Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful morning! After having to wait until 11:30 for the kids to FINALLY go to sleep Last night, (We put them in bed at 8) we were able to put out their gifts and stuff the stockings. This morning, I started a new Christmas tradition for our family. I woke up extra early and made kolaches and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Honestly, these were the best I've ever made. The kids woke up and were eager to open presents and stockings. Even Lillian was anxious to finally get her hands on her stocking. Ainsley was excited about it too this year. (She hasn't known what to think of Christmas in years past.) Their stockings were filled with fun stuff like: tic-tacs, bubble gum, band-aids, chapstick, candycanes, and more. Lillian got a baby doll in hers. The kids were also blessed once again by our neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Grimes, who gave each of the girls a teddy bear and Max a game.

We had fun watching them look at all their goodies and open their gifts. Mike was thrilled to get new underwear and I was happy to get my shea butter! Ainsley got the Dora scooter she's been wanting. We've already played Yahtzee! which Max received. And I was even able to surprise Mike with a new bluetooth for his phone. (I got one too!) It was so much fun, I'm already looking forward to next year!

Another Amazing Year!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Update on Sage

It doesn't work! I put sage tea on my hair every day for three weeks. I tried spraying it on the roots. And I tried pouring it over my head ten times a day. After three weeks, I saw absolutely no difference. After that time, my roots had been growing out for two months and I was starting to hate my hair. Not just that, but the sage would go rancid VERY quickly and I was left with hair that stunk to high heavens.
So, for anyone who was wondering if sage will actually color your hair like so many websites claim - it won't! You'll have to find a different chemical free solution. More on that later.

Chon Ji

This is the form Max was required to perform in order to achieve his yellow belt. He did a great job! I am so proud!

Parade Fun!

Today, we went to the Neiman Marcus Christmas Parade in downtown Dallas. We all woke up early, bundled up, filled the thermos with coffee and drove down to the parade with Nealy. Of course, the Clarks beat us there. They may have more kids, but they also have more helpers.

Anyway, we had a lot of fun. We saw lots of childrens tv superstars and we even told Ebenezer Scrooge, "Merry Christmas!" To which he replied, "Bah Humbug!" He still hasn't learned the reason for the season.

The kids had a great time and I wish everyone could have seen the look on Max's face when he saw Spiderman coming down the street! And one other bonus: (for the parents anyway) no candy was thrown at us!

All in all, we had a wonderful morning. Thank you Nealy!

Belt Test

Yesterday, Max had his first belt test for Tae Kwon Do. He was AWESOME!!!! Every single move was fast, strong, and powerful. This class has been a blessing from the Lord. Mr. and Mrs. Parrack are the most loving, Godly people I know. Mr. Parrack expects so much from these kiddos and they do not let him down.

The first day of class, the kids found out that the class comes with homework. Homework for karate? Well, the Parracks expect all the kids to make their beds every day. If that is not done, they lose the opportunity to belt test. Also, at the end of every class, the kids are told to go hug their mom or dad and tell them, "Thank you for brining me."

This class isn't just about learning self defense. It's about attitude, self-discipline, respect and spirituality. Before the testing began, Mr. Parrack went over and gathered up the kids and prayed with them! What a blessing this family has been to a large number of homeschooling families.

Here is Max sporting his new yellow belt. He is so proud!

Family Vacation

Back in September, we went on a family vacation with the Clarks to Colorado. All of us loaded up in our two cars and drove for 13 hours to South Fork. Kermit and Shirley Clark have a beautiful log home in a gated community there. Everyone was blown away by the beauty of the state. Everywhere you look you see God's majesty! To think that God made all of it for us to enjoy, I am overwhelmed!

We had a wonderful week hiking, fishing, horse back riding, cooking out and roasting marshmallows. The children all had a chance to learn so much about nature. The day before we left, the kids made bird feeders from pinecones, peanut butter and bird seed. Then we spent the afternoon watching the birds eat. The chipmunks found the food we left out for them. And Max even got to pet one! Wow! We all had such a good time! And when it was time to leave, the children cried.

And now, two months later, Ainsley continues to ask when we can go back to Colorado. Also, she can point out the state on any map. She's ready to move! And so am I!

I forgot to mention the fun all the cousins had playing together. Can you imagine - NINE kids in one house!! Max and Isaac spent the week pretending to be twins. They tried to dress alike every day. I loved watching all the memories being made. I could go on.......

Click here to see pictures.

Praisin' the Lord!

Ainsley joined the preschool choir when she turned three. Everday since then she has been practicing her performance for us here at home. Considering how shy Ainsley is most of the time, I had no idea how she would do when placed on a stage in front of the entire church congregation. Well, you can see for yourself that she was great. In fact, they were so adorable, Pastor had them sing all three songs twice - both services! Ainsley later told me that she had a lot of fun singing up on stage. I loved watching her praise the Lord. I hope you will too!

All Wrapped Up!

Last week we went to the park to meet the Clarks. Isaac takes karate classes in the park every Tuesday and Thursday, so we went to play with the other littles while they waited for class to be over. Well, Maya always loves to hold Lillian. When I went to get my wrap, to give my arms a break, Maya asked if I would wrap Lillian on her. Maya was so proud. She had the biggest smile on her face walking around with Lillian. Soon, I look over and Maya has Lillian looking just like herself. Both in a bandana. What a great Mommy Maya is going to be. But until that day, I will happily allow her to practice with my babies. Love you Maya!

Hair Cut

Ainsley got her first haircut in two years tonight. She was so excited! She wanted to wear the cape and everything. While I was cutting her hair she told me she wanted to cut her hair like Daddy's! Here's the before and after photos.

I Survived!

Well, I did it! I survived another week of VBS. Before you think that's not much of a feat, let me explain. This year I was unable to be a crew leader with the older kids since I am still nursing Lillian. So, I was asked to work in the two and three year old room. Now, this is childcare for VBS volunteers only. I knew it would make for some really long days, but I had no idea! What could be so bad you ask? Here is my tale: Monday Ginger and I were working together in the toddler room. We had about four girls and eight boys. Have you ever been in a room with eight three year old boys for 4 hours? I came home Monday and wanted to go hide in the closet for the rest of the afternoon. But nothing could have prepared me for Tuesday! I had thought that since kids seem to do better on a schedule I would just make one up. Things seemed to be going great on our new schedule until 9:45. Bathroom breaks! First, I took Lola to the bathroom. She did great! No problems, but while I was in the bathroom with Lola, Judah was out in the classroom saying, "Teacher, I'm wet!" Ok, I can handle this. Judah's shorts and underwear were wet, so I started changing his clothes, put him in a pull-up (just in case). While I was getting Judah dressed I told Asher to go use the bathroom. Now Judah is in dry clothes, so I go check on Asher. I walk in the bathroom to find Asher with his shorts and underwear on the floor and he is picking up poop from the floor and putting it in the toilet. I should give him kudos for trying to help out. But now I am grossed out. So, I put clean up the mess, put him in a pull-up (just in case), and have him wash his hands. While he is washing his hands, I go check on everyone else. Is everyone ok? Oh, yes, Brayden has peed and wet through his pull up. He needs a change of clothes. So, here we go, Brayden gets new shorts and pull up. Great! Oh, what about Asher. He is still washing his hands, and water is EVERYWHERE. Alright Asher, they're clean! While I am drying the sink, step stool and floor. Lola says she needs to wash her hands. Well, I have learned my lesson. I stay right there with Lola while she washes her hands, until Judah starts yelling "I gotta Pee!" This from the boy who just wet his pants. But it looks dire, so I let him come in and go while I help Lola finish washing her hands. Then I turn to check Judah and he is peeing everywhere BUT in the toilet. My gosh what else could happen in the span of five minutes. Once we got that mess mopped up, things started to settle down. Now, I have gone on long enough, but let me just say that before the day was done one other boy wet his pants twice and the second time someone dropped their blanket in it and someone else slipped and fell in it. What a day!
But you know what makes it all worth it? While I was taking care of these precious little ones. 75 children accepted Jesus into their hearts! Praise God!

"And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

Playing in the Pool

Max and Ainsley had a lot of fun playing in the pool yesterday! Since it wasn't raining, they got to play for awhile, then play in the rain again later in the day!

Fun in the.....Rain?

Is it really July 2nd? Here in Texas we rarely see any rain after mid-June. Last year, it rained so little our local lake levels were 20+ inches below normal. And this year..... It hasn't stopped raining! Our kids aren't complaining though. I always loved playing in the rain when I was a kid. And now, every time it starts to rain (which is almost every day), Max and Ainsley put on their bathing suits and go outside. Ainsley is afraid of thunder, but quickly getting used to it. Max loves jumping on the trampoline when it's wet. Typically we wet it down as a way to cool off on HOT summer days, but this year there's no way around it. We've all joked that we don't know how to build an ark. But rather than complain, we Praise God for giving our land EXACTLY what it needed! So, next time the sky starts to get dark, remember how it was as a kid and run put on your swim suit and enjoy this rain while it lasts!

Adopted Grandma!

Years ago my mother took a computer course and our lives haven't been the same since. You see, in the class she sat next to a beautiful woman named Pat. Well, shortly after the class ended Mom and Pat started having breakfast together periodically. This was during the time that Mike was working in the restaurant business so I was home alone a lot. So, taking pity on me, Mom invited me to join her and Pat for breakfast. Max was only four months old then, and now 8 years later, Pat has truly become part of the family. And our breakfast have become a monthly tradition. Pat was planning to come to Lillian's birth, but missed it by two days. She did, however, celebrate Lillian's dedication with us. I cannot begin to tell you what her friendship means to me. "Breakfast with Pat" is marked on my calendar every month through the end of the year. Her love for Christ is evident in everything she does, but most especially in her smile! I hope she knows how much we love her! We are blessed to have her in our lives. And we are grateful she has allowed us to adopt her as a grandmother to our children.

"Little Mama"

At church, Ainsley is known as "Little Mama". Everyone who knows her comments on her mothering qualities. In her Sunday school class, Ainsley makes sure everyone has what they need. She helps her teachers pass out snack and clean up afterwards. She can normally be found with a baby doll in her arms: nursing it, rocking it, burping it, and pushing it in the stroller. Yesterday, before leaving the church, I found her carrying a stool from the elementary class into the infant room. When I asked what she was doing, she kept walking and said over her shoulder, "I have to change my baby's diaper." She continued on, setting up the stool so she could reach the changing table. Then she put a table liner under her baby and used a real wipe to clean her up. I think she even pretended to use baby powder. I don't think a day goes by that I don't tell her what a good mommy she will be!

All About Lillian

Lillian is the best baby! I say that almost every day. She is so laid back and happy all the time. Her day begins at 7am at which time she eats, gets a new diaper, and then happily plays in the exersaucer until 8 o'clock. Naptime! All I have to do is lay her down and she promptly puts her thumb in her mouth and goes to sleep. The rest of the day is about the same. She eats every three hours and takes three naps during the day. Then she will stay awake from 4 until 7, eat, then play until 8 o'clock. Bedtime! How I love my little contented baby!

The Family That Schools Together.....

Over the last three years, I have been learning just how closely bonded home school siblings can be! Max fell in love with Ainsley the minute he saw her the first time. Since then, they have only grown closer. Now that she is three, I often find them camping in the playroom, playing hide and go seek, or just sitting reading books together. And now they can be heard asking to hold their baby sister, Lillian. Since I have always heard about sibling rivalry, I have strived to raise my children to love each other. I love to see them helping the other with whatever they need. Max even celebrates with Ainsley when she accomplishes something new. And Ainsley often consoles Max when he gets hurt. And they both come running when Lillian starts crying. What a blessing to see their love for one another!