I don't want to forget....

Love these kids! I used to dread getting a decent picture but it is getting a little easier now that EJ is almost 4. EK is still hit or miss but at least she didn't cry. She is such a beautiful girl that I keep taking pictures until I have a good one of all 4. The other 3 have learned to be patient. :) And I'm not above bribing... EJ (3), AK (7), EK (12) and AC (11)

So, I have neglected this blog for months. I haven't found a way to upload pictures from my phone to this site easily and life is so much busier as the kids get older. People told me it was going to be true but I'm not sure I believed them. Now, I get it. EK is in 6th grade this year and enjoying it. I like her teachers and there are some really sweet friends in her class. She is happy and cared for. My expectations have changed a little over the years. While I would love for her to make progress (and she does a few things there at school that she doesn't do here at home), I know she loves being around friends and having the routine and structure that she has there. It also allows me to homeschool AC and AK. I couldn't do that if EK were home full-time.  AC is halfway through 5th grade! SO hard to believe. She is still taking piano lessons, participating in Bible Drill, GA's and kid's choir at church. She also gets to do Route 56 on Sunday evenings now. ...

Wow!! I can't believe I haven't posted here since January. To say the past few months have been busy is an understatement. Keeping up with four kids and a husband, homeschooling 2 of the kids, trying to keep my home presentable and stocked with food, running errands, etc....it's full. Never quite enough time to get everything done. We are almost done with our school year and I'm so ready for summer! I have lots of plans to organize and projects around the house but also having fun! We'll go to the farm a few times times this summer too. Keith has planted several different fruits and veggies in our garden. We'll see what we harvest in a few months. Texas is getting warm. It'll be time to swim soon! Here are some pictures from the past 2 months.

We had a family party in January for EJ's birthday. She was talking about a party for weeks and how it had to be Paw Patrol. :) We also sang to EK since her birthday is a few weeks before EJ's. Cannot believe EJ is three. She's growing up so much. She loves preschool and seeing her friends. She's a quick learner and her attention span is getting longer every day. It was hard to get much schoolwork done with her around this fall. Since Christmas break, it's gone much better. She's spunky and opinionated, loves her family dearly, has a great laugh, loves to eat and is growing like a weed. 

Ack!! It happened again. EK is a year older and it's our last year before she becomes a teenager. That is so, so crazy to think about and I try not to think about it much b/c it stresses me out. Anyway, we had a little family party Tuesday evening. She thought it was so funny that we were singing to her and gave her a chocolate cupcake with candles. EJ helped blow out the candles. :)  She got some cute clothes and I found this chalkboard to hang in her room. I thought this verse was a great one to write for now. EK is fearfully and wonderfully made by God. While I would do anything to help make her life a little easier, we love her and are thankful for the things she's taught us. She's got a great smile and her giggles melt my heart. I love to tickle her and get belly laughs! Happy Birthday sweet girl! We love you so much!!

Christmas was a great time of celebrating the birth of Jesus and being with family. We had Keith's parents over for breakfast Christmas morning and then went to my parents that evening for dinner. A FULL day but still time for resting and playing.  Pure joy over a new Adventures in Odyssey. Pretty sure she listened to it all the next day. :)  EK looks puzzled here but she LOVES her fuzzy horse blanket. :) We always joke about how quiet Christmases were at my parents house when Keith and I were first married. Now there ar 9 grandkids ranging from 11 to 2. It gets crazy fast! My youngest brother got engaged a few days after Christmas and they are getting married in June. Excited to add another sister-in-law. She's really sweet and my kids love her!