The end of January

Not sure where this month went but I am sure that it brought some wonderful things. My beautiful daughter turned 16. My beautiful future daughter in law came for a visit. My 17yo son got his license and made it home on his first night driving in the worst weather we have had yet.(black ice)
I have had some GREAT school weeks with C and have seen him progressing wonderfully. He also started cub scouts and is loving it so far. I have taken the position as leader for his age.
Ju knows most of his letter sounds and I didn't even teach him.
My 20yo, J started a new job that he actually likes and is right up his alley, it's a movie/game store.
My dh has been busy working and the business is flourishing.
God has been amazing to our family. How could I even look at our lives and not think how blessed I am?
How could anyone exist and not know there is a God? How could you think that in intricate person was just some random accident, freak of nature? We are not some random evolved accident. We are a being created in God's image. We are special. No other things God created were in His image. We did not evolve from sludge. The world is not millions/billions of years old. If you are searching for answers on this subject no one can give you better answers than Answers In Genesis. If you are wondering or have questions please take the time to look them up.

Ok not sure how my blessing post got to a post about creation but it is all about God anyway.
Thank you God for my amazing month. I am blessed.

16 years ago today

I was holding my first and only (so far) girl. She was so cute and chubby. She had dark hair and chubby cheeks. She was 3 weeks early and weighed 9lb 3oz. I cried when they said it's a girl. I didn't know what she was going to be. I was thrilled. I love my boys, all 4 of them and would not trade them for anything but I just knew she was a boy too but I was surprised.
I remember her older two brothers coming to visit and S who was only 16 months old crawling up in the bed with me. He was still a baby too. He loved her though. He would always be kissing on her and wanting to hold her, J too. We always said if kisses were nickles she would be rich.
I am so blessed to have her in my life. I can't believe she is 16yo already. Where did the time go?
Here is a picture of us from her party yesterday. 

H

A day in the life...

...of the polished Stones. Today brought another chapter in our life, our second born, S, passed his drivers test today and it now a driver. He has owned his own truck since about April but has not had his license yet. Chuck would take him driving in it so he could learn how to drive a stick shift. He is out on the roads by himself tonight. Praying he gets home safely as they are calling for snow and black ice. He is a good driver. It is hard some days to let go though. Sometimes I wonder if I have done my job good enough as a mom and trainer. It's hard to know really. Then there is the whole they are their own person thing so they grow up and make their own decisions and they are not always your decisions but they are not always bad either just different. Which is ok just wondering if I gave them enough tools to be able to make these decisions and to get along in life.
I know this one has a good head on his shoulders praying it stays that way. LOL

Christmas

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year. All my kids were here under one roof that was nice. I think every one loved their gifts.
V, J and myself got Kindles.
S got his usual monopoly game, actually two this year, one was Pirates of the Caribbean.
Little guys got rescue heroes and an art easel. They are thrilled with their rescue heroes.
Here is the annual Christmas Eve pic.
First the nice one

Then the silly one.

 Then the boys in their cute tool gear with daddy.

Merry Christmas everyone. I pray you have a blessed day and don't forget the reason we celebrate. Jesus the Christ.

Good Morning

This past week was such a busy week for us. Two of my children C and V were in the Nutcracker performance so it was a busy week at the theater. You know I love all the backstage chaos that goes on to pull of a performance then it's your turn to go out and watch and it's like you forget all that's going on backstage.
I am hoping now we can slow down and focus more on Advent and the story we reading. It's called Jotham's Journey and you can find it here. There are three in the series and we just rotate every year. I think this is our third or forth time through them.

Things are different this year. J moved out on his own and S is working a lot so it's usually just the little guys and V listening when I read them and of course Daddy unless he falls asleep. With Nutcracker all week I had to read three sections last night so it was a bit longer and he did snore a bit. Not because my reading is boring of course just because he works so hard and was tired. :D

Today I have to reclaim the house that got ignored last week and school which was limited to the basic necessities.

I wish I would blog more

I just can't seem to find the time. Or don't try to.
We started school two weeks ago. It has gone really nice. We are using Heart of Dakota again for C and still loving it.
C is taking violin lesson and starts dance class next Thursday. Oh and don't forget he is playing soccer too which Chuck will coach again.
V is in Chicago for this year working at IBLP. She is loving it. We miss her a lot. She is going to be home for over a month around Thanksgiving. That will be wonderful and I know the little guys will enjoy it.
S is working at a grocery store. He seems to like it.
J moved out two months ago. It is weird here with two of my older children gone. He is also engaged in case I left that out of my former posts. She lives in MI and he is visiting her now.
Chuck is just busy with our sign business. Which is good since it pays the bills.
Well hopefully I will find more time to blog this year but I am not counting on it.

Birthday Cakes

Today is the twins 1st birthday. I did their individual cakes. Here are pictures. I just can't believe they are 1 already. They have grown so quickly. It just seems like yesterday that they were born so tiny and perfect.
Happy Birthday P and L, aunt Kim loves you.