About That....

Last week we took AnnaClaire on a college visit, which is another whole post.  While we were gone one of my daughters graciously volunteered to school the kids.  Apparently she was helping them with some animals found in the area they were studying.  

I've always said that cultivating a willing spirit to serve is as important as academics - like spelling for example.


Yea.

Aviyahna Cadence is Here

  This afternoon my son Andre and his girlfriend Nikki had a beautiful daughter.  Aviyahna had a little difficulty breathing at first, but she's a fighter and is doing well now.

  We can't wait till she can come home and we can love and kiss her.  (Although Andre says that nobody gets to hold her except him.)  We love you Aviyahna!  Keep up the crying - it's good for your lungs!

Farewell You Annoying Thing You

Today is Emma's and Samuel's birthday and this should be all about them and how much I love them, blah, blah, blah.

But more importantly, this is car seat liberation day.  I've had a car seat in my car for the better part of 33 years and today Samuel turns 8 and I'm done with them.  

Forever!!  

This of course does not include my grandchildren who I will happily buckle up for the next 33 years.

Take 2

Just as Ezra got the cast off his arm, we made yet another trip to the E.R.  This time Emma turned her ankle while playing basketball.  The x-ray said sprained and I'm wondering why she came home with a cast up to her knee.
Ezra waltzed through his 6 week ordeal with ne'r a complaint. We are on day 4 with Emma and she's not being really pleasant at all.  Actually she's testy.
Anyone have a cast saw I can borrow?

Curtain Call for the Tooth Fairy

As the last, really last, I swear last, 8 kids are getting older I can almost see a glimmer of light at the end of the on duty mom tunnel.  Margie, the oldest is turning ......... exactly 30 years older than the youngest, Samuel who will be 8 this week.  
And I'll be ready to be done when I'm done.  I secretly wear a necklace with a little empty nest dangling from it and I've saved a stack of magazines with the promise of recipes for two.  Two!


So why was I so sentimental when Samuel lost both front teeth this week?  Maybe because he's the last and I'm a sucker for the look.

I'm in Charge Here

Ezra wants to be the boss of the world.  Ask him.  He is in every conversation because he knows that what he has to say is of extreme importance.  There is nothing that happens that he doesn't have the inside track on.  Ezra is the consummate tattle tale  and is unashamed of it.


This could be considered annoying, particularly by his brothers and sisters, but I think Ezra's tendencies could become his strengths.  (And with so many children to keep track of, having a little snitch isn't all bad.)


This is Ezra in his favorite outfit.  Is there a SWAT force that rides on scooters?

Stepping Carefully Out of the Nest

AnnaClaire has been attending our local community college for the last few semesters.  She's done well, but recently she's felt that God was calling her to attend a Bible college.  Her heart has been challenged to go into missionary work since we studied Sonlight's countries around the world in her 10th grade.  In homeschool  the study of geography can lead your children to follow God's heart for their life!!
She has applied to a Bible College in our state and got her acceptance letter this week!  She is super excited which is no small thing for her.  AnnaClaire was in her early teens when she came to us and she was READY for security in her life.  She held on tight to us and blossomed in the close relationships.  She said many many times that she would never leave our house and we just smiled and hugged her. Now she's ready to go and live 4 hours from us.  Which proves that Beatles's song..."All you need is love", and well - some Jesus and time and perseverance and that's all she needs .