Surprises, Books, and Letters

Last Saturday morning Daddy took us all out to breakfast to celebrate Mother's Day. While we were at the restaurant, Daddy and Mommy told me that since we were celebrating virtuous womanhood today and I am growing to be a young woman, they had some gifts to give me that they had been unable to present for my birthday (October 10). Daddy and Mommy surprised me with a book that they have been working on gathering information for since I was about 7. It is a very neat book entitled The ____ Guide to Womanhood (the blank is our last name). Some of the information in the book includes: On Being a Lady, On Being a Wife, On Being a Grandmother, Seven Missions of the Christian Home, Scripture Memory, Keeping the Home, Mealtime, Hospitality, and Femininity. Daddy and Mommy included pictures of me from birth to now, some fun pictures of our family, pictures of my grandmothers, beautiful paintings from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and there is also a sweet picture of me and my sisters with Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin that I really like!





Abby also surprised me with a box full of encouraging letters and yummy recipes from family and friends all over the country.



Thank you very much to every one who wrote me a letter, card, or email. It was so considerate of each of you to want to be a part of my special day. Each letter is encouraging and sweet and I will treasure them forever. I look forward to sharing these precious thoughts with my own daughters one day.
photography by JCPenney

(My 13th birthday pictures, October 2008)

Under the "On Being a Wife" section, there is a covenant that I really like. In it, Daddy and I agree together to seek God's best for me concerning a future life partner. Daddy promises to protect me from unqualified young men, to be diligent to lovingly guard me from even the presence of temptation, to teach me God's principles concerning life and marriage, and to pray for me, seek for me, and communicate with me concerning God's choice of my life partner. I promise to accept his protection and keep myself pure for my husband, to realize that I am capable of being deceived and promise to immediately go to Daddy should any temptation present itself, to listen and learn and wait for God's best for my life, and to seek first the Kingdom of God, look forward to entering a betrothal relationship, and wait for Daddy's blessing before entering into marriage. We have talked about these things for many years, and again when Daddy gave me my ring for my birthday, but I love having it in writing.

Here are some pictures of us signing the covenant, along with some of the men of our church, who signed as witnesses to the covenant.

me, Daddy, and Mommy signing

Mr. C
Mr. S

Mr. M

Mr. B

Mr. B

Mr. C

Mr. F

Mr. G

Mr. L

Thank you to my dear parents and siblings who worked so hard to accomplish such a great task for me. I am overwhelmed!

And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:11

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 12:4

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10

posted by Sarah

BABY #11 IS ON THE WAY!!!

God has chosen to bless our family with another sweet blessing. Mommy is due November 25. We are so excited!

Our family loves children and we are very happy that God has blessed us with another baby!

Don't forget to vote on what you think the baby's gender will be (in the sidebar)! Maybe I'll put another poll on later for people to make guesses on the baby's birthday or name!


Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalms 127

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 139:14


Posted by Sarah, Abby, Sydnee, Sherrod, Elly, Selah, William, and Wallace

Her Children Arise Up and Call Her Blessed

Today we celebrated Mother's Day. Daddy had brought home cheesecake (Mommy's favorite) and flowers. We children gave Mommy a journal and we each wrote a letter in it to Mommy. Some of them made her laugh and some made her cry.


On Selah's letter, Sarah asked her, "How much do you love Mommy?" Selah said, "Oh, about 3 months!"


William is finally enjoying cheesecake!


For Mommy on Mother's Day,
I thought I would say
You are a treasure,
A blessing and gift beyond measure.
You share God's love
And tell us of our Father above.
Your lips are filled with singing
And your arms with caring.
Your mouth brings forth knowledge and understanding.
You teach us to honor our father.
You show us how to love our heavenly Father by doing it yourself.
You bake the bread
And lead us in righteousness.
You listen to us sweetly
And teach us diligently.
I love you!
You are a gift from above. -- Sarah

A mother is an important kin,
Her daughter's example...
And her daughter's dearest friend. -- Abby

Happy Mother's Day, Mommy! We love you!

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Proverbs 31:28

posted by Abby

Haircuts

We recently had many haircuts in our family. Mommy usually gives each of us a good trim every 3 months or so. Most of the time it's only 2-4 inches, but Elly and Sherrod decided they wanted their hair cut "short" this time, so I thought I'd post some pictures.

Elly - 6 inches off


Sherrod was very adventurous! She had a foot and a half cut off of her hair!!!


Before (it is kind of hard to see in the picture because of her dark hair on the dark blue background, but her hair goes all the way to the 1st line of red trim at the bottom of her dress)


After 18 inches removed


So, are you wondering if I went shorter? Hmm...I think I'll keep it long, thanks.

posted by Sarah

7 months old!

Wallace is 7 months old today! What a big, strong boy he's growing into! He loves to pull up inside of his playpen and walk all around the inside of it.

portrait by JCPenney Photography

He is still as happy as ever. He is so very sweet!

posted by Sarah