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Flashback Friday: Celebrating at My Youngest Brother’s Graduation
My youngest brother Josh and my parents
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to my brother Josh’s High School graduation in May 2005. It was also the girls first trip to Kansas. It was a lot of fun being able to celebrate with my brother on his special day. A lot has happened in the past ten years, but it is neat to look back on this fun day.
Thankful for a chance to spend a long weekend in Kansas with my family. It was an adventure and exhausting with two little ones in tow, but we had a great time. It’s not every year your little brother graduates from High School.
Josh with Grandma Doris and Grandpa Verlyn!
Josh with Grandma Willa and Grandpa CE
Grandpa Russell and Jake handing the girls for Josh to hold.
My oldest brother Jeremy and his wife Amber (who was pregnant with Brandon at the time) with my youngest brother Josh.
Jake, and I with my two younger brothers Josh and Lee.
Jake, Josh, Karlie, Brina, and I at Josh’s High School Graduation celebration
Congratulations Josh!
As you can see Karlie and Brina were SUPER thrilled to be celebrating with Uncle Josh!
Cousins – Lee, Alecia, Josh, myself, Jordan, and Rachel
Siblings – Lee, Josh, Me, Jeremy
Josh with Uncle Sam and Uncle Paul Uncle Sam recently passed away (about a month ago). Thankful for the memories and times together. Cherish the time you have with your family while you can.
Josh & Megan’s Wedding Day Celebration (Mt Vernon, IN)
Megan and Josh saying their vows!
We were super excited to celebrate Josh and Megan’s big wedding day with them! It was a beautiful wedding! I am happy to welcome a sweet new sister into our family (now the girls side is even)! Thankful that Josh found a godly and beautiful lady to share the rest of his life with too! We took some candid photos throughout the wedding day that we are going to share here (we tried to stay out of the way of the photographer so a couple pictures you will noticed are off to the side). Welcome to the family Megan! We are thrilled to have you as a part of our rowdy crew! 🙂
A picture of our crew before the wedding!
Josh and my Dad talking in between pictures! Still hard to believe my baby brother just got married, but thrilled for him. We are all growing up and starting families of our own!
My Dad, my oldest brother Jeremy with his beautiful wife Amber and their oldest son Nathan.
Brina Bee
Dad, Megan, Josh, and Mom taking their pictures!
Megan and Josh with Josh’s parents and siblings! This is definitely a “candid” shot as we are waiting for the photographer, ha! Thankful for my parents and 3 brothers! Even though we don’t always get together as much as we would like we have fun when we do get a chance. Love you!
My beautiful, sweet, loving Mom looking great as always! Thankful for a Mom who loves unconditionally, is supportive, encouraging, always willing to listen, and who invests her time and energy not only in my life, but also into the lives of my kids too. Love you Mom!
Brina and Karlie were in charge of the guest book, programs as well as the gift and card table. They took their jobs seriously and wanted to make sure EVERYONE signed the guest book (even to the point of hunting people down during picture time to make sure they signed it)! 🙂 Thankful for my girls and their caring spirits.
Brina and Karlie watching Great Grandpa CE Hendrich sign the guest book!
My younger brother Lee with his beautiful wife Becky!
Two of my good looking nephews – Brandon and Nathan! Brandon looks so serious, but I got a good smile from Nathan!
Flower bouquet at the card and gift table!
My cousin Renelle had these cowbells engraved with Josh and Megan’s name and my Uncle Rick and Rod attached them to their getaway vehicle.
Megan’s siblings playing violins as the wedding guests arrive. Michelle, Darren, Rachel (hard to see because of the candles), and Bruce. Very talented musicians in Megan’s family! They actually played their violins at my wedding over 14 years ago! 🙂
Mason jars with candles along the runner up the aisle.
Brina and Karlie’s sunflowers! I see we are already missing a few petals!
Megan’s Brother-in-law Todd bringing Grandma Willa and Grandpa CE up the aisle.
My nephew Nathan escorting my Mom and Dad up the aisle.
Part of the wedding party! The dashingly handsome man standing up front on the right is my husband Jake, not only is he handsome, but also an amazing husband and Dad. I am one lucky lady! 🙂
Josh waiting patiently for Megan to come down the aisle!
Megan looking beautiful as she walks down the aisle with her Dad!
Josh all smiles! The big day has arrived!
Wedding ceremony!
Saying their vows!
They are officially married! WooHoo! Congratulations to my brother Josh and his new bride Megan! Welcome to the family Megan!
On the Farm: Wheat Harvest, Animals, Irrigation, and More!
The girls were very excited to “help” Grandpa cut the last little bit of wheat harvest!
Every day at Kansas is an adventure for the kids when they are visiting my parents on the farm. They love exploring the different equipment, fields, and getting the opportunities to spend time with their grandparents while doing exciting farm activities. It is always neat seeing them get excited about the things that I grew up with in Kansas.
Brina and Karlie were thrilled to ride with Grandpa as he cut the last strip of wheat from harvest.
The John Deere combine looks so big when you put the girls right in front of it.
Bringing treats to the pony and horse!
Riding Misty in the yard.
Misty even got her mane breaded! So pretty!
Buzz standing still, but not sure about all this attention.
Karlie petting Buzz
Our gator crew (including the furry ones), such great helpers!
A view of Dad and Mom’s house from the top of Windy Point.
Walking the bridge again today!
Grandpa instructed the four kids on what they are suppose to be doing for irrigation today.
The race is on…..
Midnight loves going to do irrigation too!
Nathan concentrating on his work!
Brandon won the race on that side!
Our irrigation crew! It’s a fun one!
Helping Grandpa with irrigation!
Even though it was freezing cold they had a blast running through the BIG SPRINKLER!
The kids thought the sprinkler was great and were fascinated by it as well.
Playing a game of card Monopoly with Grandma and cousins!
Heart Reflections: 30 Quick Tips on Being a Positive Parent
The other day I was filling out a card for a cousin who recently had a baby. As I was writing the card I had a whirlwind of thoughts, advice, and things I wanted to share with this couple who just recently began this wonderful parenting journey. This is part of what I shared with them which was also a great reminder to me and hopefully an encouragement to you if you’re a parent as well. I have edited it to remove their specific names on the card.
Congratulations! We are so happy for your sweet family! Welcome to the crazy and fun parenting party! Wishing all of you a lifetime packed full of laughter and wonderful memories. Praying that parenting will be a great adventure for you. We are thrilled for all of you and wish you the very best! Many Blessings!
Parenting Tips We Want to Share (I added a couple more to the list since writing the card):
- Laugh as often as possible (even at your own mistakes)
- Make a point to hug your child and tell her that you love her everyday
- Cherish the memories, they really do grow up way too fast
- Show grace and mercy often
- Never discipline when you’re angry
- Take lots of pictures, especially of your times together
- Seek God’s wisdom daily for your life, marriage, and parenting
- Be a positive and encouraging cheerleader for your kid
- Take time regularly to listen to your child
- Breathe deeply and count to 10 when your patience is being stretched thin
- You will feel more like a “SuperDad” and “SuperMom” after a full nights sleep
- Spend quality one-on-one time with your child
- Read to them, sing with them, and play with them
- Pray a lot – some days you’ll really need it
- Protect, guide, and nurture the best you can then trust that God will work in their hearts
- Words can be used to build up or tear down (make sure to chose them wisely)
- It’s the little things that make the biggest impact on our kids
- It doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive to be fun
- Be content with your life
- Give generously to others
- Find teachable moments each day (kids love learning new stuff)
- Speak kindly to and about others (little eyes are watching what you do and hearing what you say)
- Stand up for what’s right (even when it’s hard)
- Allow your kids to make some mistakes on their own so they can learn
- Get creative and have fun together – life’s too short to be boring
- Smile, slow down a little, and enjoy this wonderful part of your life
- Make the “normal” everyday events exciting
- Go on adventures
- Do family devotions and pray together
- Explore and try new activities together
There are so many areas of our lives that are stretched when we are parents. While being a parent is the most rewarding experience it is also one of the most challenging. It feels like I am constantly making mistakes or doing/saying something that’s not edifying or encouraging to my kids. Yes, they know very well how to “push my buttons,” but that doesn’t mean I have to over react either. Thankful for my kids and the many lessons they teach me about parenting.
