BIRTHDAYS GALORE!

We have two birthdays within 3 days. Alaya and Aryianna are almost exactly 10 years apart. Aryianna is definately a proud big sister. Aryianna Kaylene Faith Gunter was born June 30th, 1998. She was 9lbs, 3oz.

Her daddy named her Aryianna because he like the name. Kaylene is after her and grandma Kathy and auntie Shaylene combined together. Faith is after another grandma. As she got to be a little bigger I always thought she looked like Shirley Temple. Cutest cheeks, blue eyes and curly blond hair. Especially since she was a baldy for so long! So adorable!

Aryianna is growing to be quite a beautiful young lady. Always new she would but can't believe we are at 12 years old already! My little girl is no longer a little girl! She is diligent in her school work. She started a new school last year and worked hard to get good grades.

She is still taking piano lessons and enjoys kids choir at the church. She is excited for VBS because her and her cousins, Bree and Caitlin are on the VBS stage this year! Will be fun to watch her. We hope to get her in soccer this fall. She is looking forward to starting Jr. High as well!

She was so surprised that she would have to go to seven different classes during the day!

Aryianna, I love watching you grow and so excited to see what God has in store for you.You have a unwaivering faith, which I have seen grow in just the past few weeks. Your middle name is Faith and I will never forget watching you and your daddy praying together in Faith. Remember no matter what God is still God and He is still faithful, no matter his answer to our prayers. I love that you are not ashamed of Christ and stand up for what you believe in. You take your bible to school and tell your friends about Jesus! I love the self-confidence you have in yourself and know God has great things in store for you. He will use you in great ways. Stay strong and focused. I love you so much. ~Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAYA

These past few weeks have been so crazy that we actually forgot Alaya's birthday. I do have to admit that I did put it on the calendar wrong as well, so I may have celebrated it on the wrong day no matter what! At least she is too young to realize. I can get it right next year. She did get to open presents on July 4th with her sister Aryianna (who turned 12 on June 30) and cousin Hailena (who turned 7). Fun with the family, our favorite thing.

My baby Alaya Geri Nicol Gunter was born on June 27th, 2008. Her middle name Nicol is after my sister and her auntie, Yvonne Nicol, and Geri is after her Grandma Geri Gunter.

Alaya weighed 9lbs. 13oz. She will be able to claim that she was biggest baby since she is our last. Five is our lucky number!

Alaya is quite a big girl now or so she thinks. She talks just as good as anyone else. You have no problem figuring out what she wants because she lets you know. She has such a cute personality, very social and playful. She wants to be right there with all the big kids. She has even started trying to go potty on the toilet! If only she could actually be potty trained! No one can resist her large blue eyes and curly blond hair. When we're with her cousins she loves to help Grandma take care of baby Lena, she just loves her. It is fun to watch her grow and see her become a little girl.

I just hope it doesn't go too fast since she is my last baby to enjoy!

I love you Alaya. God knew we needed a fifth little one to enjoy in our lives. You are a great addition to our family. I pray God's protection over your life. Jer. 29:11. That you grow to be a strong woman

of God!!! Happy 2nd birthday.

Happy Birthday Akayla-Joy

Aryianna, Jaylen and Jayden were already here when I found out I was pregnant with Akayla-Joy. She was a surprise considering that Jayden was only 6 months old when I found out we were going to have another baby!

It was so hard to decide on a name for her. Going into the hospital she was going to either be Alaya or Jordan. She was neither when we left! We got her name from the movie Akeelah and the Bee. My mother-in-law liked Akeelah and created the name Akeelah-Joy. (Joy being my middle name). I wasn't as fond of Akeelah but I like Akayla-Joy. It had been thrown out but when she was born I brought it back. Jean is after my mom and grandma. My grandma's middle name was Imajean thus Jean for my mom and Akayla-Joy. That year my grandma had been fighting cancer and passed away the day Akayla-Joy was born. Lee is a 5th generation name on Stephen's side. (Being his middle name and her Grandma Kathy's as well). We put it in, not knowing if we would have another little one to be able to use the name again!

Born at 8lbs. 9oz, she made 4 in all, at the time! When she was born Jayden had turned one January 14th and She was born March 15! I actually liked the age difference being so close. Akayla was a laid back baby, which is what I needed since Jayden was the opposite, very busy!!!

How time flies! I can't believe she is 4 now. She is all girl! Loves pink and purple. Purses, dresses and shoes! Wants to wear a dress everywhere we go. She couldn't be more girly if she tried! She is so ready to go to school just like Jayden who she will always follow behind. She is a smart cookie, already writing the A's and Y's in her name! Just recently she

got her new glasses. She got to pick them out, pink of course. Praying it corrects her lazy eye and her vision as well.

I recently discovered her love language is touch! She is the queen of kisses and hugs. When you say good-bye you have to give hundreds of them to her, but I really don't mind!

She is now one of 5 and completes our family, as do each of them. I Love You Akayla-Joy! I am proud to be your mommy! Happy 4th Birthday!

Treasured Moments

Last weekend we had a Mother Daughter Tea at our church. I took my girls (minus one, leaving the baby at home with daddy) to enjoy the tea with them. We got all dressed up, of course something Akayla-Joy loves. It was Akalya-Joy's first time going since she was old enough and we all had a great time.

Pastor Joyce spoke about

Treasured Moments; sharing stories her mom had written down for her of when she was a child. I am so

glad that I have already started that with my children, I am so sentimental.

This is all the the girls at our table. My friend Kelly decorated the table and her daughter Alysia joined us. Kathy was at our table with my children and their neices; Caitlyn and Bree as well, including the youngest Shalena.

Aryianna looked like such a grown up girl!

My friend Kelly made hats for all the girls. Of course

Akayla-Joy's was pink! Her favorite color!

I love being with my girls and having those moments to share together!

I am Truly Blessed!

Let's Party!

My boys! Boy how they grow!

Jaylen turned 7 in December and Jayden turned 5 in January. I have always waited til February to have their b-day party so that it is not so close to Christmas and because they are only 2 weeks apart. One party is easier than two. I may just have to change that for next year. They are getting older and realized this year that there was no party on their b-day! Hard to explain your party is going to be in a few months to kids who want to have cake and presents sooner!

16 kids at McDonald's quite the party! Lots of cash to spend, they enjoyed every minute.

Now it's time to start planning for the next b-day in March!

Love

Wow, February is here and another holiday is fast approaching, Valentine's Day! I have 4 kids have Valentine's parties next week, so many cards to get ready!

February obviously makes us think of Love. I've been studying about love in different ways lately. In my MOMS group this past month we've been talking about Birth Order, different Personality Types, Learning Types and Love Languages people have. It's been great! I have discovered so much about my children.

I'm also studying Genesis in my bible study group. These past few weeks have been about Creation. How God created us in His image and for a purpose. He loved us so much that He created us to love Him as well as created man and woman so that we would not be alone. It's amazing how the God that created this awesome universe and all that is in it is also intimate with each of us! We watched this amazing video "Indescribable" by Louie Giglio. It is one of the most incredible things I have ever watched! It puts our lives into perspective! It shows how small we are in comparison to God yet how important we are to Him. I would highly recommend watching it if you have time or to make the time, it will rock your world! The link below is the first video in the series. If you see the first one I guarantee you will be looking up the rest of the series to finish!

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

Realizing relationships are so important I wish that everyone learned the different ways we all are wired. I think it would change everyones relationships with their spouses, children and those around them! In the end I found out I am a first born, otter, watcher who loves Acts of Service! For those who wonder what that means you can ask and I will explain! Learning though has helped me understand those in my family and how they all operate because that is who God designed them to be! For those who want to find out their different styles I have added links below. Have fun discovering more about yourself and your family. I'd love to hear what you find out! God Bless!

References for your viewing....

The Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman

http://developmentalpsychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_birth_order_changes_your_life

Personality Types:

http://ortegatv.com/Documents/Personality%20check%20list.pdf

Learning Styles:

http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

Love Languages:

http://www.5lovelanguages.com/learn-the-languages/the-five-love-languages/

Quiz : http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/

They Say It's Your Birthday!

How time flies! Jayden Ernest John-Thomas Gunter! What a mouth full! (Of course named after people in the family). Born Jan. 14th, 2005, he weighed 8lbs. 13oz. I thought he looked like a little man when he was born and loved his little nose! Jayden has been busy since he was in my belly! I would always say "He moves so much" and he hasn't stopped yet!

Aryianna (7yrs) and Jaylen (2yrs) came to visit Jadyen the next day. I remember Jaylen seemed so big to me after Jayden was born. Who knew we would have 2 more after he came along!

I asked Jayden last night if he would go backwards and turn 3 instead of 5 and he said "No, I don't want to be little!" But I do!!! Now he is in preschool and has learned to write his own name! He is the life of the party, full of personality, very social and so much fun. Just like his daddy!

His favorite event of last year was when daddy brought home his bear! Daddy just can't wait to get Jayden out there hunting with him! He is truly a boys boy!

Love you Jayden!

Happy 5th Birthday!