please go to http://sparksfamilyof7.blogspot.com/

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2011-01-18T21:12:00.000-08:00

http://sparksfamilyof7.blogspot.com/

New blog

2010-12-21T22:02:00.001-08:00

Today was a celebration....it was the passing of the torch, from 7 to 8. Well, although that was really a few weeks ago...the official party was today!

Chloe, my reader..my book worm..(Definitely her fathers child there..) had a perfect birthday bash today...thanks to her father's love of reading! When the little postcard arrived in the mail to announce the Junie B Jones production of 'Jingle Bells, Batman Smells..PS: So does May', Fred quickly said, "Chloe, wouldn't that be a cool birthday party!" I however quickly thought, "There is no way she can only think of 3 friends to take with her(and of course 3 siblings)."

I thought it wouldn't work. But we found a way and she was able to invite some sweet friends!

On December 21st, it was in the 70s! The girls played outside until we headed to the show!

It was really a funny show. And once the burping began, the laughing never ended!

When it was all over, we had the surprise of meeting the cast! What a hit! The kids LOVED doing this!
Laurel and Mr. Scarey!
Chloe and JUNIE B JONES!

Herbert, Liberty and Lily!
Laurel thought Herbert was pretty funny!
Chloe and May! Chloe really liked May!
Ella getting an autograph by May!
Hailey, Sarah and Laurel waiting to meet Sheldon. He makes Chloe's dad laugh hard in the book!

We came back home for some lunch and more fun! The girls were hungry, and ate snowmen, Santa and Christmas Sandwiches.

Loved so much by her Aunt Gigi, Chloe received the most amazing cake balls! This was a gift to me as well, so I didn't have to make a cake! The kids loved it all!

Happy Birthday Chloe!!!!!

Birthday Celebration

2010-12-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

It was really a funny show. And once the burping began, the laughing never ended!

When it was all over, we had the surprise of meeting the cast! What a hit! The kids LOVED doing this!
Laurel and Mr. Scarey!
Chloe and JUNIE B JONES!

Herbert, Liberty and Lily!
Laurel thought Herbert was pretty funny!
Chloe and May! Chloe really liked May!
Ella getting an autograph by May!
Hailey, Sarah and Laurel waiting to meet Sheldon. He makes Chloe's dad laugh hard in the book!

We came back home for some lunch and more fun! The girls were hungry, and ate snowmen, Santa and Christmas Sandwiches.

Loved so much by her Aunt Gigi, Chloe received the most amazing cake balls! This was a gift to me as well, so I didn't have to make a cake! The kids loved it all!

Happy Birthday Chloe!!!!!

What can she do..........

2010-11-20T20:47:00.000-08:00

So this is inspired by a newly found friendship...

If you have ever had a child that is TRULY behind in areas, you will relate. And I am not talking about the child who walked 'late' in terms of all of her peers. Or the child that did not say their first world until 2. I am talking about the child that when you go to the doctor, you cringe to go through the check list of items because you know it is pointless.

However, in life, it is not what we cannot do that makes an impact on the world around us. It is what we can do. It doesn't mean we don't long to be able to do other things. It isn't that we don't long for our children to achieve the things we dreamed of. But life at its fullest is about being able to do the things God has given us the ability to do, at the best we can do it. To take the gifts He has given us and to make them AMAZING!

So, let me share about my gift from God, Savannah Jane. And let me share what she CAN do:

She can smile so big that you see all of her teeth.

She can eat more mashed potatoes then her brother.

She can scream at me until she sees I have her milk, and then giggle until it is ready.

She can breath on her own at night, and I have never had to worry.

She can run, not walk to every destination she has!

She can find every tiny missing Lego and put it in her mouth for an hour and never swallow it!

She can sneak up the stairs without anyone knowing.

She can climb up on top of the piano and balance!

She can turn the pages of her sweet books.

She can say "Mamamamamamamamamamama" for what seems to be an hour at a time!

She can spin in a circle over and over without falling down.

She can chase me through the house and laugh so hard it makes me laugh!

She can swing for hours.

She can wear green like no ones business!

She can hold her own with the biggest of bows!

She can rip a hearing aid and throw it farther than any major league pitcher could!

She can take a day that others including her mother, may think is impossible to get through, and find happiness in the strangest places, only to remind us that is isn't about us at all...it is about what He has given us... little gifts that we can make AMAZING!

I love this girl!

Birthday Wishes and Wedding Blisses

2010-10-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

Wow. I cannot believe that 2 years have passed. 2 years seem to have flown by me yet, aged me not so gracefully:) But in the eyes of my sweet 2 year old, I know I am the smile she sees everyday. I am the one that holds her and loves her and knows what she needs even when she doesn't tell me. (well and her daddy and ninny!) But what I know about the past 2 years is the gift of change. Sometimes we don't like change. Sometimes we yearn for change. For the past 2 years, we have been given change and have had the opportunity to decide what exactly we will do with that change. For our family, we have fought it, embraced it, wondered about it, loved it, hated it. That change has just laid in our hands and said, "So...you got it.. you asked for something new, something different, something to 'change' your life...what are you going to do with me now?"

So, the form of change has come in the MOST PRECIOUS little bundle of red hair. The MOST DARLING little girl full of exploration. The MOST INCREDIBLE giggle of true joy! The MOST PATIENT soul waiting for her mom to figure it all out! So to my little Nana Nana Boo Boo..

Happy 2nd Birthday! Without a word, with just your laugh I know you loved your day!

Adios Summer Days of Slumber

2010-08-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

Well, for the Sparks Family summer is basically come to an end. The days of slumber, the nights of fun. Really we didn't sleep as much as I would have loved during the summer. For Savannah, learning never takes a break. For the other kids, school setting did break. But we all looked VERY forward to starting school. The first 3 children in my life started back last week. So we have 3 solid days of school down. Everyone is still in the 'Green Zone!' I will take the first week as a success!

Getting ready for school is a chore! I admit I am tired after the first day! But, I always take a picture of the prepared clothes and bags. Someday I know I am going to miss this! And in 2 weeks I will add 2 more kids worth of bags and clothes to this craziness!

On the first day of school the kids get an "Official" first day of school breakfast! School colors and all! They love it and the little girls were looking forward to their first official PCA breakfast!

My sweet Laurel Emily. 5 Years old and heading to Kindergarten. The night before she had a million questions for me about the day ahead. She wanted details of what was going to happen. She admitted she was a little nervous. But the excitement of it all took over. Laurel is my tender hearted little girl. She is the one who will pretend for hours and play with dolls. I prayed all day for her to find friends and feel safe at school. Prayers were answered!

Sweet Chloe Marie. My leader in my house. My first baby! 2nd grade and she is all grown up! She wants to take care of her sisters at school. She doesn't want to see anyone not included. I can count on her to be a friend to everyone that passes by her. My prayer for her was to feel loved by her teacher and class. To continue to be a friend to everyone, but to be discerning with those who may take advantage of her kindness. I am still praying for her!

And Anabelle Christine. My little sprite! My spunk! My independent 5 year old. I look at her and feel like she has grown up in a blink of an eye! No matter how much I try to hold her tight to me, she pushes away because there is an adventure that must be conquered! I prayed as Anabelle went to school that day that she would be still and quiet..learn what her teachers have to give her. That little red head is going to do something HUGE in life. I have known that since she was born.

Watching the 3 girls hold hands and walk into school I felt thankful. Thankful that they were excited about school. Thankful that they were healthy enough for school. Thankful that God allowed us to go to such an amazing school. But at the same time I had to hold back my tears. Especially for my 2 little kindergartners. Chloe was 6 months older then they are when she started school. So to me, they are so much younger! I remember sitting around with Fred when they were just starting to coo and talking about how neat it will be to hear them talking one day! And now, they are going to be reading and doing math and all sorts of things. I have to admit,I wish I could see them in their class room!

My sweet friend Joy took this picture! It means a lot to me because it is our entire family. We all celebrated walking the girls into school. Corbin even got to see a lot of his little pals because they had older sisters and brothers going to school that day as well. Savannah got loved on by moms that I haven't seen all summer. After Joy took the picture, I looked at it and said a prayer for her. Her 3 kids all started school that day as well. And her 1 sweet Connor was getting the ultimate lesson, at the foot of Jesus. 8 years old, and he knows more then we do. Amazing and yet bitter sweet. So this picture tells a bigger story to me then another family photo.

Dr. Taylor is our Head Master. I almost hate calling him that because it sounds mean and cold and he is anything but. PCA is blessed by him. Chloe was standing behind him and begging me to get a picture. It think it was more wanted then when we saw Mary Poppins in Disney World!

Chloe and Mrs. Shrauner. We could not have asked for a more perfect teacher for Chloe this year. For 3 days now she has come home saying, at least 20 times, and at random moments, "Mrs. Shrauner is SO SO SO nice!" I love know she is loved on!

The sweet babies and Daddy at their table. They were excited when they found out they were sitting next to each other! And then add the fact that one of their best little friends was sitting there as well.

And this has to be one of our favorite families! They are a blessing to us! And there are 2 precious little girls between the 2 families missing in this picture! And 1 bubba!

This is probably a harder day on me then the first day. This is the 2nd day of school. When the girls let me know, "We can walk in by ourselves mom!" Man, that is a tough one to swallow!

Super Heros

2010-08-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

This video is from spring break. Corbin and Camdyn(his cousin) in Denver. I laugh EVERYTIME I watch this!'>http://www.youtube.com/v/wmt1EdG_r7Q?fs=1&hl=en_US"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true">'>http://www.youtube.com/v/wmt1EdG_r7Q?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385">

Adam and Eve and a little stinky girl

2010-08-06T19:20:00.000-07:00

So I got home from work on Thursday only to be created with a bit of a lie. Mom had already prepared me with the story, but I let the one involved tell me what happened.
The story begins 2 days prior. Anabelle had the privilege of sleeping in Chloe's room. It is always fun because Chloe has a lot of books to look at and has a lot if stuff Anabelle can get into. When she got up from her nap mom noticed red all over her shirt. Anabelle had an acceptable answer for it and they went on with the afternoon. So now we skip forward 2 day. Chloe came down stars with a toothbrush covered in red. She said it was in her bathroom. Mom took it and began to wonder. She went up to the bathroom and looked around. Then she saw sticking out from behind the toilet a little hand. She pulled it out and found this

This is Chloe's DeeDee doll from 1 year old. She loves her. She has been everywhere including Disney World!!! Ahhhh.
So I get home prepared for this. Mom takes me into the dim laundry room where a lifeless DeeDee lies. She calls Anabelle in to tell me what has happened. Slowly Anabelle silks in. Her head down with her protective warn pink silky clamped in her fist and her soothing sucking of her thumb, barely peaking out beneath her silky. I point to the doll. Anabelle begins to tell me she "didn't mean to." I said,"you didn't mean to ruin something or get in trouble but you certainly did mean to put lipstick on the doll.". Of course I asked her why and she really didn't have an answer because she was just being Anabelle. The first thing I pointed out to her was that she had disobeyed Ninny by not staying in bed and napping. Th second thing was that she shouldn't have ruined another person's property. If someone had done that to her pink silly I am pretty sure that we would need therapy for months! She seemed to understand. Then I said that the worst thing she did was try to hide her sin. Later we talked about Adam and Eve and how they tried to hide from God after they ate from the tree of knowledge. Anyway, at this point I made her go get Chloe to show her what she had done. In fear she did. I was proud of Chloe because she didn't flip out like I though she would. But she was very sad. She sobbed. She was crying the ugly face cry. When you are so sad your face just looks terrible. We went through the I am sorry for, asking for forgiveness, accepting forgiveness and remembering when we forgive we don't continue to bring it up again and again. Chloe said she wanted to be alone so she went into my office.
About then the phone rang and it was sweet LuAnne Ivy from church about volunteering. I asked her to call me back in 3 minutes.
So I went back to Anabelle and told her that she has officially lost the privilege to nap in Chloe's room. That hurt pretty bad. Them I told her she needed to pick her punishment. She tired to go easy on herself. But I gave her 3 options and she choose to not get a book that night. That is a big deal in our house. So I love on her and am about to answer the return call from LuAnne when..............
Laurel comes flying out of the office screaming, "Chloe just throwed up!!!". I run in there and her lunch is all over the floor. I looked at her and asked her if she was ok. She starts to gag and points at Savannah and yells, "mustard!". I look at savannah and grab her because she is about to dive into lunch!!! I smell her and realize she has a horrible diaper running down her leg!(tmi). So I ask Laurel at get some towels and tell Chloe to go into the bathroom. She holds her hand up that looks like she slapped it in mustard and starts to gag again. I can't help but laugh as I take stinky pants into the other room. Yet again another teaching lesson. I get done with the little red stink bomb and head back to Chloe. I start cleaning the office floor and say," do daddy and I ask you not to pick her up all the time? And when we break a rule, we are open to something possible bad happening. That is a consequence. And that is why you got poop on you and threw up. ". At that point I laughed and so did she. I got back to the phone and returned the call I think I gave Luanne a good laugh. My kids love tacos and usually I don't hear a peep out of them if we are eating them. So like an good mother I made tacos for dinner!

-posted on the go

Just going to lay back and live today!

2010-07-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

Well, Wednesday started out as a normal day. Well as normal as any day for my busy little family. Fred headed off to work and I got moving. The first thing we needed to do was head to Costco and do that by 9:30a. Then we needed to get to speech therapy for Savannah by 11:00a. That all seemed totally reasonable. I got up and made pancakes, bacon, cut fresh fruit and made some glasses of chocolate milk, water and yogurt drinks. All the kids loved it. I was trying to think of the last week day we got to have such a fun breakfast and take our time! Savannah ate a ton and that always makes me so happy!
So, I bet it was about 9:15 when we were done eating. I thought about it and decided Costco could wait. I told Laurel and Anabelle and Corbin to hop in the bath. I couldn't remember the last bath they had! I need to just bring soap to the pool:) So they had a good time in there while I followed Savannah around the house and cleaned up some. The 3 middle kids made a nice mess in the bathroom. I made a few phone calls and then switched out kids. Savannah got in and was playing while I cleaned up the mess from the other kids. The phone rang and I talked to someone for a bit. I got Savannah out of the bath and saw it was already 10:50. We needed to be at therapy in 10 minutes! She had a little cold as well. So, I had her rapped in a towel and she was giggling and babbling. We were point to my nose we were mimicking.. we were doing all the therapy things she does.. so I called and CANCELED! I rescheduled for later in the week that was totally not convenient for me. But I wasn't about to break up this chance of interaction! It was great.
Finally around noon the other kids came in and asked when we were going to therapy. I told them we skipped it. They totally looked at me like I was crazy! I wanted to also try and go to Gardenridge. So, we jumped in the car. I asked Chloe to get everyone a granola bar and a lemonade. We all had a little snack until we got there.

(This was a bar stool I really liked, but I need 6 of them!)
Once there I let everyone sit on EVERY chair. Lay on EVERY bed. Put feather boas on. Pretend that a furry box was the monster from Monsters, Inc. Corbin shouted when he would see a particular door because he said it was the door from Monsters, Inc! I really went off the deep end when I died laughing at all the kids because they were modeling the coconut bras they found while I was looking for a butter dish(Fred broke mine AGAIN!)
(Chloe thinks this a cool pose)
It was about 12:45 and my mom called to see where another store was. She was near by so she stopped in. I didn't tell the kids, so when they saw her in the store they thought it was the craziest thing ever! I love how excited they get to see her like they NEVER see her(because they see her almost every day!)... So they wanted to take her back through this huge store and show her all the stuff again. So we did it all over again.
(Anabelle wants this swivel chair)
I bought a few things and said, "Guys do you all want to go out to lunch?" They thought I was crazy. We don't usually go out to lunch! We went to Jack and The Box and they said, "Mom..are we really going to go inside?" I said, "Yes!" And they all got very excited! To add to it, i bought them ALL a kids meal. We usually split something big and do pay for the toy and drink. Water seems to work fine with my kids! You would have thought it was Christmas! It was cracking me up! And then time to pick the drinks. I told them they could have ANY drink they wanted except the 2 diet drinks! Their eyes were huge! And then I hear..."Can I really get a Root Beer?" I said, "Go for it!" So the 4 kids sat at a table and ate. The toy was a book, each different. They loved the books. Mom and I sat with Savannah. I know my kids were a little louder then usually let them, but this was a whatever goes day. So sorry to anyone that we might have bothered!
We got home around 2:45 and I laid Savannah and Corbin down. But just before I did, Corbin said.."Mom I had a lot of fun with you today!"
Me too... Some days you need to just say, "Whatever goes!" I know I needed a day like that..but I didn't realize just how much all my kids needed that, especially Savannah!

Ms. Manners

2010-07-27T23:58:00.000-07:00

Well, I wanted to give a tea party for Laurel and Anabelle. So, their cousin was coming in town that they adore. We planned it around her being here. Nothing fancy, nothing big. It was so cute. Ms. Manners taught them about being kind, sipping tea, and being polite. We also had 2 sweet neighbors help with hair and makeup. Hannah and Hayley were so sweet and helped me so much!

Every Birthday in our home starts with a blue berry muffin celebration!

Ms. Manners was a hit!

Anabelle, Hayley, Hannah and Laurel

La La loves this sweet friend!

And we love this friend too...I espeically love her mama!!!!

Oh, and don't forget how much we love these girls!!!!

That night we celebrated with a dinner and a special surprise from Aunt GiGi! Magic drinks!!!!!!!!

Happy birthday sister!

That is a tower of gifts!

Happy 5th Birthday

2010-07-27T23:09:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe my sweet twins are 5. Words cannot explain how blessed I feel to have them in my life. As much as they test me, they make me smile more. They are both such a gift.
I am going to post what I wrote in their baby book about about finding out I was expecting, then twins, then girls! I will post pictures later from their party!

2005

Wow! We have been waiting for you and your sister to arrive! Daddy and I want you to know all the exciting days that have lead up to you and your sister being held in our arms!
Daddy and I really wanted another child. We knew we wouldn’t feel complete without having more children in our home. We also knew that Chloe would make a terrific big sister. All our dreams started to come true on November 19th, 2004. I went to the doctor’s office with Chloe early that Friday morning. They drew some blood and told me they would call later in the day. Chloe and I went to lunch and visited with some friends. Daddy came home from work around 1 o’clock that afternoon. Pretty soon we got a phone call from the nurse. She said, “Julie, you are pregnant!” I was pretty excited and told Daddy. He looked at me and said, “How long have you known?” I told him that I knew for a few days. It was just a feeling I had. When Chloe woke up from her nap, Daddy told her that mommy had a baby in her tummy. But Chloe didn’t really get what we were talking about because she wasn’t quite 2 years old. We called Ninny, Aunt GiGi and Auntie to tell them the good news. Then we called Meemaw and Pop to tell them. We shared our good news with a couple of close friends and then decided to keep it a secret until we could get everyone together to spread the word!
( This sweet picture reminds me so much of when you girls were born. The only person I could get ahold of was one of my best friends, Holly. She came up with my stuff and Jackson. Chloe and Jackson ran around the room giggling and laughing as they prepped me for my c section. I loved it, but the mean nurse didn't. I love little Jackson!)

By the next week, I knew I was really pregnant because I felt yucky every morning and most of the day. At a few weeks pregnant I was asking Daddy to not move once he got in bed because it made me feel sick! This made me think; hmmm….we must have a boy on the way. With Chloe I never felt sick.
Well, we went in for an early sonogram on November 29th. I was actually really scared something was wrong because I was feeling so different then I did when I was pregnant with Chloe. A good friend of ours came over to watch Chloe(Amy J) that morning while Daddy and I headed to the doctor’s office. I was pretty upset when we left. The doctor said that he didn’t think we would be able to see anything at all because I was only 5 ½ weeks along. Then, to our surprise we saw 1 little sac. It was too early to detect a heart beat but the sac looked perfect. Then the sonogram tech said, “And there is another sac!”

(my room was packed with people. I think the other 1/2 was outside with the bouncer..mean nurse:)

Wow! I looked at Daddy and he had tears in his eyes. We found out that day that we had 2 babies on the way. We were both very excited! But I was still a little nervous because it was too early to see both of your heart beats. The doctor said he felt like everything was going to be fine, and told us to come back on December 8th, when I was almost 7 weeks along. So we did, and that day we saw 2 little heart beats! Your hearts rates were 133 and 128. At that point I was positive you were both boys!

I just remembered Chloe’s heart rate being in the 160s and 170s all the time. We were both so excited, but decided not to tell anyone about the news until after Christmas. However, Ninny already knew and she was beside herself. Meemaw and Pop also thought it was terrific to hear that 2 more babies were on their way!
I had sonograms almost every week for a while, just because I was so nervous. We made it through Christmas without spilling the beans, although Aunt GiGi was begging me to tell everyone! Daddy, Chloe and I had a New Years Eve party at our house and I was sure everyone would know I was pregnant. I was starting to show already!

Finally, Daddy and I planned a dinner party for January 14th, 2005. I was 12 weeks along and we thought we would surprise the rest of the family with the big news! I had food cooking all day and then I ended up with a high fever and felt horrible. We had to cancel! I was so upset because we really wanted to share the news! By Sunday I felt fine and we decided to drive to each person’s house to share our news. We got to Aunt Amy’s house and Uncle Brandon’s house first. Daddy thought it would be funny to give them “Twinkies” and see if they figured it out. They did. We stayed and visited for a while. After that I was already tired and we decided to just call the rest of the family. We called Aunt Holly and Uncle Michael, Great Aunt Betsy and Great Uncle John, Great Uncle Bart, and Ninny told Great Uncle Skipper. We also called Great Aunt Penney, Ashley and Jason. And Daddy called Uncle Todd! Great Grandma already knew, but we called her as well! Everyone was so excited for us. They kept saying, “Twins?”
The next weekend was our annual “Ornament Exchange.” I was 13 weeks along and showing! Daddy filled a six pack box up with baby bottles. We walked into the party and he set the box on the table. Everyone was gabbing and thought we were just being funny. Finally I had to grab my friend Bridget’s face and say, “I am trying to tell you I am pregnant!” With that everyone went crazy and screaming and giggling. The Kelly’s said they figured it out at our New Year’s Eve party. Then Daddy said, “Ya, and it is twins!” Well, with that everyone was thrilled. The next weekend we finally shared the news with everyone. No longer a secret, which was good because I was starting to get big!

We continued to have a number of sonograms and I still was sure that we had 2 boys on the way. That scared me a little bit because all daddy and I knew was girls!

(Proud moment number 2(and 3). I can totally remember this like yesterday!)

After a lot of guessing and a lot of feeling yucky we finally got closer to the sonogram that could tell us what to expect. Boys, girls, or one of each? Around 16 weeks I started to feel you all fluttering around and by 17 weeks I could feel you tapping on my tummy! On Thursday February 24th Daddy and Chloe and I went to see Doctor Robins. During our sonogram you both were very busy and I kept trying to see what you were going to be! I couldn’t tell! Then the tech said, “Well, Baby A is a girl!” I looked at Daddy and we both smiled. I think we both hoped for at least 1 more girl! Chloe kept telling us she wanted brothers. Then the tech looked at Baby B and said, “This one is a……girl!” I was shocked! I looked at Daddy again and he was so happy. We both left the sonogram grinning from ear to ear! 2 more girls on the way! We couldn’t have been happier!

Of course Daddy and I knew we had to come up with a clever way of sharing the news. We did call Auntie and tell her. I also had to share the news with Aunt Amy. Up until this point I had stayed away from caffeine and decided at 18 weeks I would treat myself to a Dr. Pepper. So Aunt Amy and I had a Dr. Pepper date. The funny thing was, at the restaurant we chose, they didn’t have it! But Aunt Amy explained to the waitress that this was a special lunch! Someone came over and said, “I heard you really wanted a Dr. Pepper. I can make that happen!” He disappeared and came back with 2 Dr. Peppers he got from down the street! It was really sweet and funny! Aunt Amy was excited to hear that we had 2 girls on the way. She was predicting a boy and a girl!
We made everyone else wait until that Saturday. Daddy took 2 gifts wrapped in yellow with yellow tissue and green tissue inside, to Patrizios in Plano. Meemaw, Pop, Aunt GiGi and Ninny joined us for dinner. Once we were seated we asked them all what they thought we were having. I think everyone said a boy and a girl, except for Pop. I think he said 2 girls. Aunt GiGi had already shared with me that she hoped they were both girls! A waiter soon brought over the gifts and gave one to Ninny and one to Meemaw. They opened them one after another. And each discovered a tiny tiara inside!

2 more princesses on the way! Everyone was really excited. Chloe and Ninny wore the tiaras during dinner. Everyone had cute little gifts for us! It was such a fun evening. When we got home, I emailed a few friends to share the news with a picture attached. The email said, ” A picture tells a thousand words! This is what our future holds, based on our sonogram from Thursday..... Proud big sister Chloe holds her future siblings!

We called the rest of our family. Oh, during dinner I got 2 phone calls from friends wanting to know what the surprise was. That was also fun!
Wow, so much excitement already! And to think we were only ½ way through the pregnancy! So much more fun to come! Oh….finally at 19 weeks daddy could put his hand on my tummy and feel you all kicking!

1st Birthday 'Flowers'

2nd Birthday "Surfs Up Sista"

3rd Birthday 'My Gym'

4th Birthday 'Splish Splash'

5th Birthday 'Ms. Manners'

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-27T22:34:00.000-07:00

We celebrated the 4th of July for the first time in our new home!

Savannah was of course dressed for the part. She loved the day. She ran around getting a lot of attention from everyone.

Laurel and her friend Carson played, ate and watched the fireworks! We had about 40 people over, between friends and family. It was just a perfect evening.

I had my family, my mom and both of my sisters, complete with their families! Then add all my other family that lives near by and some of our closest friends. Just made me smile to see them all together!

I didn't hear about this picture...so I am assuming it was just an interesting angel!

Man, so many smiles.. and the watermellon makes it all just perfect!

Friends, family, new and old....

I think that is what the 4th of July really reminds me of. I think of the old and the new. How each generation will lead the next, good or bad. There was once a generation of people who were so proud to be Americans. So proud that they fought for our freedom. Some of that has been passed on to the next generation. But some of it has been "lost in translation". I think we have lost that sense of smell, that "fresh freedom in the air" smell.

I realize fire works are symbolic in many ways. The lights, just like a war in countrtes far away. The celebration of victory in the sky. But the smell. Smells, to me, are what bring a memory or a feeling back. I can smell that burnt smell. The "gun powder". There were people who endured that and still do today for me. For my children. They don't even know our names, but are willing to do that.

What do I do in return? Well, honestly, not enough. But what I can say is that I am thankful for them. I admire them, old, new alive and dead. I pray for them. And I vote for them.

God has blessed this Country.

Thank you!

This verse comes to mind

Psalms 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the Earth
Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endureth forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

What a week

2010-07-10T23:06:00.001-07:00

This week started off with the arrival of my sister's family from Denver! 1 Mommy, 1 Daddy, 3 boys and 1 girl. Lots of adventures, basically not a moment to sit still.
We celebrated the 4th of July at my house. Lots of friends and family came.
We did a 17 member family photo shoot! WOW!!!! We took 8 of the 10 cousins to Hawaiian Falls for the day. 5 cousins got to go to a baseball game with 2 uncles. The other 5 cousins got to go to dinner with mommies, aunts and a grandmother!
Then we celebrated Laurel and Anabelle's 5th birthday party. I took 6 kids fishing in the rain. We had a last hoora cook out and over night. Now they are gone. Cannot wait to see them again!
Pics to come!

Blogging on the go

2010-06-29T23:36:00.001-07:00

I just found this app to blog from my phone. Maybe I will keep up more! Right now I just want to blog some pictures. They can tell the day to day real life story of our family!

A sweet visit from Molly. We sure mis this family. Rainbow pancakes all around.

Seriously! Did I hit the cute baby lotto or what?

This was the strangest version of ' The Wizard of Oz' that I have ever seen!

This is Ms.. Rosey. She is Savannah's speech therapist. We love her!

-posted on the go

Location:My bed

Thumbing through...found this post that is 1.5 years old

2010-06-24T23:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we need to remember how it felt...
Posted this on October 1st, the night before I had Savannah..
All still holds true!!!!

Twas the night before Thursday
Twas the night before Thursday and all through our house,
not a child was stirring, not even my spouse!
With a basket of laundry clean and folded with care,
We are anxious to have a new baby living here!

I start with my rounds, for each child I pray.
Starting with Corbin, so much I want to say.
I pray for his salvation, his strength and his health.
I pray he knows his family is truly his wealth!

I pick him up as he stirs while I am there.
Then I kiss his sweet cheek and cuddle him with a tear.
My surprise of surprises, that is his sweet place in life.
I lay him down and lastly pray for his future wife.

Off to my oldest, my first baby to bring home.
She lays in her bed and is out like a light.
I kneel down beside her and am in awe of her sight.
Just 5 short years ago, this was her big night!

My request to Him is for her to continue to grow.
To look for His guidance and take life slow.
I lean over to kiss her and tuck her in snug.
I look at her and say, "I love you bug!"

My last stop is the busiest room in this home!
My sweet little girls, they just play in there and roam.
I first see my Laurel, she slightly opens her eyes.
I tell her to close them, and she does as she sighs.

For her I pray she accepts the Lord.
That she uses his word like a shield and a sword.
I ask the He continues to make her so sweet.
And I ask that she gives up her obsession of something always on her feet!

I scoot over to the other pink bed against the wall.
I have so many prayers too night, but non too tall!
My little Anabelle, I pray for her safety.
I pray that she is always close to me.

I pray she asks Him into her heart.
And I pray that her relationship with her siblings, will never part.
With her old pink silky, I tuck her in tight.
I kiss them both and whisper good night.

As I sit down and rest, I think of the years that have passed.
I think of the tears and the fears that no longer last.
We were fearful to have no children in our house.
And now we are blessed beyond belief, me and my spouse!

So I anxious type while I lay in my bed.
I just pray for a healthy baby, I promise to love and keep fed!
I know the Lord will watch over us all.
He will not ever let us crash and fall.

He has a plan for my family, this I know.
He doesn't have to do much for it to show.
I know tomorrow will have so much joy.
We will add to the 3 little girls and 1 sweet boy!

So, now I head off to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
I pray he watches through the night.
And I pray he keeps me safe in tomorrows light.

Round 1, sucker punch 1..ahhhh...and 2

2010-06-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Wow. The past month has been a flash. It seems like each day a new adventure was unleashed. One that I was unsure of how to accept and certainly had no idea of how to address. The one thing that I held firm during each new experience, was that He has a plan. Albeit, sometimes I certainly said, "Are you sure about this plan?" And then it was confirmed each time, "Yes my child." So, onward we go. I am going to step back just to April 28th, 2010. We took Savannah for a more in depth hearing test. It is called an ABR test. She needed to be put under for this. If you want to learn more about this test, I attached a link to ABR TEST . The ENT we saw also suggested that during this test he would determine if she needed tubes or not. She did. Before they took her back, I really felt like the results would be something along the lines of this:
1. She needs tubes
2. She has some hearing loss, but the tubes will help correct that issue
3. Once the tubes are in and she gets some relief, her speech will develop.

Isn't it interesting how we can completely plan out a situation? How we can make it seem as thought it all make the best sense that this would be the outcome. Well, when they were done the doctor and audiologist came in. They spoke to us for about 30 minutes before we went back to see Savannah. This is what they said(or what I heard).

Doctor
"We decided to insert the tubes in both ears. There was some fluid, and this should correct the problems she seems to have with her ears draining. Second we were able to do the Sensory portion of the ABR test. I will let the audiologist explain that."

AUDIOLOGIST
"The results of the test showed that Savannah has moderate hearing loss in one ear and severe in the other. Of course we recommend hearing aides in not just for the server ear, but for the moderate ear. BLABLA BLABLA BLABLA BLABLA BLABLA BLABLA BLABLA

Basically after the hearing aids I felt like a quick sucker punch in the gut that I couldn't react to and just kept nodding my head yes and saying, "ok." I asked how long she will need aids, of course with a reply of her entire life. Sucker punch number 2. I started to react to that one, but kept it inside.

So, at that point the dr and audiologist left the room. We had about 1 minute for Fred and I to consider the words, the change in life, the challenge, the gift of what all of this could(and has) become. We went on to get Savannah and stayed with her until she woke up.

But now I back up..I will go back to 10 minutes before I walked in with Savannah for this appointment with the audiologist and doctor. In effort to help her gain her speech, we have been going to therapy since her 1st birthday. She has made some progress. We at least have "Mamamamama" as a primary sound! 2 times a week for 45 minutes. We have been very blessed to have 2 therapists that have been incredible with Savannah. And love on her so sweetly. But, I did feel like we needed more. The biggest problem you face in that is insurance. Insurance is a funny thing. It limits you while guarantying something for you. We only have a certain number of sessions allowed a year, until we have to pay not only a $45 copay, but the additional $115 per session that we would be billed. A few people recommended the Callier Center as a resource for therapy. I had called in the first part of the new year, and was told the wait list for the "Pre Verbal Program" was a bit long. Plus, at the time Savannah was not the right age. They take 18 months to 3 years for this program. They mentioned that we might get in the program in the fall, but most likely it would be spring of 2011.
So here I am. Walking into Savannah's appointment for the ABR test. And I get a phone call. It is the Callier Center saying they had a few openings for their summer program. They asked if we would be interested. Of course we would be. I did not think twice about the answer. I took the first appointment they had for an observation with Savannah. They said she would have her own therapist 4 days a week for 2.5 hours. There would also be other therapist around helping as well! They said they could bill to Aetna as well.
Are you kidding me? I thought well, this is good. It gives me options for Savannah.

So back to the recovery room. I looked at Fred and said, "Sometimes you don't have any idea what the next step is or how to figure it out. God laid this one out for us. We had no idea what we would be hit with today, but He did. And He provided the next step before we found out we needed it. The Callier Center is one of the number 1 places to be for speech and hearing loss."

So, it all made those 2 sucker punches a little less painful.
I still sit in awe of that. If I had not received that phone call, I would have not only been trying to process the facts alone, but trying to process what is the best next step for Savannah. And I didn't have to. He does provide!
Ok, I will post later about the blessings that have come to us and Savannah receiving her hearing aids. I must go to sleep so BooBoo and I can go to school in the morning!

MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

2010-02-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

Just Watch!!!

2010…Here..Today….

2010-01-04T22:17:00.001-08:00

Well, here we are. 2010. I keep hearing people say, "Remember when we were coming into Y2K". Boy do I. Working for IBM we had all sorts of plans. We had a contingency plan for the contingency plan for the contingency plan. It about did me in. I remember not doing much on New Year's Eve because I had to be in the office at about 4am on the 1^st that year. And NOTHING happened. I think the most excitable thing that occurred was the fact that my manager at the time was insistent that everyone store water and cans of food up. He had already discussed with his neighbors how the "men" would need to bond together and go to work in shifts as the other stayed home to protect the women. Unfortunately, I think he forgot one major thing….a can opener! Needless to say he didn't have to execute his plan…and thankfully he didn't stay my manager much longer!

At any rate, it is amazing when you see 10 years fly by. If I recap my life in the past 10 years, it is full of dreams, hopes, fears, realities…and lots of children! I am thankful for each of those I mentioned. Because without them I couldn't appreciate what was around the bend!
The pic of just Fred and me is Christmas 2000. The next is self explanitory.

So, instead of looking back to last year....and instead of looking forward to this year…I am going to look at the now. I am going to live in the moment. So to start off, we have had 4 wonderful days of January 2010. So far we are having a successful year as a family!

Fred and I use to celebrate New Years with a few couple friends and their kids. Slowly our number of kids became such that we needed a bouncer for the party…one in...One out! My mother has some crazy social life so her watching the kids is out of the question as well…and a sitter on New Year's..Right! So, we decided to have an early dinner at our Uncle's! Uncle Julio that is! We got there around 5:30. The kids enjoyed getting ready and eating and talking about what they were thankful for in 2009 and what they look forward to in 2010. They also love watching the tortilla maker. Seriously, I think that poor guy probably thinks we don't get out much!

Anabelle of course made best friends with another little girl named Claire. She met her in the bathroom. She also invited her to be a part of her "Girl Club". I have no idea where she gets this stuff!

I believe Laurel said one of her profound thoughts at dinner that night.."Daddy, where is the New Year if we are having a party for it?" Oh I love that girl. And I love that fact that she is bound to be a rocket scientist with her level of common sense.

Savannah cracked herself up throughout dinner. She loves sitting up at the table instead of a highchair away from the table. Makes her feel like a big girl I guess!

About 10 minutes into dinner we got a call from my sweet friend Rachel. I truly love that girl and her family. Someone that knows EVERYTHING about me and loves me for who I am now….gotta love a friend like that. Her mother won tickets to the Cotton Bowl and wanted to see if we were interested in going? Hello! Did you say FREE? I have 5 kids..the only thing I ever get free is advice I don't usually need! What a great gift. And we were so thankful. I called my mom during dinner and she was insistent to watch the kids for us during the game!

We ran into a few friends/acquaintances from church at dinner. It is fun to see people out and in a different light. Fun to see new friends and old ones on a night that is so significant.

So we finished up dinner. Anabelle had recently asked me something that made me laugh so hard and came up again at dinner. She said, "Mommy, what does 'your hands full mean'?" I asked her why she asked that and she said, "People always say that to you!" At that point Chloe counted how many people said, "Wow, are they all yours? You sure have your hands full." And in about 10 minutes she counted 4 people! I explained to Anabelle that not everyone has 5 kids or 3 sisters and 1 brother. I also explained to her that not everyone has 4 siblings that are all 5.5 years apart. So when people see us it can be overwhelming. She then asked what overwhelming was…I wanted to say, "You." But I did not. I explained it to her in reference to when I ask her to pick up all the games she dumps out and she doesn't know where to begin.

So she responds with, "Mommy, if they say that you need to say it back!" I said, "You mean I look them in the eye and say, 'Well, you have your hands full!'" She said yes! I laughed. Could you imagine! That would actually sound funny. I had to explain to her that most people are not being rude, they are just surprised!

Anyway, we took our overwhelming family and got a finally family pic of 2009. It was nice, and we all fit well on the couch at our Uncle's!

We got home and had a good time celebrating! Fred, for the 2^nd year in a row, blew up balloons and put them on the loft. He hung them up there on a sheet. While he did that, the kids helped me make some brownies. They were good, but everyone knows the batter was better! We all ate it up! Since Chloe is allergic to eggs and we don't use them….I feel like it is ok to eat all that raw batter! YUMMY!

So, Fred set the timer on the microwave to count down. The kids TOTALLY thought it was time for the New Year to hit. So here we go…10, 9, 8,…wait is the popcorn burning! Just kidding!

We hit, 3, 2, 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR! With that we all screamed and jumped around! Then the balloons dropped. There was a mechanical problem but quickly fixed! The kids LAUGHED so hard as they tried to sit on the balloons and pop them!

The fun part was when mom or dad walked behind them and popped them while they sat on them! So much fun! Then we ran outside to do poppers. Not a lot of those this year…it was so cold! We ate our brownies and then had a WII bowling tournament. Corbin whipped all of us! Seriously that kid can bowl! We had a good time and got all the kids in bed by 9:30! Talk about a perfect New Years! Savannah had fun playing with us after the kids went to be and then off she went! We cleaned up and Fred lay down to watch some New York parties and fell asleep. I watched some shows in my bed and woke him up. He doesn't remember any of that!

So, New Years day I slept in like something fierce! I was SO TIRED! I think the Christmas "break" had finally hit me! Then we got up and played some with the kids and started hitting our chores for 2010! I got a lot done. The fact that the first day of the New Year I was able to steam clean my carpets made me the happiest person in the world! Sad, I know!

We packed up and went to my mom's for our first dinner of the New Year! You should surround yourself by wonderful people when bringing in a new year..so that is what we did! Gigi and Neal and baby Glenn were there as well. Mom made my favorite, because I am her favorite child, pork chops and gravy! YUMMY. Anabelle and I both ate a ton of food… Everyone else made a mild effort to be as amazing as us!

While we were there I had everyone draw pictures of what they were thankful for in 2009 and what they resolved to do in 2010. There were lots of Baby Glenn pics in 2009 and resolving to show love better, obedience, savings and better health! We are planning on displaying our pictures in our game room! I resolve to do thatJ

So after another WII tourney at moms we headed home and everyone crashed! I got up on the 2^nd and made 2010 pancakes. The kids loved them and Corbin ate about 7 of them!

Fred slept in a bit then got up and started putting his ORANGE on. We put the kids in their OSU colors and sent them off to Ninny's house for the day. We headed to the game. The ride was short…but quiet. It was so nice. A little break from the noise we live inJ Good noise, but noise all the same.
We discovered at Jerry World you get RIPPED off when parking. We found a spot that seemed reasonable… the rest went something like this.

2 Free tickets to the Cotton Bowl = $0

1 parking space far far away = $15

1 ride up to the stadium on a bike cab = $15

2 fools that forgot the tickets in the car after getting to the stadium = $20(that was for the ride back to the car!)

1 Bike cab guy that was super nice/off giving us a ride back = $0(he was so nice)

Watching our team loose without having to change a diaper or wipe a bottom = Priceless

So in all we had a good time.

We can say we have been to the new stadium and we saw the Kelley's, who we love. We also saw Mr. and Mrs. Beach(aka Don and Sue). So that was fun. Fred had a friend he grew up with from school days, we saw him and his wife as well, Corey and Cary.

So we got our little ones and headed home. We were short a kiddo because Chloe got to spend the night with her cousin. Talk about a treat. For all of usJ Except Amy and Brandon!

Got everyone home and in bed! The next morning seemed like a breeze to get everyone ready for church. Maybe I should have 1 more kid and then I will think 5 is a breeze…wait…I see where this is going…DUGGARS!

Anyway, church was great. The message was so needed…do you love Jesus more then you did yesterday? If you don't you probably love HIM a lot less then you did. Very thought provoking.

We got all the kids and headed home. I picked Chloe up from her spend the night and drug her to the store with me. I have never seen someone so tired! She said she didn't like grocery shopping. I explained to her I didn't either. But it was 1 of the 2 necessary evils in life…….

Groceries
Laundry!

I won't include 3, 4 or 5!

So we got home, and ate dinner. We got people to bed at a decent time and I cleaned house! Then today I had to head into the office. It wasn't all bad. I got a lot done. I called to make Savannah a 15 month appt, and they were able to see us at 4 because of a cancelation. How terrific..ya right!

We were there for an hour before the dr saw us. Chloe and I picked on him like something fierce… He took it in stride and dished it back. Chloe was board and was taking pics of her dr...then he got this one of her. I actually love it!! He also managed to delete all the pics she took!!!

Such a great patient Dr. Relationship. At any rate…for the most part our appt went well. He wants to see Savannah gaining more weight. She is NOT the obesity problem in America! I can tell you that!

So everything is ready to go back to school tomorrow. I wish we had another week off, but we don't. So off to bed I go. I am going to post pictures to this later. Oh..here is later..

I am trying to live Proverbs 31… so I say goodnight with this: about the 'noble wife'

17She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

Halloween..not just for the scarey people!!!!

2009-11-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

Well, truth be told...I LOVE HALLOWEEN! I tried to be a good Christian and see the evil in it all:) But that didn't work. So, instead of being a failure at that, I have decided to just love it! We don't do "Scarey" Halloween...but just fun! The kids all got to pick out their own costumes(well except for Savannah..her Ninny said she MUST go as a fairy!).
So we had a Rock Star, Ariel, Glenda the Good Witch, Spiderman and of course a Fairy(we called Tinkerbell). It was so fun.
We got all ready and ran over to see Mr. Greg, my mom's neighbor. The kids love him. Isn't it interesting how 2 generations can experience someone COMPLETELY different! As my cousin reminded me..I use to tell him he had an older brother that once went into Mr. Greg's yard and never returned!:)

Well, after that we came back to start our first trick or treat event in Castle Hills! It was nuts! It was so fun! I was amazed at how EVERYONE gets so into it all. So from some.. you might think some people are scarey and so on and so forth. Well, my old neighborhood only had a handful of people get into Halloween. So we see it as neighbors wanting to just share in the fun and say hi to each other! And it was. I LOVED hearing kids giggling from down the street! And families just rocking on their front porches visiting while trick or treaters come and go.
We put a double pot of Chili on and were thrilled to have friends in and out while eating and collecting candy! My house filled with family, new and old friends is just how I always pictured it! So the night was just perfect for us! And all but 1 bowl of chili was eaten! I am saving that one for me:) shhhhhh!

The last thing we did was go to see Chloe's Kinder teacher! And we would have stayed all night if Spiderman was not melting:) It was late!
So, even at Halloween, I am blessed by Him with my friends and family!
BABY GLENN MAKES ONE CUTE SLEEPING MONKEY!

Another Birthday has passed!

2009-10-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it was 3 years ago I started this blog(which I have been bad about updating lately). I started just a few weeks before Corbin's arrival in this world. The original reason I started the blog was because I thought it would be the easiest and fastest way to post pictures of our new baby and growing family. Now, 3 years later there are some great memories on this blog.
To add to the bag of memories will be my little boy Turing 3. I entered this day with mixed emotions. I wonder if the pain I feel of him turning 3 is because he is my only little boy. I only got and get to do this little boy thing once. The girls, although each year was hard to see pass by me..I knew I had another little girl to have her first ballet class, first princess party, first tea party, first first first...
But with Corbin I get to do it all one time. Getting to see him kick a ball for the first time. Getting to see him playing in the mud for the first time. There are some firsts I am ok with not doing again. I am thankful for the fact that this is the last first time I have to potty train a boy!
He is doing ok, but if we are not paying attention...wow...we can get a spray!
Well, for Corbin his 3rd birthday was perfect. On his actual birthday he started the day with an annual tradition of a birthday muffin. Then he got to have a birthday donut post breakfast, pre lunch! Then he got to go to a pep rally. Then he got to have a birthday McDonald's lunch! Then he got a birthday cake, dinner, presents and football game! What a busy day!
I loved making his Spider man cake...only because he was so happy to have it sitting in front of him! We gave him a big boy bed the next day that he loved and started wearing underwear! He is so big now! And I cannot get enough of watching him run by in his Buzz Lite Year underwear! This past Sunday we had his birthday party. It was "Corbin's Circus"! I think everyone really enjoyed it. I know he did!
Wow, another year past! In 6.5 years we have celebrated 18(yes 18) kiddie birthdays! Some of them the kids will remember. Some they will not. But I will. I remember the details. Even if no one else does. It may seem like show to some...but at 1 in the morning, when I peek in on my babies...and then I go back to decorating their cake, or make a cd for a party favor that we listen to for the next 4 years...it is something I take joy in. Things I hope my kiddos treasure...even if they only remember it because they see a picture.
So here is to the last kiddie birthday party for our family, this year. We will have birthday 19...That is Chloe's 7th Birthday in December. Then a little rest...Then we start it all up again! I love celebrating the "birth" day of my kiddos. I love telling them about that day they were born on their birthday's...and they love hearing it!

CORBIN IS 3 today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post. I need to add Savannah's bday..but here is Corbin's..so far!

Love that boy!

NEW HOUSE

2009-08-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Keep our new information! We want to hear from you:) We are pretty settled. We took the kids on a hunt to find our statue Lydia. She left a note that after spending the spring in my mom's back yard, she was afraid for her life because of incoming golf balls. She had us look for her at a friend's house. The "Sugars" said she had come by to play but left to see a real Dragon. So we headed to a park with a Dragon. We played and looked for her there. No sign of her! Finally Chloe found a note in the Dragon's nose! It was from Lydia and she said, "Dudley the Dragon was so fun, but she heard there were Pirates to play with down the street!" So we went to the pirate park and looked. No Lydia. We managed to play for a while and Chloe found another note at the Pirate Ship. It said she had fun but was tired and found a garden to rest in, at the end of the street. So we went on a walk, and found her there! Chloe found another note! This one said that she loved this garden and wanted to stay. She also said there was a surprise inside. We walked in the house and the kids took a while to figure it out! They had NO idea we were finally moving into a new home! They saw pictures of themselves and figured it all out! I added some pictures of the day! It was so much fun!

http://jtsparks.zenfolio.com/p263545436

If you have a pair, you need your match!

2009-05-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

So, this is something that has perplexed me since high school. The first time I saw this, I was riding in the car with Christina and Emily. I believe we were headed to Shane McFarland's house because his mother had gone over seas to visit his father for a while. Hmmm. I think to this day Mrs. McFarland is one of the smartest mom's I know. Always had a hand on her boys...but looking back...not so sure trusting her sweet innocent boys with her house while she was out of the country was the smartest idea! Boy that was a fun summer! Can I get a whoop whoop from the crowd!

Anyway, I'll get back on to the subject at hand. I remember riding home from, most likely, Denim and Diamonds, and seeing a shoe laying in an intersection. We all looked at it and contemplated why this shoe would be out in the middle of no where, and on top of it, without a match!

Throughout my life I have seen things that are clearly needed in pairs, but have been separated! Just recently I was driving home from dropping Chloe off at school. Once again, I saw a sneaker by itself in the middle of the road. So what I have to wonder is this, how exactly did it occur?

1. Did someone just get annoyed with the smell of their friends sneaker and throw it out the window? Maybe one food smelled worse then the other?

2. Did some angry person decide to throw there shoe at another car in a fit of road rage. I thought that kind of thing only happened to the president?

3. Do you think some yahoo had their foot hanging out the window and their shoe just flew off? Wouldn't you go back and get it? Otherwise you are 1 shoe on, 1 shoe off all day!

I am not sure why that shoe was there...I find it really interesting and odd at the same time! But I do know this. Things that are suppose to be in pairs, need to have their match. When they get separated, it just throws off the axis of the course!!!!!

Caterpillar Caterpillar...where have you been?

2009-05-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

Well,I finally told the kids that the caterpillar was dead. No one believed me. I explained to them what they looked like in Chloe's class room at school and it was very different. I explained to them how the one's at school, that seemed to be the same age as ours, were already butterflies that had been let go. I began to turn our container upside down to show them that the "coffin" was not doing anything. I expected it to fall.
Well to my surprise, when I began to turn it over I saw this small brown thing. It shocked me! Low and behold there was a small moth hanging upside down, fluttering its wings away! We all got a good look. And I might have been more excited then the kids! We took some pictures and let him go. He took a while to get going, but he is officially gone.
So, i can't help but think a little deeper about this. 1st, I thought he was dead... the reason I was sure the caterpillar was dead to begin with was because it wasn't moving. Well, I found out that was because he was about to enter a new amazing process. Isn't that just like us? Have you ever thought, wow...I am in a routine day to day rut. But then you turn the corner for some new adventure. Some welcomed, some not. 2nd, I saw him in the chrysalis and had hope. But when I saw the other chrysalis at school, it was nothing like ours. How superficial. When someone doesn't appear just as the majority, we often assume something is wrong with them. Could it just be, they are exactly how God intended? Unique and designed in a way to teach us something the majority can't? 3rd, when all that time went by and I didn't see anything, my assumption was, it failed. He never became anything. Everything takes time. Each bag of popcorn takes a different amount of seconds. Every baby takes a different amount of days to be ready to enter the world. Every person takes a different amount of time to become what they were intended to be! Time doesn't = failure... I think it usually = wisdom. And last, for all my mother's out there on mother's day. Mother's intuition. From the minute that my kids brought that crazy caterpillar to me, I told them I was pretty sure it looked like a moth caterpillar, not a butterfly. They didn't care and said it would still have wings and be pretty. Sure enough it was a moth. And sure enough they thought it was pretty. The eye of a child is something to be in awe of!

Cod Fish Ball

2009-05-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

2009-05-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

With all that we went through in the NICU with Savannah, I am crazy about her hitting her "mile stones." She had not rolled over so I made a deal with her...Watch the video to see....

Efficient caterpillar

2009-04-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

Efficient is something I admire in anything! So, the caterpillar made his chrysalis. Well, it has been sometime and I see nothing different. I saw the ones at Chloe's school and they seem to look more advanced by now. I am going to call it, "time of death...11:33pm April 30th." Poor little guy. But I have to assume he knew he was not going to be a butterfly. I predicted moth. This entry could go one of 2 ways. It could go into something deep and meaningful about our life in death. Or it could go...well more practical at this moment.. the fact that he knew he was not going to go any further in his growth as a caterpillar. So in making a chrysalis, he really made his own coffin. As sad as that is, I have to give that little bug props for being efficient! Talk about planning ahead. Ok..I promise the next post will be full of fun and laughter!

back from the dead

2009-04-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

I was wrong! We have a chrysalis and hope to see a butterfly soon!

No butterfly to show around here!

2009-04-23T15:12:00.001-07:00

The fuzzy caterpillar... he died! Hey, I can only keep so many things alive! Try try again!

The Hungry Spider

2009-04-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

This was a big day for Chloe! She started piano lessons in January from my piano teacher...back when I was a little girl! Ms. Riddle lives near my mother, and we talked her into taking her youngest student. Usually she makes them wait until 1st grade. But she said we would see. Well, Chloe loves it and really is doing well. She had her first piano recital today. She did fantastic. We all were so proud of her. My video is not great. I think I am wanting a new video camera for Mother's Day!!!!! Enjoy!

Caterpillar....what do you eat?

2009-04-16T20:12:00.000-07:00

Just when I might think life is "normal" or uneventful, something happens...life happens! This time...cute and funny.
Chloe has been learning about insects in Kindergarten. It just happened that Laurel and Anabelle were learning about butterflies on the same day. They all came home from school and were discussing insects vs butterflies. Now, I am no expert, but I assumed a butterfly was an insect. Chloe told the girls that was not correct. They all came in screaming to me to tell the other one "they were right". I told them Chloe must be right! I mean, she is in Kindergarten. Ok, this is one sign that you need to slow down when you have differed to the education level of Kindergarten as the end all be all! But she is the only other one that can read(well till daddy comes home). So, finally I get them to all go play. I hear screaming....kind of like if you got your leg cut off....but also like winning the lottery. All 3 girls come running in. They are surrounding Chloe and smiling ear to ear. Clearly no one got a leg cut off...however, this could mean they all tied Corbin up and left him to be licked to death by the dog. Thankfully, that was not the case. Chloe had her hand in the stiffest blade hand pose I have ever seen. And there standing tall, is if he was saying..."Here I am!" was a Caterpillar! Long and fuzzy, and crawling around Chloe's hand. I think I said take it outside 10 times before I let them show me how excited they really were. They wanted to show him to Corbin, but he could care less. He couldn't stay still long enough to see what was going on...that is Corbin, not the Caterpillar. So I told the girls they needed to make a home for him. They found one of the bug houses they got for St Patrick's day(yes they got a gift!). They made a home for him and were so thrilled. Ninny was very insistent that he remind outside. The girls all checked on him a number of times before bed. He was crawling everywhere!
We all went to bed. I think a few prayers were said for the Caterpillar. Then 1 hour later, it was time to get up and ready for school(ok, not really but that is what it felt like to me. Usually when I go in to get Chloe, everyone is asleep. However, this morning everyone was awake and faking sleeping. But once I got Chloe I could tell they were all full of energy. It was so cute to see all 3 girls run outside in jammies at 7am to check on the Caterpillar. And then I saw the saddest 3 faces I have ever seen. Mr. Caterpillar was not moving. He was dead. They were all so sad. I said maybe he was cold and just needed to come in for a while. Chloe cut a piece of fabric for him and covered him up. Then we accept the fact that he was gone. His home was put back outside. They were all sad about the dreary morning.
The girls and Corbin went on to school and I went to work. Then, I read a facebook "update" on my mom's facebook. This is after I have picked the girls and Corbin up from their classes and sent them on with mom for the rest of my work day. The update read...

"Kids found a caterpillar last night. They put it in a bug container. Very sad this morning when they said he was dead and they cried. But - it turned in to a great day. This afternoon he was alive!!!! Lots of big smiles around this house."

Now, can you believe this dumb Caterpillar played dead all morning so we could morn his loss all day. I think he might be a little "drama" for me...
So now all the talk is about him becoming a butterfly. I went online to see what all we needed to do....did you know how finicky caterpillars are? They will starve themselves before they eat the "wrong" food. How am I suppose to know what this guy likes? I looked it up and tried to compare his picture with some on the internet. I am officially going to have nightmares. There are some creepy caterpillars out there! Finally I had Chloe show me exactly where she found him. So then we took some of the grass right there. I mean, if someone found you...it isn't likely to be eating at a restaurant you hate, right? It was also recommend to put a stick in the container. The list went on and on... I really think the Caterpillar is going to have to just make it on his own. I already have a fish named swimmie that I think should have died almost a year ago...he just waits for me to remember to feed him. The dog only gets fed when Fred comes home. She doesn't in try to get me to feed her. Poor thing. I have 5 other mouths to try and feed. So the Caterpillar and the fish are on their own.
So, now we wait for the shedding and the pupa stage....I also read I needed to make sure the stick was long enough that when the butterfly opens his wings for the first time, they don't touch the ground. This will cause a defect and he will never fly. Within 4 to 6 days they go off and mate. Hmmmm....maybe we should make sure he can't fly...I think that is a little young!

Oh..and they are insects!

Co Pay Co Pay Co Pay

2009-03-10T11:44:00.001-07:00

It has been a while since I blogged… Lots going on in our house. 1^st thing is first…

Savannah Jane has to be the MOST precious baby there is! She is so cute and cuddly! She is so smiley (is that a word). I just love kissing her and laughing with her. But what is even sweeter is watching her siblings kiss and hug on her. I just love see it all! She is trying to roll over and grabs at everything! She holds her toys and loves grabbing her knees and works her way to her feet! She puts EVERYTHING in her mouth! Gross! The dr thinks she is a little "stiff", I agree some but don't think it seems to be an issue. However, we see an OT for it. Making the best of it all, I look at it as one on one time I don't usually get with my baby! I am usually divided by at least 5!

She is a healthy cute baby! I think she is going to have a soft demeanor like Chloe, with a little fire like Anabelle! Yikes!

Ok, now on to the real stuff….the crazy house!

So, it all started on Saturday(a week ago). Savannah looked whiter than normal. So I took her temp and it was around 101.9. I called the nurse line and they said she should be seen by a dr at 102. We did Tylenol and she seemed fine. The next morning it was 99.6. I went ahead and did Tylenol again. About 2 hours later she tried to spit up her bottle. She rarely does that(a far cry from Chloe and Anabelle). Then she turned so pale. She couldn't keep her eyes open. She had spiked to 103. It was around noon on Sunday, so we decided to just take her to the ER. I knew that she would need blood work (beauty of having 5 kids). So, we get there…well, they can't get an IV in her because she is dehydrated and has a layer of great baby fat on her! So, they asked if they could use the great vein in her forehead! I about died! I couldn't believe they were serious. Fred and I just looked at each other. We said, well if you have to. So there laid my sweet little unicorn! It was so traumatic……………..for me!

They did some blood work, gave her some fluids and determined a UTI. We were not surprised, this happened to Anabelle at the same age.. Thank goodness she didn't have to be a unicorn though! So, we finally go home around 6 or so that evening. The girls are all running around playing and Corbin chasing them. I noticed Chloe and Laurel had on some large stick on earrings. They looked funny! So, that evening various people woke up with various problems. I knew I would need to take Savannah in to see the doctor as a follow up on Monday. I went ahead and made 3, yes 3 sick appts. I had 4 kids with me, but decided that whatever they gave Anabelle for her cold I would share with Laurel since I think they shared the cold with each other.

So first he sees Savannah. She looks great. The drugs were working. He decided to see her again Friday for a follow up. In the mean time I had to schedule an appt to do a VCUG(for those with kids who have renal reflux). So then Corbin was next. He was so excited to have "Borbin's turn!" He had some crazy rash on his chest and as my sister put it so eloquently, "His butt smells like throw up!" Nice…just repeating her!

So probably nothing in regards to the diaper issue….too much chili and beans I guess! Got a topical for his chest!

Anabelle was complaining about her ear hurting. So he looked in there...guess what he found?

BLING! She had red stick on jewels in there! He got 2 out, but 1 is stuck(bc they are adhesive) to something in there!!! Holy cow...seriously, he has to think, "Why did I accept these new patients?" I didn't know if I wanted to strangle Anabelle or die laughing! I did ask her if Mommy's diamond ring that she lost was also in there. She looked very seriously at me and said, "No mommy, I told you I don't know where that is!"

Laurel…she was just playing with her lollipop.

So, then that moves us on to the week.

Tuesday Savannah and I went to her OT appt. It went well, she did great. More stretches!!! Yippie! So Wednesday we had a somewhat mellow day! I loved it! Nothing crazy happened, or I can't remember if it did. Then Thursday I was home with Savannah working because my mom was out of town. It was nice to just have her and get some work done! Then Friday….we head back to the doctor.

He follows up on Savannah and she looks good. Then Anabelle's turn. He has to look in her ear again. We did ear drops all week to help move that last jewel. She freaks out before he comes in because she REALLY does not want to be there! He can't get it. The jewel has not moved. Great! He calls an ENT we know and he agrees to fit us in on Monday. Poor Anabelle….

So, Friday night we have 2 sitters coming. The first, my cousin Garrett to watch the kids until my sitter Brooke gets there. Chloe was so excited she ran outside with Garrett to show him her cartwheel. I don't know what happened but she hurt her arm pretty bad. We debated on staying home but I got her calmed down enough for us to leave. Great parents, I know! So after our evening, we get home. Around 3:30 am she is crying so hard because her arm hurts! Finally we get up in the morning and we are off to urgent care for an xray. We are there for 3 hours. It was insane! Her arm looks fine, just a sprain. But she is in pain. We get a sling from a friend and mend her arm. We get home and she goes outside to show Fred the sling. She fell off the porch on her arm! She gets this from his side of the family for sure!!! Poor kid!

So, everyone is doing fine. Anabelle goes to the ENT on Monday morning. He tried to get the Jewel out but it was so deep and on her ear drum he was afraid he would hurt it. She was freaking out again! So, we leave there with an appointment to go "under" on Friday and get it out! Great!

Then, Tuesday comes; Savannah goes in for her VCUG and has level 2 renal reflux. Great! Oh well…should have guessed!

So…what is left for this week? The OT on Thursday and ENT on Friday.

Ahhhhh….I am tired… is it summer break yet?

I love my kids and family….if I have to be this worn out by all the craziness….then bring it on.. that is why God created caffeine!

OK. OK.

2009-01-12T12:36:00.001-08:00

So I realize I started this blog about 2.5 years ago..
I did really well..then lots of changes..and facebook!!!!
I like facebook, but I found that i throw out little factoids vs. what I am thinking about and refelecting on the day!!! So, I am going to blog once again!!!!! Here I come!!!

So long since I posted!

2008-12-29T20:10:00.000-08:00

Are you kidding! Almost 2 months since I blogged! Life is busy! quick update...Savannah is doing great! She was 11 lbs(maybe a little more) at 3 months! She came home at 6lbs so that is pretty good! She sleeps great and is just a smily baby. Daddy has held her too much (if possible) and she likes to be held! He doesn'st see the problem in that, but he isn't here all day with 5 kids:) But, someday non of them will want me to hold them. Chloe cut ALL her hair off. She donated it to Locks of Love, just before her 6th birthday! So sweet and cute! Anabelle is so deliberate. She has a plan in everything she does. She recently saw that the satalite wasn't working on the tv. She looked at my mom, very seriously and said, "give me a screw driver and I will fix it!" Of course the flip side of that.. she had her finger up her nose at dinner and my mom told her to not do that. Her response was, "Oh ninny, it is ok because I am not eating my boogers!" Nice!
Laurel...my sweet Laurel. I often wonder what she would have been like as an only child. But instead, she has 4 siblings. She is so lovey and sweet. But man, that sweet girl can snap when she has had enough. I think she gets it from me.
She is having fun being a big sister to Savannah. She and Anabelle never have been "big sisters" to Corbin since he isn't much younger then them!
Corbin. He is finally saying things that make sense! And now he won't stop talking! He is so stinking cute. And heavy. He never wanted to be held, but now he wants to all the time! at 35+ lbs! Come on! Do they make huskies for 2 year olds:)
Mom and Dad...we are good. tired, but good. We sold our house finally! PTL! But didn't find one before we closed. So we are ALL living at my moms! Yes. Kind of funny! In church the minister spoke of your in laws leaving after Christmas... well...my poor mom still has her in law here:) Luckily we all get a long really well and my mom is unbelievable. Seriously. She is so unselfish and giving. I mean, she hardly complains about her own things or being tired or so on...she would give anything for us. She is wonderful to us!
Ok, that is it..
oh, i guess interesting news would be that 5 of th 7 in our family got a nasty bug. It lasted 24 hrs, we all got it about 5 hrs after the next. I think I used all the water in the city today while I washed 5 different beddings! All on the mend...

Stone

2008-11-03T12:48:00.001-08:00

Joshua 4:1-24
This stone is to be reminded of His amazing Grace and glory on Oct 2nd and Oct 17th. A day we won't forget.
Thanks for the idea Lisa!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joshua%204:1-24;&version=31;

For Christians who think they are doing the right thing voting for Obama.....

2008-11-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

For the Christian who thinks they are doing the right thing voting for Obama.....
I know there are a lot of issues on the table in regards to the candidates. For some people it comes down to the "non negotiables", for others it is the "over all picture". Then of course on both sides you have the people who just think they are conservative or liberal and will always vote for what is "represented out there" without doing any foreward thinking of your own.

My 5.5 year old...let me correct myself, 5 and 3/4 year old came home Thursday asking me about the election and so forth. It started with signs in people's yards. She asked who I wanted to be president. She then assumed that because I wanted someone it was going to happen. This lead into the discussion that there is a strong possibility my choice will not be president. Then she started saying how bad the man I didn't want to be president was. I had to stop her. I think this is where the entire campaign issue goes wrong(not to mention the ridiculous amount of money spent on campaigning...I saw this in elementary school and wrote into DMN and was published! toot toot!)

Anyway, I had to stop her and explain that he is probably a wonderful father and husband. Heck, he may even know Jesus like we do. But there are some things that are "Non negotiables" for me. There are things that the Bible flat our says are wrong. And if you do know Jesus and you believe in Him, when you are standing face to face with Him, and he says, "Chloe, why did you deny me on Nov. 4th 2009." You say, "But Jesus I did not." He says, "But Chloe you did. You know in the depths of your heart what the Bible says. Those are my words. You memorized them into your heart starting at a young age. You stood before other people and peers, sharing my word. But on Nov 4th, you denied me. You choose to follow a man who shows no remorse for his decisions to disagree with my word. You choose to follow a man who claims to know me and believe me, but he denies my most precious gift.".

I didn't have to detail it anymore. She understood. I also pointed out that the man I do like for president has also sinned against Him. However, repenting and saying with our mouth, we did wrong, we are sorry...please forgive me... That is what He wants from us.

So all in all, I think I was able to get across to her that we all sin...No sin is bigger in His eyes. But sin without remorse, sin without confession...when you know what He says...it is hard to trust someone who can just sin and keep on walking...

For those who believe his word, but also don't feel like abortion is a hot topic to choose a candidate on...
Read this book...
http://www.francinerivers.com/book_theAtonementChild.asp

It is pretty powerful. The struggle of both views speaks out...it is a good book. Food for thought.

Like I told Chloe....the people who don't know Him, who don't know the words of the Bible...you can't be mad and angry at them. You can only pray for them. Pray for others and yourself to minister to them. It is the ones, even like ourselves at times, that do know Him. That do know the words of the Bible, that when we deny Him that when we make the decision to ignore His will, that is wrong. That is when we need to get angry at ourselves and dig deeper. Ask Him for more wisdom.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

We had fun. We trick r treated around our house. All the kids picked their costumes this year without me throwing hints! Enjoy!

3 weeks

2008-10-27T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well, sweet Savannah is a little over 3 weeks old. Seems much longer that we have been home with her, then 2 weeks! I guess that first week was a life time! What is happening here.........well, not a lot a sleep, except for Savannah:) She is good, only wakes us every 3.5 hours! Yikes...I forgot how much this part SINKS! Some people forget child birth..I forget sleepless nights! And I hate those. But that too shall pass!
Savannah had a drs appt last week and he was thrilled with her weight gain! That made us very happy! The little kids(well, guess they aren't the little ones anymore) still love being around her. Corbin officially threw his first ball at her. He didn't mean to, but it gave me a heart attack. I finally can relate to my sweet friend Holly Prather. I remember being on the phone with her and hearing, "Jackson, if you throw that ball at Presley one more time...." empty threats, right Holly!
All in all, we are good. My mom is amazing. She is about the most selfless person I know. She has been with us this entire time, not to mention had all my other kids by herself for an entire week before we got home. She gets up in the middle of the night with us, she lets me take a nap when I know she is just as tired. She is amazing. I strive to be like her. I can't wait to do this for my kids someday. Fred is constantly in awe of how much she does for us. In his fantasy world he would have bought her the house of her dreams, the car of her dreams and taken her on the trip of her dreams! But until we can do that..fantasy is great!
Some pics of the fam!

Savannah's Arrival

2008-10-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

1 week 3 days old

2008-10-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

Wow, has it already been 1 week and 3 days? Actually, it seems like 3 weeks already! What can I say? A precious life has been placed in our hands. A precious tiny little life! Savannah is SO small compared to our other babies. When I get her dresses, she seriously looks like a baby doll. She is just darling. She is very "porcelain" doll like. That reminds me of Anabelle.
The past week has been joyful, amazing, difficult, scary and every other word you can think! But most of all, it has been humbling. That seems like an odd word to describe the birth/arrival of a child. But that is exactly what it is. I think so many of us take for granted life. Even when something goes wrong, or we loose a loved one. Later down the road, we loose some of our conviction and we are back to taking our life and the lives around us for granted. For taking our health for granted. I had wondered throughout my pregnancy, this time, if everything was going to be ok. I probably drove my drs nuts asking if the baby was ok. Lots of reassurance, but in the end you don't know until you are holding that sweet life in your arms. The night before we had Savannah, I was cleaning my car out and rearranging car seats. I was getting the infant carrier situated in the car. All of a sudden I had a vision of driving home with the carrier and no one in it. I just decided to get it out of my head. Well, sure enough that is what happened. Now, luckily it was less then 15 hours we were out of the hospital and Savannah was still there. But what a hard 15 hours those were. That isn't how it is all suppose to happen! And it would have been longer, but my dr was able to keep me 2 extra days. I am thankful for that and for him. Beyond words.
The first few days in the hospital with "Miss Savannah" as Laurel calls her, was just perfect. She was just a sweet little baby doing new baby things...nothing:) Around the 2nd day I started to get sick due to a not so great "spinal" for my C section. My dear friend Jenn came to see me. I am so thankful. She held Savannah while I floated in and out of reality. Apparently the meds for nausea can make you pretty loopy! I made no sense to her, but she was sweet enough to not say so! I had so many sweet loving visitors and I loved seeing my baby loved on! It is amazing to have so many precious friends that call, email and see you when you have a baby. Swells my heart up!
Then I think it was the evening on Saturday the 4th that we realized Savannah was not just still "asleep" but not really interested in eating. The nurses and I came up with a plan and we got headed in the right direction. The next morning my sister and my brother in law came to visit. It was while they were there(with my mom) that we started having to take some serious turns. I had a phone call from the NICU about bring Savannah in for a feeding tube and some tests. The entire time I was on the phone I was crying. As we were all in the room, they took Savannah from me, to the NICU. I was so sad, but also wanted her to be cared for as best as she could. Now, I think about Mom, Fred, Ginny and Neal. And I think about how hard that had to be for them to watch. And to watch me. They are a blessing in my life.
So Sunday evening we visited her in the NICU. By Monday morning she was doing better and we had an OT evaluated her. We figured out the problem and she was back to eating! AMEN! I however got hit with a "Spinal Headache" from the not so grat "Spinal" for my C section. I couldn't even see or think. It was pretty bad. The only time it felt better at all was if I was laying flat. I wanted to see my baby, so Fred wheeled me down stairs and I got to see her. I couldn't even look up at the nurses. I looked and felt terrible, but was just worried about Savannah. Sweet friends tried to visit and gift their love, but I was in no shape to see them. Finally an anesthesiologist came in to give me a "Spinal Patch". This did the trick in no time. But again I was suppose to lay for 24 hours. Who are we kidding. My baby is down stairs, I am not going to not see her that long. I did well for 4 hours and finally went to see her. I took it really easy on Monday. Then Monday night we were hit with more tests and questions. I was pretty upset with all of this and Tuesday morning was probably one of the worst mornings in my life. I woke up and realized this wasn't a dream. I realized this is my life now. I still felt bad from the Spinal, Fred had gone to feed Savannah. My dr came in and all I could do was cry cry cry. He sat with me and just listed to me. It helped, but I still couldn't believe all that had happened since Wednesday night before...when 20 Kindergartners gathered around me and prayed for me and the baby while laying their hands on my tummy.
So, I spent most of the day Tuesday in the NICU with Savannah. Wednesday night we were told she we could stay in a room in the NICU, since I was already discharged. We decided not to, and came home around 5pm. We just decided the other kids really needed us. It had been almost a week since we had been home, and we got to see them. That was probably the best medicine in the world! We had dinner with the kids and put them to bed. Then we rushed back to the hospital to see Savannah, around 9pm. My sister, Emily came in town as a surprise that night. Christina brought her to the hospital around 10:15pm. We stayed until midnight. I am so thankful she was here. It is funny because different times in my life, I have felt like I just can't do something. But if I know she is with me, I can. I am really strong and independent, but for some reason God made me this way. I have to have her at different times. I remember crying the night before I had Chloe, to her. I told her I couldn't do it if she wasn't here. I was scared to death. NO ONE knew. Because I am strong and I don't get that way! Ya, right! So, during all of this with Savannah, I had spoken very little with Emily. This was only because I was mainly in the NICU or I just didn't want to talk to anyone. And she knew... she knew I needed her.... She just knew. How blessed am I.
So the next morning, Thursday, October 9th, was Corbin's official 2nd birthday! We celebrated in the morning with him and then got everyone to school. Fred and I dropped Chloe off at 8am and went to see Savannah. We got her out of the NICU by 10am! It was wonderful. We stopped by to see a nurse that had cared for me, then we stopped by my OBs. It was a wonderful send off. Everyone was happy to see us and the baby. My Dr said some of the kindest most genuine words that will never escape me. I pray for him to know how important his job is, outside of actually delivering a baby. He is a blessing.
Finally we get home! Emily and Mom waiting for us, baby in tow! It was wonderful! Then we surprised Chloe and picked her up from school with Auntie(Emily) and Savannah in the car! She was pretty thrilled! We all arrived home at the same time. Fred had made a darling sign and had it in the yard! The kids were all thrilled to see it and "Sabannah" as Annabelle says!
We had birthday cake, opened presents and started a life at home, 5 kids....4 adults:) Then my sweet little sister Ginny came in town on Friday. She has not been able to see her husband of a short time, for a full week in a month or so! And she decided to come in and spend time with us and Emily. And I thank her for that..and Neal for that. It was such a blessing to have them both, Emily and Ginny, here. I pray my kids are there for each other like this. I mean, there are no words to explain.
Savannah also had her 1 week appt on Friday. She was up from 6 lbs 1 ounce to 6 obs 4 ounces, in 2 days! That is terrific weight gain! She goes back next week! I expect a chunky 7 lbs baby by then:) I hope:)
Saturday was nuts! We had 3 showings(not to mention the 4 in the hospital). So we spent time at the park, on walks and at my aunts. That was really fun to just vege at her house with Savannah and mom and Emily. Ginny and Fred took the little kids to a birthday party and they had a ball!
So, here we are, Sunday. Ginny and Emily are gone....I wish they could stay. Mom is here...I couldn't be more thankful for that. Savannah eats every 3 hours, and that is thru the night! At least we have to do that until we get to birth weight again! She has to take a bottle for now, because of her eating issues from before, so me pumping...(sorry, TMI) and others helping me feed her. Mom took the 3:30a last night, so Fred could get a little more sleep. Emily and Ginny took the 12:30 the night before.
I got to sleep in, well in between pumps:) I am thinking all the kids are down stairs with duct tape on their mouths. I don't think they are ever this quiet!

Oh, and the blessing of food. Someone has brought dinner each night since Wednesday! I mean, my friends and family amaze me. They just know what we need! And my aunt, well I can't wait for what she knew I needed! Sausage balls! This baby thing has made me hungry again:)

So, I'll post some pictures later...I don't know when I will blog again. Life didn't slow down at all. I got home Wednesday and we hit the ground running. But you know, if that is what I have to do to take care of my wonderful family....I can rest when they are all 13 and won't get out of bed...until then I will soak in the 6:45am, "Good morning mommy, isn't it a beautiful day" from my 3 year olds...and a 7:00am, "Mommy, can I hold the baby" from my 5 year old, and of course the 7:15 am"Mamma... mamma.." from my one and only boy...and the best right now... the coos of a baby in the middle of the night!
God is so Good. Thank you Lord for everything!

Savannah Jane pictures

2008-10-04T21:46:00.001-07:00

SAVANNAH JANE

2008-10-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

This is Ginny, Julie's sister, posting for her. Savannah Jane Sparks is here and she is perfect! God is so good and we are all so very thankful for another girl. Julie was just sure this one was a boy and was so happy and surprised when in the OR she found out this one is a girl.
Stats:
Born at 11:40 am on October 2nd
Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz
Height: 18 inches
CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!

Her hair is strawberry blonde and she looks a bit like Anabelle! Uh oh :) Just kidding...I love that girl too!
The other kids are so excited and got to see her through the window but haven't loved on her yet. Corbin is working on saying her name. It comes out as Anna right now.
More pictures will come soon. The big photo session with all the kids will be tonight when they come up here.
We are all so excited to watch sweet Savannah Jane grow up, but right now we love having another sweet baby to love.

Twas the night before Thursday

2008-10-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

Twas the night before Thursday and all through our house,
not a child was stirring, not even my spouse!
With a basket of laundry clean and folded with care,
We are anxious to have a new baby living here!

I start with my rounds, for each child I pray.
Starting with Corbin, so much I want to say.
I pray for his salvation, his strength and his health.
I pray he knows his family is truely his wealth!

I pick him up as he stirs while I am there.
Then I kiss his sweet cheek and cudddle him with a tear.
My surprise of surprises, that is his sweet place in life.
I lay him down and lastley pray for his future wife.

Off to my oldest, my first baby to bring home.
She lays in her bed and is out like a light.
I kneel down beside her and am in awe of her sight.
Just 5 short years ago, this was her big night!

My request to Him is for her to continue to grow.
To look for His guidence and take life slow.
I lean over to kiss her and tuck her in snug.
I look at her and say, "I love you bug!"

My last stop is the busiest room in this home!
My sweet little girls, they just play in there and roam.
I first see my Laurel, she slightly opens her eyes.
I tell her to close them, and she does as she sighs.

For her I pray she accepts the Lord.
That she uses his word like a sheild and a sword.
I ask the He continues to make her so sweet.
And I ask that she gives up her obsessoin of something always on her feet!

I scoot over to the other pink bed against the wall.
I have so many prayers too night, but non too tall!
My little Anabelle, I pray for her saftey.
I pray that she is always close to me.

I pray she asks Him into her heart.
And I pray that her relationship with her siblings, will never part.
With her old pink silky, I tuck her in tight.
I kiss them both and whisper good night.

As I sit down and rest, I think of the years that have passed.
I think of the tears and the fears that no longer last.
We were fearful to have no children in our house.
And now we are blessed beyond belife, me and my spouse!

So I anxious type while I lay in my bed.
I just pray for a healthy baby, I promise to love and keep fed!
I know the Lord will watch over us all.
He will not ever let us crash and fall.

He has a plan for my family, this I know.
He doesn't have to do much for it to show.
I know tomorrow will have so much joy.
We will add to the 3 little girls and 1 sweet boy!

So, now I head off to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
I pray he watches through the night.
And I pray he keeps me safe in tomorrows light.

1st post

2008-09-25T23:02:00.001-07:00

So I started the entire blog 2 years ago! I was just 3 weeks away from having Corbin! My entire "Original" purpose was to be able to post some pictures of him and all the fun info about him. I thought it would be easier this way, then trying to access to my email and emailing everyone! I didn't intend for it to take on a life of its own! But I am glad it did. So, here I am....we are... 1 week away from having another baby. I constantly wonder, "Who is this baby?" "How does this baby fit into our family?" Only questions that will be answered once he/she arrives. The kids are beside themselves excited. I had blown off the idea of L&A needing any direction about becoming big sisters, bc they already are. But as time has gone on, I realize Corbin is probably more like a "triplet" born 15 months late, then a little brother. Not to mention he is as big as the girls! So, they really are ready, at 3, to be little mommies.
Here are some of the things I hear lately
Anabelle-> "Mommy I am going to change the babies diapers!"
Laurel-> "Mommy I want to read hers a book and tell her night night."
Anabelle-> "Mommy, I am going to wake up in the morning time and check on the baby but be very quiet!"
Chloe-> "Mommy, I want to feed the baby and hold the baby. And I want to hold the baby standing up and walking!"
Corbin-> When he is tired of people touching my tummy or talking about the baby, he takes my shirt and pulls it down as far as he can and says, "Baby go night night!" Or he zurburts my tummy!

So, 1 week out. We have most everything, I think. You would think by now I would know what we need. But part of me thinks, we need very little. The other part thinks of all the things we had for all the other kids! Most important item, we have the craddle that all of my children have slept in, out and ready to go. My 2 sisters and I slept in it, my cousins, my nephew, my dad and my grandmother.

After this baby we will carefully put it away as we anxiously await a William's baby to arrive(my little sister and her husband!). I look at it, and it is pretty, old and so simple. The outside of it means nothing. Just wicker and paint. But it is what is on the inside. It is what lays right in the middle. It makes me think of the Bible, at least tonight. Maybe that is bc mine is sitting beside it. But the outside is just a case. It is nothing special. Maybe leather. Pink in my case. If it gets marked on or so forth, it doesn't change what is inside. The words He has inside are what matters. They are the same for everyone to read. Just like a baby in a craddle is the same for each mom to love. But just as the Bible leads and touches our lives in such differnt ways, so does a sweet baby.
I pray that I can always remember to love this baby in the way He designed him/her. Unique and special...and specific for our family. To be thankful for one more mouth to feed, one more person to hug, one more child to loose sleep over in difficult days, one more precious voice to hear, "I wuv you!", one more child given to me with the 1 expectation that we share His word with that sweet baby. That we live and teach enough to ensure we have done everything we can for the salvation of our sweet child!

Ok, off to bed.....

1st day of preschool

2008-09-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

So, here it already starts. Chloe's first day of school gets all the news! And then those other little kids in the house...just left behind! The funny thing is, we made a huge deal about their first day of school as well! But they were still focused on Chloe's! They were still so excited for her...and she was for them! I sure hope they always are this way!
So here we go! On my calendar for August 28th, it says 'School starts for L&A&C'. Otherwise known as LAC, that stands for Laurel, Anabelle and Corbin. The night before we got our backpacks, otherwise known as "packs packs" ready, napmats ready(well Corbin had to use Chloe's old red one for 2 weeks!)and our lunch, otherwise refered to as "munch" ready. I got the kids excited about getting up that morning for school! Once again, I had to make special pancakes. Since CLC doesn't really have a mascot(I suppose I could have found a Jesus cookie cutter!:) and the little kids can't read, I just went with a teddy bear shaped pancake! So, Pink and Purple pancakes being made at midnight, seems to be a usual in this house! I made sandwichs for the kids in the shape of hearts! Of course I drew pictures on their chips sacks and napkins.. so they would know I was thinking about them!
Chloe was up and had already started breakfast when we got the little ones up. They saw their pack packs and munch bags and got giddy! We loaded everyone up for pictures in the front yard.

The same lady who was walking the morning we took Chloe out there, the week before, for her first day of pics, was out there again! Kind of funny! I wonder if she thinks we take pictures every morning of school! It was fun because we got to see all the kids in our neighborhood walking to school for their 4th day of school! We took lots of pics and then everyone came inside. We said a prayer for the little ones and Fred and Chloe headed to school.
The little kids sat down for their 1st day of school breakfast and then we also headed to school!

When we pulled up, we all said a prayer in the car. L&A really love to say the Lord's prayer. I want them to say a little more, but for now that is wonderful! Corbin just stays quiet and says, "AMEN!" It is precious!
The girls all but ran inside. No one wanted to ride in the stroller and everyone wore their pack packs.

Munch bags appeared to be too heavy, so I carried those! We went to Corbin's room first. He was SO CUTE! The girls kissed him and told him to be good. They wanted to be so big for him. A few kids were crying in his class and all he could do was say, "Bye mamama!" He was happy. Kisses to me and off he went.

I had to stop and inform his teacher he may not respond to Corbin, as he thinks his name is Bubba! Nice...
Then we head to Laurel and Anabelle's room. They were so excited! We put our things in our buckets and got our namtags. They kissed me and hugged me and barrelled in the door!

They had a great day!
When I picked Corbin up, he was so proud of every paper in his bin. Include the notes from the teacher! His teacher did stop me and say there was an insident, he as involved in. The first thing I said, "Did he hit someone?" She laughed and said no. Another kid pinched his face hard enough to draw blood. He had a bandaide he was very proud of on. I think she was worried I would be upset. I just said, "Oh, he is fine..I am just glad we were the victim!" Poor guy! Laurel and Anabelle loved the day as well. Anabelle told me her teacher said, "NO!" I asked her why... she confessed it was because she got off her nap mat! She told me her teacher wasn't nice. I said, "No, your teacher is right!" So we hung around outside for a bit until Chloe got out of school. We walked to her carpool line and picked her up. She was so cute in asking them how their first day was! We headed home, and before nap we had a yummy icing covered chocolate bar! It was our celebration snack for the first day!

So there we have it. I realize that it is just preschool/mother's day out. But I will only have 1 more official 1st day of school to celebrate after this baby arrives! Until then, I will cherish each milestone for everyone! What a year of 1st! We are so blessed that it is all going so well and everyone seems to love their schools!

Not about the kids!

2008-09-07T07:38:00.000-07:00

Well, kind of. I know I usually am posting about my kids. I mean with 4 of them and 1 waiting to arrive, there is always something going on! But I am sitting at home this morning with Chloe bc she was sick last night. Fred went on to church with the little ones. So, I am thinking about blessings in my life. There are the very obvious ones and then the ones that show up out of no where. First, is the obvious one of my husband. Although my CLOSE friends and mom and sisters know he can drive me crazy sometimes...:)... he is truly a blessing. Right now I am thankful for his dedication to our family. He doesn't stop trying to help us survive. Survive in the sense of spiritually, emotionally, financially and more. 10 years ago, he would have NEVER stayed up to help me clean the house, till midnight. But having it on the market requires a lot of work, and he was vacuuming at midnight just the other day! Thank you! Then there is the financially. Well of course he works everyday! But to watch him find a way to make sure we can pay for private school, it is amazing. Some people don't understand why we would put the "stress" on ourselves. But for us it isn't a choice. It is the best decision for our kids. He has amazed me at how hard he works to make sure we can do this. To go outside the "box" to be able to give our kids something we both feel very strong about. Not just a private school. But a Christian, truly Christian, education and experience. What a blessing.
And then, to watch the Lord bless him and us in all of this. Obviously we can't be the ones doing it, but we can't also just sit around waiting for the Lord to drop it in our hands. He wants us to go out and strive and work hard...and in return he has blessed us abundantly! Thank you!
Now me... the blessings I have seen come to me and my family. I remember thinking not too long ago...I have a lot of friends.. but not a lot of close friends. Not a lot of friends I can call on when I am in need for help. Help usually meaning.. can you juggle a kid for me! With various friends moving and such, life changes(HOLLY PRATHER...THANKS:) Just kidding:) In return, I felt like I also wasn't able to help other friends.. When your God given roll in life is that of a "care taker", it feels wrong to not be able to help others all the time! Anyway, it is something I prayed about. For the Lord to show me how this is suppose to work. I sometimes would feel like me showing up with all 4 of my kids for a play date with 1 kid, well a little overwhelming for some! Anyway, I have been blessed beyond once again. Just when I thought, how am I going to be able to attend anything at school for Chloe(and I SO wanted to be the room mom...but a dear friend said...DON'T DO IT! NOT THIS YEAR!) or how am I going to be able to make it to all these ob appts without all 4 kids always in by my side! My mother helps Fred and I way beyond anyone I know. We all love it. But I HATE to ask her all the time! Of course the Lord answered. He sent me such loving wonderful mothers. To have a friend call, when she doesn't even know my need...and ask to bring Chloe home for the afternoon! I mean, BLESSING! And another friend who is so willing to let Chloe come home for a few hours, just so I can get my little ones a decent nap, before yet another drs appt! And to have an old friend that offers all the time to come with her 1, to watch my 4...to want to miss something so important, to help me when baby 5 arrives... nothing like a friend. It is moments like those...friends like that...that remind me, I do have those dear friends.
So thank you to my dear friends. Not just for bailing me out when I need it! But for just being dear friends. My prayer is I am a dear friend back!

Baby 5

2008-08-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

Just a new video of baby 5. Not terribly exciting from a viewing point. Lots of shots of the wonderful brain in baby 5!:) 34 weeks!

INTERNET FRAUD

2008-08-26T23:22:00.001-07:00

Well, it was bound to happen. I finally was a victim of internet fraud! I have shopped online for years and have never had an issue. And now...it hits.
I searched and searched for just the right backpack for sweet Bubba! I mean, he really needed something that said, "I am a boy...I don't need anymore pink in my house!" So I found this!(PS: The CrazyDazy, which I got the pics off of is in no way part of this problem. I don't know anything about this company, 1 way or another)

I was so excited! I ordered it in time to have in for Corbin's official first day of school, Thursday! I kept trying to track the order on their website, and could get no information. I called them, emailed them over and over. I was charged for the items. Finally today I was getting a little anxious. I started to research the company a bit. I found item after item that stated consumers never recieved their items and where charged! I was so mad! I called my bank to find out how to handle this, and they told me. My mother actually found out the shop she monograms in, had the lunch box. So I went ahead and got that from her. I went to the brand's website and pulled lists of "retailers" in the area. I just called one after another. Finally, I think it was like #25, I hit the right store! They had it! It actually was the Kid to Kid resale shop in Plano! And then on top of it, I remembered I had credit there from bringing in a few bags of clothing to resale, last year! So, I threw the kids in the car and rushed over! I was so excited and the owner was so nice to me! And, I didn't have to spend too much on it bc of the credit! How perfect!
So, Mr. Corbin will look so darling off to school! With his packpack as he calls it, and munch box as Anabelle calls it.... Of course, I was slow in getting a nap mat, so it looks like he will be taking Chloe's old one! Luckily it is not pink. Just red! Uncle Neal will approve!
So here is my warning.. watch out! In the mean time... we found this information. I of course had to call the number at 11:45pm their time... just to make myself feel better!
from another consumer-
'I made a $103 purchase on June 14th and it is now July 27th and I have still not received it. Believe me I am making Dan Corkery's (owner) life a living..... Did a little research on the company and found out the following info:

D&S Giftware (mookiegifts.com and peanutgallerygifts.com)
Owner: Dan Corkery
Home Phone: 573-814-0601
Home Fax: 573-814-1760
Home Address: 8000 N. Marigold, Columbia, MO 65202
Dan's Day Time Job: Vision Works (visionworks.com)

The biz address on the website is a Post Office Box @ a UPS Store. I have submitted a complaint with the BBB, E-mailed him @ his work, e-mailed his co-workers to warn them that they work with a thief and have called his home phone. I encourage everyone that has been scammed to do the same! '

So, if you are bored:)

Baby 5

2008-08-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

Not to trump the first day of school, but I got a peak at the newest soon to be addition of our family. Baby #5. It is just a face and a foot:) But I think this one is a little Chloe look alike! Soon we will see!

First day... Smiles and tears

2008-08-21T22:40:00.001-07:00

Monday started the week with a back to school Worship day. It was so amazing. I just felt so at peace by the end of the night that we had made the right decision to be at our school. There were so many options around us. And so many of them terrific schools. There were different things that pulled us to each school...but in the end, we both know that our kids are at the right school. I questioned our choice off and on during the summer. Various things came to mind, but the families we are with and the people we are around.....the Lord's hand is all over this decision. When you make a decision and you truly feel that way, it is just an amazing feeling.

So then we head into Wednesday morning. Chloe was so excited the night before she couldn't sleep. The last thing I told her was, "Sweetie, if you don't go to sleep you are going to be so tired in the morning!"

So, Fred and I got up and had breakfast and everything ready for her....I walked into her room...video camera in hand(ill post it later) and the first thing she said, "Mommy, you were right, I am tired!" I laughed and assured her she would perk up! So dressed in her precious uniform that she had talked about all summer, she headed downstairs. She lit up when she saw her official PCA breakfast! I loved making it for her and she was grinning!

We got the little kids up and just got them dressed.

Fred and I took separate cars and got to school. Mom took the little kids for me to McDonald's so we could enjoy dropping Chloe off alone. But before we got out of the car, the girls and Corbin said a prayer for Chloe. It was precious. Of course I cried.

Fred, Chloe and I held hands as we crossed the street to her building. It was like crossing a threshold! It was a step that will precede all the steps she will take from this point forward! We got in the door and saw all the parents dropping kids off. It was so fun to see such happy faces. I expected to see more tears from kids...but they really all looked happy...maybe a little scared...but smiling! So off we went to find her class. We stood outside the door and the 3 of us knelt down and prayed. Fred prayed for Chloe to have courage and strength. He prayed for her education and her teachers. It was such an amazing touch to the morning. It wasn't planned, it was just meant to be. She just looked at us and smiled. She thanked me for signing her up for Kindergarten! Kisses and hugs, she walked in her room. Set her backpack down and started doing her thing! I was crying and holding it together. She kept telling me...don't cry! I know it is happy cry mommy!

So off Fred and I went to a little "Boohooo/Yahoo" breakfast. It was fun to mingle with the parents and hang out with Fred. I stopped by the office to drop something off and saw Chloe's class head up the stairs to another room. It was amazing. It hit me. All day long she will do stuff I have no idea is going on. Things she won't tell me and I won't think to ask! Ahhhhhh. It is like taking the calendar away from someone after 5.5 years of planning! I headed to McDonald's to get the little ones. They had a great time and thought it was such a treat!

The little kids and I came home. We made a special cake for her and Ribs for dinner. She was so excited to invite her Aunt GiGi and Uncle Neal...and of course Ninny to dinner!

We picked her up and the little kids were screaming her name as she walked up to the car! She had so many things to tell me about the day, but mainly they learned the "rules!"

I thought that was it for the emotions. What I didn't realize was how hard the second day would be for me! I went in her room to wake her up, and she wasn't there! Her bed was made and she was dressed and in her bathroom! I couldn't believe it. We ate and left. Today was the first day she would be walking into the school without me. We sat in line, and again the little kids and I prayed. We pulled up and the teacher opened the door. There she went. She just got out of the car and went. I did remind her to kiss me! I asked the teacher if there were people to tell her where her room was. She said plenty! I saw her walking, back to me. Another little girl walked up and they were talking. I was BALLING! I mean couldn't see, pull over balling! Corbin was laughing and clapping. L&A said, "Mommy, you have to be a happy mommy!" What is wrong! I promised them I was happy and just being silly! They believed me:) I called my sister and she couldn't even understand me. Just 2 minutes before I was on the phone with her and fine! I got myself together and we headed home with a few stops for errands.

Picking her up was so much fun today! Again, her fan club was screaming her name!

I just can't believe all of this. You would think we have 5 years to prepare, but it felt like 5 minutes!

Well, the first day of Kindergarten has come and gone! In a flash, we went from supervised walks to the mailbox, to walking all the way to our classroom on our own! How did this happen!

colossians 3:17

17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

And we have join the club!

2008-08-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

Wow, we are now in a new club. The club of school! The club of being somewhere on time 5 days a week! The club that looks forward to Labor Day so we don't have to get up early! The club that doesn't get to spend the majority of waking hours throughout the week with your children!
This is the club of Kindergarten! I say we have joined, because we, as a family, are in Kindergarten. We, because it now is a part of every one's life. Of course the most important is Chloe. She is the one leading us there. The one that is in Kindergarten. Then there is me. I am the one going through more emotions then I know what to do with. Worrying that I might have forgotten something, or making sure she remembered her modesty shorts! Then there is Corbin. He is loving it because he gets out of his crib earlier. Because we know all must be moving so early in the morning, my little early riser isn't left in his crib for 45 minutes making noises! Then of course, Laurel and Anabelle. Kindergarten to them is having to get up early....and then come home by 8:30 only to stare at each other. They are so use to Chloe planning the activities for the day! They are exhausted by the afternoon, but happy to see their Chloe. And Daddy. You would think he is least effected by this...but he has to deal with all of us when he gets home! And starting next week, he will be helping take our Kindergartner to school! So, it is a family thing... we are now in Kindergarten!

Julie vs Target (But I have a secret weapon they don't!)

2008-08-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

Especially written for Lisa and Carrie!

So, for mother's day my sisters and I got my mom a new digital camera. I of course was in charge bc I live here. We agreed on a price for the camera bc we already had something else for her. The great daughter I am, I was buying it at 9pm on May10th. Mother's day was May 11th. I have a photographic memory. I may not remember the exact phone conversation or a lecture. But if I can pin point what someone was wearing or looked like, I can remember the event with decent detail. It drives Fred crazy when I say, "Yes I told you about that meeting, I remember I had on a blue top and brown sandals and you had on your 'cool guy' shirt". He doesn't get how I associate those! Anyway, I went to Walmart and they did not have the camera we wanted. I went to Target because it was across the street. So that means I was at Park and the Tollroad. I picked a camera. The young guy ran off and came back with the same one, but a new version and it was pink! It was more then we agreed on so I remember calling both of my sisters and talking to one of my brother in laws. He was giving me an ear full about my sister being out. Kidding of course. So, I made the executive decision to buy it a little more then what we agreed on. Then the guy said it was on sale. The camera was going to be the same amount as the one I originally wanted! What are the chances! So, I buy it, wait to buy the warranty. My mom has issues with digital cameras. So I SPECIFICALLY asked what the return policy was. He said 90 days with a receipt or card I bought it on.
So off I go. I get home to charge it so she can use it on mother's day. Sure enough, no flash card. I remember sending Fred to the store with a piece of paper saying what type of card to get. It was easily 10:30 by now.
Now we fast forward to July. Mom starts off liking the camera but then various things she doesn't like. Among the firmware issue, she didn't like the screen. It was difficult to see. I agree. So we decided we would return it. I look and look for the receipt I so carefully placed in the receipt gathering area of my house. NO DICE! I am so frustrated. I didn't have time to return it before heading to Denver for the 4th of July, so I took it with me. I go to Target there and they can't pull it up on any of my cards. After a while I think this is stupid and I can deal with it at home. I get home and take it to Target in Frisco. Same thing. No one can find it on my card. I start to question myself that maybe I paid cash or a check. That would be odd. I went home and pulled up our bank statement. I was very sure of the cost and sure enough found a debit card transaction to the Plano Park and Tollway Target on May 10th for the amount I remembered. Not only that, but there was a second transaction for groceries, I remember making that as well.
So, the next day I go to Target in Plano. I end up with the manager, who I believe truly wanted to help me. But Target is a no budge policy. He can't find my card used in his store in a 5 day period. I think, this is totally ridiculous. There is no way. I am not crazy. He also can't find the SKU number in his store showing the purchase of the camera. So basically now I have stolen it, I guess. However someone did charge my card for the item!
I explain that thinking back to the boy who sold it and that evening, maybe he rang up the wrong camera, on accident or to get me to pick the camera so I would leave, as they were closing.
No, No. That is impossible! According to Target. So, John, the manager gives me some information and tells me to call him the next day. I did so and he still had nothing to show for the camera or my card. Are you kidding. So then he directs me to Corporate. I have personally decided Corporate Target is about the WORST customer service, next to all the cell phone customer service centers around. I deal with customer service issues, so I feel confident in saying so. Here is the problem. First of all, customer service is most likely used when you have an unsatisfied customer. So, shipping customer service off to India, is probably about the worst choice you can make. Here are the problems with that. One, the language/accent barrier is impossible. IBM has also done this, so again I know the issues involved here. They can be the nicest people in the world.. but if you can't understand each other...ahhhh. enough said about that. Two, they have NO vested interest in the customer or the company. They are most likely contracted and do this for numerous companies. So all they need to do is close the call. They have all day to repeat the same information to you. They get paid the same either way. Third, there is no one to go to after them. That is ridiculous. There is no manager, second level, no-one. So basically you end up even more frustrated then when you call!
So, after 45 minutes of that conversation...reminded me of talking to my 2 year old, I am done with it all. I also have to point out that as an IT person, I have now pointed out to both the local and national levels...this is 2008 and there is no reason you should not be able to run a query to pull my card in your store, or the camera. Of course, again, I am stupid! I was about to tell them to get their video footage out and see if I was in there buying the item! I thought this is so dumb!
So, I finally decide I am going to have to eat that darn camera and my money. I was going to do one last thing to the camera to see if it worked better, today. And if not, I was going to get another one for mom.
So that takes me to, today! I never organize or do anything extra in the morning on the days I work. I have to make sure the house is all picked up just in case someone wants to see it, and that is enough! I had a bunch of jewelry in a drawer and decided to put it away in my closet. I saw a little basket sitting on a shelf and thought there might be a necklace in it. Sure enough there was, but there was also a book in there. The book fell out and so did a receipt. No way. It was upside down, and it said Target. I thought, NO WAY! I turned it over.........................................................................................................................................
Plano/West Target(Park and TOLLWAY)
May 10th, 2008
Kodak camera 161.62
Last day to return 8/8/08

Are you kidding me! NO WAY!
And here is the BEST part of the story......................................... As I say, Thank you Lord. Thank you for this and for saving me the money and for reminding me I am not crazy!
I go to put the book back up...... The title................................
SURPRISE ME! God Speaks to us in Surprising ways!

NO WAY

Seriously people, if your not on board with the Lord......

I returned it first thing today... sure enough... guy rang up the wrong camera....but they did return it... the manager remember me and all the trouble....he accepted the return.
I will NOT be buying Christmas gifts at Target this year. And I HIGHLY recommend people NOT to register there for ANYTHING. It stinks bc the price is right and the connivence ...but their policies... and the fact it was their fault! That is terrible!

Hush Little Baby

2008-07-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

I had a sonogram today! It went so well. I am 28 weeks and the baby is measuring just over that! I think she said the estimated weight was around 2.5 lbs! Even with number 5 it truly amazes me. God is just awesome. And everyday I just feel more and more blessed! The baby had his/her legs up over his/her head and arms up. It was the funniest thing I had ever seen. She flipped over to the 3d version, but all you could see was nose and mouth. 2 legs were on top of the rest of the face. All very odd:) All of my other 4 would stretch out from finger tip to toe! So watching this little one be all squished is funny. My mom came with me. She enjoyed it as well. Laurel, Anabelle and Corbin were there, too. They actually did so well, thanks to some fast lollipop thinking! Anabelle was able to make out the nose and eyes. It was so cute once she saw that. And Laurel was amazed when she heard the heart beat! I can't believe we are on the last trimester! Just amazing!

Swimmie, our fish

2008-07-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

So, Chloe went to a birthday party and the party favor was a beta fish! She named him Swimmie. I have never seen people so excited about a fish! I of course am thinking, great...1 more thing to keep alive in this house:) I'm already down 1 dog! So, Swimmie is officially a Sparks family member. I have never really gotten the idea of a fish or bird or reptile as a pet. If you can't hold it and pet it, I don't get how it is really a pet. But we have a pet fish now. I think Swimmie has been with us for about 4 weeks now. I didn't think he was going to make it that long. Sometimes Anabelle and Laurel get his "cup" and get so excited .... reminds me of the scene from finding Nemo when the little girl is shaking him to death!

We even had to hire a fish sitter to go to Denver.
So realizing Swimmie is around for a while we decided he needed a better home then the cup he came in!

So off we went to the pet store(my kids called it a petting zoo the entire time). We saw lots of animals, including a hairless rat. GROSS! We got what we needed and got home to put Swimmie in his new digs...We got the bowl ready and now it was time for Swimmie. I didn't want to pour him in there bc his water was so nasty! I had the bright idea I would use a 1/4 cup measuring spoon. I mean he is small! Laurel and Chloe are on the counter. Corbin under my feet, and Shelby following Corbin, and his trail of crumbs. Anabelle was in the den doing her own thing. I got him in the cup, and started to pour a little water out. I wanted as little dirty water as possible. That is when he made a break for it, "All drains lead to the ocean!" He flipped out all over the counter! I am screaming, "Oh! Oh!' And Chloe and Laurel are in shock! Chloe is screaming, "He is going to die!" I try to get him with all the various junk on my counter and he flips onto the floor! Luckily his fall is padded by Anabelle's silky! GROSS! So, I get the silky and try to flip him into the bowl that I now have on the floor! He doesn't go! Back onto the floor! Now I am trying to protect him from Shelby who is trying to eat him, and Corbin who is laughing and trying to catch him! All the while I am now screaming, "Shoot!" over and over! I am sure that will be Corbin's next word! We finally got Swimmie back in the bowl! Chloe kept telling me to get him with my hands! I kept tell her, "No!" It was all quite comical. He is now in his new home, and I sure hope he stays a live after all of that! Otherwise I want my $16 dollars back from the pet store for all my supplies:)

Gross public sin....vs Closet sin

2008-07-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

This was an article I read that reminded me of the saying, "Would you jump off a cliff if everyone else did?" But more, would that make it right, bc everyone else did? A great little article on the hidden sins in our closets that we don't want the public to see. That most of us don't have a huge public "gross sin" surrounding us, but closet ones. This is a nice reminder that we need to live life each day the same as the day before. Live life genuine in each cirlce of people we encounter. Evaluate what has become acceptible, but deep down in the places that makes us feel joy and pain, is it really a sin.
http://www.childrensministry.com/article.asp?ID=1871

WCF( World Cranial Foundation)

2008-07-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

If you have a minute, read the news letter in this link. It is so amazing to see how anyone can help any of these precious children.
As well, one of the Drs who is a part of the WCF was the surgeon who did Corbin's surgery to remove his cyst.

http://www.worldcf.org/documents/newsletters/08SummerNewsletter_email.pdf

2008-07-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

Rock in my windshield in Childress, Texas : $200(deductible)
Lost little boy in the mountains while
watching Fire Works: $0 (only bc we found him)
Lost wedding band in gold min: $1500
Ticket in Colorado Springs while admiring
the Air Force Academy : $190
Poop falling out the car door
during diaper change : $0
(Can you put a dollar amount on how funny that really was?)
Extra gas spent while an impromptu
tour of Roy, New Mexico : $50
Brand New sheets flying out of
the car in New Mexico: $80
More poop falling out of the car door
during diaper change: $30
(That is what dinner cost us that caused it!)
One more movie to get us home
from Amarillo at 9 pm: $19.99
(Meet the Robinson's was very entertaining)
Roll of duct tape to tape up the mangled
car top carrier due to the black cloud and
hail that followed us through 3 states: $5
Ticket in Claredon from Officer Duley who
really needs to find a happier place: $170
Crawling into my own bed at 4:30 in
the morning, with a clean house that
smells great......: $You thought I was going to
say priceless... but there was a price
______________________
$2499.99
Holy cow..... let's use this ending instead:
Time spent with my wonderfully large
family celebrating our country while
frolicking through the mountains in
Breckenridge: PRICELESS

3rd Birthday Party

2008-07-02T01:46:00.000-07:00

How did this happen? I can't believe my little girls are turing 3! I remember Fred and I talking when they were little babies. I remember him saying, "What do you think it will be like when they can talk and walk?" Wow, I didn't know it would be so busy...and so great. Listening to them is one of the highlites of my days! Listening to Anabelle tell me very matter of factly what she is doing, and listening to Laurel start every morning with , "Hi mommy!" is the way I want to always start my days!

I cried off and on a lot at their party. They just looked so terribly big. And next week, on their real birthday they will get big girl beds....I think it will just do me in. All my babies are getting bigger..I am not ready for that. I know some people say how wonderful it is... but I just want to hold on to each baby a day longer! Is that too much too ask?

sweet messy babies! tunirng 3!

2008-06-25T06:36:00.000-07:00

I do my own Stunts!

2008-06-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

This is what Corbin's t-shirt says. And is it ever true! That boy has no fear, and is fairly coordinated. Scary though. I never know what he has planned next! The inspiration for this entry comes from that deep hidden place. That place we don't share and we don't let others see. That place the Ezzo's would be terribly disappointed to know existed. But we all have it in our homes! And if you don't, you are just plain lying!
This is ours......we secretly let our 4 children jump from our hope chest(aka coffee table, aka dress up box) to the the leather couch. Oh my goodness. They think it is about the most fun thing in the world. They all line up and hold hands, scream 1 2 3...and off. I know it is dangerous, and it teaches nothing good...but when we sit down on the floor to start changing diapers and into pjs....it gives them unlimited entertainment. I am sure someone is bound to get hurt and we will be in someone's home and have to discipline the kids for doing it, but darn if it doesn't show what being a child is all about!
And for those pointing their fingers and shaking their heads.....we also let them jump on our bed after bath time! So there! :)

New Dr. Seuss Book: Oh the Surprises you Know!

2008-06-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

Based on actual events from 6/17/08:

Oh the surprises you know. The surprises you've met..
But how do you know the surprises you'll get?

It starts with an "Ohhhh!" and ends with an "What!"
Some from their mouth, and some their bu&&!

Surprises can be very very loud! Like a jet plane from above!
Surprises can be very very quiet! Like sweet kisses of love!

They can come with beauty, like flowers in vase!
Or they can come stinking...making you green in the face!

Today I'll have a surprise different then you!
Don't ask for the same one...believe me you have no clue!

Mine came in the form of silent and sneaky!
It came from a little red head and it sure was freaky!

Off to our vacation Bible school we go..so excited to wear a pink bow!
The day started off just at fun as could be! But then it was dark..there was no sun to see!

That little red head of mine.. sure had a good time. She got to ride the little train, but it was the look on her face that was the tale tale sign!
It appears she had been "holding out" for days on end... but now it was time...I hope you were not down wind!

I got a little tap, it wasn't too much.. a need for a mommy's special touch...

I arrived in her class wanting to see her look so sweet! But it wasn't the case... not from her neck to her feet!
Apparently it was a soothing little ride that made the final push, and it made it all come out her tiny little tush!

From her sweet little shoulders down to her fat little toes... my little red head had way more then a runny nose!

50 wipes used, the filth was finally defused!
A change of clothes from a sweet little friend... oh but that isn't the end...

A wash of the hair... this mess was every where!
We finally were clean...but the surprise we have seen!
Can such a little person produce such mass....and have to do it during her Bible class!

I imagine she feels 100% more free....but next time I hope she just has a little TT!

So that is the surprise I got today! My surprise has been thrown away!
My surprise giver is still around....But I sure hope her next surprise is never ever found!

The answer is: 104 degrees

2008-06-16T15:15:00.003-07:00

The answer is: 104 degrees
What is the question?

At what temperature do the “fat” crayons melt in the car and get all over the car seat?

I’ll come back to how we discovered that, and other interesting facts about crayons later!

Finally our first summer of 2008 vacation! We took the kids to Sea World over the weekend. It was so much fun. My mom and sister and brother in law joined us as well! We left at 5am Friday morning, in order to get there at 10am. 5am slowly turned more into 5:30ish. Anyway, I was busy packing, cleaning(in case the house was to show) and finishing up VBS preparations! Before I knew it, the clock said 4:00 am! I realized then I had missed my opportunity for sleep! So, I just kept moving. I finished loading stuff in the car, took a shower and woke Fred up around 4:45. We finally got all the kids and dog in the car and were at my moms around 5:30 am. We dropped the dog off and all headed to San Antonio. The kids had asked for days when we would see “Shampoo” aka, Shamu! Chloe was very excited! Needless to say, none of the kids fell asleep after the 5am wakeup call! I was shocked. I dosed off a few times, but nothing meaningful. Most of the time I just kept my eyes closed as Fred would say, “Girls, be quiet bc mommy is trying to sleep.” Finally we arrived at Sea World. We had to lather up in sun screen and get everyone inside. It was so exciting. It was warm, but there was a terrific overcast that lasted almost the entire day. It wasn’t too crowded, so that was a plus! The first thing we did was see the dolphins. They were so playful and the kids were in awe. It was just a perfect beginning to the day….

Off to see the Sharks!

2008-06-16T15:15:00.001-07:00

Then we headed further to see the Sharks. Again the kids were in awe of them. Anabelle made sure to tell me she didn’t want to pet them! Smart girl! Corbin just loved running in the dark, inside the shark habitat! Easily entertained!

SHAMU!!!!!!!!!!!111

2008-06-16T15:14:00.002-07:00

Then Shamu! Yes, Shamu! I think that was about when Corbin fell asleep on Uncle Neal’s lap. We changed the kids into bathing suites for that show. We thought we would take them to the splash park area afterwards. Aunt Ginny picked the perfect “splash zone” area for everyone to sit. Mom kept looking at me, in a very…”Why are we sitting here” way. Corbin was crashed out, so I decided he would probably cry hysterically if he woke up to cold water thanks to Shamu. I took him, still asleep to the top of the area, to sit and watch the show. I have never seen my mom move so fast, as to follow me. Of course only to make sure I was ok, pregnant and caring 30 lbs of boy on my hip. Right!
Once the show was over we met the rest of our group outside. The kids thought it was so “Punny” as Laurel would say, that Shamu got them wet. Of course the little girls didn’t think it was “punny” while it happened!

2008-06-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

We took them to the splash area, while Chloe was a big girl and road a ride with GiGi and Uncle Neal. The little ones had a great time and it felt good to have our feet in the water as well!
Finally Chloe showed up, so we let them go back into the splash area. GiGi, Neal and mom took them…I thought they could use the cool down. GiGi came running out with Anabelle and a yellow streak down her leg. Too much junk, she ate! Took care of that issue and we were on to the next event! We saw a lot that one day.
We headed home to the hotel for dinner and swimming and everyone crashed! Hard!

2008-06-16T15:12:00.003-07:00

The next morning we had a yummy breakfast and headed back to Sea World. It was crowded and HOT. But we still managed to have a great time! The kids enjoyed the Sea Lion show and seeing the Penguins. We also saw a 4D movie that scared the life out of Laurel and Anabelle. I felt bad for them, but at the same time was laughing pretty hard! Finally we left. Corbin fell asleep, sitting straight up in the gift shop, while Fred got the car! We all piled in and went home. Corbin woke up for about 5 minutes, and crashed again on the bed. He was in the middle of the girls giggling and watching tv. Such a man…slept right though it. Finally we were dressed and ready for dinner. We went to a fun Mexican food place to celebrate Fred’s birthday(a day early). We ended up having about a 2 hours wait! The kids did pretty well, but dinner at 9pm is late for anyone. The food came and they got happy again! Mom had the mariachi band play a few songs for Fred. Corbin went nuts dancing! He loved it! Fred opened his gifts and then they had yet another treat! A dessert and a song! He was embarrassed, but the kids loved every minute of it! We had dessert and headed home again!

2008-06-16T15:12:00.001-07:00

Everyone, sound asleep. Corbin got to sleep in the same room with Laurel and Anabelle. All of them in their pack and plays. Fred and I heard him squawking at an early hour. Finally, I went in the room and he was laughing so hard. I think he thought it was so funny to see those crazy girls in cagesJ Laurel told me bubba was awake loud. Anabelle just told me he was loud. Not sure that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black!
We finally got ourselves together and downstairs for breakfast. We surprised daddy with more presents and cards for father’s day! The kids sang happy father’s day and happy birthday to him! It was fun. We checked out, Corbin left with Ninny, GiGi and Uncle Neal. Fred and I took the girls and headed to New Braunsfels to have a day of fun at Schlitterbaugn. We have never been to this one, only the one in Padre. TOTALLY different ball game. Not just the lay out of the place, but the entire thing. Let’s put it this way… This was no “Hawaiian Falls”. I totally forgot this is all based around a river, based around a college town, based around drinking, based around… you get the picture.
Different group of water park goers!
It took me a minute to think of how to answer some of the questions I was going to get… “Why does he have drawings on his back and arms and head and neck”~ Well, he must have gotten into his markers. And they don’t wash off, that is why we don’t draw on ourselves.
“Why does he have earrings on his chesteses?” ~ Well, they must have moved when they were piercing his ears!
“Why does he want his ears pierced?” ~ Well, maybe it was Halloween and he was dressing up like a pirate!

Ahhh, the list goes on! Actually, I was surprised at how little I was asked! I wanted to ask ?s!

So once we got it all figured out, we got in the park. The kids had to walk forever before they got to any water. They were really troopers! And they had so much fun!
We really only road one ride, the Raging Rapids(aka lazy river). They had fun, and watching them be excited with a gush of water was hilarious!

2008-06-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

So, with Laurel now passed out from heat and lack of sleep, we head to the car. It is 4:30 and we have about 4.5 hours in front of us to get home! We get to the car and Fred discovers the melting of the crayons! What a mess! He was cleaning it up, which out of his frustration, partially included throwing crayon’s out of the car behind him, when Chloe walked over with a helpful hand of wipes. She about cried bc he didn’t see her and threw a green melted crayon on her. At first all she saw was green on her hand. She just said, “What is this!” Once I told her what it was, she laughed. But it was on her skin, hair and clothing! Got her clean while Fred finished the car… finally everyone in the car and we are headed home!

10:30 arrival at home and Fred puts everyone in bed. I had all the dirty clothing in one bag, so I started the stinky laundry. I wanted to get 1.5 loads done before bed. I unpacked everything and put away stuff while it ran. I cleaned the car and got ready for VBS the next morning. I started to pull stuff out of the wash and discovered 3 crayons! I was so frustrated! I noticed they looked like some from a restaurant on Friday night. I found Anabelle’s shorts and sure enough they were stashed in them! Anabelle! I fell to the floor and wanted to cry, but laughed until I about wet my pants. How else should the 104 degree day end! So, I have to shake everything to get them all out, wipe down the washer and go after that load again. After that finished, I threw it in the dryer… started the next stinky load and sat down to clean up emails! I opened the dryer and some how 1 crayon got in there! It was on everything! So, back to washing that again, after Shouting everything and oxi cleaning it all! Finally I got that one load clean, 3 washings later!
Crawled into bed…..ahhhhhhhh I already hear the alarm!

Ballet Recital

2008-06-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

Chloe had her 3rd ballet recital tonight! She has been very excited about it for weeks now! Her grandmother and grandfather from Tulsa came in for her dress rehearsal. She was very excited about that. They brought her flowers and that just made her night! Today she was thrilled bc she not only was going to have her real recital, but she also was getting to have her Ninny there. It doesn't stop....Aunt Gigi and Uncle Neal were coming, too! Then to top it off, her sweet friend Alyssa Rose came to spend the night, so she got to see the show! And she turned 5.5 today! For Chloe, the day doesn't get much better!

Her class danced to Amazing Grace. It was just darling. They did such a great job! We are so proud of our sweet ballerina, Chloe!

We have the outfit.. and if you have the outfit, you must go!

2008-05-29T14:46:00.000-07:00

I bought Chloe’s uniforms today. It finally hit me.. not so much where she is going to school, but that she is really starting real school. 5 days a week, all day. I am so not ready. But she is! She is going to be so excited to try on her “school clothes.” As I was picking what pieces I thought she would wear, I kept picturing her in them. Going down a hall with friends I don’t know everything about. Going on a field trip that, oh I hope not, I may not be able to attend. That means she would be in someone else’s car. That means when she isn’t sure if she can eat something it will be someone else to determine it. That means if she has to go to the bathroom, it will be someone else’s job to make sure she safely comes back to the group. That means when another child asks her to do something, it will be her job and someone else’s to make the right choice!
Ok, I am so not ready for this.

“Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children.” Lamentation 2:10

Oh Lord… Please be in my child’s life. You can be there all the time, I cannot!

What's in a chair?

2008-05-28T17:01:00.001-07:00

What’s in a chair?

Well, a lot! Laurel and Anabelle beg to sit in “big girl chairs”. Those are just any chair that doesn’t have a booster seat in them. We don’t even buckle them into the seat, but they want to be in big girl seats. Corbin has always had the high chair. We never really did high chairs with the girls. We did those clip on chairs to the table. But we were afraid that Corbin would flip our table!
So, every once in a while I will let him sit in a blue booster at the table while the girls are all in “big girl chairs” eating a snack. He loves it!
We decided to retire the high chair…well at least for a few months! So Corbin moved to a blue booster(buckled in of course) and the girls are officially in “big girl chairs!”
This is what I have discovered out of all of this….
I need taller chairs for one. Laurel and Anabelle are so short in those chairs. And did you know you can be sitting perfectly still and fall flat on your face out of a chair. Interesting isn’t it!
I have also learned that Corbin is the comic at the table. Now that he is not in the seating that is over near the “kitchen”, and part of the table…he makes sure everyone can see him and will do anything for a good laugh.
I have also discovered that Laurel and Corbin have the same sense of humor. They both are just goofy until everyone laughs. So once they are competing, we have lost all control and dinner is over!
Anabelle finds it very difficult to stay in her seat. There are just so many things to do around her. I think I say, “Anabelle, please stay seated.” Like a record box, without looking. I refer to those as friendly reminders.
Chloe now has to sit next to Corbin. This may make her thinner then normal, because I have noticed Corbin finishing his food and going for hers. Poor kid!

Well, that is what is in a chair!
PS: Fred and I… we are going to be standing and eating because our table has run out of room. Can you believe that is something we look at first in a house we are considering buying? We have to make sure a long…long table will fit!

What's in a chair?

2008-05-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

What you DON'T have to look forward to, today....

2008-05-28T10:06:00.000-07:00

What you "Don't Have to Look forward to today..."
So I wanted to catch the last part of the View. Kirk Cameron was going to be on, and I wanted to hear him talk about being a Christian on such a public show! Not to mention I wanted to see Joy and Whoopie squirm a little.
So it was good and all. I headed to Corbin's room bc all the kids had been playing in there. Chloe throws the door open gagging. She sticks her hand out and as she is about to puke says, "I have bubba's shoeies on my hand!" I try to ask her why... and she tosses it all up on the wood floor. I send her to the bathroom and grab Corbin. I am cracking up bc every time Choe looks at her hand she throws up even more. I know it is terrible. I grab the towel from the bathroom and lay it over Chloe's issue. Then I lay another one down and lay Corbin on it. I spend 3 minutes trying to get Anabelle to get me some wipes and a diaper. But I am laughing so hard. All the kids look at me and can't understand why I am laughing so hard. Anabelle comes back with a number of diapers and 1 wipe. We try that one again. Finally I get Corbin cleaned up(he had issues!), all the while Chloe is hovering over the toilet. Anabelle distributes wipes and we get Chloe's hand cleaned. I get Corbin clean and off, and get Chloe standing on the toilet now, so she can reach the sink and scrub her poor affected hand! Then a crash, that would be my favorite dish that the soap is on, bc now all 4 kids are standing on the toilet trying to wash their hands... I give a big, come on guys! Seriously, and then all start laughing. I can't really get mad now, bc I was laughing inappropriately! Ahh....
Can I say gross!
I wish I had a camera on Chloe it was so funny...every time she looked down..she gagged. I know that isn't suppose to be funny...but it was to me!

Oh, it is just the Withaegars!

2008-05-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

Well, another day for the books! We had a great Memorial Day weekend.
Chloe got to spend the night Friday with her favorite single Aunt and Uncle(single bc they have no kids yet!) She had a ball. On Saturday Fred and I took the little girls to shop for a new oven. So, looks like who ever buys my house will have a new oven. You are welcome! L

We ended up at the mall, letting the kids play and eat. Finally after a family trip to Sams..headed home for naps. Chloe came home and we all played in the back yard. Early to bed for everyone!

Sunday rolled around and we went to church..came home and the girls went with Fred to swim at my Aunt’s. They were excited to see their cousins and play. I stayed back while Corbin finished his nap. I started some dinner bc we had some good friends from our old Sunday School class coming over. We love hanging out with them bc they love us… flaws and all! They have 2 adorable boys, 1 L&A age and the other a little younger then Corbin. Anyway, they were coming at 6. I realized it was 3:50 and I needed to get Corbin to the pool, or we would run out of time.

So I got him up and changed his clothes very fast. We were sitting in the den getting ready…and then off we went. I had prepared most of the food for dinner and cleaned the kitchen up. I did leave some of the food out. The house was clean…as always these days… something I am tired of! The play room was a messy, bc the girls had played up there for a good 2 hours. But that was about it.

So off we go. Kids had a great time at the pool. I left the house a little after 4 and then we got back about 5:30. Enough time to get the kids in the house and get the rest of dinner going.

Our friends arrived.. and the kids were all having a ton of fun. We had a casual dinner but lots of great visiting. I was telling Brian(the husband) a story of my parents. How they had these great friends but realized when they got together every month, they always had hamburgers.. Finally after a decade of this.. they both realized they made the same comments… “Oh it is just the Hamiltons.. we can do burgers..” Well, I was telling Brian this bc I realized we have done the same meal with them over and over. It is fajitas.. “Oh, it is just the Withaegars, we can do fajitas and frozen dessert!” We have some other friends that we do pizza with as well.. “Oh it is just the Kelly’s, we can do Pizza!”

Anyway, Brian totally got what I meant.. It is really a compliment.. The friends you are the closest to, you want to just enjoy… and have no stress in getting everything ready. I want to always be the “Oh it is just the Sparks… “ It means they know I love them flaws and allJ Take out or dine in! Whatever!

So, it is about 8pm and we had just had this conversation. All of a sudden we see a little ball of boy flying down the stairs. Corbin had fallen from the top of the stairs all the way down. He caught himself about 2 steps from the wood floors. But the way he stopped was painful. He leg got got between spindles. It was horrifying. We are jumped up and he was crying so hard. He is a tough kid. The front and back of his leg had horrible marks and it immediately started to swell. His foot started turning colors. Fred look at me and said, “We need to go to the ER.” Now understand, we have been to the ER 1 other time and it involved tons of blood. We just aren’t jump at the dr type people. Kids get hurt… but this was bad. I looked at Melissa(the wife) and said, “Do you mind staying for a bit?” She of course said not at all. I told her Chloe could help them find stuff and do bedtime. But no one needed anything special. Just bed.

We ran out the door. On the way to the ER, I grabbed my phone to call my mom.. not sure why, just had to. I noticed a missed calling…. “Showing”…I’ll get back to that.

So long story short, we got to the ER around 8:10, left there around 10:30. My tough little guy had nothing wrong with him. The x-ray came back fine. We couldn’t believe it. We were so very thankful, but did scare the day lights out of me! By the time we left, he was dive bombing the bed in the room we had.. clearly he was fine.

I called my aunt and she relieved my friends a little after 9:15. I am so thankful for friends and family that are there without question at the drop of a hat!

So, I had to laugh bc I was just saying, "It is just the Withaegars" and then we ditch them with our kids...wonder if they will come back! Sure they will, they love faijtas:)

So, back to “Showing…” I look at Fred and say, “That is weird, there is a missed call at 3:10 from the showing company.” They call my cell to schedule a showing of the house.
Fred took my car with the girls at 3 to the pool. My phone must have been in it.
I played the message. They called to schedule a showing on Sunday, from 4-6. If I don’t call back, then they go forward. So, I left the house at like 4:05, not knowing anything about a showing. Like I said, it was mainly picked up. Some random stuff out.. Shelby(the dog) inside… but the worst of it all….
I realized I left a VERY wet diaper on the coffee table! I was in such a hurry to change Corbin and get him to the pool I didn’t throw it away! I about died when I realized that!
Oh well, par for the course for the day!

At least it had a friendly stick on it that said, “Changed with love at Prestonwood Baptist Church!”
Ahhh. Not sure those people will be back for a second showing anytime soonJ

Frisco Fair

2008-05-03T23:30:00.001-07:00

Fun at the Fair! Frisco had a little town fair last weekend. We took the kids and had a great time. The interesting thing was, it was across the street from the HUGE Jimmy Buffet concert! So needless to say, we saw some interesting people! Everyone, fair and concert seemed to be having a great time! The kids enjoyed the few rides they road!

Baby

2008-04-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

We had a sono on Wednesday. The baby looked so good, and here are a few pictures. It is amazing what they can do! In one picture you see the baby laying on his/her back, and what you actually see is an arm and a leg in the air. Really cute!

In the second picture, it is the 3d picture. It is cool, but maybe too much can be seen! Chloe asked what all the stuff was around the baby...I said, well it is mommy's tummy on the inside and that is like a big pillow for the baby!

Glad my kids are all so young while I am pregnant, that take whatever answer I come up with!

Summer time for us....

2008-04-14T11:49:00.001-07:00

so it says on the internet it is 57 outside, with a high of 67. I think it is already 67. We were in the back yard playing and my kids all told me how hot they were. so tired of them complaining... i sent the to the top of the swing set, corbin included, and made them turn their backs to me. told them to close their eyes...then...turned the hose on and sprayed them down....
Chloe thought it was about the coolest thing ever. We played soaking wet in our clothes for a while, until eveyone finally got cold. So we shut the water park down and are laying on the deck in undies/diapers, on towels with lemonade and snacks....i figure once the summer hits..it is too hot to do that!
lesson...don't complain to mom..you never know what she is going to do!
wish I had a camera!

Oh the games you can play....

2008-04-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well, we realize there are some things you cannot do with 5 children..and 2 parents...

But we came up with our top 10 things you can...

10. Play a REAL game of duck duck goose....

9. Have our own basketball team, with 2 coaches!

8. Play "Red Rover Red Rover"

7. Get group discounts!!!!

6. Come out ahead on, kids under 3 eat free!!! Yippie!!!

5. Never worry about food going bad...just going!

4. Get our own row at the movies!!!

3. Have our own parade....

2. Never feel loanly!

And the number one thing we can do with a family of 7...

1. Have a true elimination round game of 'Texas Hold 'em!"

Now that is something to brag about!

... children are ahead!!!!

2008-04-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well, the score card is in....5 to 2...adults loosing! Don't adjust your monitor! Yes, we are having sweet baby number 5! Corbin is not going to be the baby! He is going to be a big brother! We are so excited and overwhelmed with the blessings the Lord has given us. We are unworthy but very greatful! So, here we go again! We can't wait until we meet this precious completion to our family in October!

Not so common phrases, commonly used in our home

2008-04-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

"She is stinky"
"He is stinky"
"I am stinky mommy"

"Yes it is your turn to sit on the Dora potty"

"Where is your diaper"

"That food is for you not the doggie"

"Where is your belly button?"

"I have boogers mommy!"

"Where is bubba?"

"Is it nap time yet?"

"2 more minutes?"

"Please stop rubbing the food in your hair.."

Amazing Grace

2008-03-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

I attended my churches women's retreat this weekend. I can sum up what I learned with the very last words spoken at the retreat. We all, as Christian sisters, stood side by side, some hand in hand, some tears streaming down their cheeks, some sitting with so much emotion, some raising their arms so high, as to reach Jesus and say, pull me up with you. We stood there and sang Amazing Grace. It was so pure. So clean. So amazing, just as the name of the song. We talked so much about the grace that He has given us. The undeserving grace, that no one earned, that no one could even know how to ask for. We talked about the grace bestowed upon each of us. We talked about the grace we, as Christians, should give each other. That we should be reminded of Jesus and how he scooped us up. We need to be Jesus on Earth to others. Especially within our church.
Lisa Harper was the key speaker this weekend. She is such a great speaker. She brings the Bible and the stories to life. In a way you won't forget. A way you feel like you were there. You feel like the character she is talking about. Or you feel like the character she is teaching us not to be. That is the painful part. She reminded us of this story in John 8

1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

That is so powerful. I have read this before, but they way she read it and illustrated it, the Lord was talking to me about something different from the story. A few things I will take from Lisa sharing this story are
1) In the second part of verse 6, you see that Jesus bent down... He bent down to speak to her, to shade her body from the crowd. To show that He doesn't think she is under him in anyway. This is a man you is sinless. He is the sparkling water among the sewer. And He bends down to her. That is the first sign of grace right there.
2) He of course says in verse 7 that if anyone has not sinned, they may cast the stone. I love that it is so clear in this verse that we have no right to judge, but yet we do. Especially when we say, 'I'm not judging them...but..'. Who are we kidding. Ourselves. That is who. We have no right to judge. Jesus doesn't say, if you have not committed adultery..he says sin. When you meet someone that is falling down because of their lack of following the Lord, that is when we need to reach out to them and show grace. Not judgement. Look into your own heart. Did you pass judgement? Did you gossip about someone that day? What sin have you committed that maybe only your Heavenly father knows of? And he does know. Save your judgement for dinner....is it good? or bad?
3) This is the biggest visual of grace for me. In verse 11 He says, "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Ahhhh. He doesn't say, repeat after me. He doesn't say, commit to church every Sat, Sun and Wed. He doesn't tell her to go and memorize a prayer. He doesn't tell her to confess all of her sins. He give her grace and instructions...'Go now and leave your life of sin.' He is telling us that the grace given to us, that we didn't earn, bc we are not capable of earning that kind of grace, is freely given by Him. Then he is telling us, walk away from the sin in your life. Go forward...

I know we will continue to sin every day. We are not Jesus. We are not without sin. And I think if you look at your week and say, "Oh I was so Christ like this week and didn't sin!" Then the enemy is just sitting there with you like a puppet. But what we can do is try so hard to strive and be Christ like. And when we fall short...and oh we will fall short...recognize it..ask for forgiveness from Him and from the person we may hurt. That is what He wants.

It was such a great weekend! I am so blessed to get to go to PBC retreat!

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see. "

Easter

2008-03-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

When I hear the word Easter, the first thing that comes to mind Jesus and what He did for us. The next is the song we sang every Easter growing up, in church. It is just refreshing...uplifting.. reminder that we all can have a new life in Him. Just reminds me of innocents of childhood and not seeing the "real" world around me!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

Good-bye guilt, good-bye fear, good riddance! Hello, Lord, Hello, sun!
I am one of the Easter People! My new life has begun!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

Daily news is so bad it seems the Good News seldom gets heard.
Get it straight from the Easter People! God's in charge spread the word!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

Yesterday I was bored and lonely; But today look and see!
I belong to the Easter People! Life's exciting to me!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!
Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,
Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,
Ev'ry morning is Easter morning,
From now on!

Trip to Denver

2008-03-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Chloe had a ball in Denver. Flying with Ninny, Ally's 3rd birthdya party! Lots of hockey with Evan and Grant. Playing with sweet Camdyn and the best.....Her amazing Aunt who let them have green hair on St. Patrick's Day! Not to mention go out in the snow with no shoes!!!!!

2008-03-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

While Chloe spent last week in Denver with her cousins and Ninny, we spent the week with a family of 5. It was so different. Anytime I was getting people ready, making lunch, getting in and out of the car...I thought...this is a breeze! But I sure missed my Chloe!

We did get to do some stuff with just the little kids. We went to the park a lot. It was fun to see Laurel and Anabelle playing with each other non stop. They didn't have Chloe to run after... And they actted like Corbin was such the "baby brother". It was a really fun experience. We took Laurel and Anabelle to see Horton Hears a Who! They were so cute. It was a cute movie..but watching them watch it was even cuter. Hearing Anabelle say, (about the Kangaroo)"She is mean" at the top of her voice, was darling...only in a kid movie though. Popcorn was the best part about the movie..oh and the M&Ms. They told me, "We are like Chloe!" She is their idol! Well, here are some pics! of course!

We prayed for snow!!!!!

2008-03-09T21:07:00.001-07:00

We got just a little bit of snow 1 week ago. Just enough to say it snowed in Dallas. Just enough to get a little bit to make snow ice cream for the kids. Just enough to think it might be Christmas time! Then Wednesday night rolled around. I was saying prayers with Chloe when she said, "Mom, I think snow is my favorite season." At this point I had not bothered to look at the news, and we had no idea what the weather prediction was to be. We said our prayers...we thanked God for everything we have, our friends, family and our hearts that love Him, for the way we are like Him each day..the ways he has given us and taught us to make him joyful when he looks at us. We asked for his forgiveness when we sin...we talked about the sins we each experienced that day..disobeidence...unkind words, selfishness, for the times we are not following His word. Then we asked him to watch over us..to give us strength to love the friends that are hard to love, to give us courage to help others, to give us help with the areas our heart doesn't follow Him. Then lastly, we quietly and with big smiles both said...'Lord, please, if you have time...let it snow again."
Not thinking about our prayer again, I took the kids to school the next day. By noon I was bundling up and heading up to school to get the kids early. By 2 we had the most beautiful snow flakes. I thought none of it was going to stick. Then Fred calls that he is on his way home, around 3. By 5 we had so much snow. It was the best Thursday ever! I was making some snacks for the kids when Chloe ran into the kitchen and said, "Mom, we prayed for it..God is so good!" I said, "You are right!"
That is all she could talk about the rest of the day! She was so thrilled!
We all stayed a little cold going in and out.. she went to a hill and got to sled! The kids made a snow man. But it was cold and wet outside. The next day, we still had some snow, but the evening came in warm and melted it away. Our snowman lasted through the weekend. All we had left today were 2 celery arms laying in the grass! Hey, we had to use what we could find! Anyway, Friday night when we were saying prayers again...Chloe said, "Mom, I think we shouldn't pray for snow tonight...some people might be too cold already." I told her, "You are probably right. We should stick to prayers tonight to really help people."
Anyway, it was great! I am so glad we had our snow. Now, I am ready for flip flops! Winter is complete for me....

Williams Wedding!

2008-03-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

Well, Ginny and Neal are married! It was a beautiful wedding and they are so happy! Enjoy some pics I put together of the weekend!

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AcuWbho0cMmoN

2008-03-03T22:30:00.000-08:00

Laurel and Anabelle had their last Ballet class today. They were so cute and proud. Laurel definately loves Ballet. Anabelle just seems to love doing something that is busy!

4 little Valentines!

2008-02-17T21:22:00.001-08:00

My sweet Valentines! The girls all screamed, "Happy Valentine's" when I got them up.
We got so excited and got our little dresses on. We sat down for breakfast before our parties at school, and my luncheon at church I was helping with...then Chloe ran into the bathroom and got sick! Poor kid. She had to watch all the other kids go into school to have parties and snacks! We dropped her sisters off, then dropped her Valentine shoe box off with her cards to her friends. And a few dozen cookies. She was so sad! She and Corbin spent the late morning at my mom's while I was at a luncheon. It was terrific. By the time I got the 2 kids from mom's and picked the other kids up, Chloe seemed fine. All the same...missing a party at school just stinks!

Super Bowl Sunday

2008-02-17T21:19:00.000-08:00

Crazy Hair day and Jammie day!

2008-02-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

Some fun pics!
Laurel and Anabelle got to wear jammies to school and Chloe had crazy hair day at school!

Daddy Daughter Dance

2008-02-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

Fred took Chloe and her cousin Abby to the Daddy Daughter Dance on Saturday. They had so much fun. While we were getting ready they kept talking about going to the ball! It was fun to watch them be so excited. Fred said Chloe really enjoyed the chicken dance. And then there was some interpretive ballet dancing! Too, funny. He said it was like a wedding for 5 year olds! He can't wait to take all the girls. Such a good dad!

1st Birthday!!!!!!! a little late!!!!!

2008-02-12T14:18:00.001-08:00

Oh my. How sad. I just noticed that Corbin's 1st birthday never made our blog. 4th kid. What can I tell you.
Sweet Buh Buh....little did I know that peaceful morning....that I new you were on your way....did I really know you were going to change my life.
I mean, how much can the 4th kid in a bunch change an already nutty world. You have blessed my heart beyond words. To have a sweet
little boy give me kisses and lay his head on my shoulder. I am so lucky. You are such a big boy. And I think that is what makes it even sweeter.
I think of the big strong man you will be someday and I pray you will still want to come and lay your head on my shoulder and give me sweet kisses!
You are so happy and so funny. I can't imagine how dull life could have been without your surprise appearance! God is amazing... he blesses
us when we don't ask...he gives what we don't even know we need...and boy oh boy...I needed you!
You are a perfect fit into our family....you snuggle right in the midst of it all. You may not get your pjs completely put on before we have to run off to
help another situation...you may have to take you milk in the car on the go to get someone somewhere else.. you may have to have a meal fed to you by a 2 year old sister or if you are lucky a 4 year old sister! But you have a Mommy who loves every inch of you....a mommy that still sneaks in your room and wakes you up to rock you at 1 am, bc that is the only time you
will sit still.... You have 3 sisters who think you hung the moon(when you aren't driving them crazy) and a Daddy who just thought he was wrapped by his girls....I can imagine what you are
going to get away with when he is in charge!!!!
We love you... we pray you become the strong Christ loving man you were designed to be!
Happy 1st birthday my sweet little Buh Buh!

Our house is TOO full

2008-02-12T13:41:00.000-08:00

Just a little pun on the title of this blog! But seriously, I know we could squeeze into a 2 bedroom home and make it work...but we would like a little more space. And closer to work/church/ninny/school?. We put the house on the market as of Thursday! It is exciting and scary at the same time. I think it is exciting to see what the Lord is going to do with us. To do with our house? We don't have a specific place or area in mind to move to...I mean, it has taken us 6 years just to sell. I can't imagine I could decide where to go! hahahaha!
So the kids and I have to pick up like crazy every morning... ahhhhrrrr! What a chore! Fred cleans at night and vacuums....Can I get an Amen for that! I knew it would happen one day!
I love having such a nice clean home... but what work!
I am excited but I have a lot tied to that house. It is our first home. My first home. The home each of our babies came home to for the first time...stairs that everyone has fallen down(including mom)...stairs that have everyone's tears on them(including mom)....bathrooms that someone had their first potty in! Walls that heard first words....floors that held first steps.... lots of firsts....now please be my FIRST house to sell!

..............
so NO ONE has called to see the house today... wanna know why? bc the kids are at school/moms, shelby is trapped in the garage, I am at work and so is Fred, and it is spotless!
But yesterday when I had 5 kids eating lunch,
3 different lunches bc Corbin doesn't like nuggets...odd...I only had 2 corny dogs I promised Chloe and her play date, and L&A had nuggets,
I had stuff out from a wedding cake I had to make for today...Q and U got married at school and they did a full wedding for it.....
I had paints all over the kitchen as to keep L&A occupied so Chloe could actually enjoy her friend to herself...
there was a Barbie massacre upstairs.....
and I get a call at 12:40 that they wanted to come at 1! Needless to say, we pushed to 1:15. Mad crazy dash to clean up... I told Chloe and Adelaide to push everything under Chloe's bed...I gave Anabelle Corbin's fork to finish feeding him... Hello she is 2.5! Get everyone in the car and hang at Sonic....
Response from showing relator and client: "Very nice house....Very very clean.... shows very well.... client still looking...so we will let you know if we want to see it again!"
Golly....at least they might give me 25 minutes this time... for real.... I mean... the first few days of having the house spotless, I thought I was in Heaven.. Fred had to feed my type A personality... now, I can see spiralling down hill in a few short days! Sell Sell Sell for my sanity if nothing else

remember when

2008-01-12T01:05:00.000-08:00

So, I couldn't help but stare at these pictures on the bar tonight. It sreiously seems like yesterday Laurel and Anabelle turned 1! But here they are at 2.5 and big sisters!

2007-12-29T06:27:00.001-08:00

Well, yet another Christmas of Cheer and Joy! And a little craziness!
Celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus is about the most amazing time of year for us! It is almost like it ties in together everything we try and teach our kids throughout the year. And everything we try to learn and remember and live, ourselves, thoughout the year. It isn't so much like the final exam in high school. But more like the party at the end of the year! To celebrate how much we each have grown and what we have learned throughout! Honouring someone else and the thankfulness we have....the best party I can imagine!
Hearing all my kids tell me it is "Happy Bithday Jesus" melts my heart like I never imagined. I think about people that choose to celebrate the "holiday" Christmas. Or those who do not understand the true meaning of Christmas. And it doesn't irritate me or make me angry. It makes me sad for them. In a small analogy, it is the difference between eating cake, and eating cake that has filling inside and icing on top....and you did no more for it, then the person who is just eating the cake. You just knew which cake to get!
So, my prayer this year is that everyone has a deeper understanding of Christ. And in that they will be amazed at what Decemeber 25th will bring them! JOY JOY JOY!
So, of course we couldn't have Christmas with out a little nuttiness!
My sister was in with her husband and 4 kids, 2 boys(7 and 5) 1 girls(2.5) and 1 baby boy(1year old)...
My little sister and her finace... and us!
Here goes the gist of it!
On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
A 1 year old who ran his 4 wheeler into the tree!
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
2 little girls, appearing to have a Tammy Fae Baker makeup incident...oh geez!
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
3 oh mys because of a jingle bell up the nose...off to urgent care ..oh wheee!
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Corbin, "aka Elephant Man" major head injury...
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
2 little one year olds splashing in the toilet joyfuly!
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A couple fighting fists, probably too much candddyyyyyy!!!!
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A little girl with a sore toe from the 4 wheeler that ran into the tree!!!!!
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
A screaming little girl...oh just let her beeeee!!!!
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
2 love birds who can't keep their hands off each other's knees!!!!
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me..
2 mommies who are about to fall asleep underneath the tree!!!!
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
2 Daddies on the golf course....that's why the mommies want to fall asleep under the tree!!!
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
1 Grammy who got left with 8 kids and probably tied her to the tree!!!
(Added verse)
On the Last Day of Christmas my true love gave to me....
A heart filled with so much joy and laughter....why I love my family is so easy and plain to see!

Choir program

2007-12-16T22:27:00.000-08:00

Chloe had her first real Choir performance. She was so excited and L&A knew all the words to each song. They liked seeing Chloe up front. But the best part about the show, her cousins Evan and Grant were there! I have never seen someone so excited in my life!

And the other pics:)

2007-12-16T22:22:00.000-08:00