I love being a mother. When I was a little girl - I dreamed of it. I had to wait a looooong time, but God's timing is perfect. He has blessed me so!!!

He gives us the desires of our hearts.

My girls are growing up so fast! They are both so different and both so wonderful. I remember wondering when I was pregnant with Caroline if I could love her as much as I do Olivia. How silly! My heart just opened up and welcomed her right in!

Olivia is telling me that she knows what I'm thinking "cause she can read my brain". :) She is so creative - always making things and giving them to me. Olivia is a giver. I think gifts is her love language (she also likes to receive them). She always writes me notes that say "I love you" and wraps up gifts for all of us. She takes such good care of Caroline. Well....except for today when Caroline was screaming and Olivia couldn't hear the TV- Olivia bopped her then. But....that's another blog!

Caroline is talking non-stop. I can understand most of it now! She has really turned into a "mommy's girl", but when asked she will say that she's "mama's girl, daddy's girl and LaLa's girl". We were on a trip recently and she announced to everyone within 5 miles of the rest area that she "needs privacy!". She would not let me come into the stall with her. She has to do everything herself. We drove by Six Flags on our trip and she saw the big rollercoaster and she wanted to ride it. Brad told her it was very high and very fast. Her reply? "I'll hold on." She's got it all figured out. :)

What a joy these girls are to me! God is so good! He's so good to me!

Changes

I haven't blogged in a while. I was bringing myself down, so I knew that whoever read this was surely being brought down as well. I am starting to feel better - handling things better, I guess.

There have been so many changes for our family in the last few months. Olivia graduated from K5 in May. We left our church home (where we have been for the last 8 years) in June. My mom got sick and passed away in July. Life is so different without her. We visited many great churches over the summer and have finally found where God wants us to serve. We got a new vehicle (new to us). My niece got married this summer. Our dear friend, Tammy got married, too! So, this summer has been full of change - good and bad. That's what life is all about though. Nothing ever stays the same. Situations change. Cars wear out. People die. People get married. Children grow....

Olivia began first grade this week at home. Yep! I'm homeschooling! Wow! If someone had told me even 10 years ago that I would be doing this - I would think they were crazy!!! I would think I would be crazy to even try such a thing! We don't know if this is what we will do forever. We just know it's what is right for our family right now. God has affirmed this in so many ways!! Olivia and I have had 3 wonderful days of homeschool so far. I know there will be bad days. I'm realistic. I know the good will outweigh the bad, though. Someone told me they are praying that we "bank up" a lot of good days to look back on when we have a bad one. What an awesome prayer! I am believing for that! "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

God is so faithful. He has blessed us in so many ways. We have been given textbooks, workbooks, craft supplies, a desk, a computer, a printer and much encouragement for our first year of homeschool!

Caroline has started K3. She had her first day on Monday. She is growing up so fast! She loves school and is going 5 days this year. This gives me ample time to homeschool Olivia one on one! They just started offering 5 days this year. A coincidence? "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". Romans 8:28