Today my baby is three! What a blessing to have our sweet Alexander in our home. The Lord knew what He was doing when He chose to give us this brown-eyed, curly headed little boy...a big ray of sunshine in our lives. And as I've said before, we found out really quickly that Baby #6 is just as wonderful and precious as Babies #1,2,3,4, and 5!
Alexander is ALL boy and loves trucks, tractors, and playing outside. He has a great sense of humor and keeps us laughing. We are SOOOO blessed!
Guess who's turning nine today?? Yes, it's our prissy princess!! Ellie celebrates her ninth birthday today, and we are so thankful that the Lord blessed us with our 'all-girl' little girl on March 2, 2000!
I actually had to go into the hospital on February 29th (yes, leap year) for pre-mature labor (usual for me), but I'm so glad that the contractions eased off and I was able to go home for another day or two. I really wanted her to have a real birth date every year, instead of every four! LOL
Ellie enjoys art, climbing trees, playing with her puppy, Barbies, and her favorite move is The Little Mermaid. So see, she is almost all girly girl. But when you live out in the country, climbing trees is mandatory! And too, with three brothers, she has to be just a teensy little bit of a tomboy thrown in for good measure to hang with all of them. And she does enjoy fishing too, she says.
Happy Birthday, Ellie! We love you so much and we're blessed to have you as our little girl! God is good!
Even amidst sadness, we do have yet another happy occasion to celebrate! Yesterday Chad and I enjoyed our 20th wedding anniversary, but today we are celebrating John's 5th birthday. I like to tease him and say that he was our 15th wedding anniversary present...delivered just one day late!
So happy, happy birthday to one of the sweetest, most affectionate, cuddly, biggest blue-eyed little boys around! You are a blessing to us, and your beautiful smile and happy ways touch our hearts each and every day! You are all boy, and you keep us laughing with your funny sense of humor! You truly are a GIFT from God!
I meant to do this yesterday, but it got REAL busy around here. But I did want to say a great BIG Happy Birthday to our son Wesley who turned 12 yesterday. Twelve years ago, on January 11th, 1997, Chad and I first learned all about parenting little boys...and it's been wonderful!
Wesley is ALL boy, and he loves sports, fishing, hunting, gardening, reading....and most especially reading financial planning books! He listens daily to Dave Ramsey, and we have high hopes that he'll be our 'money plan' man! We need one! LOL
Wesley, you have brought much joy to our lives, and we are so blessed to have you in our family. God is good! We love you, buddy!
It's hard to believe that my first babies (4 lbs. 11 oz. and 4 lbs. 3oz.) are now my seventeen year old babies, Erin and Elisabeth! Where has the time gone? You are both such blessings to our family and you bring much joy to our lives. The Lord knew we needed a 'pair' on the first go-round, and you are both worth more than your weight in gold! You have sweet spirits, willing hands, special talents, and loving hearts, and two more wonderful and special daughters cannot be found! Thank you for all you do and all you are!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIN AND ELISABETH! WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW!
Love: Mama, Daddy, Wesley, Ellie, John and Alexander
Newborns in 1991...both fit into the same baby carrier with room to spare!
Today...my beautiful 17 year old 'birthday girls'!
With all the brothers and sister back in October
If you are interested, you can read more about the day Erin and Elisabeth were born and see lots more photos in two 'Sweet 16' posts from last year here and here.
Erin also did a post on her blog, and she has even more photos...definitely some of my favorite ones through the years!
Just a neat little side note. My cousin had twins last Saturday...a little boy and little girl...six weeks early, but doing well. They are precious, and both weigh more than our girls did at birth, even though they were born two weeks earlier than Erin and Elisabeth were. But if you have a mind to, please keep these little ones and their mama in your prayers. They'll probably still be in the hospital for a few more days, and I know they're all ready to get home and back to normal! My cousin had to have a very early C-section due to preeclampsia and a breech baby boy, so she's had a time! But you know, those sweet little babies were worth it all. Thank you, Lord for your mercies and your blessings!
Where have the last two years gone?? We had this teeny, precious newborn baby...and now all of a sudden, we have a tractor-lovin', always smilin', adorable curly headed little boy running around! How'd that happen??!! Your beautiful smile and happy disposition bring such joy to our lives, and we have discovered that Baby #6 is just as precious and wonderful as Babies #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5. We love you and thank the Lord for you every single day!
Happy 8th Birthday to our sweet princess, Ellie! She is all girl, and she loves all things pink and anything having to do with princesses! The Lord really blessed our family when He gave us our little girl, and we thank Him everyday for such a special and precious gift!
Happy Birthday Ellie! We love you!
Below are several photos from her birthday party at the church yesterday. Elisabeth made the 'Little Mermaid' cake, and she and Erin also planned an
'under the sea' treasure hunt...the treasure being small beach balls, sunglasses, and leis.
The cake...by Elisabeth!
Blowing out the candles!
Mama (me) and the birthday girl! Behind us you can see a picture Elisabeth drew and painted of Ariel to put above the gift table!
Below is a 'too cute' photo of John, Timothy, and Jarrett after the treasure hunt...aren't they some cool dudes? LOL
John had a wonderful birthday on Tuesday. We had him a small party at the church with a few of his friends and family. Elisabeth created a 'Cowboy Boot' cake...and as the saying goes...a good time was had by all...especially a little 'fella' named John! You can tell by the smile on his face in almost every single picture that he was one happy birthday boy! LOL And that big smile made one happy mama and daddy as well! Someday, when our little boy is all grown up, we'll look back on these pictures and laugh! And we'll remember what a good time we all had watching him blow out candles and how excited he was opening his gifts. We'll have some precious memories, won't we! I better stop or I'm gonna cry!
Happy 4th Birthday to one of the sweetest little boys in the world...our son, John!
You are ALL boy, and you keep us on our toes....but you also keep us laughing at your antics. You keep our 'hug buckets' nice and full! We love your sweet smile and your affectionate ways, and we are so glad that the Lord gave you to us! We love you so much! Happy Birthday, John!
Today is my dear friend Beth's 25th birthday! She is a very special, caring, and talented lady... and a true kindred spirit. All of us here at Picket Fence Cottage love her and her sweet family very much! So head on over to Beth's Bountiful Blessings, and tell the 'old lady' happy birthday on this quarter of a century milestone!
Eleven years ago, you blessed our hearts and brightened our lives! You introduced us to the world of 'little boys'...and nothing has ever been the same!
Your curiosity and interest in everything around you keeps us on our toes...and sometimes it means digging deeper ourselves to answer your questions! LOL
You are a special blessing from the Lord, and we love you very much!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WESLEY!
Love, Mama, Daddy, Erin, Elisabeth, Ellie, John and Alexander
Today is my friend Leah's 40th birthday! So if you have a minute, head on over to South Breeze Farm and wish her a happy birthday! 40's a big one, ya know??!! Happy Birthday, Leah!
Last Friday night, I had the 'surprise' of my (so-far) 40 year life! Since my birthday had come and gone last Wednesday...I did not suspect a thing! And since Chad said that my 'big birthday bash' was my trip to Charlotte back in June to the She Speaks conference...I was clueless! And since Chad and the children had a nice little quiet family birthday celebration/cake for me ON my birthday...who knew??!! And since my friends called with birthday greetings and brought my birthday presents to me earlier in the week....I had no idea! But they pulled one over on me!!
My parents were going to take the children to CiCi's Pizza while Chad took me out to eat. But he said we needed to make a quick stop at the church...something about water. When we walked in in the door....
I could catch flies with that big mouth!
I was met with a loud chorus of "SURPRISE!" and a sea of faces of family members and church and homeschool friends! For once in my life, I was absolutely speechless! All I could do was laugh! I had a wonderful time, and it was definitely a highlight of my 40 years! If this is the way to start the next forty years...I say, bring it on! Thank you to Chad, all my dear friends (especially Lori, the "instigator" ), my children, and my family for planning such a special celebration! I love you all!
See what my husband brought home for me yesterday afternoon? Aren't they just lovely??!! What a great surprise! I had a wonderful birthday, and I want to say thank you for all your sweet comments and birthday wishes! You made my happy day even happier, and I do appreciate your kindness! I received many special gifts/cards, phone calls, and emails. I also enjoyed a very delicious birthday supper and a delectable Chocolate Pound Cake Surprise 'birthday cake' that Elisabeth baked...just for me! It was a 'very' good day!
Today is my 40th birthday! And since I already talked about my feelings about the 'big day' in my last post, I thought I'd do something fun today to celebrate this milestone birthday. If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know how much I enjoy posting photographs that were taken through the years. So, I invite you to join me today for a walk down memory lane...one that has stretched along for four decades.
To steal a line from David Copperfield...I am born...1967. In this photo, I am 3 months old. And just an extra little sweet note...this is the same dress that Ellie wore home from the hospital in 2000. I thought that was kind of special!
I'm not sure how old I am in this next photo, but I'm thinking 6-7 months.
Age 3
Age 5
Age 7
Age 9
Age 13
Age 15 (One of the Sophomore Representatives ~ Homecoming Court 1983)
With my Daddy
Senior 1985 ~ Age 17
College ~UGA~ Age 20
Wedding Day ~February 4, 1989~ Age 21
New Mommy (Almost) Age 24
Our Family in 1995...I was 28.
Mommy to Baby #3 Age 29
Our Family in 1999...I was 32.
Mommy to Baby #4 Age 33
Mommy to Baby #5 Age 36
Mommy to Baby #6 Age 38
This last photo was taken yesterday on August 21...so that made me
Age 39/364 days/15 hours! LOL My last photo in my thirties!
Hopefully I didn't bore you all with my 'photo-documentary' today! Believe me, I had more I could've put up (including ALL twelve years of school plus preschool and kindergarten)! LOL But seriously, I've enjoyed looking back on the first forty years of my life in pictures and remembering all the happy times and wonderful memories the Lord has blessed me with! Here's to the next 40!
I just can't resist! I finally got my scanner to cooperate, and I just had to share a few more photos from Erin and Elisabeth's early baby days! I think 'Sweet 16' is a good excuse to revisit those sweet and memorable firsts....
3 days old and still wearing the cute little 'hospital issue' caps. This was during one of the room visits, but they were still staying in the incubators for the most part. The pacifiers were about as big as they were, so the nurses let them suck on preemie nipples between feeding/nursing times.
All dressed up to come home from the hospital! When Erin came home several days before Elisabeth, we got her all 'prettied' up...and when Elisabeth got to come home we took Erin back over to the hospital and did it all over again! I imagine she's one of the few babies who ever got to get all dressed up and fixed up to come home from the hospital...twice! LOL They are both wearing their little rings, necklaces and bracelets, and in front are tiny little pink corsages that were given to us by a dear friend for the occasion. You can't really tell from the photo how tiny they are, but they are both lying in one baby carrier covered with a white blanket...with room to spare! Please overlook the faded part of the photo at the bottom...it IS getting old, you know! LOL
Welcome home, Erin and Elisabeth! The whole family is together at last!
Itty bitty babies in the itty bitty baby bed! Usually they were both hooked up to apnea monitors to sleep in different beds, so this must've been during a quick 'put the babies down together while we grab a bite to eat' moment! They always did settle down and fall asleep when they were put next to each other. In fact, at the hospital when they wouldn't quit crying, the nurses put them together in one incubator and they immediately hushed and fell asleep! Even now, they like to be together just about all the time...a special bond, for sure!
Erin and Elisabeth at 17 days old with their daddy!
Being a new daddy is hard work!
Our Family Then...in 1991
Erin and Elisabeth at 3 months old with Mama and Daddy! We look like babies holding babies, but I was 24 and Chad was 27. We don't have that 'problem' anymore! LOL In fact, I can prove it with the recent snapshot (below) that was taken in my parent's backyard in April. LOL I think we look just a 'wee' bit different, and oh yes, our family is just a 'wee' bit larger as well! LOL Sort of a 'then' and 'now' thing!
Our family now...April 2007
Oh, why not? Here's just one more...for the 'road'! LOL
Hurry, Sissy! We better get in some driving practice time...we'll be 16 before you know it! (And it really did pass just that quickly)!
I could go on and on adding photos and the stories behind them, but I guess I must stop somewhere! Thank you for allowing me to travel down memory lane today...it's been a sweet trip!
A merged photo of Erin (left) and Elisabeth (right)...Elisabeth would want you to know that she is really not that much shorter than Erin...it's just the way the collage turned out! LOL
Erin and Elisabeth At About Age 5
Sixteen years ago today, Chad and I became parents for the very first time when our sweet little twin girls, Erin and Elisabeth were born. They were a month early and weighed in at 4 lbs. 11 oz. (Erin) and 4 lbs. 3 oz. (Elisabeth). Boy, were they itty bitty! If we'd had any sense, I think we would've been scared to death! LOL
They had to be on sleep apnea monitors for the first six months of their lives, and it was 'round the clock' feeding for quite a while. Of course, they had to stay in the hospital for some time after they were born, and Erin got to come home several days before Elisabeth did. We were back and forth between the hospital and home until Elisabeth was finally 'released'...weighing in then at a whopping 5 pounds! We've never known what it was like to have just one child!
I have to laugh when I think about the day they were born. I had been on medication to stop contractions and premature labor from about five months, and even then I was in and out of the hospital several times. I was allowed to teach school from a chair, and I was finally put on bed rest in April. But on June 4th around 11 pm, I stopped taking the medication. When I woke up on June 5th, I was pretty sure I was in labor.
But here's the funny (or not-so funny) part...depending on who you talk to. I had braces for TMJ, and I was scheduled to get those braces off that morning. I decided to go in the opposite direction from the hospital to my orthodontist in another town about an hour away to get those braces off! I didn't want to go through labor with a mouth full of metal! (See note above about having no sense! LOL) I told my orthodontist that if he didn't want to deliver twins, he'd better get busy! Needless to say, they had me in and out in record time, then Mama and I headed back towards our neck of the woods. I even stopped at my school to turn in my classroom key, as I was planning on staying home from that time on. I think we even stopped at Wal-Mart. And BTW, my orthodontist's office staff sent a nice plant to the hospital! I sort of think it was their way of saying thank-you to me for not giving birth in their office! LOL And they were still teasing me about it when the doc put braces on Erin's and Elisabeth's teeth eleven and a half years later!
After our errands, we ran by my home, grabbed my suitcase, and headed to the hospital...thirty minutes in the other direction. When it was determined that yes, I was in labor (duh!), we called Chad at work and he came to the hospital.
The girls were born that evening (nine minutes apart), and they have been a joy and blessing ever since. I enjoy their company immensely, and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather spend my days with than these children (and their brothers and sister as well)! We laugh and cut up a lot, and we have our own 'brand' of humor. They are so much help, and I know that we couldn't manage without them! They are talented in many areas, and we thank the Lord each and every day that he saw fit to bless us twice on that special day sixteen years ago!
Erin and Elisabeth are 'mirror image' twins...Erin is right-handed and Elisabeth is left-handed, and their teeth even came in (and out) on the corresponding sides. Erin is a photographer/writer and Elisabeth is an artist/baker in addition to other interests.
1997
TWINS There's two to wash, there's two to dry, There's two who argue, there's two who cry. One's in the mud having a ball, The other holds a crayon, another marked wall. Some days seem endless, my patience grows thin. Why was I chosen to be a mother of twins? The answer comes clear at the end of each day, As I tuck them in bed and to myself I say, There's two to kiss, there's two to hug, And best of all there's two to love. ~Anonymous
The days of marked walls and mud are gone now (at least for Erin and Elisabeth), and it seems as though the years have passed so quickly. But we have many wonderful memories to treasure...and Lord willing, we'll have many more memories to make and cherish in the years to come!
So...Happy Sweet Sixteenth Birthday, Erin and Elisabeth! You have become lovely young ladies, and we appreciate all you are and all you do! We love you both so very much!
The Whole Gang in November 2006
PS...Hopefully, my scanner will cooperate and I'll be able to add more pictures later.
I'm a very happily married pastor's wife, former schoolteacher-turned-homeschool mom of six wonderful blessings, and freelance writer--and we live in the great state of Georgia! I'm a southern girl through and through...but most importantly, I'm a child of the King! We have just finished up our twelfth year of homeschooling, and our two oldest have now graduated! This is my place to record thoughts about homemaking, Classical-Charlotte Mason based homeschooling, writing around the fringes of family life, and more...so welcome to my little corner of the world!
Ellie with her new puppy, Skipper!
Newborns in 1991...both fit into the same baby carrier with room to spare!
Today...my beautiful 17 year old 'birthday girls'!
With all the brothers and sister back in October
The cake...by Elisabeth!
Blowing out the candles!
Mama (me) and the birthday girl! Behind us you can see a picture Elisabeth drew and painted of Ariel to put above the gift table!
I could catch flies with that big mouth!
), my children, and my family for planning such a special celebration! I love you all!
Our Family Then...in 1991
Our family now...April 2007
A merged photo of Erin (left) and Elisabeth (right)...Elisabeth would want you to know that she is really not that much shorter than Erin...it's just the way the collage turned out! LOL 
Erin and Elisabeth At About Age 5 
1997
The Whole Gang in November 2006
