It's that time again..Merry Christmas 2011!!

Well..I'm really behind this year on sending out our blog, Christmas cards and so on. I was planning to get everything done early this week but I did something to my back and I have been out of commision the past couple of days. It's no fun but on the bright side I have an amazing husband and six awesome kids to help take care of things and God is teaching me yet again to have peace and trust him in the midst of chaos!

Peace seems to have been the theme for 2011. I'm learning what a weapon peace can be! When you really trust God and know that he is in control what is there to be afraid or anxious over? A few weeks ago I was stressing over Christmas and all the things we needed when Lauren asked if she could pray for me. She said "Mom, you just need to trust God!" I said "I'm trying!" Her response was 'Trying is not Trusting" Ouch! She was right though and when I surrendered everything in my heart to God and determined to trust and be at peace he worked it all out better than I could have by "Trying'!

Here is a little recap of our 2011..
In the begining of the year Blaine was having some pretty fierce headaches. We took him to several doctors and noone could fiqure it out. Then one night I had a really vivid dream and when praying felt that I should take him to an ear, nose and throat doctor. It turned out he had a mass in his sinus cavity, when the doctor looked back at previous x-rays it was right there but somehow they missed it. The doctors were not sure what it was but found an active infection that if it would have been left untreated could have been very serious. Blaine had surgery, the mass was just what they call a mucus seal. Phew..I'm so thankful for a God that speaks to us and gives Mom's the wisdom and discernment we need for our kids.

At the end of August we moved to Chesterland. My grandmother passed away this year, it was a bitter sweet moment for our family. We were so happy for her to finally go home and be with my grandpa, her two sons, parents and many siblings but my grandparents were such a solid part of our family that they will be dearly missed. With my grandparents home being empty and us needing to move we decided to move in for the year so the kids could go to a good school system and we could take the time to evaluate the jobs and school situations.

Chris has been working like crazy and when he is not working he is studying and taking tests to learn more about computers. He is currently part time at Gymnastics World and part time at IT Corps and also does projects for the Cleveland Clinic and anyone else that may need help with computers. He would like to go full time into IT work so that is our goal and prayer for 2012.

I have been busy raising the kids and going to ministry school. Lauren, Blaine, Renee and Elijah are all in school so that leaves Owen and Eden at home. Owen is doing the online school and Eden is Mommy's constant playmate and shadow. School is on Sunday's and Mondays in Brunswick so Sunday nights I stay over at my sisters (I'm so blessed to have great sister that has opened her home to me:)) and come home late Monday nights. Chris, my Mom and Lauren pick up the slack on Sunday's and Mondays which I really appreciate! I love ministry school, I'm learning so much and about my faith, the bible and myself! After I graduate I will be taking Lauren to Mozambique for a couple weeks and then I plan to continue on to the second year of ministry school. The driving back and forth to school and church is not easy but it's a sacrifice that is so worth it!

Lauren is a senior this year!! I can't believe it! She actually had enough credits to graduate a little early but she really wanted the senior year experiance and is having fun taking classes like Latin, honors English and photography. If you have seen any of her photography you can see how talented she is. Lauren is really growing into an amazing young woman, I'm so proud and honored to be her mom! She is involved in key club, big brothers big sisters and youth group. She plans to attend North Central Bible College in Minnesota this fall to study, multicultural studies and languages. Her goal is to be a missionary to Africa. This summer will be her first trip to Africa and she is so excited, as am I!

Blaine is a sophmore this year and man has he grown! He works out every day and is a tremendous help around the house. He is doing really well in school this year and is applying for a program to study emergency medical training and firefighting. I think this is a perfect fit for him and I'm so excited to see where God takes him as he pursues emergency medicine. He has mentioned taking a year to go to ministry school after he graduates.

Owen is also growing like crazy. He started working out this year and I don't think it will take him long to catch up to Chris and Blaine. Owen is doing well at home this year. He still loves to draw and is forming quite a collection of art work. He is also involved in the youth group at church and plays on the youth worship team. He loves to drum and would still like a full drum kit, I would be ok with an electric drum set but I guess thats not the same. ;)

Renee is as cheerful and beautiful as ever! She is now in 6th grade. I was more nervous on her first day of school than she was, for no reason of course! She has made numerous friends and loves school! Renee is also a big help around the house, Eden tends to be her shadow at times but I don't think Renee minds much at all. Renee is also continuing her piano lessons with Aunt Laraine and she still visits Aunt Patty in the nursing home.

Elijah started school for the first time this year. He is in second grade and doing very well. We found out in the begining of the year that he has a pretty significant stigmatism and needed glasses. It's been an adjustment for him but the day he got his glasses he started to read everything. Poor guy had no idea there was something wrong with his eyes until he started seeing two of everything. Elijah is still doing gymnastics and had his first meet of the season a couple weeks ago. He did great! He actually had his best pommel horse/mushroom routine ever!

Eden is as always a joy! She is two and a half, yet has a mind of a four year old. From the beginiing her doctor told us to be prepared! She keeps the whole family amused and entertained with her creative thinking and fun antics. Just this week she got into Renee's make-up when she was suppose to be napping, when Chris heard her and peeked in she immediately pretended to be asleep. As I write she is laying in her bed singing " Oh Christmas Tree..Oh Christmas Tree.." It's so much fun having a little princess around!

Chris and I are really looking forward to the next year and next season coming in 2012. In March we will become parents of an official adult and soon after watch as she graduates and goes off to college. In August we will both turn the big...ok nevermind. This is going to be a year full of new beginnings, new seasons, advancment and much more. It's going to be great!! I pray that 2012 is a year full of blessings for you as well.

Hoping you all have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Love,
The Tollons
Chris, Danielle, Lauren, Blaine, Owen, Renee, Elijah & Eden

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Are you ready for Christmas?? It's funny how we spend so much time and effort preparing for one day. I hope that you take the time to enjoy your family, relax, and most of all thank God for the reason behind the season. The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!

Here is a recap of The Tollon bunch 2010:

Lauren is now a junior in high school with a very full schedule, pre-calculus, psychology, honors English to name a few. She has her temps but no drivers license yet. She is a student leader at Bethel Cleveland's youth group and she helps in the nursery. She still does quite a bit of baby sitting (and not just for me). Lauren has become very passionate about missions to Africa, her and I will be taking a trip to Mozambique, Africa with Iris Ministries at the end of July. Lauren plans to attend a three month mission school with Iris ministries in Mozambique the summer after she graduates. She is looking into a mission minded college, currently, we have been looking at North Central in Minnesota. I can't believe she will be an adult in less than a year and a half, I'm so proud of the young woman she has become. I am frequently amazed and often wonder "Where did this child come from?". If you don't already know this I became pregnant with Lauren right before my twenty first birthday, Chris and I were not married. Lauren is testimony of God's grace and redemptive power!

Blaine seems to have suddenly gone from a young boy to a young man overnight! This summer I looked at him and suddenly realized he's got some big guns on him :)! He is usually the one I drag along on big grocery trips, he has been doing the P90X workout for a year now and it shows. Blaine's goal is to be able to beat Chris at arm wrestling.:) This February he will be getting his temps and before long I will have two drivers, Yikes! Blaine is also a student leader with Bethel Cleveland youth and he is a part of the Bethel Kids ministry team.

Owen is an official teenager! He was anxiously waiting to be old enough to be a part of the youth group at Bethel Cleveland. Owen still loves to drum and plays a bongo for the youth worship team, He also loves to draw and he is extremely good at it too. Owen took some art and drama classes, he will probably take more class once ski (snowboarding) season is over.

Renee turned eleven this year,She has faced quite a bit this year with migraine headaches, the total alopecia and then being diagnosed with Hashiomoto's but despite it all she is still as joyful and fun as ever! Renee is still taking piano lessons each week and goes to the nursing home to visit Aunt Patti. For Renee's birthday this year she got her own keyboard and plays all the time! We are looking forward to hear her play Christmas carols for us tomorrow night. Renee also loves to read, it's funny but there are times I have to pry her away from reading to do her chores.

Elijah, my little boy is not so little anymore :(, He is seven and a strong, solid guy! Elijah is doing very well with gymnastics, he was so excited to get his round-off back handspring this summer. Elijah's first meet is coming up in January and I'm very excited to see all that he can do. Elijah is not one to talk and talk but when he does say something it's always sure to make you smile. A couple days ago he said to Lauren " Lauren, you know that God gave you a whole life to do all the things he put in your heart to do!" I love Elijah's sensitivity and innocence, he is in first grade and is doing really well.

Eden Joy..oh what a joy she is :) She is 20 months old and full of curiosity and a bit of stubbornness. Eden is very smart and inquisitive and it's a lot of fun teaching her new things and watching her explore. It's been a little sad for me to see her want to go and do so quickly. I would love to keep her my sweet, cuddly little baby but she has her own ideas. Eden loves all of her brothers and sisters and knows all their different strengths and weakness's and uses that to her full advantage. After celebrating her three siblings fall birthdays Eden has come to realize what birthdays are all about and is very excited to celebrate Jesus's birthday. I think we are all looking forwards to seeing Christmas through her eyes.

Chris is one busy guy lately, he is currently working three jobs! Chris is coaching boys gymnastics at Gym World, working part-time for Mason Works and working for the Cleveland Clinic department of Education. Chris has learned so much this year when it comes to computers and doors have been opening up for him which is really exciting! Chris is also a part of a men's ministry group that meet weekly through phone conferencing. Men these days face a lot of pressures and it's really important for them to have one another to encourage, support and hold one another accountable. I'm really proud of Chris and all that he has accomplished this past year, I'm really excited to see where this next year is going to take him.

This has been a very busy and sometimes overwhelming year for me. I often find myself trying so hard to be supermom and then becoming discouraged when I realize I just can't do it all. Homeschooling five children while taking care of a toddler and trying to keep the house clean, laundry done and everyone fed can be quite a task! We have also had a lot of trips to doctors and unpleasant experiences with health issues and such. I have learned so much about myself and have come to a place of surrender in many areas. I also feel like I have more joy and hope than ever before. Chris and I plan to move closer to our church this summer and we will be enrolling the kids back into public school. I am also looking forward to the trip to Mozambique, I'm a little nervous about leaving the other kids but I know that God is going to do something great in both Lauren and I. Even though things are chaotic and hectic sometimes I have a peace that surpasses all understanding. I'm learning more and more each day about my heavenly Father and about who he has made me to be. I love the life he has given me, I love being a Mom and seeing God work in each one of my children. I love the friends and family God has placed in our lives and I pray that each one of you have a wonderful Christmas, may God's presence be felt all around you as you celebrate this special day. I also pray that this upcoming year would be full of peace, healing and that each day God would show you how special you are and that you would experience his love in a fresh way.

Love,
Danielle & the rest of the Tollon bunch!

Over the valley and through the woods...

is what it has been for us this month. It's like we get over one mountain into the valley and then we turn around and it's time to walk through the dark scary woods. Such is life, right?! I'm a pretty adventurous person so I usually enjoy taking on a challenge and can easily see my way through but it's different when your children are involved. I would love to take everything on for them, it seems it would be so much easier that way. In the long run though I know that God works good in every situation and that my job is to trust him and teach my kids to look to him when they are facing difficult situations.

Today, we met with a specialist concerning Renee and found out that her immune system has now decided to attack her thyroid. The alopecia that Blaine, Owen & Renee have been diagnosed with is an autoimmune disease where the immune system is attacking the hair. For whatever reason when the immune system decides to attack one area it can also decide to attack another. There are hundreds of different types of autoimmune diseases and no cure for any of them. It's also a genetic thing hence, the reason we have three children with alopecia. Blaine has also been having some other symptoms this past month and has been referred to a rheumatologist. Many of the things the doctors have said have been quite overwhelming and at times I have to stop myself from falling into the trap of worry. It seems worry comes natural to Mom's but I have learned that it is not my friend! When it comes along side me I can spend hours researching things on the internet and find all the worst possible scenarios that could plaque my children but in the end it does no good. I'm always so thankful when the Holy Spirit comes along side of me and taps me on the shoulder and says "Ummhmm..remember me, Your true friend. The one that is always here. I know where you can find peace in the midst of all this." It doesn't take long for me to remember all the amazing and wonderful things God has done in our lives. I also look at each one of our children and I am completely and utterly amazed! They are all happy, content, beautiful, smart, amazing kids! I know I'm required to say that but it's actually very true!:)

So, through the woods it is right now. We will all get to the other side just fine with another story to tell of how awesome God is and how he got us through yet another challenging situation!

For more info on autoimmune disease:
http://www.lvhn.org/children/Ask_Our_Expert_About_Children%7C2431
http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site614/mainpageS614P0.html

Summer Happenings

Wow! Can it really be almost the end of summer? It sure did go quick! Here is a recap of our summer.

We enjoyed quite a few days at the beach, Eden was a lot of fun, hesitant about the water at first but by the end of summer she was loving it! We enjoyed some swimming days, pool parties, visits with my Dad at Ledge pool and trips to area parks. The zoo has been a regular summer hangout, we definitely get our money worth out of our yearly membership. We have enjoyed many of the events around the Cleveland area including, Parade the Circle, the North Coast Harbor boating festival, Fireworks and the Cleveland Orchestra downtown in Public Square, the 4th of July parade and the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Chagrin Falls. We have all read a lot of good books this summer while participating in the summer reading program.

Elijah continued with his gymnastics this summer and got his back handspring on the floor. He loves it! Owen and Renee have been going with Aunt Laraine and Uncle Rick on Thursdays for piano and golf lessons. Owen is really enjoying the golfing and is pretty good at it! Lauren has her temps and is practicing her driving. She has been doing a lot of babysitting this summer (not just for me ;)). Lauren has a really tough schedule coming up this fall but she is determined and I know she will do well. If you get a chance check out her blog at http://coracaoparaafrica.blogspot.com/.
Lauren, Blaine and Owen are all loving the youth group at Bethel Cleveland, it's exciting to see them deepen in their relationship with God and have fun at the same time.
Blaine was having some issues with infected lymph nodes again. The doctors are not sure why. We could take him to another specialist but he is doing better so we are just waiting it out. Blaine turned 15 this July and I can not believe how much he is growing. He has been doing the P90X workout and has become quite strong. It's nice having him along on big grocery trips!
We have actually had a few emergency room visits this summer as Renee has recently been diagnosed with migraine headaches. Thankfully, it's nothing too serious and now that we know what it is we are better able to deal with it. It's so hard when your child is in pain and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

Chris has also had a busy summer. He took one of the guys he coaches (Nick) to the championship qualifier earlier in the summer and Nick qualified to go to championships. A couple weeks ago they were in Hartford, Connecticut for Championships. Nick placed 17th in the Nation which is awesome and such an honor for Chris. Chris is also continuing to work part time for Mason Works and this fall he will work towards more Microsoft certifications.

I have really been enjoying summer! Eden is at such a fun age, she is quite adventurous, (don't know where she got that..Ha Ha) we have been enjoying outings and exploring new things. I'm a little anxious to start homeschooling again. It was difficult for me to stay home and do the same thing every day last year. I plan on doing a lot of field trips and projects to help keep myself from getting bored and miserable. I also have started the P90X workout with Chris, it's more intense than any other workout and I can honestly say I hate it but I'm determined!

Even though summer is almost at an end we have a couple things to look forward to. The end of September we will be taking a family vacation to Kiawah Island, South Carolina. A family is giving us their vacation home to enjoy for a week! We can not wait, it's been awhile since we have been able to go on a vacation together. Chris and I were also given night away at a local resort which is another wonderful blessing. We haven't had a night away since Eden was born, it will be glorious just to sleep in! God is good!

Well, time for my ramblings to come to a close, Eden is up from her nap and making it quite clear she is awake and ready to explore some more.

Merry Christmas 2009!

Wow..I can't believe another year has gone by so quick! This has been a very busy yet wonderful year in the Tollon home.
In early April we celebrated the birth of our beautiful little Eden Joy. Her name means delight and joy and that is exactly what she is! She has surprised each one of us with her smiles and laughs much earlier than we expected. Eden is never lacking attention and doesn't mind a bit. It's so much fun to see her personality begin to develop. At her six month check up her pediatrician said to be prepared because she is quite a bit ahead of herself and loves to learn, which may make it difficult for her to settle down when it's time to sleep. Boy was he right..Eden doesn't want to miss any opportunity to learn or experience something new. At eight months she is crawling, pulling up on everything, walking the furniture, waving, clapping and has quite a vocabulary. Lately her favorite thing to say is "Hi Kitty" which she says every time she sees one of our cats or anything she finds resembles a cat. I love to see her developing and growing yet at the same time I don't want her to rush too much as it goes by so quickly. I want to enjoy every precious moment of her babyhood!

This past summer Lauren, Blaine and Owen decided to join the Bedford swim team. We were very proud of each one of them. They each had a lot of fun and showed much improvement at the end of the season. In the fall we decided to again to school the children at home with the Ohdela online program.

This was Elijah's first year and he is doing great. I was a little nervous about it but after a few weeks we both started to get the hang of things. He is beginning to read which is very exciting and I have found that it is very rewarding to be teacher and Mom. Elijah also loves gymnastics! He has surprised Chris and I by showing quite a bit of determination as well as talent. He is on the Bets competitive gymnastics team at Gymnastics World. He is the youngest boy on the team this year yet has no trouble keeping up. I can not wait for his first meet. Chris video's little clips for me but it will be so exciting to watch him actually compete.

Owen continues to do gymnastics as well however he has decided not to compete this year. He enjoys working out and learning gymnastics skills but for him its more for fun. Owen is becoming quite an artist. He enjoys drawing and is very good at it. We are looking into getting him into some art classes. Owen also still has a desire to play the drums. He has a hand drum that he practices on as well as anything else he can find to beat on. He has had a few lessons and would like to continue. He has also joined the Ski club and is looking forward to snowboarding for the first time this year.

Lauren has also joined the ski club and will be trying out snowboarding for the first time. I can not believe that she is a sophomore in high school. We have been talking a bit about colleges and as of right now she would like to go to school for teaching but she has also expressed an interest in ministry school with a desire to lead youth. She loves helping with the children's ministry at church and is very good at it. Lauren will also be driving soon. Chris and I plan to practice with her more after the holidays. I can't believe our baby girl is growing up and turning into such a beautiful young woman, inside and out!

Renee is also growing up to be a beautiful young lady. She recently hit the double digits! Renee is a lot of fun, she has such a great personality. She is excelling at school and has a dream to one day become a pediatrician. She visits her Aunt Patty once a week in the nursing home and has become quite popular there. Renee is also excelling at the piano. Once a week her Aunt Laraine takes her to see Patty and then they have a piano lesson. Tonight will be her first recital and we are all looking forward to hearing her perform. Renee has joined the ski club and will be skiing for the first time this year.

Blaine will also be skiing in the ski club. Blaine no longer does gymnastics yet he still goes and works out and lately has been doing P90x with Chris. He is really growing up to be a strong handsome young man. Blaine also loves to help with the children's ministry at church and does a great job. Blaine has been feeling great this year and despite dealing with the hair loss he is extremely healthy. Praise God!

Chris has been a very busy man this past year. I have lost track of how many Microsoft certification tests he has taken but I know he has past every one and is constantly studying for the next. He is still coaching the guys at Gym World but he is also working part time with a company called Mason Works. It's a great opportunity for him to learn and grow in the field of computer and technology. He loves it and hopes to eventually learn enough to be able to work full time as an IT guy and part time as a coach. Chris and I have also decided to become a part of the Children's Administrative team that helps oversee the children's ministry at Bethel Cleveland (formerly Metro Church South). Chris took over for the previous director to give her a break in the summer and we both had a great time. Chris has always been great with kids and knows how to make things fun while teaching at the same time.

As you can imagine I have been very busy homeschooling five children and taking care of a baby. It can be a lot of work sometimes but more and more I realize how quickly time goes by and I wouldn't want to change things. I love having my children at home. I love seeing their smiling faces everyday. I don't know if we will continue to home school throughout all of their school years. I plan to take each year as it comes. For now I will simply enjoy having them all here during the day. I am also really enjoying having a baby around. I know that this is my last baby (unless we choose to adopt some day and you never know ;) ) anyway, I will not be giving birth or breastfeeding again so I'm taking the time to enjoy every last moment. God has really blessed me with a wonderful family. I am so excited to be celebrating the birth of his son Jesus with them this year. We have so much to be thankful for. Life is full of ups and downs sometimes yet Jesus always, always come through and overwhelms me with his love. I pray that each one of you reading this will feel his love surround you this season and that this upcoming year will be full of his love and grace.

Love and Blessings,
The Tollon Family

Learning more each day

As a Mom of six I feel like I am constantly learning things from my children. I have never had a teen aged daughter and son before so I have been learning a lot through Lauren and Blaine. It's not easy to let go and let them be young adults. It's funny because Chris and I worked with teens and young adults for many years and often wondered why some parents did certain things. Now..I can understand a little bit better. It seems that as a Mom I have become so accustomed to my children being children. One day your reading them stories, helping them bathe and making sure they are eating their vegetables and then before you know it they are young adults with different opinions and ideas from you. I wonder..when did this happen? I am so thankful that Lauren and Blaine are both choosing to serve God..I realize that as much as I teach them about God they have to make the choice to accept him on their own. Lauren and I had a deep conversation the other day and I realized that sometimes as parents we try to force our kids to be little mini me's or replicas of ourselves. I don't want that...I want my children to be themselves. With that in mind in means allowing them to make important choices and decisions on their own. It sounds so easy but it's not! What it comes down to is trusting God with their lives. I thank God every day for the amazing children God has given me and I look forward to watching them each become the unique individual God has created them to be!

Summer fun with six children!

I can't believe it's August already! As much as I'm looking forward to getting back to a routine I'm also not looking forward to the end of summer. Chris will be taking a week vacation in a couple of weeks and I'm really looking forward to enjoying some summer activities with the family!

Lauren, Blaine and Owen finished up swim team this past weekend and did great. Chris and I were so proud of them. This was their first year swimming on a competitive team and I wasn't quite sure how they would do. They did quite well for their first year. Lauren is interested in joining a year round swim team.



Chris and I have been helping with the Children's ministry at Metro for the summer which has kept us quite busy Sunday mornings. Chris has been having loads of fun; he is so great with children! Lauren and I have been teaching the 4-5year olds which has been quite a challenge but fun at the same time. I have to admit that I am looking forward to the end of summer as it's been hard to help out and take care of Eden at the same time. We plan to stay involved in some capacity..I'm just not sure what that is going to look like just yet.

Raising teenagers, school aged children and a baby has been a new and interesting adventure for me. I plan to blog about that soon. Right now it's back to laundry...