Dana, Gianna, and Jake were getting hay for Shelby, I was watching them and suddenly I was sad.  They are all getting sooo grown up!!  We can’t stop time, but we can redeem the time we have. I am so glad for the time we  spend together. I am so thankful we homeschool (6 have graduated, I am still teaching 4), it has enabled us to be together all day long since they were born, learn together, pray together, eat all three meals together everyday, do (almost) everything together, know each other through and through and  they can be each others best friends.  The memories they carry with them are priceless. 

  When Caitlin was first learning to read at 4, (she is now 22) she couldn’t quite get the idea of blending the sounds…b-a, b-e,b-i,b-o,b-u, we wanted her to say ba,be,bi,bo,bu, but  she just couldn’t stop separating the sounds. This went on for days, until finally she got it!!! Her older brothers and sister were all doing their schoolwork at the same table we were sitting at, and the dining room broke out in applause!!  She was so proud of herself, and her siblings all remember the day she was first able to read!!! We have so many memories like that and I cherish them all.  When one by one they all leave home, I will still have my memories of these fleeting, but wonderful days.  =)     

Jake in the loft!!

Gianna doing Hay Ballet!!

The oldest at home right now, sweet  hardworking Dana!!

Gianna, my baby girl (sigh).

Gianna, Jake, Dana

Shelby has to spread the hay ALL over to eat it!!!