Before Reading...

You must promise not to notice that my house isn't always clean...

Well, the family would say differently...

They think I am a bit of a clean freak... and most of the time they are right.

However, there are occasions when certain jobs get away from me... and apparantly this is one of those times!

The mess on my wall is gross!

No, it is not there any longer... but with so many little ones in the house... it will show up again... guaranteed!

Now, on with the show...

Brysen wanted to show me something the other day.

He said, "Hey Mom... mom, mom, momma..."

Until I took my eyes off of whatever I was doing at the moment and planted them only on him.

Then he kicked his legs up and...

WOW!

Did a headstand!

He is 4 years old people!

Come on...

Where is the excitement?!

Isn't this amazing?!

Talented...

Awe inspiring...

Then he dropped his legs to the floor and gave me the smile that makes fall in love with him all over again.

Snow Man...

As the snow continued to fall, the kids decided a snow man was in order.

A HUGE snowman!

I laughed when I saw them trying to lift this huge snowball.

They finally realized they needed to remove some of the snow or they wouldn't be able to lift it.

He looked a little lonely when the kids abandoned him for hot chocolate.

Sorry Frosty...

but, that was some good hot chocolate!

Best Wishes...

Merry Christmas! 

From our family to yours...

She Goes All Out...

During the month of December, instead of singing worship after our devotion, we sing Christmas songs.

Sometimes things get a little goofy.

Especially when certain children are in the house.

We have so much fun singing these songs because we know it only comes around one month out of the year.

They kids get to choose the songs off of a list that we bring out with the Christmas tree. 

This year the popular song for the little ones is Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

One of the older ones tries to throw in some of the more traditional songs...

and if it were left up to Cadi...

we would always sing Chestnuts...

but not the way you all know and love it.

She goes all out!

Believe me...

She goes ALL out!

Laughs...

What?!

Don't you recognize him?

The kids made... lol... the baby Jesus last week at church!

This will get many laughs...

many, many laughs!

"Jump"...

Some nights...

the kids just seem to have a little too much built up energy...

energy reserves...

bubbling over...

leaking out of all of their pores...

On those nights, they ask if they can "jump".

That means they climb up on the ottoman and.... well... jump.

Over and over and over and over...

Up, down, up, down...

...until they have worn themselves out and mom can't stand the noise of them landing on the floor...

and it is time to go to bed...

Awwwwww.....

Christmas Craziness...

What could possibly be happening to make me act like this?

Okay...

You're right...

anything could make me act like this...

I am a nutcase sometimes...

But!

Sugar is in this house!!!

We have been baking and cooking for days and today is FULL of baking yummy stuff!

The best thing of all is that my babies... all of them, young and old, are in the kitchen hanging out with each other... baking.

We are making streusal pumpkin spice muffins, chocolate kisses, macaroons, bread, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, chocolate mousse pie, and anything else that we decide to make... and we will decide to make tons more!

That is the JOY!

• 

Merry Christmas to ALL of you!

I will be posting quite a bit the next couple of days... I think...

so be on the lookout!

Just Needed Time For Christmas Secrets...

The six kids who still live at home went out with Daddy the other night... so Mommy could get some final touches made to some gifts.

They headed to the mall and took a few minutes to hang out with Santa.

They always think this is cool.

Then Daddy had about 2 hours left to figure out what to do.

By the time they got home, they were so bored that they were just glad to be home.

Sorry, kiddos...

but you will be happy when you see what Mommy made you!

Cars...

Ummm... please ignore the weird eyes on my son...  I am not sure what that is all about.

The preschoolers were learning about cars.

They got the opportunity to make cardboard box cars... and destroy them, too.

What a blast!

They drove around the house for hours!

Until the steering wheels all broke and the cars looked like they had been in a demolition derby...

Oh!  That sounds like fun!

Welcome to the 21st Century...

My Dad is now online...

That is so exciting since it is soooo much easier to contact me online than off...

Welcome to the 21st century, Dad!!

Sunday Dinners...

Our Sunday dinners usually are the same.

Homemade Pizza!

The kids do a dance of joy!!

We make 4 pizza crusts...

Two of the crusts become pepperoni.

One crust becomes hawaiin.

... and one joyous pizza crust becomes dessert pizza!

Oh saints preserve us!!

That is soooo good!

Okay... now, I am looking forward to this sunday's dinner!

Simple Woman...

December 21, 2009...

Outside my window...  It is snowy and foggy.

I am thinking... That I will be leaving to get Cadi in 1 1/2 hours... and this makes me very happy.

I am thankful for... Family being together for the holidays.

From the learning rooms... Literature (the tempest) and Bible.

From the kitchen...  french toast casserole and eggs... and needing to clean it!

I am wearing... blue jeans and a green striped long sleeve shirt.

I am creating... a restful place for the holidays, even in the midst of stress and real financial issues.

I am going... to SLC to the airport.

I am reading... proverbs

I am hoping... that we hear from our worker today and get a new placement.

I am hearing... toy car tires turning, small children's voices singing christmas carols, pencil and paper as school is being finished.

A quote I am thinking... Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.

Around the house... small messes where children have been... a lived in home.

One of my favorite things... hearing happy voices.

Finally...

I would love to say that I am so late in posting our Dedication pictures because of the season...

but, really...

I think having 8 children is enough of an excuse.

I have just not had the time to upload photos...

and had truly forgotten that these photos were even on the camera.

However, you are getting them now...

Enjoy.

To have our family prayed over and blessed this way was so special and moving.

Thank you, Pastor Dean for doing this on such short notice.

You see, we asked him on a wednesday since our oldest child was moving and wouldn't be around for awhile.  He was very understanding and popped us into the sunday schedule...

So... thanks again.