Today is such a special day!! My oldest blessing is turning 16! I still can't believe it! The time has flown by....but here she is 16 and turning into a wonderful young lady.

Being the first Emily has gotten the brunt of all our first time parenting mistakes...but God is so good and His grace is new every morning! I see His grace so clearly in Emily as her sweet and gentle spirit is so easy to forgive and show grace. What a blessing she is to me and a wonderful example to her younger siblings!

Emily has a real servants heart and is always ready to help.....(I might take advantage of that a bit too often at times...sorry Emily) I have found that God speaks and teaches to me through each of my children...so clearly sometimes...and through Emily he reminds me time and time again of His grace and how He can take young parents just learning and beginning to grow in Him and use them to grow a young lady who loves the Lord and is willing to serve Him with all her heart! Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to us!!

Emily as I think of you this morning on your 16th birthday the lyrics of a song come to my mind and as I can't sing I will write them here for you as a prayer.....

I'd tell you just what you mean to me
Tell you these simple truths

CHORUS
Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You're gonna do great things
I already know
God's got His hand on You
So don't live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don't forget why you're here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

Take your time and pray
And thank God for each day
His love will find a way
These are the words I would say

(Sidewalk Prophets The Words I would Say)

You are growing into the woman that God has made you to be. And I know He has such plans for your life.....I can't wait to see where He takes you!! I love you!!

Happy Birthday to my special boy!! Yes, today Christopher turns 6! I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday he was toddling around trying to keep up with the big boys and know he is one of the big boys! He is spending the day with his Dad and brothers at Pop-Pops doing big boy jobs! Then it's home for homemade french fries for dinner and homemade cinnamon rolls for his birthday dessert! Then we will pull out the video from the day he was born.....and also his baby album!

Christopher you are turning into such a wonderful young boy! You are the best big brother to Caleb, always there to help him and play with him! Your heart for serving and following Jesus is humbling to me.....your simple and truthful prayers teach me and remind me that God cares for even the simple things in our lives. May you be a strong warrior for Christ and stand on the truths you are learning from His word! We are so blessed to have you in our family!!! Happy Birthday my big boy!!

While it truly is just another day....another graced to us by Him..... it is also my birthday. And as I had my quiet time this morning I looked back on my life that is almost half over.... and I can see so clearly His hand on my life.
There are certain people that stand out in my mind that were used by God. Placed in my life at certain times to direct me back to Him.

First are my parents....they planted the seed so long ago and raised me to know there is a God that cares.

Gordon...our youth group leader who helped me in my early teens to make a decision for Christ

My good friend Margaret probably does not even realize how God used her in my life.....to bring me back to a close relationship with my savior....that I had not had since my late teen years. And also to show us homeschooling...which I had never even thought about before. I met Margaret right after having my third child and we have been friends ever since. It is because of her willingness to allow God to use her that our family has enjoyed a biblical way of learning!

And another person I have learned so much from is my husband....God has used him to shape me even more into the person he wants me to become. I praise God that he has given me such a good friend to spend my life with...

And lastly my children..... every child that God has graced us with has changed and made me who I am today....I always laugh when people look at all my children and shake their heads and say you must have the patience of a saint... Ha!! If they knew me years ago they would know that God has worked that in me through my children, I have never been a patient person! God has used these children to mold me and make me into the mom he wants me to be. I grow every day through my children. As Moms we look at raising and training our children but in reality it is God using our children to mold and train us....

As I think about the next half of my life I am looking forward to growing and learning and being with the people I love most..... and letting them know every day how important they are to me.
So Brian will be home soon...(he is working nights this week) and he is taking me out for a birthday breakfast....then it's home for chores and learning and life. I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday!! I am truly blessed!!

(Picture of fresh made bread this morning)