A new beginning...

Shame on me!  It's been 4 years since I've posted on this blog, and I SO regret stopping. Between Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I got really side-tracked and failed to keep up with my blogging.  I'm sad that I let so much time and so many memories fade away without blogging about them, but I can't let it get to me.  I will just continue where I left off, and will try to be faithful in posting.  

So much has happened though in these four years.  My son graduated high school (homeschool), got accepted to LeTourneau University where he's majoring in Aviation Maintenance, and is now a Junior!  My daughter has grown and matured, now a 9th grader and a beautiful young lady.  My husband got a job transfer, and we uprooted our family after living in CT our whole lives, and moved here to KY.  Hands down, one of the best things we've done.  We love it here, but are still trying to adjust to a new life where we didn't have family and/or friends!  It's taking time, but we're getting there!  We also lost our beloved dog, Cody, just last month.  He wasn't even 9 years old, but his body failed him and we had to make the loving choice to put him down after being so very sick for several months.  It was the hardest decision we've had to make, but we know did the right thing for him!  Our hearts are broken, but we have fond memories of him.  He will always be a part of who we are.

Saying 'goodbye' to my beloved pup.  Hands down, the best dog EVER!

Man's best friend.

So, now I sit here at my computer after all these changes, and think how life just slips by us when we're not looking.  Last I looked, my kids were little and we were just beginning our homeschooling journey. 

My advice for today?  Don't blink!! 

Time goes by quicker, the older you get.  In just 2 months, I will be 50.  Not sure if I should look at it as an accomplishment, or as something to be depressed about.   All I know, is that mentally I don't 'feel' like I'm almost 50.  Physically, well that's another story.  Ha ha!  All I know is that through all of life's ups and downs, God has never ever left us!  He has been with us all along our journey, and although at times we forget that He's there, He is faithful and will never walk away.  I have learned over time to pray more, trust Him more and spend time with people and things that truly matter in life.  I'm different now than I was 4 years ago, but in a very GOOD way.  My heart is lighter, I love more, laugh more and just feel so much closer to the Lord than ever before...because without Him, I am NOTHING!!   

Until tomorrow...

Slo-Mo

Such a great commercial for someone who loves both dogs and photography.....me!!

2009 - Year in Review

2009 is over already!! Where did the time go?!? Compared to last year, this year was pretty calm.

The beginning of the year kept us busy as we dealt with the stresses of trying to sell our home in this very tough market! Towards the end of summer...just after our move, things calmed down and we were finally able to relax and simply enjoy life.

Here are some photos - our year in review....

January:
We watched as our new house was being built...only we had no idea this would be our home one day! We had a deposit on a house 2 doors down at the time. God had other plans and this house turned out to be SO much better!!!


Lionel continued with his violin lessons...


Sweet-Pea continued with her figure skating...



February:
Lionel's quiz team had their mid-winter competition.


We had a fun homeschool field trip to the bakery for Valentine's Day!


Valentine's Day flowers from Rob...gorgeous roses, my favorite!


March:
Cody got a serious infection after being groomed, but his medication helped him heal quickly.


Lionel turned 14!!


The serious packing began and we were ready for our big move!


Soon after most of the house was packed and ready to move...the deal fell through and we lost our buyers. We also lost this home we were going to buy...but in the long run it was a HUGE blessing for so many reasons!



April:
Daddy's birthday:


Decorating Easter eggs:


Lionel's quiz team finals where they placed 2nd overall:


Sweet-Pea visited a local equestrian center in preparation for her science fair project:



May:
Enjoying spring!!


Our homeschool group had it's annual fair. This year it was a Science fair. Here is Lionel with his completed project on "Jet Propulsion".


Sweet-Pea posing with her completed science fair project on "Horses", all set up for the fair. Gotta love the horse tails (in yarn) on the edge of the table!


Rob and I got married 15 years ago this month in our home church:



June:
Our home officially sold! Finally our buyers pulled through and we were able to close on June 30th, three months after our original closing date was set!


We found out that there was a skunk family living under our shed...8 of them! Fortunately we didn't have to deal with them for long since we moved out at the end of the month. They sure were cute though!


Father's Day with Daddy sporting his new vintage car shirt:



July:
Moving day!! Could they pack it any tighter?? Yikes!


Our new home...such a blessing from the Lord!!!


Sweet-Pea's 8th birthday. Here she is with all her friends:


Fun family outing to a local Civil War fort:



August:
I got an awesome surprise gift from Rob:


School began on August 3rd. Sometimes we had school inside in our schoolroom...


Sometimes we had school outside...


Sweet-Pea got her ears pierced...a belated birthday gift:



September:
Our homeschool group's first field trip for the new school year. The group keeps on growing...


Lionel spends his 'free time' building balsa model planes...some by himself, and some with Grandpa who taught him how to build them.


Sweet-Pea has been improving quite a bit this year with her figure skating lessons. She has an amazing coach!


Autumn arrived...my favorite time of year:





October:
Riding lessons:


Taking care of the horses together:


Family get-away in northern New England:


Yankee Candle Co. - South Deerfield MA



November:
We went on a homeschool field trip to a local Indian Reservation:


Being silly with friends is always fun!!


We had a great Thanksgiving Day with family this year:


I got new glasses...bifocals...yuk. Guess I'm officially old...especially since I turned 44 this month as well! Here I am sporting them while on a field trip with the kids:



December:
Sweet-Pea's church musical performance was wonderful:


The kids decorated their own tree this year for Christmas:


Christmas 2009 in our new home:


We celebrated my father-in-law's 79th birthday just before the New Year:


So there you have it...a 'quick' year in review. We had a great year overall, and on top of enjoying our family and friends nearby, we were able to reconnect with some pretty great friends and family who live far away thanks to Facebook....even some of you, my faithful readers. God is good and I am so blessed!

I pray that 2010 will be filled with good health, happiness and many wonderful blessings from the Lord!!!