Get it Done...

I can be...a lot... one of those people who sees a job that needs doing and just wants to jump in and get it done.

No help, thank you very much.

I know that it gets done "right" when I do it myself.

That is so much uglier in print than when I just say it in my head!

I have been making a conscience effort to slow down and notice all of the ways my little ones like to help.  They may not do every job the way I would do it... and, Yes... it may take a little or a lot of extra time when they help... but the memories and lessons learned are worth it, right?

My kids love to help in the kitchen.  One of their favorite things to do is grating cheese.  Why?  I don't know... I really don't enjoy the job myself.  When they help, everyone thanks them for dinner when we eat.  The smiles on their faces are such a treasure.

It doesn't really take much extra time for them to do this job.

Look at how he is concentrating...

They not only get to spend time with me, but they learn how to be a part of the team that makes this household function.

Now, if I could just get someone to clean the bathrooms the way I like...

All the Difference...

A lot of people I come into contact with think we are crazy to have made the choice to have so many children. They give me countless reasons why this is a horrible choice. They talk about money, vacations, cars, love divided, and self.

We didn't originally set out to parent in large numbers, although it was always a dream of mine. Instead of seeing how we could have a boat, new car, fancy vacations, etc... I see the beautiful faces of my wonderful children. My blessings... as God calls them.

Long ago, I stopped worrying about whether or not others agreed with our choice. We took a different path than most, I agree. But, for us, following what God has called us (my family) to do is the only real choice. Through the sacrifice (and we don't really see it as a sacrifice, that is what others call it) and noise and yes, broken bones and scrapes... We are so full of joy... so full of LOVE.

We took a different path... but I wouldn't change a thing!

The Road Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth

Then took the other as just as fair

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet, knowing how way leads onto way

I doubted if I should ever come back

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence

Two roads diverged in a wood

And I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the difference

*Robert Frost*

What I do like...What I don't like...

Do you know what I love about Christmas?

Family!!!!

Do you know what I do not like about Christmas (or any other day for that matter)?

That we can't spend every single day with all of our family!!!

The top picture is of sweet new Mama Shannon and her most handsome young man Clayton.

The bottom picture is just Clayton...

But isn't he enough?!

I wish I could smother the little man in kisses...

and I would save a couple for his wonderful mama and his wonderful aunt.

Within it all...

Sometimes, when I take the time to slow down from the everyday household needs, I am amazed at the lovely human beings that we are raising.

I look at how they are becoming compassionate, loving, helpful young people.

They have so much to offer this world. What more can a parent really ask for?

We are so blessed to have so much love in this house.

I am so blessed to have been given this wonderful oportunity to be a mother.

I would have missed out on so much otherwise.


All of the laughs, jokes, fights, teasing, playtime, sad times, love, joy...

I mean, I could go on forever.

If you are a parent you know what I mean.

You really can't remember what it was like before these amazing blessings entered your life.


These days, we are working as a whole at not raising our voices to yell.

We are, naturally, a loud bunch.

You have to be in a large family.

One thing that I never want, however, is to be a yelling bunch.

That is the easy road.

I don't want the easy road.

I want the right and loving road.

I want my children to look back and remember that their parents were loving, caring people who took the time to show them the right way to treat each other... not just tell them.

I want to know that their personalities can shine,

Their imagination can create,

and while this happens they know they can always come to us and find people who will treat them fairly and with compassion.

And within it all there is Love.