So it has been over 2 years since my last post...my sweet and amazing niece Ashley has been encouraging me to get back to blogging.  I have been thinking and praying about what I could possibly write about and it occured to me to write about my passions...Jesus, homeschooling, and sewing.  A lot has happened in over 2 years, it could take months to catch you up on it all!!  I am going to just tell you some of our highlights.  It is amazing to look back and see God's hand in our family.  He has brought us through some of the toughest trials and not only did we survive, we thrived!! 
1.  We were finally able to adopt this sweet and amazing little girl.  After 2 1/2 years of struggles, trials, and prayer, God blessed us beyond words.  It is a blessing to have her in our lives. 

"Princess Dora"

2.  We faced one of the toughest challenges as a family and as parents in December 2009.  Kayleigh had been complaining of arm pain for several weeks.  I took her to the doctor thinking she would tell her she was fine.  Little did I know they would immediately send us to the hospital...for 5 days.  Sure that she had a tumor, but uncertain of what kind the doctors put her under twice for a 3 hour MRI and for 8 bone biopsies.  Finally after 5 days of waiting and praying we heard the good news...Kayleigh has a large benign tumor in the bone of her right arm.  She has been to the specialist more than 20 times since and we are watching and measuring and encouraged that the tumor is 75% gone.  She was able to resume "normal" activity earlier this year and was thrilled to get back to normal.  I will continue to praise God for giving us all strength in this situation and praise him for healthy children!!

3.  Since the last post, we completed years 6 and 7 of homeschooling.  The kids are doing fantastic and I continue to strive to be a great teacher/leader/mentor of them all.  This year I have a 7th grader, 5th grader, and two preschoolers!!  The big girls do school about 5 hours a day and the little ones do school about 2 hours...including craft time and story time.  I love teaching, love watching their little minds grow, and love spending all the time with my children.  I don't take this responsibility lightly... 

4.  In May, Chuck and I celebrated our 14th Anniversary.  I feel so blessed and lucky.  What an amazing father/husband we have!!  He works 60 hours a week, comes home and doesn't sit on the couch watching t.v. or playing video games...he enjoys time with his kids.  Every night is filled with tractor rides, wrestling on the floor, reading, working in the shop, and talking.  Love that man!!

5.  In April I began selling some of my sewing on etsy.  Sewing for me is a great stress relief.  My husband is fabulous about giving me a couple of hours each evening to sew.  He plays with the kiddos, gives them a bath, tucks them in bed.  I am allowed time all to myself!!  Love it!!  In May I was contacted by a boutique owner in Parker asking if I would like to sell some of my things in her store.  I was thrilled!!  I am loving the two short shifts I work a month...time with adult conversation.  I love that I can help provide for the kids.  We have been able to have a night away without kids, take the kids to water world, and Daddy even took Kayleigh to a concert for her birthday.  Things we probably wouldn't have been able to do before.  I am hoping to use this blog to show what I am brainstorming and working on.  I love to sew and create!

I guess I will end with a few pictures.....of the last 2 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many Blessings,

Rhonda

 The little ones during Karate class.

 Easter 2011

 Shelby earned her Timothy award in AWANA...we love this program!@!  She is 12 now, babysitting a little bit, loving youth group, and such a joy!!

 Kayleigh earned her Excellence award...she even did all the extra credit work!!  Our 10 year old who is artistic, beautiful, caring, and brave!!

 I love to sew for the kids...She loves to wear dresses, play, sing, dance, color and keeps us on our toes!!

The 4 girls last Sunday celebrating 3 birthdays!!  (The babies turned 4 and Kayleigh turned 10!!)  Willy is all boy, funny, adventurous, loud and loves to do school!!