Teen pregnancy isn’t the problem. It’s irresponsible, unwed, immoral sex, which often leads to pregnancy, that is the problem. Teen or otherwise.

Discuss:

Al Mohler: Teen Pregnancy, Hollywood Style

Responsibility Project: Gone Baby Gone

Vermont’s Baby Safe Haven Law

(US) National Center for Health Statistics: Pregnancy Rates Drop

I know her grandparents are going to have a conniption when they see this picture, it’s so sweet. 

Noah: "She will love getting splashed! This will be fun!"

Acadia: "NOAH!!!!" Noah: "?"

Acadia: "You are so immature." Noah: "..."

Noah: "I will never understand girls." Acadia: "He is nonexistent to me."

Some liberty has been taken in the dialogue.

This is my friend and nephew, Silas. Clicking the image will bring up a larger-sized one. Aren’t computers fun?

Me at a holiday dinner at my grandparents' house

Five years ago today was the day that Levi was “supposed to be” born. I was pretty sad about it at the time.

It was also the day I turned 30, which I wasn’t sad about.

Five years ago today, I was pregnant with Acadia but didn’t know it yet.

Hidden blessings.

Sometimes things are like that, where you don’t particularly feel the goodness of God, or wonder if He is in control of things or not. You have to believe and trust despite what you feel at the moment, even when “the moment” is more like everyday reality.

If we have been justified by Christ, we can take comfort in knowing that these experiences are truly temporary, yet God is using them to make eternal changes toward Him in our hearts.

Even when we never see tangible blessings here in our pre-eternity lives.

Last year Acadia’s nickname was Pink Pants, which changed to Pink Pants Swimmer when she became so great in the water.

This year, she gets to take lessons like Gannon.  Acadia’s teacher has shown her how to use the kickboard to hold her up while she swims. She has shown her how to retrieve a sunken bottle, even when your face might get a little wet in the process. Below is a picture of Acadia helping another student find the bottle.

Here’s another thing her teacher has shown her. The strange allure of navel jewelry.

*NOTE: If Courtney S. reads this (you know who you are!), please leave a comment so I know you’ve found the blog. Thanks!)

**ANOTHER NOTE: For some reason I never published this post till now, even though I wrote it days ago. Sorry. Thanks for reminding me, Fran!

I’m just going to toss these photos up here and not bother with captioning them, just because I am tired of sitting at this computer. My kids are tired of me sitting at this computer, too!

We also have lots of pictures of the kids with their friends from camp, old and new, but I didn’t feel right about putting pics of other people’s kids on the internet without their permission. Not everyone is as comfortable with having an internet presence as I am. So yeah.

I’ve been told that I have slowed down on my photo posting. I have also been told by my husband that this is a bad thing. Because I am an Excellent Wife, here I am posting more photos.

This is what Acadia looked like this morning when she went looking for an open window in Noah’s house so she could yell to him to come outside. She’s got her PINK duffel bag slung over her shoulder. It is full of things that are PINK. She is carrying her PINK box of hair things, most of which are PINK. Her shoes, dress: PINK. Sense a trend?

I love this boy. And his freckles. Yes, I know they are signs of sun damage to the skin, but they are so darn cute!

One of them was having a good time. One of them was not. Decidedly so. This was at the 4th of July celebration we attended. We were waiting in line to ride a pony.

And look what you get. My apologies to those of you on a slow connection. My blog is image-heavy these days because it hurts to type. And because I like images.

Anthills in the driveway. Important and interesting stuff if you’re a kid. Or me.

Enchiladas. We all need to remember this meal, so we took this picture. Yeah.

The view under Gannon’s bed. Those are his swim trunks. That he couldn’t find. Not sure what the other stuff is. Let’s not think about it.

Breakfast.

Bling.

Here’s Daddy, from an Acadia’s Eye View.

Not to be left out, here’s Mommy. And James, Jared, and Brian. But you really have to look hard to see them.

Metal waiting for the trash guy’s metal day. Glad we have this moment preserved.

We have a sword on the garage roof. What? Don’t you?

This is a radish we are growing. Gannon needed a photo.

Here’s the neighbor kid, Noah. This is usually the first view of him we see each day, when someone from our house bangs on his door, or vice versa. “Can you come out and play?”

I do not know this man. He appears at periodic intervals to mow a neighbor’s lawn. He cheesed for Gannon’s camera. We digitally captured his photons.

And my favorite so far, taken by one or both of the kids, is this picture. They love each other.

This is my Dad, posing with my kids (2/5 of his grandchildren).

This is Brian, dad to our kids. Ignore the awful haircut I had recently given Gannon. Focus on the great fathering going on.

This is my Grandfather. When he was alive he’d tell me I was his favorite granddaughter. I know he meant it, because I am cool like that.

Here’s Brian’s Dad, the kids’ Pop-Pop. He used to put up a good front, but he’s always been a softie. Now he doesn’t bother with the front.

This is my brother Josh. He’s a great dad to three great kids. He’s not as stern as he looks in this picture.

Go love your dad.