My Dad

I have another post titled "My Dad" and you can read it here. Please go and read that post because it really says all I need to say in this one. The only difference is my dad is no longer with us. The Lord took him home on December 15, 2018. God was good in so many ways and I am very thankful for His blessings.

Our family went to visit my parents on December 13 and spend a couple of nights with them because we were having our Christmas with Bryan's family on the night of December 15th. Dad had not had a good week and when we arrived we could tell he didn't feel well but the next day (December 14) he actually had a real good day. We really had a great time with him and enjoyed every moment of it. We went to bed and like every time we are there to visit I went in and told him good night and that I loved him. Dad and mom had plans the next day with the senior adults at their church so he was looking forward to that. Early the next morning mom came in and woke Bryan and I up and said she couldn't get dad awake... of coarse I just thought maybe he was sleeping really hard. We tried everything and then we knew he was gone. Tears flow as I type this because I miss him so much!

I am so thankful we were there and that he didn't suffer. Thankful for all the memories I have of dad and the memories my children have of him. It still doesn't seem real. I love that man and miss him every day!

Fall Soccer Season

This weekend we finished up our fall soccer season with games on Saturday. Grandparents were able to come up and spend some time with us.

 My parents came up on Wednesday evening and were able to be here for soccer games on Thursday night. Elijah, Timothy, and Joanna had games on Thursday night while Isaac and Sarah refereed a game.

 Bryan's parents arrived on Friday afternoon and Gigi (Bryan's mother) brought supper for all of us. She is an amazing cook. She made chicken and dumplings and red beans and rice. Elijah, Timothy, and Joanna helped make the banana pudding, and they enjoyed licking the spoons and bowls.

 Soccer games started early on Saturday. Isaac and Sarah had the first game at 9 and then the other children played games after that with the last game at 1:30. It was a hot and exhausting day. Sarah and Isaac had two games and in between their two games they refereed three games (they were busy and tired).

 Do you recognize these two soccer players? This was one of our first soccer seasons when they were younger... much younger. They began playing Upward soccer when they were 5 and 7 years old.

Here they are all grown up! (Makes my heart melt!) In the fall of 2014 they began playing soccer at the local recreational league. It was a whole different game than Upwards. We had to get use to the rules and plays of soccer at this level. They have had some great times playing soccer. Our family is very blessed to have the physical ability to play a sport and we often remind the children that we never should take that for granted. Thank you Lord!!

Creation Museum and The Ark

We were blessed to be able to travel up and see the Creation Museum and The Ark. Back in January we made the trip and had a great time! Bryan's parents had went last fall and talked about how great it was and they thought we would really enjoy it too. Usually when we go somewhere as a family we have to have two hotel rooms and that can get very expensive, this time we rented a house in Petersburg, KY. We have never rented a house before but we all agree that we enjoyed it and would do it again! 

Here we are walking up to the Ark. It was very cold that day but once we got inside it was nice and warm.

Here is the crew all bundled up as we entered the Ark. We all enjoy going on adventures together!

Bryan and I stop for a picture together. Love this man! Joanna, Bryan, and I have birthdays in the same week and this trip was around our birthdays.

Here is little brother standing tall!

Middle Brother makes a funny face!

Little sister is one crazy girl!

Big sister smiles for the camera while little sister is the photo bomber. LOL!

All the brothers lend a hand in holding up the Ark. LOL!

Here we are just coming out of the Ark. It was great! When reading through Genesis now it puts a whole new perspective on it.

Waiting for the bus to pick us up and take us back to our vehicles. Did I mention that it was cold???

We are outside the creation museum. Lots to see and do in there!

YES... it was cold!! 5 degrees!! We decided to spend one day at the Perfect North in Indiana, right across the river from where we were staying.

Because they weren't busy they let our passes be good for all day! We got there that morning and did a few laps on the tubes then for lunch we rode back to our rental house and had taco soup (put it on in the crock pot before we left). After lunch and warming up we headed back to snow tubing.

Riding back up to the top to snow tube again! As fast as we could get back up the hill we could go again! It was lots of fun and very thankful that God provided this opportunity for our family.

Camp Family 2018

While at Kids Camp the children worked on a musical performance and presented it at church on the Wednesday night following our return from camp. They did a great job! Here is our family in our kids camp shirts on the night of performance. I love my family and very thankful for the times we have together. We are truly blessed!

Kids Camp 2018

June 22-25 was our kids camp days! We left on Friday morning and headed to Linden Valley Conference Center. We arrived around lunch and had a picnic under the pavilion. God is good, we were all able to attend Kids Camp (just like we were all able to attend Youth Camp). Bryan was the Kids Camp pastor. Isaac, Sarah, and I were some of the leaders. 

 Isaac and Sarah were the only youth that went as leaders and these two did an amazing job!! Not just saying that because they are mine but that is what the other adults that were there said too. Very proud of them! Isaac was the sound man and a leader in his cabin of boys. Sarah was one of the leaders in her cabin and she helped with the musical that the kids were working on.

 Here is Timothy with a couple of his buddies. He had a great time!

 Here is Elijah with his friend. He enjoyed being at camp and being one of the older children there.

 During one of our breaks Joanna went to the store at the camp and got an ice cream treat.

 Had to get a picture with my girl! She was in my cabin and was one of the younger children. She did really well. One day she did get tired and I had to pull her out and take her to the cabin for a 30 minute nap...she was good to go after that.

 Timothy bought these sunglasses at the camp store and we had to have a picture of us in our shades!

Here we are...love this man more than he will ever know! Very thankful for such a godly man to lead me and our children closer to the Lord! His teachings during kids camp were great! He does a great job at getting on their level and teaching in a way to help them understand God's Word.

Father's Day 2018

 We were able to spend some time with both our Father's for Father's Day. We took Bryan's dad out to eat. Bryan's dad enjoys spending time with Bryan and the boys (actually with all of us). Very blessed to have him!

I like having pictures of these guys! I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am that my children have Bryan as their daddy. Our children would not be who they are if it wasn't for having Bryan as their daddy. He is such a godly father and does all he can to lead his family closer to the Lord. 

 I have a very special place in my heart for this man! He will never know how much he means to me and how much I love him!

He has made me laugh countless times and being with him is always an adventure. We are blessed to have both our dads still with us and it time with them is very special!

Time With Family, The Roughton Family

Father's Day weekend was full of family and fun! We met my cousin and her family at my parents house and was able to spend a couple of days with them. We usually only get to visit with them once a year. I posted here about our visit with them last year. We arrived on Friday night and had so much fun! My parents had purchased a used paddle boat and these kids had the best time! 

 Here are 6 out of the 7 kids on the paddle boat. Isaac decided he would sit this one out...too many on there! LOL!!

 Joanna caught her a fish! Fishing before breakfast and all through out the day...never know when something will be biting.

 Here is my cousin (Dodey), my dad, and me. We are pretty much all that is left of our family. My dad's two brothers and his parents have all passed...he is all that is left out of them.

We are first cousins and growing up were like sisters. We have so many great memories and now our children have some great memories too!

 Here are all the kids together! They have grown so much!

Here is our family with Dodey's family. Very thankful that we were able to spend this time together,  laugh, and just enjoy being together. Already looking forward to our next time together!

June was BUSY!

June has been one busy month! I can't wait to share all that has happened the last month. It has been busy but FUN! Let's just say that June was full of Camps (no pun intended)!! The month started off with a week of Youth Camp which all seven of us was able to attend, then Sarah led a cooking camp, four of our kids attended a soccer camp, and then we all were able to be a part of a Kids Camp!! Of coarse everyday at our house is a Camp day!! LOL! So much to share and I am very thankful to God for these opportunities we had!

I will start with Memorial Day weekend...I had an event/show where I had a booth set up to sale Lilla Rose. I took Elijah, Timothy, and Joanna with me. I wasn't busy and there wan't a huge crowd, but the kids had a great time!

 Right behind my booth was a pond and the boys got to fish. After the first few cast Elijah caught this and that was the only thing they caught while we were there.

 Here is Timothy fishing. He tried the most out of both boys but he didn't catch anything.

 Here is the U-Pin from Lilla Rose holding up a messy bun. Beautiful!

 Here are a few hair photos from the few ladies that stopped by my booth. This clip is called Freestyle.

Loving the Hues of Blue!

Joanna was playing with another little girl and I wasn't able to get any pictures of her. Since I wasn't busy this ended up being a chance to be with the younger children and the to enjoy playing and having fun.

Easter 2018

We were blessed to get to travel to AL and spend time with family for Easter this year. We went down on Friday and spent time with my parents and celebrated Timothy's birthday. Then on Saturday we went and spent time with Bryan's parents. We were able to attend church with them on Sunday and then lunch with family. My parents came to Bryan's parents for lunch, but in the busyness of everything I didn't get a picture of my parents.  

 It is challenging to get all 7 of us to smile and look at the camera at the same time. This was as close to good as we got. I should do a post on all the funny pictures we did get.

 Here are the sisters! I am very thankful that these two have each other and pray that they will always be close. Bryan's mother takes the girls shopping for Easter dresses and these girls love shopping with their Gigi!

 Here are the three boys in their Easter outfits. My mother bought the boys and Bryan their shirts for Easter. Love these guys!

Here I am with my honey! My mom picked out my dress.

Bryan's parents, Pop and Gigi. I don't have enough pictures of them and so I am very thankful to have this one.

We were blessed to celebrate Resurrection Day! We worship a God who is ALIVE!
Matthew 28:5-7 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

2018 Tennessee 4-H Congress (Part 3)

 On Sunday after the Speech Competition Isaac had to stay and practice for his part in the presentation that all the finalist put on for all the 4-Her's that arrive on Sunday afternoon. Sarah and I didn't have to be at registration until later that afternoon. Once we registered they were able to mingle and play a few games. The picture above is of Sarah playing a game with a couple of others we met from our neighboring county. We were able to get to know them and spend time with them during Congress.

 Bryan's parents took our three younger children home with them and were able to spend some time with them. Here is Gigi making cookies with them. One of their favorite things to do with Gigi.

 Then Pop took them on a jeep ride. They saw a train pass by and enjoyed the sight seeing.

 Love this picture of these three. I missed them so much but I know they had a great time with grandparents!

While at Bryan's parents they got to spend some time with cousins! These 5 always have a great time together. Yes, Joanna is one of three granddaughters, the other two are 14 and 21...so Joanna gets to hang out with the boys.

The three younger children were able to spend one night with Bryan's parents and one night with my parents and then my parents brought them home. Lots of fun and great memories were made!