Swimming at the Y

Saturday has turned into "swim day" here in our house. I use it as a way to "motivate" the kids to do their saturday chores - whatever works! Then we all load up in our mini cooper (ok, it's a van, but with all of us it FEELS like a mini cooper) - and head off to the ymca. It has been the most fun! I've loved harassing my kids while they swim, for those who know me, that is NOT a surprise :D. It's been fun to see Jacob's reaction too - he wasn't too thrilled at first, but he sloooowwwwllly began to think it was ok. It's been good for his little legs -- they don't move much but I wanted to let them "hang" and feel movement. Josh is the only one not in this picture -- I don't know why, but usually he just refuses to be in pictures - and this was one of those times.

It's spring break here - all the kids are home and we're making excellent use of comcast's services. The weather has been rainy and cold, so going outside isn't much of an option -- that's the difference between summer break when I can send them outside to burn off energy. I love having them all home - I really do - and usually they all get along great... but there are those moments when I want to lock them all in a closet and let them "fight it out"!

We have the furnace guy here from Mikes heating and air conditioning - our furnace went out night before last and we have been FREEZING ever since. We've been all bundled up in blankets - using the stove occasionally for heat when our hair starts to freeze. It has really made me appreciate those "little" things that I take for granted -- like indoor heat! He's in there working on it now --- and I smell something burning... that CAN'T be good, can it?

Anne's 12th birthday

I've never been a fan of big birthday parties - even though I had my share of them growing up. I guess it's what happens when you have so many children -- why would you want to add more? ;). When my kids turn 12 though, it is the start of bigger birthdays - bigger venues and more pals to invite. Then every two years it'll be another big one (ie. 12, 14, 16 etc) -

So this year with anne turning 12, she and another friend had a combined birthday party at the bowling alley. The kids all bowled a game, shared a pizza and had birthday cake -- I must admit it was actually quite fun... My kids had a great time and to their changrin, Josh, their younger brother, beat them all with a high score of 60! It's soooo much easier to bowl on the Wii :D

Also, for the first time, we have at least one child in all the programs of church -- one in nursery, 4 in primary, and one in young women's... -- my family is growing up and I am absolutely, 100% enjoying the ride with them. I'm SUCH a lucky mom!

New table

This is my new kitchen table -- complete with 8 REAL chairs, not the folding kind we've been plowing through over the past 4 years. I am so excited I can barely contain my giddyness ! Only a mom could be thrilled over a new table! It's going to be just lovely to be able to all fit around the table and not have kids squeezed in the corners on bar stools! The old table will be retired to my craft room where I assure you, I will make VERY good use of it!

I've been just engrossed in Pride & Prejudice over the past week - finally reading the book for the first time (the movie sparked my interest). The language has taken some getting used to, and I admit having to even look up a few words! However, it's been so "delightful" to have a good book to read - and even better is finding a quiet corner away from 6 kids to enjoy it! Actually, all I have to do is start reading it out loud to them, and somehow they just disappear:D... it's as effective as playing big band music -- that drives them out of the room too!~

Wednesday night was New Beginnings for Anne -- I haven't been involved in young women's since I went through it myself. It was weird to be back again -- what's even crazier is that it feels like I was just in young women's myself! Sadly, I realized, when they announced what year these girls were born (ie. 93,94, 97), I am SO not a 'young' chick anymore. She really is growing up faster than I'm ready for her to!

sick, anyone?

We are all sick here -- I guess that's what happens with 8 people living together and touching/sharing just about everything. We all have had our turn with this yukky cold/sore throat combo. Some of the kids are coming out at the other end and feeling better; me, on the other hand? UGH - I'm feeling that sore throat and the annoying runny nose and wishing I felt better. On the up side, all the kids are off to school and I have momentary peace and quiet. Gonna go put baby -cakes down and snooze my morning away. Gotta love the public school system!!!

do it yourself!

I don't know why it is, but my kids LOVE to take self -portraits. It's always a guessing game to see who's picture is going to turn up when I download. Almost always there will be one from Josh -- he's notorious for self-pictures and videos too. I've sat through many a video of my bathroom walls when Josh had snuck the camera in there. I guess it's a good thing that it's a relatively cheap camera and quite easy to use (obviously!). Here's a few of those incriminating pictures.

I finally finished a blanket for josh -- man I have so much to learn. It was tons easier when I was with my mom and she helped me through... plus she has quilting frames which makes a neater looking blanket. Oh well, luckily Josh doesn't care that the seams are really uneven and that the ties are all "kaddywompass". I love, love, love to do this kind of thing so hopefully I'll get better as I do more of them.

Anne's first concert

Last night was Anne's first choir concert... I'm such a sappy mom because I got all choked up when she got on stage- I can't help it! I cry at graduations and weddings, and sometimes even commercials... that's just who I am. She just looked so cute up there singing her little heart out! Coleson was more interested in telling me all the things he was learning about macaroni penguins (his favorite because they're NOT macaroni and cheese) and how certain whales are really dolphins - and how he couldn't understand what they were singing (what is "oy"??). I gotta say though, her choir teacher was smart - she made the concert short and sweet -- the BEST kind ever! I was thankful because my kids, as much as they love their sister, were ready to leave before it even started.

I am so thankful it's friday! Tomorrow is chore day and get ready for sunday - day; now I understand why my mom loved it when saturday rolled around and we had to do our chores... that clean house, smelling all pine-sol"ish" and endust"y", it was nice to come home to after church on sunday.... well, that and the smell of the roast cooking in the oven! ahhh memories!

family, food and the new year

Here it is 2009 - amazing to me.  I really wonder where 2008 went - it was so busy with a new baby, and a handicapped one at that, and adjusting to a large family...and all that goes along with that.  I don't usually fall into the "resolution" category when a new year starts, it becomes more of a reflection time for me = I really had an amazing and wonderful year - even if it did fly by at lightning fast speed.  My beautiful Anne, nearly 12 will be going into to mutual and is growing into such a sweet young lady.  I just am so thankful for how much she helps me out.  Michael is developing into a young man and, even though he's only 10, calls himself a "pre-teen"...I think I'm in trouble there.  Sydnee is so infatuated with High school musical (1, 2 and/or 3) that I swear if I hear "get your head in the game" one more time I will literally pull my own eardrums out and throw them at her :D.  Coleson is just mr. independent and so artistic and sweet - I absolutely LOVE his spontaneous laughter.  he sees the funny in things that other's might miss - he amazes me!  Joshua is the largest child I have - at 5 years old he already towers over his 8 1/2 year old sister.  He is the "ham-bone" and loves to be silly... Then, last but certainly not least, is my amazing little Jacob.  How I earned such a spirit is beyond my comprehension - he is a very different person than my other children and I will be forever grateful for my abilities as I see him struggle to do what I've always taken for granted. He makes me a better person, without a doubt.  

I am so thankful for my blessings!  I'm thankful that the Lord has carried me through so many hard times and taught me to trust in Him. I am without a doubt, absolutely, positively, beyond measure - thankful and grateful for my husband, Marshall.  We've been married for 13 years but I feel the strength in our marriage - like we've been together for 50.  He strengthens me, lifts and supports me, and is there for me 100%.  He has helped me see the beauty in marriage and family - and for that I will be eternally thankful.  I truly love him so much.  I love my children - I never realized a human had the capacity to love this much.... Ok, I know, it's super cheesy and "drama", but this is what I do when a new year rolls around....  so now you know what to expect January 1, 2010!!