A few years ago I had my “meet the family” post on my blog, but I did not have my oldest daughter. She was away at college when I did the children’s portraits at the beach and so for a long time I just had my other children’s photos on the blog but I felt led to take it down.
I wanted to do new family photos for the wall and after my daughter came down to visit, I made sure to get a good photo of her so that I could do that. I did hers last year and grabbed the other children’s this year. Now I can have my post back up with ALL of my children:)
Here is the start of it all. My husband, Greg and I at Lake Jocassee. It is our favorite place to go swim and picnic on the weekend. The beach is white sand and teal blue waters. You can see to the bottom, it is gorgeous. Then we pack up and picnic on the grass (you know since we have moved here, I miss grass:) This place has a whole area of it!! LOL We BBQ on the grill and sit and enjoy watching the boats. Dad usually buys over priced bubbles for the children and they love it! Such a good Daddy:) My love and I, 21 years later:)
Here is Ashlyn, who is 23. Yes do the math:) I had her when I was a young momma–17. She was the reason that I turned my life around at such a young age. I was not living for God, I didn’t even know God, just lived selfishly. She was what kept me going . She has just completed her Bachelors Degree in Childhood Education. Very proud of her!! Worked her way through college and very self sufficient and independent. She is now waiting on a job for the school year—-she will get it! The picture was taken at Caesers Head in South Carolina—another place we frequently visit.
Collin is 20 years old and has grown up to a man. He has worked and restored three cars over the last few years. Plays guitar flawlessly, I still think he should do it professionally—but he is very modest:) He is training and working as a CNC grinder and learning all kinds of things in the mold trade. He bought his first mountain bike and a couple of kayaks. Ready for some outdoor adventures. This photo was taken at Table Rock in South Carolina. 
Lauren is 18 this year. She has been away at Camp Greystone all summer working. Was able to save money and buy her first car this past week–she is so excited! She will begin her nanny job this fall and has discovered that young children are her calling in life. She loves and does very well with that:) She chose not go to college—the scoffs:) but looks forward to being a stay at home mom and wife to some young man one day! Photo taken in our front yard. 
Evan is my 16 year boy. Can you tell by the non-smiles:) “Can you hurry up Mom?” LOL He is my XBox gamer. He is also the child who does very well in our wood business. All of the older children, including myself are highly allergic to the wood dust, but it does not bother him at all. He likes doing it and has a good eye for precision. He might be the one who works at it with Dad forever:) He is faithful to take our old dog Sadie for a walk everyday up the mountain. Photo taken at Hooker Falls.
Jadyn is 11 this year. She is growing up to be a good leader for the younger half of our crew. She enjoys crocheting and has done amazing work–taught herself from youtube videos. I love seeing her creations. She enjoys taking care of her chickens each day—previously Evan’s job back in Michigan. She loves reading, writing, and playing her tablet. Photo taken in our front yard.
Brooklyn is 9 this year. She is our sassy girl:) Loves playing with little children. We have a neighbor toddler who comes over to babysit and Brooklyn scoops her up and entertains her. She is a good mommy in training:) She likes creating things with those loopy bands—she made Jadyn a crotchet hook holder so her hands did not slip—genius! She has a beautiful singing voice, enjoys reading, drawing, and playing her tablet. Her job at home is to take care of our family cat. This photo was taken at Lake Jocassee.
Autumn, is my laid back, you would think she is super quiet but she isn’t:) 8 year old girl. She reminds me of my Evan, a deep thinker but very creative. She enjoys creating and playing with her dollhouse people, playing pretend, and playing her tablet. All my children love their tablets:) She enjoys singing as well. Can you tell she enjoys swimming by her tan lines:) Photo taken in our front yard.
Jentzen is 6. He is my sweet spirited boy. Loves to play legos. If there was something to create, he can do it. He made me a present from legos the other day and left it empty inside with a loose lego so that it would make noise when it shook. Smart boy. He loves his Daddy (as they all do)but he is the garage boy. Loves to be down playing with the tools and sawdust. He enjoys swimming this summer and has found jumping off the big blow up tube and going underwater is the best! Photo taken in our front yard –notice the angle yard:) Life on a mountain:)
Madelyn is 5. She is my copper hair child. Looks just like her brother Collin. She loves to play baby dolls and her favorite is a copy of her with red hair:) named Curly Shirley. She loves to play pretend, loves playing with our kitty, and you can find her feeding her baby most of the time. She enjoys singing like the girls do and playing her tablet. Her favorite is watching youtube videos of other girls playing with their baby dolls:) photo taken in the front yard—in a hurry as she did not like feeling the grass:)
Stephen will be 4 this month. He is our number 10!!! I can’t believe how much he has grown up. He is our make you laugh child. So funny. Taking his picture was impossible without his funny facial expressions. He loves playing with his Duplo blocks, Rescue Bots, and Paw Patrol. Very creative with what he makes . Independent and enjoys playing by himself or pretending play with any of the siblings. Such a joy to watch him grow. He is our only blond hair baby.Photo taken after a hundred others on the steps in our front yard.:)
Hope your enjoyed meeting the family. It seems unreal that I have time to do things like blog and write because a few years ago life was extremely busy. There were so many demands to meet just in the basic care of the children but now they are almost self sufficient. Every little step of less that I “have ” to do like brush every child’s teeth, get drinks, make plates for dinner, put on shoes, zip up coats, give baths, etc. As they get older they do those things on their own and my job becomes less. It is enjoyable watching them grow up. I am so thankful for the children God has given us for our family. They make me smile. I love sitting with my husband at the Lake and watching them play. We did good—-well, God did good!
Have a blessed day!! Take time to reflect on all that God has blessed in your own lives. Smile at your children. Laugh with your husband. Rekindle those good feelings and memories that started it all:) If it is a busy time in your life and overwhelming……..know that ONE day it will get less busy. You will be thankful for what you and get to enjoy them more:) I promise!!! Love ya guys.
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