Memories...the good, the bad & the ugly

These next few days will bring back memories I'd rather forget.    

Sept. 25, 2001 marks the date my Mom passed away.
Sept. 27, 2008 marks the date my Dad passed away.  

I guess it's a good thing that every year at this time I get these thoughts all over with in just a few days.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about both of my parents, but I'd rather not remember watching them die.  Mom suffered from cancer for 7 years, Dad from Alzheimer's and Diabetes...not a good combination!

I took this photo not too long before my Mom passed away.  Little did I know it would mean so much to me now.

 
Both of my parents gave so much of themselves when it came to raising my sister and I.  We were raised in a loving Christian home with not only Christian parents, but strong Christian Grandparents (on Mom's side) as well.  My parents sacrificed and worked hard to give us the best upbringing possible, and I have memories from those years that I hope to never forget!  Family devotions, game nights, vacations, ministering to old folks in nursing homes, playing our instruments together in concerts all over the state on Sunday evenings, and lots, LOTS more.  Holidays were always my favorite because we always got together with our extended family, generally on my Mom's side.  We had so many wonderful years together and I cherish every memory made. 

My husband and I are trying to do the same for our own children.  We make sacrifices (like being a one income family so we can homeschool), and work hard to raise them in a loving Christian home...giving them the tools they need to grow in the Lord and to go out into the world and be an example for others.  I hope one day when I'm long gone, my own children will feel the same way about me, as I do about my own parents...love beyond measure!  I feel more love towards my parents as I've grown older, and as I've raised my own kids, than I ever did when they walked on this earth.  I know now, just how much they did for my sister and I...something I could never have known, had I not married and had children of my own. 

God placed me into the home I was meant to be in, and for that I am forever grateful!  He also gave me a husband who completes me, and two amazing children that we were entrusted to raise.  If there's one thing that I know has been the biggest help, it's been the power of prayer.  Praying for my husband, our marriage, our children, and our children's futures have been something I've been doing since the day I said 'I do'. 

Psalm 116:2  "Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."

 I Thes. 4:17  "pray without ceasing;"

Photo Hunt #157 - Stripes

At first I wasn't sure what to put down for stripes, but then I saw these photos from our trip to Disney and thought they were perfect, especially the last one!!

Zachary, Hannah and Tigger...


Hannah and Piglet....
these two are SO much alike it's not funny!!


You can't live in American and hear the word 'stripes' without thinking of our flag! I took this photo outside the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum down in Georgia. I still get chills when I see it and think of all the men who have served, especially those who have given their lives, for our freedom.

What's Been Happining??

Wow, it's been over a month and a half since I've blogged. I don't know what happened, but I suppose I've just been in need of some 'time off'. I have missed it, but I think the time away did me some good.

I have been wanting to post about our family vacation to Disney World as well as other things we've been up to, but it's kind of late now. Instead, I'll post a few of my favorite photos...highlights from the past few months.

Summer flowers in bloom, simply gorgeous!! I love taking photos of flowers. They're so beautiful and have so many details that really pop when photographed. I took these photos at a flower farm near us.


I went on an overnight trip to PA with my sister and we had a total blast! We spent a couple hours driving around simply taking photos of the beautiful scenery. The best part was the quality time we got to spend together.


Ahhh, Camp-of-the-Woods, my home away from home for so many years. I have been going there every summer with my family since I was born, and I had the privilege of working up there on music staff for 10 summers. Such a great place where I've met so many wonderful people...many who are still a huge part of my life today. I am truly blessed!! I was able to escape for a few days with the kids to head up north to camp simply for the purpose of taking photos. So...here are some of my favorites...


As you can see, Camp is a beautiful place. The memories I made up here will last a lifetime. I cherish them every day of my life and am thankful for each and every one of them.


The kids and I up at Camp-of-the-Woods...


My sister and her family came for a visit in August. We had a wonderful time laughing, playing games, and simply hanging out together...something we haven't been able to do for a very long time. As you can see, we're quite the crazy family!!


All the cousins had a blast playing together...literally!!!


Our homeschool group had a family picnic and unfortunately not many families were able to join us, so a few of us took a hike through the woods just for fun despite the humidity and heat!


Our family LOVES going on hikes together through the woods! On this hike we went up to the top of a waterfall and back down the other side. It was a beautiful day out and we were able to get some really great photos and have a lot of laughs along the way!!


We've been homeschooling already since the end of July!! We started extra early this year because we love taking the month of December off for the holidays. The kids also have been keeping up with their extra curricular activities for the most part. Hannah has continued her skating and is improving more and more each week.


Zachary started something new in August!!!! He is now a pilot in training! It's almost hard to believe, but he's loving it. He has been up twice so far, and is due to go again soon. He's hoping to get his pilots license before his driver's license. What a trip, huh? His dream to attend the Air Force Academy is slowly becoming a reality...at least the flying part. So far he's already taken off twice, he flew the plane for almost the entire ride both times and on his next trip up, he will be landing the plane! Keep him (and me as his nervous Mom) in your prayers for safety, wisdom and peace while he's learning to fly. You can catch a video of his very first take off in my previous post. He flew a Piper Archer ii then, and in the photos below (his 2nd flight) he flew a Piper Warrior.


Our homeschool group also began our field trips. On this particular trip we took a boat tour around a bunch of nearby Islands. It was VERY fun and we got some wonderful photos since it was such a beautiful day!!


So, as you can see, the past few months I've been keeping busy. Life has been full, crazy, busy and interesting. Hopefully things will settle down a little bit now that Autumn has arrived. The weather is still pretty warm out, but we're looking forward to seeing the leaves change color soon. It's my favorite time of year...the crisp air, gorgeous colors, scents of fall, warm fires, and falling leaves. Ahhhhh!

Thanks for being patient with me as I took a little break from blogging. My family has been getting after me to continue, so Lord willing, I will be more faithful in the days to come.

Happy Easter!!

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!!!