Having Fun with Big Sisters

These are some pictures of Shoshannah goofing around for the camera. Arielle is behind the camera and Danielle was getting Shoshannah to pose. By the time it was over we were rolling with laughter. Life is GOOD.

Creative Juices are Flowing

It is 6:15 am and Shoshannah is making a tent. What fun we are going to have today.

True Love Waits 2009

ASBC High School Praise Team. Arielle on Keyboards.

The Pledge Cards tacked to a Cross.

Arielle and a few friends. Beautiful young ladies.

Arielle and Danielle waiting for ceremony to start.

Arielle and Danielle still waiting. Arielle said no more photos. Rachel doesnt mind the camera.

Girls and their rings.

Yesterday the youth of our church and many other churches made a pledge of purity. True Love Waits is a wonderful concept to get young people to make a pledge to remain sexually pure until God brings them into a Biblical Marriage. At our church we had 200 young people recommit to this pledge or take the pledge for the first time. Both our older girls participated this year, Arielle for recommitment and Danielle for the first time. While I believe it is the job of parents to teach and encourage Purity to all areas of our children's lives I appreciate our Church for their willingness to support our young people on this tough walk. The world is throwing so much garbage their way it is great that a a corporate body of believers we can come together and pray and love on these young people. We are proud of our children and their stand of faith.

Our BIG Snow Day

We awoke last Monday to snow! Yes, all my northern friends this is what we call snow. Living here you learn to be thankful for even the smallest of dustings. The girls were excited and out playing at 8am, which was very good as it was melted by 10.

Andrew Has A Golden Ticket

A Golden Ticket. well actually it is white, blue and made of plastic. But today marked another phase in this journey of life. Andrew obtained his driver's license. So watch out world! Especially those in Hampton Roads.

Great job Andrew!.

Not so nice ending to a Beautiful Day

As I left you hanging on the last blog..We had a wonderful Tea and then one of Danielle's friends came to spend the night. The girls played and laughed the day away. Having a wonderful time. Then I told them it was time to clean up. A little later we heard a small crash above our heads but we had been hearing them all day. Then Danielle comes down the stairs, very pale, eyes teary and holding her right hand. They had been playing tug of war when the friend lost her grip and Danielle went flying, landing back on her outstretched hand. We put ice on it wrapped it, gave her some Tylenol and sent her to bed. (we have been through this before and being a mom of 5 I tend not to panic). But in my heart I knew it was broken. She slept through the night and on Sunday she still had pain and could not use it. So off to the ER we went. After a 4 hour stay she came home in a cast. Danielle broke her radius and possibly the ulna.

We have always said that Danielle is our butterfly because she just floats through life. We just wish she could float and not fall and break bones. This is now broken bones 4 and 5 for her. One week without dance and she can start back this week. Maybe tomorrow she will get to have the cast cut down to below the elbow. She has not had much pain and we are thankful for that.

Tea Party for the Ladies

Danielle's birthday falls right in the middle of the Christmas Holidays. This year she wanted to invite a few friends and go to a tea house for Tea. Now please keep in mind Danielle does not like tea. But she wanted to experience a TEA. So on Saturday, January 31st, Danielle, a couple of her dearest friends, Arielle and I went to tea at With Flair Tea House. This place is a hidden gem of Chesapeake. Pam Fogle, the owner has converted a small older home into a charming tea house. When we arrived we were seated at a table with the china tea cups, crystal water goblets, glass plates and linen napkins. Pam brought out the tea menu and we each chose our own tea. Three of the girls chose Wild Raspberry, Danielle chose a lemon blossom, and I had Pomegranate Raspberry. We were each served our tea in individual silver tea pots and sugar cubes were plentiful, which is good. I am a southern girl and I like all my tea sweet. Then Pam brought out serving trays piled with wonderful food. Because we had reserved the Royal Tea, we had finger foods. Tiny sandwiches, and desserts. I will try to name a few; Chicken Salad on Croissants ( this was fabulous), Pimento Cheese on Wheat bread, Quiche, Virginia Ham on Yeast Rolls, Cucumber sandwiches, stuffed grape tomatoes, lemon bars, Raspberry Scones that were DIVINE, and two other desserts that were rich and sweet. It was a fun time and I know that Danielle loved her experience. I am thinking I am going to set up a luncheon there with some of my girl pals. I could go back and just enjoy trying each of the teas. Hey what a great idea! The day was a success. The night did not end well but that is another blog.