A New Love Story pt 2

A few weeks ago my husband received a phone call.  I was in the other room playing with the little ones.  David came in the room very serious and said that Brent had called him and wanted to talk with him.  We had a pretty good idea what the talk was about but it was exciting.  The older girls were gone for the evening so the timing was perfect.   Brent came over and asked for permission to marry our daughter.  It was a special time and David finished with a prayer over their engagement and future life together.  Now we had to sit back and wait for the proposal.

I am horrible about keeping surprises from people I am close too, but David thought it best that we not say anything to anybody including our parents.  Yikes, not as easy as it sounds.  My mom and I are quite close and something as exciting as that was stretching me.  But we made it the next couple weeks until the big day.  Already though I was having a hard time with sleep.  We knew a couple days he was thinking about asking her but weren't sure.  I would wake up with the baby in the night and couldn't go back to sleep wondering how and when Brent was going to "Pop the question."

Tuesday after Labor day was to be the day.  I'm pretty sure Latisha had known something might be up that weekend but nothing happened so Tuesday she was totally unsuspecting.  Brent had let us know his intent on Sunday so I was busy trying to make an engagement cake without any of the kids knowing.  I baked and froze it Sunday while they were out then tried to frost it on Tuesday while they were doing school and Latisha was gone for a bit.  Not my best decorating job, but it was the thought that counts right?  Brent's parents were going to come to dinner but Latisha didn't know that, so I was trying to not make a big deal about dinner.

Brent had called that day and Latisha had invited him over for dinner.  At 5:30 Brent's family was to arrive but it wasn't until 5:15 that Brent had called Latisha and the plan began.  He asked if she could come and help him with his car.  When Latisha finally left we all flew into action.  I told the kids we were having company and they needed to do a quick pickup while I reset the table.  Brent's parents showed up and we anxiously awaited the return of our kiddos.

Latisha had showed up where Brent's car was "needing help," it was in a church parking lot.  She walked up to the car that had a flower on it and a note.  The note had said how he was looking forward to giving her many more flowers for the rest or her life.  He had music playing through his speakers to a song called "Marry You,"  she was getting the idea what was going on but was in total shock.   He came out of the car with a bouquet of roses and got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.  She of course accepted.  She was so excited and shaking but now had to drive home to us.

When they came in the door they were both aglow, smiling, and shaking.  It was so precious.  We all had a time to rejoice and take a couple pictures and they headed off to dinner.  Brent and Latisha had a "wonderful" dinner at the Cheesecake factory.  We had dinner with our daughter's in laws to be and it was a blessed evening.   When they came back after dinner they were still shining and we all were so excited.

Now the planning has begun... and my sleep is still interrupted with wedding ideas but we pray that Gods blessing will be upon our daughters fairytale reality.

the cake

the flowers

the ring 

the family

More to come... 

A New Love Story part 1

Once upon a time a little girls was born.  Sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale.  I think as mothers we hope for a fairy tale for our little children, that everything will always turn out well and love will conquer all.  I don't know how many mothers, but I know I am not alone, look at their little preschooler playing with other children of the opposite gender and the mom's mind begins to daydream: "they are so cute together, wouldn't it be sweet if they got married someday, awe, I can see their wedding now."  Come on, I know I am not the only one out their with these thoughts, I have heard several mothers speak these words in a joking yet pondering manner.  Then as the children grow older I feel more protective when they show an interest in a certain some one.  Sometimes I would think, that is cute and sometimes I would have big flashing red lights with sirens.  It has always been David and my goal that our children would save their heart for the person they are going to marry, so we discourage dating as it is done in the world today.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if their first love be the one they spend their life with.   When one our our children has an interest in someone I ask my kids if they feel God is telling them this could be their future spouse.

Latisha has always been one to shy away from the opposite gender.  When she was a flower girl in a wedding at around the age of three, she was asked by another little boy at the wedding if she would dance with him.  She promptly turned away and walked off.  This did not slow down the little boy who  followed her relentlessly asking for a dance.  I was embarrassed that she ignored him and was afraid she would hurt his feelings.  So, I took her out there and told her to dance with him.  Latisha was not happy, and ran off as soon as she could.  I have seen this pattern in her ever since.  She has made a point of not giving the wrong impression to the opposite gender and at times I have marveled at her turning her head as a boy would smile in a flirting way at her.

Alexander and Latisha have always been quite close and he allowed Latisha to hang out with him and his friends.  She would be out there playing football with the guys and hold her own quite well.  In high school Alex and some friends started a band.  One of the band members, Brent, and Alex would write songs together.  It was so fun to watch them perform and worship the Lord.  They would compete in Fine Arts together and do well.  One year the band had made it to national fine arts and decided to make the trip.  Latisha had also made it to nationals in a drama and went along also.  When she came back something was different.

fine arts

traveling to fine arts

 Brent went away to college but Latisha and Brent kept in contact.  After Brent's first year he decided to come back here to go to college.  He and Latisha got to know each other in a new way.   They had been friends but now were getting to know each other with a romantic interest for the next half of a year.  Half way through Latisha's senior year Brent asked David if we would allow him and Latisha to "date."   Much to my surprise, I had no red lights or roaring sirens.  I felt at peace.  Over the past year Brent has become a part of our family.  He has seen the good, bad, and ugly and has been a blessing all the time.  Latisha and Brent have done their best this past year to follow our rules and we could see that things were headed in a permanent direction.

Valentine's Day

Easter

graduation

Latisha's graduation party

Traveling with us in the motorhome.  What a sport

Brent took our family photos this year.

Dressed as Clark Kent and Lois Lane

So, cute

To be continued...

Engaged

I just wanted to post a quick update.  We are so excited to announce the engagement of our daughter, Latisha, to our son-in-law to be, Brent.  More info and pictures to come.  God is good.

Horses

Fall is upon us and what a lovely fall it has been.  This morning was brisk, with a touch of fog on the ground.  It was delightful to view out my window.  Unfortunately I had to make an early morning trip.  I am thankful to be a stay at home mom and this morning reminded me of a benefit.  I had an early morning appointment downtown.  This required me to drive in the morning traffic that was creeping along, due in part to the morning fog.  The appointment was at 8:00 and they had asked that I be there 10 minutes early.  The morning was going smooth until I was ready to leave and could not find my phone.  After a thorough search it was discover and off we went.  Once in the car with phone in hand, I was off to face the morning commuters.  The bit of fog had slowed the drive down and I was getting a bit anxious that I was going to be late, but I thankfully pulled in right on time.   We sat and waited for the doctor, who I found was a bit slow in getting to us.  After the appointment I saw I had a missed call.  The doctors office had left me a message yesterday.  They had asked to move my appointment to 9:00 instead of 8:00.  So, I was really early.  Oh well, we got it done earlier and all is well.  "Be anxious for nothing."  :)

Every school year we look at activities for the kiddos.  We are blessed with many different options and some are specifically for homeschool families.  This fall we have chosen horse lessons.  Danika has wanted to take riding lessons for quite a while.  A local retired pastor provides horse riding lessons for free.  It is my understanding that it began as a ministry to at risk kids and he has extended it to homeschool families.  We are unable to go every week but the girls love to go when they can.  Here are some fun pictures.  Hope you are having a blessed week.
Alicia

Cassandra practicing her balance

Danika learning to trot.

Sierra enjoyed the comfortable ride.