LAST POST

This is my last post for 2016. I love this pic of the girls. We've all been through so much this year, but what always stays the same is the love my kids have for each other. We pray for each other, keep each other up to date on our lives, celebrate the good things in each others lives, and truly love each other.

This didn't happen by chance. We worked hard to come to a place where we don't love because of duty, but out of devotion. I'm most thankful for this family trait and I pray it always is the norm in the Rogers' house.

TOP TEN 2017

As is our tradition...we all remembered 2016 and the fun things we have done, places we have been, and people we love doing life with!

Best. Weekend. Ever.

I never suspected a thing and I thought I had pretty good sense about these kinds of things.

Saturday morning Richard and Cam were working outside (there's a never-ending list of clean up and moving things) and I went to the garage to help give some directions to help them out! We knew Ian was coming over later in the day to help out but I was surprised when Cameron announced that he saw him coming up the road. Then he said, "And there's some other guys with him..."

At this point I was headed back inside, because as comfortable as I would like to be, my Saturday morning hair is not made for public consumption. But back to the story, Cameron yells...and starts running, "Ryan and Katelyn are here!"

Cameron is seldom wrong about these kinds of things but there was no way Ryan and Katelyn could be here. They live in Georgia, he is in the possession of the United States Government, via the Army and they hadn't told me they were coming.

It was them! Cameron almost climbed through the window of their car to get to Ryan and ERIN climbed out of the back! Before I knew it Jordan had come out, and Lauren had woken up Sheridan (who happened to have a friend over) and videoed her blindly following her to the garage until she realized it was her big brother in the driveway. And she ran down the driveway, jumped up in Ryan's arm and we were ALL 10 IN THE DRIVEWAY...AND AT HOME.

For 3 days we were all here. We went to the Razorback game in Fayetteville, saw Katelyn's brother and almost ALL their friends...we worked together in the yard, we went to church together, grilled out and BOTH sets of grandparents came to see us. Monday morning Ryan and Katelyn were headed back to Georgia, Erin headed back to college. Monday Richard was back on the road and the littles went back to school.

It was the best surprise ever. Why? Because my kids wanted to be here. They wanted to see us. They wanted to be with us, and eat with us and hug us. They didn't mind washing windows, cleaning up the yard and organizing our boxes in the garage. Because they "get" FAMILY. Every time we're together it's loud enough to make me wish for quiet time, but I know that when we're loud it just means we're all together. The impact that makes on my littles is a seed that will grow over time and someday, I pray, they'll value FAMILY too.

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

Although we've stayed close to home, we've keep fairly busy and made some great memories. Our favorites.

Lauren & Ian's wedding
Watching our house being built
Fourth of July weekend with family in Branson
Camp Caudle for Jordan and Cameron
RL Owner's Conference and Franchise of the Year award for RLs of Russellville
Basketball and Volleyball camps for Jordan and Sheridan
Having friends over to swim and play

2015 HIGHLIGHTS

Every year on the 31st we share a TOP TEN list of the previous year. This year was SO FULL! God is so good, and we have MUCH to be thankful for! Just a few of our highlights: 

CAMERON'S TOP TEN: 

MY TOP TEN: 

Jordan's braids

Es graduation, first semester at UCA, roommates

Speaking at the women's event in Tulsa

Finding a good rent house w/bonus pool

Drawing up our dream house plans

Ryan & Kate's wedding

NLC 

Lauren's engagement

Cameron's karate lessons

Watching S excel at bball, vball & choir

ERIN'S TOP TEN:

KATE'S TOP TEN: 

SHERIDAN'S TOP TEN: 

LAUREN'S TOP TEN: 

Top Ten 2015:

- IAN; in love & engaged

- Dean's List; twice (Spring & Fall)

- Elevation Retreat; Mt. Nebo

- Hillsong Young & Free concert

- Outcry Tour; Tulsa with Ian, John & Jessica

- Woman Conference; NLC with Mom & Erin

- Heber Springs with Ian, John & Jess

- Working at Falls Creek; summer

- Ryan & Katelyn's wedding

- Christmas / Kansas City trip

SHOW STOPPERS!

Lauren's intramural football team won their 2nd championship last Tuesday night! They get to play the championship game in the football stadium so it was a fun setting for a great game. I'm pretty sure they've outscored their opponents by around 200 points this season, but that's conservative, as I don't keep stats for them, and I'm not sure anyone does. This game might have been 21-7. (a close one!) Lauren loves to play with these girls and loves to run the ball! Next stop, regionals in Tennessee! 

Pics from a friend: 

Happiest Day in August!

Capture This Moment

A Moment in Time

I have so many thoughts about this picture I can't make them come out.

At any moment I could be completely flustered with any one of them, or needing hugs and face-to-face conversation with them.

I never saw myself as a mother of 6 children, but I am and this is EXACTLY what I want it to look like.

Fall

I love pumpkins, I love cold mornings and cool evening breezes, I love playing outside without sweating and opening the windows during the days.

I can't wait for the trees on the Lane to start changing...

The Real Thing

Two of my favorite things in this picture! This man loves me despite all the crazy ideas I spring on him, the constant talking when no one else will listen to me, and even though he knows everything about me. I married well. Really well. He isn't perfect, and I'm so VERY thankful for that. He tells me every day that he loves me, and he honors me with his words and actions. He's a true partner and I don't make it easy on him.

On a Mission

 

One of our favorite weeks of the year: Spring Break at Mission Arlington. Ryan came from Fayetteville, brought his sweet friend Katelyn, and we were all there! Eating sandwiches in the parking lot every day for lunch, playing in parking lots after dinners out, working in inner city apartment complexes, filling thousands of Easter eggs for their egg hunt, sleeping on air mattresses in a 10 x 10 room with 8 other people, community showers...and blessings that you couldn't experience any other way. I'm thankful this is something we do. I was very sick the two days before we left and didn't know if I could make it through the week. I slept almost all the way there and I was perfectly healthy the entire trip. SO thankful!