Who are we?
Our charming life is a blog about everyday life our adventures, sharing stories, ideas, and laughs while building a legacy with our four children.
Where it all began. Joe and I met while working at vacation bible school at the church we attended. I was 16, he was 19. We liked each other but were both a bit nervous about saying anything. Our group of friends from church planned a get together at a friends house, they all ran in, sat down leaving only two seats together. That night he asked me out and has been asking me out ever since! I suppose we owe our friends a huge thank you for pushing us together, if they hadn’t we wouldn’t have each other and our wonderful kids.
Fast forward a few years and he asked me to marry him, spoiler – I said yes! Four months after we were married we found out I was expecting our first child! Our first year of marriage consisted of me having lots of morning sickness, then bed rest, a 6 week hospital stay, Jonathan being born at 35 weeks and a NICU stay. Whew, it was a crazy year!
A year and some months later we found out we were expecting baby number two. This time I was only in the hospital for 1 week. We were able to bring her home immediately. The next four years we just lived life, going to church, taking the kids to school and everything in between.
Around this time we found out we were expecting baby number 3. This kid did a number on me! I was put on restriction from my first appointment then ended up on bedrest for a grand total of 14 weeks! I had to have progesterone shots every week for 20 weeks and then we had to live with my parents for 3 or 4 weeks because my doctor didn’t want me alone.
This pregnancy was NOT fun, for any of us. Jamieson came into this world a few weeks early and for my hard work and sacrifice after they laid him on my chest, he peed on me and he has been making us laugh ever since!
Around this time we moved and that following school year we decided to homeschool the kids. We were enjoying life, getting used to a new little one, a new house and homeschooling then we found out that Caroline was going to join our family.
I will be honest and say that I was not happy. In act I was terrified! I had just been through a terrible pregnancy and I didn’t want to walk that journey again. Thankfully the doctor switched from shots to cream and that helped tremendously. I was of course on restriction and bedrest but it was much easier. She was born early as well and spent 2 days in the NICU then came home and all fell madly in love with her. She was everything we never knew we needed!
Fast forward to where we are now our two older kids have graduated and are working. This school year we have have a freshman and middle schooler so our days should be easier. The girls are both in competitive dance and Jamieson is playing soccer as a dang good goalie. Jonathan has a beautiful girlfriend whom we all love and is doing very well for himself. All in all we are grateful for where we are and grateful we get to navigate this earth with each other. We think we have the best kids on the planet and we love and adore each one of them.
To bring us up to date, Joe and I want more out of life and we quickly realized that we needed mentors in our life. So we met some amazing people who have sparked some dreams in us and have set us on the path to making our dreams a reality!
This next chapter will be full of mental growth for us. I’m sure there will be some ups and downs but with our mentors by our side it’s going to be an amazing ride!
Looking forward to writing new chapters and all the adventures that will come with it! Stay tuned to catch a glimpse.
Cast & crew
Joseph
You rarely come across a man like this and I am blessed to call him mine! He leads our family with strong Godly values. He is 100% involved in the lives of all 4 of our children and they are his hobby. He prays with me and for me and always looks for times for us to be together. He puts us first and we all feel it. He is adventurous, funny, smart, laid back and he keeps me calm. Anyone would be blessed to have him in their life! He loves airplanes & boats and would love to own several of each, and I see him doing it. He loves us and wants to spend as much time as possible together. I think he is pretty awesome.
I married my high school sweetheart & we started our beautiful family. I love being a mom & I love teaching them at home. I spend my time taking care of my family & teaching my kids. I love what I do! My husband & I have our own business, we are building our future together not apart. I was a ballerina for a short time and still love to dance. My hobbies are sewing, baking, cooking, & cake decorating.
Candise
Jonathan
He made quite an entrance into this world and his spirit has remained the same to this day. He is head strong, smart, independent, determined, funny, sweet, can figure just about anything out, has a way with people that goes beyond words – its a gift really. He acts like his Pawpaw and is built just like him, he is named after him, I love it. He is really good at computers, gaming and all that is involved, building them and teaching me how to do things, he loves to build things and take them apart and is really good at it!
She came into this world with that beautiful red hair, like a halo. She also has a pretty calm spirit, and never really complains, she is generally fine with whatever it is we are doing. She loves books and reads well above her grade level. Horses are her most favorite thing, any and all kinds, she has educated herself and knows a great deal about them. She is my mini me in looks, but acts more like her father.
Victoria
Jamieson
He has such a calm spirit, peaceful, all the time. He loves to laugh and keeps us laughing too, wise beyond his years and very passionate about cars. If he tells you what kind of car one is he is usually right. His favorite car in the whole world?? A Bugatti Veyron! Yes he has expensive taste, he gets that from his mom!
Being the youngest you have to be able to speak up and be loud, she does both just fine! This sweet girl keeps us on our toes all the time, we never know what to expect from her! She has flooded her bathroom twice, climbed to the top of every closet, and so much more! (she has to be supervised at all times) She has her older brothers heart and to hear some of the conversations they have is just funny. She is always thinking, imagining, and very independent. She can be run by her emotions at times and we have to keep that in check. She is uber smart and knows how to do things, she just isn’t quite big enough to do them at times and that can be so very frustrating for her. She is everything all of us wanted but didn’t know it!
Caroline
Coco Chanel La Poof
Our pretty pooch. She has many names, poor thing, we call her Coco, Coco bean, Cocono,(lol) Baby, Pretty girl, and my dad calls her Cocomo, or Cocomo Joe (i dont know why). Part Labrador, part standard poodle = Labradoodle. She is a funny character, she hates the wind and water but loves to roll in the mud. She hates the heat and the cold, but loves when its cool outside, but only for a little while. Her favorite thing is to be pet, or rubbed, anywhere, her head, chin, back, her ears but whatever you do, never touch her feet! Coco’s favorite person is the Queen of the Castle, she follows her anywhere. Coco’s favorite toys are the kids, she loves to play with them more than any toy! Her favorite food is apples. We love our pretty pooch!