Missing In Action...

If you've been wondering where we've been all week...

It was Vacation Bible School time!

The kids had a blast. They learned all about Rome and Paul...

and most of all...

about how much God loves each and every one of us!

They made necklaces, headbands, bracelets, abacus....

They did woodworking, wall building, learned about putting out fires in ancient Rome.

They got to see what it was like at the market place in Rome. They bought food and items with coins that they received at the beginning of each day. They met Paul and met members of the underground church in Rome.



They played Roman games.

They hung out with some animals (horse, pony, donkey, bunnies, peacock, pheasants, ducks, etc).

Chey and Miranda were helpers...

Chey was an actor who portrayed a member of the underground church. Some of the kids were very moved by the stories told each day... some cried and wanted to help the members of the church.

Miranda was a family leader. She led a group of children around the market place like they were a family in Roman times. They kids loved her!

On Sunday, we will be inviting the family members of the kids to attend and watch their kids perform some songs they learned this week. There will be a slideshow of the photos taken by... me... that will play during the service showing all of the things the kids got to be a part of.

After service we are having an icecream social so we can hang out with our church family.

God has blessed us... and the smiles on my kids faces and the feeling of being loved is all the proof we need.

21 Years...

Today marks 21 years of being married to my very best friend in the whole world...

The best decision I've ever made!

I Thought I Loved You Then...

I remember trying not to stare the night that I first met you
You had me mesmerized
And 3 weeks later in the front porch light taking 45 min to kiss goodnight
I hadn’t told you yet but I thought I loved you then

Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.

I remember taking you back to right where I first met you
You were so surprised
There were people around
But I didn’t care I got down on one knee right there
And once again I thought I loved you then

Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than it’s ever been
We’ve come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then.

I can just see you with a baby on the way
I can just see you when your hair is turning gray
What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more
But I’ve said that before.

Now you’re my whole life now you’re my whole world
I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl
Well look back some day at this moment that we’re in
And I'll look at you and say and I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then...

Brothers...

Recently, my sweet boy has been telling us all about his brothers...

Now, I don't know about you, but when I look at the family photo... I don't see any other little boys hanging around.... girls? Yes... coming out of my ears! Boys? Not so much.

However, he assures me that they are real.

Maybe he knows something the rest of us don't know...

Whining...

I've got the kids all ready for church and the older ones are almost ready...

I just don't want to go without my sweet hubby... but I will.

I know, it sounds so silly.

He will be ready to attend church next week... he is getting better... but I am afraid with the crowd, he will get bumped or something... I also don't know if he could sit there through the whole service.

Okay... now I will get over myself and gather my crew and head out.

Thanks for listening to me whine... uggg! I sooo dislike whiners!

**I guess I should clarify... the picture has nothing to do with whining... I just thought I would share.**

update...

I have so much to tell everyone... but it will have to wait until my hubby is back up on his feet. I haven't had much time for things like the computer.

He is doing much better... but admitted to me that he does not foresee being back to work in a week. He thought he would be up and at 'em already... silly boy.

I took him out to a store today... he was feeling cooped up... and he only lasted about 15 minutes or so. Now, he is safely on the couch, resting his owie...

No, no, no, no, no........

Cheyenne

...you are the second of my children to reach this milestone... 18!

I don't think I like this...

Wow...

It seems like I only turned away from that crazy 18 month old and turned back to find you all grown up.

You are a joy, pleasure, blessing... and pure gift from God!

Thank you for letting me be your mom... and God, thanks for giving her to me.

Let's talk about weather...

Hot, hot, hot.

That has been the weather for the last few days. Now, I don't really think of it as hot until it is mid 90's... but since today is over 100 degrees... it is Hot!

The kids are trying to keep cool in the sprinklers and momma is trying not to leave the comfort of her air conditioned home if she can help it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love warm weather. I do. I don't like snow... we all know that. But... this is really hot... and unless I am sitting at the beach (which I can't do will two recovering people... it is too hot)

I really feel for the good people living in some of the eastern states where they haven't gotten any warmth so far this "summer". A blogging friend of mine says their highest temperature this year has been mid 60's! Wow!

I think I will let my skin soak up some sun and warmth so that when the snow comes back... I will be ready to face it.

Okay... I'm rambling. So, let me go sit by a vent and enjoy the AC.

Home...

We finally made it home.

Exhaustion has seriously set in.

My man is in pretty intense pain and he has never been a complainer. He once dropped a transmission on his foot and called me to say he was heading to the hospital because he had cut himself... could I please meet him there. I never guessed I would get there and find out his toe was only hanging on by a small piece of skin.

I have to get him up every 4 hours for pain meds. We aren't supposed to miss a single one for the first 24 hours. We'll see how that goes...

We didn't leave the hospital until almost 9 o'clock tonight. Yikes!! Tired, hungry and ready for the sounds of our little peoples voices...

So glad to be HOME!

Where Am I Today?...

Today is the big day.

My sweet, loving, husband is having surgery. Your prayers would be appreciated. I am sure he will be fine, but prayer never hurts.

I will try to post something when we are home, but incase I don't get to...

I have scheduled a couple of posts so you won't be lonely.

Lazy Summer Days...

We are finally finding some time for lazy summer days.

I remember when I was a kid and the summer seemed to stretch on forever. These days, with scheduled activities and running here and there... it just seems that you never have time to just relax. Well, I have tried very hard to clear the calendar over the next 3 weeks while Mark is resting after surgery. I want us to RELAX. I just want to enjoy each other... the whole family...and feel no pressure to be up and about.

With Chey's car trouble, making bunkbeds, painting, broken legs, kids activities, church activities, etc... I think we have earned it.

Mayber we will get back out in the back yard and enjoy that a little... or watch movies... we don't do that often... or...just talk.

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*

Marks surgery...

Well, Mark's surgery is scheduled for Monday at 11:45.

No, he doesn't get to eat after midnight... so.... I think 11:45 is a little late!

He can't drink even a sip of water and absolutely no gum or mint chewing...

He may not survive.

He will be there until 6 or 7 that evening... I should say we will be there.

He told me I should drop him off at the door and he would call me when he was done... I laughed and laughed. "Sweetie", I said, "I have been your wife for 21 years. Where you go, I go!"

Amen and amen. Then end.

...and because I like the girl and the photo...

Do you want to know what we put up with around here...

Just when you're trying to get a nice picture of you and your hubby...

one of your blessings sneaks up behind you and makes a funny face!

Oh... but I wouldn't change it for anything!

Normal...

Cadi and I had a blast during our photo shoot today.

We laughed and goofed and made complete fools of ourselves... you know, normal for us!

She was up for almost anything I threw at her...

That's always nice.


We got some fun shots. These are just a few of the ones I have had a chance to edit so far.

You look beautiful, Cadi!

Thanks for hanging out with mom and putting up with the camera in your face!

This is what you get...

When you put two crazy people together.

Purely Bonkers!!

Bunkbeds...

It is time to get Ari out of her crib (she is the oldest child we have ever had in a crib!) and into a bed. So, we decided that bunkbeds in that room would be good. We don't love bunkbeds, but they do serve a purpose.

Anyway...

Mark is currently building these bunkbeds. We build because our kids can be extremely hard on furniture. This way, we build them extra strong and they can be easilly fixed by the same guy who built them in the first place.

This part of the job was actually done yesterday... Today, we painted and everything is waiting for us to put it together.

That will happen tomorrow.



Have I ever told you guys how much I love my man?!?

Oooohhhhhing and Awwwwwing...

I was going through some old photos today.

I was laughing and crying and oooohhing and awwwing.

I thought I would share a photo of my little man... almost 4 years ago.

* Brysen (little man) 6 months old *

trying to calm down.

Today was supposed to be an important court date... but... postponed.

...Until SEPTEMBER!

Okay... now, I'm calming down.

This Little Boy...

Is there anything more precious than a little man who wants to be just like his daddy?

This boy loves his daddy and wants to be wherever daddy is.

Currently, daddy is in the garage building the best custom bunk bed in the world. Boy, am I a lucky girl...

The little boy wants to be outside with daddy building...

but...

a nap must happen...

...or the mommy in the house may lose her mind.

Saying Uncle...

Wednesday is the day...

When Ari gets her... even heavier than her splint... cast on.

I am really looking forward to it though. Although the splint makes it really difficult for her to move her leg... the is 2 and has figured it out on occasion. OUCH!

Yesterday, she seemed to be in a little more pain than other days. However, she has figured out how to wiggle around a bit and move or scoot herself about. I think she is moving the leg, even if just a little bit, and it hurts.

I'm telling you, when it rains it pours! Not only do we have Marks hernia surgery scheduled for next week, but he has some major dental stuff going on over the next month... Ari has a broken leg and she is scheduled for surgery in September for a sist that is in her lower eyelid... and then...last night the medium girls came up the stairs to tell me that they had forgotten to inform us that morning that their floor was wet. What do you mean wet? Soaking...

Broken pipe.

So, I had to call Mark at his "man class" and he came home to fix it. I have spent two hours last night and one this morning using the carpet cleaner to get the water up...

Okay, Lord...

I'm saying uncle.

*just a beautiful picture of Aubrey*

Blessing...

A bit of a wild child...

Loves to be hugged and cuddled...

Wants to please the world...

Energy coming out of her ears...

Full of Joy...

makes you understand why children need to be cherished...

Blessing...

Absolutely Beautiful!

every step...

"So I run with purpose in every step..."

1 Corinthians 9:26

You Are the Champion, My Friend...

This is Ari.

Yesterday, she broke her leg... right below the knee... in two places.

Ouch!!!!

The trampoline and an older sister were the culprits.

They were jumping and Ari, being only 2 years old, couldn't jump at the same rate. No one thought anything of this since they do this on the trampoline all of the time. But, like the doctor said... this was just the luck of the draw.

She just couldn't jump at the same rate and when she came down on the off bounce, her leg broke. Screaming began... we couldn't figure out what was going on. We had her rest and she seemed fine unless you wanted her to walk. At that point she couldn't really hold herself up. She ate dinner... no pain... she crawled on her knee.. nothing...

But, if you wanted this girl to stand or walk... crying and begging to be held and... shaking like I have never seen before. So, I grabbed Miranda and Ari and away we went to the doctor.

Almost immediately the doc said she believed it was fractured. What????!!! I said...

We took xrays of the hip, knee, ankle...

Several hours later, the results were...

Ta Da!

A broken leg.

They took us in the splinting room and at this point a very tired girl... it was almost 10:00 p.m. was begging for a bandaid.

The doctor told her she was getting a giant bandaid... and ever since, Ari has been showing off her giant bandaid...

Next week, we have to see the orthopedic specialist and get a cast. She is not allowed to walk or put any weight on the leg at all. She keeps asking me if she can walk today... no... no walking.

The funny thing is...

We have 8 children.

None of them have ever broken anything beyond simple finger or toe breaks. (except in the car crash... Youch!)

We were just discussing, recently, that our first REAL bone breaker would either be Brysen or Ari...

Ari you are the champion, my friend!

Pretty... and Yummy...

Remember the strawberries we picked?

Well, we turned those yummy strawberried into the most amazing strawberry preserves!

Infact, they are so yummy that we have already gone through a couple of jars and gave our pastor a jar (he has asked for more).

But...

Best of all...

They are so pretty. I mean, really, the prettiest color ever.

I think they are so pretty that I can't bring myself to put them in the cabinet. I just leave them on the counter and stare at that beautiful color...

Crazy?

Probably... but, you haven't tasted these babies!

P.S. We will post the pictures of our little darling and her broken leg later today.

Ugggg......

I have a picture of a little 2 year old girl to show you... but I am too exhausted to put it on the computer...

We just spent 4 hours at the doctors...

Ari broke her right leg!!

She is splinted right now and will be casted sometime next week.

Trampolines! Ugggggg!!!!

Sewing with Miranda...

Miranda and I decided that we would take an old pair of her jeans and make them into a cute new skirt.

We really didn't know what we wanted it to end up like, but we decided to figure it out as we went along.

I am really pleased with how it turned out. This is soooo Miranda. She loves unfinished hems. With a pair of flip flops this is the perfect run around town skirt!

This project only took us a couple of hours, but it was time well spent with each other!

More 4th of July...

In our part of the woods, you can set off fireworks 3 days before and after New Years, 4th of July, Pioneer Day and Chinese New Year.

We always do the 4th, but not the others... mostly because... who cares about the others.

Luckily, this year, we had all of the girls and the boy with us. No one was working. We did our fireworks on the 3rd so that we could go to the big show on the 4th.

The kids loved the sparklers... but, I remember that being my favorite part when I was a kid.
...and I had to throw in a shot of Cadi being... well, Cadi.