WOW!!!

Well, they did it! I never thought if they did it, they'd be able to pull it off, but they did. I was absolutely clueless, caught with the "deer in the headlights" look.

Would you like me to explain? A few of you already know, but I won't leave the rest of you hanging in suspense.

On Saturday my family and friends threw me a surprise 18th birthday and graduation party. And boy, was it a surprise! I had absolutely no idea it was coming (which is the point, right?). The funny thing is, just a few days ago I was telling a friend "if my Mom was planning a surprise birthday party, I'd probably know about it". Boy, am I ever eating my words now!

Between 70 and 100 people were there (people were coming and going, so maybe there were more, I'm not sure!) for the party and square dance following, which was another surprise! And was I ever surprised! My favorite square dance caller came and called a square dance along with a friend. I was telling people "that was the ultimate icing on the cake!".

People came from as far as 7 hours just to be at the party for about 4 hours and drive back home! Some people I hadn't seen in over 2 years came! It was such a special time!

It took me basically all of Saturday, yesterday, today, probably the next week to get over what just happened! I mean, this was a big party, and I had absolutely no clue!

Well, that's all for now. I'm going to do a post with a bunch of pictures, and the story behind the surprise as soon as I get a chance. Right now we still have 22 people in the house, most of them are leaving today but we'll have a few leaving tomorrow.

Crazy is . . . .

. . . . having 22 people staying in 1 house for at least 4 days! We even have people sleeping in the basement, which isn't finished and quite cold in the winter!

We have had between 9 and 11 extra people since Sunday, and all (except for maybe 1) of the current 22 people we have here are staying at least till Monday!

So, do you all forgive me for my lack of posting?

Ramblin' . . . . .

I guess it's either feast or famine with me - two posts in one day, wow!

I just now realized that today is November 1st - less than two months till the New Year! I don't know about you, but this year has flown by amazingly fast for me. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I'm getting older and busier.

Anyways, while I was having that "amazing revelation" :smile: I heard one of my favorite songs playing, and realized how fitting the lyrics are.

Only Here for a Little While

I'm gonna hold who needs holdin'
Mend what needs mendin'
Walk what needs walkin'
Though it means an extra mile
Pray what needs prayin'
Say what needs sayin'
'Cause we're only here for a little while.

Today I stood singin' songs and sayin', Amen
Saying goodbye to an old friend who seemed so young
He spent his life workin' hard to chase a dollar
Putting off until tomorrow the things he should have done
Made me stop and think, What's the hurry, why the runnin'?
I don't like what I'm becoming, gonna change my style
Take my time and not take it all for granted
'Cause we're only here for a little while.

Gonna hold who needs holdin'
Mend what needs mendin'
Walk what needs walkin'
Though it means an extra mile
Pray what needs prayin'
Say what needs sayin'
'Cause we're only here for a little while.

Let me love like I'll never see tomorrow
Treat each day as though it's borrowed
Like it's precious as a child
Whoa, take my hand
Let us reach out to each other
'Cause we're only here for a little while.

Gonna hold who needs holdin'
Mend what needs mendin'
Walk what needs walkin'
Though it means an extra mile
Pray what needs prayin'
Say what needs sayin'
'Cause we're only here for a little while.

Gonna hold who needs holdin'
Mend what needs mendin'
Walk what needs walkin'
Though it means an extra mile
Pray what needs prayin'
Say what needs sayin'
'Cause we're only here for a little while...


A gentle reminder to never take advantage of the time we have here on this earth, because who knows how much longer we'll be here.

Really . . . . .

The other night while watching the Packer game an anonymous family member was heard saying "the suspension is killing me!". Right!

Play pictures- finally!!

Okay, here are a bunch of pictures from the play Zack, Aleks and I were in. Our performances were October 18th, 19th and 20th. It was bittersweet - it's nice to get back to "normal", but we miss everyone who we'd seen twice (sometimes more) a week for 2 months. Most of the people who were in the play we hadn't met (or just barely met) before the play, but by the time the play was over it felt like we'd known everyone for years!

Zack (in the dark blue) was a guard, and he took his part very seriously! Also shown in the picture are Jared (blue striped shirt - the Prince) and Manny (the Pauper)

Manny, our Pauper. He had the most lines in the play - nearly 200!! He did a GREAT job - especially considering he is only 11, and this is the first play he's been in!

Nate (John Canty - my son!) and I (Gammer Canty) during one of the more "abusive" scenes (I had just finished "hitting" him). Every time I was on stage I was following Nate around like his little dog!

I'm yelling at Nate again - something I did quite often during the play! Jared is helping me with my lines.

My good friend, Lydia. She was part of Royal Court and I was part of Offal Court, so we didn't act together at all. It was very sad! She did a great job! Carey is in the backround.

I like this picture of Zack - not sure what he's doing though!

Practicing the dance. There were 12 dancers who had to dance the Minuet - Zack was one of them. It was his "favorite" part of the play (those of you who know Zack know that I'm being sarcastic!)

The Ruffian fight scene. Ben & Nate choreographed it and it turned out great!

Our Assistant Manager and Stage Directors: Ben, Joy & Emily
They did a great job!

One of the crowd scenes (Aleks is in the dark green shirt with her back to the camera - one of the only pictures w/ her)

Here is the stage where we held our performances.

Below are the pictures that we put on a picture board that said who everyone was.

The Prince & The Pauper

Jared & Manny
(they're brothers - Jared is 3 years older than Manny)

The Canty Family

Nate (Canty) & Aliisa (Gammer)
Maggie (Nan) & Mariah (Bet)

The Royal Family

Emily (Aunt Elizabeth), Hannah (Mary), Lydia (Jane) & Luke (Hereford)
Ben (King Henry VIII)

Ambassadors & Lords

Carson (Lord), Jason (Amb.), Zack (Lord) & Mellie (Lord)
Nathan (Amb.) & Josh (Amb.)

Royal Servants

Mitchell (Chef), Carson (Dresser), Hope (Guard) & Isaiah (Guard)
Josh (Servant), Jason (Servant), Noah (Dresser) & Zack (Guard)

Royal Court

Carey, Katie, Sarah & Manda (Ladies in Waiting)
Andra, Jared & Maddie (Court Members)

Ruffians

Katie, Sarah & Zack
Mitchell, Elliot & Isaiah

The Dancers

Lydia, Carey, Jason, Sarah, Mitchell, Katie & Zack
Manny, Manda, Carson, Andra & Nathan

Citizens

Ben (Sheriff), Joy (Accused Woman), Elliot (Innkeeper) & Aleks (Urchin)
Makita (Urchin), Bethany (Urchin), Jesse (Accused Man), Logan (Jed), Bethany (Urchin) & Heidi (Innkeeper's Wife)

Pictures taken by Chris Leclerc

Senior Pictures

Last weekend while my friend Elizabeth was here from Kansas she took my senior pictures. They turned out great! Elizabeth is an excellent photographer - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Please let me know which is(are) your favorite(s)!!

#1

#2

#3 - goofing off

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9 - either this one or the next one is my favorite

#10

I have many more favorites, but for some reason wasn't able to post them. So for now these are it!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." Proverbs 31:28-29 (emphasis added)

Today is my Mom's 38th birthday - but you couldn't tell. After 9 children and 10 pregnancies, most people think she is still in her mid-twenties. When she brings Jacob out with her, she always gets "oh, is this your first?". I love the expression on peoples faces "What? Your NINTH?!"

I don't know how she does it - homeschooling 3 highschoolers (well, 1 is almost done with school), 2 grade-schoolers and 1 in kindergarten - ALONG with 2 toddlers and 1 newborn!! She also runs the house, manages the finances, and is continually opening our home to friends - and sometimes people we don't know!

Mom is amazingly hospitable. We usually have a couple different families staying with us during the course of a month. Last year, there was once when we had 3 extra families here (one family did bring their camper) for a total of 40 people here!! Not once did I hear her complain. "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." 1Peter 4:9

Most importantly, she is (has) training (ed) us to fear the Lord, and walk with Him. She is a great example of submission, wether to Dad or to the Lord. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Ephesians 5:22

I love you so much Mom!! I am so thankful you're my Mom!
~Aliisa~

p.s. for some reason our computer isn't letting me post pictures - otherwise there would be plenty!