Back in 2003, Chad and I were part of a small group that started an evening Contemporary Worship service at our church called "Shout." In fact, just this November, we celebrated our 10 year anniversary (more on that another day, too).
When we started the service in 2003, our God-daughter, Allie, was about 2 1/2. Shortly after, we became pregnant with Brooklyn and, in 2005, the original Shout sisters were born.
In August of 2006, we added another sister to the mix, Zoe.
And then in January of 2007, "Little Allie."
The service was still going strong so we started a training program for young musicians...
And babies were still coming! Callie was born in July of 2008, and we pretty much decided that no one in the Shout family was capable of having a baby boy.
But lo and behold! We are capable of having boys! Jake and Kyle were born in 2009 and 2010.
Because after Jake and Kyle, we also had Reagan and Silas.
Here they are last Christmas in 2012. 9 of them ages 11 to almost 2.
And just when we thought we were done....TWO MORE GIRLS were added to the group! Bella and Madelyn joined the family in April 2013.
And I decided that I would make the kids take a picture before they were allowed to open their Christmas presents this year.
Score!
(Side note: Bella did not whack Madelyn in the head. She was just not happy to leave her daddy's warm arms where she was napping peacefully. Ooops.)
We are so blessed to have this church family and for our kids to have such great friends who are truly like their cousins. It's been amazing to watch this group grow the last 9 years, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this group. And I pray for their middle school and high school youth group leaders. :-)
Christmas Eve 1980:
