Oh.My.Word.
6 months. That's how long it's been since since I last blogged.
Yikes.
Since I am limited on time ( any guesses as to why?:) I am going to do a numbers post.

1.The number of children I took with me to California for a week. It was GLORIOUS.
I enjoyed being with ALL my siblings, saw my grandparents, went to dinner with my sister, ALONE and just enjoyed not having the normal responsibilities. Can I also say, my husband is my SUPER HERO?! He stayed home with the other 7 ( yes, I said 7...guess you'll have to refer to number 3 to hear that explanation.:)
and did it like a CHAMP. I am so grateful for a man who helps me constantly. I could not, WOULD NOT do this without him.:) Love you babe!

Me and my bestie, who also happens to be my sister.:)

Our family

2.The number of hands I have to get through the day. It is not enough, let me tell you. Something I want to ask the Lord about when I see him..I think for every child he chooses to give you, he should also give another pair of hands.:) I might look like a spider, but hey! It has been a challenge to get everything needing my attention done every day. I am SO thankful for my 2 oldest and the insight God had to make them girls.:)
I could not survive most days without them.

Cassie and Sammie at their winter choir concert March 2013

3. The number of children we recently added to our family. SURPRISE! We are in process of adopting our 3 nieces. They are Ms. Aeva's ( our youngest) sister's and we feel as though they have always been here. Has it been an easy 5 months? NO. Have we had some EXTREMELY hard days? YES. Would I change our decision to follow what we felt God wanted us to do? NEVER. He has shown us over and over that we are where we are suppose to be and doing what we are suppose to be doing. Though I cannot tell their names in a public forum, I am allowed to share their picture.

So, I introduce to you:

Blondie

Mini Aeva

Baby girl

And on that note.....i will have to leave you with a " to be continued".

Miss Cassandra Marie

12 years old

Stunning on the outside.

Beautiful on the inside.

Desire to follow Jesus.

Loves to dance and sing.

My JOY.

( this one would be my favorite..although I really do love them all!:)

                                                                          2nd Favorite!:)

I decided I need to be a little more regular this year with my blogging so I can keep

my family far away feeling "in the loop".:)

This is what kids do for fun in Indiana in the winter since 

going outside isn't fun when it's freezing!

fun times!

Cassie had a little sleepover for her birthday, complete with a tray of goodies, which the 3 of them consumed in about 10 minutes...sugar high anyone?

                                                                               The 3 amigo's

                                 Of course, breakfast pancakes on the morning of her birthday.:)

                             Maris stopped by and took her to dessert and gave her the coolest gift!

                                                  Go Lancers!( Halloween costume anyone?:)

                                                              Sweet Marissa and Cassie

 Opening gifts the next night.......

 You can't see it, but it is a WOW cd, with lots of great songs from U. Tom and A. Steph

                                       "AW! Thanks so much Tio Tyler and Tia Connie!"

                                                        I LOVE the skirt and shirt Nani!!!"

             Samantha started her art lessons with Leah...she did such a great job on her first one!

                                  Aren't they cute?? Sam loved her! And she is SO talented!

 I am a bridesmaid in a wedding in March, so we did a Bachelorette party the other night...we went bowling
and danced like weirdo's............

                               

                                                    She was happy for Sparkling grape juice!:)

                                                 
 My goal is to post once a week, but we will see how that turns out once I am back to work and violin and cheer leading and working out and church and life.:)

2012~ Recap of life

This year, We have gone through ups and downs, heartache and joy, death and life..

And through it all,

HE IS FAITHFUL.

January 2012

Cassie turned 11!

And oddly, I have ZERO pictures of February...wierd. I think we were living with mom and dad while 

fixing our house ans totally stressed out, therefore no pictures were taken.:)

March 2012

We visited Ohio and played in the "warm" spring weather

 The kids all ADORE their baby cousin.

                                                                       

  

                                                                    April 2012

     Mr. Caden had his 1 yr birthday.

 We went on a spring break trip to N and S Carolina.. We climbed a 2 mile mountain as a family!

 And visited the ocean in SC for the first time..

                                                                   

                                                                  May 2012 

                             

   

                                           Aeva graduated from preschool...

 Sam and Cass had a piano recital..Samantha's first one..

 We finished all the renovations to our house!!! YAY!

                                                                    

                                                                  June 2012

                                          Went to Ohio to spend the weekend with my sis and her family...and said goodbye to them before they moved to California..

 All the cousins..

 While in Ohio, we went up the market in Cincy. So fun!

 I got to hide in the bushes and take pictures of a proposal.:) First time for that!

July 2012

Aeva turned 5 yrs old...WHAT!?

 Cassie got baptized by her daddy. So special!

 We housed 2 O.B. students for 2 nights..they were awesome!

 We spent our summer having fun...putt-putt

 Baseball games...

 and 4th of July celebrations..

August 2012

Max and Mitch turned 7 and we did a fun photo shoot..

 All of my children started school. It's the only time in their lives they will all be at the same school.

 We helped load up my parents and said goodbye, and sent them off to California.

September 2012

Was my first full month working full time after summer break.

They only pictures I have are of an engagement session I did...which was a first for me.

but I love how they turned out.

October 2012

We attended our first ever dog show...it was pretty neat!

 The boys played basketball...and it was hilarious. They were like a 2 man team and only passed to eachother.:)

 Our church put on it's very first trunk or treat, which was a big success!

 Our trunk was super hero themed..Sam enjoyed giving out candy..

November 2012

We got to have an AMAZING Thanksgiving with 3 of the 5 siblings, in a borrowed house.:)

THANK YOU, Salgivers!

 Cassie cheered for the first time. She is amazing..and totally natural.

 I got to love on my nephew for a WHOLE WEEK!

 Samantha turned 9, and had a sleepover in our tiny house with 6 girls.

 Cassie and her Robotics team..their robot didn't cooperate, but such a cool experience.

December 2012

Tyson and I got away for our 13th anniversary coming up on the 5th, 

                                        Samantha participated in her first Robotic's competition..

                    We got to spend time with Justin and Tom and Steph...before we got them all sick anyway.

                                             Cassie performed in her first concert with her violin

                                                All the kids were in a Christmas Play....

 they did such a good job!

 We built a snowman..well, some of us did.:)

2012 was a good, hard year. 

I don't know entirely what 2013 holds, but I 

know who holds 2013. 

I also know in the next few months, exciting things will be happening for our family, and

we cannot wait to share it with you.

BLESSINGS.