When the girls were younger for about six or seven years almost every night before bed we would have family devotional time. We would have them where ever we were, many times we had them in the car on the way home after a busy day. Regrettably, in the last three years those "devos" have become fewer and father between almost nonexistent. This past weekend we went to Rapid City, SD for Hills Alive, a Christian music festival. I was convicted of my lack of convictions to keep those nightly devos a priority. Yes, it is hard to keep all of their attention when the age gap is 11 years. Yes, the boys don't want to sit down for more than two seconds. However, the kids LOVE it when we do them. When we say "Devo Time" they all come running. (Please Lord help me make this a priority. It is as important as feeding them physically, I must feed them spiritually!)

Most of the time our devos are different every night. However, we have a few Banta family devos that we do at least once a year. I am going to post some of those for the kids to read for when they have their families.

One of our very favorites is called "TRUST." It is the one they ask for by name and the easiest one to keep them all interested. We read Proverb 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Didn't have to look that one up because we have done this devo soooo many times! Each one of them repeats that scripture back to us.

Then all the kids line up and fall into daddies arms backwards. Through this I have learned that my heavenly Father will be there to catch me, even when I can't see Him and usually at the very last second, but He is always there.

May 1 Riley turned 15! 15 is hard to believe but, even more difficult for her daddy and I is that in Montana they are allowed to get their DRIVER'S LICENSE!! Yes, I know we live in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Yes, I know it only takes five minutes to get anywhere. There is no rush hour, there are no traffic jams and she never even has to get on the highway. Now I am glad we live here!! :)
Here is Riley with her Dance Team friends on her actual birthday. Her busy school schedule is one reason I am excited about her new found freedom! Brady and I had to get up many mornings last year around 5:00/6:00 so she could squeeze all her Cheer-leading and Dance Team practices/Driver's Ed into her day. I will be ever so grateful to have her in charge of her comings and goings next year! :) Although, I will miss her being my DJ and finding out what her favorite song of the day is and her great ideas to go through the drive-through to get a drink because she was literally dying of thirst, my little desert mouse!!
This is her cousin and life-long friend Hannah. They came to see us last week, more to come on that story as I am extremely far behind on my blogging posts.
To fill Riley's long days of summer she has gotten into painting, jewelry making, still doing photography and she has even started a blog as well, called OH SNAP

If, right now, you are staring at the computer screen trying to figure out what you will click on next will you please pause for a moment and send up a prayer for her daddy and I as we are stumbling our way through these teen years with her. It is sooo difficult watching our oldest start to frustatingly fidget as she stretches her wondrous wings. She will be leaving the nest in just three VERY SHORT YEARS! I want her to fly finding her confidence in Christ alone.

Sir Isaac Newton

We adopted Sir Isaac Newton into our family back in the fall for Hallie and Bailee. He was born in North Carolina, Bailee loves that about him! He is a wanderlust at heart, PoGo loves THAT about him. Thankfully, he always comes home! Riley gets cracked up by his ears and by the whites of his eyes always staring at us.
What I love about him is whenever I pray he comes over to me and nudges my hand with his nose so I will rub him while I am praying. No sense in my hands just sitting there doing nothing right? The girls say he wants his "prayer rub." When I read to the boys at nap time he squeezes in between them to hear the story too and look at the pages.

Awhile back we had the youth group over and played T.P. games of course Hallie included the puppies! I love that Newton and Molly's coloring are the very same so they look like brother and sister! Hallie reminded me I had forgotten to do a blog post about him. He is very sensitive and would be crushed if he knew I hadn't blogged about him.
But, the very best thing about Cutie Patutie Newtie is that he helped potty train Molly!

Miracle Grow

Miss Riley behind the scenes. She loves the creative and complicated and hates the ordinary easy stuff! ie... making crepes vs. cleaning her room, designing jewelry vs. giving Molly a bath! She spent a whole day taking beautiful pictures of her sibs. She has such a sweet love for each one of them and they for her.
Hallie is working on her science fair project these days. She is researching hydroponics and the effects "Miracle Grow" has on plants. She has been diligently weighing her plants and recording info bright and early every morning! She volunteers in the Library and helps her teacher with tutoring. Hallie knows how to use everyday to the fullest!I realize I recently gushed over Bailee on her birthday but, she is keeping herself busy these days honing her social skills, mastering consecutive kart-wheels and spinning like a top on the play-ground. We prayed for their husbands and his parents the other night. We prayed that God would be protecting those boys, teaching those boys and making them into HIS mighty men! (Bailee was confused and giggling when it was over) Notice her locket!
These girls are growing up so fast! They have me confused, giggling and spinning like a top! I either want time to slow down or Jesus to hurry up! If neither of those things happen... I know HE will accomplish the creative and complicated miracle grow of these girls for HIS glory.

Pippy the Pickle Fish

With Jay being my fourth cutie to go through kindergarten I am getting a little desperate for new and exciting "show and tell" ideas! We were watching the Mr. Men cartoon the other day and Mr. Scatterbrain was talking about his pickle fish. Jay decided that would be a cool "show and tell." Evidently, he was the hit of his class today because everyone wanted to go home and make their own pickle fish! I hope daddy will forgive us for wasting some of his sweet baby gherkins pickles. Of course, Charlie needed his own pickle fish!

A Beautiful Bride!

Soldiers of Christ arise and put your armor on.... As time continues to march on, the days seem to be growing darker. Our little town alone has suffered some tough blows this past week on the heels of Haiti's own crisis. We "Onward Christian Soldiers" need some encouragement as we are waiting for Jesus' return. I know HIS hand is upon us, the Lord watches over us. When I think about the big picture of this church age we are living in, I can't help but be encouraged. I see some ways in which His church (aka His bride) is being prepared. In the last five to ten years we are seeing man-made denominational lines being dissolved within HIS church. His followers are looking to the scriptures to figure out exactly what they believe, not just allowing a church to dictate what they are called to do as a Christ follower. We are seeing churches being purified of legalism, YAY! Christians are being called to become authentic, not just go to church or go through the motions. The gray areas in our culture are becoming more black and white. Christians are having to identify themselves as such. In as much as, putting "Merry Christmas" on your Christmas Card! I love that!

As Satan's days are growing short, He is growing more desperate and active. However, so is The Holy Trinity at work!! For one, the Christian music industry is by far at its finest and far reaching. Brady and I were watching some "old" Christian videos just the other night and laughing, partly because of their hair and partly because it was just bad! I was instantly reminded why I didn't like Christian music that was on the radio in the 80's and early 90's. I love how Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, C of C's (you know who you are), all worship Him together with amazing Christian music that connects us all as we worship HIM. Who alone but Christ could accomplish this kind of "harmony" amongst His prideful, hair splitting followers. Also, Biblical teachers and preachers are speaking to the masses who all sit on different pews on Sunday mornings. Another major source of encouragement for me personally, are the Christian book stores in every town (even mine) filled with shelves of wonderful Christian books by wonderful Christian authors. So, for the bombardment of Satan's hourly attacks on our joy and ultimately our very soul. God has supplied the necessary encouragement we so desperately need. Just turn on your radio/TV/Computer/MP3/Phone (whatever your source) and listen to some amazing Christian encouragement or better still, open your Bible or pull up your Bible App. Let us weary soldiers not forget, HE is also readily available to hear our prayers 24/7!!! We have not been forsaken or forgotten!!! The invitations have been sent and this will be THE wedding I don't want to miss!!

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
REVELATION 19:7

Happy Birthday Bailee Boo!

Yesterday Riley took Bailee out in the freezing weather and took pictures of my "Winter Baby." I love this first picture of her, it looks like she is an angel with a halo!!
We call her our "Winter Baby" for several reasons. One, because she was born in February when there was snow on the ground in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Also, because she LOVES to be outside in the winter sledding and ice skating. I really want to get her on the ski-slopes because I know she is going to be fearless!
She and Hallie just started taking Taekwondo lessons. (They had been begging me for a couple of years.) She loves to read and has a great sense of comedic timing that keeps our whole family laughing!! She has played the violin for the last two years but, decided to take a break this year. I really hope she wants to pick it up again next year! She is a pretty good little soccer player, too!

Just so you don't think she is a perfect angel! I thought I'd throw in one of my personal favorite pictures of her when she was hot and tired! Bailee, like Charlie is a child of extremes. They are either really happy or really not happy!!! I love their intensity! I can't believe she has been with us for nine full years!!! For her birthday she asked for a heart-shaped locket with a picture of Brady and I in it!! AWWW SO SWEET!!! I KNOW!!! I can't believe God has given me such amazing children! HE is already doing such great things with her! She is fearfully and wonderfully made! (Again a reminder of her normalcy ...she also asked for a cell phone which she did not get!)