One Handsome Young Man

My Daniel is one very sweet and very special guy. He has blessed me with his unending love since the day he was born. Daniel is now 10 1/2 years old and is just blossoming into a very nice young man. Remembering back to when Daniel was born and the personality God gave him warms my heart. Daniel wanted his mom and that is pretty much it, as long as he was with me, on my hip, all was well. But then, one day...everything changed...that was the year 2004 when we moved to Iowa and he started kindergarten. I couldn't reel him back in because he just wanted to play and wrestle; that blessed my heart to see him having so much fun and loving to play with his friends. He has now ventured out to Panora to have sleepovers with his cousins without his big brother tagging along...lol...

Daniel loves to swim in the summer and just recently learned how to play tennis. He also wants to learn how to golf. He loves to be outdoors (that is when he is no longer allowed on video games, ie...ds, wii, xbox 360 and game cube) and play with all of his friends on our street; there are about 17 kids that live on our block. He is in the midst of it all and all of the kids love Daniel. He is very gentle and caring with the young kids on our street. Once winter comes, then the sleds come out, the snow boots/clothing and hot chocolate awaits him when he comes in.

He is going into fifth grade this year and is already contemplating which Bible characters he will be doing his independent study on. At his point, it's going to be Daniel, Joshua, Nathan or Jonathan and Jesus. I know he will be a fantastic fifth grader as he learns to switch classrooms, joing 23rd Street Singers and continue on in his second year of orchestra playing the cello. We are anxious to listen to his concerts and performances.

He is a leader at church amongst his friend in the children's ministry. He loves to worship the Lord and study the Word. He is a thinker and although he is quiet, he gives much thought and attention to all that is taught.

He looks very much like his daddy when Steve was a young boy. He has his dad's disposition and sweet nature.

Atttached is a video from Daniel's last orchestra performance.

Isn't She A Lovely Lady

My precious Ashley Elizabeth was handed to me by the hands of a loving God who saw fit that we should humbly raise our breath of sunshine to love and glorify Him with her life.

Ashley is now 12 years old and is continuing to grow in her love for Jesus learning more about how real He is in her life and how His grace is what draws her unto Him.

Ashley is an amazing person. She blessed our socks off right from the beginning. She has the most contagious smile known and hasn't stopped smiling since the day she was born, just ask Aunt Toni.

God has blessed Ashley with a natural beauty and has laid it heavily upon my heart to pray for her inner beauty that she would in turn beauitfy God with her spirit of gentleness that is seen in her love for children.

She is a gifted learner and is talented in soccer and basketball. She absoltley loves the violin and I absolutely love hearing her play it. Our hearts desire is to see her use it in worshipping our Maker.

She is starting a new journey now as she enters Jr. High School. Please pray for our special daughter as she ventures into a new segment in her life. She would like to be in Show Choir like her brother Josh.

The video below captures her performing Midevil Wars (my favorite orchestra song) that she tried out to be a part of. Honor Orchestra is for 6th graders only, she did a fabulous job. She has played the violin for three years now and will continue on into Jr. High School.

She has set a wonderful example for her younger brother Daniel who is now playing the cello. She is quite a help to him on his new venture. Ashley is hard to see at times during this performance, but...she has a black headband on.