No Greater Joy

A List of Things

2011-07-03T19:12:00.001-04:00

1) Seeds Family Worship CDs have been a staple in our home for a few years now. I love that the lyrics are straight from scripture so my kids (and me & Kyle) are hiding God's word in our hearts as we memorize the songs. And Kyle appreciates that the music is cool and not the intolerable kiddie music that many children's songs are made of. Lucas even likes it - and that's saying a LOT since he's going into middle school and so-very-cool-now and all.

2) Pinterest has become my summer addiction.

3) This will also be a summer addiction. Mostly due to the incredibly large numbers of cucumbers we have coming out of our garden right now.

4) And if this chalkboard contact paper lives up to its claim, it just may change my life. Or at least my house.

5) I'm reading this book right now. It's definitely challenging and convicting. And, unfortunately, much needed in our home.

Vacation Video Diary Episode "I lost a tooth"

2011-06-26T15:08:00.003-04:00

**Edited to add: these videos are playing very strangely on my computer. It may be my internet connection. Or it may be some weird technological thing that I don't understand. Please let me know if the people in the videos are moving rather quickly while they're words are not.**

Well, it wouldn't be a Brogdon vacation if somebody didn't lose a tooth. Actually, I don't think anyone in our family has ever lost a tooth on vacation. But, it totally sounds like something that would happen.

A few things to note about the following videos:
1) I have noticed it is a trend for Ellie to turn to me several times throughout her recordings to verify her answers are correct and ask me for advice. This does not follow her normal way of doing things.
2) It's obvious that Lucas is incredibly shy about sharing the spotlight with his brother. And why is he eating in the bedroom in front of the mirror?
3) The day is only half over. Why am I having to give verbal cues as to what we have accomplished so far?

Vacation Video Diary Day 1 (& bonus birthday footage)

2011-06-24T21:47:00.000-04:00

Things I Never Though I'd Hear Myself Say #778,912

2011-06-15T11:00:00.001-04:00

"Get the cat off your head!"

Perfectionism

2011-06-14T17:04:00.001-04:00

Upstairs I hear the rat-a-tat-tat of drumsticks beating. More than likely, they are not hitting the intended target. Sounds more like a wall. Yes, that's definitely a wall. So much for the "newness" of our house.

I yell at Lucas to stop the incessant drumming on the walls. I'm told he's not the culprit.

Jacob quickly speaks up and says he is the one practicing the drums. Which is great, except Jacob doesn't know how to play the drums. He tries, bless his heart, but the boy has not an ounce of rhythm (I just spelled that word at least 52 times before I got it right.)

Jacob suffers from what I like to call "I have to be able to do everything anyone else has even remotely succeeded at" syndrome. If Lucas plays guitar, so must Jacob. If Lucas hits a home run, so must Jacob. If Lucas can dive into the deep end, Jacob can surely do the same. If Lucas can play the drums, then it's obvious that the same talent must course through Jacob's veins.

The problem is ..... for most of those things ...... Jacob can't. Not that he won't ever. As he gets older, he will certainly accomplish many things that his older brother can already do. But, for now, he can't.

Sometimes this can be good. A little determination goes a long way in trying to learn a new skill. But this intensity and drive mostly just makes him miserable. He is a little boy with huge ideas. And when he can't do those things just the way he envisioned, his life falls apart. It's perfectionism at its deepest.

God has shown me recently (as in today) that these moments are God-given. Moments where the gospel should step in. Instead of taking 10 deep breaths to lower my blood pressure when he is in a heap of tears against the pool fence because he can't dive perfectly the first time, I should be using that time to remind Jacob that no one is perfect. Not me. Not his dad. And certainly not his oldest brother who he tries to keep up with.

But, we do know one who is. And through Him we can do all things.

So I teach Jacob that only through Christ will he ever succeed.

Will Christ work in Jacob to do that perfect roll on the snare drum? Maybe. Maybe not.

But, when we find our identity in Christ, when we seek Him and allow Him to work through us, we will be successful. Maybe not as the world defines success, but certainly as God defines it.

And that, my friends, is all that matters.

Now, if only I can explain that to the 8-year-old upstairs throwing drumsticks against the wall.

Random Thoughts

2011-06-12T18:08:00.001-04:00

1) I thought life would slow down when school ended. I was wrong.

2) Our family has grown by two four-legged, furry creatures. We adopted kittens about 3 weeks ago. They are extraordinarily cute.

3) The poor things have become Ellie's sole source of entertainment. She follows them. She carries them (like newborn babies). She scolds them. She bosses them. She "reads" to them. She would like to brush their hair and teeth, but that hasn't happened. Yet. I'm also waiting on the "kitty hair cutting salon" to happen.

4) I'm amazed the cats have survived the past 3 weeks in our home. (See previous bullet point for explanation.)

5) I have only recently been overwhelmed with the realization that my eldest offspring will be entering middle school in the fall. MIDDLE. SCHOOL. M-i-d-d-l-e S-c-h-o-o-l.

6) I think I'm way more nervous than he is.

7) When in the world did I become old enough to have a child in middle school? Shouldn't I still be in my dorm room wondering if I have enough "skips" left to ditch my night class in order to go to IHOP with friends?

(Not that I ever skipped class.)

8) This is the last week of the summer that has nothing on the schedule, which means this will be our busiest summer in, well....., forever.

9) Kyle & I have started P90x again. Though we haven't made it consecutive days, we are doing pretty well and have lost some weight. Okay, so he has lost some weight. But, I haven't gained any. So I consider that a victory.

10) I don't have a 10 but needed one to even out my list. (My old college roommate, Robyn, will be the only person who understands this need in my life. That, plus the fact that speaking the word "infinity" before bed will only lead to insomnia. And, yes, I did just call you old. And, yes, I am speaking to an individual in my blog post. Told you this list was random.)

Random Pics

2011-06-12T15:23:00.000-04:00

My baby boy will be starting middle school in the fall. YIKES!

Naptime in the car. The only place this ever happens anymore.

On the beam.

painting

Face paint at First Friday downtown.

Noah painted like a goateed superhero.

my crazy bunch after a day at the pool.

powerade popsicles

One of Lucas' drawings recently chosen to be displayed at the courthouse.

PICTURES

2011-04-20T19:05:00.000-04:00

Too much going on in my brain to form coherent sentences. Here are some very overdue pictures of the past few months.

Jacob was baptized at our church's first baptism service. It was at the river

We celebrate God's faithfulness to our family!

Ellie and one our college friends, Molly, after baptism.

I found this on my camera. Jacob has been playing sports photographer, I think!

Lucas has been playing catcher this season. He loves it and is getting better and better!

We finally bought a house here - no more renting!

The kids and I spent the day at UGA recently for their annual vet day.

Another picture I found on my camera. Seems Lucas was a bit bored during one of his online classes.

Ruff-Ruff

2011-03-09T12:33:00.000-05:00

In December of 2002, Noah turned a year old. A few weeks after that, we received a package from my Aunt Marge. It contained two stuffed animals, a brown dog and a green bear. Lucas immediately chose the green bear and we handed the dog to Noah.

The dog has not left his side since that day.

Ruff-ruff has become a part of Noah. He is now tattered, torn and missing some of his insides, but still Noah loves him. He wakes up in the morning, grabs Ruff-ruff and heads downstairs. He watches tv with him, he goes in the car with us and, most importantly, Ruff-ruff goes to bed with Noah every night. We've even been told that Ruff-ruff is talking to him (or to us!).

I keep thinking that one day, soon, Ruff-ruff will be packed away with other memories of childhood. But, so far, that is not happening.

I guess until that day, we'll still be hunting Ruff-ruff at bedtime every night and watching Noah as he rubs Ruff's tail on his nose while watching tv.

And I'll make mental photographs so that one day, when I'm old and wrinkled and yearning for days of noise and activities, I can look back through my memories and remember my sweet boy and his best doggie friend.

How long has it been....

2011-02-08T08:44:00.000-05:00

Wow. I think life gets so busy sometimes that I can't narrow down which part to write about. So I don't write about anything. For a month. yikes.

Here's a little list today just to get back in the groove of things.

We started a new homeschool curriculum in January. I thought I would love it but it's not turning out that way. However, we're stuck with it until May.

Lucas is in a community theater group. His first assignment is to do a mime performance for a downtown event in March. If you know Lucas you will find it as ironic as I do that his first acting performance requires him to be silent.

I have taken a freelance writing job. It's a great job. I write. They pay me. We'll see if I can keep it up.

I have also decided that no matter how hard I try to make myself be a runner I am not one. I am okay with the fact that a 5K is as far as I will ever run. I would rather do an hour of an intense weight workout or even a P90x video instead of run. That's who I am and I am proud.

We went to the dentist yesterday. The boys had chocolate and cookie dough flavored toothpaste. I found that a little odd.

Ellie is at Kyle's parent's house all week. I have constantly had this feeling that I'm missing something or leaving something behind.

I am ready for spring.

I don't really have another one but can't stand to end with an odd number. Yes I have issues.

So. This is probably the most disconnected list of nothing that I've ever written. But I can say I posted something today. Now I must go see what God has in store for today that I can write about tomorrow. :)

2011-01-05T11:14:00.001-05:00

I'm sure you're all familiar with the Old Testament story of Jacob & Esau. Esau, in a moment of impulsivity, gave his birthright to his younger brother Jacob in order to get some food to fill his hungry belly. Something he greatly desired at that moment. He wasn't thinking into the future, only about the desire for the moment. Jacob wasn't innocent in this, though. He was a manipulator throughout the entire thing.

Fast forward to the Brogdon house, 2011.

For Christmas, the boys got a rather large lego set to share. They had been looking forward to putting this set together since Christmas morning. Yesterday, they opened the box to begin. Lucas and Jacob started arguing over who was going to put the trailer of the truck together. Lucas had been "wanting since he saw the box" to do it, but Jacob insisted that he was "good enough to do it." This went on ALL. DAY. LONG.

(I must insert here that Noah was happily putting together the smallest portion of the set and was in no way involved in this brotherly disagreement)

Until finally, sometime later in the afternoon, I heard the following conversation.

Lucas: Jacob, please let me put the trailer together.
Jacob: NO.
Lucas: PLEASE?!?!
Jacob: Okay, you can put it together, but you have to clean my whole room.
Lucas: Okay. Deal.
Jacob: Deal.

Lucas clearly wasn't looking into the future. He was only thinking about what he desired in that moment.
Jacob, wasn't innocent in this, though. He definitely knew what he was doing when he made that deal.

This morning the deal is being completed. Lucas is not happy about this. (I wouldn't be either. Jacob & Noah share a room and it is a disaster!) But he is learning a lesson about making decisions, thinking ahead, and fulfilling promises made. (though he insists he did not PROMISE. He just made a deal.)
Our modern day Jacob & Esau story is done.

All this analogy has made me think. How many times do I make a decision based on my momentary desires? Do I stop and consider future effects of my decisions? On the other side of the story, how much do I try to manipulate circumstances to fulfill these desires? How many times do I try to help God out by taking things into my own hands?

If I'm honest, I have to say I'm not good at thinking ahead and I certainly have been known to manipulate and take control of something to "help God out" a bit.

Hmmm ..... maybe I have something to learn from Jacob & Esau myself.

nine

2010-12-15T15:30:00.001-05:00

In early 2001, Lucas was 7 months old, I had just come off of working a long-term substitute position, and Kyle had a new job. We were not planning on having another child for a while when all of a sudden - surprise! We were in shock. But, it didn't take God by surprise.

Nine years ago today a precious, tiny, 5 pound baby boy came screaming into our lives. We weren't prepared for his arrival. He wasn't supposed to be here for 6 more weeks. He was a Christmas surprise. But, he wasn't a surprise to God.

We were told he'd spend some time in the NICU. "Babies born this early do well, but be prepared for him not to go home with you." I can still hear those words clearly, and feel the anxiety that I had.

Noah entered this world crying loudly and was very alert. He did not spend even a minute in the NICU. Everyone was surprised. But not God.

During his preschool years, we noticed some odd things. Habits, routines, speech patterns. The way he never entered a group of kids to play, but would stand by the fence and pace back and forth during preschool recess.

"He's just shy. He'll catch up. He's just a late bloomer," everyone told us. Over the next few years, though, it didn't get better.

When Noah was seven, he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome - a high functioning form of Autism. I had long since figured this out through my own research, but hearing it from a "professional"? It rocked my world. It took us by surprise. But, it didn't surprise God.

Noah is the light of our family. He has such a pure heart. Not big on words, but when he does speak, you should probably listen. It's most likely worth listening to. Though he doesn't talk about it much, his understanding of spiritual things is almost deeper than mine. His baptism was a lesson for me straight from God. (you can read about that here)

He is super smart and loves all things computer. He's not big on athletics, but give him Lego Star Wars or Super Hero Squad and he's completely satisfied.

He rarely complains (unless it's at dinner. That's another post for another day) and is very easy going as long as he has his routines and video games.

He has a sense of humor that rivals anyone around. He can twist words to make jokes that I never would have thought of.

God has used this little boy in my life in big ways. He has shown me that my plans? They're not the best. My timing? Not perfect. But God's plans and timing? They are always perfect. He is in control and nothing slips past Him. Nothing.

Noah, As you grow I pray that you will continue to follow after God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Always remember how special you are for you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." I love you more than you will ever comprehend and I thank God for giving me the privilege of being your Mom.

I love you, Mama.

Just another normal Monday morning......

2010-12-13T10:18:00.001-05:00

Start washing machine for laundry. The sound of water makes me remember that the dishwasher needs to be started.
Walk into kitchen and turn on dishwasher. Phone rings.
While on phone see that email from husband has come.
Read and answer email after phone conversation is over. In the meantime, see 3 different emails that "need" to be read.
Child #2, who is almost 9, can't seem to find a pencil and desperately needs help. Help child find said pencil which is on table right in front of him.
Tell child #1 to help child #4 put together a number puzzle. Take puzzle into living room and see cups on end table that should've gone into dishwasher.
Put cups in the sink and see coffee that was made 2 hours before. Decide to warm up a cup.
While coffee is in microwave, see water bill on computer desk.
Walk through laundry room, to get to the car, to get checkbook and see the washing machine full of water and no clothes.
Try to push dirty clothes down into machine full of water. Close lid, and hope for the best.
The sound of water reminds me of the water bill so I retrieve checkbook from car. While in garage, see Christmas presents that are stored in storage room. Remember that something is on sale today that I need to order for hubby.
Sit down at computer to order present for hubby and decide the blog needs to be updated.
While writing blog, remember coffee that was put in microwave that is now cold again.
Realize how truly miraculous it is that anything is ever accomplished around here!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-08T13:43:00.001-05:00

It's a little rough around the edges. Guess I should have given them more than 30 minutes of prep time.
Jacob seems to have developed a case of performance-based stuttering. Or maybe it's the fact that he's had no solid food in 48 hours due to a case of the nasty, evil stomach bug. Poor guy.
Could Lucas look any more like a giant in the land of the littles?

Despite my phone's horrible video quality, the kids apparent need for more learning time, and their inability to stand still, I thought it was a success. :)

2010-12-04T10:22:00.002-05:00

Seems I've taken an unintentional bloggy break, huh? Life has been crazy lately and by the time I can sit uninterrupted to write something I'm so exhausted that lifting each finger to type a key seems too hard.

What's been going on around here? Well, let's see:

School, weekend company, more school, more weekend company, the launch of weekly services at our new church, spending time with old friends, Thanksgiving, fighting with an eBay buyer and spending hours on "live chat" with eBay customer service reps who have no idea what's going on, Christmas preparations. That last one just kinda snuck up from nowhere. I was still thinking we had at least 6 more months!

*Thanksgiving was fantastic. We head up to Knoxville to spend a week at my grandmother's every year stopping in Chattanooga on the way to see friends. ~~The only picture I have from the whole week is on Kyle's phone. So sad.~~ Update: found a few pics on Kyle's phone and here they are!

Lookout Mtn. Battlefield - Chattanooga

Had to get 2 new tires on the van while we were there so we hung out at the mall with the minions from Depsicable Me movie.

Had dinner at my aunt's house one night. This is Jacob ~~beating~~ playing the drums.

Hiked House Mtn. in Knoxville with the boys. Noah found a new passion in hiking.

Good times with Lily, Elie, Zoe, & Sam

*Christmas is my most favorite time of the year. Always has been. I've had Grooveshark going with all sorts of Christmas albums I'm too cheap to actually purchase. The house is decorated. Most of the presents bought and wrapped. Baking planned out. Love it all.

*This time of year, I marvel at the fact that Jesus came down and took on flesh to become our Saviour. My mind is boggled at the fact that he was all God yet all human. "How deep the Father's love for us! How vast beyond all measure"

*I also think about Mary. A few years ago I wrote down my thoughts here.

*While all this is going on around me, I received an email last night about a prayer request for a dear friend. I won't go into details but it devastated me. I truly believe that God is sovereign even in suffering. Though I will never, ever understand why some things happen. Praise God that there is hope through Christ.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ⁸We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;......... ¹⁶So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
2 Cor. 4: 7-17

end of an era

2010-11-15T12:28:00.000-05:00

About 3 years ago Kyle came home from work with a really nice (expensive) camera. His department had found it in the midst of cleaning out some closets, so he brought it home to experiment with. He had taken several photography classes while in college and it quickly came back to him.

Soon after that, we invested in a much less-expensive version of that camera. Kyle began doing some photo work for various families and kids and before we knew it, he was a full fledged, part-time photographer. Kyle Brogdon Photography was born.

Kyle Brogdon Photography went of out business when we moved this summer. But he still had his equipment. I would not let him let it go. Until this week. I realized we don't really need that much of a camera anymore. I can't pick it up and just start taking pictures - it's much more involved than that. And, with debt to pay and Christmas approaching, the extra money would be nice. So, the camera is now on ebay.

This past weekend I had a mini-breakdown realizing that this camera would soon be gone and we had not taken real pictures of our kids in over a year. So we headed out yesterday to the college to get a few quick shots. Here's some of what Kyle did in about a 20 minute time span. I may be biased, but I think he's the best photographer around.

Pie

2010-11-11T11:25:00.001-05:00

This was a real conversation in the back of my van yesterday.

Jacob: "Mom, that sign at Zaxby's says they have caramel pecan pie milkshakes. YUM!"
Noah: "I don't like pecan pie. It tastes like pecans."
Jacob: "I don't think pecan pie tastes like pecans. They just add the right amount of crunch to it."
Noah: "I don't like crunchy. I like soft and creamy pie."
Jacob: "Well, then, you should try the coconut cream pie at Golden Corral. It's sooo good."
Noah: "oooh. Is it soft and creamy?"
Jacob: "Well, I wouldn't call it soft - soft, but it is definitely soft."
Noah: "I like soft. Like Mimi's chocolate pie - that sends my taste buds through the roof!!!"

I can't tell you the joy I experienced from listening to my 7 & 8 year olds critique pie. They are definitely my children.

Risky Business

2010-11-09T08:42:00.003-05:00

Yesterday the kids and I ventured out to Kroger. I don't know why I try anymore. I should know by now that trying to buy a cart load of groceries + focusing on sales, coupons, and mega event totals + 4 bored children = disaster.

I can't complain. I have very well-behaved, polite, obedient children 98% of the time. It's just that you never know when that other 2% will happen. So going out in public is a bit risky. And yesterday met their monthly - dare I say even yearly - quota for that 2%. I didn't even see it coming.

I had everything organized. Coupons in place, detailed list made. So I thought it would be a quick in-and-out of the store. I didn't factor into the equation that school had just gotten out and every mom in the county would be in Kroger with their own children picking up something for dinner that night. (or maybe I'm the only one that has to make an emergency run to the store for dinner ingredients????) I also didn't factor into the equation that a few of the things on my list to make the Kroger Mega Event even doable would be gone causing me to have to actually think and add/subtract on the go. Which is normally quite easy for me but between "Stop karate chopping the UGA signs!" and "Where'd Ellie go?" I was not at my finest math moment.

About halfway through our journey I realized that I needed to regain some control. We were getting evil eyes from people just trying to maneuver through the maze of children running down the aisle. Ellie was playing "how far can I run away from mom before she completely loses it?" and Jacob was on a mission to rid the store of every UGA logo he could find. Lucas had Noah in a headlock while Noah danced around trying to get himself free. I turned around and ~~screamed~~ gently beckoned them to come to me. I laid down the law and they all nodded their heads like the sweet little angels they are.

Then I turned my back on them. And it was chaos once again.

By the time we got to the check out I was D-O-N-E. I sent them out of the register aisle to wait for me. There happened to be 3 carts of Halloween clearance that I didn't see as well as a pallet of dog food stacked high. It was about the time the bag boy started questioning how I could shop with "all those kids" that I heard a cashier call out "Honey, please get down off of there before you fall."

I didn't want to look, but knew I must. Lucas and Ellie were standing on top of the dog food stacked high. Jacob and Noah were fighting with "lightsabers" (which were really ax-like weapons from the halloween clearance).

I finished paying and got out of there as fast as we could.

I'm not sure but I think I heard loud cheers go up as we walked out the door.

Yes. There were consequences when we got home. It involved rakes, a big yard full of pinestraw and leaves, and a very quiet evening for me after children went to bed very early.

I've learned my lesson. I can definitely say that I will not be taking all my kids into a store again. Until next time at least.

Adoption

2010-11-03T09:47:00.002-04:00

On June 29,1975 a baby girl was born. That day was filled with two sets of tears. One of sorrow from a mother's heart torn by the decision to give her daughter a better life. Another from a mother's heart that had longed for a child for many years and would now receive that gift.

Thirty years later, June 24, 2005, another baby girl was born. Again two sets of tears flowed - one from sorrow and one from joy.

I was the daughter who was adopted in 1975. I grew up knowing the meaning of adoption. I heard the stories of how my parents prayed for a baby and I was the answer to their prayers. Years later, I had the opportunity to meet the woman who chose to give me life instead of ending mine to convenience hers. I will forever be grateful.

I was also the mother crying tears of joy in 2005 as I received a call that our daughter had been born. After having 3 biological sons, we knew God was leading us to adopt our next child. We started the long process and wait. God brought our precious Eliana home 3 months after she was born.

We have spent the last five years in awe of the miracle of adoption. Ellie is as much our child as our boys are. God has bonded our hearts together as a family in ways I cannot express.

Ellie knows where she was born. She has heard the stories of how her parents prayed for a baby and she was the answer to our prayers. Even though she may never get the chance to meet the woman who gave her life, we do have pictures and a message that her birth mother gave her. I'm sure that as she gets older, she will treasure these things.

James 1:27 says "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress..."

Though we may not all be called to physically adopt a child, it is clear that we are to have a heart for orphans.

How can you help? Pray. Pray for the thousands of children across the world who have no family. Pray for the women who are today struggling with the decision of whether or not to give life to their child. Pray for the families who are desperately trying to find funding to grow their family through adoption.

Give. Adoption is costly. Our own family is still paying off debts occurred from adoption fees. Legal fees, country fees, agency fees, travel fees - adoptive families often times are left struggling to pay these. Show Hope is one of the many amazing organizations set up to help families fund their adoption.

I am blessed to have experienced adoption from two different angles. This precious face reminds me everyday of what a gift adoption is. It is a thread that runs deep through our family and I am forever changed.

Christmas card crunch time

2010-10-28T18:59:00.000-04:00

I looked at my calendar today and realized that November? It'll be here in a few days. Which means Christmas? Less than 2 months away. And as much as this is my most favorite time of the year, I'm not ready yet. It's kinda snuck up on me this year.

I have planned for Kyle to take the kid's fall pictures next weekend (note to self: inform him about this plan) and we'll have to rush to get them edited so that they'll be done in time to order our Christmas cards and the traditional grandparents gift - a photo calendar.

For the past few years I have used Shutterfly for our Christmas cards and calendars and have been more than delighted with the results. There are so many choices that I usually get a few different card designs because I can't make up my mind! I mean - just look:

OR

OR (and I'm lovin' this one - saves me from writing the letter I'm sure no one reads!)

There are pages of holiday cards, Christmas photo cards, even Thanksgiving cards (really? Thanksgiving cards?).

I even found this awesome birthday invitation that would be perfect for my *almost* Christmas birthday boy Noah.

Seriously. Go check out the website. Great designs. Great prices. One less thing you have to add to your to-do list.

*Although I do love Shutterfly and use them many times a year, this post has been written as part of Shutterfly's 50 free holiday cards for bloggers promo. If you have your own blog, go check out the info here!

Zoodles

2010-10-28T10:54:00.000-04:00

Bringing Ellie out of K to homeschool was a bigger decision than bringing the boys home. She is quite the busy child and needs constant structure and activity to keep her out of trouble. I struggle to find something to fill her time after her phonics and numbers lessons are over everyday. Computer time is great, but because she can't read or spell yet she constantly needs my help to go to a different game or website.

This morning, though, in my desperate google search for a miracle website for her, I came across www.zoodles.com. It saved our morning. I had to register (it's free!) and install the application. It gives her a screen with choices of games suited for her ability/age level. The games are compiled from all different websites so I no longer have to run back and forth changing them out for her. She sees a little icon and then clicks and it takes her to that game through the safety of her zoodles screen.

They also have a premium membership, but I'm sticking with the free version. :)

Go check it out if you have a preschooler - we loved using it this morning!

milestone

2010-10-27T08:26:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was a running milestone. I ran a 5K. Not an official 5K race, but a 5K distance nonetheless.

And I ran it in 35 minutes. Which isn't stellar - I understand that. However, had you seen me a few weeks ago trying to complete the "official" 5K you would see that I have come huge leaps from where I was.
I was proud of myself for fighting my quitting instincts and pushing through and even more proud that I could still breathe and walk when I was done.

~~Here is where I won't mention that this milestone was done on an indoor track and doing the same thing outside will probably not give me the same desirable effects.~~

Oh, I love a rainy day ....

2010-10-25T12:43:00.000-04:00

It's a rainy, stormy, dreary Monday here. School is done. Lunch has been eaten. Chores are almost done.

Leaving much of the afternoon open for playing in this:

This started as a tent and is now "Chubby's" dog house. Chubby is Ellie's dog name. Don't ask.

learning

2010-10-22T17:01:00.001-04:00

What I've learned today:

You can find anything on youtube.
Because of this I can cut my own bangs.
When your 5 year old tells you she fell and knocked her tooth out, she probably didn't. However, you should still check it so that 30 minutes later your floor isn't covered with blood.
The self checkout line at Walmart will always, always result in the machine breaking down when I am checking out.
When company is coming I have an overwhelming need to make all varieties of snack foods.
It takes 4 kids and 1 mom approximately 2.5 minutes to inhale an entire bowl of Monkey Munch.
When the grocery budget is gone for the month I can be very, very creative with mealtimes.
Laundry, unfortunately, will not clean itself no matter how long it sits there.
Never give a 7 year old boy a bottle of cleaner and tell him to clean the bathroom.
He will use the entire bottle of cleaner and most of it will be on his clothes.
I am blessed.

running in circles

2010-10-19T08:57:00.001-04:00

Training for my Thanksgiving race continues.

Friday evening Kyle and I took a quick trip to get myself some fancy new shoes. Even though it wasn't pleasant to hand over that much money for shoes to do something I really don't enjoy, it was a necessity if I wanted to run more than 5 minutes without my feet and knees feeling like they were being tortured.

I walked out with Brooks Women's Ghost 3 Running Shoe. They weighed at least 10 pounds less than my other ones and I was positive that my "long run" the next morning would be like running on air.

Fast forward to Saturday morning. Since Mimi was staying with us, Kyle and I took the opportunity to run outside. We stepped out into a cool, 45 degrees for our long run. (And by long I mean 2.5 miles. A marathoner I am not.)

About 5 minutes into our run I realized that running in circles on an indoor track is probably not the best way to train for an outdoor race. I have since started calling our neighborhood Mt. Olympus. The ~~mountains~~ hills - oh how they hurt! I was not the best running partner that morning as every part of me was screaming STOP! As Kyle was running along the lake singing to the fish, I was struggling to breathe.

At the end of the run I sat on the front steps wondering what I have gotten myself into. My fingers were frozen, my lungs were burning, and my muscles felt like jelly. But the good news - my feet and knees felt as good as ever. The new shoes are amazing!

Today I run 2.5 miles again. This time on the indoor track since I have no one to watch the kids, and they love annoying the college students who are there to actually work out. Flat, indoor tracks may not be good practice for the race, but I bet I leave with a smile and my lungs in tact.

One day I'll conquer those hills. One day I'll run while singing to the fish in the lake. One day I'll stop complaining about running.

I just hope that one day happens in the next 5 1/2 weeks.

beauty school dropout

2010-10-14T15:30:00.000-04:00

Ellie is currently obsessed with fixing hair. Washing, brushing, drying, braiding, cutting (unfortunately)....

And as you see, no one is safe from her new fascination.

Aid Sudan Radio Station Project

2010-10-13T14:23:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine from high school/college spent a few years in Sudan as a

missionary. Peter and his family are now back in the states and he is the Executive Director

of Aid Sudan.

Aid Sudan is an "interdominational, non-profit organization serving

the southern Sudanese in several targeted locations in Sudan and through US offices

in Dallas and Houston". Their vision is to aid in growing strong southern Sudanese communities

committed to serving Jesus Christ.

Please watch the video to find out about an incredible opportunity to help share the gospel

with the Sudanese people.

run, Forrest, run!

2010-10-13T10:13:00.001-04:00

For most of my life I've never had to worry about what I eat or how much I exercise. Blame it on genetics or a hatred for butter, but I just haven't.

Then I turned 30. At that exact moment I gained 10 pounds - or at least it seemed that way. And it wouldn't go away. Not that I tried too hard, but those 10 pounds were there to stay.

Now I'm a few years past 30 and a few pounds past those extra 10. My love affair with all things carbs doesn't help. Neither does the fact that I'm not a big fan of exercise. Playing with my children outside? Yes. Hiking in the mountains? Yes. Riding a bike? Yes. But putting in an exercise DVD or taking an aerobics class or - dare I say it - running? Not so much. Since the fact that we don't live in the mountains and I don't own a bike sort of put a dimmer on those type of activities, I'm forced to find something else.

And that something else is running. I have never been a runner. I am not a fan of running. It hurts and it's hard and I just plain don't like it. But to continue my love of bread and to get myself feeling strong and fit, I have started to run.

I completed my first 5K last weekend. And by completing I mean running slowly the first half and zooming like lightening the rest of the way. Okay, so I was barely able to walk the second half, but in my mind I was Eric Liddell (I totally just googled him by typing "guy from chariots of fire"). Or at least Forrest Gump.

So it didn't go as I had hoped. I was ready to give it up, but my ever-encouraging husband has come alongside me and ~~pushed me until I threw up~~ gently guided me to go further in my running this week.

We have committed to run an 8K on Thanksgiving morning in Knoxville while we're at my grandmother's. I'm determined to finish strong this time. I still don't like running. My poor husband listens to my complaints throughout the entire run. I have to admit, though, 30 minutes after I'm done it feels great.

Eric Liddell I will never be. But that's okay. I'd look funny as a man anyway.

mmmmm....

2010-10-07T11:58:00.001-04:00

Every year, at the first hint of fall, I have an urgent desire to buy as many cans of pumpkin as possible. I can't explain it. Maybe it's a Pavlovian response. All I know is I gather pumpkin like a squirrel gathering nuts for winter.

I. love. pumpkin. But only in cool seasons. Pumpkin in the summer just doesn't feel right. By the time ~~November~~ spring arrives, my family never wants to eat pumpkin again.

I made my first pumpkin dish of the season for our church small group last night. Pumpkin Bread. It's absolutely divine. I'm sharing the recipe with you. Feel free to spread the pumpkin joy.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

2010-10-06T17:01:00.000-04:00

This probably shouldn't even count as a "post" but I have to write these things down so when I'm 84 (or next year) and I can't even remember my kid's names, I'll have this to look back on.

Jacob just came in to talk to me about marketing.

He said "Have you seen Publix's logo?" I told him that Publix was my very favorite place so of course I had.

He said, "What about CVS?" Yes, indeed I have.

"Well," he said, "those are just plain CVS letters on there."

"Yes, they are. That's the store's name. What else would you have them put up there?" I asked.

"Like Walgreens. That's a great one. It's in cursive. So people want to go in there because they think they have fancier things because the name is in cursive."

Wanted: ability to focus

2010-10-04T15:46:00.000-04:00

I posted this last year, but this is a perfect picture of my day today. Except for the part about changing a diaper. Strike that part. Already served my time doing diaper duty.

If You Give A Mom A Muffin
Original Author Unknown
If you give a mom a muffin,
She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She'll pour herself some.
Her three-year-old will spill the coffee.
She'll wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan for supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look for her cookbook ("101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger").
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The check book is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.
She'll smell something funny.
She'll change the two year old's diaper.
While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring.
Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.
She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
And chances are...
If she has a cup of coffee,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

home again, home again

2010-10-04T10:14:00.000-04:00

We're back from our mini-vacation to Charleston. It was a great few days and more on that later.

We came home last night to find one of our largest fish - Manny - had been pretty badly beaten up by another fish - Dempsey. It was then that I discovered how completely opposite my view of the fish is from my kids'. While he was still 1/2 alive - I was ready to just bury him in the backyard. (He's too big to flush I think). The kids were devastated and after Jacob's tears and screams of "DADDY DON'T LET HIM DIE. SAVE HIM. HE'S SOOOO SPECIAL" I decided burying him may not be such a good idea.

Kyle separated the two fish and all is well again in the aquarium.

Today it's back to reality. And by reality I mean still being in pajamas at 10:05 am and probably not having a shower today due to all the housework/errands/homeschooling/grocery shopping I have to do.

It's a glamorous life, but someone has to do it.

She's leavin' on a jet plane.....

2010-09-27T12:57:00.001-04:00

This is what is happening in my home this morning:

and this:

She actually did walk out the back door and through the gate onto the driveway. Then declared,"Okay. I changed my mind. I guess I'll stay here." Then she cleaned up her stuff and went about her day.

2010-09-27T09:46:00.001-04:00

I read this poem this morning and loved it so much I have to share.

Approach, my soul, the mercy seat,

Where Jesus answers prayer;

There humbly fall before his feet,

For none can perish there.

Be Thou my Shield and Hiding Place,

That, sheltered by Thy side,

I may my fierce accuser face,

And tell him Thou hast died!

O wondrous love! to bleed and die,

To bear the cross and shame,

That guilty sinners, such as I,

Might plead Thy gracious name.

by John Newton

Flabby Dance, anyone?

2010-09-23T08:06:00.000-04:00

This morning when I came downstairs, Noah was already on the couch.

He looked at me and said, "Do you want to hear something totally insane?"

I'm always up for something totally insane so I was all in.

"I flabby danced with my pet flamingo on the 4th of July."

I asked him to repeat it to make sure I heard him correctly and indeed I had.

And that was that.

So, who's up for flabby dancing next 4th of July?

Because sometimes a list is all I can do

2010-09-22T08:43:00.000-04:00

My brain is not working yet this morning. As evidenced by the fact that I just told Ellie to eat her cereal "without no milk." My 7th grade grammar teacher (I don't remember her last name - we called her "Myrtle") would be appalled. Maybe I truly need to go visit the big city more frequently. I think the country life is having negative effects on me.

I digress.

A list is about all I can muster this morning.

Our new church had it's first official service and it was amazing. We had 150+ people attending. So excited to see what God is going to do!!
Our new homeschool group? Amazing. We have all (Kyle included) made friends through this group and I'm so happy I decided to join.
The leaves have started changing colors. Considering it was 97 degrees yesterday, that's just wrong.
I yearn for the day when it's below 90. I'm told it will happen. I'm not so sure.
The other day in the car, Noah realized that Johnny Diaz (the singer) and Matt Diaz (the Braves player) are brothers. He said as serious as ever, "Their mother must be SO proud!"
The country is starting to feel more like home. We are settling in and adjusting to life in a small town.
Today is the first day of fall. Bring on the apples, pumpkins, bake-a-thons, and weight!
Speaking of weight, I'm in week 5 of my couch to 5K training program. I'm running a 5K on Oct. 23. And I'm still not to that euphoric place that my friends are at where all the world is good and right when they run.

I must go get Lucas out of bed so we're not doing school at dinner tonight.

I leave you with this question: Besides cereal and oatmeal are there any quick breakfast ideas out there? I'm not one for cooking at 7:30am. Need ideas!

it's a wild life

2010-09-16T15:40:00.003-04:00

I've always prided (am I making up new words, here?) myself on being "outdoorsy". I grew up in the country. I was outside from sun up to sun down every day possible. I love hiking and being in the mountains. I'm moving up the success ladder of tent camping - on the still-need-a-real-toilet-but-can-do- without-a-shower level. I was the organizer of many Cedar Grove community frog races and an avid collector of bugs back in the day. Having 3 boys who would live in a tent and chase bugs 24/7 if it were up to them has brought me much joy.

But put a spider or snake or mouse within a mile of me and chaos will ensue.

When we moved out of suburbia, I knew our chances of wildlife viewing would be much greater. I just had no idea that on a daily basis I would be encountering every species of bug known to man. Roaches? Got 'em. Little tiny unknown black bugs? Yep. Ants? Sure thing. Worms? Much to my boys' delight. Spiders? Way too many for my comfort level. Snakes? Not until today.

Yesterday the boys came running in to let me know they had found something that I! HAD! TO! SEE!!! I ran outside to find this in his nice geometrical web between two trees.

I knew we had happened upon a rare rainforest species of insect, but turns out it's just a common Spinybacked Orbweaver. Common or not, that creepy thing was not what I wanted 30 feet from my house, but the boys convinced me to leave it. Last check it was still there hanging out. Pun intended.

This morning we were outside for PE (I use that term loosely). I saw some Ivy that was growing into the yard, so I grabbed a piece of the vine and pulled. When I did a section of pinestraw was moved. I saw something and wondered how a piece of rope got under the pinestraw. As I got closer I noticed that rope was coiled up and had a head and eyes and wriggled around. I tried not to scream. Really, I did. Two of my children came running to see. One ran inside with a vow to never return and one stood still. I think he though if he didn't move the snake may not see him.

So it turns out that snake is not poisonous. It's a common Brown snake. Common. Like the Spinybacked Orbweaver. Last check it was not there. Which makes me a bit anxious. As does the knowledge that these snakes have 3-30 young in late summer.

If you need me I'll be duct taping any open vents and cracks leading from the backyard into my house.

10

2010-09-07T15:51:00.000-04:00

Dear Lucas,

Today you are 10. Double digits. Two whole hands.

Every year you continue to amaze me by the young man you are becoming. Your name means "bearer of light and truth" and that says it all.

At 10 you:
*are very independent. You hardly need me for anything anymore. Which is good, but also makes me a little sad.

*LOVE cars. You can name every car on the road and most of the time the model year too. You tell us you want an old mustang when you can drive. We'll see if that changes in the next 6 years.

*can and do read an astonishing number of books weekly. You love, love, love mysteries, but will read anything. You are really enjoying Hank Zipster books right now.

*are always hungry. You can eat a huge lunch and I will find you eating a sandwich a couple of hours later. Though I'm still not sure where it goes since you are so. very. skinny.

*are almost taller than I am. Not much longer and I'll be looking up to you.

*wear the same size of shoe as I do.

*have started calling us Mom and Dad. Which I'm not so sure I like. :)

*are learning to play the guitar.

*love music. Switchfoot is your favorite, but you also really like Toby Mac.

*like to draw comics. You are showing your Dad's talent for art, though you aren't really interested in
trying anything that doesn't look like a cartoon.

*love to be on-the-go. You would travel the world everyday if possible.

*hate math.

*hate being still.

*love being outside.

*are showing us everyday how blessed we are to have you as our son. You are an incredible young man and we believe that God has big things in store for you. Our prayer is that His purposes are fulfilled in your life and that you grow up to be a Godly man, husband, and father. We can't wait to see what this year brings for you!

We love you!
Mom & Dad

It was the best of times Part 2

2010-08-25T19:23:00.002-04:00

School started and things were going well for the most part. Jacob had an awful time adjusting - to the point of me fighting with him and dragging him down the hallway in the mornings to get him in his classroom. He would do okay the rest of the day - aside from a few tears now and then. Noah had a great teacher and he adjusted like a trooper. He would pace the perimeter of the playground at recess instead of playing with other kids - but that's just part of Noah being Noah. Lucas & Ellie, the two socialites of the group, jumped right in and had friends after the first day.

The boys took reading level tests the first week of school and they each had the highest reading levels in their classes. They were soaring through the other subjects as well. I was very proud of them.

I guess I started to get concerned when Lucas came home and said "There's a sheriff's deputy in my math class now." Evidently the 5th graders needed a bit more crowd control so they brought in the big guns - literally. He would come home with stories of how disrespectful several of the kids were - talking back to the teachers, refusing to do work they were given, cussing and how often the entire class would be punished for the actions of one student. He said the teachers often had to yell to get the kids under control. That's when I started wondering how much of a positive learning environment this school actually was for him.

As a teacher I know first hand how hard it is to teach while there are severe discipline issues in the class. I also know how the well behaved children are often shorted since more time is spent on discipline than it is on actual teaching.

So I spent the next week wondering whether or not this was actually the best thing. Kyle and I talked and prayed and talked and prayed some more and the only positives we kept coming up with were all social oriented - there were no academic positives for leaving them in school.

To sum it all up - I knew that, even though I had prayed about putting them in school, I had not listened to the answer. My desire to have the day to myself apart from 4 very loud, active kids was put above everything. All I could think about was the quiet. The freedom. The 7 hours of "me time."

All along I was pushing the Spirit's conviction deeper down and passing it off as my anxiousness about sending them to school.

We finally sat down and talked to the kids. They were all in favor of coming back home. Lucas was the most hesitant, but all he said was "I'll miss PE and recess. But I know I'll learn more at home."

So on Monday they stayed home. We started homeschool back up on Tuesday and things are going splendidly. Jacob - who had been a short tempered, angry little boy since school started, is back to his happy, smiley self. Ellie's even loving sitting down and writing her letters. However backward they may be. (and if you know Ellie, you know how backward that can be!)

When I think back on this whole roller coaster ride of the past 2 1/2 weeks, I laugh. The same people who doubted and were against our decision at the beginning are now joyfully celebrating our return. And the ones who were encouraging and cheering us on are now doubting and left in disbelief that we would want to bring them home. What a lesson in doing what God has called you to do and not trying to please people!

As our family has stated time after time after time - the education of your children is between you and God. There are positives and negatives about everything. Will I miss my days of quiet? YES! Are we done with "school in a building" forever? Probably not. School is not bad, and I'm sure at some point one or all of our children will be in some school somewhere. Homeschoolers should not castle themselves in their homes away from the world. Christians need to be in the world living out the gospel in all they do so to remove all believers from the school systems would be tragic.

But, for now, for this year, our kids are home. And we're where God wants US to be. And there's no better place than that.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

2010-08-25T14:57:00.000-04:00

My kids were in public school for 13 days. Except for Jacob, who just couldn't get over the possibility that he may get an answer wrong, they all adjusted wonderfully. The boys were all at the top of their class and blowing reading level tests out of the water. Their teachers were extremely nice and good at what they do. Three of them loved PE, recess, and eating in the cafeteria (especially ice cream!). The other one loved computer lab. They hated coming home to homework every afternoon and waking up so early, but what kids love that?

To put into words the reason we brought them back home - I'm not sure I can do that. I've put off writing this blog for a few days now. So many people will have so many different opinions and I'm not one to run head-first into conflict. But, since this blog is my way to journal our life and my thoughts, I'm going to try to explain our decision.

From the moment we found out we would be parents, Kyle knew he wanted me to homeschool. Coming from the viewpoint of a public school teacher, there was no way I was considering that. My kids would not be the isolated, weird kids that I had stereotyped in my mind. We did the pre-school thing and life was cruising along.

The year Lucas turned 5, we had a dilemma. Since his birthday is Sept. 7, he missed the cut-off for Kindergarten by 6 days. But, this boy was more than ready for school. He was well beyond what most sets of Kindergarten skills included and I knew he couldn't wait another year to start school. So I got a few books and we "did kindergarten" that year. And we've been "doing school" at home since then.

Teaching the older kids with younger ones running around wasn't always easy. In fact, it left me in tears many days. I vowed that once Ellie was in kindergarten, they would all go to private school.

Ellie entered kindergarten this year. And the money for 4 kids in private school? There was a big sign on our bank account that said "funds not available." Since we had just moved to a much smaller area, I decided to check out the public schools.

I found out they weren't stellar. In fact, if you just looked at their test scores you would probably question that anyone at the school knew what they were doing. But the more I researched, the more I realized that in a lower-income rural area schools are often full of students who have little to no support at home. And it shows up big time in their education. As a teacher, I knew that the best teacher could be in the classroom and still not have perfect test scores.

The teachers seemed nice enough, the kids looked normal enough - so I pushed and pushed my husband until he relented.

Maybe that was my first mistake. :)

I signed them up and they started school 3 weeks ago on a trial basis. We would wait until Labor Day and discuss their progress.

And since this post is so incredibly long and I must go fulfill my promise to the kids by taking them to the bakery downtown and getting smiley face cookies I will continue later ......

2010-08-05T09:06:00.003-04:00

The first day of school has come and gone and we all made it through. Getting the kids up at 6:30 yesterday morning was a breeze. Which is a complete miracle since homeschooling never started before 9:30am. Morning people my kids are not.

I had timed the trip earlier in the week and it took exactly 9 minutes. We left at 7:25 to give us a little extra time since there would probably be a little more traffic. And traffic there was. Oh, the traffic. Did I mention the traffic??? Whatever person decided to put 2 elementary schools, the middle school, and highschool all on the same road should have his degree revoked. The school starting times don't even vary - they're all the same. So the entire county is filing through one street. We were not prepared. The kids arrived at school after 8:00 as did half the other kids and at least one teacher.

Lucas would not let us walk him into his classroom. Evidently 5th graders do not enjoy Mommies hugs & kisses in front of friends. Who knew? :) The other kids were definitely okay with us walking with them. So we did. I cannot express what it's like to watch my kids go into the unknown all alone after being at home under my watch for so long. But I was proud of them for being so brave and I knew they were ready.

I met Amy in Madison for lunch, which was a wonderful thing. Had I come home alone there's no telling how many old videos I would have watched of the kids in their younger days while singing "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof. I kid - there would have been no singing. But the videos would've definitely been going on.

After a 45 minute wait in the car line, I finally saw my kids. The smiles I saw when they spotted me were priceless. Those 4 smiles will forever be ingrained in my memory because it was affirmation from God that they were going to be okay. Like He promised, He had been and will continue to be with them. And they're in much better hands when I turn them over to Him than when I try to hold on tightly to them.

All of the kids had much to say about the first day - Lucas made a good friend already, which doesn't surprise me since I think the whole reason that child was put on this earth was to talk to people. He liked his classes okay, but recess was awesome, evidently. And, though the youngest in the 5th grade, he is not the shortest, so life is good.

Noah had a good day. He almost lined up with the wrong class at recess (why does that make me almost cry?) but found his way back to where he belonged. He liked 3rd grade, but can't wait for Christmas holiday. Poor child doesn't realize he'll have 3 breaks before then. :)

Jacob had a good day in 2nd grade and gave it a B+. He had to do spelling which he claims is his worst subject. But the cafeteria food smelled really good and those chicken fingers and french fries looked delicious and can he please please eat in the cafeteria one day?

Ellie's report: We had fun. We played on the playground.
And that my friends, is Kindergarten in a nutshell.

School

2010-08-03T07:44:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow morning marks a seriously huge life change for our family. All 4 kids will be in school.

Almost 10 years ago, we made the decision that I would be at home with our kids at any cost.
I was fine with that. There was nothing else I wanted to do but stay home with my babies.

But, as those babies grew and school came into sight, the decision was harder. After much prayer, homeschooling became our way of life. Honestly, it wasn't my idea and I was not wholeheartedly into it. God has a way of changing hearts, though, and soon I was completely on board. I loved homeschooling. Yes, there were many days that ended in tears - both mine and the kids - and days I called Kyle saying "I QUIT! I can't do this anymore!!" But isn't that life? Everyday doesn't always meet our desire for a perfect life. We re-evaluated our decision at the end of each school year to see if homeschooling was the way to go, always ending up at the same conclusion. Overall, homeschooling was, and still is, the best thing we have ever done.

When it was time to talk about school decisions last spring we knew that there was a huge possibility we would be moving. My immediate thought was that I'd never place my beloved offspring into those schools. After all, everyone we had talked to said private schooling or homeschooling was the ONLY way to go here. So it seemed pretty firm that homeschooling would, once again, be our life. And that was great.

Except that I couldn't get those public schools out of my head. I visited the school, talked to people, and prayed, prayed, prayed. I agonized and changed my mind 3 times. Finally, after a lot of prayer and a heart to heart with Kyle, we registered the kids in the public school. Lots of people thought (and still think) we are crazy. But we've had a lot of support too. And since signing them up, I've heard glowing things about the school.

Yesterday was meet the teacher day. I was so encouraged when we left. The kid's teachers all seem to be wonderful. Noah is in a class with another little boy with Asperger's and an inclusion teacher to help him through difficulties he'll have. Jacob's teacher seems to be so much fun and very nurturing and Ellie's Kindergarten teacher's personality was just what you'd imagine a Kindergarten teacher to be. Lucas' teacher seems really firm - just what that boy needs! God is so very good and faithful.

So tomorrow morning I will load up the kids and drop them off. They're nervous, but excited to start this new adventure. I will keep myself together until dropping them off, and then I'm sure the dam will break loose. It's very hard to cut those apron strings, but I know my kids are ready for this. They know "whose" they are and are ready to live out the gospel in their own way.

God certainly has a way of changing our plans. Our life is a testimony to that. Quite an adventure, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

"come listen to a story 'bout......"

2010-07-21T15:48:00.000-04:00

One fine day I'll get around to writing a post about our move down to mizzabill (as Ellie likes to call it). But that would involve me actually making coherent sentences and forming paragraphs and, since it's somewhere between 99 and 200 degrees outside and the sun shines straight into my house in the middle of the afternoon, that's not possible for me. But soon, my friends, soon. A post is coming - along with pictures.

However, there's a new adventure about to take place in our house. For reasons much too lengthy to write about, we registered the kids in the public school here on a trial basis. After a month, should it not be going well, we will bring them back home. And, no matter what, it's only for this year. Depending on who you talk to, we're either totally smart or amazingly stupid. I'll let you know in a few weeks.

Anyhoo - I took the kids to register them last week and we were allowed to wander freely about the school. My boys were so excited about every little thing. "Wow!" "Look at that!" "Do we get to go in there?" "They have COMPUTERS!" "Can we eat in the cafeteria?" "There's a water fountain!!"

I just laughed and prayed that none of the staff heard their sheer amazement - we were definitely "the Clampetts go to school." For now, I will enjoy this time of wonderment and excitement. 'Cause in a couple of weeks, bless their poor naive hearts, they'll be singing another tune.

Noah-isms

2010-07-18T16:41:00.002-04:00

Noah has quite a lot to say on some days and is completely silent on others. But when he does say something, I listen. It's often profound. Or so hilariously funny I have to disguise my laugh as a coughing fit. They usually come out of the blue. We can be talking about swimming and Noah will suddenly pipe in with a bit about England or some other random topic.

Here are some quotes of the past few days:

"I have a stomach of steel. I'm always hungry.....except when I'm full."

"If Fat Albert were real, he'd have diabetes."

"It's a good things Mville has lots of trees. That way there's oxygen so we can breathe. If there
weren't any trees we would all suffocate and die."

When being introduced to a co-worker of Kyle's, Noah's response was:
"Hola. Mi nombre es Noe." We had never even heard him speak Spanish before, and
certainly not to introduce himself to someone!

The following happened a few months ago, but still makes me laugh.

We were at the dentist and Noah climbed up in the chair. The dentist said "Are you playing baseball too?" (Lucas had just had his turn and had been talking about baseball).
"No," Noah said.
"What are you doing right now, then?" the dentist asked, expecting an answer of all the extra-curricular activities Noah was involved in.
"Sitting in this chair," Noah replied. Ah.... the literal mind of an Asperger's child.

Overhaulin'

2010-07-17T10:58:00.002-04:00

In the past few weeks I have packed a house, moved, unpacked a house, cleaned 'til my fingers are numb, and unpacked some more. What better time to begin a blog makeover?

Always needing more things to fill my time.

So this is it. Sorta. Still some tweeking that needs to be a done and a few things added, but you get the idea. Hopefully it'll make even the most boring of blog posts look better.

I have so much to say and many pictures to post, but no time right now. Big day of swimming and laying on the couch catching up on netflix ahead.

Until next time -

a picture's worth 1000 words

2010-05-03T14:43:00.000-04:00

At least I hope so. Here are some pics of our recent happenings.

normality

2010-03-23T16:39:00.000-04:00

Is that even a word? Things here have been pretty routine and normal for us lately. Which is a great thing and I'm certainly not complaining. But what's normal, really? Here's what my kids were doing today:

Just a few notes:
1) Yes, they are playing in the garage. It's fun evidently.
2) No, I don't know what Jacob is doing. Some new sport he made up.
3) Yes, Noah is playing with pool noodles.
4) Yes, Ellie is in her pjs. She changed into them after school.
5) Yes, Lucas has grown about 2 feet in the past month. (he's on a bug hunt, by the way).

2010-02-26T11:32:00.001-05:00

What do you get when you give a think-outside-of-the-box child the assignment to describe the three branches of government? (click on pic for larger view)

Chalkboard Revolution

2010-02-22T10:53:00.000-05:00

Today we finished our study on the American Revolution. I told the boys to draw a scene (or scenes) on the chalk wall - here are their masterpieces.

A few notes:
1) Lucas explained to me that the guns shooting down from the sky were "not reality."
2) Evidently Noah was posing as a redcoat soldier.
3) Despite the quotes in Jacob's drawing, I think he did absorb a little bit of info in the past few weeks.
4) I really need a lesson on how not to take blurry pics with Kyle's camera.

2010-01-26T08:46:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the 100th day of school at Ellie's preschool. They celebrated the number 100 by making "100" hats (not 100 hats, but hats that looked like the number 100), reading about 100, making a snack of 100 pieces, talking about 100, singing about 100 - you get the picture.

So when I picked Ellie up yesterday, she was quite excited. Here was our conversation.

Me: What number did you talk about at school today?
Ellie: I don't remember.
Me: You talked about a big number - what was it?
Ellie: Ummmmmm..........2?

2010-01-21T09:07:00.000-05:00

It's been a strange couple of months around here. In everything that's been going on, I've been thinking a lot about why I blog. I read several blogs regularly. Blogs that are about something specific. Bloggers that are actually making money just from writing. Bloggers who get free stuff for their opinions and a few paragraphs about what they thought. That's not why I started blogging. But should that be my goal?

The answer I've come to is no. At this time in my life, I don't have the time or desire to turn my blog into something bigger. I started the blog to document our life. So that one day my kids have something to read and remember. And for now, that's good enough for me.

It's my party

2009-12-16T11:55:00.000-05:00

conversation between Ellie and I:
Ellie: I was thinking I clean my room after rest time.
Me: I told you to clean your room now.
Ellie: YOU'RE NOT COMING TO MY PARTY!!!

Christmas photos

2009-12-05T21:59:00.000-05:00

This year for our Christmas pictures, Kyle set up his lights & backdrops. It's been a while since we had "formal" pictures of the kids. It's just so much easier to get great pics outside of them acting natural. Grandparents don't get the non-traditional pictures, though, and have been begging for "real pictures" of the kids they can put in their wallets.

It's always so stressful, but I think Kyle managed to get some of their personalities even with the backdrops and posing.

2009-11-20T21:47:00.000-05:00

It all started on our way to family camp. Noah started running a fever 2 days before we left for Michigan. It was low-grade and, other than a cough every now and then, there really was no other symptom. It lasted 48 hours and by the time we got to camp, he was back to normal.

Fast forward to Thurs. morning 3:45am. I am awakened to Ellie screaming in the bunk next to me. I get up and go over to her to find that she is now burning up with fever. Hers, too, lasted 48 hours. She had a sore throat. Her last day of fever and our 1st leg of the trip home, Lucas is complaining of a sore throat. But, he has no fever and is acting completely normal. The next morning, Lucas woke up with a cough and said his chest felt funny. I thought he had bronchitis.

We got home that night and he did indeed have a low-grade fever. I sent him to bed.

Sunday morning he was vomiting, coughing and grunting when he breathed. I couldn't leave the thermometer in his mouth long enough for a full reading but when I pulled it out it was 103. I called Kyle home from church and took Lucas to immediate care.

After a chest x-ray, it was confirmed he had pneumonia. They sent us home with antibiotic and albuterol for breathing treatments.

Monday morning we went in after a sleepless night of vomiting, high fevers, and cough. The triage nurse took his oxygen level and was alarmed. It was 95. Not awful, but an hour after doing a breathing treatment, it really should've been higher. She checked his pulse and immediately told us to go into Room 2 and have him lie down. She ran (yes, literally) to get the doctor.

"Pulse is 280."
"Really?" our ped. replied

The pediatrician listened to him. I was told to calm down.

"His pulse is high, but not THAT high. We wouldn't even be able to count that."

I'm crying, Lucas is freaking out (which didn't help his heart rate), and the doctor says:
"I need you to head over to the ER. Do you feel comfortable driving him?"

I head next door to the ER. I can't get a hold of Kyle. While registering Lucas, I see a good friend from church in one of the offices. Who knew she worked over there? God did and it was just what I needed at that moment.

They take us to a room and while waiting on the dr. I get a call from Kyle.

Long story short, Kyle did indeed come right over. (so glad he works at the hospital!) We spent 8 hours in the ER that day and were on the verge of being admitted to Children's. We spent every day of the next week in the doctor's office. Lucas' oxygen level dipped to below 90 several times. Each time, though, they were able to get it to come back up so we were sent home. It was a scary, stressful week.

After being put on a super-strong antibiotic, breathing treatments every 4 hours round the clock for a week, zantec for the heartburn caused by the antibiotic, and finally steroids, Lucas recovered. An entire week of fever and feeling awful. It was, by far, the sickest any of my kids have ever been.

One month later he was deemed "all clear" and we celebrated. With the H1N1 vaccine. :)

Volunteers anyone?

2009-11-18T10:37:00.000-05:00

This morning I was reading the story about Daniel out of The Jesus Storybook Bible for Noah & Jacob's Bible lesson. I was telling them that God is teaching me that He is still the same God that closed the mouth of the lions for Daniel and kept Shadrach & his friends safe in the fire. The following was our conversation:
Me: Isn't it cool to know that the same God that did that for Daniel is the same God that we worship today? He hasn't changed! Do you ever wonder why we don't see God do those things anymore?

Jacob: Well, He doesn't really get the chance. I mean, they don't just throw people to lion's anymore.

$50 Publix Gift Card Giveaway

2009-09-15T08:15:00.000-04:00

For the past few months I have been combining weekly sales & coupons to significantly cut our grocery budget. It's taken a little while to learn the ropes, but I have learned everything through other websites and blogs. One of my favorite blogs is I Heart Publix - since Publix is the closest and my most favorite store, I heart this site. :)

She is giving away a $50 Publix Gift Card. To enter, just leave a comment at the end of her post.
Go here to enter and let me know if you win!

Ouch?

2009-09-08T16:17:00.000-04:00

Quote of the day from Noah:

"Sometimes they bring a real bulldog to the Bulldog game and sometimes they bring a real falcon to the Falcons game, but I don't think they'd bring a real yellow jacket to the Yellow Jacket's game."

Nine

2009-09-07T07:29:00.001-04:00

Dear Lucas,

Today you are 9. It seems like yesterday that all the excitement surrounding your birth was taking place. Yes, son, you sure know how to make a grand entrance! Don't ever forget that you are a miracle. God placed his hand on you and has great things planned for you and I can't wait to see what they are!

You have grown into such a young man. I know it's an awkward place to be - sometimes you feel like a little boy and sometimes you think you're grown. It'll be over soon. Enjoy the ride. :)

You love to draw. Especially comic strips. And I have to admit they are quite good. For a child that's never had an art lesson, I see some great things coming from that pencil (or pen, or marker, or crayon....). Your sense of humor isn't quite the same as mine, but I guess to other boys your age it would be hilarious.

You have taken an intense interest in cars recently. You know them all. You love VW beetles and Mini Coopers. You love Corvettes and Porsches. In fact you told me the other day that when you're older Porsches will remind you of your childhood. I questioned that fact considering the best we can do is a minivan and a Ford Focus that is in such bad need of being replaced the windows are taped up in the back. But it's just like you to have grandiose ideas.

You love Switchfoot. You love music. You have come a long way in your piano abilities and are starting to learn a few guitar chords. You'd much rather play the guitar, but we've told you you have to learn to read music on the piano first. One day you'll thank us.

You also read. A lot. At least a book every day. I pray that continues for the rest of your life.

Right now in school we are memorizing the book of James. You were not happy about that at first, but now that we're 1/2way through the first chapter I see you enjoying it! (though you'd never admit it!) I can't tell you what a joy it is to hear you quoting scripture. My prayer is that it takes root deep inside your heart. That you would follow your Creator with a passion.

I see your hunger for God's word - I've seen it since you were three and would recite the story of David & Goliath. Just yesterday Pastor Steve preached from that and I had to smile as I remember you saying - in the lowest voice you could get - "Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?" Then you would be David slinging the slingshot. Then you were Goliath falling down - you get the picture. :)

So my biggest boy, today we celebrate God's goodness in your life. I am so proud of you. I love you.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Eph. 3:14-20)

Mommy.

kissed the girls and made them cry

2009-09-06T20:56:00.003-04:00

Last night I picked up Ellie and a good friend's 5 year old son from a birthday party. The following is their conversation on the way home. (name changed to protect the innocent. :))

Joe: Ellie, you're beautiful.
Ellie: What????
Joe: I said you're beautiful!
Ellie: Say it louder!!!
Joe: YOU'RE BEAU-TI-FUL!
Ellie laughs.
Joe: Did you hear me?
Ellie: Yes!
Joe: Do you want to kiss me now?
Ellie: No!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2009-09-04T07:18:00.005-04:00

I've never done anything like this before, but one of my favorite bloggers - boomama - is having a diptacular and since Kyle just brought home a fabulous dip recipe from work, I thought "why not share it with all 5 of you?" So here it is:

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 – 12 oz cans all white chicken

¾ cup Franks Red Hot Sauce

2 – 8 oz cream cheese

1 ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese

½ cup ranch dressing

½ cup blue cheese dressing

Mix chicken and hot sauce, add cream cheese and both dressings.
Add ½ cup cheese and put in crock pot. Right before serving add remainder of cheese.
Serve with Tostito’s Scoops or your favorite dipping chip or just grab a spoon and eat it as is. :)

Enjoy! And hooray for college football - GO JACKETS!!

goggles and God's glory

2009-08-30T13:57:00.008-04:00

Today Noah was baptized. He wore his googles and went forward instead of backward. But his heart was right. He wanted to be obedient to Christ.

About a year and a half ago, Noah prayed and asked God to be his boss & to forgive his sin. He became at that moment a new creation - a child of God. He knew that it wasn't being baptized that would save him. He understood that baptism was obedience and taking a stand before everyone that Jesus Christ is his Lord. He knew. He understood. But he was terrified. We let it go and prayed for the Lord to speak to him and work in his heart.

So, when it was announced a few weeks ago that baptism would be this Sunday, we asked him - like always - if he was ready. I was surprised to hear "I'll think about it" instead of the adamant NO! that we usually heard. After discussing it with him, it was clear that he was ready. Hesitant and nervous, but ready.

"But," he said, "can I wear my goggles?" Noah has never put his entire head under the water (by his own choosing, at least) and must wear goggles in the water at all times, even though his eyes are always above it. That's just one of the quirky things that makes Noah....Noah.

(Here's the part where I am honest and let my faulty flesh shine through to all of blogworld.)

My immediate thought was "Of course not! Whatever would all those people think if you have goggles on?!?! Jesus did not wear goggles. You should not wear goggles. How will I ever keep my reputation as a godly, spiritual mother if my son is baptized in goggles???" Thankfully, I didn't voice my opinion but instead said "We'll have to see about that." Kyle was all on board with the goggle-wearing, citing that nowhere could you find a passage that says "goggles may not be worn during baptism." I emailed our pastor thinking surely he would agree with me.

His reply - this is a direct quote -
"Regarding Noah... he can wear scuba gear if he wants to :-). I have no problem with the goggles."

Not what I had expected. Thinking that maybe God was trying to teach me something (ya think???) I stopped at that moment and prayed. I admitted that I was worried about what others would think - that I felt the need to explain to everyone beforehand why my son had goggles on. I began to tell God how important it was that Noah not wear goggles.

I'm not sure what I was expecting. Maybe I thought God would change Kyle's mind and he would see my point of view. Instead, God changed my heart. He showed me that I was more worried about what people would think than I was about Noah's heart to follow after Him. He showed me that I was being legalistic. He took away my desire to explain the situation and gave me peace that He was leading Noah. I repented and asked God to show me Noah's heart.

And He did. Noah was more nervous than I have ever seen him. He was quirkier than usual the moments before baptism. I was afraid he wouldn't go through with it. But he did. Even though it was hard for him, even though he was terrified, he did it. To see his smile as he came out of the baptistry, to see the joy on his face afterwards, to watch him be obedient to his Savior despite the obstacles - I had to stop and give God glory.

Today, I was reminded of how many times I have not been obedient because it was too hard or I was too afraid. I pray that I can be as courageous as Noah. That the next time God asks me to follow Him I won't tell him I can't because I'm scared or it's too hard for me. Oh to be obedient despite the costs! That's my heart's desire. Thank you, my precious Noah, for teaching me something today.

Here's the video -(Lucas took it so if you're prone to motion sickness you may want to skip it. )
Click on the thumbnail to watch.

Noah's baptism 8/30

blast from the past

2009-08-26T21:37:00.007-04:00

We have two computers in our home. One upstairs, one down. The upstairs computer is our old PC. The downstairs - Kyle's new(ish) Mac. Our PC monitor died several months ago so we've been soley a Mac family for a while now. Not a problem, except all our old pictures were on our PC as well as a math curriculum that Lucas needed for school this year. Which is why a few weeks ago we broke down and bought a new monitor for the old computer.

All that to say I have been going through pictures on this computer, deleting bad ones that we'll never use and narrowing down our selection. I love, love, love pictures and love, love, love looking through the kids baby pics and remembering that sweet time of life.

So I thought I'd share a few -

These all got out of order, but oh well. Here's a classic Ellie face that
hasn't seeemed to disappear with age. ;)

And here she is at 3 months - looking a bit more angelic :) - in Guatemala
while we were waiting to come home.

Jacob @ about 6 months.

Noah @ 9 months after bathtime.

Our two handsome boys (lucas & noah) ready for fall festival at church.

And the next year - our 3 sweet boys just hangin' out. Daddy worked nights
during these years - so Mommy and the boys had lots of time
on our hands.

Lucas's 1st birthday

One night we heard "Feliz Navidad" coming from the bathroom. When we went to investigate we found this. Lucas on his little potty with his undies on his head.

Preemie Noah coming home from the hospital.

My baby boy Jacob and his heart-melting dimples.

Burning things & the Old Testament?

2009-08-25T15:34:00.007-04:00

So much for creative titles. :)

Today I actually remembered to grab the video camera to capture a couple of moments. Lucas was outside experimenting with the sun's energy. (i.e., burning things) While out there, the others showed off their remarkable singing ability with their books of the Old Testament song we've been learning.

It's a shame my kids are so camera shy. And please excuse my extreme southern accent on the word "Amos." You can take the girl out of Mississippi, but apparently you can't take the Mississippi out of the girl.

Yes, I'm aware that their singing ability isn't what most would call .... good. I'm also aware that 90% of what Ellie says is barely intelligible. We're working on that hand in hand with the school system who promises that "soon" she'll be evaluated. But that's another post for another day.

2009-08-19T12:13:00.004-04:00

School started last week. I'm still working on the room - still need to make curtains and a cushion for the window seat, but I'm enjoying having a room dedicated to school. Even if it means sharing it with a piano! I took our coat closet in the foyer and turned it into my supply closet and have other supplies stored in the window seat. We also started a new routine this year - the kids get up at 7:30 with their own alarm clocks! They have to do their "morning b's" (Brush their teeth, Body - washed/dressed, make their Bed, eat Breakfast, and Bring down laundry). They do them in an order they wish, but have to be done and on the couch for Bible at 8:30. It's worked amazingly well!

We also headed down to Georgia Tech one Saturday for The Great Yellow Jacket Encounter. It was way too hot & way too crowded, but the kids had a blast. We ate at the Varsity afterwards which is always a special treat.

Video diary

2009-06-29T09:44:00.005-04:00

Seeing how it's my birthday and I'm so incredibly busy today (watching old shows on hulu.com is terribly exhausting) I'm just posting a few videos from our trip to Mississippi. I'll blog about it later, but we had a great time. My parents bought a slip-n-slide which brought hours of fun and belly rashes, we had a fabulous time seeing old friends, and got to relax and do nothing in rural south MS. Here ya go -

While swimming one day we took off Ellie's floaties and she just started swimming! Fearless.

And this is in the car on the way home - too many hours in a small space does strange things to my kids.

2009-06-08T12:24:00.006-04:00

So it's officially summer at our casa. Actually, it's been summer for a couple of weeks now, but I think this is our first full week at home with no school.

Last week the kids and I went with K's mom (AKA Mimi) to their place in Myrtle Beach. Not sure if I've mentioned it before or not, but me and the beach + kids: not close friends. Something about applying sunscreen to 4 wiggly kids, making sure everyone has sunglasses, beach toys, hats, shoes, chairs, water, floaties, being lifeguard to those same 4 kids who think that they are invincible in the ocean, mentally counting 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3......"WHERE'S 4?" over and over, deciding we've had enough *fun* and loading everything back up in the wagon, pulling said wagon through the sand while the 4 kids run ahead of me, walking back to the house with sand rubbing a blister between my toes in my flip flops, having to rinse everyone down and give showers once back to get the 2 gallons of sand out of their hair and various other body crevices.....

Can you see why I'm longing for our July cruise to the Bahamas. A beach paradise with no kids to hear whine about the sun in their eyes? No sand to rinse off? No constant lookout for drowning victims? Paradise.

The pool was so much less stressful and I actually think the kids had almost as good of a time there. Lucas' swimming skills are much improved over last summer and with the other two boys wearing floaties I could relax a bit. Ellie spent her time in the kiddie pool where she impressed us with her un-fear (I'm sure that word's somewhere in the dictionary) of water and her self-taught swimming skills.

I took the boys to see Night at the Museum 2. I have to say that I was not looking foward to it, as most of the movies my kids want to see I don't normally enjoy. However, I was laughing out loud at several parts and had a great time.

I have no pictures to share as I didn't take a camera. (oops). But I did take our new flip video camera. And when I got home and downloaded all the video, I realized that Lucas had discovered the world of video. The 15 videos shot in the car were evidence of that.

The first one posted is his work. I don't think Steven Spielburg has much to worry about. :) (Disclaimer: If you have a tendency toward motion sickness, you may just want to close your eyes and listen. Don't say I didn't warn you.)

Yes, that was my sweet little princess saying "I'm gonna punch you."
And here she is with her mad swimming skillz. (I've always wanted to spell it that way)

Happy Birthday Jacob!

2009-05-19T15:11:00.003-04:00

Today my baby boy is 6. Every year I sit back in amazement that the old cliche' "they grow up so fast" really is true.

May 19, 2003. The very day I was 37 weeks pregnant. I had been in the day before telling the doctor & nurses that I was in labor. But they, in all their "professional" knowledge told me I was wrong. 12 hours later I was back in labor & delivery and had dilated to 4 cm. I tried to tell 'em. :)

At 6:48 am this is the conversation that took place.

Dr. Freeman "I think he's about a 6 pounder"
Me: "Are you sure it's a boy?"

In all seriousness I had doubted the dr's assurance that I was having a boy. Surely ultrasounds can be wrong. Surely Dr. Freeman had gotten it wrong before. In fact, he got it wrong with a close friend of mine. So, I prepared for our 3rd boy, but deep in my heart was hoping for a girl. (more on that in a minute)

Jacob weighed in at a tiny 6lb 2oz. I remember thinking that he didn't look like the other two boys. I remember thinking that I could not name him Davis. I told Kyle this revelation while in recovery. We had already decided his name would be Davis. We had told family & friends - most importantly our then 2 1/2 year old - that this was baby Davis. But now, I just couldn't do it.

So, for the next few hours we "discussed" what we would name him. We, obviously, decided on Jacob. Jacob Aaron Brogdon.

And Jacob has been the hugest (is that a word) blessing to our family. We surely would have missed so much had he been a girl. God showed me, once again, how faithful He is and how much better he knows us than we know ourselves. I thought I wanted a girl. In reality, I just wanted another child. And life with my 3 boys for the next few years was delightful. Jacob was the BEST baby you could imagine. He has developed quite the temper in his preschool years, but he has also developed the greatest personality.

Our pastor once told us "the kite that pulls the hardest flies the highest." I believe God has BIG things in store for Jacob. My prayer for him is that he uses his passion to follow Christ with everything he is and that he will be a true worshipper of God.

I love you J. I am so honored that I get to be your Mommy and I can't wait to see the young man you are on the road to becoming.

Literally?

2009-05-06T12:33:00.003-04:00

A part of Asperger's Syndrome is taking things literally.

Yesterday, I took Lucas & Noah to the orthodontist. Why they insist on seeing kids at ages 7 & 8 nowadays is a post for another day. But, that's where we were.

Before our appt each boy had to fill out a questionnaire about themselves: their likes & dislikes, etc.

Lucas had his turn and had a great conversation with the ortho about playing baseball, swimming, & eating pizza.

When it was Noah's turn, the conversation went like this:

Ortho: So, do you play baseball? I see you have a baseball on your shirt.
Noah: No.
Ortho: What sport do you like to play? Oh, I see here that you like to play soccer. Are you playing soccer now?
Noah: No.
Ortho: What are you doing right now?
Noah: Sitting in this chair.

I wish I could type the look on his face because it was so incredibly funny. He looked at the ortho. like "What a stupid question! Can you not see what I'm doing right now?"

I'm still laughing about it.

Fish & Friends

2009-04-12T19:09:00.005-04:00

This past week we took the week off of school for Spring Break. I had big plans to get the house super clean & organized. Yeah. It was a good plan.

On Friday we took the kids to the aquarium. A couple of years ago we had season passes and went many many times, but haven't been back since those passes expired. But a few months ago a friend emailed and said they'd be in Atlanta during the week and asked if we could meet them there. So we made plans (which really means we scrounged & saved & ate beans & rice) to be there.

The friends that came down we first met in Guatemala back in 2005. During the adoption process we had the opportunity to travel down and spend a week with Ellie. This was an amazing time & a post for another day. While we were down there, though, we met another couple staying next door to us and adopting through the same agency. Their daughter was only a few weeks older than Ellie. We spent the week hanging out with them and had a great time.

We haven't seen each other since July of 2005 since they live several states away. So, when we found out they would be in Atlanta, we packed up and headed on into the ATL. I had images of Ellie & Makenzie hitting it off and years from now still be great friends. Ellie's first response to Makenzie, however, was to start saying "NO, I don't want to see her!!!!!" and running away. Ellie stayed like that most of the day while Makenzie was a sweetheart. However, we did manage to get one cute picture & hopefully years from now they will still be in contact despite Ellie's rude behavior!

Here they are in July 2005 & April 2009! (Thanks for sending the photo Stacy!)

Autographs for sale

2009-04-12T18:46:00.003-04:00

You know those videos & pictures they show on American Idol of the contestants as kids?
You're looking at a future star, my friends. :)

Video by Lucas. Dancing by Ellie.

2009-03-27T13:42:00.001-04:00

I saw this on another blog that I read. This had to have been written about me.

I present to you My Life.

If You Give A Mom A Muffin

Original Author Unknown

If you give a mom a muffin,
She'll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She'll pour herself some.
Her three-year-old will spill the coffee.
She'll wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she'll find dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
She'll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan for supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look for her cookbook ("101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger").
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The check book is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.
She'll smell something funny.
She'll change the two year old's diaper.
While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring.
Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.
She'll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
And chances are...
If she has a cup of coffee,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

2009-03-26T14:14:00.002-04:00

One of those days

2009-03-16T15:44:00.005-04:00

Years ago when I thought about being a wife and mother I had visions of sugary sweet children who lavished their love, affection, and eternal gratitude on me. Kids who were always neat, clean, and obedient. Our home would always smell of freshly baked goods and dirt would not be found inside. Our pets would be non-shedding, non-barking, perfect angels to accompany my delusions. I would have gourmet meals prepared for dinner every night and my kids would never eat junk food.

HUH??

Here's reality. I present to you my day.

I woke up an hour late this morning due to the exhaustion of a child coughing all night. Kyle found a gash on the dog's leg as he brought him in from going potty this morning in the flood outside (it's been raining continuously for 3 days now). I called the vet as I was fixing Ellie's lunch for preschool. Of course I had to bring him in as they couldn't tell me anything on the phone.

I grabbed some clothes for the kids and myself, loaded up 4 kids and a dog and took Ellie to school. Then we headed for the vet.

I asked if I could leave the dog and pick him up later. I was told I had to wait. So I waited. Feeling guilty for not being home "doing school" we had a spelling bee in the waiting room. Then we figured out 19 + 19 mentally. We talked about vets and what they do. An hour and $$$ later we left with Max and his stapled, bandaged leg and one of those cone shaped collars so he wouldn't bother it. I was told he had to wear this for at least 3 days. Yeah. Ok.

We got back home and discovered that Max was not going along with the cone collar fashion. He took it off no less than 10 times and I put it back on him each time. He ran into the walls so many times he started just standing in one place and not moving with his tail tucked between his legs. He wouldn't eat, drink, or pee. So I took the collar off. Someone had to sit by his crate every second to make sure he didn't chew his bandage. Not going to work. Put the collar back on this time accompanied by lots and lots of masking tape. I threw a frozen pizza into the oven and called it lunch.

Went to pick up Ellie. We stopped by the library to get some books and make me feel as if I was doing something to educate my kids. Of course, Noah had forgotten his shoes (see previous post). So here I head across the parking lot carrying my 7 year old and corralling everyone else in the rain. The kids were horrid in the library. The check out machine wasn't working well. As we were waiting on the librarian to bring us our DVDs Ellie dumped out the basket of 43 books onto the floor. I put her in time out in the chair and she started screaming and kicking and crying. I can't put into words how loud this is - you just have to experience it. I pack up the books and start to leave, she refuses to come, and as I walk through the doors, the book alarm goes off. We turn around and head to the desk so they can go through all 43 books one by one to see which one set off the alarm. All the while ellie is still in the chair screaming and the boys are playing chase around the stand of newspapers.

We get home and I take off the dog's collar so he will go potty and drink some water. I'm putting the collar back on which involves lots of tape and a 46 pound dog trying to sprint away, the kids are helping themselves to yogurt, Ellie runs in and shows me her painted yogurt face and the phone rings. Somehow I answer it and a staff member from church says "Hey Rebecca - is this a good time?"

I had to laugh so I wouldn't cry. Still trying to manage the dog I hold a conversation about finding nursery workers for the extra Easter services we're having.

As I hang up the phone I realized it's almost 4:00, I've failed at homeschooling today, my kids will be stupid and never get into college, I haven't had a shower today and am gross, dinner needs to be cooked and kids bathed because we have home group tonight.

Piece of cake.

No Shoe Noah

2009-03-04T19:52:00.002-05:00

After 10 months of waiting, we finally took Noah in for an evaluation today.

We dropped the other kids off at a friend's house (thanks guys!) and headed out. As we were getting Noah out of the van I looked down and noticed that he was shoeless. Here's where I'd love to say that this was the first time we had gone somewhere and Noah did not remember his shoes, but it's not. We've been shoeless at the pumpkin patch, apple orchard, many restaurants, Walmart .....

So, Kyle scooped him up and off we went.

I was a bit nervous about the appointment. After fighting for so many years to find someone to see him AND accept our insurance, I just wanted to be heard. I didn't want to be dismissed as a paranoid mommy.

Dr. Schub could not have been nicer. He listened. He asked questions. He talked to Noah and related to him very well.

He told us that - by his definition - Noah has Aspergers.

We knew that. But I can't explain how great it is that someone with a degree has confirmed that we are not crazy, paranoid parents.

He gave a recommendation for a type of therapy as well as a psychologist and Occupational Therapist who do that type of therapy. We are quite certain we will not be able to afford it, but I have already started researching and I think with a little self teaching it is very doable at home.

Once again God has proven faithful and I am praising him for the blessing of being Noah's Mommy. What an awesome job.

Let it SNOW!

2009-03-04T17:26:00.008-05:00

Just when I was getting out the spring wardrobes and getting ready to spring clean -

a beauitful shade of purple

2009-02-18T19:48:00.003-05:00

When I was just married and teaching school, Sharpie markers were my friends. They came in very cool colors. They wrote on everything. They never washed off.

Now, my friends, Sharpie markers are my nemesis. They come in very cool colors, it's true. They write on everything, and they never wash off. Ever.

So after 3 boys and 1 very cute but very mischievous 3 year old little girl, I am swearing off Sharpie markers. Please empty your pockets of anything that could even resemble a Sharpie the next time you visit.

This is war.
This is in the upstairs hallway - the color is weird - that's
NOT what color my hallway is, but the sharpie color is spot on
(what's with spot on - am I British all of a sudden?)

This is in Noah & Jacob's closet - not even her own closet - she had to
go and mess up somebody else's wall!

Noah's new skill

2009-01-18T20:08:00.007-05:00

First an update. After 9 months, we have finally found someone to do Noah's autism evaluation!!! I am ecstatic that after much fighting with insurance and a well-known clinic downtown, I found a pediatric neurologist who has diagnosed many kids in our area - and we aren't on a year long waiting list! We have an actual appointment March 4! Whooooo hoooooo!!!

Noah continues to amaze me, though, with his intelligence, wit, and thoughts. The other, day out of the blue, he says to me "will I have this hair my whole life?" I said "yes, you probably will." He said "whew. I sure don't want to wear a wig like George Washington!" :) He was very serious - which makes me laugh even more.

A few months ago, he decided to show off his new talent to us. Evidently, in his spare time, Noah had been learning to breakdance. Or as he put it "hip hop dancing." He is now king of hip-hop.

Here he is showing some of his mad skillz. (**Yes, the lampshade is crooked. Yes, it's broken. No, I will not spend money to buy a new one until I'm guaranteed that the monkeys will not destroy it.**)

***updated to add: some of you have expressed concern that we think Noah has a future as a dancer. Let me assure you this is not the case. :) Noah, however, is very serious with his breakdancing which makes it even funnier.***

Is it really almost Christmas?

2008-12-23T14:05:00.002-05:00

I say this every year, but for some reason it seems to be holding most true this year.

Is it really almost Christmas? Wasn't it just last week that we were ringing in 2008 and wondering what the year had in store for us? Wow. Someone once told me that the older you get the slower the days go by but the faster the years fly. So true. So true.

This year Christmas really snuck up on me. Ever since I can remember Christmas has been my favorite time of the year. The anticipation of Christmas morning was more than I could bare. I can remember trying to unwrap corners of the presents under the tree to sneak a peak. Oh, come one, you know you did it too!

The baking that took place several days before Christmas is also still ingrained into my memory. My mom had this wonderful tradition of baking bread and Christmas wreaths (super yummy sweet dough shaped into a wreath, drizzled with icing and little cherries to make the holly) for the "shut-ins" of the church and close friends nearby. Every year we would bake for an entire day - sunup until sundown - and deliver them the entire next day. Every year people waited for my mom to bring their bread and Christmas wreath. Because it was soooo good? Probably not. It was very good, but the motivation behind the treats meant more to those people than the treats themselves.

This year I have been thinking a lot of my own family now and what traditions we have at this time of year. Do we keep our celebration inside our little castle, all closed up so no one else knows what is going on? Or do we take our celebration of Christ outside of our home and into the community? Sadly, I don't think we've been very influential in that area. My new goal for the coming years is to make sure that those around us know why we celebrate Christmas. How this will be accomplished is still up for grabs, but my prayer is that next year when I say "is it really almost Christmas" the people who live closest to us will know that it is our family means when we say Merry Christmas.

Introducing ....

2008-12-12T09:37:00.002-05:00

Max. Max is a Labradoodle. Max is 9 months old. Max has never been potty outside or spent time on a leash or in a crate. Until meeting us. Max likes going potty outside. Max doesn't mind being on a leash. Max hates the crate. Max barks in the crate. Loudly. All night. But isn't he cute?

Last week we made a gingerbread train. The picture on the box looked much better than our finished product. But I'm sure the professional making that one didn't have near the fun we did! (I'm tired of trying to find out why blogger is underlining this entire post. So please ignore it)

Also last week, the boys had their Medieval Feast to sum up their semester at Master's Academy. They have learned so much about this time period and it was fun to get to see the fruit of their learning. Here they are dressed in their Medieval garb - Noah's a knight. Lucas had to be a Pharisee for his portion of the show (with King Herod in the nativity pantomime) but underneath his cloak he has on a tunic, and Jacob wanted to be a peasant. Aren't they cute?

We're just livin' & survivin' right now. Last weekend I was at the doctor with the worst sinus infection I've ever had. Confirmed by an x-ray. I'm feeling much better after antibiotics and steroids. The steroids are another post entirely, so I'll save that for a rainy day.

I'm Baaaaack

2008-12-11T11:20:00.003-05:00

No, I didn't run away from home. Though I've wanted to a few days over the past month. :)

I'll be back soon with updates galore.

In the meantime, I'm trying to find a new look for the blog while educating 3 children, keeping one from destroying herself or something else, housebreaking a dog, and doing laundry.

No sweat.

Florida trip

2008-11-10T12:16:00.005-05:00

I know I said I'd be better at posting, but who was I kidding? I can't be consistent with anything! Last weekend, we headed down to Florida with good friends of ours, the Farleys. The weather was perfect and the beach was absolutely beautiful. It's been a while since I had been to the Gulf, since we normally head to the beach in South Carolina. I had forgotten how blue the water is and how white the sand is. The kids thought we were in paradise.

I even attended my first beach wedding. Who cares if I wa

sn't invited? If you're on a public beach, you're just asking for nosy people like me to come watch, right? :) Actually, Amy & I watched from the

balcony of someone else's house, so hopefully we were out of sight and didn't end up in

any pictures! Ha!

Since the beach, we've come back to reality at home. School is going well - plugging along. I've finally caught the bronchitis junk the rest of the fam

ily (including my in-laws) had a while back. It's not fun, people. I think I'd pay any amount fo

r some relief from coughing!

Ok - enough cold-medicine-induced babbling from me. Here are some pics -

the girls doing their morning yoga:

And having swim suit issues:
Ellie dancing:

Jacob digging a hole with Mr. Mark:

The pool was freezing, even though it was heated. So the kids ended up in the hot tub:

I'm sure more beautiful pictures will come from Kyle soon - until then -

the blame game

2008-11-05T11:09:00.002-05:00

Ellie just came in from playing outside. Her pants leg was soaked.

I went outside to question the witnesses.

Me: Why is Ellie's pants leg wet?

Lucas: Oh, she turned on the hose.

Me: Ellie do not turn on the hose.

Ellie: I not do it. Jacob turn it on.

Me: Jacob, do not turn on the hose.

Jacob: But Lucas told me to.

Me: Lucas, do not tell anyone to turn on the hose.

Lucas: But we needed some water for mud.

Why is it that I have to go through 3 children to come back to the source of the problem?????

Should've practiced those stick people more in Kindergarten

2008-10-29T07:02:00.017-04:00

For the month of October, K has had photoshoots every weekend. I began to think that if we didn't schedule our own kids in, we would get to Christmas and have stick drawings of the kids on our Christmas card. So Sunday afternoon we headed out to a local park to get it done. The picture. Not the drawings.

Turns out stick people weren't such a bad idea.

After 1 1/2 hours of trying to get "the" shot, we gave up. None of the kids were listening to what they were told. I think I may have used a voice that was a bit loud and harsh a couple of times. As other people were walking by. Maybe. I'm just sayin' -

Ellie is either totally all about getting her picture made or totally doesn't want to cooperate. Seems she picked Sunday as her day to hate cameras.

The boys were incredibly silly. "Take one step left" became a 1/2 mile run to the left. "Put your arm around him" became a choke hold or hands over the face.

We were done. Convinced our children would never become competent, civil members of society, K just began clicking the camera as they randomly did their thing. And the most amazing thing happened.

He actually got some great shots. They're not pictures of perfect children, all seated and glowing for the camera. But, who am I kidding - that would be a HUGE misreprsentation of my kids. The images K captured are real. Which just reinforces his belief that pictures should capture personality - not a posed, forced smile that years from now will have no memory attached to them.

Stick people? Never. Not when one of these could grace our Christmas card this year.

chinese grapes anyone?

2008-10-22T20:38:00.002-04:00

I was driving the Monkeys to church tonight and Noah decided to tell me a joke he made up.

Noah: What is the longest wall in the world that has grapes on it?

Me: I don't know. What is it?

Noah: The GRAPE wall of China!

I laughed the obligatory laugh, even though the whole Great Wall covered in grapes really did make me laugh. A couple of minutes passed and I heard this exclamation from the backseat:

Jacob: I ACTUALLY GET IT!

Hi-ya

2008-10-21T10:12:00.001-04:00

Just overheard the boys playing.

Noah: I'm secretly a black belt in the around the house kick.

Lucas: It's not around the house, Noah. It's a roundhouse.

Noah: Well, I'm secretly a black belt. 'Cept it's not secret anymore since I just told you.

oh my aching legs

2008-10-21T08:30:00.002-04:00

Now that the weather is cold, I've gotten out all my favorite fall/winter clothes. Last year I bought several pair of really cute jeans to replace the very old ones in my closet. They fit wonderfully so I was excited to get them back out this season. Just one problem. They didn't fit so wonderfully anymore. One pair. One pair out of 4 that I can button comfortably. There must be something in the storage box that caused a chemical reaction and made all my fabulous pants shrink, right?

Wrong. It probably has something to do with my new found favorite bread dough recipe that I can make into the most amazing yeast rolls. Or cinnamon rolls dripping with THE best icing in the universe ------ yeah. That's gotta be the reason.

What to do? I'm not going to buy new pants. So I wash and wear the one pair that buttons and I get my rumpus onto the Wii fit. Yesterday was Day 1. I think I got a bit over zealous. I was determined to lose weight. inches. 30 minutes should do it, don't ya think? I worked hard.

What do I have to show for it today? My legs barely work. It's taking every ounce of my being to walk up and down the stairs without writhing in pain. And those jeans? yeah. They still don't button.

Dear God, my Saviour

2008-10-21T07:36:00.004-04:00

That's how Ellie starts all her prayers now. In her 3 year old - hard to understand - almost southern accent - way. That is always followed by "mommy go night-night". I assure you that it's waaaaay past her bedtime when Mommy goes night-night, but that doesn't seem to matter. Maybe she's experienced Mommy with little sleep and is praying that Mommy will go night-night very soon?????

Here are a couple of recent prayers that made me laugh 'til I almost cried.

(as she prayed with Kyle, her hand rubbing the hair on the top of his head)

"Dear God, my Saviour,

Mommy go night-night . And Daddy got headache. Daddy head hurt bad. And ......

his hair soooooo pretty. Amen."

(after coming in to wake me up from a Sunday afternoon nap)

leaning over me she said:

"Dear God my Saviour, Let me tell you something"

This one didn't make me laugh, but was very sweet. This

was after an ambulance passed by us while driving home one afternoon.

"Dear God my Saviour, he hurt. he go to Daddy's hospital and he get better. And ..... he hurt. And ..... he go to doctor. Amen."

And, because no post would be complete without a picture - here's the most-of-the-time-sweet-but-don't-let-that-cute-face-fool-you Ellie.

I was tagged

2008-10-20T16:40:00.002-04:00

Ok. Amy F. tagged me so here goes.

1. I rub my feet together while going to sleep.

2. I don't like chocolate very much.

3. I let my kids wear superman capes to the grocery store.

4. I spent a summer in northern California as a summer missionary.

5. I blew up my vacuum cleaner today.

6. My best friend vacuumed up my hair when I was 10.

7. My favorite shirt at age 5 was a yellow t-shirt with a picture of 'The Fonz' on it. (from happy days ..... )

Not sure I personally know 7 people who have a blog that haven't been tagged already. I just stalk strangers blogs! :)

So, I'll skip that part. :)

Weekend update

2008-10-19T18:32:00.005-04:00

Around here, weekends are usually quite full. So having a weekend with nothing planned is a rarity. This was one of those rare weekends and I have to tell you - it was fabulous.

Friday night we took the Monkeys to Olive Garden for dinner. It's obviously been a long time since we've been to the OG since we experienced sticker shock after looking at the menu. Whew - who knew pasta could be worth an ounce of gold! Praise God for a gift card from some of the kids on the soccer team that K coached - all 6 of us ate (well) for $7.00 (tip included.)

Since Mimi and Nana have been on my case to get them a Christmas list, we headed on over to Toys R Us to give the Monkeys a case of the "iwants" and "gimmes." It's so very true that kids are a marketer's dream. Our children entered the store with a 5 dollar list and left with several hundred dollars worth of merchandise on their Christmas lists. These lists have now been Mommy censored and sent to the suppliers of all things fun in our house -the grandparents.

Saturday morning we semi-slept in. I'll never understand how the monkeys seem to be so very tired on Monday - Friday mornings - especially the oldest of the brood - but Saturdays? They wake with a fervor I can't explain. K was gone to a photo shoot for a couple of hours so I stayed home and cleaned. J - our preschool entrepreneur - wanted to know what he could do to earn some money. My 5 year old cleaned the inside of the van, washed cabinets, chairs & the table, picked up the shoes in the garage, and vacuumed the rugs in the garage. He earned himself $2.25. Yes, I do hire him out - please call to schedule! The rest of the day was spent cleaning, hanging out, and napping. K's parents took us out to dinner at IHOP. It was a fruitful trip since we found out that they have reinstated their kids eat free policy! HOORAY!

We spent most of the day today at church. After church we ran home for a bit then back to church to prayer walk through a neighborhood. We stopped by the library on the way home to return books and pick up the ones on hold (my homeschooling curriculum requires so many books from the library each week, I'm surprised they don't charge me!).

The Monkeys are now happily discovering old episodes of the Muppet Show while K & I take a trip down memory lane. Who didn't love the Muppets??? I thought I was Miss Piggy when I was 4. Really. And who remembers the Muppet glasses that the fast food restaurants sold during the late 70s early 80s? We had them all. Plus Smurfs and Looney tunes. In fact, if you stop in for a visit at Nana's house down in south Mississippi, I'm sure she'll serve you up a glass of sweet tea in one of these vintage glasses.

If you've made it to the end of this post, I applaud you. I'm barely hanging on, myself. My life - it's action packed it is. Packed with lots of noisy, swinging, climbing Monkeys. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

New Blog!

2008-10-18T14:32:00.003-04:00

I've been wanting a cute template for my blog and haven't found any that work with Wordpress. After much trial & error I am moving over here. I still haven't found a way to import all my old posts over, so until I do new posts will be here and my old posts are still at the old site.

Stay tuned for lots of posts and pictures from our recent activities!

Weekend activities

2006-07-03T16:15:00.000-04:00

My college roommate and her husband and little boy visited us this weekend. We took them to a Braves game Saturday night and to Stone Mountain last night. This was Lucas' 1st game that he's been old enough to remember and enjoy and he had a great time. He really loves baseball and, although I may be biased just a bit, is quite better at it than your average 5 1/2 year old! His new role model is Jeff Francouer, and with Joshua 1:9 on his batting glove, I don't mind a bit.

The laser show at Stone Mountain was spectacular as always. The downside? The 50+thousand other people who decided to go see it as well. Plus all the extra tourist traps they've added to the park have taken away from the environment that it used to have. (that's a blog for another day)
The 3 hour wait for it to start was a bit much for the kids, but they were as good as you could expect them to be.

Now if I could just get them to sleep early tonight to make up for the late night we had yesterday!

When did I grow up?

2006-07-03T13:28:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday marked 31 years of my existence. I can't say that I was too excited. Last year, I hit 30 with great fervor. But, 31....well, it seems I've gone over the edge and won't ever be back.

I think it hit me when I remembered a doctor's visit that took place over a year ago. I had been for a sore throat or something very minor and the doctor said, "Let me give you my over 30 tip sheet" I tossed it aside making mention that I was not even 30 yet. Anyway, on the sheet were things to eat, exercises to do, annual tests/exams to be done.....things that I never would have thought should begin at 30. So, is that when your body starts breaking down? When it says, "enough. I've been holding up this long and can't do it anymore?"

In my mind I don't feel 31. I don't feel any different than I did in college. I don't feel old enough to have 4 kids and have been married for 7 years. But I am.

31 isn't old. It isn't even close to 50 or 60 or 70 (not that 50 is old, or 60 either....but you have to start somewhere!). But for some reason, it's been a tough birthday to want to celebrate.

No, I'm not in a state of depression. Just taking a journey back and wondering when I grew up.

What A Day!

2006-06-25T16:11:00.000-04:00

Today has been quite a day for celebrating!

This morning at church, we had Ellie's dedication service. She, as usual, was very much the charmer and even reached out for our pastor (who she knows very well) to hold her.

Lucas was baptized this morning also. He made the decision to ask Christ into his life sometime last year, but has just now wanted to do the baptism. Our church allows fathers (who have a relationship with Christ) to baptize their sons, so Kyle got to have that privelege! It was so neat to see Lucas making that decision. We have prayed that God would turn our children's hearts towards Him and He has been so faithful in that.

We came home after church and had Ellie's birthday party. My parents, Kyle's parents, Kyle's brother and sister-in-law, and some close friends of ours and their 3 month old were here. Whew. I needed a bigger house.....bigger kitchen at least. I had to put Ellie in the bed for a nap while we were eating and then woke her up for presents/cake. She was NOT very happy about it, so we kinda rushed through it all. She loved the cake and wasn't hesitant at all. Even screamed when it was all gone because she wanted more! Little Miss Piggy!

Finally, Jacob has been tee-tee in the potty 3 times in a row now. Last night, this morning, and again at church. I got fed up yesterday and drew a line in the sand. I told him diapers were going in the trash and he could only wear one at night - that he could go all over the floor as long as he wanted to, but that he would be cleaning it up and changing himself. I'm not sure if that's what did it or not, but words cannot express how happy I am at this moment. I'm holding my breath to see if it continues, but we're definitely NOT going back to diapers!

What a day!

Happy 1st Birthday Eliana!

2006-06-24T23:17:00.000-04:00

Since we've had blogs in 3 different places, we're in the process of combining them. Please bare with us as they'll probably be all out of order and not very pretty!

Today is (almost was since it's almost midnight!) Ellie's 1st birthday. Time has gone so fast. It literally seems like only a month ago that we brought her home. I thank God for leading us to our agency (For This Child), guiding our process quickly, and giving us such an angel baby (well, an angel most of the time!)

Eliana Elisabeth (born Daniela Desire) was hand picked by God for our family. I can't help but think of the sacrifice her birthmother made a year ago. How her heart must have been breaking to know that she would probably never see this child again. How much she has probably prayed that this child would be loved beyond measure. I wonder if she has thought about her today, if she remembers. But, how could she forget?

Ellie has gone through today just like any other day. I'm sure she remembers no one else except our family since she wasn't even 3 months old when I traveled to Guatemala to be with her. She doesn't know that thousands of miles away there is a woman who gave the most selfless sacrifice - her baby girl - for the love of her child. I hope that one day Ellie can grasp the concept. Being an adoptee myself, I know the questions and emotions that come with trying to sort through it all. But, I pray everyday that God gives us wisdom and words to tell her story in a way that brings Him glory.

2006-06-24T19:33:00.001-04:00

DATE: 06/06/2006 02:49:44 PM

A few weeks ago, the hospital Kyle works for had their annual fundraising ball. He was required to go and I got to tag along as the "dutiful spouse." It wasn't our kind of thing AT ALL, but it was fun to get dressed up for the first time since we were married, I think! Here's a pic of the 2 of us.......this is as good as we get I suppose.

-----

2006-06-24T19:33:00.000-04:00

DATE: 06/06/2006 03:17:05 PM
-----

Well, we made it back from Michigan Sunday night. After driving 1600 miles round trip (side trips included), I think I'll be ok with never getting back in the van with my kids again. The boys did ok. Noah said maybe 5 words the entire 2 day trip up and 2 day trip back home. Lucas got a little ansy, but that's to be expected. Jacob had one 'moment" that passed quickly.

Ellie, however.........well what can be said. We spent a large majority of the trip with the windows down to muffle the sound of her ear piercing shrieks and screams. Here's a tiny (emphasis on the word TINY) sampling of what we experienced for the part of our trip that required being in the van.

http://www.clipshack.com/Clip.aspx?key=C32DF66AD94635AE

(let me know if that works!)

And, yes, she is turned around front facing and no, she doesn't way 20 pounds and isn't a year old yet, but we were desperate to try anything!

We realized after renting a bike for Lucas to ride for the week that he had no experience riding up and down hills. His bike riding has been limited to riding in circles around our very flat cul-de-sac. He did, however, conquer his fear of riding down a very steep hill before the end of the week. The first day he tried it alone, he kept he brakes on and was barely moving. We could see his lips moving, though, and questioned him on what he was saying. He told us he was saying to himself "God gives me bravery, not fear." Words can't express the feeling of seeing the fruit from lessons that you've been fiercely trying to instill in your children.

We had a great time. The kids were exhausted when we got home as were Kyle and I, but we wouldn't trade the week for anything. There's something to be said for spending a week away from TV, cell phones, radio, computers, and just being with your family and listening to God. And God did teach us quite a bit. Maybe more on that at a later date. Right now, I'm still trying to unpack suitcases!

Here are a couple of pics from the week....

Lucas conquering his fear

The boys in the lake

Ellie in the lake

-----

2006-06-24T19:32:00.001-04:00

DATE: 05/04/2006 11:01:37 PM
-----

Noah's last day of preschool is next Thursday. I guess between now and then they are just trying to fill the days. Today was "crazy hair day" for his preschool class. Noah wanted a mohawk, so we did our best to give him the look he desired. Here's how it turned out.

Noah's been doing so well this year. Because he was premature (at least we think that's the root cause) he's been delayed in speech and some motor skills. We also are starting to think he has some sensory issues, which means that his brain doesn't process sensory things (touch, noises, bright lights, balance, movement, etc.) the way most people do. He gets overwhelmed very easy. Anytime we're in a place with crowds and noise, he freaks out, things like that.

So, our pediatrician gives us a referral for a speech therapist (he had a great one in MS and we were sad to leave her!) and physical therapy evaluations.

However, insurance won't cover those evaluations. We are now trying to go through the school system, but no one there will call me back.

Oh the joys of trying to get help for your child!

2006-06-24T19:32:00.000-04:00

DATE: 05/05/2006 08:15:59 PM
-----
BODY:
The past 2 nights, all 4 children have slept all night. That hasn't happened in.....let's see about 5 1/2 years. Praise God for sleep!
-----

2006-06-24T19:31:00.003-04:00

DATE: 04/14/2006 09:51:12 PM
-----

Today is Kyle's 32nd birthday!

It's been a great day. We had friends over to grill out tonight and enjoyed eating, talking, and laughing. The boys and I got him a tent, so we revealed it tonight also. Although, Jacob told him last night what we had gotten. He still did a very good- emmy-award winning performance of acting surprised.

I'm so blessed to have him as a husband. Even though he's so very old, I still love him!

Happy Birthday Kyle!