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| Happy Monday Morning! Seems like another cold one is about to happen...and as long as I'm snug as a bug, I don't mind a bit! How was everyone's wk. end? We hit another ice sculpting festival. Israel thinks I now have a fetish for them, which I don't! It's just something to do with 6 kids on a winter day. Not much else going on outside. The day was gorgeous, so sunny and not too cold at 25. 
We watched this same guy carve a couple weeks ago in another town. I can't imagine ice carving as my hobby or job, but it's fun to see their creations. My boys both brought home big junks of ice to carve on... 
First Place Winner 
For all you football fans, here's the quaterback. 
This is from the show a few weeks back, I loved this detailed little sign post. 
We had 9 kids to usher down the streets last time, so with just our 6 this week it was a breeze ;). Of course we had to watch the Super Bowl last night. Not that either one of us are fans of football, but it's a party so we did it. And we did not skip church for it either, there did that make you feel better ;)? Our church only has church Sunday mornings. So Luke my brother in law, who is a big fan, brought his very large screen over along with all the other equipment and we hauled couches and chairs and had ourselves a good set up. Not that it helped his team out at all, but I think he'll live. I was happy the Saints won, I mean they needed a shot...I kinda go for the underdogs especially when I could care less who wins. 
All our little fans 
How does this dude feel this morning? I can't imagine taking the beatings these guys take all for fun? No sirree I don't think you could pay me enough... 
I was thinking this morning though, I wonder how the Colts feel. Are they depressed, sad, mad, or all of the above? And that's just a game...how will they feel when they stand before our Creator and haven't run the race the way He said to? I'm sure some of them are running by His standards, but I was just thinking....How will I feel when I realize I could have done a much better job. I could have tapped into the power of the Holy Spirit if only I would have taken the time to fellowship with Him, to listen to His heart...it's my challenge for this week. The Breath of the Kingdom is Forgiveness ~ More about that later....For now have a wonderful Monday! | | |
| Just came in from a lovely walk with my Mom. The weather is gorgeous, a strange day of melting and snowing at the same time. I was covered in snow when I got back. Nothing like fresh air to clear your brain. We had a wonderful Ladies Retreat! All my Mom's sisters were here and all but 3 cousins made it too. We had Thur. night thru Sun. Just alot of great fellowship, laughs, all 1am nights at least, and tons and I mean tons of good food! 
Charity and Misty brought me my first orchid ever and I love it! 
The first evening Shan and I were in charge of a snack. I had so much fun making these with Summer. 
We spent an enormous amount of time all huddled in the living room. We watched two Joyce Meyer dvds on The Battlefield of the Mind. I love having the reminder to take every thought captive. Selfish people aren't happy, and what comes out of our mouth is who we really are in our hearts... 
Just a little lovin' for the cat ;) 
Wanda brought a comfort to knot. Wish I would have had one ready to go, took about a 1/2 hr. to knot. 
Grandmother was able to spend part of the time with us. We wanted to keep her longer....she is the one that started this whole clan after all. 
The three pregnant mothers... 
We had a great fashion show of sorts.....it was hilarious! 
April gave us a great show. 
I was what not to wear....thank goodness, that was easy for me ;) 
Melody showed us how not to do makeup....just too funny! 
Poor Kara's face was rather caked and not a bit even ... 
Kara's outfit was a killer...and she was great entertainment. 
One day was full of massages...we had two tables and Misty and Veronica worked all day....Bethany gave pedicures and manicures....they were real troopers. 
Summer loved being a part of the whole thing...Shanna's husband Luke took her to play with his boys for most of Saturday and she thought she was really smart being on her own like that. 
We stacked them in big time. I think we had at least 24 ladies and girls around the place.... 
And then when you just thought you couldn't make it another minute, you could just grab a little snooze. I feel so totally blessed to have such a wonderful group of ladies to share with, it's so good to bounce ideas off of each other. One night we had all the Moms share one thing they felt like they did right in raising their kids and one thing they would have liked to change. Good thoughts and things for us to think about as we raise our own little people. Really it comes down to thinking about the fact that nothing really can just be left up to chance in the way of raising our kiddos. We have to train and love them on purpose. Challenging each other is so good and makes us think about what we are really doing. It's so fun to laugh together and just enjoy each other's company. You all have a wonderful week! Rejoice every day in the blessings that God has given you! A thankful heart is a happy heart | | |
| It seems like nothing much is going on around here, at least nothing really note worthy. Just quiet winter days, well, part of my days are quiet. Those quiet parts are what keep me sane, and give me a chance to get something done. I've finally organized over 2000 pictures, they are now in every kids spot and the trick is going to be getting them scrapped now! I have started, and managed a few pages, but I haven't felt totally inspired yet so I'm not pushing it. I've also really been trying to get Grant's school time in, so he is reading his little words and so proud of himself. It's a good time for him and I to have together too, he definently isn't getting an over abundance of 1 on 1 these days. What do you all do with your kiddos, do you make sure to spend special time with each one of them? I'm really bad at that, just kind of grab a minute here and there...I really feel like I need to make it a bigger priority to fit them all in for 1 on 1. 
There has been a ton of sledding! Israel built another major terrain park for the kids again. You have to climb up two ladders just to start your sledding experience, and then you can take about 3 0r 4 different jumps on your way down. The kids have spent hours out there. 
Summer has been dressed and undressed I don't care to count how many times. I can't believe she really likes to go out, but she does and stays out unbelievably long some days, then comes stumbling in... 
If she's not outside, she finds some other form of entertainment for her and the girls, did you ever think to use your placemats for floor coverings? 
And the twins are getting the hang of potty training! I'm loving it, no accidents yesterday...we're seeing the end of baby stage...sad...but wonderful all at the same time! 
May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you trust in HIM, so that you may overflow with Hope by the POWER of THE HOLY SPIRIT. romans15:13 Blessings on your wk. end, ours looks like it will be pretty quiet, which is fine with me. We may go see The Harlem Globe Trotters tomorrow night, then the kids will go with my family to see The Music Man put on by a homeschool group on Sat. night and then church Sunday, and I really feel like I should have someone over Sunday night....did I say a quiet wk. end? What was I thinkin'? Oh well, it all sounds like fun things, and Iz and I will be home with just little kids Saturday night...that could get cozy ;). | | |
| I'm finally going to take the time to just chat with you a spell. I've been visiting all your sites and just loving all your Christmas pictures and stories. We had a wonderful Christmas! I really do think it gets so much more exciting the older the kiddos get, the more guessing, sneaking around, and more guessing ;). So I don't even know if I'll get any pics up of our time or not, I haven't even uploaded them yet. I feel like I've been in this spinning circle and I can't get out....we had Christmas day with my family. A lovely brunch and then spent the day playing games, and my Mom tried to teach me how to knit a scarf (I'm still hoping to really get the hang of it) and then Israel's family came the Mon after Christmas and we spent the week together at a camp. Good times for sure! The biggest event for me..I got my Canon T1i! I'm so excited and just need to get some time to really sit down and play with it. I've been waiting to show you all my spending spree, and thought maybe now would be the time..... 
Yes I really did wear this hat in public....I had to try for the prize...honorable mention but no gift card.... 
And this was all the loot....any guesses? Took me about 5 weeks to accumalate it all.... Had my sister stay with my kids every Wednesday while I fed my addiction ;). Okay, this was so much fun! Sad to say my favorite Scrappin' Store was going out of business....so I would get a letter every week telling me the specials and then they had some crazy thing...like hats, ties, or bring in your letter, find the errors in the letter all kinds of little bonuses, so I had to go! And do I ever have a ton of fun things to work with. 
So then I had this organizing to do...and paper racks were fairly expensive. I was so delighted to find just what I wanted on Craigs List for $20. a piece and then the fun began. My Mom actually came and helped me one afternoon to just sort paper. 
I'd love to have you all join me for a big Scrappin' Party! Any takers out there? Bring a snack, lots of pictures, and your pjs, I'll put on the coffee! | | |
| The Twins Are Two Life with them has been unbelievably entertaining, at times exasperating, always busy, and I wouldn't trade it for the world! They have just been so delightful, and they keep us laughing and crying ;). One day last week I turned around to find Autumn on the floor with the butter tub, just squishing it thru her fingers, rubbing it on her pants, having a grand time. Later that same day after just thinking wow, finally a moment of peace....Amber comes around the corner saying Audy did it...so I looked and there was Autumn with the shredded cabbage all over the kitchen floor. I cannot believe how they can get into things...none of my other children have kept me on my toes quite like these two... so I've got to just give you a few pictures... 
Amber 
Autumn 
Drinking their hot chocolate or coffee as they would say.... 
Lovin' on each other You all have a delightful Monday! Only 5 days 'til Christmas....are you ready? Is your heart really in the season? Celebrating the real reason we can have Joy, Peace, and Love? I'm so amazed that Jesus came, left the Glory of Heaven to come to earth, the filth and grime of sin? He loved us and after everything, still loves us! Really truly, without anything that we've done to deserve it, Loves Us! Let us rejoice and bring Him Glory, and all our Worship * Merry Christmas * | | |
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