To All a Good Night...

We do a nightly family devotion plus a nightly couples devotion.

The kids are usually downstairs at that point, doing...

well, you never know.

But this night...

We were in the middle of praying to end our devotion time when what to our wondering eyes would appear...
...but this tiny little man jumping on us with no fear!
Then, kisses and hugs were shared all around.

He was hoping that maybe a cookie or candy would be found.

Okay enough rhyming.

Isn't he hilarious, though?

I just love the way he is kissing me, but has one eye on the camera!

Awwww...

He wuvs his daddy too!

I guess in a house that is overflowing with estrogen, the boys have got to stick together!




Merry Christmas to all... and to all a goodnight!

ummmm...ouch!

Mark was cutting the dogs nails tonight and...

Yeah....

He may have gone a little short on a couple of them.

Has anyone done this before?

Poor guy is limping around tonight. (now that the bleeding has stopped)

Ooops!

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.

...and for tonight's entertainment...

Brysen will be singing (and whispering) "Jesus Loves Me"...

Please ignore the "gentle" laughing in the background.

***Either go down to the bottom of the page and turn off the music I have playing or wait for the song to end and then listen to the video.***

Homeschooling Science Projects...

One of the great things I love about homeschooling is that each lesson is tailored to the individuals needs. If we want more hands on projects, we do them... If we can master a skill without the project, we can skip it.

Daddy and Sydnee enjoy their time together.

The above picture is of a lesson about motion and the forces that affect it.

They had a great time with this project.

What a lucky girl you are, Syd...

Christmas Crafts...

Everyone got in on the action the other day.

They pulled out the craft box and went to town making ornaments to put on the tree.
This project is another brainchild of Miranda.

She is so great with the kids.

I appreciate her so much!

She reminds me a little of her Uncle Sean...



The kids had a blast.

Now they have to show us their finished projects...constantly.

I love it!

There is nothing better than being a mom!!!

I mean, in what other aspect of your life do you get to see little boys with crayon tops on their heads?

Merry Christmas!

cold...

The girls played outside in the snow until after dark last night. Actually, they came in and turned on the back light so they could continue to play. When they were called in for dinner, they asked if they could go back out after they ate...

Why does the cold seem to bother kids so much less than it bothers me?

**Oh and by the way, I checked the 7 day forecast and our highs are going to be in the 20's and 30's. It definitely can get colder around here, but I think Arizona is sounding mighty good right now. Anyone with me??

Oh My Goodness!

There is just starting to be a little light in the sky.

Guess what I can see on my front lawn...

SNOW!

GRRRRRRRRR...

Bah Humbug!

Okay, I need to get over it... I know, I know. It is winter, after all.

weekend update...

We spent this weekend finishing the kids Christmas shopping, watching a movie and baking about a trillion dozen cookies... well at least twenty dozen...plus the making of zucchini bread from this summers crop. It was busy, but relaxing at the same time.

Yesterday was my mother -in- laws birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!
(A kinder, more caring woman you will not meet!)

I am slowly starting to wrap some presents. The kids have all of their gifts wrapped and under the tree, so it looks full already.

I did take pictures this weekend, but will have to post them later. I somehow have managed to get off to a later start today than usual.

I hope everyone is taking the time to enjoy the season this year.

What did you do this weekend?

You're My Everything...

Everything

You're a falling star, You're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far.

You're the swimming pool, on an August day.

And you're the perfect thing to say.

********

And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.

Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.

Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.

Cause you can see it when I look at you.

********

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

********

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,

And you light me up, when you ring my bell.

You're a mystery, you're from outer space,

You're every minute of my everyday.

*********

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,

And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.

Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,

And you know that's what our love can do.

********

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

*********

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

********

You're every song, and I sing along.

'Cause you're my everything.

-Michael Buble

Let Your Light Shine...

I woke up to rain this morning.

We all know that I love rain because we don't get enough of it around here.

The only bad part is that the mountains are all covered in snow.

I know, I know...

I seem to be the only one around who absolutely despises the snow.

But, you must remember...

I grew up in Alaska and have had my share of snow, plus some!

Okay, I will put aside my snowy thoughts and focus on letting my light shine today.

I was thinking last night about how important it is just to let your positive attitude shine on your children.

I haven't always done a good job of that, but I tell my kids that the amazing thing about God is that he lets you start over every single day. If you royally messed up yesterday (and we all do it sometimes) you can start fresh, right now... this moment!

So, today and everyday, remember to let your light shine!

Decorating...

The friday after Thanksgiving is always Christmas decorating day.

Thanksgiving night the Christmas lights get turned on and we all oooh and ahhh.

The real work sets in the next day with dragging in a tree and all of the "stuff".

May I just say, that I am really glad my kids are old enough to do the tree!

I decorate most of the other rooms in the house, but the tree is all theirs.

I remember the days when they really were to young to be of much help...

Even the little ones got in on the action this year!

Our little man got to do the honors and put the angel on the tree.

Well, it didn't make it onto the top of the tree, but next to it...

We had the best laugh... with him not at him!


The biggest miracle of all was that we only broke one ornament!



Now comes the task of keeping all the little hands from touching the tree.

And guess what...

After the presents are unwrapped and the tree looks bare and ugly...

the tree is outta here!

You heard me...

Out

Of

Here!

...and I will get my living room back.

Oh JOY!!!

leave a trail...

My husband was so eager to try a new photography technique.

He went out the other day and brought home some extremely gorgeous photos of our favorite hiking area.

Isn't he becoming an extremely good photographer?!

Do not go where the path may lead; instead go where there is no path and make a trail...

-emmerson

This just in...

This just in...
There is now more evidence that children are absolutely crazy!!

Choking, wrestling, pinning...

...just to prove who can beat who...

They are insane!!

worried?...

So...

I have a lot of kids.

But...

I have 7 girls and only 1 boy.

As you can probably guess,

I know nothing about raising a boy!

Everything is new and.... weird!

He is so strange compared to the girls.

I love it, don't get me wrong.

I enjoy each new... and strange... thing that he comes up with.

But...

Today, he told me he wanted to wear a dress and twirl like a princess.




I said, "Boys don't wear dresses."

He then stomped his feet and yelled,

"I don't want to be a boy! I will be a girl!"

Of course this was all said while jumping up and down,

wrestling with the dog, jumping off of the couches

and...

pretending to be spiderman.

Hmmmm...

I wonder if I should be worried.

Black Friday...

Yes!

We were some of the crazies who poured over the ads on Thanksgiving Day!

We got up bright and early...

took a shower...

(unlike most! EWWWW!)

and faced the crowds to get a good deal!

Now, to be completely honest with you, we would have gone out even if we weren't shopping.

Why?

Well, we are the crazy people that just need to see all of the wierdos and lunitics in the world so we know who to watch out for the rest of the year...

I don't know.

We love to people watch!

...And...

You never know when you will find a great deal!

Giving Thanks...

It is so important to us that our children learn to be thankful for all that they have.

I tell them...frequently... that there is always someone who is worse off than you.

On Thanksgiving, the kids make cards that say,

"I am thankful for you because..."

On the inside of these cards each family member writes why they are thankful for that person.

A sample from this years cards would be...

"Mother, Mother Dearest...(I don't know if this refers to the movie or not LOL) I love you so much. I am the person I am today because of you. I love that I can come to you for whatever I need, whether it be a word on the tip of my tongue or a person to complain and vent to. Thank you for all of the food you allow me to eat too! need a nice home cooked meal as much as possible... you don't know what you're missing until it's gone! Thanks for all of the support you give me in everything I do! Love, Cadi"

OR...

"Chey, I love you so much and love to see you do good things. When I need you, you are there and I am so happy about that. Thank you for being such a great sister. Just remember I love you! Miranda"

I love this... I cry every year!

Besides the food and the memories we are sharing, we are really getting to hear our heartfelt gratitude for each other. I save these cards every year.

Some day, when I am no longer here, my children will pull these out and remember how much love we all shared. They will be able to treasure these forever... Just like I treasure them.

So... How was our Thanksgiving?

The food was great!

The games were Great!

The company was great!

The Love was even Better!!!!!

more pictures...

I will try to actually pick up the camera tomorrow and post some pictures.

I don't know what my problem with pictures has been lately.

I guess life has just gotten in the way...

Get out of the way, life!

I need to take more pictures!

The Sounds of Home and Family...

On this first day of vacation, we slept in... until 8 o'clock!!!!

That was heaven, I tell you...

Now the kids are all gathered on one couch. Five of them, at least...

They are all talking about the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cirus, Carrie Underwood...

I keep hearing comments like, "He is so cute!"

My poor little man keeps trying to get someone to play "fight" with him.

Sorry little man... may have to wait for dad to come home!

Oh no, now the, "Mom, he's pushing me." has started.

I tell you... I could sit here all day in my green robe without a shower and let my little people entertain me.

But...

I can't remember the last time I did something like that.

It is time to get up, take a shower, do my hair, start the laundry, clean up the house...

And...

since it is the day before Thanksgiving I need to make my chocolate mousse pies and make sure the turkey is ready to go.

In the midst of my day, there will be about 500 diaper changes ( no really only about 5 or 6).

There will be fights and tears... a lot of whining and desperate calls to "Mom!!"

I love it!

The sounds of HOME & FAMILY.

Waiting...

Why is waiting so hard?

Whether I am waiting for the kids or waiting for the husband or...

waiting..........

I just don't like it!