Marriage...

My life is so crazy, hectic, chaotic, that I have to laugh  to keep from losing my mind at times.  Yes, school is very, very consuming.  Teaching 4 children takes a lot out of me.  There is a bunch of other life issues going on that I never, ever would have imagined my life to be.  So, without further ado...the new Mr. and Mrs....

No big wedding.  Nothing.  Nada.  My first son, Seth, is married to Tia.  Let's just say I didn't see it coming so soon.  But, they've known each other since they were 3 years old.  They didn't need to spend months and months getting to "know each other".

We had just moved to Illinois in 1997 and were just attending a new church.  I spotted Tia's mom, Laurie, one Sunday with all 4 of her children.  I admired her for bringing all the kiddos to church without her husband.  Well, Laurie has an amazing testimony of God's mercy.  She is a single mom.  Long story short, we became fast friends during our 4.5 years in Illinois.  We have visited regularly and kept in touch.  So much so that our kiddos married each other.  When they were younger, they played together.  Seth was more friends with her older brother, Nickolas, because, well....girls had cudies.

Seth is easy to spot. He wasn't shy even back then!  See if you can spot Tia.  It is during our kids program at church.

When Seth and Tia were around age 15, they "liked each other" and talked on the phone a lot.  They only saw each other once a year.  After all, she lived in Illinois; we lived here in Virginia.  Eventually, they made other friends, liked other people.  They both went through some tough times, but never stopped being great friends.

Then things just happened.  She moved to our house; started a new job; talked to Seth a lot.

But, God is so good through all the craziness of it all.  He is always faithful...even when I am not.

They Aren't Biologically Related

It is amazing that these siblings, born in different hemispheres, different decades, to different parents are so much alike.  Seth calls her Seth #2.

He bought her the lovely boots for an early birthday gift.

He couldn't resist.  She loves them.  She has already worn them to co op with her camouflage shorts and Marine Corp t-shirt.  I just don't get it.

Eva turned 8.  She is happy about that.  We made cake pops and opened birthday gifts.  Her daddy was out of town, so he called her and sang "Happy Birthday".

Jordan sent her a new backpack.  Perfect choice!  It is already packed with loads of stuff.

She got a new bike.  There wasn't a single camouflage bike at the store, so she settled for butterflies.

The morning of her birthday, Seth left clues and gifts of candy around the house for her.  The prize was the last one.  Something she has wanted for a while.

Yes, her very own pocket knife.  I've already found cut up nuts and branches on the patio furniture.  I told her that she isn't allowed to cut her sisters, carve into furniture, scratch her name in the cars, or stab stuffed animals or pillows.  If so, she will have her knife taken away....She got her knife taken away today.  She stabbed a stuffed animal while Joy was holding it.  

I thought this photo was kind of funny.  After I made some cake pops, I made myself a juice.  The irony.  We really do eat healthily most of the time.