Where Do I Begin?

Where do I begin? It has been a while! However, we all know I'm not good with this type of thing. For starters, Alex is now in fifth grade and just as sweet as ever. Autumn-Belle is now in first grade and also just as sweet as ever! Archie started preschool this year and is loving every minute of it. He has just as much energy as ever!! We couldn't be more proud of our little A team. Ben is still working for the railroad and I am in my second quarter of the nursing program. All in all, things couldn't be better!
I have grown leaps and bounds on learning not to sweat the small stuff. I still have quite a way to go, but any progress is still progress. It's amazing how simple things can be when you learn not to fret over it.
We had a fantastic Christmas break, which was made even better having some family from South Carolina around! That's right, Stephanie and the boys are now living in Tiffin. There are no words that could describe how thrilled we are to have them near!
We decided to try out a new church Easter day last year and have been going there ever since. We absolutely love it and are so thankful to have been lead there. Growing in our walk daily!!
At the moment, the kids are on a break from sports other than dance for Belle. However, Alex has informed us that he would like to play baseball this year in addition to Football. Archie is the only one who wants to continue in Karate and of course he loves T ball. So, the busy days are fast approaching.
Are love and prayers are with you all, Hopefully I will post again soon,
The Stephens Crew

Our Little Man A Yankee!

Well we had Alex's tryouts and it's official he is now a Yankee! LOL! His first practice was today. Ben was really hoping for the Cubs. That's the team he played E League on. I don't know how we are going to do everything we need to do when Belle and Archie start sports. Alex has practice three times a week. That is going to be a real challenge. I'm up for it though. It amazes me how worn out I get and they just keep going. I wish I had half the energy they did. Belle is learning so fast lately I can barely keep up with her. She can't wait to start school. To bad she has to wait another year. Archie is doing well also. I feel bad sometimes because I don't always get to spend as much time with him as I do Belle. His attention span is not the same yet though. I am proud of Archie. I can report that I have not had to scrub any walls in about three weeks. Way to go Archie!! I love and miss you all.

God Bless,

Chrystal

Baby, I Love You, I Miss You, I Need You, and I Am So Proud Of You!

It's Been A While!

Well, Its been a while since I last made a post. I'll start with Ben coming home for vacation. We all went to South Carolina!! We had fun even though everyone was sick the whole time. My only regret is not being able to see everyone!! The virus has lasted over a week though so I'm glad we didn't give it to anyone else. Babs sorry you guys are sick on your vacation as well. I really hope we didn't bring it to South Carolina.

Alex has baseball tryouts tomorrow. We are really excited about that because It just so happens I was two days late signing him up for football and they wouldn't let me! We'll take what we can get so baseball it is. We hope for Baby Belle to start dance this June. She has been asking for some time now so I called and summer classes are only a month and a half away. She can't wait. Archie is in to everything and really starting to talk well. I'm so proud of them all. They really are great kids. We must have done something right!!!

Ben is in Indiana again and sends his love. We hope to see him in three weeks if all goes well. He found out today that the pay he received while training was a mistake and it will be coming out of his future checks. God is good though and I know we have nothing to worry about. He has always provided for us.

We love and miss you all!

Ben, I guess it goes with out saying but, I Love You, I Miss You, I Need You, and I Am So Proud Of You!!!

Short and Sweet!

Hello Everyone,

Not that much has changed since my last post. Ben is still in Indiana. We all miss him dearly. It's just not the same without you Baby! Hopefully he'll be home soon. The kids are doing well, I am very proud of them all. Smart and good looking, just like their mother. Alex, Belle, and I went on a triple date tonight. Dinner and a movie. We had a great time and we all needed it. Thank you grandma for taking care of my little man. I know he had a great time too. No thanks needed on the best nights sleep you've ever had!! Anything for family. As for myself, I would appreciate a special prayer on my patience. I feel this is something the Lord has been working on me with lately. I don't think I ever truly realized how bad my patience was before. I'm grateful to see it and have the opportunity to address it.

My Love, Thoughts, and Prayers are with You All!

Ben, as always,

I Love You, I Miss you, I Need You, and I Am So Proud Of You!

Chrystal

FIRST TIME BLOGGER!

Hello all!! Thought I'd start a blog of our own. As most of you know Ben is in Indiana. We had hoped he could come home today, but I guess the railroad said he had to stay a month. We miss him dearly. I've started back work with LifeTouch and as always I'm also a full time mom! I'm a little tired at the moment because not only did I work today, but after homework, cooking, and cleaning, I had the pleasure of scrubbing all of Archie's masterpieces off ten different walls through out the house. Believe it or not I only used two and a half Mr. Clean Erasers. Seems my little bold guy has decided to follow in little Miss. Belle's footsteps as a up and coming artist! No worries, I will personally see to it you all get a good deal on their prints. Alex on the other hand is going to be a singer, and is getting quit good at making up his own songs. I'm so proud of him with his school work as well. He is becoming quite the reader, and as always is doing really well in math. Until today he was able to maintain golden behavior at school. Seems he grabbed someone else's lunchbox by mistake and thought it pretty funny, the teacher did not. Autumn-Belle pretty much has her ABC's down. I and T give her a little trouble sometimes though. (Thanks for your ideas Jennifer!) She is now writing her name as well. ;) I'm so proud of her. Archie has his animals and parts of the body down we are starting shapes now. He learns so fast it blows me away. He hasn't felt his best the last couple of days though. All in all our life couldn't be any better! We have problems just like everyone else but I count my blessings everyday God saw it fit to fit us together as a family to get through them. With him guiding us I know we can get through any thing.I love you all, and I'm just as grateful God chose to fit us together in life as well. Thanks for all the prayers and know the favor is always returned.

Chrystal

Ben, if you are able to read this know I Love You, I Miss You, I Need You, and I am so Proud of You!