Sarah Katherine

Happy Birthday Sarah! You are such a precious little girl to your daddy and me. I praise God for creating you on this day 6 years ago. I know He has such big plans for you! I can only imagine what He will have you do with the huge amount of wisdom He has given you. One of my most recent favorite memories is when I came into your room one night to tuck you in and I found you reading your Bible ( you do this a lot all on your own). You said, "Mom, this is sooo good!" You then proceeded to read all of Psalm 1 to me. As I turned off the lights and laid down with your sister you said, "Mom, I feel like the Word is in my throat." You have a deep well within you my girl!

Here is the letter I sent with you to school on your special day! I hope you know how crazy we all are about you!

Happy Birthday Sarah!!

I am so thankful to God for creating you! He made you so perfectly for our family. I love how He made your heart desire and love His Word. I love how he gave you big, beautiful brown eyes and brown hair. I love you nose and your fun laugh. I love that your mind is full of so much wisdom for a little girl. I love that you are brave and sweet all at the same time. I love to hear your voice when you are singing praises to Jesus…nice and loud! J I love that God made you a graceful dancer and a fast runner. I love that you are such a great sister to your brothers and sisters. I love you…just for being you!

First Day of School 2009

We started school last Tuesday at Coram Deo Academy. This is our 2nd year to attend this school and while the academics are rigorous, the spirit and heart of the school is so wonderful! It was so fun to see whole families in the hallways snapping pictures and baby brothers hugging big brothers goodbye for the day.

This year is Sarah's first year to attend school. She started 1st grade and so far absolutely loves it although she says it is really easy. Sarah is my 5 year old who reads like a woman! So even though sounding out "no" and "on" are not really fun for her she loves being there. Joseph is in 4th grade this year and Hannah is in 6th. So far both have seemed to adjust well and are having fun seeing friends from last year.

I can't believe how fast time goes. It seems like just yesterday I was homeschooling my little 4 and 2 year old. It makes me feel all happy and sad at the same time! Watching them grow into awesome young women and men is amazing and yet I still want them to be little enough that I can rock them and snuggle their cute chubbiness. Oh, Lord I pray that you would help me to remember special moments with each one of them. Etch them in my memory forever.....

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

Last night as Hannah prepared for her first day of school, John was helping her with a History vocabulary assignment. They were discussing all the different disciplines relating to History including Archaeology and Anthropology with 20 other similar words. Most of these words she was not very familiar with but she lit up when we got to Anthropology because she knew that word.

Hannah: "Well I KNOW that is a clothing store. That must have something to do with studying people's clothing?"

To which Daddy responded, "You really are Nicole's daughter."

That's my girl! :)

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

Me: "John, did you eat chocolate?"

Joseph and John's Birthday

I am so blessed to have two amazing sons! Even though they are 6 years apart, they get along so well and really do love each other a ton. I believe it is because Joseph prayed so long for a little brother. Three years to be exact! Then two days after his own birthday in 2006, John was born. He is so kind and takes such good care of his little brother. He even lets him scratch the back of his arm at night to go to sleep! J

This year, Joseph turned 9 on June 7^th and John Alexander turned 3 on June 9^th. It is fun having them this close because we celebrate them together. Joseph got to share the morning with Grandpa Jesse whose birthday is on the 5^th. We then had a party and opened a ton of presents. The next day John took Joseph and his two buds to Jump Zone and they all had so much fun. We are praising God for sending some good friends that have great families! Then on the 9^th, we had a birthday breakfast for John and a small family party that evening with presents and gifts. He was totally excited opening each gift! Please don’t judge me on his cake…there is only so much I could do with a gluten/dairy free cake! It looked pitiful!

Joseph, I see such a depth and maturity in you. You long to hear God’s voice and ask all the time what His plan is for you. You are wise with your money (you have over $400 in your bank) and very frugal. I am sure you will be a great businessman! Your heart is so tender and you never want to hurt someone or disappoint. You still love animals and like playing with them and learning all sorts of interesting facts about them. I am so glad you love me and still hug me!! I love to watch you dance (wow…you are really good!) and have fun with your family. You are one cool kid!

John Alexander, you are definitely a happy little boy! You love to hug and also scratch the back of anyone’s arm that will let you…it’s how you go to sleep. I love when you walk up to me and say, “You’re pwetty Momma” or “I love you Mom. You are a special Mom.” It just melts my ever-living heart to hear you say that!! You are a rough and tumble kid and like to wrestle and jump off anything. You also love to sing. Your favorites right now is “You are My Sunshine” and “Come Rain or Shine” by Danny Gokey and “Jesus Take the Wheel.” You like to play animals with your siblings and your color really well.

I love you my two mighty warriors of God! He has huge plans for your life! You boys are called to great things and I look forward to Him unfolding His plan for you!