It's been a while

But today seemed like the perfect day to blog...
Today my baby girl came home from a LONG (for me, not her) day at Girl Scout Camp. She came home all excited about the "witches hat", "witches broom" and secret other trick she had learned, all with a piece of yarn. For the first time, in which I could remember, she was teaching me something...I didn't know how to do any of these neat tricks and I was sorta sad, it really hit me, Kiley's growing up.....I guess this is hard for me because she was my first born, and a lot of my mistakes, I made with her. She is a reflection of the mother I am and so often I doubt myself with her. Kiley and I are so much alike, we often butt heads. I have been praying a lot about this and I could feel God's presence as he showed me what I needed to see. I saw how innocent this sweet, loving, girl is. I saw how she loved showing me something and how she loved all the questions I had for her. And then I though, I only get a few moments in time to protect her, to guide her, to fully influence her and soon she will be gone, she will always be my child but she will not always be a child. I will savor every moment I have with this girl, before I know it she will gone. I pray that I will mold her into a wonderful, loving adult, that turns to God in all the tough times and then again turns to God in all the good times, to praise him. Kiley, you are one amazing girl and such a wonderful gift from God. I love you more than you will ever know!
An dnow that I got that off my heart.....
I will start from the beginning in the middle, we have been, oh, so, busy!!! We have had VBS, swim team, cheer, Girl Scout Camp, since the girls have been out of school. Next week we will only have swim and cheer, which will be WONDERFUL!!!

The kids and I have been sick off and on, since the last week of school. I think what happens is I take one of the kids to the doctor's office and while we are there we pick up some other crazy, yucky, germ and in a few days one of my other children are sick or me for that matter. We are finally feeling better this week and I am very grateful.

Other news, Emma Grace got into Queen's Grant Charter School, I am so excited and so is she! What a wonderful blessing. Kiley will stay at Sun Valley and will be put on the sibling list and it's almost guaranteed that Lathan will get a spot.

That's about it for now, I know I have tons I could blog about but this is all I have time for tonight. I will be back....not promising much, Lathan's B-day is in a few weeks, so I will be back for that, at least I hope!

Emma Grace gets a new do

We cut it....lots of it...her idea completely and I absolutely LOVE it! Emma

Grace is really growing up, she knows what she likes and what she doesn't (hair itching her neck) and this is what she likes. I think she looks like such a big girl now....well, she kinda is, i can't believe she will be 6 in a few months! I love this girl!

9 Years Ago Today....

All I can say is God blessed me! I sure have an amazing husband. He would do ANYTHING to make me happy. Of course we have had our ups and downs but putting God first has made our marriage what it is today. I am more in love with him today than ever. He has provided me with more than I have prayed for. Happy Anniversary Ryan, 9 years of a wonderful thing!

My grandparents have this poem, below, on their wall. I could read it over and over. Ryan and I have always looked up to them and the beautiful marriage they have.

Marriage Takes Three

I once thought marriage took just two to make ago, But now I am convinced it takes the Lord also.

And not one marriage fails, Where Christ is asked to enter, As lovers come together with Jesus at the center.

But marriage seldom thrives, And homes are incomplete, Till he is welcomed there, To help avoid defeat.

In homes where Christ is first, It's obvious to see, Those unions really work, For marriage still takes three. - Unknown Author

Kiley's First Holy Commnunion Pictures

The School Rock

I had to sign up to get a "side" of the rock at Kiley's school.....didn't realise it was something you had to sign up for, until I overheard a conversation in the office at Kiley's school. I don't think I am the one who didn't know because when we went to paint, someone had a painted a complete moral on the whole rock and I don't think they were done either (no name just an age)....hummm, they are gonna be pretty upset I painted over their multicolored masterpiece, they might just paint over Kiley's, at least I got a picture! Anyways, Kiley was SUPER excited to have her name and Birthday on the rock. She wanted me to write a paragraph about her (her full name, age, B-day, what class she was in, etc.), I told her space was very limited, so I would fit what I could. Tada!

Happy 8th B-day Kiley Ann!

Getting ready to eat (Ryan took the pictures, not to sure what this is)
Grandmom and Kate

Aunt Kell (my sis)

Lathan

The guys, Brian (Kiley's God Father/ Ryan's Best Friend) Ryan, Lathan and Ryan's Dad/Paw-Paw

Emma Grace (she got that headband on Monday with her Easter ca$h and hasn't taken it off, she even sleeps in it)

Shay, Kiley and Tori

Kiley and Tori

We celebrated Kiley's Birthday with a party at her favorite places, Kate's Skates! She invited the girls from her Girl Scout troop and her cousins...she would have invited hundreds of kids, but Mommy had to put a limit on it! She had SO much fun, as did all the other girls. We then went out to eat dinner at Azteca (a Mexican restaurant that goes all out for B-days), Kiley's choice, of course my battery died at Kate's Skates, so I didn't get may pictures:( What a great day we all had as we spent time with family and friends!

So my Kiley Ann is 8, ummm when did this happen, I mean the time just flys by! We love you so much and are so lucky to call you our daughter. We hope your Birthday was a day you will never forget. Happy Birthday, my big girl!

An Amazing Easter Gift

Ryan entered into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. I am so overwhelmed with happiness and joy. I have the faith I longed for, for so many years. I am very fulfilled with my relationship with our God and my husband. Wow, I have never had such peace, it's an amazing feeling.

I was raised Catholic, as were my mom, grandparents, etc. I really didn't realise what a wonderful gift I had received. I went to church, at my convenience, for many years, when I was in college and even after me and Ryan got married. Ryan was raised Southern Baptist and he wasn't too interested in converting to Catechism, he was happy with his faith. I remember our family trying many different churches for a while there, trying to find the right church but nothing ever fit.

Fast forward to about 2 years ago.....we were really struggling, for the first time in our life, faith was all we had. We needed a reality check. Ryan was working A LOT, the kids would go days without "Daddy time", I was stressed, overwhelmed and pretty sad....I prayed, A LOT, as did Ryan. God answered our prayers....in ways that scared the heck outta us but it was a good, much needed scare. We had to make BIG decisons and we did, with God on our side. We started putting God first, just the way it should be. We started going to church every Sunday, we felt "at home" at a Catholic church, close by. Ryan was called by God to join "RCIA", Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and started a long wonderful, amazing journey. Every Sunday, for the past nine months, Ryan would have class on Sundays, for 1 1/2 hours, along with weekend retreats and workshops. It was hard at times, I was kinda on my own with 3 kids at church. Along with Ryan's work schedule, and many other issues, but this made it so much more meaningful. We had to work for this. I can't begin to tell you what this has done for our marriage, our family. We have had some hard these past few months and God new we would. He also new we would have "RCIA", we would have faith, we would have him and we would turn to him. God amazes me! I never once asked Ryan to become Catholic, but I did pray to God, for our family to have a wonderful, close, fulfilling relationship with him and he granted us this X's 10! What an amazing Easter, one that our family will never forget. God is Good!

Matthews 5:16: Let the light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.