Family

First off I have to say, I love my family!! We are all so close and can't get enough of each other!!

My Mom is a wonderful woman. I couldn't have asked for a better childhood. She was always singing and laughing. Sometime my sister and I would record her singing while she didn't know. We still have the tapes to this day! Once in a while she would come home with a small gift and make something up like, "Happy Monday." She was always putting us in front of her needs. I never realized just how much until I became a mother myself. The sacrifices she made were incredible! For several summers I remeber living at a christian camp. It was a place where we made so many friends and great memories. In fact, it's the place I fell in love with my husband! Later in my teen years she was the youth pastor's wife. It was sometimes difficult being under the microscope but I was so proud of my parents and their work for the Lord. When getting ready for my wedding, my Mom was the wedding planner and so much more. It was such a blessing to have her by my side. I can't imagine that I would have ever taken care of everything on my own. When my first child was born she stayed home to watch and care for him while I worked. I couldn't have asked for a better babysitter. She has been in the delivery room both times I've had a baby and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Now we talk on the phone almost every morning even though she lives about a block away. It's so fun to see her pouring into the lives of my children. My oldest son, Josh, stays the night at Grandma's alomst every Saturday night. What a blessing it is to have such a wonderful mother. Thank you for all your sacrifices... I love you Mom!!

My Dad is a very special man and a hard worker!! I never really remember my Dad being lazy. He's always working on some kind of a project. In fact, I remember coming home from church one Sunday night and my Mom said, "Wouldn't it be nice to have the laundry room closed off with a sliding door?" The next thing we know my Dad is bringing in his tools and is making it happen. I don't know if I remember correctly but I think it was done the next day. There were several times I remember not seeing my Dad for up to four days at a time. He was always doing side jobs just to pay the bills and keep us fed. I know those years were tiring for both of my parents but they did what was best for their family. Now my Dad is working for our church as the Pastor of production. Basically he will be overseeing all of the new building projects. He is so excited and really enjoys his job. He also is having fun being a Grandpa, especially to two little boys since he never had a son. Thank you Dad for all you've done and still do for me... I love you!!

My sister, Sherry, is a very funny girl. She and I are 21 months apart. When we were young we couldn't go anywhere without someone asking if we were twins. We finally got so sick of it we would say yes. I remember our Mom would put us in matching clothes which just added to the confusion. It was fun though. We are very different in many ways. She loved to be outside and I liked being inside. She loved to play sports and I didn't. She could make a joke anywhere, anytime. I was great in school and she hated it. We always found things to do together though. About a year ago she gave us all a scare and we didn't see her for about 5 months but she's back now and everything seems to be better. She is in a wheelchair though. We're not sure what exactly is going on with her body but she can't use her feet. We pray that she will be back to her old self soon and trust God to do miracles in her life. Thanks for all the great memories and I can't wait to make more... I love you!

I love all of you and thank God everyday for such a wonderful family!!