The life and times of the Bakers...

A Thankful Heart...

2011-11-18T00:40:00.009-06:00

Many of my friends are doing the 30 days of things they are thankful for. I thought about doing it but couldn't commit and knew odds were good that I would get behind and not feel good about not being thankful enough. So I thought a blog about things I've been thankful for this year would be more up my alley. A 1 time shot at rambling in the very early hrs., sitting beside a fire, with everyone in the house asleep - would work better for me. Also I sucked at birthday blogs this year so let's call this your birthday blogs kids, K?

I like to think that I'm a very thankful person. I figure I have a Savior, a family, a healthy family, a roof over my head & food in my kitchen - what on God's green earth do I have NOT to be thankful for?? I also like to brag on God and I know He likes to relive with me all the amazing things He's done over this last year. He tells us to remind Him... So, here's to bragging on the Father & finding the things that should overshadow the not so fun things.

This year has been wonderful & odd, all in the same minute. Ray has had a blessed year at work after a not so great couple years. He's still just amazing in EVERY way!! This time next year my guy will hit the big 5-0 and he'll be the cutest darn 50 year old to boot!! 3 mths after his b'day we will celebrate 30 YEARS so get ready for those 2 celebrations!! We together have done a lot of the big "P", parenting. He's the best partner in crime I could ever wish for!! The rock of our family who leads like a gentle giant. I love him & I could NEVER in a trillion-bazillion lifetimes express to the Lord how grateful I am for my precious husband!!

I don't like to talk about myself so I won't but I've been a Mother-in-love for a little over a year & I certainly LOVE that hat - you'd have to ask my new son what my grade is but I think I've passed with flying colors. Ray & I haven't hassled them too many times to be the 2 that have our 1st grandbaby... I've loved another year of being a wife, Mother, daughter...

Rachel is amazing as always! She has a job that she loves & we like to call her job...ministry, because she doesn't make a 10th of what she's worth. Rach has this extraordinary way about her - it's called selfless, unconditional, caring, kind, thoughtful, encouraging, LOVE, for every person that the Lord brings to her. This last year she is growing in ways, I swear took me till I was 45 (last year). THANKFUL for our eldest!! She is such a precious lady. She is waiting so patiently for her guy to find her & she is using her singleness for the Lord's glory!! Because Rach is so dang smart, she lives at home so she can travel the world! This Spring she took a trip to Israel for the 3rd time and late this Summer she took a trip to Ireland. She is already planning her adventures for next year to go visit her bestie Megan in Amman Jordan. She has missed her best friend since she moved this Summer but the Lord has been SOOO faithful to bring more covenant friends to her. I love the place she's in! I love more then anything to hear the wisdom that comes flowing out of her. She walks in so many gifts! She's a prayer warrior, discerning, she makes herself available to be a vessel for the Lord to speak through, she is SOOO wise beyond her years. Rach is undoubtedly the 1st born & I'm so very thankful that the Lord picked her to lead the troops!!

Ms. Sarah is an absolute delight!! She left us for 8 mths to live on her own with her bestie but she couldn't stay away for long -- no, she moved back home because she loves traveling & buying books & buying shoes & buying music equipment and MOST of all the girl LOVES to give her money away when the Lord leads her. She has travelled to NYC twice and Europe and many other states in the last year. She too is waiting for her prince but totally enjoying the wait. She serves at her church with her incredible gift of worship & oh how she makes her Momma and Daddy proud!!! Lots & lots & lots of changing in my little 5'4, tiny FIRECRACKER!! Her selfless love walk has been a miracle to watch this last year. I don't have a font big enough to show you how THANKFUL I am for the transformation that the Lord has walked her through!!! YIPPEE!! Man it's so hard not to brag but the girl is crazy awesome (she'll so hate I just said that, ha). I seriously don't know how I got the honor of being her Momma or Rachel's or ANY of them. OK. Anyway, this has been an incredible year of growth from the inside, OUT for my 2 eldest & I seriously can't be thankful enough to the Lord for all He's done in them both.

OK, moving on!!

I'll cover Austin & Hannah together since they're 1, right? Well, I just wrote their anniversary blog so you could go read that but of course I can think of lots more then what I wrote 2 wks ago. 1st of all they are THE MOST beautiful couple. Won't they make GORGEOUS babies?? --ssshh, I don't want to ever be the pushy Mom! Ummm, I love being around these 2. I love, love, love how they love each other. It's amazing to see your child love her husband the way you love your husband (mine). Those 2 are learning the art of marriage quite well. Austin has had a BIG change in his job - he is the worship leader at Life Church in Ft. Worth. He loves his job & we love to have him lead us in worship every weekend. He's an amazing worshipper & we are SOOOO thankful that the Lord picked our family to plop him in the middle of. He still likes hanging out with us so I think he's happy with his other family. It's amazing to me every single day that the Lord had him picked out to be in our family for his whole life. He's been a perfect 1st son-in-love!! Hannah is here at her old home a bunch!! Not because she can't transition out because she did that beautifully but she does some work for me & she likes to hang out here as much as she can...she also likes the food in our frig, the clothes in her little sisters closet & her Grandma. She comes in & it's like she never moved out and we LOVE it that way!! I love my Nan-tucket! Her job is also a mission field & she loves having babies to love on. I can hardly wait to see her be a Momma!! The talks we've had in these last 12 mths. have been talks I dreamed of having with my adult daughters when they were infants. I know I was quite ahead of myself but I did, sue me. She has been the perfect daughter to get married 1st because I think the next 1 will benefit from our "talks". Love her, thankful for her, she is pure joy to me!! Proud of our Benjamins and beyond thankful for them!!

Oh my little blonde, Olivia (or if you were me, she's Liv)! What can I say new about this lady? She's had lots & lots of God moments this last year. Lots of trusting the Lord & lots of growing up in the things of God -- and she has floored us beyond words!! She had her heart broke this year but came out on the other side with a precious new understanding of the grace & mercy of Jesus. I could go on & on about her maturity & her grace through her yucky times this year. That girl can trust God for her life/future like no other 19 year old I've ever known! She also had wonderful times this year and showed us all what we already knew, she rocked at being an incredible gf!! She is still our resident peacemaker, confidant, witty, happy-go-luck, selfless/servant!! Her sister Sarah wrote the most precious birthday blog (ck out Sarah's blog, she's an amazing writer, www.sarahjbaker.com) for her this past August and she put it perfectly, she said, -- She’s been a rock at different times for everyone in my family and she has this great ability to be exactly what you need when you need it. -- Just like the rest of them I am soooo thankful to be her Momma. I don't know what life would look like without her in it. She actually had many adventures this year. She too went to Ireland with her big sister & bonus brother Coty. She travelled to California w/ Hannah & then to Seattle to see her friend Casey. Lots of wonderful, wonderful memories that the Lord helped to heal over the not so good ones. She is getting ready to embark on a BIG year - starting hair school. I can't even imagine how great she's gonna be at that. People are so drawn to her so I know that the Lord will use her in a MIGHTY way at school & in her career. Tough year that she probably wouldn't want to ever repeat but SOOO much growth that ya can't learn in a book!!

My ace #1 son!! Mr. Grant! My baby who ain't such a baby no more. He's about 3 inches from being as tall as his sister Sarah! So super sad he's growing up so fast. He is crazily in his last year of elementary - my big 6th grader. Can it be that he's in the same grade that I was when I began my crush on Ray?? DO AS I SAY, not as I do... Well Grant has had a wonderful year. He's got a brother and that makes him quite happy. Grant loves, loves, loves Austin & after having a talk with him the other day he is even thinking about being super excited about the other 3 "sisters" having boyfriends & then husbands. Grant is beyond words, in love with every stinkin sport imaginable. If you know Austin you know he LOVES sports so I wonder why Grant is slightly/majorly obsessed? Yes, Austin is the reason! Grant has been learning balance with his love of everything sporty. I don't believe it's at all necessary for him to know soooo many stats, unless he can give me stats on things that REALLy matter. The whole raising a boy thing is still new to us but by cracky we will raise a MAN that puts the Lord 1st & his family next - the Rangers or the Cowboys or the Longhorns, don't get 1st or 2nd place (or 3rd). I know he's a young boy but habits start NOW and I can't wait till he's grown to teach him.

Grant is doing exceptionally well in 6 grade. Straight A's so far so I couldn't be happier. He is still the most lovable little boy. He is madly in love with his sisters & has grown out of the semi-annoying stage he went through. Thankfully it didn't last long! He hung the moon in their eyes so that makes me very happy. Grandma is still his buddy & he still spends a bunch of time in her room. I love having a son. He is funny & sweet & chatty & brilliant & kind & he's got amazing manners, he's sososo respectful and I get to be his Mom!! THANKFUL again!! How on earth do I deserve to be their Mom?? I'm seriously going to take God aside when I get to heaven & ask Him how did I get picked to have 5 incredible people to parent! And a husband that's amazing!! This lady is beyond THANKFUL!! The Lord gets ALL, every single solitary bit of credit for how amazing they all are. I am nothing without Him & I certainly can't do anything without Him. I'm humble that I get to walk through life with them.

Next time, since this got LONG (shocker) - I want to write about some of the other INCREDIBLE people that I'm soooo thankful for. I'll end this with some powerful words that are life & truth - Psalm 7:17 I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. There is no other way to be in life but THANKFUL!! Thanksgiving time makes us reflect on what we probably should have been thinking about daily through the year. There ain't time in this lifetime to be ungrateful or complain. His word says, Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18. FIND the good and be thankful. I'm telling you the more you SPEAK out your mouth the other, the more miserable you'll be. So go hug the 1's you love. Don't take 1 sec. with them fore granted!! Tell your loved 1's, I love you, every single day! A grateful heart is all a child of the most high, should have!! If you've lasted through this long novel, thank you. I pray it will spur something inside of you to go brag to God about ALL the blessings He's given you. Have a BLESSED Thanksgiving week & a wonderful holiday season! I love you all!!

Ray's last year in the 40's...

2011-11-09T12:55:00.007-06:00

This is a blog that we all wrote 2 years ago (Grant wanted to revise his, ha). I couldn't say it any better and I thought it is worth reading and reposting. I'm so grateful to be celebrating another wonderful year with you!! I love you so much and 15 cheers for mid-life - I wouldn't want to go through it with anyone else but YOU!!!! RAH, RAH!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAY!!! This is a birthday gift to YOU!!! All of your kiddos and some other special people in your life wrote some birthday wishes, just for YOU!! So enjoy these thoughts and words, telling you how very special you are to each of us!!

FROM RACHEL -

~Happy Birthday Dad~

So Today is the day of your birth. The day that you came into this world, 47 years ago. Then 22 1/2 years after your birth you had your 1^st and favorite daughter come into this world. I had the great privilege of making you a Daddy! Oh the Joy of being your 1^st born and your favorite,

(the 1^st will ALWAYS be a parents favorite).

That day on May 10^th I was given a very special gift from the Lord, an Amazing Daddy like you. You thought you were getting a blessing but it was me that got blessed that day.

You truly are my Hero! You have taught me how to live my life as a servant and to try and be 100% selfless at all times. You are truly one of the most amazing examples of the Love of Yeshua. It just pours out of you, all the time. There is a huge long list of things I know how to do in life, just because of you. I’m so grateful to be able to call you Dad! I Pray and Dream that 1 day Yeshua would be able to give me a man to call my husband that will have character like you - who will be funny like you - who is extra good looking (like you) - who will be able to cook like you -who will love me like you love Mom - who will be an amazing Father to all my kids like you are to us - who will be able to provide for a family even if it take 3 jobs to do so - who will be able to share the kingdom of God and be a light to this world. I pray everyday that my husband will be like my amazing Father - he has BIG shoes to fill! I love you so very much Dad, you truly mean the world to me and I’m so grateful to be your 1^stborn. I pray that this year will be everything that your heart desires.

Have a Happy 47th Birthday Daddy!! Rachel

FROM SARAH -

Dad,
I don’t even know where to begin, really… Today is a day that I feel very grateful, because I have a Dad. While there are plenty of people out there that desire to have a father and may never have had one - or the opportunity to have the influence that only a father can bring - today, i am grateful for you and your daily influence - and the impact you have on me and my life.
You’ve been such a great Shepherd and provider for our family. Always doing whatever it takes to make sure everyone was as happy as possible.
You are a man that I admire on both sides of the coin. You’re an amazing Dad that always made us feel beautiful, respected, covered, cherished, valuable and worthy of all of those things.
Then on the other side, you’re a great husband, friend, employee, and father. Most importantly you have and continue to make Jesus the center of everything our family stands for and desires.
I couldn’t have asked for someone that was more reputable, more experienced, or above all, more kind and loving… you’ve always surpassed it all.
I love you so much and I am so proud to be loved by you.
You truly are a kiss from God just for us!
Love you,
Lou

FROM HANNAH -

What an amazing Daddy I have -- My Daddy, always the guy that would get the boogie man out of my room - not like normal Dads, but calling fire down from heaven. The kind of Dad that would sleep with me and Liv in the tiniest tent on our back patio (concrete) so that we wouldn't be scared, then get up and go to work. A Dad that would coach me in softball and encourage me to be the best shortstop ever. Those are only a few things that make you so wonderful. I don't feel deserving of a lot of the things you do for me. After a long day working you will still do whatever our family asks of you. Whether it's fixing the toilet, fixing our cars, taking us out on dates, making us dinner - even down to running to the store to get us tampons (ha, I know that will get ya). Your motto - whatever it takes. I will also always remember going to your side of the bed and whispering 1 word and you jumping to whatever I needed. I'm 18 and you will still stay up all through the night when I am sick. You are everything that the word Daddy means. You truly are the most amazing Daddy in the world.

I ALWAYS know that I have you praying for me and wanting the BEST for me. From my 1st memories as a young girl you began to build up in me a confidence of WHO I AM in Jesus. You have always told me beautiful and I'm so thankful for that because YOU are the reason us girls never needed to be affirmed by a guy - because we have an amazing Daddy who built us up. If it wasn't for you I would have tried to find and seek those things out in a guy. Now I have kept everything for my husband and a lot of that, I have you to thank. I KNOW what I deserve in a man because I have you as an example. You treat Mom like GOLD, you have shown us girls what real, Godly men are and I just want to Thank YOU for that. I could really go on and on about how amazing you are and how thankful I am for you. So I will just end with this - Thank you for being the most selfless man in the whole wide world. For always putting Jesus 1st and then our family. Thank you for loving my Momma. Thank you for never being to busy to be OUR Daddy.Thank you for making us feel like we were the most important people to you in this whole world. Thank You for being such a hard worker.

Remember this - I will always run out to give you a hug when I see that you have pulled up to the house. I know I don't say it often, and I know I am not at home as much as I was before being a grownup but I will always be your little girl - I willALWAYS remember who my 1st guy was. Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you more then the very last number, Nan

FROM OLIVIA -

Pops,

Today is your 47^th birthday and you are basically an old man now. I hope and pray that this is one of the best years ever. I know that 1992 was a great year for you because your precious blonde haired 4th daughter came into this world. But I really sense and believe that the Lord has great things for you this year.

Here are 47 reasons why I think that.

1. You have a heart of gold.

2. I have never in my life been around someone more selfless then YOU.

3. You believe in me and in my destiny in Jesus.

4. You have always spoke life to us kids - always spoke blessings over us.

5. You are the cheesiest person I know and very witty with your jokes.

6. You are a man after God's own heart.

7. You are such a hard worker. You provide and make money for me to live in a nice house.

8. You are the most kind hearted of all. A reflection of the Father.

9. You want nothing more then me (our family) to be happy.

10. You were and are the best traveling buddy.

11. I have straight and white teeth because I look just like you.

12. You are a servant of all.

13. I am who I am today because of the example you are to me.

14. Nobody can make me cry like you can.

15. I’m proud to call you my Pops.

16. You are NEVER too busy for our family. You come whenever we need you.

17. I love that I can call you dude and bro.

18. You are the best at giving high fives.

19. You were and are the best coach.

20. I love your heart for people. People are drawn to your kind heart.

21. You are a perfect example of a gentlemen.

22. Every man should want to be just like you.

23. All my friends should be jealous at how cool MY dad is.

24. You always pray for us kids.

25. You always find something encouraging to say when I’m feeling blue.

26. You can make a song out of ANY word that comes out of your mouth.

27. You always show us our worth is in Jesus.

28. I love seeing your desire for your work place to be saved.

29. I love that I am your favorite blonde daughter.

30. You are silly and SO REAL.

31. I love your pursuit for the kingdom of God.

32. I love that you can’t spell.

33. I love that you could talk to the wall. But I love that you are such a good listener.

34. You always speak your mind with a gentle, soft word.

35. You are the biggest giver I know.

36. Even in rough times you find the good in what’s going on. "economy"

37. Your ability to make me smile, amazes me.

38. You always put our family first.

39. You are the best leader of our family. I am proud to follow you. You lead us by the great example that you are.

40. You are getting older… and wiser.

41. Along with being the MOST selfless man, you are SO HUMBLE.

42. You have great scruff.

43. Even when I am stupid, you still cheer me on. You always pick me up when I fall.

44. You have the most willing heart to serve God and our family.

45. You always have the right things to say. Thanks for hiding the word of God in your heart.

46. When that special guy finds me & if he is half as amazing as you, i'd consider myself a lucky lady. But I'm sure you'd never let me settle for anyone that was 1/2 anything.

47. You make me the luckiest girl in the world to have a Daddy like YOU!!! If you were anybody else's Daddy, I would be SO JEALOUS!

These are in no special order, but these are just a few reasons why you deserve to have an amazing year. I love you SO, SO, SO much and I’m so grateful that I get to be your daughter. Thank you for loving Jesus and being a near perfect reflection of Him for us to see. Thank you so much for always making me feel special,

I LOVE YOU THE MOST! Happy Birthday Dad! Liv

FROM GRANT -

R-ockin'

A-dhesive

Y-east

C-od blops

H-elicopters

A-ging

R-oyal

L-ove

E-ven grandma loves you

S-orry for the crappy message

B-oys

A-ge

K-uickly

E-ven

R....... and ummmm one to grow on

You're the best Dad ever, love you so much.

Happy Birthday

FROM GRANDMA --

Happy Birthday!! I hope you have many, many more with each one being better than the one before! God bless you always with peace, joy, good health, prosperity and every other good thing He can think of! Googols of Love! XOXO Mom

FROM MEGAN -- (she is representing all your children that don't share your DNA but are your KIDS)

There are many things in life that I'm grateful for-my fam, being black, life, steak, music...you get the drill. One of the many things I'm grateful for is having a man of God like you in my life. Obviously, I didn't have the chance to have much of a father figure (put your tiny hand in mine) growing up. The Lord knew just what I needed when he placed you in my life.
You're such an awesome dad and I hope that my babies will adore their dad as much as all your kids adore you. Thanks for taking in all of us orphan kids and making us feel like one of your own.
I hope that this is a great year full of the presence of the Lord in every area.
Have a super awesome birthday, Pops!
I love you!!! Megan

FROM YOUR WIFE --

What can I say that I haven't said a million-trillion times?? Of course I can say it all over again and MORE. So, I will just follow my heart and write. I have such a thankful heart today. I woke up feeling such gratitude to the Lord for you. I love that our daughters can read my thoughts because someday, I pray they will have some of the same thoughts for their guy. I love that our son can read this because he will have Jesus and a living example in you - to strive to be like. In reading what our children wrote, they all said so much of the same thing. What a blessing you are to all of us.

I thank God for the man you are. I celebrate your life by telling you that you are such a precious gift to everyone that is in your life. I will try not to repeat things I have said before but I truly don't know what I did to receive such a precious gift. Your life that you have lived is such a testimony of God's faithfulness. He showers down love to you through His son Jesus and then through our children and myself. I love walking this journey out with you. You truly are my BFF. I thank you for your leadership in our family. I know it ain't easy but you do it with the confidence of 10,000. Thank you for loving me and reflecting Jesus in your eyes, hands & words. What a gentle man you are.

I think as we hit the years past 40 (not that we are old), we begin to think of what we are going to leave here on earth. Material things have never mattered much to us but ETERNAL things are what we have strived for, every day. Your selfless LOVE that only can come from the heart of GOD, your MANY prayers that have been prayed, your servants heart that lays down his life for me & our family, your unwavering love for the Lord that makes us all run this race with you, your wisdom that will be passed down for GENERATIONS to come in our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, & so on. Those are just a few of the things that these 47 years represent!! I thank God that you were born - I will spend eternity thanking Him for letting me spend my life with YOU!! Happy Birthday my Husband! I love you!!

!!!!!! HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY !!!!! AND NOW HAPPY 49th BIRTHDAY

HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY, Austin and Hannah!!!

2011-11-06T04:58:00.006-06:00

365 days ago was 1 of the biggest days that our family has experienced, so far!

The week leading up to this day 1 year ago was full of exciting moments. Our whole entire BIG family began the tasks of putting on a celebration for 1 of our own. If I've ever experienced selfless, it was this particular week. People taking off work, time away from their families - to make a couples dream-day, come true! It was Hannah's WEDDING week and ALL hands were in! We had jobs to complete and last special moments with Hannah as a Baker to be had. Everything got done to perfection and boy oh boy did we have those special moments. The wedding was the most magical day, it was truly perfect & beautiful in ever single way. The ceremony was full of Jesus, just like the bride & groom wanted. The celebration after was FUN and we all sent them off to begin their life!!

So today is the very 1st Wedding Anniversary for Austin and Hannah Benjamin. MY very most favorite couple in the whole entire world!! I seriously can't believe it's already been a complete year. It seems like yesterday that we were in the middle of that wedding week. All this week, everyone in our family has reminisced about what we were doing on that particular Tuesday, 1 year ago or on that Thursday... It was the most exciting time in our family that we all 7 got to experience together. We came together like a team that had a mission. We all had our own duties to complete and we all did them with the most love and care humanly possible. Ms. Hannah was in the middle of emotions that she couldn't control, some of the time. Leaving her family to begin her own little family was tough in some ways but as natural as breathing to this lil' lady that was called from the beginning of time to be Austin's helpmate!

1 thing Ms Hannah did since I could remember was pray for her husband. We didn't encourage our girls to daydream to often about that part of their future because it could bring on emotions that would get them stuck in that time and they'd forget that the season they were in, was important in it's own right. But Hannah was a little girl that we knew was destined to be a wife and Mother. Everything about her was nurturing, loving, selfless and maternal. Ray and I have always known that each of our girls would be incredible wives 1 day and Hannah was no exception. Now to see her be that incredible, wonderful little wife - brings so much joy to our hearts!!! I seriously could not be any prouder of her this last year. She transitioned into being even a better wife then I could have ever imagined. Ok, the cooking has room for improvement but other then that she has been a million times better of a wife then I could have ever even dreamed of being 29 years ago. Even though this year has had it's challenges, their love has grown them so closely knitted together! I've loved having a "married daughter!" She and I have had many talks this year and our relationship has taken on a new closeness that I knew would happen but it's even so much better then I could have imagined. I'm so super grateful to God that my kids feel comfortable to talk to us about pretty much anything and this year has brought so many AHHH moments for me. The leaning on the Lord that I've seen in both of them, the trust in the Lord for the smallest things, the growing together - has been even better then I could have EVER hoped for.

And the newest member of our family - my son that I didn't have to carry, labor or deliver (that's the best kind) - Austin! Ray and I couldn't be any more prouder of him if we tried. He has blown us away in ever way!! We could for sure be his biggest fans - behind his parents & his bride but we love how he loves HIS Hannah. He has LOVED and taken care of our girl and we couldn't ask for anything more. All of us loved him so much before they even married but our love for him has grown even stronger. Seeing this young man develop into the married man that he is now - has been nothing short of a miracle. He's a living testimony of the humility of Jesus and wanting so much to honor the Lord in his life, that he has set aside his own LIFE, for someone else.

I honor this precious couple today - on their VERY special 1st Wedding Anniversary!! We look forward to many, many, many years of sharing life with them!! SOOOO grateful to God for both of them!! They bless our family in so many ways and we can't wait to see what the future holds... Our prayer would be that they would continue every day to yield to the voice of the Lord, to become more and more selfless to each other, to see the good in each other and cover the other's flaws with love, that the Lord would be so evident in their lives that people would be drawn to Jesus. I thank God for their precious marriage and for the Benjamin family!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY and here's to another 50 years as Husband and Wife!!!

1 year ago...on that special night!!

And now...

My journey with fear...

2011-09-13T16:05:00.009-05:00

Lots going on at the Baker house. Well, in the last 11 days I've sent 3 daughters & 2 bonus daughters across the world and almost all have gone in different directions. Rachel and Olivia have been in Ireland touring for 15 days, ALL over that country. Sarah and Meshali left for Europe for 12 days, Shay had a wedding to shoot & then they were going to tour - Belgium, Paris & Amsterdam are their stops. Then Sunday we sent off Megan to Israel where she will begin living & serving the people there, bringing Jesus to a nation that's in desperate need of Him. So in the last 11 days we've made 3 trips to the airport & sent off our precious girls, 1/2 way around the world. The traveling isn't too rare to happen in our home because they've all been bit by the traveling bug. They've gone numerous places overseas in the last 8 years but to send so many of them at 1 time, is rare. In the wee hours of Monday morning as I woke up through the night waiting to hear that Megan was safe in Israel, the Lord began to remind me of how far this Momma has come. I spent some time praising Him for His peace that passes ALL human understanding and thanking Him for guiding me along my journey of being a Mom. I pray I'm continually reminded of the victories in my life and how far He's brought me - but oh, how far I still have to go. It's ALLL because of Him and I take NO credit for this testimony. IN Him is the only way I can trust, IN Him is the only way I can have faith and IN Him is the ONLY way I can have peace!

So I thought I'd write down, mostly for my girls 1 day to look back at, but write down this crazy journey of fear/worry that had such a hold on my heart & mind, for so many years. Believe it or not this will be a condensed version but I pray my story may help someone. I wrote the above and after I share with you where I've been, you'll be able to see what a true victory the above is for me. Right off I'd like to share that I still have battles almost daily. I have to make a choice to not believe lies that try to torment me. So now, PRAISE GOD, I deal with fear in a much different way.

It all began around 18 years ago. Ray & I were out on our porch in our old house. We were starting the painting process on our house so we were prepping the outside. We had the 4 girls at the time, Rach was 8, Sarah was 6, Hannah was 2 and Olivia was 1. We lived out in the country in a community that had 4 streets & those streets were surrounded by land/woods. We knew almost everyone in the neighborhood & we all looked after each others kiddos. At this time the older girls were playing somewhere around our house, out of our sight. It wasn't rare for them to play between our house & a couple of immediate houses around us. Hannah & Olivia were near Ray & I but in this specific insistence I couldn't lay my eyes on them. The street we lived on got NO traffic other then traffic of homeowners and all of us went down the street at a snails pace because we knew to look out for kids. So at this time I couldn't see any of my 4 girls when I got this horrible phone call from someone in our family. The news was something that nobody ever wants to hear. I won't go into any detail but it was regarding 2 girls that weren't but a couple years older then Rachel. It was violent and would change their lives forever. Little did I know, my way of Mothering would change in that moment too. I was the 1 talking on the phone and Ray was coming down the ladder and after comforting the person on the phone & praying with them I looked at Ray with terror and said, "go find the girls"!! For the next 10 years I would parent in a way that had me usually tormented every day. I parented almost always in fear...

Something that I've learned since is that when trauma comes into our lives a spirit of fear (& yes, I do believe it's a spirit) is always there ready to attach itself. If it's a death, bad news, a car accident, a nightmare - anytime trauma comes, fear is ready to torment you. I didn't realize until years later but I began to do 1 of the most destructive things & that is, to parent out of fear. Fear was almost always what guided me. You name it I would attach fear to it. Now I don't want you to misunderstand fear, and using God given wisdom because I sooo believe in using wisdom. I would never tell a Mom, "oh, just let your kids do just about anything because the Lord will watch over them" - I believe in being wise with our gifts that God has given us. But whenever I was given a scenario of somewhere my kids wanted to go, someone they were go with, the place, the people, the weather - EVERYTHING was ran through my head with fear at the forefront. I can now say that because after 10 years of living like this the Lord began to deliver me from that and I now live in victory, so I do know the difference.

My fear/worry didn't just begin with that 1 incident. I was from a line of worriers. It was a generational curse that was being passed down and I was the lovely recipient of it. I know there are people that wear a "worry badge" with lots of pride but I wasn't 1 of them. I knew the word of God enough to know that it was a sin and I was stubborn enough to want to be free! But in this case I did wear this "wisdom badge" but in reality it was a FEAR/worry badge. I would always tell Ray that I was just using wisdom as he so graciously would try to appease me and my craziness. There were times as head of the house that he would step in and talk sense into me and it would sometimes work but the fear would come right back. So I would shelter my girls like a Momma bird shelters her chicks. Eventually the worst thing began to happen right before my eyes - I was passing on that fear to my girls. Rachel began to battle fears and I would see that in her & it would break my heart. Sarah was more like Ray & you couldn't make her afraid of anything and it wasn't until later that it showed up in her. Hannah battled fears in a HUGE way and has a testimony of her own. Olivia, well you couldn't get her to fear anything and she's still the most easygoing of them all. I pray that I dealt with it quick enough in my life so it won't ever effect her. So began another generation of women being motivated and tormented by fear/worry.

The fear I battled with was fairly specific, well maybe not. It really was anything that stood in the way of keeping myself, Ray or my kids safe. I wanted to keep them safe - spirit, soul and body. It wasn't just about keeping them safe from harm, it was keeping them safe spiritually too. I can't say all of it was wrong, no way. They are 4 amazing women. I'm grateful that I had enough wisdom to make decisions that were Godly. Of course every decision I made as a Mother, didn't have to do with their safety. My battle was mostly in my mind. I would try so hard to not let them see the torment I was in but it was clear when I made some decisions, that they were based in fear. I'd have to say the majority of time I would let them do the things that I was fearful of and I would just be afraid. I was fearful of them spending the night with anyone other then my sisters, fear of anyone they drove in a car with, fear of the places they would go if I wasn't with them, fear of going really anywhere out of my sight, fear of friends that had older brothers and the list goes on & on.

So Ms. Sarah hits 16 years old & she's done with homeschooling. We're figuring out what to do next with her and through her youth pastor at the time (Adam McCain), he goes to someone that he knows at CFNI and gets her in to that Bible school. She isn't even 16 yet. She begins in the Winter after she turns 16 late the next Summer. So, my precious #2 daughter gets her drivers license 1 mth and 4 mths later she is driving to Oakcliff 5 days a week. She's a good driver but I'm fearful of every person she drives by on the highway, HA! She makes the praise band her 1st semester so she leaves when it's dark, very early. She drives by some pretty bad neighborhoods and I'm faced with my most horrible fear!! She literally has to park her car in a parking lot where the ghetto is all around. And did I mention she's cute & little - not a tough girl (or she doesn't look like it on the outside). So everyday I get up and pray. I pray & release every angel in the area to watch over her. I plead the blood of Jesus over her & put a hedge of protection around her - I still do that everyday over my kids. But everyday I am working this faith muscle and trying so hard to be brave when I see her out the door. Then comes that next Summer. She's been at CFNI for about 6 mths and I'm getting better. I begin to measure my small victories. Some days she would forget to call when she got there and I wouldn't call out the Dallas police to go find her - small VICTORY!!

Then my world was rocked when Sarah comes to Ray & I and tells us she needs/wants to go on a mission trip that Summer. Huh? Your 16 and I'm not gonna let you go to some foreign country for 3 to 4 weeks with a bunch of people I don't know. NOPE! It's really out of the question in my mind. Then the Lord begins to work on me like he had been for about the last 5 years before that. I began to let her just talk about it so that was a small victory. She 1st wanted to go to the South America mission trip which I didn't have peace about - let's get real I probably wasn't gonna find peace about any of them. Then she says she really feels that the Lord wants her to go with these awesome leaders & some amazing young adults to...INDIA!! India? The land of a million Gods? OH MY!! I told her I'd pray and she was happy with that. Ray of course was on the other COMPLETE end of the spectrum. He would have let her go ANYWHERE, trusting that the Lord would take care of her. But, he knew that I needed to walk this journey out & he was confident that I would hear from the Lord. I began to make a list for the Lord to answer and IF He answered them ALL, I wouldn't be able to dispute that HE wanted her to go! My list was - would she get the finances to go: and she did, for herself AND others - would there be kids going with her that I'd feel good about in their maturity & also spiritual maturity: and there was - people she is still friends with, Megan went on that trip & Jessica we met because of that trip & Ray later married her to her hubby, Rick was on that trip & he was very protective over Sarah. So that was answered. The last thing I needed was that peace to come to my heart. It was a 3 week trip and I couldn't think that I wasn't gonna be able to function for 3 weeks. Because fear makes it hard to function. Sleep escapes you, you can't concentrate, you can't eat=Teddi can't take care of the rest of her family. But I made a HUGE step of faith to agree to let her go - Ray was already on board but he wanted me to have that peace too. So the final thing needed to happen. 1 morning around 10 days before she left Ray was having alone time with the Lord and he came to me after and confessed that he had been battling a bit of fear about letting her go - HUH? Ray Baker in fear, WOW! For a second I could have had a full blown panic attack because if he's in fear then I should be in utter shock. But what he was about to share with me changed my life. From that day to this the revelation that the Lord gave him was simple but it was straight from the Lord to me and of course to Ray. Ray had just been telling the Lord that he wanted to trust Him with Sarah and he was gonna try not to think of all the things that he could be afraid of with his precious gem in a country that hardly anyone even knows Jesus. And after he pleaded his case the Lord spoke to his spirit 5 simple words. He said - You Can't Keep Her Alive!! It seems so easy & simple but doesn't He so often through the Bible speak to us in such simple ways? He told me that and I've never been the same again. For me it encompassed soooo many things. But more importantly it was revelation. I can't keep them alive if they walk out my door and they go get the mail and someone swerves at them in a car & kills them. I CAN'T KEEP THEM ALIVE!! So began my walk of learning to trust the Lord in a way that may be sooo simple to most but was so hard for me. Other areas of my life I had complete trust in the Lord but with my families safety, it was a battle going on in my mind.

I can honestly say through the time of Sarah being in India those 3 weeks with hardly ANY way to communicate with her - I was NEVER, I repeat NEVER gripped with fear!! In HIM, I had peace! It was nothing I did, it was His amazing GRACE!! Then after that Rach & Sarah went with Rick & the band to the Philippines for a trip - NO FEAR! Then Rach & Sarah went to Israel on a mission trip and again I had NO FEAR! I can't express to you what victories these were! I was SOOOO fearful for my girls to go ck the mail and I'm letting them go to some pretty unsafe parts of the world?! ONLY IN HIM!! Then the Lord began showing me what my girls would have missed out on if I would have stayed being controlled by fear. Rachel & Sarah met Hannah's husband Austin on the Israel trip and I don't think he would have been brought into our lives if it wasn't for them going on that trip. Rach went and lived in Israel a couple Summers ago for 3 mths, PEACE. Then she went this Spring for the 3rd time. Hannah went to Israel 2 years ago & got engaged - no fear again. Ray & Liv went to Israel and I did awesome!! Rach & Sarah have been to more states then I can count, either ministering or for fun - and again, I've trusted the Lord. But earlier, in my mind I wanted them to forever and always be near so I could keep them ALIVE! But the Lord....had other plans for them and my hearts desire was that I would NEVER stand in the way of their destiny! I could share so many more times that IN HIM, I've had victory! What a wonderful God that we serve, who meets us right where we are and He begins to transform us and make us new. I'm so grateful that I didn't let fear stand in the way of my children's destiny. They've had life experiences that I've never had and if I would have continued, they would have certainly missed out on them. It breaks my heart to think of the people that they have met all over the world, that we may have missed out on knowing.

So I finish this where I started it...THANKING the Lord for His indescribable peace. He said He was gonna leave us HIS peace and boy oh boy did He!! Where there is FEAR, there is NO PEACE!!! So right now Rach & Liv are literally going all over Ireland. They're staying usually somewhere different every night, with rain daily and I've had peace that can only come from God. Sarah & Shali are traveling quite a bit between countries & Shali hasn't ever been out of the country - PEACE is what I have. Then Megan is gone to a place that is not too safe on anyones radar but I have total peace that she's in the will of God. 1 thing that the Lord showed me several years ago and there's been SO many things I've learned but He showed me that my children are MOST safe when they're in His will. If they moved across the world or stayed here - if they aren't in His will here, that won't be as safe as they would be there. Like I always say, this life is a journey and I'm who I am because of where I've come from. I've tried to stay teachable and every day I'm faced with a decision, a decision to walk in fear or walk in faith - faith in something that I don't see but faith in a Savior that is ALWAYS with me and always with my family. I choose faith! It's a place where peace dwells! I've spent too many years being deceived and thinking that the fear that was motivating me to make the decisions that I was making, was God, when in reality it was the opposite of God. I can be very emotional thinking that I could have kept living in the fear that I was living in daily but sadly I would be facing a much different life then the 1 my family is living. SOOO many BLESSINGS that the Lord wouldn't have been able to give my family if I wouldn't have decided to step out and BELIEVE! I had to 1st see that I was being deceived and THEN, He began to remove the scales off of my eyes. I thank Him for seeing me through those years. Only IN HIM can I have this testimony after years of tests. I pray that this testimony can stop my children from ever walking down the road I went down and if they do I pray it will NEVER be as long as mine was.

Your fear may be about something totally different. Your fear may motivate you in another way then mine motivated me. Every kind of fear has 1 thing in common - it wants you to believe a lie. The lie is - what the enemy is telling you, is bigger then God. To trust God with every aspect of our lives is tough for almost every human. It's a journey that starts young and if you've had hurts & pain, it begins to distort that trust in God. Some that have had an easier life, it's easier for them to trust. But let me remind you - It's the EASIEST thing to do when you begin to know that it's simple to trust in a God THAT CAN NOT LIE - When we begin to renew our minds with His word & we begin to see what HE says about taking care of us, what promises He's left us and on & on, HE begins to unmask a lie that the Devil wanted us to believe. Fear will stop you from blessings that you may not even know yet are yours. Most of us have fears - but let the Lord deal with those fears. DON'T live your life and make decisions that are motivated in FEAR!! Fear is a LIFE robber, it's a blessing STEALER, it sometimes starts out small and if it's fed it grows and grows!! You may never know what blessings you're stopping in your life because of fear...Trust IN the Lord with ALL your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding but in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

The Father of the Bride is the Birthday Boy!!

2010-11-09T04:11:00.003-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ray!!!!

I know I need to blog about the wedding but I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around all that went on. I need a few more days to process it all & then I will. BUT it's just like the Lord to make it work that I honor Ray & put him 1st. He after all is the big cheese, and he always will be.

So today you are creeping up ever so closely to the big 5-0! I can't really believe that, but that is reality!! 48 years you have graced this earth with your awesomeness & the world IS a better place with you in it!! I feel that you have been quite mistreated by me with ALL the wedding hoopla going on so my goal in life right now is to make up the last several mths to you. The nights of me staying up & you high fiveing me because I couldn't hardly look up from what I was doing. I know you will say I'm crazy & I know you are so grateful for all I did but I've missed you!! Thank you for always being the most understanding person I know!! You really are THE BEST!!!

Watching you through this whole wedding process & leaning on you every step of the way, has frankly shown me even MORE amazing qualities about you. I didn't think it was possible that I would discover MORE wonderful things about you because you're already soooo amazing - but I did... You are, what a real man is. A man that serves others - is a real man!! Jesus is THE MAN & he came to serve - NOT to be served. And you Mr. - are a REAL MAN!!!!! You don't stand by and watch others work, you don't stand by and see a woman carry a table, you work & always try to be the VERY last person to quit working. I watch you and wonder why every man isn't more like you. I wonder why they sell themselves short by staying the way they are. Then I just come back to the realization that the Lord gave me someone soooo special. He focuses my eyes back on Him & the gift He gave me. I lose sight sometimes & then I humbly just thank the Father for you. I thank Him for the example our daughters have of what it means to be cherished & OH MY GOSH I thank Him for the example Grant has of how to serve & cherish others!!

My prayer for you never, ever changes - it's a prayer that I've spoke a million times. It's simple but powerful. It's this -- Lord, I pray you bless Ray this day. I pray for supernatural wisdom & favor to follow him. I pray that you shine through him today so that the world will want to be more like you, Jesus. I pray that he knows how much he's loved by you and the people around him. Shower him with blessings and watch over him like only a Father can. Thank you Father for my husband & help me to be everything he needs in a wife. -- I pray a DOUBLE portion of all that today, on the celebration day of your birth!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet, sweet, precious HUSBAND!!! I love you soooooo much!!!

Wedding Update

2010-10-14T01:44:00.023-05:00

It's getting soooo close to wedding time and everything is going amazing!! I have so not kept up with this blog and I'm quite bummed with myself. I will need in the future (6 mths from now) to have my memory jogged. Now with not hardly any wedding blogs, I probably will forget most of the process. I hate that, so with my crazy insomnia I thought I'd try to talk about what's went on in the last 75 days. We've had 2 general wedding showers, 1 lingerie shower, 1 weekend bachelorette party and this coming weekend we're going to the Austin area to shop for the wedding. It's been some serious milestones and I seriously hate to sound cheesy but every event has been absolutely wonderful for Ms. Hannah and our family. To see sooo many people shower Hannah & Austin with love, it's been quite overwhelming at times!! We are down to bridal pictures with Hannah this coming week and really that's it. 3 weeks from this coming Saturday is the BIG DAY! I just can't believe that it's almost wedding time.

Hannah's 1st shower was here at our home. It was a tea party & pearls theme. It was given by her sisters and Kim (a bridesmaid). Of course I couldn't help but help. It was my family and Ray's family - which is a bunch of women. It was beautiful and just a wonderful time with some of the most important women in Hannah's life. My sister Toni was over the top helpful (she should be called St. Toni). Here is a few pictures from the day.

The precious bride! The most chill, easygoing, grateful BRIDE - ever!! SOOO blessed to plan a wedding with this lady.

Me and my girl!

The sisters! They have all been such a blessing to Hannah & so helpful to me through all of this.

My Momma/Hannah's Grandma

Seriously probably the best maid-of-honor, EVER! This girl has done anything & everything we've needed her to do. She could possibly be the maid-of-honor for the other 2 sisters, especially since she's done such a great job. Just such a servant!!

The big group of us.

Some family

Aunt Toni - if something happens to me before the wedding this is the ONLY person that knows every detail of the wedding day! She's my angel on earth & for sure Jesus' hands & feet to me. SUCH a blessing. I could NEVER express or repay her for all she's done.

Present time!

Only SOME of the presents from this shower!

The setup!

The next shower was with friends. Hannah has been welcomed into Austin's home church since they began dating & she's now in leadership with Austin in the youth group. A couple of her girlfriends, her future sister Holly & Olivia put together a shower at Shady Grove. It was a cookies & milk theme. It was very nice as well and Hannah was again, overwhelmed by everyone's love. Here are some pics from that shower.

Beautiful girl!!

Sisters!

Hannah's new sister Holly in 23 days and her precious niece Haddy.

Friends

Presents

Games

Setup

Then came the Bachelorette Party Weekend!! Hannah, her sisters and Megan went down to our timeshare in Tyler on Thursday - then on Friday came 7 other girls for the rest of the weekend. They had a WONDERFUL, special time and made memories that will last a lifetime!! Meshali was 1 of her special friends that was there and she's a wonderful photographer (she'll be 1 of the photographers at the wedding) - but she took pics for ME of the weekend!! I love her!!! So here are some from Hannah's weekend with her girls.

Shirts I decided to make at the last minute.

LOVE this of the girls.

Such precious sisters.

Their signature pose.

The maid of honor and 4 of the 7 bridesmaids. AND the bride.

All the girls that went. (all but Becca, she's taking the pic)

They went on a photo scavenger hunt. It was quite fun I heard. This is several pics of things that they had to get a photo of. The 1st team back after they completed the list of 25 - WON. The brides team WON!

Becca and Shali (the GREAT photographer/Sarah's roommate/my bonus kid!! Love them BOTH!
A little volleyball.

Ummm, thought I taught them not to jump on beds but...I actually let them always jump on the bed - YIKES! This is cute.

Next was the lingerie shower for Hannah's close girlfriends. This was given by Angela Miller & Erin Taylor. They use to be the "Ross Sister" (& always will be in my eyes) but have both been married in the last couple of years. They have known Hannah since she was probably 8. They blessed Hannah sooo much with a shower that they put so much time and love into. Hannah being VERY sentimental, it really meant a lot to her that they took so much time to have everything just so perfect and SOOO Hannah.

Here are some pics from that night.

The hostesses - Erin and Angela

Sweet Friends.

Games

All these goodies were made by Lylette's Bakery, they were SOOOO yummy - here is a link to her blog -- http://lylettesbakery.blogspot.com

Then, this weekend will be THE LAST of the events scheduled before the wedding weekend. Myself, all 4 girls, and a couple of extras are going shopping to the awesome outlet malls in San Marcos. We are gonna take a quick getaway and have a good time. Hopefully a few of us will find what we are wearing to the wedding!!

In between all of the above we have had work days at my sister's home, where the wedding is going to be. We've laid new grass. We've shopped till we've dropped. We've logged 100's of hrs. on the internet planning, researching, shopping. We've made decorations. Created & sent out invitations. I've already made the appointments for the girls to have massages/toes/nails done the day before. 1 of Austin's brothers just got in from Europe. Everything is pointing to the wedding being SOOOOO close!!! We've worked hard but enjoyed every single solitary second of the planning. There isn't a ton to do until the week before and it's quite weird. It's a feeling like I'm forgetting a million things!! I know ALL the important things will be remembered and the rest will be no big deal.

The only thing that would have made all the above over the top, wonderful, perfect, stupendous - would have been to have Hannah's future Momma-in-love and her 2 new sisters here. Every step of the way they have been missed sooo bad by Hannah and the rest of us. Since they live in Europe it's been a big bummer to not have them here. I personally would have wanted Jerri with me every step of the way. She's been through this with 2 daughters and a son - and I can use ALL the advice I can get!! I've tried to keep them up to date on everything but it's hard & even though we've missed them here it's been WAY harder for them! I know the Lord gives them grace and they're just so happy for Hannah and Austin but it still stinks to miss out on happy times with your kids. And Hannah is for sure already their child! So that would have made everything just perfect! We are all quite excited for them to get here and enjoy the last of the festivities with us all. It will be a wonderful time as we join our 2 families together forever. I look so forward to sharing my grandkids with the Benjamin family. I couldn't ask for a more precious Poppy & Gigi to love on them and impart amazing wisdom to them. I know they feel like we do - the more grandkids the better!! What a blessed family Hannah and Austin will have. I'm so excited for Austin that all his family will be here and surrounding him with love for 1 of the biggest days of his life. So hurry!!!

So that's the end of the "catch up blog" for the last 75 days. I can almost bet the farm I won't be blogging again till after the big day. So until after November 6th - when I will have MANY, MANY pictures to share - Farewell!!

100 DAYS till the WEDDING and the gift I will be getting!!!

2010-07-28T10:05:00.008-05:00

WE HAVE HIT THE 100 DAY MARK - UNTIL THE WEDDING!!! OMG!!!!!

I seriously can't believe we are SO, SO close!!! Things are a buzz around the house and it really is the most fun I have ever had planning anything! Lots more work to be done but we're right on target with our lists of "to do's"! Wedding dress was picked up last week and going to get altered next week and many, many other things. Next big feat will be invitations going in the mail. Shooting for the middle of next month which means we have less than 3 weeks to achieve a pretty lengthy "putting together" process, YIKES! All vendors are set and ready to go. Finalizing the setup of how everything is going to be placed for the reception this week. OH MY!! Just thinking of things we have gotten done makes me realize I have so much more to STILL DO!! Oh well, it will happen - I have no doubt. I thought I would mark this big occasion in a different way. I have written plenty of blogs about my kiddos and probably never need to write another 1, because, well, I can go on & on about how great they are. But I haven't wrote a blog about my future SON before. His sweet and precious Momma wrote about him on his birthday and I could have but, he probably couldn't have handled so much love in 1 day. SO, I am going to write this blog and tell you & him - 100 reasons I am so thrilled to have him as my SON! These are in no order - just random.

100 reasons I am so thrilled to have Austin for my SON!

100. He loves Jesus with his whole, whole heart

99. He loves Hannah Ray Baker with his whole heart!

98. He honors the Lord with his gifts

97. He loves Rachel

96. He's athletic

95. He likes the Dallas Cowboys

96. He loves avocados

95. He knows how to relax

94. He's a good talker

93. He doesn't mind taking the trash out

92. He comes from a wonderful family

91. He loves his Momma (that's important)

90. He works hard

89. He loves Sarah

88. He has a Mr. Mc DREAMY singing voice!

87. He loves Grandma

86. He knows how to do laundry

85. He has the patience of JOB!

84. He makes me laugh

83. He knows how to perfectly fast forward the remote control for the dvr.

82. He loves children.

81. He's got good hair!

80. He likes to stay up late

79. He loves his future father-in-love - RAY!

78. He is confident

77. He's a good listener

76. He likes to have fun

75. He loves TEXAS!

74. He loves Olivia

73. He's a giver and has such a grateful heart

72. He is beyond loyal

71. He feels so at home in our home

70. He submits to authority

69. He's silly!

68. He LOVES ice cream

67. He's a good speller

66. He doesn't mind getting his picture made

65. He wants him and Hannah to have a big family (YES)!!!

64. He fears God

63. He loves to laugh!

62. He's very intelligent

61. He likes to travel

60. He puts God 1st!

59. He loves Grant!!

58. He's a faithful friend

57. He enjoys reality TV

56. He loves to play video games with Grant

55. He's got good genes (you know, don't wanna mess up an already good gene pool)

54. He loves to go to the movies!

53. He LOVES worship!!

52. He can make a yummy pizza (& when I say make I mean, cooks a frozen pizza to perfection)

51. He loves Pal (our dog) & Punkin (0ur cat)

50. He is always positive!

49. He knows how to throw a ball in the living room & usually doesn't break anything - usually!

48. He has become the griller of steaks in the fam & cooks them to perfection!!

47. He is so very respectful to Ray and I

46. He doesn't mind when our house is messy at times!

45. He loves our extended big family

44. He pursues Hannah every day

43. He considers Ray 1 of his best friends

42. Did I mention he can SING!?

41. He very, very handsome

40. He loves Dr. Pepper (even though that's not on my diet anymore it will always be my fave)

39. He laughs at my goofiness when I know it's only to humor me

38. He fits in our family like he has ALWAYS been here

37. He is WISE!!

36. He loves going to sporting events

35. He's a great example to Grant

34. He ALWAYS opens a girls door

33. He stays out of "sister issues" <-- refer to #37

32. He loves family dinners (even if I do cook with onions)

31. He gives the BEST gifts!

30. He puts the lid down

29. He takes care of Hannah's car

28. He makes my daughter smile like I've never seen her smile.

27. He loves plays and concerts

26. He always smells good

25. He's trustworthy!!

24. 1 of his best friends is Olivia

23. He goes grocery shopping with Ray

22. He has submitted to our dating/engagement rules.

21. He's kept my daughter pure

20. He has integrity that makes me proud

19. He does what he says he's gonna do

18. He's forgiving!

17. He's a great son, brother and uncle

16. He loves Hannah to spend time with her family & friends

15. He likes my cooking (I didn't say love because I cook with onions, always)

14. He knows how to work in the yard

13. He loves nothing more than to be with family

12. He loves the Word of God

11. He keeps up with Hannah's phone

10. He shows the love of Jesus to others

9. He is a SERVANT beyond belief!!!

8. He can do the dishes

7. He's a GREAT writer!

6. He loves date nights!!

5. He's very, very, very protective!!

4. He wants to serve the Lord beside Hannah.

3. He encourages Hannah to follow her calling & gifts from the Lord.

2. He's 1 of the most gentle, kind, genuine and precious people I know!!

ALL the above are in random order but the top reason

"I'm so thrilled to have Austin become my SON" is....

1. HE LOVES ME!!!!

Austin,

So that completes my 100 reasons!! I could expound and probably have a story behind each of these 100. I could have also gone on & on! But I just want to honor and bless and tell you that your new Father-in-love and I are so proud of the man you are. We have ALL the confidence in the world that you will LOVE, take care of and share in a wonderful life with our precious gift, Hannah! We are so excited to share our lives with you in the middle of it. We look forward to MANY, many times with you, Hannah & GRANDKIDS!!! Christmas mornings, Thanksgiving dinners, Birthdays, and every other holiday, Family dinners, game nights, VACATIONS together - it will all be a MILLION times better because you will be a part of it!! We thank GOD for you and thank Him for setting you aside for our Hannah. We've talked before about you being the guinea pig for the son-in-loves and I'm proud to think that nobody will get past Ray that you don't approve of too. You love each and every 1 of us and that of course makes my heart burst!! I'm sure this next season for us all will not come without bumps but I'm confident to know that you will have mercy for us as we will for you. I do promise I will NEVER be "that Mother-in-law people talk about". So, in the beginning of this engagement business you made the remark that when the 100 day mark hits you could possibly freak out - well I know what ya mean because I could freak out too - it's gonna be here quick. But I hope this blog will show you how much we love you and how our whole HUGE family can't hardly wait to have you be a part of it. Thank you for all you are and all you do - you are a gift to our family!! I love you, Your Mother-in- LOVE in 100 DAYS!!!

Hannah Ray Baker is 19 today!!!

2010-05-30T22:04:00.013-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hannah Ray Baker!!! Here is the BEAUTIFUL Birthday girl on her way out for a birthday dinner and going to see a play called Wicked, with her guy!

And here is the happy couple!!

Hannah Ray, my precious 3rd daughter!! She is pure joy to Ray and I! She is even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside and that's, WOW, because she is GORGEOUS! She is the kindest, most gentle, merciful, SWEET, discerning, WISE, gracious and a GODLY young woman!! She is what every parent would dream of having in a daughter!! I have loved being her Momma!! I pray to be more like her every single day. I can't wait for this next year in her life. She is going to be blown away by what the Lord has for her!! She probably is 1 of his favorites, ha!! I don't know what I did to deserve her (Ray I'm sure deserves her) but I am SO GRATEFUL for my precious Hannah!! Austin has such an amazing gift that he will be able to walk this life with. She is a rare, rare gem!!

So Hannah, ALL grown up and going to be a wife in 5 short months! I know I have said it before but I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! Today is her birthday and the last birthday as a "Baker" girl! I really didn't know that that reality would hit me so hard!! I added up all the ages of my 5 children and I have celebrated 93 different birthday days with them. Almost all of them I have been in charge of, planned and ENJOYED!! 93 BIRTHDAYS is a lot!! And it hit me that this birthday would be the last that I would be "responsible" for. Ray says we should shout for joy but I'm just a bit sad about it. Birthdays are a BIG, BIG DEAL in our family. It's the celebration of YOU!! We do them up BIG! Not with huge, lavish gifts or anything like that but it's a day that when the clock strikes midnight you get a call from everyone in our family. You get a text and now a twitter or a Facebook comment almost immediately. It begins at midnight and for the next 24 hrs. you're a REALLY big deal. Next is usually breakfast - it happens 1 of a few ways. Breakfast in bed by Daddy, taken to your favorite place by sisters or sleeping in! Then lunch is usually skipped because of breakfast but toes & fingers are usually done at a local salon. Then a party of some kind is had, even if it's only family. Special is what you feel the WHOLE DAY!!! I have a feeling most of these traditions won't change next year when she's Hannah Ray Baker Benjamin (she told us yesterday that she wants to be a Baker forever so she's keeping her maiden name, ahhh). She was talking about her next years birthday and I told her that if it's a weekend they could come over and stay the weekend. Well her eyes lite up and she ran to Austin & grabbed her phone to see what the day will fall on. He giggled at her & they figured out that next year it would be ON Memorial Day so we discussed going camping as a family. I think by May she will be very comfortable being away from home but right now I think it's hard for her to take. Austin being precious just agrees that they can come stay the weekend. So, Austin and Hannah will start new tradition in their little family and we have all of our amazing memories of amazing birthdays!! So I have enjoyed this birthday day with Hannah like I did the other 18!

This year Ms. Hannah has had 2 days of fun because this is a BIG 1 in all of our minds! Yesterday we all piled up and went to Turner Falls in Oklahoma for the day. We took some friends of all of ours and then some of Ray's family was there camping for the weekend so we got to spend some time with more family. I can't express how amazing our day was. It couldn't have been more perfect!!!

Here are bunches of pics of our day!

The drive was a lot of fun & here is 1 of our stops on the way.

Silly, BEAUTIFUL Hannah

Here is the group & friends that went.

These are some pics of us at Turner Falls

A bunch of them went hiking up the side of the 77 foot waterfall and LOVED it. Here is a few of that.

After a full day of fun we headed to the camp site where Aunt Wendy, Cousin Rena's family and Cousin Bobbi's family were. We played horseshoes and other games. Then came the most amazing steak dinner w/ all the fixins & her Aunt Wendy made her favorite dessert - dirt cake!! SO SWEET!!

And then today she, yes, went to breakfast and she got a garden (she said) of flowers and was SURPRISED by her guy and went to see a play that she has been wanting to see SO bad - WICKED!! She got lots of money because that's what she wanted. She's heading to Ikea with Austin tomorrow to buy stuff for their bedroom when they're married. WOW!! Crazy!!

Here she is with her flowers, cookie cake and some of her $$$!!!

So her birthday is almost over and her life here in our home is coming to an end but years and years and years of birthdays are still to be celebrated in her life. I pray I get to share many, many more of them with her. I love you Hannah Ray Baker - you are a JOY to your Mother!! You're more precious to me than the day you were born 19 years ago. In fact I LOVE YOU more than the very, very last number!!! I THANK God for you and for your LIFE!!!

Do I REALLY have a child that is 25??

2010-05-10T17:39:00.007-05:00

WOW!! Rach is 25 years old today!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY my #1 daughter!! It's been a wonderful day spent with her. Sarah & Hannah had to work so Olivia and I had the honor of spending the day with the birthday girl. She woke up with breakfast in bed that Liv got her and then her best friend Megan got her a 1 hr. massage. After that Liv, Ray, Grant & I took her to a nice birthday lunch. Then we dumped the boys off and Liv, Rach and I headed to our favorite salon for a manicure and pedicure! It's been a wonderful day. Tonight she is going with some of her girlfriends for sushi and then back home for some dessert & girl time.

Rach starts the "Summer of Baker Birthdays"! We have 2 in May (Rach & Han), 1 in June (Megan), 2 in July (Sarah & Austin), 1 in August (Olivia) and 1 in September (Grant)!! And that's just the Summer! Plus mine is in May & Mother's day! OH BOY I'm tired. But 25 is a BIG 1. Rachel is 1/2 way to 50 or 1/4 of a century old -- or what she realized at lunch -- 5 YEARS from 30!! WOW, I don't feel that I could have a 25 year old child, but I DO!!

The times with my grown children just get better and better every year. That is for sure how I feel about my time with Rach!! She has been such a grown up for years but our friendship has grown so much in just the last few months! Her best bud Megan moved away and even though we miss her terribly, it freed up some time I think for more time with Rachel and the rest of us!! She's so much fun and she's always up to go or do anything. She's our family "cruise director" and she keep most of us in line!

I'm so proud of my eldest and so, so, so proud of the woman she is. I just can't express the love I have for her. She's the rarest kind of person with her love for people and the way she loves to make everyone in her life feel so special!! Birthdays are Rachel's thing that she LOVES to do for other people. She tries to make everyone around her have the BEST birthday, the best birth when they have a baby, the best wedding, the best anniversary, the best--WHATEVER is going on in their life. If you have your wisdom teeth out, Rach is there to bring you a ballon, a funny card and ice cream! She is such a GIVER and I so love that about her. She has the heart of her Heavenly Father! So when it's her birthday it's hard not to want to give her the moon!! I love that she loves so well. She's such an encourager and she gets excited for people when others would'nt think much of a friends new car or a new outfit or a new apartment. She has a way of making you feel so good about yourself - such a wonderful characteristic about her.

I have so many dreams for her and her future. I can't even imagine how much more the Lord wants for her!! The future is SO BRIGHT and the SKY IS THE LIMIT!!!! She is working so much on herself and I'm beyond excited to see the transformation happen in her life. So Rachel, my sweet, precious daughter that made me a Mommy - I love you SO, SO, SO MUCH!!! I'm excited to see what the next year is going to bring!!! We are on a wonderful journey together and I wouldn't want to be on it with anyone but YOU!!! Have a wonderful evening and I can't wait to share the rest of our lives together as Mom and Daughter - Friend and Friend!!

I love you more than the very, very last number!!!

Mom

Just a few pictures of her 25 years!!

Wedding Planning

2010-03-06T18:00:00.006-06:00

Today marks 8 MONTHS until the big day. The Baker/Benjamin Wedding!! These almost 2 mths. have FLOWN by since the engagement and makes me see how quick the next 8 mths. will pass! The planning is in FULL SWING!! The date has been set - NOVEMBER 6th 2010. That came with many challenges but FINALLY it is set in stone. Because we had a very specific time that would work for a lot of Austin's family to come from out of the country - we had to pick a time that would work for all. We are pushing the weather to the limit...Hannah is fasting 1 day a week, just for her "wedding weather"! All parties have decided on "the place"! YAY! That was a doozy! Hannah has had her heart set on an outside wedding. Nature is where she strongly feels the presence of the Lord. She really does see things through the Father's eyes. She has always been my child that sees things in the clouds, things in the way the leaves dance before the Lord. Her quiet time has always been outside, under the great big sky! That's 1 of the reasons why Austin proposed outside in Israel. YAY, an outside wedding.

Her Aunt Toni & Uncle Mike's house is the specific place of the wedding/reception. Toni is my sister and she has a beautiful home & property that is just gorgeous. Their home is a gift from God for my sister's family but it's been a gift for our WHOLE family. It's the 1 home that we can all still get together and actually have room - since we are over 50 peeps to date. I think I have written before about how sentimental my Hannah is - she is beyond sentimental. If you give her a gum wrapper that has some meaning she will remember what it was, save it & NEVER probably throw it away. For her to get married at someone's home that's in her family - that's the BEST. This home will in all likelihood be in our family for generations. It will be a special place that the 2 of them can always go back to and remember their day. Hannah really believes that the Lord gave it to them for HER wedding, ha! Then Austin comes into the family & I believe his 1st time to meet the whole gang was at Aunt Toni's house. The 1st time he saw it, he feel in love with it!! At Thanksgiving this year he stood on the back patio looking out with Ray & at that time he had already asked Ray to marry Hannah. We knew it was coming & they had already discussed that Aunt Toni's was where they would love to get married. He looked out & said to Ray - "my Dad's gonna love this place, I can't wait for him to see it". He could never wrap his thoughts around another place that would be more perfect to marry Hannah. So for both of them to think of having it in any ole place outside - doesn't have the meaning that this place has. The peace of God dwells there - you can feel it. It has been declared God's property & I believe the birds in the air even know it.

Toni & Mike are the biggest givers I know. They give IT ALL!! You name it, they give it. The time that they so graciously give to their children, their extended family & ANYBODY that God brings to them - it's a TRUE reflection of Jesus. SO, we are going to bombarde their home with over 200 people. Well not their home because it will all take place outside, well not all because there will be plenty going on inside - OK wait, she is a SAINT for saying yes to us, HA! I WILL owe her for the REST OF MY LIFE!!! Many of us in our family feel we owe them for the rest of our lives. Of course she doesn't keep score but I will owe her!

The biggest, biggest challenge with this wedding is the SIZE of the guest list. Hannah comes from a BIG, BIG, BIG family. Just Hannah alone has over 120 family members that are aunts, uncles, 1st cousins & 2nd cousins. WOW, my children have almost 50 immediate cousins, 50!! Austin has a few, as in he can count them on 1 HAND!! BUT, Austin has a HUGE, BIGGER, GIGANTIC church family! YIKES!!! This is a challenge. Our number that will fit under a tent - have a parking spot, will be 230. Boy oh BOY! The fair way is 115 each. BOY OH BOY!!! So the lists begin. And of course in our family unit most EVERYONE has an opinion. I began Hannah's list and started with 216 people on the list -- REALLY? That's a short list in my mind....ha! I went over it with Hannah and she added 13 people that I forgot. So we were looking at a list of 243 and don't see WHERE we can possibly cut it. It's unrealistic to think that EVERYONE that she would LOVE to be there to share in her day, can come. The "issue" with her list and really Austin's list is that they will probably have 95% of the people invited, come. So it's not like we can over invite knowing we can go by the 70% will come rule. We 1st have to make some hard decisions. It takes us probably 3 sit down times to do it because each time she leaves the table upset. We finally got our list down to 118 people. 118 PEOPLE!!! She says thats it, she's not going through it 1 more time to cut 3. Then comes Austin's list. He had a whole different set of challenges. He got his to 125 and he also had to leave out people that mean a lot to his family and to him. The more I talk to other Mothers of the Bride or MOB, ha - I hear the same thing - there isn't anything wrong with your children wanting an intimate wedding with family & close, close friends. There are things that Hannah wanted - a sit down dinner, which we couldn't have done for 400+ people. So, sacrifices had to be made & in the end we all PRAY that everyone will understand & support the happy couple. But we are all learning we just have to give and take. Austin has been precious as usual. He would probably give Han 50 of his people if he could. He is ALL about everything being perfect for his bride. What a wonderful way to plan a wedding. SO, I think we are close to having a firm list after some tweaking is done to it. It will be a magical night that is SO Hannah and Austin. We are loving the planning and looking forward to the big day. Can I just say that I truly love my new son that I already feel is my son. He is just so precious in so many ways. Ray and I just love him. He's so perfect for Hannah, so protecting and caring. I couldn't have asked God to pick a more perfect man for Hannah or our whole family. I can hardly wait to see their lives unfold together.

There is so much to update on wedding stuff. They had their engagement pictures taken last week. Can you repeat after me - perfect, gorgeous, most precious couple!! Brad Shull from Shull Photography www.shullphotography.com took them. He is a family friend of Austin's and now our family friend. Also he spent the afternoon at the place taking other pictures and a photography friend of his came to and she took their pictures also. Vanessa is from www.cpcamera.com - they both took such beautiful pictures and I was quite surprised that I had enough restraint to leave my camera equipment at home. Brad told me I was welcome to but I wanted to be the Mom and be there for Hannah. It was loads of fun and it was beyond strange to be on that end of an engagement shoot after me being the 1 to take the pictures for dozens of engaged couples. Of course it doesn't hurt when you trust the photographers. Here are a few...

These are some that Vanessa from CPCamera took.

Here are just a few of the many that Brad took from Shull Photography.

Such a precious couple. So that is my update on some of the specifics of the wedding. Lots of wonderful changes at our house that I will share later but God has turned us upside down and inside out. He is so faithful to us all and AMAZING things are ahead. If I would blog more often I wouldn't have to be so general but soon I will share more!!

Love to all!!

Austin and Hannah are ENGAGED!!!

2010-01-13T10:42:00.027-06:00

I'm sure unless you live under a rock or you have no idea who we are, you know the new NEWS in "The Baker" house!! HANNAH and AUSTIN are ENGAGED!!!! YAY!!! It happened Monday the 11th of January or the way I like to write it - 011110 - pretty cool! YAY!!!! What a wonderful day it was!! I will start from the beginning (you scared?)! Can I just say that this was quite a JOYOUS occasion with both of the families involved!

59 days before the engagement or November 14th, Austin had "the talk" with Ray!! I remember the date because it was the day my sweet niece Jessica was married and I remember the days because 59 days felt like 599 days - because we had to keep it a secret! We were in San Marcos at the wedding and some of the uncles/cousins went golfing the morning before the wedding. Ray of course won't miss an opportunity to golf and Austin enjoys it as well. They were headed back from golfing, they were in the truck listening to the Texas Longhorn game on the radio - we should have known something was up because Austin agreed to go golfing knowing he would miss most of the game - can you say "hardcore sports fan"! Of course if playing sports is involved Austin will miss a game unless it's the Dallas Cowboys. They were listening to the game on the radio and loving the drive in the country - THEN Austin leans in to turn down the radio.... Ray says he either gave him a dirty look or said, "what are you doing?" He looked at Ray and said these words --- is it ok if we have a talk? --- YIKES!! Now Ray and Austin have a WONDERFUL relationship. They are buds for sure. They had "THE" talk when he asked to date Hannah - we all 4 had a talk shorty after that - and they have had maybe 1 other talk in the last 20+ mths. Private talks anyway - they bore us girls talking about sports nonsense but not - "can we talk"! SO, Ray wasn't prepared for this spur of the moment talk. He wasn't quite sure what it was about but of course he said - sure! So, sweet Austin stumbled a bit over his words but finally said --- I want to know what you think about me asking Hannah to marry me - of course that is Ray's memory of it, it could have been a bit different but that was the jest. WELL, Ray was semi shocked and semi expecting it, anytime. So they talked for a while about how crazy Austin is about his daughter (because that's what Dad's want to hear), Ray had a couple of things he wanted to hear Austin's heart on and then all Ray could think is - I need to talk to Teddi before I give him my answer! YIKES!! All Ray could think was, for 26 years we've made decisions together. SOO...if he has a regret, his regret was that he didn't say YES, right away and give him a high 5 and a hug. They left the convo with Austin wondering and Ray needing to talk to me. Of course Ray Baker LOVES to make the boys in our girls lives - sweat for a bit. Well they got back to the resort that we were staying at, Ray & I left early to take pictures and Austin, Hannah & Grant came later. So we get in the truck and I start talking - nonsense I'm sure about the wedding pics. - the scenery, I don't know. When I hush for a second he looks at me and says these words with the most precious look on his face - well, I had THE talk with Austin - OK, my heart hit my feet and the 1st thing out of my mouth was - why did you not just spill it when we got in the truck, why did you let me ramble, HA! I was somewhat surprised but I had a slight feeling. The feeling was always there when they would go hangout together. So Ray and I talked - he told me the couple things that he wanted to hear his heart on (which I already knew the answers) and OF COURSE our answer was YES!! So as soon as Hannah & Austin got to the wedding Ray took him to the side (i have NO IDEA where Han was) and gave him a hug, told him he had our blessing and I'm sure they high 5'd. I couldn't get him without his shadow around (Han) so I just slipped my arm around him when he was standing by me and told him I loved him.

SO...the 1st of THE 4 talks --- IS DONE!! Then began 59 days of keeping a secret with MANY people!! Everyone did GREAT keeping the secret from Hannah but it was CLEARLY no secret. I can't imagine how many people knew! Just Han and Austin's siblings is a bunch. He has 2 older sister and 2 younger brothers. He is the middle child, like Han. BUT WE DID IT!!! As far as I know she had NO IDEA!!

Hannah and Austin began dating with the intent of marriage. My children have been taught that dating without a purpose is foolish/heartbreaking and we just don't allow it! When they hit there 1 year of dating in May they began to talk just a bit about getting married. We advised them that talking about it much would make it hard to not be married so enjoy this time and when the time came - it would be wonderful. Of course Hannah wanted to talk more but Austin would steer her away from it. But every now and then they would have "reality" talks about marriage and the reality was we weren't for a long dating game and we weren't for a long engagement. They have kept their relationship pure before the Lord so LONG dating/engagements aren't such a great idea. With Austin's parents being missionaries in Israel and 1 of his sisters living in Belgium with another 1 moving there in the spring - they knew that their wedding would need to be when his family comes back to the states 1 time a year. Oct/Nov! We ALL knew Oct/Nov 2011 wasn't gonna happen so 2010 was when it was going to be. So they knew they were getting married this year but Hannah didn't know when they would get engaged. Ray is so against the long engagements so he has always preached, no longer then a 6 mth engagement. 6 mths from Oct/Nov would be May-ish. So Han thought that they couldn't get engaged before then...well IT HAPPENED!!

In the weeks after Austin spoke to Ray, he and Liv went looking for THE RING! They are the best of buds so it was right for the 2 of them to make it a date and go hunting for the ring. They found the PERFECT ring that Liv and Austin both knew immediately would be just what Hannah would want. So the ring was being made and the rest was us all keeping our mouths shut about it all. Thank GOD Hannah worked a lot in the coming weeks.

In late November, Gary & Jerri (Austin's parents) and Ray & I went to dinner. We wanted to get together to visit and catch up but we also needed to talk about THE WEDDING/engagement. We knew we wouldn't see each other again before the wedding week so we discussed quite a few things about the wedding. But they 1st wanted to hear about Ray and Austin's talk and we both exchanged how blessed and ordained by God these 2 are, together. It was a WONDERFUL visit! This was the night that we talked about them getting engaged in Israel. Austin's big sisters immediately said Israel but Austin was against it because Hannah's family wouldn't be there. Jerri and Gary agreed that she needed to be where we are but we disagreed! I knew that Hannah would LOVE to be proposed in the most blessed city on earth! It was my desire for Jerri and Gary to share this with the kids & then have the time after to talk about THE WEDDING! So we left the dinner with Gary saying he would talk to Austin and let him know that we were ok with it being in Israel and actually thought it was a perfect plan! It was precious that Austin wanted her to be with her family to share everything right after it happened but God had other dreams for Hannah to be fulfilled! So Israel is the proposal place!

Nobody knew the exact day of the proposal because Austin was gonna get to Israel and make a plan. He knew he wanted to do it quick because he didn't think he could wait long. I knew that EVERYTHING about her trip would be MORE wonderful, if possible, if she was walking around ENGAGED!!! So Monday morning, our time, I get a twitter from Jerri saying today is the day. Then I get a FB message from Austin saying - Today is the day, it's gonna be GREAT - Olivia got a FB message too from Austin saying - Get ready 2 worlds are going to collide! SO, we went into motion figuring out where everyone was. Destiny (his sis) was ready in Belgium to skype. Courtney (his sis) was here in Grand Prairie, not moving from the computer. Rachel found someone to come into work for her. Ray was headed home. Olivia had the day off. Grandma, Grant and I were also home. SARAH was the only 1 that had a problem. She had just been off work for 2 WEEKS and Monday was her 1st day back. This couldn't be happening!! FINALLY she talked to her boss and she went to Courtney's because it was closer to work. She left when we got the twitter that they had made it back to his parents apartment. The 13 min. it took her killed us ALL! HA!! SO FINALLY, all 3 computers could SKYPE with the newly engaged couple.

This is a picture of the kids WAITING for Sarah to get to Courtney's so we could begin to skype.

It was WONDERFUL and we really felt like we were right there. Our connection wasn't the greatest but it was just fine. I have a video link below of 8 mins. of them telling some of the story so I won't go into it. But it was PERFECT she said. He got down on 1 knee. She cried and HE cried. I had sent on Hannah's carry on a bag that was taped up and in the bag was "engagement day" goodies for them both. Han thought it was stuff I got for Jerri but nope - that was a lie. We got to skype and see them get everything that I had picked out for them. It was precious and I'm grateful to Jerri for making it go off without a hitch. I'll post pics. that Destiny got off of skype, during that time. It was simply WONDERFUL!! I will NEVER, EVER forget how giddy she was. She couldn't sit still and she was posing her hand in every way possible to show us her ring. It was so special.

Austin's parents, Preston (his bro) and the newly engaged couple left the next morning to go spend the night in the Galilee. She has told me that they can't stop telling each other, I love you!! It made it SO SPECIAL that they waited for those words. NOW the meaning is so much different then it would have been a mth into the relationship. Austin had the desire to not say it till engagement because he wanted to guard Hannah's heart if something happened and it didn't work out. Our advise and wish was that they didn't say it for that reason also and that it would make this time SO much more special.

I feel like I have told more of the details (because we will all forget) but haven't shared the good stuff about these 2 AMAZING people!! I just can't express and since this is already so long I will save some of my thoughts for another time but I love when the Lord knits 2 people together so perfectly!! Not that they have a perfect relationship because none of us do but to see them GROW together - has been nothing short of a miracle. Austin truly is 1 of the most teachable souls. He listens, observes and takes things to the Lord. Then he allows Him to do a work that will be lasting instead of temporary. Ray and I are just SO EXCITED about these 2 coming together as 1. They SO compliment each other in life. She will be such an asset to his gifts and call ~ He is going to be and already is THE 1 that the Lord uses to help Hannah fulfill her call & destiny. It's gonna be amazing to see.

This is a pic. of them walking into Austin's parent's apt. right when they got back from their evening.

This picture is what Hannah did many times that evening. Here are SEVERAL pics. because we couldn't get enough of her wanting to show her ring. Olivia and Kim (Han's great friend) got Hannah to get her nails done before going to Israel. Knowing that Hannah and Liv had always talked about making sure that the other's nails were done, when they knew the other was going to get engaged. Hannah didn't catch on because they have many times gotten their nails done.

This is my favorite of them both.

And 1 of our PRECIOUS Hannah - she is SO BEAUTIFUL, inside and out!!!

Here is a video clip from the proposal story that I got of the screen while we skyped. We're SO blessed to have this memory on tape. It was truly priceless to watch her SO excited.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2F0PhEAjfg

Most of the pics are from Austin's sister, Destiny. She got some great shots off of skype. After they shared the proposal story they got their gifts that I had put together for them. I wanted EVERYTHING to be special because I really don't know if I know very many people that are more sentimental than Hannah. 1st gift was a hoodie and pants for Han that had "The Future Mrs. Benjamin" on the lower back and then Bride on the front. Austin got a silly shirt that I told him he only had to wear for a picture - it says, "I put a ring on it".

Next was a tote bag that had her 1st Bride 2010 magazine, a book, Chicken Soup for the Bride and a Bride Journal. Aren't they SO CUTE!!!

Next was a little Bride purse that had an engagement card in it for them both and some cash for their souvenirs that they want to get for their home and some things that they will use at their wedding.

This is them showing off their scrapbook. I put it together for them and it was letters from people back home that they are close to - telling them congrats. It has room for them to add pictures and keepsakes from their trip to ISRAEL

This is the letter that Ray & I wrote to the happy couple that is in their scrapbook:

Hannah,

Our precious, sweet Hannah – YOU’RE ENGAGED!!!!

We can only imagine that you are still somewhere in the clouds. YAY!! Since you were a little girl all you wanted to be is a wife ~ God has answered that desire of your heart. We love you so much and we can’t wait to plan your big day with you. You will be the most beautiful bride!! To say we are HAPPY for you and Austin is an understatement!! You both really do complete each other ~ he is your missing piece. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will be the most wonderful wife to Austin. He is beyond blessed to have you become his wife and we know he feels the same. You are such a reflection of the love of God to everyone that is in your life. So, enjoy your time being ENGAGED in Israel and when you come home ~ the “real” planning will begin!

P.S. – please know that 99.9% of the things that I have told you in life – are the TRUTH!

Austin,

We can’t believe that we will have 2 sons – WOW! We have, like your parents, prayed for you since before Hannah was born. To see you in the flesh and get to know you – is to witness the Lord’s complete plan for 1 of our children (up to this point)! I think you know by now that Ray and I are totally crazy about you. You fit into our family like you were always here. It’s really great that I will have 6 children but only had to be pregnant & deliver 5. We are SO proud of the man you are and that the Lord picked someone like you for our Hannah. We love your teachable spirit and know that you and Hannah will have a marriage that many will envy. She is blessed to have been picked to be your wife. The 1 thing that we desired is for someone to love our child with the love that we have for each other – and we know that Hannah has been given that gift in you. Thank you for already taking care of her and we know you always will! Enjoy your time together and remember this – I CAN keep a secret! Let’s talk about who almost blew it… We love you Austin – our soon to be SON! We like the ring of that.

We love you both dearly, Dad & Mom Baker

Hannah is beyond blessed to marry into a PRECIOUS family. I really couldn't ask the Lord to give her a more amazing family. I think we will all LOVE being grandparents together and uncles/aunts together.

Here is a link to a blog that Austin's sister wrote about the engagement. http://www.belgexan.com/2010/01/and-tribe-expands.html

And a link of his Mother's blogs about the engagement. http://www.jerribenjamin.com/2010/01/diamonds-and-druze-for-austin-hannah/#more-224

Here are a few pics of the Newly Engaged Couple - the 1st 1 is them at the airport in Dallas on their way to ISRAEL - the Texas shirts are because the Longhorns were playing for the championship that very day so they were supporting their team. Won't they make BEAUTIFUL grandbabies for ME!!

This is so beautiful - it's the day after they got engaged - looking out onto the Sea of Galilee.

So the proposal is OVER!!! The day they get home from Israel we will have a small party with close family to celebrate once again and get more details of their big day. We will toast to the future and see them and that ring in person, HA!! I believe they have set the date and it's probably 95% for sure gonna be October 23, 2010. It's going to be a wedding that is very much Hannah and Austin. My goal as the MomOfTheBride is for everyone to leave saying - "that was SO Hannah and Austin". She will be the most BEAUTIFUL bride, I'm sure!! We have many things to do and we are counting on the Lord to guide it ALL. I'm sure that I will have many blogs of the process so until next time -- thanks for reading the novel about my precious Hannah and her Prince Charming!!

My STRONG Dad

2010-01-05T23:39:00.000-06:00

Well today was a sad and happy day. It's odd to have those words come out of my mouth but it's the truth. It's sad that a wife lost her husband, children lost their father, grandchildren lost their papa, a brother& a sister lost a brother, nieces&nephews lost an uncle and friends lost a friend. We are sad for what was and what could have been. The happy is HEAVEN!!! Need I say more - but you know I will. It is a wonderful place and yes we did sing that song to him, ha! Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace, I wanna see my Saviors face cause Heaven is a wonderful place. You should be VERY happy that there isn't sound to this blog because I DO make a joyful "noise".

I must say that my Dad was a Major in the United States Army and I am very proud that he served our country. He gave a lot and the Army took a lot from my Dad. At the young age of 17 it took his innocence and the horror of war, took part of his heart.

My Dad was 80 years old and if I could use 1 word to describe him it would be STRONG. He made it through 2 wars, raising 8 children, alcoholism and a dreadful disease that robbed him of the last 5 years of his life. He was a man that 2 wars, changed him ~ He was a strong man who's children, challenged him ~ He was an addicted man that was brave enough to give up something that bound him for many years ~ He was a sick man that fought the fight and didn't give up. His body gave up but he never did!! I had the honor of staying with my Dad the 1st night that he was in the hospital (Sunday night). Me and Tricia took the 1st shift and then me & Toni stayed through the night. It was a tough 13 hrs. sitting in arms reach of my STRONG Father. Who always had a tough exterior. Something happened to me that night and I am so grateful to the Lord. I began to see my Father as a weak, vulnerable, human being that was flawed just like the rest of humankind. The Lord began to do a work in me that to be honest - was needed. You see I was the 6th daughter, born in 1965. I was a toddler when my Dad came home from Vietnam for the 2nd time and when he came home he wasn't the same as he was when he left. That's the way life goes. Some say it's unfair and some say it sucks but I say I am the woman I am because of the Mother and Father that raised me. I may not be perfect but I like me. I like the things that I have overcome and I like the things I still must overcome. I like the strong headed woman I am and I like the soft/submissive woman I have become. I got some good qualities from my Dad and some not so good qualities from my Dad. I think I have discovered today that my journey isn't quite over and will never be with my Dad. I am praying for God's eyes in situations that I have walked through and His heart where my heart got wounded.

So Dad - your suffering has come to an end ~ your suffering was unbearable sometimes, I'm sure!! My STRONG Dad that was really a broken, wounded boy. So many dreams of mine died this afternoon but the Lord is faithful to make beauty out of ashes. You see you never stop wanting the love from your Father. I'm still that same little girl that reached up to him when he came home from war and he just couldn't reach back. Maybe it was guilt that he was alive and happy and so many were dead. I don't know the answers but 1 thing I do know is my STRONG Dad loved me. He loved me the best way he knew how. I thank God for the love of my heavenly Father that can show me my Fathers love.

I want to write about the legacy that my Dad left behind. He left behind 8 children, 7 daughters and 1 son. He left 28 GRANDchildren and 5 GREATgrandchildren and 1 on the way! If I had a million years I could NEVER tell you how WONDERFUL my siblings are! It may sound dramatic but if you knew them you would be SO jealous that they aren't your siblings. Our spouses are BEYOND wonderful and I really can't begin to tell you how amazing all of his grandchildren/greats are!! This man, my Dad, had a family that people MARVEL over. If I have heard it once I have heard it 200 times - your family is so rare, everyone loves Jesus, you love each other so much, you honor your parents, how did you all have such wonderful kids, all your siblings have wonderful marriages, you're so close/that's rare - and the comments go on and on!!! I don't know WHY I was picked to be in such a wonderful family. 1 of my brother-in-laws said today that he is honored to have been chosen to be apart of our family. It's rare and I don't take it for granted!! I thank my Father for having a part to play in who these 50+ people are. My Dad had a wife, Patsy, that we will forever be grateful to. She has taken care of my Dad through some very tough years. She has many jewels in her crown and I don't know if it will be to heavy for her to wear.

So, I'm happy tonight and sad. I thank GOD he isn't in his beat up ole earth suit any longer. He is breathing heaven's air and not oxygen out of a tank. He's probably made it to the throne of God by now and will continually praise the Father! He got welcomed to heaven by his parents and some of his siblings. I have a baby that I lost that is there and I'm sure my Dad is introducing himself to him/her. I know my Dad will be some kind of Major in heaven. He will have some little army to attend to. We told him today that he needs to remember that the Lord is in charge up there because HE is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I'm sure my Dad will welcome the break. I thank God for my strong Dad and I know that it will be in the blink of an eye and we will be together again. I love you Dad!

Here is a picture of my Dad with almost all of his legacy sitting around him. Well the grands and greats. He was VERY proud of them all.

November and December around The Baker house!!

2009-12-19T12:22:00.056-06:00

Oh my, it's a couple days before CHRISTMAS!!! Why don't I update this thing more often. Blog - FAIL! Well, the weather outside is frightful...no, not really. It has actually been SO delightful the last few days but I hear its gonna turn cold for Christmas, which = fires in the fireplace, YES! Well it's the Tuesday before Christmas on Friday and I know that Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are going to be beyond BUSY so I really don't want to do anything today. I've had 4 days in a row of being gone and today I'm just gonna do nothing. Of course I say that and 10 things will come up that I have to do but at 10:30am, I am being lazy!

SO many things to update since I do, blog/fail on a constant. On November 14th my niece Jessica was married. She was born when I was 15 and OH BOY, was i smitten. After my #1 sister Tina had 3 nephews for me, I was THRILLED to have Jessica! Here is a few pictures of Jessica's bridals and a pic of her with her guy, Greg. November 14th was a very special day for many reasons!

Here is a pic of my #1 sister Tina and her wonderful family. Tina was 12 when I was born and she was my other Mother. She is an amazingly STRONG woman and 1 of my favorites!

Tina is the 1st of us 7 girls to be a Nana (jealous!). She has 5 grandchildren. Here is the gang, minus Bethany & baby Henry.

On the day before Thanksgiving - November 25, 2009 - Roman William Garcia entered into the world. He was a gift to Josh and Emily and a blessing from our Father above. Emily lived with our family for 2 years while she was going to Bible school. We love her like our own and all of us were at the hospital to welcome Roman into the family. It's been a TOUGH 2009 for these 2. They both lost their fathers this past Summer (3 weeks apart) but the love & mercy of God has seen them THROUGH it!! Ray had the honor of praying over Roman minutes after he was born. PROUD of Emily!! Here is the little family minutes after the birth.

Umm...Thanksgiving was wonderful. My amazing sister Toni (#2 sister) - hosted a wonderful evening and most of our whole gang was there. Well several weren't but I think the days of us all being in 1 place at 1 time - are over. Very sad to say but it's just a fact. Of course there is still so many when several are gone but it still feels different when it's 30 instead of 50. But it was a great day and VERY much to be thankful for!! Everyone was quite tired but here are a few pics. of our Thanksgiving.

Toni, Becky and Laney
Karly and Emily
Ryan and Logan
Caleb & My Dad

More Family

Before Thanksgiving dinner I did a little photo shoot with my kiddos. I wouldn't say that it was the most successful but here are some from that day.

This was at the end. Grant had a yard FULL of cousins throwing the football and I was torturing him by taking his pic. and it shows on his face!
This pic started with some of the kids on these BIG rocks - and then it became a jumping pic.

Silly, silly!!

I did the whole black friday with Sarah, Liv, Hannah and Austin. We actually started at 12:00am and got back to the house at 5am,ish. Then off an on Friday I got out with Ray and Rach - after a nap. Many sales were made and I got a good start.

The latest update on our family is 1 of my other sisters - Tammy (#4 sister), is going to be a Grandma this coming Summer! Her only daughter Autumn just found out she is PREGNANT. SO excited for her and Wes & very excited for my sister. Here is a picture of Tammy's family on Wes and Autumn's wedding day a couple years ago.

December has been interesting and we have seen many miracles happen around our house. With the economy and business being down for Ray - it's been challenging really all year but December has been the most challenging. But GOD is SO BEYOND faithful to His children. Our needs are met, some of our wants will be fulfilled on Friday morning but through it all He is faithful to His children. Every trial - financial for some, physical for others, spiritual for many - Jesus is the answer and THE person to go to. Sarah wrote this morning to a dear friend the following scripture to encourage her. It spoke volumes to me and I know it will encourage you. Psalm 4:6-8 it says - There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord !" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord , make me dwell in safety. - It reminded me of so many times through this last year that I wanted and needed someone to lift me up and encourage me. Many, many times of course we had each other, our children, family and friends but many more times it was the Lord who would shine His light on us, HE alone would put JOY in our hearts. I was to receive my JOY from Him alone - more then the grains of sand in a desert, we would feel His joy! Our security and safety in HIM would give us a peace that passed all human understanding. I'm so grateful for His word and for the perspective of this year.

With all that said, am I ready to say goodbye to 2009 - YES!! I am SOOOO looking forward to 2010. I feel a burning in my spirit that the Lord is stirring up something inside our family, something different. I don't know exactly how it's gonna happen but I'm so HAPPY that HE directs our path. Isn't that wonderful to sit and think on? The hows, whens and wheres are ALL planned out by a God that I can FULLY and COMPLETELY rely on!!! You see, He has NEVER let me down. Even in the last year - EVERY need we had, was met - and we NEVER stopped giving. He does take care of His children. I love that I was trained MANY, many years ago, that the POWER of my words are the rudder of my life. ALL through the Bible it talks about our words and that they can produce life or death. They are powerful! I know that as soon as my words hit the atmosphere they are for blessing or cursing. I'm so grateful that I have a family that speaks things that aren't, as though they are and that's FAITH people! I choose FAITH!! So kids, no matter what you go through in your years to come. NEVER lose heart because the Lord is on your side. When people let you down, He will never let you down. I choose to put all my trust in HIM!!!

So our Christmas festivities will begin on Christmas Eve with many traditions and some that just couldn't happen this year...BUT....we will be together and loving EVERY second of it. Maybe I will just have to blog about our "together" Christmas or a wrap up of the whole year - but I can't promise anything! HA!!! I am SO grateful, grateful, grateful for health, happiness and LOVE, all around me. But I'm MOST grateful that my Father in heaven sent His son to earth to be born of a virgin and then He died & rose again so that I could have eternal life and live an OVERCOMING life!! My prayer for all of you is that you will see THE GIVER all around you this season. He gives LIFE and LOVE and He loves you more than you could ever imagine!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

Christmas Cards didn't make the cut this year and that's OK, but I did make them so I will share them in this blog. It's really better here because if you got it in the mail it would be chunked or trashed after the season and this way it will be here for your viewing pleasure - anytime. HA!

Happy Birthday Ray - Notes from YOUR Family!

2009-11-09T14:00:00.006-06:00

FROM RACHEL -

~Happy Birthday Dad~

(the 1^st will ALWAYS be a parents favorite).

That day on May 10^th I was given a very special gift from the Lord, an Amazing Daddy like you. You thought you were getting a blessing but it was me that got blessed that day.

You truly are my Hero! You have taught me how to live my life as a servant and to try and be 100% selfless at all times. You are truly one of the most amazing examples of the Love of Yeshua. It just pours out of you, all the time. There is a huge long list of things I know how to do in life, just because of you. I’m so grateful to be able to call you Dad! I Pray and Dream that 1 day Yeshua would be able to give me a man to call my husband that will have character like you - who will be funny like you - who is extra good looking (like you) - who will be able to cook like you -who will love me like you love Mom - who will be an amazing Father to all my kids like you are to us - who will be able to provide for a family even if it take 3 jobs to do so - who will be able to share the kingdom of God and be a light to this world. I pray everyday that my husband will be like my amazing Father - he has BIG shoes to fill! I love you so very much Dad, you truly mean the world to me and I’m so grateful to be your 1^st born. I pray that this year will be everything that your heart desires.

Have a Happy 47th Birthday Daddy!! Rachel

FROM SARAH -

Dad,

I don’t even know where to begin, really… Today is a day that I feel very grateful, because I have a Dad. While there are plenty of people out there that desire to have a father and may never have had one - or the opportunity to have the influence that only a father can bring - today, i am grateful for you and your daily influence - and the impact you have on me and my life.
You’ve been such a great Shepherd and provider for our family. Always doing whatever it takes to make sure everyone was as happy as possible.
You are a man that I admire on both sides of the coin. You’re an amazing Dad that always made us feel beautiful, respected, covered, cherished, valuable and worthy of all of those things.
Then on the other side, you’re a great husband, friend, employee, and father. Most importantly you have and continue to make Jesus the center of everything our family stands for and desires.
I couldn’t have asked for someone that was more reputable, more experienced, or above all, more kind and loving… you’ve always surpassed it all.
I love you so much and I am so proud to be loved by you.
You truly are a kiss from God just for us!

Love you,
Lou

FROM HANNAH -

I ALWAYS know that I have you praying for me and wanting the BEST for me. From my 1st memories as a young girl you began to build up in me a confidence of WHO I AM in Jesus. You have always told me I'm beautiful and I'm so thankful for that because YOU are the reason us girls never needed to be affirmed by a guy - because we have an amazing Daddy who built us up. If it wasn't for you I would have tried to find and seek those things out in a guy. Now I have kept everything for my husband and a lot of that, I have you to thank. I KNOW what I deserve in a man because I have you as an example. You treat Mom like GOLD, you have shown us girls what real, Godly men are and I just want to Thank YOU for that. I could really go on and on about how amazing you are and how thankful I am for you. So I will just end with this - Thank you for being the most selfless man in the whole wide world. For always putting Jesus 1st and then our family. Thank you for loving my Momma. Thank you for never being to busy to be OUR Daddy. Thank you for making us feel like we were the most important people to you in this whole world. Thank You for being such a hard worker.

Remember this - I will always run out to give you a hug when I see that you have pulled up to the house. I know I don't say it often, and I know I am not at home as much as I was before being a grownup but I will always be your little girl - I will ALWAYS remember who my 1st guy was. Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you more then the very last number, Nan

FROM OLIVIA -

Pops,

Here are 47 reasons why I think that.

1. You have a heart of gold.

2. I have never in my life been around someone more selfless then YOU.

3. You believe in me and in my destiny in Jesus.

4. You have always spoke life to us kids - always spoke blessings over us.

5. You are the cheesiest person I know and very witty with your jokes.

6. You are a man after God's own heart.

7. You are such a hard worker. You provide and make money for me to live in a nice house.

8. You are the most kind hearted of all. A reflection of the Father.

9. You want nothing more then me (our family) to be happy.

10. You were and are the best traveling buddy.

11. I have straight and white teeth because I look just like you.

12. You are a servant of all.

13. I am who I am today because of the example you are to me.

14. Nobody can make me cry like you can.

15. I’m proud to call you my Pops.

16. You are NEVER too busy for our family. You come whenever we need you.

17. I love that I can call you dude and bro.

18. You are the best at giving high fives.

19. You were and are the best coach.

20. I love your heart for people. People are drawn to your kind heart.

21. You are a perfect example of a gentlemen.

22. Every man should want to be just like you.

23. All my friends should be jealous at how cool MY dad is.

24. You always pray for us kids.

25. You always find something encouraging to say when I’m feeling blue.

26. You can make a song out of ANY word that comes out of your mouth.

27. You always show us our worth is in Jesus.

28. I love seeing your desire for your work place to be saved.

29. I love that I am your favorite blonde daughter.

30. You are silly and SO REAL.

31. I love your pursuit for the kingdom of God.

32. I love that you can’t spell.

33. I love that you could talk to the wall. But I love that you are such a good listener.

34. You always speak your mind with a gentle, soft word.

35. You are the biggest giver I know.

36. Even in rough times you find the good in what’s going on. "economy"

37. Your ability to make me smile, amazes me.

38. You always put our family first.

39. You are the best leader of our family. I am proud to follow you. You lead us by the great example that you are.

40. You are getting older… and wiser.

41. Along with being the MOST selfless man, you are SO HUMBLE.

42. You have great scruff.

43. Even when I am stupid, you still cheer me on. You always pick me up when I fall.

44. You have the most willing heart to serve God and our family.

45. You always have the right things to say. Thanks for hiding the word of God in your heart.

46. When that special guy finds me & if he is half as amazing as you, i'd consider myself a lucky lady.

47. You make me the luckiest girl in the world to have a Daddy like YOU!!! If you were anybody else's Daddy, I would be SO JEALOUS!

I LOVE YOU THE MOST! Happy Birthday Dad! Liv

FROM GRANT -

---RAY---

R OCKS

A WESOME

Y OUNG (SORT OF J)

M Y DAD

O ld

N ot the one on LETTER O

D ang, Miles Austin rocks

WOW YOU'RE 47!

I REALLY APPREESHEATE YOU.

YOU’RE THE GREATEST DAD EVER! YOU ROCK!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND I LOVE YOU!!!

YOUR SON, GRANT

FROM GRANDMA --

FROM MEGAN -- (she is representing all your children that don't share your DNA but are your KIDS)

There are many things in life that I'm grateful for-my fam, being black, life, steak, music...you get the drill. One of the many things I'm grateful for is having a man of God like you in my life. Obviously, I didn't have the chance to have much of a father figure (put your tiny hand in mine) growing up. The Lord knew just what I needed when he placed you in my life.
You're such an awesome dad and I hope that my babies will adore their dad as much as all your kids adore you. Thanks for taking in all of us orphan kids and making us feel like one of your own.
I hope that this is a great year full of the presence of the Lord in every area.
Have a super awesome birthday, Pops!
I love you!!! Megan

FROM YOUR WIFE --

!!!!!! HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY !!!!!

Mr. Grant Daniel is 9 years old!!!

2009-09-21T16:33:00.011-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my precious SON - my FAVORITE Son - my #1 SON!!!! I know, precious isn't what a boy wants to be called but I think he's precious so that's what I will call him. He celebrated his day of birth a few days early because his birthday fell on a Monday so Saturday it was when 13 boys including Grant converged onto my house!! OH BOY!! I probably didn't think that 1 through to well, but it was all good. He had a football game that morning that took about 4 hrs. of our morning so "the sisters" came through like they always do and pulled together the last minute cleaning, cooking and ALL the decorating. Sarah was my favorite for the day - she did SO MUCH!! The birthday par-tay changed a bit because the rain that wouldn't stop for the week before. We took the boys to see the movie, "Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs". Grant had been waiting since they had advertised it on screen and it is 1 of his most favorite books. Great movie - we then came back and ate hotdogs, wrestled, had cake, wrestled, opened presents, wrestled - you get the picture. He really had a great time - everyone seemed to have fun - there was minimal repairs to his room - so it was deemed a success. On his real b'day, 2 days later, he was taken to breakfast by a sister, taken to lunch by another sister, given gifts by sisters, we all went to dinner and we are done...by the time of Grant's birthday Mom and Dad are shouting because his birthday ends the Summer of Baker kids b'days!!! 2 in May, 1 in July, 1 in August and 1 in September. OH BOY, but then quickly it's Christmas so whatev. Here are a few pics from his big b'day.

Here's the dining room all decorated by his sisters.

This is the car that I took so I got a quick pic of some of the boys.

At the movies of course -

not the best but it will do.

Getting ready for the cake - look at those sweaty boys hovering,

I can't believe I ate a piece of that cake. All 4 are cousins.

Almost all the boys. Grant was loving it.

The famous Grant smile. This is the best he can do for now...

After his Dad, Austin is his most favorite guy. Can we say idol! (Hannah's BF)

All 13 of them - my sweet nephew Landry is hiding but he's there.

And the goofy look - this wasn't hard to achieve.

PRESENTS - he was BLESSED!!!

And it's TACKLE TIME!!!

I really can't believe that he is 1/2 way to 18. I don't want to believe it. I know that he will go to college right out of high school because he LOVES to learn. But we do tell him that he must go to college near home. I ask him regularly - do you want to be a horn frog, a mustang or a maverick. That is TCU, SMU or UTA! HA, I would HATE for him to go far so why not use some early mind games on him, kidding. As I said earlier he is playing football. Dad loves it, Mom, not so much. It is NOT fun in the least to see him get hit or see him covered from head to toe in bruises. I HATE IT! I'm trying, but it is not my fav - at all. He actually played flag football around 5 but this is TACKLE and all I want to do is go tackle the boys that tackle him. No, it's not that bad. He is doing quite well for his 1st year of tackle. Ray is SO proud. He has gotten many tackles, sacked the QB, recovered a fumble and thrown up on the field. YEP, the throwing up was his proudest moment. He actually has heard stories from his Dad about Ray playing and always throwing up - and then he kept on playing. WHATEVER!! They made Grant come off the field and we actually took him home because he was sick! OH BOY! So, we are learning many, many things - how to be patient with coaches, how to stick something out when it is taking SO MUCH of our family time up (4 nights a week and 1 day on the weekend). Umm, it is teaching Grant SO MUCH too. We really couldn't be prouder and he LOVES IT! I don't know if it is because Dad and Austin love it so much but I think he loves it too. Austin however isn't thrilled that he is a Sooner but he has dealt with that and cheers for Grant and will NEVER cheer, GO SOONERS! It's not something his Texas blood can do. Here are some pics from his homecoming game.

Here is my tough guy - #52

This is my nephew Landry - the QB, #11

This is the down, set, hut business. He is READY!!!

Since this was "homecoming" they had a little ceremony at halftime.

Notice he isn't holding her hand. She must hold his arm.

The STUD!!!

Pushing THROUGH!! He is the big 1 with NO socks.

And this is after the game. Grant, Amelia and Landry. My sister

Traci's kids. Their Dad Darrell is 1 of the coaches.

I could go on and on for days talking about what a good boy Grant is. He is truly a JOY to parent. He is all of our pride and joy! I've never known to many 9 year olds that have 4 big sisters that want to be around him. They take him on dates, read with him, play video games with him (Sarah), wrestle with him, get ALL his kisses - they just all truly adore him.

He FOR SURE was WELL worth the wait. Since this is his 1st birthday blog since I have been blogging I will explain the details of how we came about having a 5th child. Grant is 8 years younger then our #4 daughter and we for sure thought we were done having children. Grandchildren were in our thoughts BUT the Lord had another plan. Around a year before I became pregnant for Grant - Ray had gone to have a physical and we had decided to have him get broke, (why do they call it fixed), anyway you get the idea. He was scheduled for a Friday morning surgery, I had already gone to the pharmacy on Thursday to pick up his painkillers so that he could take 1 first thing in the morning. Everything was in motion to get up the next morning and head to the Dr.'s - until.... someone woke me up around 3 in the morning. I felt very uneasy about something when I got woken up and I knew I must pray. I at 1st had NO thoughts that it had anything to do with Ray's surgery and I FOR SURE had NO thoughts about another child. But 1 thing was clear by the end of my talk with God - Ray was NOT to have that surgery 4 hrs. from then. After getting peace I went back to bed and woke him up to tell him what I felt in my spirit. He of course said, "OK I'm not doing it" & he rolled back to sleep. So we woke up the next morning and we talked through what had happened and what I was feeling but bottom line - I knew he wasn't suppose to do it. It had nothing to do with another baby, we were VERY happy with our 4 little women. We were BEYOND active with sports, traveling from state to state. We were planning a BIG trip to Disney World and we TOTALLY felt complete. WELL, THANK GOD the Lord Jesus knows SO MUCH more then us!! I wasn't old by any means but when you have your 1st at 20 - 35 seems "older" to start with the diapers again. SO, he did NOT have the vasectomy - life went on and we never really questioned God about it again. Then about 3 months go by and I am 34, I begin to pray and wonder if we ARE to have another child. I kept it to myself and just pondered and prayed about the idea. Finally I broke the news to Ray of what I had been thinking and talking to God about. He of course would have had 10 kids but this time, for a bit, he wasn't seeing it. You see, our girls were TOTALLY self sufficient - we slept in on weekends - we could be gone out of the house quick - Rachel was fixing to get her learners permit - we were head first into TEENAGE years. SO, he said he would take it to the Lord in prayer. To make a LONG story long, he began to think that we were to have another child too! WOW, this was crazy. SO, we did what most people think is quite funny and really we knew the outcome before it happened but we called a family meeting. Now we have had numerous family meetings. We have made BIG decisions in some of our family meetings. But this 1 was the biggest by far. We talked to the girls about what we thought the Lord was wanting us to do and we shared that we wanted a new baby to feel wanted by us ALL and not begin a life with a spirit of rejection. We wanted them to know that life was going to change a bit, for a while. Well the "new baby" won by a vote of 3-1, Sarah would be the 1 that held out. She DID NOT want another sister. She was in the BIGGEST time of her tomboyhood and another sister would have done her in. She wanted us to hurry because in her 12 year old words, "you aren't getting any younger". She was disappointed that probably Disney World wasn't going to happen. But we went forth with "God's PLAN" and I was pregnant probably within 30 days. When we found out he was a boy (and we were ALL in the sonogram room) - we were ELATED!!!! After a long pregnancy of Gestational Diabetes and other issues, our PRINCE was born. Of course Sarah fell head over heels for her guy, she was quite smitten with him from 1st sight. And when Grant was 5 mths. old the Lord provided and we took our Disney World dream trip. I truly in a TRIZILLION years could NEVER imagine life without Grant. He does complete our family. He is my Mom's very best buddy. At 9 years old Grant still prefers her over anyone in the world. He is a big part of the reason my 79 year old Mother keeps going everyday. She stays sharp in her mind to keep up with his questions. She is going to be the main reason that he is going to be such an INCREDIBLE man. I see now ALL the why's of having him. In the moment I wasn't quite sure but OH MY, I am sure now. God's plan is ALWAYS PERFECT, when we let Him lead us. So 9 years ago - our quiver was FULL!

Grant has such GREATNESS in him, he has such a gentle spirit, he is a leader and I can't even imagine what the Lord has for his life. Ray is going to start a class with Grant and about 6 other 7-10 year olds and the name of it is "Men of Honor". We are beyond excited to continue training him into the MAN of GOD that he is called to be. I am SO thankful that Grant has a Dad that is more of a Man of Honor then I have EVER known or heard of. He is a living example of Christ likeness. Grant is so blessed to have him for a Daddy and for a best friend.

Their mission statement is -- To call young men to a new standard of Manhood, that is Christ-likeness. To provide a catalyst and opportunity for next generation leaders to emerge and exhibit honor, integrity, chivalry and moral excellence. To create positive peer groups which support and exert positive peer pressure.

Their motto is --

I am a winner... I am a man of honor;

I do the right thing... because it's the right thing to do;
My word is my bond.
C.H.I.P.
Character, Honesty, Integrity, Perseverance.
If there is no man... I will be the man;
Manhood and Christ-likeness are synonymous;
Being a male is a matter of birth;
Being a man is a matter of choice;
There is no greatness outside of God;
1, 2, 3... YES!

So Mr. Grant - like I tell you at least every other day - "If I could pick from ANY son in ALL of heaven, I WOULD PICK YOU!!!! I love you more then the VERY last number (and we know there will NEVER be a last number, they go on and on)!!! I thank God for giving you to me to be your Mom. You are a TRUE GIFT FROM GOD!!! Thank you for always making us proud of the boy you are. You will NEVER bring shame to us because you are a Godly man, you are a MAN OF HONOR!!

Ms. Olivia Grace Baker

2009-08-14T19:12:00.024-05:00

Today is the day that Olivia Grace turns 17 years old! OH MY!! To think that I was married at 17... She was born at 3 something (HA) in the afternoon but I do know she was 8lbs 14oz. - for some reason I can remember all of the kids weights but really nothing else, stat wise. I do remember their birthday even though I pause often to think about it. It's funny because Liv told me a few weeks ago - Mom, i was 8/14 on 8-14 - WOW, numbers are something that I usually think about when I see them like that but in 17 years, it had never dawned on me. Anyway, she is #4 and the baby of the girls. She held the "baby of the family" (which she use to say so fast and cute) for 8 years. Since her and Hannah are only 14 1/2 mths apart they both kinda shared the baby spot. We actually called them "the babies" for years - like till they were pre-teens. It was way easier to say "where are the babies" or "go get the babies" - so it stuck. Ray still every now and then will call them the babies. So, graciously Liv gave that spot up when Grant came along. She was the CUTEST little girl that you ever did see. Oddly enough she was VERY blond as a little girl (now it ain't so natural). I thought it was crazy that Ray and I would have a blondie when we both have/had such dark hair. Her and Hannah looked absolutely nothing alike. Hannah had the DARKEST hair and the blackest eyes and she is very fair skinned - Liv was the opposite. NOBODY ever believed me that they were sisters but OH YES they are.

I have wrote blogs about Olivia a few times before and I could repeat everything I said - X's a million so I thought, what could I say different today, on her birthday... It is early evening and I haven't wanted to start this because I just didn't know how I wanted to write it. I thought of a few things but nothing would do her justice. You see, she is special - I know, no shock for me to say that but she REALLY is special!! Some of the things I may write she may not even remember or I may not have shared them with her so I am going to begin to share with you and her, and see if I can do her justice.

Hannah was 5 1/2 mths. old when I became pregnant with Olivia. Some could say she was a SURPRISE but she wasn't. For the years that we had gotten pregnant WE had always taken control of when we would have another child. Well after Ms. Hannah was born I began to search the word and search my heart and discuss with Ray about this area of our life. We started to talk about ALL the blessings that we GLADLY will take from the Lord, anytime - financial blessing, health, wisdom, marital prosperity - but when it came to THE MOST amazing, beautiful & incredible blessing of all - we say when, why, how and WHEN! Let me just say I am NOT against birth control, in the least. But for that time the LORD had a plan for Ms. Olivia to come into this world and so He began to show us a different plan. Well we decided that we would trust Him because He was always for us, He always had our VERY best future plan - so we did. SO, 1 mth. later guess who is pregnant? YEP, ME! I was like - what, excuse me!? I would have dialogue with the Lord, "Umm, we had a deal here God - umm, NOW? REALLY?" So I began to question that I had heard from the Lord on this 1 - Ray didn't care if I had or hadn't, he LOVES his children and the more was ok with him. So would you say, "she wasn't planned"? or "she was an oops" but I would have to TOTALLY disagree! God Almighty in His perfect wisdom knew SO MUCH MORE perfectly then I (that isn't a shock to any, I know). He knocked my socks off with just how PERFECT a plan it was. For all of us "planners" this is tough but HE is THE PLANNER and I couldn't imagine Hannah without her Liv...

So now I will explain and ponder through tears I am sure what our family and life would have been without our Olivia. If I would have kept control - this is what WE all would have missed out on. We wouldn't have 2 precious babies in a crib, in the same room. Sarah wouldn't have had "HER baby" (because Hannah was Rachel's). Hannah wouldn't have someone to sleep with in a little twin bed, for YEARS. I wouldn't have had a blonde haired child. We wouldn't have pairs - Rach & Sarah - Han & Liv. Hannah wouldn't have someone to play dolls with. Sarah wouldn't have a few week old baby to hoist over the side of a crib and bring to me. She also wouldn't be as amazing with babies/children as she is. Rachel wouldn't have 1 on each hip. Ray wouldn't have someone to call liv, liv. I wouldn't have someone to match clothes with, like they were twins. Hannah wouldn't have someone to clean up after her - neither would Sarah or the rest of us. Grant wouldn't have "the prettiest sister", sshh, he's partial to blondes. Grant also wouldn't have someone to help him read. I wouldn't have 1 of the best organizers around. Hannah wouldn't have someone to tell ALL her hopes & dreams to. Sarah wouldn't have someone to tease. We wouldn't have someone to make cookies & brownies. Austin wouldn't have someone to cut his hair. Rachel wouldn't have someone that can clean as well as her to work for her. Casey, Ali, Kim and countless other people wouldn't have a bestfriend named Olivia. I wouldn't have someone to do my hair and eye makeup when we are dressing up. I wouldn't have a child that NEVER questions a request, NEVER! Ray wouldn't have an outfielder in softball. We all wouldn't have someone to laugh at till we cry. We all wouldn't have someone to laugh at when she sings every song so passionately (sorry, it's funny). SO many people, girls and guy alike wouldn't have Liv to help them pick out clothes at the store. Forever 21 would not be as successful. The local theaters would not be as successful. I think you get the picture...

Oh life without her would have been, not so amazing. Because those are some of the silly things but the things that I could share all day are the things that MAKE her the rarest of ALL GEMS!!! Olivia is truly the glue that keeps our little family unit together. If you asked Rachel, Sarah and Hannah who they are closest to - it would be Olivia. She has this ability to LOVE, SERVE and GIVE like very few can. I have said before and they would ALL agree, if I was to pick the very best qualities from Rach, Sarah & Hannah and roll it up into 1 person - it's Olivia. She is a JOY and a DELIGHT to parent. She brings JOY to our family like only she can. She lights up a room with her amazing personality and she is always the life of the party! Her humor is SO contagious. Liv is much like her other 3 sisters have been - far older then their age. If I was to name her friends that are her age on 1 hand it would be 2. All of her friends are much older then herself and they are all amazing people to boot. She has learned some AMAZING qualities from the people in her life and I am thankful to God for that. I could never explain to someone what I feel in my heart for her. She is NOT perfect and I would never want to pin perfection on anyone because that fall is devastating but she is practically perfect, HA - just kidding. I think of all the parents that have 17 somethings and I am SO BEYOND grateful for God's AMAZING "Grace" for all my children. Speaking of Grace - if she has any regrets about the day of her birth - it's that I didn't name her Grace!! She is quite partial to that name and I wish I would have to. It's really impossible to have people stop calling you what they always have. But her name is what she is - gracious. It also mean unmerited favor which is what she walks in. Ray and I are SO glad that God gave us our AMAZING "Grace"!! She is our SUNSHINE.

She has GREATNESS and destiny inside her! She will be and is an endtime warrior for the glory of God's KINGDOM!! She started rough with her walk. Liv was my only 1 out of the 4 that wasn't quite so sure about this dude, Jesus. I would talk to her about Him, just like I did the others - when she was 5 and under. I would ask her, "Liv, do you love Jesus"? she would say, "NO - I don't even see Him". HA!! What a spitfire she was and is. She warmed up to Him and began to read the Bible for herself, she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior around 7. Always in our home the children were learning Godly principles and Godly character - that was a norm, way before WWJD. She started to search out HER own real relationship with the Lord when she was about 12. I have seen her grow in her walk so much in these 5 years. She is truly an awesome woman of God. She passionately pursues Christ - she shares her love for Him, wherever she goes - she LOVES His people and is running a race that will never stop! I have wrote before about the servant that she is. She humbles me at her willingness to serve!!

SO Ms. Olivia Grace - the BEST is yet to come!! Your fella will come looking and find a PRIZE, 1 day. I have an awesome picture that the Lord dropped into my spirit about your future. It is bright, it is SO bright and WONDERFUL! I look forward to seeing your future unfold. I am SO GRATEFUL that I got picked to be your Momma! If I could pick from ALL the 4th children in heaven - I would pick YOU! I know my time is short to have you here with me and Dad but we will have such INCREDIBLE memories of this little blonde bombshell that will shake nations for the glory of our KING! I love you Liv - I am so proud of the standards you have, you will have a GREAT reward. Happy Birthday Shugar!

Here are a few pics of the Birthday girl!! Here is a RECENT 1 of her in ISRAEL!

Pretty as a picture!

SO SILLY!

And a few of her as a wee little girl~

Her and her guy (for now) - on their way to ISRAEL!

Her and Rach - #1 sis

Sarah and the BD girl

And a few of her and Han because there is just too many to choose from!

Liv and Grant - ahhh!

Liv and Austin - her other guy (Hannah's bf)

A sidenote to my girls - if you have a burning in your spirit and soul & you know it is the leading of the Lord - pray, seek God - talk to your husband, pray with him. Because you may just be in the beginning stages of birthing out a princess or a prince that will not be an accident - far from it - she or he could bring you more joy then you could EVER, EVER, EVER imagine. I am once again - thankful that Dad and I can hear the Lord's voice and heard it about our Olivia!!

Israel is on our mind...

2009-08-03T03:26:00.014-05:00

In has been quite some time since I have blogged. If you don't count the birthday tributes it's been too, too long. SO MANY things have gone on this summer and I hate that many will be forgotten. We all can say that they are a memory but OH BOY do our memories fade. I HATE THAT!! I love to take pictures to have all of our memories spurred on - about an event. Video is even better but man do we stink at that lately! Blogging is best or if I enjoyed writing by hand it would be journaling - if I did that NOBODY, not even me, would be able to read about the event - because the handwriting isn't the same as my curvy, swirly days. So where must I start - I really have no clue. That isn't good for a mind that races a 1,000,000 miles a minute. I will try to think back and start with the head of the house and work my way down.

The head of our home - the big cheese - the funny 1 - the 1st man in all of our daughters lives - the very MOST AMAZING man that I know. I will start with him, yes, it's only fitting to start with the most important person to me (since I am the 1 writing)! Ray has a very, very, very exciting event that is coming up in 5 DAYS. He is going on his DREAM vacation to ISRAEL!! YAY!! He is beside himself with excitement and I am SO beyond happy for HIM! As all of my blogger followers know, #1 daughter is living in Israel for the summer with the Benjamin family. She has been there already 2 months and she has a little under 1 month to go. Olivia, #4, has had a ticket since before Rachel left to go to Israel August 8th! She was planning on making the trip by herself and then return with Rachel on August 30th. WELL, before Rachel left and after Olivia got her ticket all of us girls got together and thought - wouldn't it be wonderful if we could send Dad with Liv... We didn't know how it would or could happen but we all prayed about it and dreamed that maybe, with the Lord's help, he could possibly GO! So, with all 4 girls working & a few other people pitching in and I made up the last little bit - we DID IT!! So he is leaving this coming Saturday, the 8th of August! He will be gone for 15 days. He will be with 2 of his daughters. He will be staying with dear friends. AND he will encounter the Holy Land!! The bible that he eats, drinks and sleeps - will come ALIVE! I predict he will constantly be in shambles with the emotion of what he is being honored to see but he will FOREVER be changed after this experience. I am SO EXCITED for him! Do I wish I was going - YES but if 1 of us can go I want it to be HIM! I truly believe that this is a reward from the Lord for Ray! I know I have described how amazing and selfless and humble and precious and EVERY OTHER ADJECTIVE out there but all I can say is this is a reward from heaven! For the 26 years that we have been married the man doesn't take much time off of work. If we go on vacation he STILL answers the phone! The only time that he has had off for more then a week is when he had emergency surgery on his appendix! He is such a hard worker for our family and this is HIS TIME! Work is slow right now even though the Lord continues to provide for our family but it is a good time to be away for 2 weeks so the Lord set that up for him. The only glitch in it at all is the 26 years that we have been married - we have NEVER been away from each other more then 4 nights in a row. SO, this will be slightly tough!! He will be SO busy and Grant will have camp the 1st week and then football - the 2nd week Grant starts school and football. So, we will be busy here! This weekend he did some work around the house that he knew I had been wanting done - he just couldn't leave with me not comfortable in the house. He truly is the most rare gem!! So, please keep him and Liv and Rach in your prayers. They are going to experience something that I think the Lord honors very few to see. They go with NO FEAR, only anticipation of a trip of a lifetime. I am SO happy that he is going to be there with 2 of our children. Olivia is my child that gets SO EXCITED about things and Rachel is our child that marvels at the people she loves, being blessed. She told me, "Mom, I can't wait for them to get here and see what I have seen because it's like a GREAT movie - you love it just as much the 2nd time when you experience it with someone for their 1st time". Leave it to my child to describe it like a movie! We all like a GREAT MOVIE!! So, this week will be full of last minute shopping and packing and excitement and gratefulness! Rachel will see her Daddy and precious sister - family is what she is needing right now. I will stay and hold the fort down with the others kiddos and a few extras. Ray and Liv will go to the beginning of where everything happened that is important to us! What a grateful heart I feel to the Lord, He is SO GOOD to me and my family!!

Just a bit about Rachy. I have started 2 blogs about her time in Israel and I haven't finished either 1 of them - OH BOY! She is doing WONDERFUL. She is LOVING her time in Israel and is having a bit of a hard time thinking about leaving a land that she has grown to love more and more. She knows that the Lord gave her these 3 months to stamp her for eternity and what a grateful soul she is. She misses her family, her friends, her bed, American food, air conditioning, driving a car - but there isn't anything that can compare to being near to the people that the Lord has called you to pray for, the Jewish people! SO, I think coming home will be a transition but she knows she has work to do here too. If it's just to work to plan another trip - that works too. We have missed her SO MUCH this Summer but there is nothing like God's AMAZING GRACE! Of course skype is wonderful too - I'm so grateful for skype. It's so great for her to come in from a day filled with AMAZING memories and for her to share them with us while they are FRESH on her mind. So that is a bit of what is going on with Ms. Rachel. Here is a few pictures of her time in Israel.

This is the family that Rachel is staying with. The parents - Gary and Jerri, and then their son Preston. Their daughters Courtney and Destiny came for a surprise visit for 2 weeks with their sons Shiloh and Judah. Rachel has been in WONDERFUL hands with people that are now family to her and our whole family.

This is a window that is in the Prayer Room at Succat Hallel - it looks out over Jerusalem and faces the Temple Mount (the gold dome).

This is a picture of the Western Wall (wailing Wall). You can see the men are on the left and then a wall separates them from the women.

This is the Dead Sea and Mineral Beach.

This is a picture of Shiloh - the 1st permanent place where there was a sanctuary built to house the ark of the covenant. Many, many other things happened in this city. To think that this was most likely the holy of holies! WOW!This is a brief video clip of Shiloh

This is the Temple Mount and Ms. Rachel

The Tower of David - near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem.

The Eastern Gate!

This is very few pictures that she has taken but a few highlights for me.

So, that is a enough for this blog I believe. Sarah I just wrote about on her birthday. Hannah is looking for a job and loving life with Austin. Grant is playing pee-wee football and loving it - and he starts 4th grade very soon. I am loving being a wife, Mother and mostly a child of the Most High! Grandma is feeling wonderful and blessing us with every day that she is with us.

I will leave you with a couple of my favorite scriptures that are very fitting for this blog -- the 1st 1 is what the Benjamins and Rachel are doing in Israel - "I have posted watchemen on your walls, O Jerusalem, they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth" Isaiah 62:6&7 and then a short by powerful scripture that God actually said if you do this I will prosper you - Psalm 122:6. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper". The Father loves Israel - it's amazing to think on that.

That's a wrap on the life and times of "The Bakers" - for now. I know I should blog more because I can sit here and think of many things I have NOT blogged about that were important! But hey, I do the best I can!!

~Much love to all!