Sisters & Sweet Baby Face!

How beautiful...

...are the feet of those who bring good news!



AVA means "bearer of good news". What a blessing she has been these 6 weeks since birth! The time is flying and we are absorbing as much of this time as we can with all of our little ones. It passes so quickly!

Fall Tradition

This is the start of the third year in our home...third Fall Photo on the wagon:






You can see our first Fall Photo here and our second Fall Photo here!

I had great little outfits lined up for the photo but that all went out the window when an unexpected guest showed up at my door as I was changing the girls. We then had little time before the sun set for the evening, so we went like we were! It'll be fun to look back on these and check out Phia's boots, the girls mismatched (only half changed!) outfits, the hair all over the place, etc. Oh well! That's what we're all about around here--keepin' it real, ya'll!

'Twas the Night Before Kindergarten

'Twas the night before Kindergarten
and Momma can't sleep
The First Day outfit is pressed
and laid out so neat.

The lunchbox is packed
with yummies galore
And the backpack is ready
sitting by the front door.

Checklists are checked
and bus stop reviewed,
new socks are stuffed
down inside each clean shoe.

Batteries are charging
for many pictures to take.
The video camera's even ready
for memories sure to make.

The only thing missing
is Kleenex for mom.
A towel might be better
to catch all her sobs!

She is thinking of her little man
how the years have flown by!
Just this thought alone
is what makes her start to cry.

She has cried and she's prayed
over her son and his future,
For his school and his classmates
and especially his teacher!

She's nervous--he's thrilled--
about this new life change.
My how their lives
will be now rearranged!

But for now she'll just sit
and watch him peacefully sleep
as memories of her first born
replay and she keeps

Smiling and praying
for the school year ahead.
When actually she should
be climbing into bed!

But her thoughts keep replaying
all the memories galore
that she stores in her heart
of the son she adores.

Tomorrow she'll be strong
as she waits with him for the bus.
Then once it's out of sight
she'll be nothing but mush!

So for now she'll settle down
and think only good things.
For tomorrow her boy starts Kindergarten
and what joys that will bring!

To be a Princess

Don't be afraid to chase after your dreams:



Seek truth; look people in the eye:



Make friends that will stick as close as a brother:




Be silly!



Make the most of every photo op:



Let your sweet nature shine through:



And always look to the King for guidance...

...after all, without Him you couldn't be a Princess!

Brayden's Graduation!

Many tears and many smiles! Although we have three days left of school, Brayden's preschool graduation was held this afternoon. It was such a sweet little ceremony! The only pictures that did not turn out well were the ones of us on stage with Brayden in his cap and gown :( The flash wasn't on so they are all blurry...fitting because that was the state of my vision for most of the ceremony due to tears!

The teachers had handed us a paper when we got there to fill out entitled "We are proud of you because...". Unbeknowst to us, when each child was called up for his/her gown and diploma, the teachers had their family join them and read what they wrote aloud to their child. We were called first and, needless to say, Daryl read ours--I was crying too much! Nothing like a quivering, blubbering voice that no one can understand. Daryl did a great job and rescued me from the embarrassment :) Many moms and dads who followed were "wibbly", so I wasn't alone!

It was a great afternoon to top off a great school year. Now if I can only get through sending him off to Kinder...

Meanwhile...back at the ranch:

Savannah loves her "new" boots and insists on wearing them most everywhere:




Sophia is into wearing everyone's shoes--especially Brayden's beloved boots. Savannah, being the "accessorizer" of the bunch, added the hat and Phia was happy as a cowgirl on the open range:





Brayden and Savannah are livin' on and lovin' the trampoline--we have to finish it off by putting the netting around it:





Daddy's been busy putting the doors on the rentals (with Momma's help at times) and happy to have many of the spaces occupied (note: all of these doors are now on--this is the night we started!):




And Momma's happier than words can ever express to be done with this torture! NO MORE BRACES!! Gotta love the cheek retractors:




What is new on your frontier??

The Easter Coincidence

**Thought I would post some pix of our princesses in their Easter dresses. Brayden managed to get away before I got the camera :)





I love Easter.

Not because of the egghunts and all (although I love watching the kids search for 'em!) but for the true meaning. From Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday my thoughts are captivated by the God-man Jesus who freely chose to give his life for me. I can't wrap my mind around it! But my heart rejoices!! And I love the way Easter occurs during the rebirth of the earth in Spring. This time of year we're feeling rejuvinated and alive as everything greens up and nature explodes with color and life after what can begin to feel like a long, lifeless winter. Just as after what I can only imagine as two long, lifeless nights of confusion and disbelief for the disciples and followers of Jesus, the women were greeted by bright light and life as the angel came from that dark, lifeless tomb! AMAZING!! Only an amazing Creator could orchestrate something that "coincidental".

This song has been my new favorite this past week. I found it while helping Daryl search for a song to sing Easter morning. Although he didn't sing this one, I think (hope) he will in the future.

No Internet...

...is so frustrating this-day-in-age. It is how we check the news, update family all over the globe, and monitor the weather for Daryl's business--amongst other things. But since Friday afternoon, we have been unable to get internet connection even though our box says we have full signal (we have a satelite connection)!!!!

So tomorrow it looks as though I will be on the phone to see what the issue is. FUN.

In the meantime, I'm thankful for connection at work so I can see how our family and friends are doing!

In other news, I had FIVE wonderful days of no vomiting--that promptly ended this morning when I woke up :( I am thankful for Zofran and its many generics! I pay $19.60 for 12 tablets of the generic instead of $177.60 for 12 of the brand-name version.

All in all this pregnancy has been quite the ride! I think that this little one is aware that it is the last one in the Daryl Yount line, so its giving me a pregnancy to remember ;)

BUMP: March 29th

Every couple has their story.

Every story is unique and special.

Ours is definately no exception.

March 29th is a very special date for us...it is the date on which:



Daryl drove me along a dirtroad on the back of his motorcycle


...and detoured through a field of soybeans.



He parked the bike




in the middle of a cornfield,




on top of a hill,




at the base of two special trees,




got down on one knee and spoke the words,




"Mandy, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"



To which I responded
"Of course!"...



...and, seven years later, my love for him has grown like those two special trees.

Bigger.
Stronger.
Weathering life's sun and storms
Together.
With roots intermingled in God's soil
Creating a firm foundation.


I can't imagine my life without him.

After all, one of my favorite place to be is driving along a dirtroad on the back of his motorcycle...