Those of you who are new to my blog can read about my son Taylor here and watch a video of a wonderful song he wrote based on Psalm 42 here. You can learn more about Caiti here. I write about the little girls all the time…..they’re home alot more than the teenagers. So today: a little spotlight on the teens. Taylor is 18 and Caiti is 16 and they have been such a blessing and joy to me through the years. Taylor graduates this year so every event has become a quasi-emotional breakdown fest. “This is the last time he’ll” fill-in-the-blank……at least while he lives at my house. These two are like the quintessential siblings. They do almost everything together and truly do love each other and when Caiti gets her feathers ruffled (every morning when Taylor is running late for school) she nags and scolds him like a worn out housewife. I’ve always said he’ll make the perfect husband and father (having had 3 sisters) or else he’ll convert to Catholicism and join the monastery. One things’ for sure, he knows high maintenance women inside and out. I can hardly believe that these two are grown up. It seems just yesterday I was taking this picture.
and walking on the beach with this little sweetie……
and buying batman paraphernalia for this one……
Where do the years go? And through all the teaching and nagging do they know beyond a shadow of doubt how much they are loved? Do they realize how many times I’ve cried out to God in desperation…….wishing that there was some way to take any heartache or sadness away? Alas. These moments of honest reflection are often swept away by, “Why do you keep leaving wet towels on the floor?” and “If you don’t clean your room, I’m gonna take your cell phone away”. But sometimes in the quiet of the morning, when I reminisce about those years gone by…….I thank God for so much joy. And I thank Him for the heartache too. Because He has a way of turning sorrow to joy. He alone will restore the years the locusts have eaten. 
So when I see my children dressed like this and singing ancient songs in latin……..
and when I see them all dressed up and enjoying their life and their friends…..
I can’t help but be filled with joy…….that for a season……for a short time……….
they were in my trust. I pray that where I have woefully fallen short, the Lord will fill in the gaps. 
and they will find their way…….and use their gifts…….to His glory.
Enjoy this short video of the chamber choir singing. Taylor and Caiti both were selected for this audition choir at their high-school for the last few years. And you’ll easily be able to find Taylor. He’s the one that can’t seem to sing without a lot of swaying. He drives his choir teacher crazy ….but I think it’s kind of adorable.
And say this prayer this morning for your own children: taken from the Lutheran prayer book:
What a sweet boy and what a wonderful post about him!!!He will be the perfect husband if he knows how to handle a high maintenance lady!
-sandy toes
Oh Edie….what a beautiful post.
Edie,
This was a truly touching post. While my kids are still only toddlers, I feel like they have already grown so fast. I can only imagine when they are about to graduate.
I’m gonna have to get a copy of the Lutheran Prayer Book. The prayers you post from it are always wonderful.
Wow! I’m so impressed with their singing. They sound great!! You must be SO proud of them. It looks like you’ve raised 2 very respectable teenagers. That’s an accompllishment in of itself these days! I have a 15 yr old boy so I know what you mean about the time slipping away. Thanks for sharing your personal video with us. By the way, thanks for the tip to find your son. The “swaying” was so funny. Ha!
Wow Edie, I loved this post. I am still at the batman costume (for me it is Jeff Gordon) and strawberry shortcake stage, but your post confirms everything my heart and head keep telling me, that these days will fly by and they will be on to starting their own families before I know it…
God has blessed with you with a wonderful family, and I believe He loves them even more than we can imagine…the swaying was so cool – you must be so proud of them!!!
I am looking forward to receiving my Lutheran Prayer Book!
Edie,
I’m a big dork, and still fairly new at this blogging thing. My e-mail address is mkindle@yahoo.com. I could not find yours on your page anywhere. E-mail me and I will respond with the info. I’m so excited!! It will be put to very good use!
WOW!! Edie that is WONDERFUL! What beautiful CHILDREN! And that video was AWESOME! Taylor was funny…I do that same thing when I sing…you kinda cant help it….it is like you feel the music in your body….to cute!!! They are both PRECIOUS! I was holding my 7 year old yesterday and wondering where the time went!!!!! Your family is PRECIOUS! BLESSINGS TO YOU!
Taylor and his swing…love it! I can just hear his teacher getting on to him about that. It’s not easy for a rock star to stand still you know. What sweet teens you have. When I read your posts about Taylor ‘on his way out’ I have to try hard not to think about how fast that time comes. In the Mormon faith most 19 year old boys go on 2 year missions out of state and often out of country. If Jaxon chooses to do that I think I’ll have to be committed!
That was amazing. And to think it all started at the Waffle House! 🙂
What beautiful and talented children!
That is very sweet, Edie. The pictures make me think of I & G and how they act right now. I just hope it lasts until highschool years. Love it and the memories you have made and are making with your babies.
Your children are beautiful! My oldest will be ten in a few months and I’m already crying, I can’t imagine what I’ll be like when he graduates.
Love your heart for your children. This post is beautiful and a reminder that the time truly does fly by.
Oh my goodness! I’m so glad I came across your blog!
I loved this post! It makes me realize how fast time is moving, and before I know it, my eldest son is going to be 18 (he’s 12 1/2 now). I also homeschool, so I love that I get to be w/ them, and I want to cherish all the time I have with them. LOL, he has “bossy” younger sisters, so God willing, he would be a patient hubby too!!
Anyway…I can go on, but I won’t. I’m going to follow your blog though! Your children are beautiful!
Another beautiful post! xo Keli
What a beautiful post with some really amazing moments captured. Thanks for sharing with us.
Lovely words and a lovely song!
Your children are beautiful. I know you are so very proud! I love the story about your daughter and the shoes you guys gave her instead of a car for her 16th b-day!
Yes, my constant prayer also over my children is, “LORD, where I fail them, I pray you will fill in those gaps and it will make them know you and love you even MORE; that all of my failings as their mother will be used for Your glory, and Yours alone.”
That was a fabulous performance! My oldest STARTING high school was very emotional for me this year because I have learned how fast four years goes- I can’t even imagine Senior year!
I’m sure they know how much they are loved!
What a beautiful prayer! Thank you for sharing; I needed that this morning!:)
And gorgeous music too!
Best,
Sarah