A New Baby in the House

He's a cute black ball of fur when he's awake...

...asleep....

...playing...

...or relaxing with his friend!

This is the newest member of our family: "Axle"

Second Family Wedding of the Year!

Siblings getting ready

At the reception

First dance

Lots of smiles for the happy couple!

First Family Wedding of the Year

First Dance

Groom with most of the groomsmen - where was his best man?

Siblings

The happy couple!

Thanksgiving for 2011

About a year ago I thought to myself, and probably to the Lord, that everything was so calm in the family - we needed more action. I was thinking we hadn't had a wedding in 3 years or a new grandchild in 2 1/2 years. Weddings and babies were on my mind.

Providentially, not too long after, we found out that a new grandson was on the way. Then low and behold a few months later, on Christmas day, a son became engaged. I was thrilled! I thought this is more like it!!

Ezekiel was born in early summer becoming a book end to his older brother, with the two princesses in between. What joy spending time with the grandchildren - a promise fulfilled to gray-haired ones.

A twist in the mix came with my surgery in late summer - that wasn't exactly my idea of putting some action in the family - but then I'm not the story teller so I can't complain. I'm truly thankful for the Lord's amazing care for me!

Over the summer and into the fall another son jumped the fast moving train to start a whirlwind courtship. It culminated into an engagement in September. Wow! Now that's what I call some excitement!

For the beginning of 2012 we have 2 weddings coming up within a month of each other. Winter family reunions will be enjoyed by all - hopefully the weather will cooperate! We're gaining two new lovely daughters and what a blessing they will be! If this is the start of the new year I'm expectantly looking forward to what else the Lord has in store. As the Author of all authors continues to write our family story, it will to be a page-turner, I'm sure. God has blessed us greatly this past year and I am very thankful.

The Blessing of Grandchildren

Ezekiel William Sumpter

Born: June 25

The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem

all the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children's children.

Psalm 128:5-6

Newest grandson/nephew

Profile resembles his big brother--
praise the Lord he looks healthy!

Happy Birthday milestones!

Last month my oldest son turned 30 and today my youngest is turning 18. These two sons have been a blessing to the family in many ways and I'm truly thankful for them!

It makes me think how much, as a mother, I have learned from all my children through the years. They have challenged me to see my own sins. I have been driven to seek the Lord. He is the merciful Savior, the One who forgives! Am I a mother who is merciful and forgives too? They have shown me what it is like to be a child of the King. Do I depend on Him for everything, as a child depends on his parents? Do I show I am a dependent mother, that I can do nothing without the wisdom and direction from the Lord? Their curiosity has driven me to find things out, to look it up, and dig into the truth of a matter. Am I diligent to keep studying God's world & His Word to know Him more deeply?

This is the constant journey we are all on. Become like a child. Be thankful that the Lord works through the little ones and the big ones to bring you to Himself in a deeper way.

Happy Birthday, Toby & Jeremy!

Cleaning out the bedroom...remembering...

There's a feeling of accomplishment when you can actually get your bedroom organized. Having 2 new bookcases (his & hers- guess which is bigger?!), I've been able to clear off the night stands and move books from our office/school room to the shelves. It's great to have a place to put things (books and more books)!

When cleaning out I stumbled across a box of old photos. Here's one of my favorites. It's my dad in his younger years. I remember when I was little he would play a small accordion that we had. I would watch in amazement how he could pull it out and push it in, all the while coordinating the fingers on either side! My dad was quite talented! I don't know whatever happen to that accordion, but years later Dad bought himself an organ and once again amazed me, this time with his feet moving and coordinated fingers playing on different levels. It was a strenuous workout for that middle-aged man, as he filled the home with strands of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" bringing joy to his family!

The Joys of Modern Technology

Go here to see the sweetest grandchildren in the world (their dad & mom aren't too bad either):

havingtwolegs.blogspot.com/2010/05/for-oma.html

Little sisters, little sisters all in brown; smile for the camera and don't fall down!

Little girls, little girls pretty as can be; grow in lovely gracefulness and bless your family!












Oma & Opa like this one too!






Aunt Molly is taking a trip to Idaho next week. I'm sure she will be taking more pictures of our favorite little ones!

Another Idaho Trip!

I had another opportunity to spend a few days with the grandchildren. Sadly, Molly couldn't go because she had to work. Here are a couple of videos: the first is River enjoying his bubble machine, with Felicity & Dad helping; the second is Tovia walking full steam ahead. She's inside their new house- you can see her walk out of the beautiful blue kitchen and continue into the dining room/living room with the newly finished wood floors.

IDAHO PICTURES

Toby & Jenny's new house!

5 year old River!

Tovia loved Aunt Molly!

Felicity tells Uncle Jeremy how old she is.

Felicity smiles for the camera, while Tovia looks on.

Has it really been that long?!

22 years ago today Andy was born! The day he decided to make his appearance was very much appreciated, since he was 10 days late! He didn't quite make it to Aunt Molly's birthday, but that was ok with me. At 9 pounds 5 ounces, I was ready to have him out! Having 3 older brothers to play war and other games, he's always loved some challenging competition and he's always been good at everything. I remember a time when Andy was about 3 or 4 yrs old and he would honestly whip me good in the game of Concentration- where the cards are face down and you turn over 2 at a time and try to get a pair. He could remember where all the cards were and I had to guess! So to this day if I beat Andy in a game I am so thrilled because he doesn't give up easy. I know that this kind of determination in competition is carried over in other areas of his life, to his advantage, and may he never forget that his family is cheering him all the way.

"How about a game of cards?!!"

The blessing of brothers

A question I often get asked is "How can you live with all those brothers of yours?" I've learned to just smile and expect this question after I first let people know that I am the only girl of the family. What is interesting is that this comes from women and girls and not guys. I will meet guys who have grown up with only sisters and no brothers, but I rarely meet girls who have grown up with only boys in their life. I want to say that girls who have no brothers are missing a very fun and amazing experience. However, if God has put you in a family with no brothers, then that is the family that is best for you. I have come to see that my family is the best one for me, but of course not for everyone else. That being said, brothers are a great blessing to us girls in many ways.

First off laughter abounds. I have learned to laugh at myself through my brothers. Boys have no trouble in pointing out your faults and showing how silly you are. It's amazing how ignorant you can be of how many foolish things you do that you don't even realize. Well, with brothers around they make sure that you remember the silly things that you have done. In addition to laughing at myself, I can laugh with my brothers because they are just so much fun! "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). So yes, brothers are fun to laugh with.

Second we girls get to practice on our brothers. I've gotten a lot of practice mothering my brothers (poor guys :D). Another thing that will come with practice is just getting to know how guys think and act. Through my brothers I have learned a lot about boys in general. A last practical thing that I have gotten to practice on my brothers is my cooking. Boys like to eat and they also have no trouble giving you advice on how you can make your cooking better so that it will taste good! So, practicing on your brothers can be fun and helpful to all involved.

Last we have things in common. So to you girls who have brothers that have been reading this, get rid of the idea that your brothers are a burden and annoying because they are different! I have gotten frustrated with my brothers because we are different, but that is normal. You should not focus on your differences, but rather turn those differences into learning about each other. Even if it doesn't seem like you have anything in common with your brothers, you probably do. In our family, a lot of us love to read! That is something that we all enjoy and we are able to talk about or read different books aloud with one another.

In conclusion I want to encourage those girls with brothers to look at the blessings of having brothers and not focus on the fundamental differences between girls and boys. Use the time you have your brothers in the same home for fun and learning and not for frustration and annoyance. God has placed you in your family because it is the one that is best for you and no one else. Learn to see it for the blessing that it is and you will enjoy every minute of your time with your family.

Today is a Day of Celebration

Our granddaughter/niece, Tovia Ann, is one years old today! We are in awe as we think back to a year ago when she was born premature and was in the NICU for 2 months. We thank the Lord for His care and her growth over this last year. She is a walking (crawling) miracle! Her life will always declare that our God is good and gracious! We also remember her sister, Anastacia Ruth, who died, quite probably, so that Tovia could live. She is a picture of true frienship and love. It will be a joyous reunion when we join her in our heavenly home! We have a great God who hears our cries for help and He comes to the rescue!


"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." Psam 100

On the Other Side of the World

My guys checking out the historical sights

Charles Schulz Museum- Santa Rosa, Ca

We loved going to this museum last week! Charlie Brown welcomed us! Since Schulz played and enjoyed the game of hockey, it was a big theme here. There is an ice rink next to the museum. It was all decorated for Christmas, complete with a Christmas tree in the center of the ice.

We learned that Schulz loved Beethoven and we were able to listen to many music clips and some history of Beethoven. We learned that Schulz actually wrote parts of Beethoven's music right into his Peanuts comic strips. You see Schroeder playing some above, with Molly listening attentively.

Of course we had to see Snoopy and Woodstock!
The whole gang was there!
It was complete with the Red Baron!

Another Birthday!

My "baby" is sixteen years old today! He is 6 ft. 3 in. and wears size 15 shoe! As his oldest brother said one time, "there's never a dull moment with Jeremy around!" I remember God's protection over Jeremy when he was about 3 yrs old and fell into the swimming pool while trying to retrieve a toy, which he had thrown over the fence. He proceeded to climb the fence and leaned too far out and fell in. Of course I was in the kitchen and didn't see this and had no idea what had happened until there was a knock at the kitchen door. When I opened it there stood a sopping wet Jeremy, with a guilty look on his face. To this day I don't remember if I spanked him or hugged him (I scolded myself for not watching this mischievous boy), but I know I was thankful that he didn't drown. When Jeremy was born we knew he was specially marked by God as we observed three cowlicks (I call them swirls) on his head and two webbed toes. Just today he was practicing his speech and looking much older. That's my baby who has turned into a young man!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

Family For Thanksgiving Part 2

Felicity gives sister Tovia a flower

Uncle Casey explains a football play to River

Tovia Ann- 8 months

The Sumpter Family

Family For Thanksgiving

While I'm waiting for the turkey to get done I thought I'd post a few pictures. We are having a wonderful time with everyone! We will hate to see them go tomorrow. :(

But we will have pictures to remember this fun time. I am thankful for the Lord's many blessings this year and always! He is so good to us all!