Matt's 21st Birthday

I literally held back tears as I posted this picture... I remember when Matt was just a little boy running around, riding his bike, playing with legos, enjoying his lightsabers, and enjoying making rice krispy treats with me. He used to talk to me all the time, and I so enjoyed him from the moment he was born. He has always made me laugh, and his infectious smile would brighten up my most dreary days. But now, here he is, a young man. Moving out in a couple weeks to finish up college in Baltimore.

I distinctly remember when he was little and was always in my sight, and I always knew where he was, I would say to Danny, "I can't imagine letting him out of my sight to ride his bike down the street", and now I am going to have to let him out of my sight to leave home...

I remember this sweet little boy like it was yesterday!

And now... he is 21!!!

I arranged to have this huge card put in the yard today - what fun! All day long cars were driving slowly by, stopping, and backing up to read this.

Matt spent his day shopping for his iphone, and going out to lunch with Sherry. We went out to dinner at Rio Grande for dinner as a family. I cannot tell you what a blessing it was to have my son turning 21, and rather than be out with friends he chose to be with us - the people who love him most in the world.

I really can't tell you how much I love this young man, and how much I am going to miss him when he leaves. I have been preparing my heart for years for this, and yet I am not prepared at all. I know that when his bedroom is empty of his presence and I don't hear him coming home at night or see him going off to school or work, I am going to have a huge, empty place in my heart. But I am sooooo proud of my young Matt!! Happy Birthday son!!! Thank you for celebrating it with us!!

Bunnies and a Birthday

We have had the joy over the last three weeks of seeing four adorable bunnies being born and now growing up!! Hannah bred one of her bunnies for the first time, and about three weeks ago Ella gave birth to six babies - four survived. It has been such a delightful three weeks watching them grow... and Hannah and Ryan are so enjoying getting them out of the cage and holding and snuggling them. Hannah has also had new subject material for her photography!!

Slipped in there was my birthday - thank you to Hannah for my beautiful cake that you made, to mom and dad for the gorgeous flower arrangement (my favorite color theme purple!) and to Danny and the boys also for the wonderful and thoughtful gifts I received! Ryan and Jacob wouldn't allow me to do ANYTHING that day that I didn't want to do - what sweethearts! Matt even got off work early to join us in a family dinner out!

I am TRULY blessed to be loved so much by my wonderful family... the biggest blessing in my life is the privilige to love and serve each and every one of them. I don't say this as a cliche, but I really do find my greatest joy in loving and serving my husband and children - I cannot believe sometimes that I get to be Danny's wife and I get to homeschool and love these four special children. I know that at the end of my days I shall have countless regrets, but one thing I know I shall not regret is pouring my entire heart and life into my children, homeschooling them, and loving them more than I ever thought it possible to love another person. I have so many faults and have made so many mistakes, but my children KNOW that they are loved. They know I am FOR them. They know I shall ALWAYS be on their side to encourage them, pray for them, and be their biggest fans. By God's grace I will endeavor to fill their life with love and encouragement all the rest of the days that God has ordained for me to be in this world.

I love you Matt, Jacob, Hannah, Ryan and of course, Danny...

Fourth of July

Fireworks...

Crabs...

Ribs and corn by the pool...

Enjoying baby bunnies...

Beautiful daughter.

Flaming chicken anyone??

Last week Matt came home with a wonderful recipe he wanted to try, something he learned from someone at work. Bear in mind that Matt is not really someone who cooks much, in fact he has just started to learn how to grill this summer and grills chicken quite well, but he really isn't an experienced cook or grill chef or anything. Really. But he came home one night to make the famous beer can chicken, and had some wonderful dry rub to put on it, it was absolutely delicious! Ryan tasted it and said it was the best chicken he had ever eaten! We decided we just might not let him move out in August to live nearer college! It was really, truly delicious.

Part two. A couple days later we got an unexpected visit from my brother. We decided that maybe it would be nice to have some more of that delicious chicken! So this time, my oh-so-experienced chef/husband decided to make it. I explained to him how Matt had done it, but apparently not well enough. We were in the kitchen anticipating another juicy chicken for dinner when we saw smoke coming out of the grill...

Let's just say that Matt will NEVER let Danny live this one down. Rookie chef makes fabulous, mouth-watering chicken, and Danny, well... he didn't.

Summer Days

This morning Hannah and I had to be in Virginia, so we tried to avoid traffic and took a more scenic route down some beautiful roads. Along the way we saw so many little fresh produce stands with fresh picked melons, corn, berries, onions, etc. We just couldn't resist stopping and getting some for the holiday weekend. Hannah took some beautiful pictures - maybe she has a future in food photography?!?

This is the best my hydrangeas have ever looked. I love the variety in colors.

Ryan enjoying the pool, sipping on a pina colada while relaxing...

The pool and hot tub are in competition this summer for which one gets more use!

While the boys swam, Hannah and I sat by the poolside working on projects. I was looking at homeschool stuff and Hannah was working on a painting she is doing... It was the first beautiful, sunny but low humidity day we had all summer. If only every day of summer could be like this one...

Catching up June

I got so behind posting little happenings and just lovely shots around the yard for the month of June that I am just going to put random pictures together in one big post! These are some things we just don't want to forget in the years to come...

Jacob's last art project for the year 2010 - a lovely watercolor landscape

Flowers in the front entry

Our "water fountain turned planter" full of sweet little blooms

Danny finally, after hours of shopping around and making phone calls, found the right product to seal and color boost our deck! It looks so much better now, and will be stain resistant (at least the part that's finished! haha) That's okay dear, I know that you will finish it some day!!

Beautiful red rose bush that has followed us around in each of the last three homes we lived in. I shall never be able to part with this bush!

Flower arrangements and favors made for the last Pastor's College

Ladies Day Out

Danny brought home this fun machine from work so that he could get some jobs done around the house. Well, the boys have claimed it as their vehicle to shoot their airsoft guns from. Ryan set targets up all over the yard and they drive around and shoot at them. What a blast! Makes us wish we had 20 acres and ATV's for the boys to get out and roam in!

Danny and Hannah's Special Night

Recently Danny and Hannah went out to a very special dinner at Dutch's Daughter (the best seafood restaurant for miles) and then went to a movie. They both love these special times... I couldn't resist getting some shots of them out by the beautiful hydrangea's that match Hannah's dress and Danny's eyes!!

I love this sweet smile of Hannah's... it is one of my favorite things about her, that sweet and gentle, loving smile.