This Commercial Makes Me Laugh

We did face time calls to home while we were gone on our house hunting trip. After I got home Babe told me he was really glad I was back;-) He had fun with the kids but there is A LOT going on here and we need each other to balance it all out. We make a good team!!

This commercial is for Valspar Reserve Commercial -- Video Call. SOOOOO FUNNY!!!

Our Girls Business Trip

 Me with two of my beautiful girls.

A and B got to go with me on this house hunting trip!

Last week A, B, and I flew to the east coast to do our house hunting trip. It seems to be tradition now for A and I to do the house hunting. She and I were the ones that flew to CO to find the home we live in now. I decided to take B too this time because she can be demanding at times and Daddy had enough on his plate as it was!:-)

When we got there it was A LOT warmer than what we are used to. The air was thick and wet which was a big difference from the thin and very dry mountain air we are used to. I found I really enjoyed being warm though! B wasn't sure at first what she thought about the temperature but by the end of our stay she seemed more used to it. Unfortunately our stroller handle was snapped in half during the plane flight so we got that reported and thankfully it was still functional and we finally got to drive away in our rental car. The car we drove was really neat. It was sooooo different than driving a 15 passenger van although I LOVE driving that with our whole family! The car we rented was a fun car to drive! When we drove out of the airport A and I were truly in AWE of all the green trees!!! LOTS and LOTS of green trees!!! I knew my hubby would be thrilled. He loves GREEN surrounding him to view. 

Long story shorter God just reached down and helped in this trip. Houses just kept falling by the wayside and I was beginning to wonder if we would find what we were looking for. As always He worked it all out for good and we found a house we truly believe we are going to enjoy. We had really wanted a home either on the water or with a pool but every time it would fall through and Babe pointed out maybe God didn't want that for us for safety reasons. The house we ended up with has a housing group pool that is very close to the house. As "A" said "God gave us what we wanted in a safe way." Sooo true . . . we have a pool without the concern of the smaller kids and we don't have the maintenance costs of a pool!!

After we found the home we were in a rush to get the application in before the rental company closed. We were running around and went to the bank to get cashier checks, etc. We just barely made it to turn the application in but we did it!!! We drove A LOT on this trip. When we finally got it accomplished Daddy encouraged us to go to a Cheesecake Factory!!! Nice guy!! So we went downtown to celebrate our accomplishment of finding a house!! I was not expecting the gluten free food to be good but it is the BEST I have ever had!!!!! "A" really enjoyed her meal too. Then we had to have dessert! Ohh, yum, yum. I had really started changing my eating lately but on the trip I only did gluten free due to my celiacs but didn't worry so much about my diet at home. "A" was so happy to have me eating more regular food with her. She said it was nice to eat and me eating with her. The kids miss mommy partaking of the food they eat. She and I ate chips and cheese at night too. Good times.

Funny story . . . in Cheesecake Factory I was on my way to the bathroom and I saw a lady that I just knew that I knew but I just couldn't place her. I knew that if I didn't say anything to her I would regret it wondering who she was. So I walked up to her and admitted this was awkward but I really thought I knew her. She gave her name, etc. nothing clicked and I was starting to feel foolish then she said she was on a TV Show and I thought OHHHHH that is how I know her!!! OOPS!! On the show which I think is on the History Channel or something they call her Dr. Lori. She was extremely kind and fun to talk too! I found out when she gave me her card she is an award winning TV personality and a nationally syndicated writer!!! Made for a fun evening and story!!

On Sunday before we needed to make it to the airport we went to a local church for worship and heard a great message!! It was fun to get back that evening with the whole family. Even though the girls and I had a GREAT time together it was good to be a whole family again.

A with her very special doll Kaya. Kaya goes many of the places A goes! This was Kaya's first plane flight too.

Beautiful cloud we saw!

 Big brother G REALLY wanted us to make sure we video taped B's first time taking off in a plane. She did great on both plane flights! She was a happy and a good baby!!

"A", "B"(in stroller which you can't see in pic), and Me ready to celebrate!

One of the things "A" really wanted to do is take an evening walk. She found these leaves and wanted her brothers to see them! One night she talked to brother "G" for 2 hours on the phone! Thankful for their relationship.

Mmmm, Mmmmm, Cheesecake!!!!!

A Ton Of Work!! Actually, 22 Tons Of Work To Be Exact!!

Ahh, the eager anticipation of the rocks with the dump truck!!

Little "J" wanted to be part of it all for a few minutes!

 We are in the process of selling our house right now in preparation for our move this summer. Actually, I am finally getting this entry done and our house is under contract which is a big answer to prayer. Anyway, our driveway was in real need of more gravel so a few weeks ago Babe showed some of the kiddos how to measure the driveway in preparation for gravel and then we went and picked out the gravel type. Days later we received 22 tons of gravel that was delivered in heaps and needed to be spread out.

No, we did not expect to use plastic rakes but everyone wanted a work tool at this point in the day! "R" and I went out and bought more metal working tools!!! Daddy told us to buy metal rakes and a shovel. When we were at the hardware store we saw little metal back scratchers (weird thing to sell at a hardware store but they were there!) and "R" and I thought it would be so funny to buy those and take them back to Daddy and say we got the metal rakes!!! But . . .  a wast of money so we had to get a kick out of our funny idea ourselves!!

We had a good time joking around and talking while working which was nice. It was a beautiful day for the job. It was cool and sunny-perfect.

The picture below is of the boys watching the dump truck deliver the last 8 tons of gravel.

Babe joked and asked if I was documenting him working by taking pictures of him. That is a big joke because he is a very hard worker!!

I've said that someday we'll say "remember that time we moved 22 tons of rocks?" and Ahh, Yes we WILL remember and we'll remember we did it together. Honestly, I love that. Thanks kids for being willing to help Daddy and Mommy.

The Fox And The Hound

 "G" shoveled alot that day and also wanted to help out some of the neighbors by

shoveling for them. He was a tired boy and ended up taking a nap that day

which is very rare for him!!!

 After Babe and I trampled down snow for the Fox and Hound track then 

"A" and some of the boys went over it again really packing down the snow.

"A" had a good technique on her hands and knees that worked great!

Mmm, Mmm, tasty fresh snow!

That's "A" for you!

When I was a kid my younger brother and I would play "Fox and Hound" when there was newly fallen snow. First, you make a crazy trail around the yard and pack it down really well so you can run on it. Then after you have a trail you play tag but you can only run on the path of the trail! Whoever gets tagged is next. SOOO FUN!! Babe and I were out there marching around the yard this morning on our track flattening the path for the kids. The neighbors may have thought we had lost our minds!!! This may be our last good play in the snow before we move so we need to have fun with it! In this video this was one of our "Fox and Hound" games from today.

Yes, this is really our weather mid-May! 

Born Into This World With A Friend

I noticed yesterday that while Baby B was laying on the floor that Baby C came up and gently put her head on Baby B's head like she was cuddling with her or trying to kiss her. Today Baby C came to Baby B again and put her head down on her head and then twice she kissed her!!!! NO DOUBT she was showing affection for her twin sister! I told the kids how cool I thought it was that her first kiss she gave is to her sister.

What I found so interesting about this is that out of all the people in the family that can show Baby C affection her twin sister B would be the least able to show affection to her because she really can't move on her own yet. So I find it very interesting that she tries to kiss and cuddle with her twin sister even though her twin can't cuddle her back it just goes to show there is a special bond there and I find to so amazingly beautiful to watch!! What a gift these girls have been given . . . born into this world with a friend!!

I love listening to them laugh at each other too. One will laugh and then the other will laugh back. It is adorable to watch!!

Mother's Day

Just the GIRLS for the pictures!!
The 3 oldest boys had to shovel a pathway to the house for us girls to get back inside from church since there was a snow storm!!!! We're thankful for them!!

It was a special day at church today. I was given a beautiful corsage, and a rose, AND BEAUTIFUL potted flowers!

The kids did the special music. The kids together sang "What Sins Are You Talking About." Annalina had been working with a family friend of ours (Mrs. W) on a special song she would sing to me at church on Mother's Day. She sang it BEAUTIFULLY and the words were absolutely WONDERFUL. I really wish I had it on video! What was absolutely adorable also was J went up next to his Sissy singing and and pretended to sing too! VERY CUTE!!

Here is what "A" sang as special music:

You're Something Special

When Jesus sent me to you, you loved me from the start.

I was just a bit of sunshine from heaven to your hearts.

Not just another baby 'cause since the world began

There's been something very special for me in His plan.

That's why He made me special, I'm the only one of my kind.

God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind.

He had a special purpose that He wanted me to find,

So He made me something special,

I'm the only on e of my kind.

I have a little sister whose not at all like me.

She can write a lovely poem, but I can climb a tree.

My brother too, is different with freckles on his nose.

When my questions need answers, he's the one who knows.

That's why He made me special, I'm the only one of my kind.

God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind.

He had a special purpose that He wanted me to find,

So He made me something special,

I'm the only on e of my kind.

My Daddy mows the back yard, my Mommy makes the bed.

My brother cleans his playroom, I see the dog gets fed.

And each one needs the other to help him through the day.

And love must be the reason God planned it that way.

That's why He made me special, I'm the only one of my kind.

God gave me a body and a bright healthy mind.

He had a special purpose that He wanted me to find,

So He made me something special,

I'm the only on e of my kind.

"R" was so excited that I was getting to hear the words and was saying that the words were "perfect"! I must say they really are!! What a blessings to sit and listen to my children minister through music on this Mother's Day and especially to hear Annalina sing that special song!

When I got home from church "A" gave me her gift. The picture below is me with my Mother's Day gift from "A". The footstool is a project she and her sewing teacher had been working on for me for this day! It is made out of tin cans inside then covered in padding and soft fabric and also tasseles that you can't see in the pictures because they are so dark. The stool is wonderful!! I love homemade gifts! My boys made me sweet cards which I adore also! My hubby made me one of my favorite meals, Taco Salad! Mmm, Mmmm! The avocados were super yummy!

I am extremely thankful for children the Lord has given Babe and I. We never imagined that we would have 7 beautiful children to love! Very much a Blessing!!

My Other Little Girl Is Growing Up Too!

Exciting Day! Baby B is minutes away from getting her SPICA cast off!

Day Brita came home from hospital with cast on.

Day cast comes off. Looks how much longer her legs are!

 A, R, and C decided they wanted to be in the room to watch. As C said he is good at calming her down. The kids were so sweet and were cheering her on and such a huge support to her. They have had lots of opportunity this year to learn to support family. 

Baby B is very sensitive to noise and so this was no fun with the buzz saw sounding cast taker offer!!! The technician that took off her cast is a super nice guy and so kind and fast!

 Yah! The spica is off! We want to be done with hip displasia! She had the cast on one day short of 7 weeks. "A" is wearing the cast like a crown! Now B does have to wear a splint for 20 hours a day for 3 more weeks and then she will go to wearing it nights and naps.

Bummer to still have the splint but we are making steps in the right direction!!

 The kids wanted to go out and celebrate and Babe and I agreed!

Macaroni Grill was unanimously agreed upon!

What a great thing God has done helping us through this!

The technician said he thought it was possibly the cleanest spica cast he had ever removed.

I had prayed and asked God to help me.

I will do another entry about our spica cast journey but for now I want to announce it is OFF!

I felt like I was having a kid graduating from kindergarten or something! 

This was a big step in her development!

Our ortho dr.'s office is great and people were so excited to see Baby B and how big she had gotten and excited we were done with the journey. These people know what it takes and can genuinely rejoice at the accomplishment.

The Dr. was so happy with how she was acting when it was all done. She was handling it well and even giving little smiles. When she got home big brother R put her on his chest and she loved that with every once in awhile putting her head down on him. So sweet! She loved hanging out with brother after an exhausting afternoon.

I have noticed she doesn't want her left leg bumped and is definitely favoring it but it will heal in time. I didn't know what the first night would be like after she got her cast off but thankfully she did well and it was WAY better than the first night after she got it on! Babe and I both just about keeled over from exhaustion the first night she had it on!

Here is what the kids and I read in devotions the morning of her cast removal:

Psalm 92:1

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

My Little Girl Is Growing Up

Baby C was getting up on her hands and knees long ago but then she would only crawl backward! I had never seen that before! But she has learned recently how to crawl forward and now she is ALL OVER the house!!! It is so exciting to she her progress in her development especially since she is a preemie and has been in the baby stage longer than usual. I think she is doing well since her adjusted age when she started crawling was around 7 months! I've had full term babies not crawl until after 7 months. It is a blessing to this Mommy's heart to watch her girls growing bigger and stronger and learning to move in their world.

Easter Sunday

Happy Egg Hunters

 Easter Sunday we spent the morning at our wonderful church celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour! There is no more meaningful days for Christians than Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday! Through Christ's death and resurrection is offered to us the gift of salvation and remission of our sins.

The saturday before Easter we went to a friends house for an egg hunt and the kids had a great time with that. Easter Sunday my brother, sister in law, and my nieces came over. We had a wonderful afternoon hanging out and doing another egg hunt outside. Every time I see my nieces they seem to have grown soooo much. They are both smart and sweet kiddos and we'll miss them when we move out of state!

The picture above is of Baby C with Uncle Q. Aunt T made the twins hair bow out of nylons which C is wearing in the picture! My sister in law is extremely creative and talented. She is always figuring out a new fun project!

 Eating candy after the Easter Egg Hunt.

My sister in law and I had a great time hiding the eggs around outside

and then helping the little kids find them.

This SOOOO Reminds Me Of "R" and "Big C"!!! Love it!

My 7 year old "R" is a BIG Peeps fan and loves to put them in the microwave and just gets all excited about them! My 5 year old
"Big C" is quieter and not so full of Peep ideas. This commercial VERY MUCH reminds me of my middle two boys!!! Crazy how close this is to life!!

Our Resident Mad Scientist

This picture was taken of "R" when he stayed for a few weeks at Grandma and Grandpa J's this spring while Grandma was helping out with school. He liked to wear Grandpa's hat which Grandpa ended up giving to him. He looks like an old fashioned newsboy! Here he had just gone out to get the mail for Grandma.

Lately, "R" has been our resident Mad Scientist. We found a very large glass pickle jar filled with water and it had been placed in the garage freezer. He wanted to see if it would indeed expand and break and it INDEED did!:-) We told him we liked his curiosity but that he needed to ask us first.

Second, he was taking awhile in the bathroom and when he left I walked in and saw he had taken all but maybe one clean washcloth out of the closet opened them up and stacked them and then placed them in the sink. He than put water in the soap dispenser and then put water on the many layers of washcloths to see how far down into the stack the water would reach. Nice. Again, curiosity good . . . asking would be better . . . cleaning up after he experiments would be really good.

Third, he came and told me today that his room was going to look like a fairy tale today. Why? Well, because he had taken what he called "phosphorus" which was really the liquid out of a light stick and smeared it on the poles of his bed hoping that at night it would glow away.

It's time for summer and outside activities. Gotta Love "R"!