepee boots which are basically a moccasin.

"A" loves indian items. We also got her a necklace that says "radiant" and 

the place that sold it said that it was to remind people that all that look to Him (God)

will live radiantly. I thought that would be a great reminder.

She really enjoyed her birthday which basically was celebrated 3 days. Thursday of her birthday her Jr. High girls Bible study in the neighborhood celebrated with brownies and ice cream, Friday our family celebrated, Saturday Daddy took her out for a steak dinner. She loved it all!

"A" hymn playing

"A" has been getting ready for a Hymn playing competition here coming up and this is one of the songs she is going to play. She picked this song long ago before she knew about the competition to start working on knowing that her Mommy liked it!:-) It is such a blessing to listen to her play. I thank God for a teacher that is so good and so giving of her time! She is such a sweet kind lady. She is playing "Holy, Holy, Holy" in this selection.

Happy Hands Ministry

 A and R were apart of our church's Happy Hands Ministry this fall. They had a BLAST last night at the Cr*s*s Pregn*ncy fund raising dinner getting to perform sign language to the song "Speak Life" by Toby Mac. R said "I will never forget this". A found she LOVES sign language and really wishes she could continue.

The song was perfect for the ministry. When people speak Christ's love to hurting people it is LIFE.
Unfortunately, how often does love get spoken to hurting people? Thankful that there are ministries that do just that.

What if we all spoke more of Christ's love not our own thoughts and opinions?

 Daddy trying to keep little ones happy during a waiting time for rehearsal.

The venue was beautiful. There was about 1,000 people there.

Pure. Truth Conference

Weeks ago I was telling the kids about a pastor I had growing up and how he was such a good pastor and so humble. Weeks after that conversation our church was advertising a conference coming up at our church for our youth group. The speaker for the conference was my former pastors son! How cool is that! The kids went and had a great time! They REALLY enjoyed how things were taught and could not say enough good about the speaker. He reminded G of his Grandpa J!

A learning new things . .

"A" started a class at church learning sign language for songs so they can perform as a ministry at an event this month. She has worked hard and was picked for a small "solo". She has found she REALLY enjoys sign language A LOT and wants to continue learning it! We'll see if that happens. May it someday be used for God's glory!

Sounds Nice

Such a Beautiful Song to listen to . . .

This is one of the songs "A" has been practicing. I really enjoy hearing her practice.

Ballade

Some of the music that fills my ears of late. So exciting to hear the music she works so hard at and makes me grateful for an amazing piano teacher. May "A" use whatever talent the Lord gives her for His honor and glory. I pray for her as she practices and that is one of the things I pray for.

Last night she got to go to listen to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra with her piano teacher and other students. She had a WONDERFUL time and was SOOO impressed by the guest violinist. She road with one family there and their dad plays the cello in the orchestra. I was so glad she had such a fun time out and was able to get the experience.

Poem From "A"

"A" bought me a cute $3 bracelet for me to wear at my brother's wedding on New Year's day and it really is beautiful and great for my dress. She bought Daddy some warmers for his gloves for when he is in Germany. She also wrote a cute poem for Daddy and Mommy.

Here is her poem:

Up have we our Christmas tree

and a star on top.

But get not caught completely up in the 

Christmas flow and pop.

For long ago a Saviour was born 

for all the world to see.

He lay in a manger and died on a cross 

for you and for me.

Now think this Christmas season 

about what the Lord has done,

For this world we live in was no better than dung!

-By My Biggest Girl:-)

Winter Wedding Gifts

 Working on a snow globe for Uncle B's wedding on January 1st!

Mistakes were made and lessons learned on what order to do things!

We learned how much glycerin to use after experimenting some!

It doesn't take much.

 I really helped a lot with C and R as trying to get hot glue on and move quickly

is hard but glitter time is fun!!

 "A" found this wedding couple at Walmart for about $2!

And the the bride is wearing white boots just like Aunt J is going to do!!

 Here is all three snow globes. R's is the one on the left, A the center, and C the right which is kids playing in the snow and one making a snow angel.

 R was quite pleased with the wedding gift outcome!

A's Piano Recital

 This picture shows the difference in the twins personalities. 

Baby C is serious and Baby B 

about fun.

It was fun going to "A"'s Christmas piano recital. "A" did a great job and we enjoyed hearing the pieces of the other students. The girls made it for a little bit and then G ended up in the back with them and then eventually Daddy came back to reinforce.

The duet above she played with her teacher who is an absolutely lovely, kind, Christian lady. She has been a blessing to us.

Fun To Listen To Christmas In the Air!!

G says when he hears "A" practicing Christmas music he feels like going to sleep. It is relaxing!
She is still learning these songs but I thought I would post them. These are some of the sweet sounds that ring through our home right now.

"What My Mom and I Look For When We Look for a House"-By (my daughter)

When my mom and I look for a house we have a great time. We usually eat out, sleep in a hotel, and drive around. When we go see a house we look for a place to play, a place for storage, and how far it is from places we need to go. Even though what we feel about a house does matter; what God says matters even more. So, we pray about it to make the best decision possible. When God says, "That's it" we tell every body at home and we move in! And that is how my mom and I look for a house.

"A" had to write a paragraph today and the above was the paragraph.

Parenting is the hardest job I have ever had in my life. As my older children get older I see how important it is for them to be rooted and grounded in the Bible. It must be their anchor for security and their scale for weighing right and wrong. I have much more work to do in letting my time with them be used more in rooting and grounding their faith.  It is so easy to let time slip through my hands. I am so thankful for A's tender heart & her relationship with Christ. J was with her during her personal devotional time tonight and she was teaching him about pharoah and how he said "NO" when asked if the people could go.

"A" has worked hard at her writing and has grown in her ability. She wrote a wonderful book report on Billy Sunday last week that was fun to read!! I feel so blessed by having my children in my life. They are a tremendous blessing to my days.

Daddy/Daughter Birthday Date

Daddy and "A" enjoy going out for steak eating dates. Last night in celebration of her 11th birthday they went out for steak but as an added treat she also got octopus which she thought was just great. She was especially happy with the fact that she ate a suction cup off the octopus.:-/ They had a great time as usual!!