My little Stephen was born on March 11th, Spring Ahead (Day Light Savings Time Change) day! I am so grateful for him! Whose kidding, I am so grateful for each one of my little ones - EVEN when they aren't so little any more! They are still my little ones and I adore them!
I struggle with what and how much to share online, but I note that I haven't posted here in several months. I write here to share with my family the joys and adventures of our life! I am so grateful for time together! As I homeschool and spend days sitting at the kitchen table, with math books, spelling books, handwriting, and reading books spread everywhere, some days I wonder why I bother! It seems some days I don't move from that wooden chair, and yet, as I look back over the years, and watch as each one grows and takes flight, I am soooo grateful for those days spent beside them, reading, counting, quizzing them, listening to their piano improvements, and even their requests to have "20 minutes outside!" :) They are each so precious! I am grateful for minutes that add up to a lifetime of LOVE!
So many tender mercies! Laus Deo! New little ones, trips home by L to be together! Family gathered around, waiting, and finally celebrating Springing ahead to new levels of spirituality, love, and commitment as we welcome little Stephen into our lives!
Pictures seem to capture memories quickly and so I will post a few here, hoping they will help tell the abundant stories of the past few months I have failed to record here. Each day is abundant with love, laughter, memories and binding moments for which I am so grateful! From Jr. Prom for C
to BYU-I experiences for L. Little S growing so quickly and becoming so independent! She turned 18 months in February! Wow! She is such a Joy! S has taken off in gymnastics, moving up to be in the same class with B. They have only one other girl in their class, enjoying nearly private lessons. They have loved learning and growing together! Stretching and daring to try new tricks - back walk overs, the splits, just to name a few! Daily they have a new goal and strive to become better!
When we were choosing the new name for little W.S. the kids all said it couldn't be another S name because we already had too many S's! :) I can see that I am going to have to change how I refer to them here so they know when I am talking about them! Middle initials on the boys will help, but that's not an option for the girls. It will have to be little S and S to distinguish there. They are each so precious!
SC has taken off with Lego Mindstorms. He is so creative and good with figuring out how to make things work! He is such a hard worker, always seeing what he can do to help especially outside in the yard, and in the mechanical needs of the family! I wish I could say he sees when his room needed cleaning, but watch out if your bike needs repairing, or the yard needs help, or there is a job needed at the horses; he is all over it until it's taken care of!
He turned 12 on March 1oth, and received the Aaronic Priesthood.
He looks great in his new suit, and was sooo excited to pass the Sacrament! I am so grateful he is worthy and willing to serve in whatever way he can!
Just yesterday a neighbor called and said he was "stuck." This good gentleman is in a wheelchair, and when SC heard he was "stuck" he immediately dropped what he was doing and jumped on his bike to go help! He reported that the gentleman wasn't really stuck when he got there, but that he needed help in his yard, and SC spent the next couple hours there helping him plant his garden! What a good kid! SC got a phone for his birthday, and I am so grateful that he is mature and willing to be helping with projects like this! I am grateful that a phone gives him a way to communicate with me where he is, and gives him the freedom and ability to spread his wings and fly a bit further than I would feel comfortable if he couldn't check in! I am grateful for modern technology even with it's challenges! I hope my young people use technology wisely! I hope I do too!
B is growing quickly! She is beautiful and smart! She does her schoolwork easily and quickly, and is so helpful with little S and W.S.! Thanks B! She loves the horses, and has cut out pictures from old calendars and posted them around her room. When L left for BYU-I I questioned if we could gift the horses to someone else, but B has let it be known that she would be so sad! She is very good at working hard to get her chores and schoolwork done so she can go to the horses and work cleaning stalls, letting the horses out and riding and getting them exercising! I am grateful for those commitments and her ability to see their needs! I believe that it helps her see outside herself! She is beautiful and I am so grateful to be her Mom!
I better post some pictures here, and get a little rest before WS is up again and the sun rises! Always so much to do! :)
