Tired

Sorry. I have been super busy this month and have been out of town. I will post some more pictures as soon as I have sorted them out. I seriosly have approx. 2000 pictures from just the month of July. These pictures were taken in Kansas. We went to the pool on Friday July 17th and the next day we went to the zoo. We had been at the pool for 5 hours so we were tired and some of us were sunburnt. The picture of us with our grandma and grandpa is right before going to the zoo. We were having a wonderful time, though a few badly needed naps.

Tea Anyone?

Today, Cassia, Gabi, and I had a tea party. I surprised the girls with it all set up in the back yard. They were so excited. Cassia really likes tea parties and dressing up. I dressed up too and had such a fun time. Phil, being the wonderful younger brother that he is, (though he looks like my older instead of younger brother) put on his suit and served the muffins. The girls were delighted and they had a wonderful time.

We had to use natural sugar since we ran out of white sugar.

Guess she didn't like what she was bein' served! (actually, she was spitting out a cherry pit)

I am so glad I was able to spend this time with Cassia and Gabi because they won't always be this young. Spending this time with them is so important because I want them to know I love them and because I know they love it. Children can remember so many things, and I want them to have good memories of me as their older sister. I want them to remember me spending time with them doing things they love to do, and loving them. Unfortunately, I have not always done a good job of this, but I am working on strengthening my relationships with my younger siblings. God has brought me a long way, and I still have plenty of room to grow. As the oldest, I have the greatest responsibility. My actions are being observed by seven other young people in my home. They are watching, seeing how I interact with my parents, how I speak towards the other siblings, and so much more. Prayer is so important to whatever you are doing. I have had to pray constantly and ask for God's help because, as you all know, your family is the hardest to get along with because you are with them throughout the entire day, every day throughout the year. (at least those of us who are homeschooled) My desire is to live a life that is worthy of the Gospel of Christ in front of my family, and all who I come into contact with, so that I can be a light in the darkness of this world and to be a godly example to my siblings. I want them to live as Christ wants them to because I love them, and as the oldest child in our family I can have a large influence on them.