Twins

Vicki and I were only one of the many sets of twins at our family reunion this year. Our family has always been known for its high number of multiple births...twins and triplets. Here are the ones that made it to the reunion this year!

My Daughter

I don't know if I tell you enough how much you mean to me. I often think that I expect more of you than I do of your brothers and wonder how fair that is. I see so much of myself in you, yet have begun to see lately how much you are turning into your own person. I would have had twenty children if that's how many it took to have you...my girl, but God gave you to me first. He chose to give me only one girl, so all of the love that I can pour into a daughter will be yours alone. You are the daughter that I have loved since before I had you....the one that I have grown to love more because I did!

The Best Birthdays...

...are the ones that we get to celebrate together!

People often imply that it isn't fair for my boys to always have to have their birthday parties together.

Not only did I not mind sharing my special day with Vicki, but have been sad about every one that I haven't gotten to be with her! I still remember the first one that I had to spend without her....Jeff and I were on our internships in Baton Rouge and weren't able to make it home. It just wasn't the same. So, no, I don't worry about Patrick and Carter. I know that one day, when they're celebrating without each other, they'll look back with no regrets.

Yellow Belt!!

Patrick tested for his yellow belt in karate tonight and passed! We are so proud of him and all of the hard work he has done to get to this point.

Carter received his 4th stripe on his white belt tonight and will be able to test for his yellow belt next month. He got a bit behind because of baseball, but has done well keeping up anyway. He is happy for Patrick and excited to join him in the ranks of yellow belt!

Cut From The Same Mold

.......yet, so different. I don't know how two boys can come from the same parents and live in the same home, yet be so different. While at my Dad's on my birthday/Father's Day, I walked out of his house to find both of my boys outside...what I saw didn't surprise me.
There are many things that Patrick and Carter enjoy doing together, but their personalities are like night and day. They play together and get along well...perhaps because the ARE different. It goes to show that, while children are in part products of their parents and surroundings, that they are also born to be who they are in so many ways. We don't try to change our children or force them to be someone else. This means that we let them choose which activities, if any, that they want to do. We let them decide when it feels right for them, then give our total support in what they choose. It would be boring if all three of my children were exactly alike...exactly like all other children. My children are on three separate journeys, which will lead them to three different places. I'm learning to sit back and watch them....to support them....to lead them when they ask me to. Patrick and Carter are different from each other for a reason. My job is to help them accept that and to grow in it with confidence and purpose.

Once An O.T...Always An O.T.

It is said that an Occupational Therapist can modify anything. I don't often think of myself as an O.T. these days, but I think I still have it :)!

Our Babies

Carter is four years older than Landon, Vicki's youngest child, but the two of them play together as if they were the same age. It's amazing to Vicki and me that no matter how old our youngest children get, they are still babies to us. When Madison was Carter's age, she seemed so much older, but Carter is still my baby...always will be. My mother-in-law agrees that she feels the same way about her youngest, who is in his thirties. I'm lucky that Carter is very affectionate and doesn't mind if I sometimes forget that he is halfway to 18. I hope he still feels the same in another 9 years!

Father's Day Gift

Almost 40 years ago, my Dad received an unexpected gift for Father's Day. He has taken very good care of this gift and still has it today. Vicki and I were born on Father's Day to the best Dad that anyone could ever ask for. Thankyou Daddy for being our rock for the last 40 years. We love you more than you will ever know!!!

Carter

Year Three In Pictures

Look how much they have changed!

These were taken our first year of homeschooling.