Sisters...

Sisters

doing homework...

A beautiful sight at the end of a long day.

Where Were The Marshmallows?

Sunday was chilly.

After church, the kids department had Family Fun Day.

Everyone had a blast.

They fed us mexican food... yum.

Then the kids played on inflatables.

When we got home, the weather was perfect for getting some jobs done that just can't be done during the hot weather.  Who wants to do anything when it is boiling outside?  Not us!

There was some painting and cleaning up of the outside... which is a huge problem for me.

We all like a little pride in our homes when we drive up, right?

Anywho...

My dad started asking me some questions about our garden next year.

What did I want to plant?

How big did I want to make it?

We got busy talking this over and then took a walk out in the left front field to kind of map out how big we want this thing.

I was told that we would need to mow very slowly through the overgrown brush around the perimeter and then burn the inside.

I guess those boys meant NOW!

Then next thing I knew, Dad was mowing and then as the sun was going down...

the kids came running in to tell me that they were setting the field on fire.

I walked outside with the bigger girls and...

indeed...

fire was everywhere.

But...

it did warm things up a bit!

Mark is seriously having too much fun out there!

The little firebug!

Buck doesn't really care for the fire..

He proved several times why he is named Buck.

Above is Miranda and Sydnee...

my walk around the perimeter of the fire, "garden", partners.

and...

To prove that I actually live here too...

A photo of me at the fire.

It was a fun and productive way to watch the sun go down on a sunday afternoon...

But, where were the marshmallows?

Very Quiet...

Growing up

Quickly

The body always seem to get ahead  of the brain.

Either way, it is always to soon for a mom and dad.

I want to keep my babies... well, babies.

Sydnee is off on her first official youth trip this weekend.  Thankfully, her older (wiser) sister is along for the ride as well.  This seems to be the point when a little girl starts changing into a young lady (hopefully).  I know they will have fun and get some good solid training in the Word.

I just miss my baby...

hmmmm...

What is that I hear?????

I... can't... quite... put... my... finger.. on... it.......

Silence.

Without my chatterbox girl here... it is VERY quiet.

Loves to Tell the Story...

Growing up is hard to do...

Besides all of the hormonal issues, there are just a lot of things to learn and experience.

Miranda has been on overload the last couple of weeks.

She has been very busy with a homecoming project at school and has been getting home late.

She is tired.

She may not be hearing everything I say to her.

We had a very specific conversation about exactly who was riding home from church with her last night...

She may or may not have been listening when I told her that she would be giving her younger sister a ride home.  Do not forget her, I clearly said......

We arrived home...

followed a few minutes later by Miranda.....

alone.

There was not a soul in the car with her...

Her dad immediately sent her back to the church to pick up her sister...

as the phone rang with a very tear filled Sydnee telling me she had been left at the church.

Thank goodness for a wonderful church family who loved on her a bit until Miranda was arrived.

They offered to give her a ride home, but Miranda was already on the way.

Poor Sydnee may be scarred for life!

Miranda, however, will never live this down.

We have been telling the story of losing Chey... twice... once when she was  a year and a half old...

We were at a car show and I stepped away for about 30 seconds...

Daddy swore that he would keep an eye on her...

She was gone, lickety split!

Thankfully we found her, but that traumatized me big time...

And then, the story that Chey hears at least 30 times a year...

Chey was with Bampa at Marine World when she disappeared on the way to the bathroom.

I think Bampa was traumatized because he loves to tell that story!

I think we may be telling the story of Miranda and Sydnee for years to come.

It's a good thing we were able to laugh about this...

after putting some fear into Miranda.

Driving and Playing...

Somedays around here (not often) we get a chance to play more than work.

Play comes in all forms, though.

Just because something sounds like work to one person doesn't mean it is work for all.

Mowing the lawn is a perfect example.

The girls have fallen in love with the riding lawn mower.

Sydnee was the first to learn to use it, although I somehow can't find the photos I took of her driving it.

Then Daddy got in on the action and drove Brysen around...

who thought it was "So Much FUN!!"

Ofcourse, the swing is always in use.

Aubrey loves nothing more than having someone push her really high...

up into the leaves and branches.

Grandpa is more than happy to help out.

Grandpa noticed a large rock right under the swing and decided it wasn't safe.

He took a couple of minutes, removed it and the swinging began again.

That is Aubrey pushing Lily up into the branches...

The belly laughs coming out of Lily were so cute!

Then Aubrey took her turn on the mower.

Hey Galen...

Now Syd and Aubs know how to drive a stick shift...

Have you learned yet?

Uh Oh....

Am I in trouble for asking that question?????

This Is Not The Way Momma Did Homework...

When I was a kid...

long, long ago (children want you to know)...

I would sit down with book, paper and pencil to do homework.

Now the kids come home and jump on the computer.

They can access information at a speed that boggles the mind.

They came home the other day and informed me that every classroom in the middle and high school in our new hometown is equipped with a smartboard.

Ummmmm....

say what?

What you talkin'  bout Willis?????

I didn't know what that was until they explained it to me.

(And, Yes, I get that I totally dated myself with the Willis comment.)

Then I realized that we have truly moved into the era of

Minority Report or

The Matrix.

It is so cool!

Waiting for Church...

Galen, I know you are requiring either more photos or more words...
But this post is for Grandma Carol.

She wasn't sure Sydnee existed still...
So, here is a photo to prove that she is still around.

This is how the family sat around waiting for the clock to say it was time to leave for church.

As usual...  Sydnee is in a skirt.  My girliest girl of all!

Growing Up is Hard to Do...

Growing up is hard to do...

Finding your voice.

Finding your attitude adjustment.....

Once again...

Finding your attitude adjustment...

But when you get it right.

There is nothing better!

Sydnee...

A Barefoot Beauty...

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!

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!

Grandma Did Soooooo Good...

12 years ago today...

the worst pregnancy of my life came to an end!

The beginning of such a beautiful and blessed life began...

Sydnee (Debra- after her aunt) entered this world... to the delight of her parents and three older sisters.

She was our tiniest baby.  She weighed only 5 pounds.  Her start was scary. We had many issues facing us... dire warnings about what her future held... but God is so good.  She is perfect and healthy and absolutely normal.

We took Sydnee out to breakfast this morning.  Yummy!  She picked the restaurant and enjoyed the one on one time with Mom and Dad... and when the waitress called her a teenager (not yet, lady!)  she nearly glowed!

We like to say she is our leprechaun, since she came to us on St. Patrick's Day.

I remember the nurse putting those cute little green socks on your tiny feet so you wouldn't get pinched... as if Mommy would have let anyone hurt you!

I love that Sydnee is always full of smiles.

You can totally read her mood by looking at her face.

She hides nothing!

Grandma and Bampa sent her the always anticipated "big bucks".

Her sister Miranda gave her some hot pink heels... a major hit!

Her sister Cheyenne took her out to lunch and icecream yesterday for the occasion.

Cadi and Galen sent her this awesome purse!  She loves it, guys!

Mom and Dad gave her a new mp3 player and a Bible with her name imprinted on the cover.

But...

The biggest hit of the day...

was this "totally cool" shirt from Bampa and Grandma!

Syd put it on and said, "Grandma did soooo good!"

Good job, Grandma!  You get the prize for this birthday!  If you were here right now (instead of on your way to Israel) you would get the biggest hug from a very happy 12 year old girl!

Happy Birthday, Sydnee!

We are so blessed to have been given the gift of...you!

Get Used To It...

I should have noticed it, right?

Even a year ago, when these photos were taken, Sydnee was changing from that girl with too much arm, too much leg, doesn't know what to do with herself little girl... into a young lady.

Now, she is still only 11...

but, the changes are there.

She isn't a "little girl" anymore.  She isn't grown, but she isn't little.  Mothers notice these things.  Dads try to ignore them... But, life moves on.

I should have noticed that although she still loves to play... whatever the cool thing to play is... she now spends a lot of time listening to music and reading.  She wants to be around when the older girls are all chatting with mom.

I am not a fan of change.

Where kids are involved, it just means you are getting closer to that time when they will strike out on their own and you won't get to be a part of the "everyday".

I don't like it.

I may not like it, but either way, it is happening... and I'd better get used to it.

Whatever...

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren,

whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

 whatever things are of good report,

 if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy

—meditate on these things."

Sydnee...

Sydnee is in 6th grade this year. Around these parts, that is considered middle school.

She is learning pre-algebra... which she is catching on to like an old pro!

She does a few of her classes on-line.

She is always up for any new project. I love her enthusiasm.

Sydnee is the best... and I mean the best... at asking those really thought provoking questions...

You know, the ones that make mom and dad really have to think about a good, deep answer.

Sydnee's Baptism Pictures...

Last Sunday, at the park... in the river... Sydnee was baptised... along with about 10 other people!

The guy in the flowery shirt is our pastor.

It was soooo chilly. I felt really sorry for her. The breeze was blowing and the river was freezing. Normally, at this time of year, we are experiencing temperatures in the 90's... not the low 70's!

However, she was so brave! She went right out into the freezing water and went for it!

I'm proud of you, Syd!!

You have made a bold step in your faith... and it makes me SMILE!

P.S. I know I have been absent the last few days, but we started school on Monday. So, what I'm saying is we have been crazy busy trying to get back into the groove of things.

Also, Ari's cast came off today!! Yippeeeee!!!! However, I can't seem to convince her that walking is good... she just screams and screams! Suggestion from people who have been there and done that would be appreciated.