Whisperings of Autumn~

The cottonwood leaves are already beginning their Autumn descent ... this crunching of leaves underfoot is a sobering reminder of how quickly the seasons change and that 2015 is on it's way to 2016 ...

Change:
verb. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of something, different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.

It is guaranteed. Good changes, not-so-good changes. Happy changes, sad changes.
When I was a little girl, I strongly disliked change. sometimes, I would be so shaken by it {or even the thought of it}, I would just cry. but then, I would end-up being fine with whatever it was that had changed - I guess the tears were my way of processing things. ;P

In this ever-changing scene of life, I am so comforted by the truth that I am a daughter of The Unchanging God - He is sure, steadfast, and faithful.

Here are some 2014/2015 changes that I am so grateful for~

 ANDREW & EMMA ARE ENGAGED!

These kids are growing up fast and, man, they say the funniest things. ;)

EVIN 

almost 4

 SCOTTY

almost 2

 TIM & EVY HAD THEIR THIRD CHILD IN JUNE!!

~RANSOM ALAN PORTER~

My little bro went to Southeast Asia at the end of May and came home at the end of June.

 ERIK AND HEIDI

LIV & JORDAN HAD THEIR FIRST CHILD IN DECEMBER '14!!

~LAURA EILEEN WEBSTER~

[pc: evangeline renee]

LAURA EILEEN:
~our smiley baby-girl~

Here I stand, so, so richly blessed beyond measure ... and the changes that lie ahead?... I want to be eager to embrace them with the mind and heart of Christ, as He leads me into them.

Fondly,

Phia

::My Sisters and I::

::My Sisters and I::

Part One

An Introduction

It's incredible that I'm actually writing this out ... I've toyed with the idea for the better part of this year; but up to this point, it hadn't gone beyond the Realm of Good Intentions. ;) So, YAY, I'm finally doing it! 

Also, I have no idea how many posts this will end up being; however, for the sake of saving your eyesight, I have decided to break it up. :) It'll come in two different series; the first will be about my sisters and the second regarding my brothers. 

[Okie-doke, here's some introduction to the introduction. ;) 

For those of you who don't know my family, there are eight of us. My parents met while working for a ministry and five years later they were married. Dad continued to work for the ministry, and for the first 11 years of their marriage they lived in a town about five minutes away. For the past 13 1/2 years we've lived on campus as a family and have really loved it! 

I have five siblings; three sisters and two brothers. Evangeline (Evy, 23) is the oldest; Olivia (22) is second; Andrew (20) is third; I'm fourth (Sophia, 19); Erik (17) is fifth; and Heidi (13) is our baby. :)

All of us siblings are very close, and I consider each one of them my best friends. <3]

Now, on to the main introduction. ;)
So, basically I'm typing this out for those of you who have experienced or who are going to experience the beginning-relationship-phase/engagement-phase/marriage-phase and parenthood-phase of a sibling (be it sister or brother.) Because, while, for the most part, these phases are a large majority of smiles, roses, fun and chocolates (Reese's pieces for those of us who are allergic to chocolate ;), there will come points when toes will get {accidentally} stepped on, feelings will be {unintentionally}ignored and our relationships will have the potential to be strengthened or weakened. God has taught me so much through several of my siblings relationships (refer to previously mentioned phases), and He put it on my heart to share some of those lessons. It's my desire and prayer that you will be blessed and edified!

And thus begins the blog series of ...

::My Siblings and I::

I am tremendously excited to share with y'all and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do {also, we can hope that having stated my goal to have this as a series, my blogging frequency will recover ;}!

Cheerio!

Phia

P.S. As a note, if there is anything you would like to add or share about the topic of the posts, please feel welcome to share in a comment - I feel like it would be good and beneficial for this to be an interactive discussion, instead of just a monologue from yours truly! ;P I would love to hear thoughts from you and things that God has taught you through your family's and friend's relationships. :]

{This post needed a picture ... so here's a Merry Christmas of cuteness!}

Recent-ish

Well, since the last time I posted, the Fred's have welcomed a new member into the family!! 

He's a jolly wee addition, that's for sure. We haven't known him for very long and he has already made a hugely favorable impression on all of us! I do believe we'll keep him. ;) 

Scottlan James Porter was born, August 14th, to Tim, Evy and Big Brother Evin!! :D

       {photo credit: Evangeline Renee}

He's already a month old...! Fortunately for them, his dad and mum understand the necessity of appeasing Northern Relations; and, thus, he spent a whole glorious 19 days with us and will soon be making another appearance! ;)

Here are some stored memories from their visit~

Evin has certainly not lost much of his spotlight. ;) He continues to bring us smiles and help us all build character with his delightful two year old antics! 

I now have an " initial buddy"! No longer the only 'S'. :) He is such the perfect little bundle to hold and cuddle with! <3

          We love our Scotty-boy!! <3

Cheerio!

Phia

Frogs are mean't to be eaten, dontcha know!

At least, that's the only thought my [at the time] 9mo. old nephew had. ;)


Hoi...it's already been an entire week and one day of the August-month, and I haven't posted these pictures from May! =O
Dreadful.

Evin met Grant!

And they were Friends. =]

The Aunts of Evin and Grant, respectively, were Friends too! ;)
Ovela ouya, Aitlinca. <3

Before we were scattered across the country =']

Such a Pleasant Day <3

Schelle had a Completion of her 19th Year! =D
Birt{h}day Happy, dear. <3 

We happened upon a Happy Friend of ours! =D
I love random friend findings. ;)

Enjoying Being Together, before Apart came between.
Sa'ah, you're desperately missed. <3

Heidi and I have been enjoying a most delicious stay, with the Porter's Jr., for this past week. =D
The Fluffy Boy celebrates a very important event this Saturday!
And time is going all too swiftly. =P

Be encouraged, and keep fighting the Good Fight, my friends!

Pip-pip,
Phia

Happiness Evoking

~Thoughtful Spots~

[bridges where one can play Pooh Sticks with a friend]

~Enchanting Countryside~

{donning wings on a whim...}

~Pic-a-nic-ing with Kindred Spirits~

[at long last being able to tie one's hair into a braid...and wearing mustard]

~Wols~

{they come in numerous shapes and sizes, colors and styles}

~Organizing/decorating/delving into one's creativity~

[going on many adventures with dear ones]

~Nephews ... be they friends' or mine own~

Guess who's teething?!

~Coffee - the healthful kind~

{comfy oatmeal smoothies that create smiles}

~All things British~

There is so much to be grateful for ... from the delight of still drinking tea in this country (and not having to toss it all into the briny blue ;), to the marvelously intricate wonder of a new little life.
Those pictured above, are merely a handful of people/things/places/occurrences that have brought smiles to my face, the past couple of months - and just to think of all the things that I wasn't able to capture on Lawrence!
I cannot entirely fathom His goodness, His grace, His love.
And I can't define it, according to a Websters' Dict., for you; however, the fact is that I know it's real.
I have chosen it.
Felt it.
Experienced it.
O Lord, You alone, are worthy to be praised!

I'd love to hear what happiness evokings have been in your life recently. =)

Pip-pip,
Phia,

Post Script - I should like to share with you that dreams do come true. If you've read 'A Wee Bit About Phia', you'll have seen the bit about her desire to climb mountains at some point in her life. Well, next week, the Freds will embark upon their Family Holiday to ... Colorado!
You know what that means (but in the event that you do not, I shall enlighten) - mountains. <3 
Of course it shan't be climbing climbing; but, hiking climbing is highly satisfactory. =)
The point being, I'm not entirely sure if I'll have access to the ole' high speed, eh what.
So, if there is no post, that is the reason. =}