My Father's Daughter

  Today I want to attest to the fact that I am my Father's daughter. I have always sworn that he was the best fire builder in. the. whole. wide-WORLD! During my childhood I have fond memories of enjoying the blessings of many a fire made by his hand. Early in the mornings in the winter, nightime in front of the television as a family, and occassional marshmallow roasting.

                                 (Picture from my baby book. I remember this night sitting on the hearth by

                                                              the fire, although you cannot see the fire behind me.)

And now I am proud to say that this legacy lives on in me. How can I prove it, you ask?

 How many people do you know of that can build a blazing fire in the POURING RAIN?! 

*Wink*

Love You Dad!

When your First born Graduates

It's a sobering thought when your first child graduates from High School and you realize how fast time passes you by. It's difficult to believe how quickly those precious moments pass, putting things into a completely different perspective. For us, this reality came last Thursday the 7th of June as we watched Bryon's graduating class' ceremony.

 It was very well done. The best and most enjoyable graduation I have ever attended, (Steve even took a book expecting to be bored, only to never crack it open. It was that captivating. Sincerely. The couple pictures I got of speaker and performer are so blurry, they arn't worth sharing, and other performances were so enjoyable I completely forgot to take any pictures at all! *bummer.) and obvious how prepared these youth are academically to move on.



                                (Bryon is on the 3rd row, 4th from the left, sitting between his 2 best friends.)

( Bryon's AP Lit. class recited a poem with accompaniment from the guitar, far left. They did it in sections, Bryon's being the last row. He is the first one on the far left.) 

 The funny thing is, I didn't bawl my head off like I did on his baptism day. That day was a defining moment for me, where I doubted if we had done all we were supposed to do to prepare him for the important coventants he was making. No, I didn't feel that same weight of responsibility as I watched him walk across that stage. I think it's because I knew that he had prepared well all these years for this moment, to take the next step and move on.

 His efforts throughout the years have been demonstrated in his grades and achievements. This year he recieved the award for AP Chemistry Student of the Year. He graduated with honors and is a great example of hard work and prioritizing.

Yeah... he's ready, and he's earned his way  through...

being a good example to all his younger brothers and sisters...

Blessing his parents with his desire to do well,

 Making good choices,

and choosing good friends.

                                                                                        We are grateful to call him our son.

                Here's to the beginning of a bright and promising future!

Sunday fun!

Sunday afternoon Jeremy and Michael were helping me in the kitchen. After they helped, they began playing on the littles toys. It was a riot, here are a couple short videos I just had to share!

Stair Sleepers

If I recall correctly, each one of my seven children have fallen asleep on the stairs once or twice. Amy just did this for the first time.

Funny thing is

                                                        They all seem to be comfortable.

 Either they are so tired they can sleep just anywhere, or

             the stairs are truly more comfortable than they look like they'd be. Either way...

(photo of me taken  from my baby book)

It must be hereditary!