Strength...

There is not much that impresses me more than my daughter's strength! Brianna has NEVER done anything half way and she is the polar opposite of mediocrity. She is sunshine when it's raining and she is strong when others would quit! She will tell you how she feels so that you will never have to wonder where you stand. She is kind and she is patient, but has a tremendous sense of right, wrong and justice! I never have to worry about what side she'll be on. She will love like there is no tomorrow, like she's never had a broken heart, but she always knows just when the ride is over. She will depart just as gracefully as she swept in and she never shows animosity toward others that have let her down, but rather just chalks them up to another life lesson. She is larger than life and incredibly mature, but she often sees the good in life as if she were looking through the eyes of a much younger child! She will be you staunchest supporter and then be proudly stubborn when she believes she is right! She is wild and sweet, she is strong and faithful, she is kind and sympathetic, and should you ever have the opportunity to know her as I do it will surely be a privelege and one you'll never forget! Brianna I will always love you and always be grateful that God has blessed me so incredibly in being your mother. Mothering you has made me a better person! I hope all your dreams will always come as true as you have made mine!!! Love You!!!

Don't have much time to write at this moment...I have to go fulfull my "drive kids all over town...and out of town" duties! I will try to get on here soon though and get some more photos. Everyone is growing and changing so fast...if I don't get to work they won't be reconizable anymore LOL! For now here are a few updated shots. Zach is 15 years old now and plays Varsity and JV football at a local highschool. He is #60. These first few pics are from one of his recent games. The top picture on the blog is newer as well and was taken about a month or so ago.

Braji and her best friend and my 5th daughter...Ali! I have adopted her...well I guess it would only be fair to say that we all have. We love you Ali!!!

Well this is it for now and as always, I hope life will accomodate writing again one day, but for this season it just doesn't fit in the list of priorities! Hope all is well with everyone and that everyone is well.

Take care...Dana

Hello again,

Sadly, many days have come and gone since I thought I would start to write again. A home remodeled, a camping trip, another trip cancelled by an automotive crisis, family and friends have paid their visits and though, I have so many things to tell you of, my life is so incredibly full that it seems I may never have the time.

Ya know, it honestly doesn't seem that I will be able to fit it in anywhere in the near future. Maybe I need to just commit to writing once or twice a week...once seems more reasonable. I really do enjoy writing however, I have said it before and I will say it again, the busyness of my life with my kiddos needs to come first.

I only have them here in this home with me for a season and then I will pine for the days that at present have me feeling frazzled. I will long for the days of carpools and sports, doctors and family trips. In those days that will be here way too soon, I will have time to write, to read, to knit, to spend time with my hubby alone. And in all those moments I will wonder why I ever looked ahead, why I ever felt the impatience of time. Because, with the exception of spending time with my hubby all the rest of the things are just that "things"!

Love your families...one day memories is all you'll have!!!

It has been a bit since I have been on my dear blog, but life in my home has been a bit wild lately. We are also back to sharing on computer. I am hoping to get back to blogging as soon as possible, probably as soon as this remodeling project is finished. We are painting the living room, dining room and kitchen and we have laid wood floors down. All we have left is baseboards and some last minute details and touch ups. So shouldn't be too long. We are also planning a trip to Kentucky to see the grandparents towards the latter half of this month. All that said though, hopefully I will be back soon with new pics to post!!! Until then, I'll be thinking of the clicking of the keyboard...see you soon;-)

Life as it is:::

1. I have 5 amazing children, 1 handsome boy and 4 beautiful girls

2. I have an amazing husband who is also a fine Naval Officer

3. I have a very nice, home about 3000 sq. ft. on 3 acres in the country

4. I have horses, dogs, cats, and chickens

5. I have loads of fine jewelry and too many shoes

6. I homeschool my children so I get to spend every day with them

7. I have a lifestyle that affords many extras that we didn't have before

8. I have a husband who is faithful and loves spending time with me

9. I have a family that is healthy, self assured, and very confident

10. I have a life that is so much more than I could have ever hoped for

My life is incredible! I have a life that most would love to have. I have an amazing family that I love with all my heart. I sacrificed a career in order to be home with my kids every day, and I have no regrets. I have a husband who makes the sacrifices he makes every day so that I can stay home with those wonderful kids. I have a fantastic life and I will never have enough words to express how grateful I am to God that He saw fit to bless my life so abundantly, to my husband who gives so freely of himself, and unconditional love from my children, when I have done nothing remotely close to deserving it!

Amazing people they've become...

When my babes were little tiny things, I had to do so much
They couldn't dress themselves, brush their hair or wipe their bums.
So many days I spent exhausted thinking "You'll never make it through,
because there's one, two, three, four, five of them and only one of you!"

Each day they all grew a little older,
Time flew by before I knew.
And gone were the days of diaper bags,
No more strollers or baby food.

As the years went racing by in a whirlwind it sure seemed,
Memories of these baby days became more and more like a dream.
I remember kissing baby toes and nursing each one tenderly,
Oh the sweet days that now exist only in my memory.

I realize I can't turn back time and live it all again,
So in my heart I'll tuck those days away and always remember when,
My days were filled with belly laughs and silly toothless grins,
Story books and dress up clothes and bikes with training wheels.

One by one the days will come and I will share with them,
The fairytale that's been my life since the time my babes were young.
I'll open up my heart to them each and every one,
And proudly share my precious memories with the
Amazing people they've become.

To my children, who from the moment they were born, have been the center of my world!

Love, Mama

Some of my all time favorites and my "for now" favorites...

Salty popcorn...air popped, not the microwaved kind.

Hugs and kisses from the man I love.

Almost any hot tea that I can put cream and sugar in.

DVR and the pause button on my remote.

Horses frolicking at sunrise manes and tails flowing.

Playing games of any kind with my kiddos.

The puffy faces of my children when they first wake up in the morning.

Sitting by the fire and roasting marshmallows with my family.

Listening to my children read to me.

Finding friends via the internet, whom I thought were lost for ever.

Fresh eggs every day from chickens at my home.

My life, which takes me by surprise almost daily, at how wonderful and amazing it is that it is mine~~~~~

Making this list is such a great way for me to now and take inventory of myself. Plus, it gives me one more chance to stop and be thankful for some pretty cool things in my life. If you made a list what would it say?