I Fear...

that all of these pictures taken a week or so ago are giving you a false idea of our weather...

We had a couple of semi warm days...
in which the kids dressed in the summery clothes...
because they are sick of their cold weather clothes...

But the reality is that it snowed 2 days ago...
just a little... but it was snow...
and the temperature today is going to have to fight whole heartedly to make it out of the 40's...

This has been the longest wait for warm weather that I can remember!

Sydnee...

A Barefoot Beauty...

Coming Back For More...

You may not be able to tell from the poorly taken picture...

But these two are fighting to the death...

Raider shakes you back and forth until you think your arms and brain may have permanent damage.

In the end...

He sometimes lets you win.

...and even if he doesn't...

He will give you a big sloppy kiss to keep you coming back for more.

Lily

The warmer days bring out the energy...

Non stop...

Go, go go...

Stay active...

Keep moving...

One more girl has discovered the pole around here...

You'd think frisbee throwing would come naturally to us...

I think maybe this skill kicks in later.

The Great Outdoors...

Nate isn't used to the great outdoors...

Around this house...

He will get used to it.

He may even... eventually... let his knees touch the grass!

The Pits...

I laughed so hard today.

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time.

My 10 year old daughter asked, "Mom, what does bloody L mean on Harry Potter?".......

I kind of ignored the question the first time because lots of kids were asking questions and standing around trying to get their breakfast...

So, like any good kid in a big family...

She asked again..

"Mom, What does bloody L mean on Harry Potter?"

I said, "It means bloody hell."  

and then proceeded to break down and laugh myself silly when I looked at all the kids faces........

Then my lovely 16 year old decided to jump in on the fun and said, "That's a lie from the pits of L!"

I may never stop laughing!

I Won't Mention...

What does summer look like at our house?

Tons of these...

all over the back yard!

Yes, I know it isn't summer... Yet...

But, we have actually had a tiny bit of a warm up the last few days...

I won't mention the snowflakes I saw in the forecast for this weekend, though...

Absolutely Exhausted...

The newest adventure seems to be tree climbing.

I know, I know...

Broken legs, arms, etc...

And with this bunch...

We just might end up with one of those.

However, I am one of those crazy moms who believes you have to let kids... be... kids.

No television, video game obsessed kids around here.

Use your imagination.

Build a fort, get dirty (it washes off!), run fast and hard, climb, jump, swing, play, play, play...

and then come to bed at night absolutely exhausted!

It Can Be a Wonder...

Sometimes it's easy to see all of the ugliness around us.

We can become focused on the small things that can get in the way of seeing the beauty that is there...

if we just take the time to look...

I almost walked right past this flower...

It was laying on the old, dirty bar-b-que...

It looked lost and half dead...

I stopped for a second and took a quick photo...

And never even saw the beauty...

until I looked at the photo afterward.

People are like that sometimes...

lost, alone, half dead (on the inside or the outside).

If you just stop...

and take a second look...

from a different perspective...

You may find the beauty that you didn't know existed before.

Try it.

It can be a wonder.

The Roof...

My husband is currently sitting on the roof... pulling the remaining nails out of the contraption.

He has been up there since we walked in the door after church.

Luckilly, some friends from church stopped by and helped toss the last shingles off of the roof.

My hubby is tired and dirty...

but he loves it!

And I love him!

Only You...

Race for a Cure...

Today we are going to celebrate with a friend as she crosses the finish line of the Ogden Half Marathon.  She is racing for a cure for cancer.

I would encourage any of you who have been touched by cancer... and who of us hasn't really... to find a way to participate in these events.  If nothing else, go stand at the finish line and cheer on those who race.

Simple Rule...

We have a simple rule in this house.

Don't jump over the gate.

There is a reason it is put up... we don't want you to go somewhere else...

Boys can be sneaky...

... and sisters can be sneakier!

Boys...

Boys...

Boys encouraging spring to come...

Mom Approves!

Knockout...

Fear

That is a word that resonates in the heart of anyone with a daughter.

I have 7 daughters.

I know I am just a mother talking about her offspring...

but they are beautiful.

I have watched two of them wander through their teenage years... while I spent copious amounts of time on my knees.

Now, my 3rd daughter is there.  She doesn't seem to struggle with the same issues that the first two did, but she is a teenager all the same.

I continue to spend copious amounts of time on my knees.

This picture is of my 3 Year Old Daughter...

...on a bad hair day (actually we just hadn't fixed her hair yet)

This makes me VERY afraid.

She is a knockout!

Excuse me... I need to go spend some time on my knees..................

Our Newest Little Guy...

Nate

For the Night...

My arms feel empty.

My heart is hurting.

My faith is strong.

God is in control.

Weeping may last through the night,

but joy comes with the morning.

Psalms 30:5

Kids Day...

We recently celebrated kids day at our church.

Some of the kids participated in worship.  My two sweeties are front and center...

Look at Syd... always the showman!

Have You Ever Had A Day...

Did you ever have one of those days...

You know the ones...

When it seems like everything is going wrong.  You have tons of things to do, but it doesn't seem like you can finish anything? 

When you want to pick up a baby and cuddle them... but you keep reminding yourself that in just a few days they won't be in your arms anymore...  They belong to someone else...

... and the more you have these thoughts going around in your head, the more you want them out... and before you know it you are taking it out on the ones you love the most in the whole world.  They understand that you are struggling with grief... but that still doesn't make it right.  And then you start to pile the guilt on top of the grief...

Have you ever been in the midst of one of those days...

When someone who lives far away (but loves you just the same) thought about you...

and took the time to pray for you...

and more importantly...

took the time to listen...

took the time to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit...

... and just when you thought your day was heading into the gutter...

Your husband brings the mail in and hands you a card...

And it ends up being exactly what you needed...

... Have you ever had a day when you are reminded that God loves you right where you're at...

...and he knows exactly what you are going through...

... and in the midst of this day, He uses someone special to remind you that you will be okay...

And you believe it!

Picture To Prove It...

In case I forget that "the boyfriend" actually did attend church with grown daughter #2...

I have the picture to prove it!

Bread and Butter Pickles...

Some wonderful friends gave us a ton of cucumbers recently.

What did we do with them?

Made them into bread and butter pickles, of course.

We were finally able to test them the other night.

Oh, my!

They were heavenly!

Of course... I am a fan of bread and butter pickles.

Copycat...

This boy has become a copycat.

Every single thing his daddy does is copied.

The way daddy stands...

The way daddy talks...

The way daddy sits...

Everything...


I will try to post all week..... but please remember this is an emotional one for us... the babies will be leaving very early (thankfully it will be early in the day) on saturday the 8th.  We are sad... but we know that God is taking us through a process for... we don't yet know what.  We do have some news though.  However, I will wait to share it with you until the boys have gone.  Thanks for understanding.

Today...

Today is May Day.

But, more importantly...

Today would have been my grandmother's 86th birthday.

This woman taught me so many things.  Some of which include... baking, cooking, putting family first... but she really taught me how to make the hard choices.  She taught me how to give a task everything you've got and then a little more.  This lady was one of the hardest workers I have ever known.  She taught me how to smile even when faced with what seem like insurrmountable trials.  This woman taught me how important it is to slow down and enjoy what is right in front of you.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

We miss you!

This is a photo of my grandmother holding Miranda... 16 years ago!

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...