Back in School

We started school . . . good news and bad news . . . good news because we need the structure to get things done and keep this house running like a well oiled machine!!! . . . bad news because my house gets neglected and things are usually a little more hectic!!

This year I will be teaching 6th grade, 4th grade, and Kindergarten, as well as entertaining a 2 year old and her almost one year old brother!! We all take turns entertaining the Littles (the youngest 2), but the Bigs (the oldest 3) want to get their work done!!! Isn't that the dilemma of every homeschool family that has more than one child?? I am trying to enjoy our days and remember they are only little for a short while (thank goodness) and this stage will make way for a new one!!

I have switched to Singapore Math from Math U See, which I have been using for 6 years. I have had 2 math teacher friends, plus another K teacher friend who uses Singapore and highly recommends it!! My two BIGGEST Bigs are reluctant mathematicians!! So I thought we would try something new!! I am also switching to Explode The Code to teach Carter to read!! He can't wait to learn to read like the other Bigs!! I am using Wordly Wise 3000 for Vocabulary. I have never used it before but I have read rave reviews on it!! We are using IEW for Writing, Sonlight for History, and Apologia's Astronomy for Science. We have been using these for a few years now!

I am looking forward to a year filled with fun and excitement!! I hope we all survive!! I am pretty sure we will!!

**Thanks for indulging me while I referred to my children as "The Littles" and "The Bigs". Camden just read the book, "The Littles" so I couldn't resist!! It was fun and I think I have decided to do it from now on!!

Sunday Fun

Today we went to visit some our GA friends, the H Family. They were in FL visiting some family and they invited us to join them for church and lunch after ward! The kids had a blast and didn't want to come home! That is the sure sign of a great visit!

I wish I had my camera because there was a live oak tree with spanish in the yard that was enormous!! (It looked sort of like this pic, but better) In fact there was an 87 year old family member of the H family who told us that when he was a boy he played and climbed on that tree. I hope I get to visit again!! I want pictures of that tree!!

I just love the H Family!! Theh have left their mark on me! They are the pastors of the church we attended in GA. From the beginning when visiting their church for the first time, I knew they were different. It was so evident in their dealings with people, the church atmosphere, and the culture of that body of believers. I have been to a lot of churches all over the country. I have eaten meals with a lot of ministers. I have had some of them come visit me when I had a baby. But the H Family is the most sincere bunch I have ever had the privilege to fellowship with!! They are REAL and their love for Jesus and other people is REAL!! I am so blessed to be able to call them friends!!

. . . . tomorrow . . . more unpacking!!

The Twists and Turns of Life

It is has been WAYYYYYY too long since I updated my blog!! I am sorry about that!! Since my last post I have been pretty busy!! Let's see if I can sum it all up quickly!!

Moved to GA-LOVE THE SOUTH-had baby #5 Creed Joseph-unpacked and homeschooled-found an amazing church with amazing people-made some amazing friends-Carley turns 11-Hubby begins to get into teaching at the college level-Hubby gets a job offer back in FL (literally 4months after we get there)-it snows on Christmas day-Hubby accepts the job in FL-family is making adjustments to the idea of leaving our niche in the south-Caydence turns 2-Camden turns 9- Carter turns 5-we pack our house-cry our tears-say ours "see ya laters"-move back to FL-unpack . . .




. . . And that is where we pick back up!! I skipped a few details because they are boring and overrated!! We are now living in FL again and loving it!! We have been here about 2 weeks now. Hubby is working at Trinity College and is already excited about the possibilities!! He is the Program Director of the Management and Ethics degree. He is thrilled and feels like he is a very good fit for this college. He is also working on the final semesters of his Phd. His goal is to be finished with everything in 2 years!! If anyone can do it, I know he can! He is stressed about some aspects, but I have faith that the God who brought him this far will see him through to the end!

The children have been troopers through all of the chaos! Their emotions are up and down. The Lord has been their strength through it all and they will gladly tell you all about it!!


While in GA Carley, made lots of friends-good friends!! There were girls her age everywhere! They all seemed to be into dancing and singing so they got along great!! They were always making up a dance to a song or acting out a skit!! She played basketball for the first time ever and she also played softball and took dance. She has a passion to worship God with her dance. Carley also loves reading and writing. Right now she is into The Lord of the Rings Books. She is constantly learning something new about the characters and the symbolism within the literature (and movies). She is looking forward to seeing some of her Wesley Chapel girlfriends at VBS in a few weeks.

Camden is into all kinds of things too! While in GA, he played soccer and excelled at goalie. He played basketball, his favorite sport and his team went undefeated in the league. He even tried dancing with the dance team at church. He did a great job too, but I think he decided he wanted to stick with sports!! Camden is very sanguine, meaning he is a people person and he always has to be having FUN!!!! He made some great friends in GA too and got to do lots of sleepovers. That was a highlight for him! Now he is glad to be off of school for a while!! When it starts back up again it will have to be FUN!!! (on my to do list . . . make life FUN for Camden!!)

Carter has grown into such a sweet boy! You may know him and remember that when he was two, we wondered if he was going to live through those years!! It seemed he was never going to learn to comply with the family culture. He has a very strong personality, which God will use to glorify Him!! In GA Carter had a friend that had the same birthdate as he does, so that was an instant bond for the 2 of them. One friend had him over to spend the night and they slept in their homemade fort!!! So fun!! Carter starts Kindergarten this school year!! He can't wait to be "in school" like the older children!!

Caydence is now 2 . . . need I say more!!! Her name means "the beat of movement as in dancing or marching". This is so true for our Caydence because she definitely "marches to the beat of her own drum!!!" She keeps me on my toes!! She loves to "help" Creed, her baby brother. Really she is torturing him!! I know she loves him deep down!! She is starting to play dress up and pretend to be a princess. She has a "princess club" and only the most professional princesses are admitted. She is hilarious and she loves music! I am going to post a video of her singing Jesus Loves Me. It is super cute!


Creed Joseph is our newest baby boy! He was born on Sept 16 at 5:55AM. (Six weeks after we moved to GA) He was 8lb 14oz and was 23 1/2 inches long!! He has been a joy since the day he arrived. He is always happy and smiling and like his sister, Caydence, Creed loves music. Creed means, "a confession of faith" and we have learned so much over the past 3 years; most of which was spent unemployed for our family. FAITH has been the key element that has sustained us. Creed is a great reminder of that faith!! His smile and his energy are such a blessing!!

As for me, well . . . these children are my life!! I love every minute of the chaos! I spend most of my time cleaning up spills, doing laundry, changing diapers, picking up the same toys 20 times per day, etc. There isn't anything else I would rather be doing with my time!! I have been given the opportunity to mentor and discipline the children that have been entrusted to me for this season. I am so blessed!

I have managed to find myself involved in some wonderful life giving relationships with some wonderful women of God! They must really love me because they always seem to welcome me and my chaos. I am so very blessed to be living in such a place of opportunity in all areas of life!!!

I am planning to blog more about . . . well . . . whatever!! I am just so thankful that whatever twists and turns in life are around the corner, I can be sure that I am loved unconditionally by my Heavenly Father!!

First Things First

Why do I worry? Why do I second guess Him? Why do I even give in to the temptation to try and figure it all out myself?? When will I ever learn?? Trust . . .

After Shannon and I got home from our initial visit to GA and the whole job interview, we decided that there was a lot to pray about in the whole transition!! We made a list of our most important concerns and began to pray for them daily and meditate on the Lord, knowing that He would provide answers!! Within only a few days our most important concern was taken care of!! We needed renters for our home in FL so that we could get a home in FL with the assurance that the expenses here would be taken care of!! DONE!! Our next concern was to find a home that would be a good fit for our family!! We wanted to make sure the home would feel like HOME right away!! We didn't want to have to go in and do a lot of cleaning or fixing things in order to make it HOME!!! DONE!!! We went to GA to look at a few homes and we found one that we think will be a PERFECT fit for us!! It is HUGE and had a great big back yard!! We are excited to make the move!! Our next concern . . . the one that would keep me awake at night . . . where will our precious baby make his entrance into the world?? FL or GA?? About a week after the job was offered to Shannon I found a midwife in rural N GA!! WHO KNEW?? I couldn't believe it!!! What a HUGE blessing!! Now baby Creed will definitely have a exciting birth in a new place!!

Those were the biggest concerns on our list and they are all taken care of!! There are more, but I have no reason to worry!! It will all be taken care of!! The Lord is Jehovah Jirah, my provider!! I have a WONDERFUL Heavenly Father watching out for my family and I. He know what we need and WHEN we need it!! I pray that I will always remember how He has provided our every need and even some wonderful things we didn't really NEED!! Thanks you, Lord, for making beauty from ashes!!

20 Months, hundreds of rejections, and thousands or resumes later . . . .

There is good news to report!! My Hunny got a job teaching at a Christian college in a VERY small town in the deep south. I am so proud of him. The teaching portion of his interview was flawless (in my completely unbiased opinion!!). You know how you watch a sports event and you realize that the players seem to make their "job" look so easy??? I always think, "If I threw a ball . . . it sure wouldn't look like that!! How do they do that and make it look so easy??" That is what Shannon did!! He taught a mock class on a given topic. I sat in the back and observed with tears in my eyes!! He did amazing!!

He embarked upon this journey 20 months ago when he was struggling at his job. He was working himself to the bone day and night and NEVER receiving the benefits promised him from the beginning. He was promised employees to help with the work load, an office space, just to name a few. While dealing with those unfulfilled promises, he was being degraded and demoralized on a daily basis. It was one dramatic scene after another. Since he was working from home it became a family affair. He had no co-workers to bounce things off . . . there was chaos and confusion everyday. We know that isn't from God, so with very heavy hearts and timid spirits, we agreed that he would quit that job!!!

I am sure that most people thought we were crazy!! But we took the step of faith!! The Lord had showed us a Scripture that confirmed the decision. So we felt . . . . timidly confident!!! Of course we thought that he would have a job within only a few months. We never dreamed it would be a journey that would last nearly 2 years.

Through the months, we have had our ups and downs and our faith and doubt. There were times when we wondered if this season would EVER end!! Sometimes it feels too surreal and we wonder if we are dreaming. But we are alas so thrilled at the opportunities that lie ahead.

This is a dream come true for Shannon. As a professor, he is looking forward to doing life with people on a new level!! His humble spirit, energy for life, and creativity are going to keep him learning and mentoring for a long time!! I am so proud of how he has been faithful to obey the Lord during this time and keep our family afloat during this very LONG roller coaster of emotions and circumstances.

WHAT AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO?? Well, I am looking forward to taking my kids out of the city and into the country!! I am looking forward to new homeschool field trips. I am looking forward to a change of pace. I am looking forward to meeting new people and making new friendships. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for our family in Georgia. It is going to be a blast!!

Cloth Diapering

Who knew it could be so easy!! It really is a non-issue!! I have considered it in the past with other babies, but all I could think about was the "hassle"!! After trying it . . . to my chagrin, it is SOO easy!! I am very happy I gave it a try!!

I have a good supply of diapers now and I only have to wash every 2-3 days. With all the laundry I do anyway, I hardly notice the extra load!!

I also use cloth wipes. I never thought it would be so easy to keep those on hand!!!

HERE IS MY SYSTEM: (I'm a beginner for sure!!)
I have a wetbag that hangs from the changing table and I sprinkle some baking soda in it to help with the odors. NOTE: The changing table is in my bedroom and there are NO odors that come from the bag at all!! So I use Flip diapers for the most part.

I keep the inserts and covers folded on the table as well as the wipes warmer with cloth wipes. When I change a pee-pee diaper, I put the insert in the bag and use a new insert. When I change a poopy diaper, I plop the poo and swish in the toilet a few times and then I sprinkle the insert with baking soda and drop it in the bag along with any wipes I use. I have a diaper sprayer that attaches to the toilet, a MUST HAVE, according to a friend!! BUT the Hubby is having a difficult time getting it attached properly and so we have not yet used it!! I have heard that it makes poo-poo clean up much less hassle, but at this point, I wouldn't know!! When I do swish poo in the toilet, I wear dish gloves. Call me a wuss . . . but I just can't bring myself to do it without them!! I always wash my hands good with the gloves ON and then put them in a safe spot wear they aren't going to get used for anything else!!!


TO WASH: I take the bag and dump all content into the washing machine including bag and put it on the "soak" setting in cold water along with a little more baking soda. After it has soaked for some time (a few hours to over night) I wash the load with a chemical free detergent and a little oxy clean. I wash using HOT water and use the 2nd rinse cycle to be certain that all detergent it out of the diapers. I hang the bag and diaper covers to dry and add the inserts to the next load to dry or if large enough, they all go in the dryer alone and dry completely. Some days I can put them on the portable clothes drying rack outside in the sun and save some money on using the dryer!!


ANY QUESTIONS??? How about ADVICE???




I am sure I will change my system over the next year or more while cloth diapering Caydence and the NEW baby. I am looking forward to the challenge!!

Wood-burning Kit Brings Dad Back

My Hubby's parents recently moved and as my MIL was cleaning out the basement she found an old wood-burning kit that belonged to Hubby. He was probably about 12-14 when he used this to entertain himself "WAYYYY back in the old days," the kids would say!!

Well, the kids begged him to get it our yesterday so he did!! They had a blast . . . he had a "blast from the past!!" When he opened the box, there were pieces he had made as a kid that were still in the box. The kids were fascinated and Hubby was too!!

As they painted and burned their pieces of wood they kept saying, "MMMM, I love the smell of the burning wood!!" Should that concern me??? At any rate they had a great time and they all made "Keep Out" signs for their rooms!!!

I Love You Well, My Little Brother

I found this poem in Camden's Language Arts book. He is supposed to memorize it!! I like that idea!! I am making his brother memorize it too!! I think we shall walk around reciting this one all the time!! I know they love each other, but there are days . . . when love lies deep under the surface!! Maybe the poem will be a fun reminder of how we ought to treat each other!!!

I Love You Well, My Little Brother
Mother Goose Rhyme

I love you well, my little brother,
And you are fond of me;
Let us be kind to one another,
As brothers ought to be.

You shall learn to play with me.
And learn to use my toys;
And then I think that we shall be
Two happy little boys.

Our Souvenir from VA

Well, we have a sweet souvenir from our time in VA. We didn't plan this, but I know we will be blessed to bring another life into our family. We found out we were pregnant on our anniversary, Jan 3rd. It was unexpected and took some time to used to the idea, but we are thrilled. The other children and VERY thrilled. We were especially excited to find out that baby #5 is a BOY!! We have had so many suggestions on CA- names since all the other children have followed that pattern but we think we may break the mold . . . yes, it's true!! BUT he will still have a C- name.

We like the name CREED JOSEPH HOGAN. I know that most people won't like it at first and you won't find it in a baby naming book, but we feel like the Lord has brought us to such an amazing place in our lives. We have been through so much in the past 18+ months. It was always about trusting, obeying, serving, and doing what was right. But the anxiety of the thought of bringing another life into the world was a little overwhelming (especially when I just did it a few months ago!!). Now it was time to walk the walk. Did we really BELIEVE what we say we BELIEVE???? We took 14 weeks until we decided to tell anyone . . . but we realized that YES . . . beyond a shadow of a doubt . . . we BELIEVE!!! A synonym for Creed is Faith or Belief. These words have come to mean so much to us. Without our FAITH, we are nothing!! Our faith in the Great Creator is what has sustained us in the difficult times.

The name Joseph is also taken from the Bible. What a character he was. He went through so much. He was a cocky kid when the story of his life starts out, but he stands for what is right and he is mistreated and even feels forgotten . . . but God has not forgotten!! In the end he is placed in a place he NEVER thought possible. He was given more than he could EVER imagine. His life mattered from the beginning all the way to the very end!! He was a character of great integrity and faith.

So we are pleased with the name we have come to fall in love with. He will be loved and he will always have someone to play with!! Blessings!!!

Christy's ONE year Anniversary

This past week we celebrated a huge milestone in our family. Christy's anerism was one year ago. Here is her story:

Christy's Story

21 Rules of this House

I found this on the internet and I am going to post it in every room of this house!!! I love being a mommy and I love my munchkins . . . but they are still learning and growing!! I hope they can get this in them! Maybe it will make life a little less hectic around here!


The 21 Rules Of This House
by Gregg Harris

1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we take something out, we put it away.
17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept
the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

My Carley

Today Carley turned 10!! I can't believe it!! She is growing up to be such an amazing person. Her beauty radiates from the inside out!!

I remember when I found out I was pregnant with her. It was Easter Sunday of 1999. I told Shannon that I thought I was and he said that he'd bet me a DOLLAR that I wasn't!! I won!!

My pregnancy with Carley was interesting! Since it was my first, every little nuisance was alarming! A pain here and a pain there . . . what did that mean? Why is that happening?? My blood pressure began to rise too high about 6 weeks before her due date. I was put on bed rest. There were several trips to the doctor and hospital. So the doctor finally said we would induce birth the day after Thanksgiving, which was only 12 days early! That was exciting!! All the family came to TN, where we bought our first house in preparation for Carley's arrival. I made Thanksgiving dinner . . . I was supposed to be on be rest . . . but I really wanted some good food!!

So we packed our bags and checked into the hospital on Friday morning. I had pitocin to induce contractions. I had one contraction and then I said . . . I think I need an epidural now!! I was definitely afraid of the pain!! After I had the pain medicine, I fell asleep. I had my water broken and then began to push a little while after that. I only pushed for 30 minutes or so and out came my baby girl!! It was an absolute miracle!! She was 6 pounds 13 ounces and only 18 1/2 inches. What a tiny thing!!

Meanwhile, the family that came for the occasion was out in the lobby placing bets on WHEN the baby would arrive. I can't remember WHO won the bet, but that was quite a memory!! Our first visitors were grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and lots of friends!! It was our first baby and such a special time for us!!

I couldn't believe we were "allowed" to take her home with us. When we came home, I can remember our first night's sleep . . . I mean actually there was no one sleeping!! What a mess these first time parents were. There is no amount of reading one can do to prepare you for those early days. The Lord knows we can't handle them for long . . . that is why they seem to go by so quickly! (That and the fact that we are so tired, we can't remember!!)

Carley has become such a sweet young lady. She is so much fun to be around. She makes me laugh all the time. She likes to go with me to the grocery store so I don't have to go alone!! She likes to shop for clothes and loves to dress fashionable! BUT she also like to get dirty in the MUD, if I let her!! She is a GREAT sister to her brothers and sister. But what I am most proud of, is the way Carley loves Jesus. Her prayers are so heartfelt and sincere. She knows how to talk to Him and does so freely. She shares her faith with her friends in the neighborhood because she wants them all to have the Peace and the Grace that she has.

Carley has been such a blessing for me to parent and I am looking forward to watching her blossom into the beautiful woman of God that I know she will become. Hugs to my sweet, sweet girl!!!

The News it Out

We are still in VA helping to care for Christy. She is making progress each day. I really enjoy being here with her and helping her with her day-to-day tasks.

We are very excited because she was able to find a GREAT OB doctor this week. They scheduled her c-section for August 11 at 10am. We are all very excited about Addison's soon arrival. Today she had an ultrasound and they estimate Addison's weight to be 5lbs 6oz at 35 weeks. Please keep Christy and Addison in your prayers. This will not be the birth that Christy hoped for at the beginning of her pregnancy, but as her hubby keeps reminding her, "the hard part is over!!!" Addison and Christy are both alive!! Everything else is going to be a piece of cake. I am so proud of Christy as she takes on the challenge on mommy-hood! I know it is difficult without the setback of a brain injury. Christy is not letting these circumstances get her down. She is moving forward as planned.

We are planning a baby shower in the next few weeks. It will be simple with only the family, but we know that Christy will enjoy filling Addison's room with baby stuff!!

Our family has decided to stay here with Brian, Christy, and Addison for the next 6 months or so to continue to help out. We have seen God move in a mighty way as we have made the decision to serve our family in this way. The details can only be chalked up to "The Lord and His PERFECT will!!!" I am excited to see where Christy will be in 6 months. I believe that she will make a full recovery eventually. I can't wait to share the stories with Addison (when she is a little older) about how her mommy fought through the odds for her. Our family will never be the same!!!

Thank you Lord, for unfortunate circumstances. They always seem to make us into better people. You can take something that was meant to destroy us and use it to help us change the world! You are amazing!! I love you, Lord!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Caring for Christy

Today I completed my first day of caring for Christy while Brian went to work! What a job!! She is completely dependent and has to have someone with her 24/7. There are a lot of little things that I keep forgetting and she has to remind me . . . putting the breaks on the wheel chair for example, adjusting her trach collar just right, or a wet wipe after a meal. She is being so patient with me though!! I am probably more frustrating to her than she is to me. She can communicate, but not with words . . . so we are trying a few one handed signs and lots of guessing!! She gets frustrated at me and she doesn't mind telling me so in her own way . . .

We laugh a lot!! This is what warms my heart more than anything. Here she is, is such a state and she is laughing and enjoying the life she is blessed with. She always has me feel Addison moving around in her belly!! What a little blessing she is already! It's the little things that amaze me!!

Christy is determined . . . did I mention that?? When she wants to do something, she wants to do it!! That is going to be so beneficial to her on this journey . . . She has come so far already, but she still has a long way to go.

Tonight before she went to sleep Shannon and I prayed for her. We are believing that He will do mighty things in her life including heal her body completely! I feel so privileged to be able to be here to serve Christy and Brian in their time of need. I am thanking Him already for her healing. Thank YOU for joining me in prayer. I know something is going to happen soon!

Praying for Christy

*I wrote this when Christy had just begun this journey. I can't believe that she is coming HOME tomorrow!!

THanks to all who have been taking Christy's needs to the throne of God. She has made amazing progress in one week and we are all hopeful for a full recovery. Today I went into her room and the nurses had propped her up in a chair. She looked good and she opened her eye to look at me. When I reached down to grab her hand, she squeezed my hand tight! That brought tears to my eyes. She likes to have her feet and legs rubbed with her favorite lotion. When Shannon and I left the room we said, "Goodbye Christy." As we walked out she waved goodbye with her left hand. How cool was that!?!?!

THE SHORT VERSION:
On Monday, April 13, Christy had a migraine and vomiting. She was at her parents house and her mom called 911. When she went to the ER she was diagnosed with a brain aneurism and they were going to transfer her by air to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville, VA. The weather was too bad to for an air transfer, so se went by ambulance.

Christy is a 28 year old young woman who is 21 weeks pregnant with her first baby and last week she found out she was having a girl!! Christy and Brian were so excited and had already named her Addison Jean. They were so excited to be parents!

After arriving at UVA, Christy had 2 brain surgeries. They weren't sure how she would respond at first. She had a few set backs and then she had 2 more brian surgeries. The last one was to remove portion of her skull in order to make room for some swelling of her brain. (Doesn't the sound serious??? IT IS!!) After those few set backs, she has had several good days. The doctors say that set backs are normal. The baby is miraculously alive and kickin' like crazy!!

Christy is looking forward to motherhood! We are so sure that she is going to pull out of this and be the mom that Addison needs! There are so many folks praying for Christy and Addison

My Hubby

I know that everyone thinks that their husband is the "best is the world", BUT I think mine is "THE BEST" . . . . he is pretty amazing!! I have been blessed to have been married to him for 11.5 years now. We dated for 4 years prior to getting married. We have been together for almost half of our lives at this point (and we are YOUNG!!). Everyday, I look him in the eyes and ask him, "how did we get this happy??"

We met when Shannon came to IN to see his family at holidays and summer breaks. I was friends with his cousin and her family. Their home was like a second home to me in those days! So naturally, I knew her family and extended family. Well her family extended all the way to Virginia. It's funny how the Lord works out those details!!! Thanks, B family! The Lord used you back in those days to bring this young gal and guy together forever!! I will forever be grateful for those precious moments of being welcomed in your home . . . on what always seemed to be "cleaning day!!!" HAHA!!

When we started dating, it was long distance. I was 16 and he was 17. I lived in IN and he lived in VA. He was a SR and I was a JR in high school. I had been a Christian for a few years and he was newly saved. We talked on the phone a lot . . . but not too much!! Neither of us wanted to seem too eager!! PLUS we couldn't afford the phone bills. Even though we were long distance for 2.5 years, we still managed to see each other about once a month. I counted the days from one time of seeing him to the next. It seemed like I was always counting days!! Sometimes I would fly out to see him and most of the time he would drive 10 hours to see me!!! We did all the same fun dating things as other couples. Movies, dinner, parks, walks along the river, hikes in the woods, walking the mall, etc. I remember when I lived at home. I would walk into the door from work and the first thing out of my mouth was, "Did Shannon call???" He was my best friend!!

He was a friend like I had never had before. He was patient, kind, gentle, not easily angered, humble and not boastful . . . . sound familiar?? That was and is my best friend.

After all these years together . . . he still makes me laugh everyday!!! He is hilarious and he reminds me of that often!! He has grown to be an awesome man of God and a wonderful father to my children. I can't believe we have four kiddos!! Family means the world to us. We want to change the world by impacting our kids. They are already awesome people to be around!! They love the Lord with all their hearts. The main reason for this is . . . their Dad!!

He has an amazing relationship with the Lord. He has been blessed with so many gifts and talents. I am blessed to call him my best friend!!

We have been through some of the toughest moments of our lives together in the past year . . . the new job "YEAH" . . . the new job "OH NO!!" . . . the new job "what have we got ourselves into??" the new job . . . gone . . . for the last 8 months . . . He has been unemployed!! I have seen him go through a lot during this time, but the Lord had remained faithful. Shannon reminds me all the time of where we could be . . . where we are . . . and the blessings we receive daily!!! We are blessed!

Today, Shannon got a job as an adjunct professor at a local Christian College. It isn't enough to pay all the bills yet, but we are thrilled. This is what he has been wanting to do for a long time. We are praying that it turns into something more permanent with more pay. Or maybe the Lord will use another avenue to bring full time work . . . we don't know?!?!?! BUT we are standing on his promises!! He has not left us yet . . . and He never will!

I just want to say that I am sooo proud of Shannon! He has been through so much, yet he holds his head high with the blessed assurance of Christ's love. I want the world to know that he is an AMAZING person. He is full of wisdom, integrity, and God's grace. He is thankful for the little things in life . . . and I . . . . am thankful for him!!

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO??

We have been doing a lot to stay busy . . . besides NOT sleeping! Here are a FEW of the highlights.


We have all been adjusting to having a new member of the family! The older children think it's so cool to have a baby in the house and the younger one . . . he knows what it means to get into trouble for being careless around his infant sister. He is adjusting too!! Cater loves his baby sis though and just wishes she could wrestle like him and Daddy and Camden.


Carley and Camden have been in sports this past spring. Carley did girls fast pitch softball. It was her first time playing a team sport and she LOVED it! She did awesome too. She started out a little nervous when she would get up to bat. But by the end of the season she was hitting like a pro and making it to base!! She wants to play in the fall, so look out girls . . . here she comes!!



Camden played basketball and Shannon coached his team. Camden did AWESOME!! He was the tallest kid in the league and had the second highest score of any of the players in the entire league!! He is definitely a talented athlete! He made the all stars team. His team WON against the kid that had the highest scoring points for the entire season! Camden did awesome!!


We have had LOTS of homeschool events that took place at the end of the school year. At our talent show Carley played a piano solo, "This Little Light of Mine." She did awesome!


We had tragedy strike our family about 2 months ago. Shannon's brother Brian's wife Christy had an anyerism. She is 28 years young and is 30 weeks pregnant with their first baby. She is on the road to recovery. This has taken up a significant amount of time for us. We will be going to VA to help out the family for appx 6 weeks or so when she is released from rehab. We know that with God's help and healing power she will make a full recovery.


In May we celebrated the life of Camden Andrew Hogan for the seventh time!! HE is such a joy!! His friends came t the park and we had cake, presents and games!! He was so happy to be the center of attention!!


Then yesterday we celebrated the life of Carter Scott Hogan for the third time!! What a sweet blessing he is in our family! He kept calling himself "The Birthday Boy" all day. Then when he woke up the next day, he reminded us that he is STILL "The Birthday Boy!" He makes us laugh everyday!!!


That was a little of the highlights! I hope to post at least once a week now! Caydence likes to watch the computer screen while I type!! Thanks for your patience!!

Caydence is THREE months old now!!

These are by best girls . . . Carley and Caydence

I know I have not posted in almost three months . . . but I haven't had any sleep eitherand life just seems to get busier and busier!!

Caydence is such an amazingly sweet baby! She is pretty easy going and seems to be going with the flow for the most part. She still wakes up 2-3 times per night, so I walk around in a sort of permanent FOG!! I am always tired!! . . . the woes of a new mommy . . . I think we forget how tiring it can be. God sort of tricks us mommies into doing it again!!!! PLUS I think that the more kiddos I have the more tired I have been with each new baby!! I know it is but a short season!! The Lord know we can't handle it for too long. That is why "it goes by so quickly!" Here are some pics of my newest sweetheart!

Our Baby Caydence Lynne

She has finally arrived!! She was 6 pounds 10 ounces and 20 1/4 inches long. She arrives on Monday March 23 at 10:27PM. We had been anticipating her arrival for 9 months, and we are so excited to have her join us! She is our tiny princess and we are all enjoying our time getting to know her.

Contractions started and stopped twice over the few days preceding her birth. I thought she might NEVER arrive! On Monday, Carley had a softball game and I decided to go! I was tired of sitting around waiting for the "real thing" to start! Contractions started again before we left for the game. They were mild and only 7-10 min apart! They were getting a little stronger throughout the game, but still 7-10 min apart. I went to the van to sit in silence b/c they were really starting to get to me and they were still 7-10 min apart at about 7:45PM. BY the time the game was over (WE WON!!) they were just starting to get closer. They were now about 5-6 min apart. BY the time we got home, at 8PM, they were 4-5 min apart and they were about 1 min long! So we called the midwife and she was on her way in no time! I had continued contractions and the little princess was born in a birthing tub at 10:27PM. My water broke as I pushed her out. That was different!! I could feel it POP in the water and it freaked me out at first!

It was such a great experience and the Lord answered our prayers! Caydence is healthy and strong and ready to take on the world! She fits into our family already and we feel so blessed to have her!

Thank you to all who have prayed, bought gifts, brought meals, or said an encouraging word! We will hold the memories in our hearts forever! We appreciate you and your generosity!

. . . now, I am gonna go get some sleep!!

Labor Update

I know you are all as eager as I am . . . well maybe not QUITE as eager . . . but I thought I would give you a quick update.

Yesterday the midwife came over and checked me in the morning and I was 7cm . . . yeah crazy! Contractions started at 2:30ish yesterday and have been about 7-10 min apart since then. They are growing in intesity, but not quite intense enough yet. She stayed all night and I didn't really progress at all. In fact I was able to sleep through a lot of the contractions, and only woke up for the more intense ones. I woke up at 5:30AM with some that have been a little more painful, but still only about 7 min apart! She said this could continue for "a while!" (no definitive answer!!)

So we are all TRYING to be patient and wait on this little angel . . . Thanks for your prayers! We are all doing good! I will update when we have a baby! Till then we sit and wait!!