Another Adult in the Family

Here she is, now an adult and ready to move on.  It has been our joy and privilege to watch Sierra grow into such a beautiful young woman who loves the Lord.  We are sitting here watching her "baby video."  Yes, time sure does fly by.  She was such a cutie and brought and continues to bring such love into our lives.

Alexander, Ivy, and Weston were able to make it down for a family birthday party.  We celebrated both Danika and Sierra's birthday with family.  The bbq turned out great.  It was so wonderful to have us all together.  I had to take advantage of the moment and get a family photo.  It makes my heart so happy to be with those I love so much.  Sierra made her cake and it turned out amazing.  I made banana ice-cream that was also "spot on." Good times, good family, good fun, and good food, I feel soooo  blessed.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.  God Bless
Alicia

Homeschool Graduation Banquet

One of the blessings of homeschooling is graduating your children.  It feels like the end of a journey but really it is just another beginning.  The theme for our states graduating class is "The Adventure Begins." Last night we had the banquet for the graduates.  It was a wonderful evening.  I have been on the decorating committee.  Everything turned out wonderful.  We had a lovely dinner, games, a wonderful speaker, a pastor that prayed over the graduates, then line dancing.  I love getting together with other homeschool parents and their children.  We have similar standards and goals for our families.  It feels like the children are so respectful and happy.  The night was very special and we all rejoiced in celebrating our graduates.

Sierra was absolutely stunning.  My mother had taken her to get her hair done.  We got her dress at JC Penny's and made a couple modifications to it.  It was gorgeous on her.  It is hard to believe her homeschooling is coming to an end.  It hits me in waves of emotion but overall it is with great excitement I approach her graduation.  A couple of the girls at the banquet were in our "Bright Lights" group.  It was so wonderful to see them.

What a great evening and we look forward with great expectation to the adventure ahead. God bless you all and have a great day.

Alicia

Party, Party, Party...

A couple weeks ago Isabella had a birthday and last week Danika did.  It has not been the best pictures weather here, so I have not updated their pictures.  I will wait and probably do them all at once.

For Isabella's birthday we went to one of her favorite spots.  It is quite noisy so we only go once a year.  We walked in there, her eyes lit up and she did a happy dance.  It was wonderful.  Fun was had by all.

Danika's birthday is the birthday that keeps going.  We had her special meals one day, then next she got to go out with her grandparents and the following day we had dinner with Brent and Latisha.  She and Sierra are planning a small party with friends and later a joint family party.

So, off we go.  This week is the graduation banquet, next is Sierra's birthday, and a couple weeks later is graduation and open house.  God has blessed us with not a boring moment in sight.  Have a great day.
Alicia

This is her favorite part, the carousel

50 Years of Love

Spring is a busy birthday/anniversary time for us.  David and I , my parents, and our two older children chose to marry in spring.  To add to that we have 7 spring birthdays.  Oh, let's not forget another graduation is about to happen.  I love it all, although I might get a little stressed at times.  This year was an extra special anniversary for my parents, they celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss.  This is quite unusual, not just because of divorce but a lot of times death.  My siblings and I are beyond grateful for this milestone and wanted to celebrate it in a big way.  My brother headed it up and requested a catered event, which made things a bit less stressful, but I have to do my best to make it personal and Pinterest is far to handy, so I had fun with lots of little touches.  The evening was perfect and I am so glad we did it.

God is good and I am glad for the parents I have.  I seriously do not remember one harsh word or argument between my parents.  How grateful I am to have to loving parents who surround me and my family in prayers and are an incredible blessing to our family.  God is good.

Here are a few pictures of our celebration.  I hope you enjoy. God Bless.
Alicia

My parents and their kiddos.  The cake is a replica of their original
wedding cake with the original topper.  It tasted good too.

My Parents, started dating when they were 15/16 and married 3 years later

The grandkids holding up letters that spell out
"we love you!"

the hors d'oeuvres 

My niece helping me

The lovely tables, we had to specially order golden hershey kisses
without almonds.  Apparently golden Hershey kisses generally have almonds

our dinner was amazing. We had both steak and chicken.  

David and I

We played a question answer game with my parents

They got to cut the cake and feed each other. 

Look at these two adorable ladies

These boys were having so much fun making loops around the place.
You can tell by how Aidric is sweeting.

Happy Easter

Ok, so I am behind, but I hope you all had a wonderful Easter.  We had a lovely day, surrounded with family.  Alex and Ivy came a few days later, so this past week has been filled with love and family.  We are so thankful for the reason we celebrate Easter, The resurrection of our Savior.  Thank you Jesus that you died, live and live with us.  God Bless, have a wonderful blessed day.

Alicia