Cadi...

Cadi...

In case you were wondering...

No matter how old you get...

This is how I still see you!

Love, Mom

Art...

Miranda's self portrait from awhile back...

I totally see it!

Art...

Sisters...

Sisters

Sisters

There were never such devoted sisters

Never had to have a chaperone "No, sir"

I'm there to keep my eye on her

Caring

Sharing

Every little thing that we are wearing

When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome

She wore the dress and I stayed home

All kinds of weather

We stick together

The same in the rain or sun

Two diff'rent faces

But in tight places

We think and we act as one

Those who've

Seen us

Know that not a thing could come between us

Many men have tried to split us up but no one can

Lord help the mister

Who comes between me and my sister

And Lord help the sister

Who comes between me and my man

This song is from one of my favorite movies of all times!

White Christmas

I love the whole movie. 

I love the relationship that the sisters have with each other. 

I don't have any sisters, so when I was growing up, this movie showed me what that relationship could be.

I may not have any sisters... but I do have daughters!

7 daughters...

1,2,3,4,5,6,7.......

So, they do know what it is like to have sisters.

What I have learned, is that this is such a special relationship.

I missed out!

They hang out together all of the time.

They play, talk, sing and whisper together.

They love each other!

Genuinely.

Wholeheartedly.

They've got each others backs!

They love and fight with equal intensity.

Don't you dare try to hurt one of the sisters...

They will not stand for that!

You will earn an enemy for life if you break a heart.

Sisters...

We tell our kids all of the time...

We won't always be here.

When we are gone...

You will always have your siblings to lean on.

Sadly, husbands may go...

but your sisters (and brother) will always be there.

You are so lucky!

Reading...

We do a lot of this in our house.

Reading, reading, reading...

Does she know all the words?  No.  However, she can pick out some of the words and she can quote all of the poems in this book.

I'd say that is pretty good for a 3 year old!

Princess...

Always a princess......

Just ignore the holes in the knees!

Awwwwwww... Joy!

Isn't it exciting to check the mail?!

I mean sometimes you get something that is totally unexpected... expected... I mean unbelievable, extraordinary, knew it was coming but still can't believe it... trying to wrap my brain around the fact that they aren't still 12.....

Get it?

I don't know if other parents feel this.

I don't know if I will feel this with all of my children's choices for a spouse.

I don't know if it will become old hat by the time we get to the end of the line of children...

But for now...

In this very moment...

I am so happy for them.

I am so excited for them.

I am so proud of them.

I am so proud of their choices.

I'm... bubbly............ Can you tell?

I mean...

First of all, there is this girl that I obviously think hung the moon.  I mean she is beautiful and smart and talented and A young woman after God's heart (which just pleases me beyond words).  I mean she did pop forth from my own body over 2 decades ago...

Second, there is this young man that I have known since he was just a wee lad ( Although this kid is big.  I don't know if wee lad ever really was a good description for him.)  He was always my fave.  You know, we sometimes look around at other people's children and wonder why God even gave them children... but not this young man.  Years ago, I remember thinking that if God ever blessed me with a son ( and that is saying something... because we know how to make girls... the boy thing came much later)  I wanted that son to be just like this very young man... (Okay, Galen... don't go getting a big head... I am sure you will do something to make me change my mind about that for a minute or two...) 

Now look at the picture again...

Awwwwwwww....

Joy!


p.s.  Is that enough run on sentences for ya?

“I've learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.”

20,000??????...

What's up with all of these pictures of  "the boy"?

When we finally got the computer up and running again we had over 20,000 photos to edit.

Yes!

You did read that number right!

20,000!

So, now we are editing and I am posting as I come to them.  I don't have a ton of time due to family...

You know, two little babies, 8 other kids a husband and yes... a life.  LOL

To show you what the boys life consists of...

capes

costumes

trampoline

superheroes

His new new to him favorite thing to watch...

Reruns of the old show  Greatest American Hero.

Does anyone remember that crazy show? 

What We're Up To... and Some Bad News...

What have we been up to lately?  Well...  Alot of enjoying the sunshine. And then the rains came this morning.... but I will try to ignore that... and the bit of white stuff that is falling out there right now.  The kids have really enjoyed running off their energy outside... and so has Momma.  The winter has been long and cold.... and snowy.  You can only spend so much time cooped up inside before you start to go stir crazy.  I think the weatherman has forgotten that this is supposed to be spring.  Maybe he forgot to turn the page on his calendar.

We got some bad news yesterday.

The state will be sending the babies to their grandmother sometime in the next 2 weeks.  We will officially be finished with foster care.  We have been mom and dad to so many kids over the years... and we have loved it.  However, along with the budget issues the state is facing, they are starting to put so many kids in very risky situations.  We don't want to be a part of that anymore.  I can't love them to pieces and then see them give these innocent little beings to people who allow child molesters in their homes, drugs, etc and the kids have to go there because a fluke of nature says they share the same blood.

Our court date yesterday was a complete joke.  The father of these babies was treated like he wasn't even part of the equation.  The judge didn't want to hear anything he or his attorney had to say.  He is denying him his right to have visitation with his children by placing them out of state.  Technically this isn't even legal.  However, he knows this father has no finacial recourse.  So that is that.

We cried.  We will cry again.  Mark and I discussed that this was such a huge test of our faith.  We had placed these babies in the Lord's hands and know that he has not only our families best interest at heart, but these babies as well.  I know that he will take care of all of us.  That doesn't take away the pain of having to hand them over, though.  They are so bonded to us.  The woman they are going to doesn't know anything about them and didn't care enough to even call us to find out anything about them.  That is so sad.

Please pray for our family as we go through these normal emotions.

Just to Prove...

Just to prove that my amazing husband was able to fix the computer, I re-posted this photo... because not only could I not post them... I couldn't even get to them or edit them or... well, you get it.

I'm sorry it took so long, but a yuckiness hit the house.

Yuckiness = major allergies and sickness

Today, people are feeling better and so...

Isn't she cute?!

I have a pretty busy day, but I will try to edit some of the photos of the past week and get you something new to look at!

Have a great day everyone!

Sorry... So Sorry....

Yes, the computer has been down for quite a bit.  I know!  When I called the husband at work this morning... to complain gently encourage him to fix it, he assured me that he will have it running properly today soon.

I can't live my life without showing you photos...

It is driving me crazy... and therefore, driving him crazy.

I really am sorry about this...

But, never fear.  My husband is a genious.  He will have this computer uploading photos... soon.

Just a Number...

My in-laws are travellers.

They love to explore new places.

I admire that about them because I haven't found that part of myself.  I am such a home body.

This year (among many other trips) they made their second journey to Israel.

Now, my father-in-law is the "youngest" dude I know!  Upon meeting him, you would never be able to guess that this man is turning 80 next month!  He still hits the slopes to go skiing almost weekly in the winter.  He water skis.  He works out regularly.  He makes me feel tired  apspire to get up off of my butt and get moving....

Not to mention...

My kids couldn't ask for a better Bampa!

I received these pictures this morning of this wonderful man riding a donkey in Israel a couple of weeks ago.

He reminds me that age is just a number...

You go, Bampa!

You Rock!

(He makes me feel a little silly about my getting old post a few days ago...)

Wedding Plans...

I just talked to Cadi and she is really excited to head to Grandma's today.

Wedding plans are afoot!

Wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses...

Oh, Grandma...

I am so thankful for you!

Cakes, decorations and all of the things I can't even imagine...

Aunt Debbie...

You rock!

For My Ladies...

The challenge...

Planning a wedding by phone.

Our oldest daughter lives about 8 hours away from us.

( Galen, I blame you.)

We miss her like crazy.

As you know, she is getting married this summer.

I never knew how difficult it would be to plan a wedding by phone.

I am learning that sometimes my job is to be an encourager... disagreement settler... idea person... etc.

We email, text, call... You name it.

One of the most interesting parts of this process has been truly hearing what my child needs and then figuring out how to meet that need.

Recently, she was very stressed about some of the decisions she needed to make and couldn't seem to make.  She felt like she didn't have a female around who could really help her with all of this "stuff".

She called me up and we talked and I pulled and prodded until I had all of the necessary information.

Then, I did what I needed to to.

Support my daughter...

Even if that meant handing off some of these important moments to someone else.

Grandma was contacted.

Aunt Debbie was contacted.

JaNae was contacted.

They all jumped at the chance to be surrogate mama.

I will tell you that it hasn't been easy for me to back off and let others do what I would do if my daughter was living closer...

But, I will tell you that it feels so good to know that she is in great hands!

Sometimes we all need reminding that our children are loved by so many wonderful people.

Sometimes we need reminding that we are loved by those people as well.

I don't know what I would do without family.

We would get it done somehow...

but not in this worry free way.

So...

This post is really for my 3 ladies...

Thank you soooooo much!

I am getting teary sitting here typing this.

I love you guys...

You don't know how much it touches me that you have stepped in and loved my girl like this.

I know, I know...

You love her too...

But, I'm just saying.....................

Thank You.

10 year old Girls...

Mom, look!

This egg has a mouth!

Oh the things that excite 10 year old girls...

This to This...

16 year old girls are ever changing.

Their hair.

Their makeup.

Their bedroom furniture...

Their moods!

In the blink of an eye, you can go from this to...

This...

It's a portrait of a 16 year old girl...

and it's beautiful!

love is simple...

Is there anything better than the love of your family? 

Especially siblings?

As a parent, I can tell you that the way my kids love each other is amazing. 

I was blessed with a great brother who still loves me despite all of my craziness...

We still talk several times a week.

I am sure that my mother felt the same way that I do when she saw us together.

It makes me so happy to not only see the little ones enjoying each others company, but the big ones love to hang out with the little guys.  They are generally good examples to the smaller kids and love being involved in their lives.

People are the ones who make love seem so complicated.

The reality is that love is very simple and very beautiful.

Awwwww....

Sydnee did the coolest thing for her big sister!

She made her a scarf for Easter!

Awwwwwww....

Unfortunately, the post office told us that it would be there the friday before Easter and it didn't get there until the tuesday after!

It didn't matter, though!

Cadi loved it!

Getting Old...

People!

I am getting old!!!

I was looking at the photos that sweet hubby took on Easter and YIKES!

Wrinkles!!!!!!

And lots of them...

And... is it... Yes, it is... the roots are not only showing, but the grey hair is showing!!!!!

DOUBLE YIKES!!!!!!!

I do not like this Sam I Am!

My son said I look mad in this photo...

And if I had known all of the wrinkles and grey hair stuff was there, I would have been mad!

Crows feet!

Laugh lines (at least I laugh enough to get those)!

Funny wrinkly old lady neck!

Holy Moly, Batman!

sniff sniff sniff

I am getting old...

(It is a good thing that when I showed this to sweet hubby, he told me I am beautiful and not old and he loves me and...  Yeah, it is a good thing that boy has been with me for so long... or I might not believe him.)

LOL...

Easter 2010...

Just some quick shots of our Easter preperations...

We (and by we I mean my sweet hubby and the kids) dyed eggs.  I have never been a fan of egg dyeing and am so glad that the hubby enjoys it... now don't get me wrong... I have done my share, but I would rather take pictures of the process... Besides, someone had to take care of the babies.

Miranda and I were on baby watch during the egg coloring.

They colored 5 dozen eggs.

Ouch!

I think I just heard an audible gasp from you!

No, really people...

Not only is it easier to just give them a dozen or so to color... but these kids love eggs!  They will be in egg heaven for a few days!

Yes, in our kitchen is a teeny tiny table that the littles eat their lunch at... and it serves as an extra meal prep place.  This seems to be the best place for egg coloring.

I love how excited the little ones are this year!

 

They seem to think the whole thing is fantastic!

They are amazed at each egg they pull out.

They can't wait to see what cool new thing they can create.

What great imaginations!


And then....

EASTER 2010!!!!!!!!

There are eggs out there!

Get 'em...

This boy understood how things worked this year and made the most of it!

Cheyenne came over and brought "the boyfriend" as we call him.  They were a great help when it came time to hide the eggs.

The best part of the day (besides the whole resurrection thing) was spending time with my loves...

Cadi and Galen...
You missed out!
And we missed you!

ICK...

Guess what I woke up to this morning...

8 inches of snow!

Ick...

Father's Hands...

A father's hands...

Grandma Remedies...

Getting Big...

It's all relative, I guess...

They are up to 8.6 pounds... but that is doubling their weight... so they seem big!

Baby N is rolling over (occasionally).  They are starting to "chat" with me.

They smile when they see me... which I love!

They went through a horrible diaper rash.. that I could not get rid of.  I was changing them constantly and still it wouldn't go away.  I was using the most powerful over the counter stuff you can get... I went to the doctor and he prescribed some stronger stuff that you can only get for really bad rashes... NOPE! 

So...

I went back to the old tried and true method of my grandmothers...

cornstarch!

Yes, people this stuff works miracles.  They are now completely well.  No more open wounds in the nether regions...

They don't scream horrible nightmarish sounds when you change their diaper.

Thank God for the tried and true grandma remedies!

Easter...

What a great day!

God is soooooo good!

We had an amazing service at church today... worship was great.... sermon great... fellowship was great!

We came home and feasted on some candy... searched for easter eggs and feasted on more candy!   Chocolate overload!  Big time!

Now there is a wii tournament, puzzle, games, computer games, food cooking, babies sleeping, smiles, joy, family togetherness...

How does life get better than this?

I don't think it does...

P.S.  The most amazing hubby in the world will hopefully finish up the computer fixes tonight so I will be able to post some pictures of our egg hunt!  He Rocks!

Oh Yeah, Grandma Carol... Thank you for making sure we had plenty of sugar in our tummies... yummy!

We love you!

Posting...

I will be posting... something... after my sweet hubby gets the new hard drive installed...

Yes!

More computer problems...