Saturday, December 20, 2008

Wheeler Family Christmas 2008


This year has flown by with one turning from a tiny baby to a little toddler, a growing girl starting preschool, a husband working hard to provide for his family, two girls growing up fast, a little one who loves her “little mama” role and a wife and mother who is thankful for all of life’s blessings, big and small.

As the snow falls this December night, the most snow we’ve seen in a long time around here, we feel like we have a chance to stop, rest, spend time with each other and reflect on what we’ve learned in these past few months. Here are the most important lessons that come to mind:

1. Our children are growing up fast. Ahzryia ventured on to middle school this year and it has been truly amazing to see her transforming into a responsible young woman. She enjoys singing on the worship team at church and figuring out who she is created to be and what special purpose she is created for. Shariah also has grown incredibly this past year, developing a definite interest in the Spirit through a summer kids’ camp and also growing in her gifts as an athlete. When we watched the Olympics I asked “Do you think you could do that someday?” (win the gold). She shrugged and said “Yeah, I could.” As our children grow so quickly we keep in mind that we don’t have forever to influence their lives as we can now. We choose to look at them through our Father’s eyes and encourage them in their stepping upward.

2. No life is without value. As a mother of five, I feel society's subtle message that says what a person’s life is worth depends on how much they contribute to social security. Yet, I have learned some of the most amazing lessons from listening to the gentle breathing of my sleeping baby. With Brayden being our fifth child and first boy, Bill and I are both more ready to learn to slow down and spend time laughing, cuddling, singing and enjoying the gift that he is. Ruby as well, has taught us to pay attention, spend time and notice the wonderment behind the quiet. Ruby has embraced her role as my little helper. She is so attentive to Brayden’s needs, gives him sweet kisses and tickles, runs to intervene when she feels he may be in danger of falling, feeds him snacks and makes him laugh. Watching her, we see that she has a true servant’s heart and she’s a joy and blessing to ours.

3. God is present in our lives today. Emma has had a busy year, starting preschool, turning five, growing in her role as a big sister. She’s got spunk and it’s been a joy to persuade her in the way she should go, treasuring her imagination and ability to lead. She said at dinner one night that she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart. Ahzryia and Shariah led her to do that and prayed over her while I tried my best to keep the tears at bay.

4. Nothing is more important than family. This lesson was learned after going down the “what if” trail one too many times. What if the economy failed? What if we lost our home like so many? What if the world as we know it changed over night? We would have each other. We would have the courage to face anything. Bill and I are so blessed to have five healthy children and a wonderful relationship with each other.

5. God is our Father. He longs for us to allow Him to fill that role as we learn to depend on him for our daily bread as well as jobs to come in for work, gifts for Christmas, health for our family, joy in our relationships and wholeness and abundance for our lives. He’s given us the simple commandment to love one another. As He has loved us, so we must love one another.

May you be filled with hope, encouragement and love this Christmas and New Year.

With love,
Bill, Jewel, Ahzryia, Shariah, Emma Joy, Ruby and Brayden Wheeler

Photos by Kelli Christoferson. Check our more at her website kellilynnphotos.com or kellilynnphotos.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thankfulness

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we're so thankful to be traveling over to our dear friends over in Prosser, WA. I am looking forward to spending time with them, sharing with each other the blessings we've been overwhelmed with this last year, and eating turkey and sweet potatoes (my favorite).


"I am thankful for the whole wide world and everything in the world...oh and my family. I am thankful for treats, candy, for mommy, and I am thankful for pop." -Emma Joy


"I'm thankful for our family and our house and our clothes." -Azzie


"Candy. Mommy. Brayden." -Ruby (when asked what she was thankful for)


"I'm thankful for our family and that we have a warm house to live in and that we can go to school and church." -Shariah


If Brayden could talk he'd probably say "Mommy and the food and cuddles she gives me, Daddy who wrestles with me and gives me guy time in this house full of women. Oh and all my big sisters who spoil me and toughen me up at the same time."


Bill and I could probably write for a week about all the things that we feel blessed with. The are some at the top of the list though and here they are:

Our children. We are so blessed to have five beautiful children with their individual personalities and gifts. Each one of them was planned by our Father in heaven and we feel blessed to be entrusted with them.

Our extended family. We feel blessed by the relationships that we have and that we have so many family members living close by.

Our friends. Bill and I are so blessed to have so many people in our lives who bless us, challenge us, pray for us and actually like us. We value and love each and every one of them.

As for me I am so thankful for my husband who is the most amazing man I think there is...in the world! He provides for us, physically and spiritually. He challenges me. He is my best friend, my partner and my love of my life.




Happy Thanksgiving:)

Love, Jewel

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Kids in costumes







We had a great time for Haloween. We went trick or treating in a neighborhood down the road and the girls got loads of candy. Now I just have to find a good hiding place.

I hope you all had a happy haloween. Who else is not ready to see Christmas decorations everywhere?

Love, Jewel

P.S. Can you guess who the girls were dressed as??? Emma can't really be seen so I'll just tell you she was Laura from Little House on the Prairie. That was kind of a last minute one.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

All I want for Christmas is a new camera



Last night we made some cookies for a bake sale fundraiser and got to take a tour of the Arlington Fire Station. The fundraiser was for a baby born with heart problems and all the proceeds are going towards his medical expenses. Click here for his website or go to masongarka.blogspot.com

Azzie and Shariah tried on firefighter gear and the girls took turns ringing the bell on the 1930's fire engine. Emma wants to be a firefighter when she grows up.



Brayden is almost walking! He's taken 2 or 3 steps and loves to push toys around.



These were all taken with my camera phone. My camera was unknowingly left out in the rain by a certain 2 year old and so I'm hoping to find an affordable one for christmas.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

A day at the park

This has been a busy week. Ahzryia and Shariah started school on Tuesday. Azzie is in middle school and loves it. I think it was scarier for Bill and me. Shariah started 4th grade and loves her teacher because she lets the class chew gum during reading time.

Tonight is Emma's preschool orientation and she'll start on Monday. She's happy to have Shariah's basketball coach as her teacher and her best friend JT will be in her class.

I think Ruby and Brayden are going to enjoy their own special mommy time.

Today, the little ones and I, along with Gramma, went to the park and had a really fun time. Here are some adorable pictures. Yes, I am so lucky to have such cute kids:)
















Thursday, August 7, 2008






Today is Azzie's 11th birthday!

We are so proud of her. She is growing to be a smart, beautiful, caring person with profound integrity and character. We thank God everyday for the incredible blessing she is to Bill and I, her sisters and brother and this world.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

New Pictures

Come check out pictures of my kids at www.kellilynnphotos.com

Click on Gallery and then under portraits we have some under "the first year", "the early years" and "relationships".

Saturday, July 5, 2008