One of Many

It worked out alright.

(warning: boy post ahead)

There are some days that are so completely absurd that you just have to shake your head.

You know you're in for a treat when your two year old announces (in the doctor's office) "Mama, dere's a big poop comin' out mah butt, WIGHT NOW!"

Today was definitely one of those days.

I like to schedule all my crazies for one day so we spent today at various doctor's appointments.

First stop: Well child visit for the Micro. Nothing too exciting except for at one point the twins were so crazy that the doctor politely asked if she could have one of her nursing staff watch them for me.

Oh, and the Micro has an impressive ear infection.

We then drove back home and dropped off Miley with a friend and then drove BACK for 2 more appointments.

On the road, Isaiah had a massive bloody nose. I didn't really think much of it, just cleaned him up and carried on. Cuz that's what we do.

Zany. Hilarious. Jokester. Caring. Compassionate.

Those are the words I use to describe Justin.



Future president? I say yes. Man I love that kid.



He's the boy I can always count on to want to hang out with me.



He worries when his family isn't together.

He loves to play. He loves to create. He loves. Period.

Justin, you are the best. You make me laugh. You make me smile.



You have such a tender heart.

I can't wait to see how God is going to use you.

We've joked for the longest time that you must be preparing to be a youth minister because your voice carries so well.

Who knows.

All I know is that I have treasured these years with you and am looking forward to SO many more.

Love you, J-man. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

This sweet little boy turned 13 years old this week.

(and because he is 13 he will HATE me when he sees this picture. Do you like how the "red eye" fixer turned his blue eyes green?)

Un. Be. Lievable.

It just boggles my mind how he keeps getting older and how I am miraculously staying the same age.



Isn't he cute? I do apologize for the lack of quality pictures. He was born before the age of digital, or at least, affordable digital cameras.




I have three years to panic about driver's licenses and dating and all that jazz.

Enh, but really, I love the young man he is becoming. I love how ridiculously intelligent he is. How compassionate and caring. How loving (oops...he's going to hate that, too) he can be towards his younger siblings. He's an amazing boy, really.

And when he DOES turn 16, I won't have be a chauffeur anymore, right?

Or run to the store for milk.

I digress.

Happy birthday to my first born son. I love you more and more each and every day. I can't wait to see what God has up his sleeves for you. I know you are going to rock the world, just like you rocked ours.

I say yes.

(please excuse the mess in the background and the bedhead twists)

Of all the traits I've learned (correction, am learning)as a parent, I think humility is on the top of the list.

I was totally that parent who said "My kid is never going to wear "swishy" pants all the time".

"We are NOT going to live at the ball field all summer long."

"My kid is NOT going to get into trouble at school."

"My kids would never act like that in public."

Yeah. Well. Guess who's children refuse to wear blue jeans? Guess where we are, not only the entire summer, but most of spring and fall? Guess who's kid got on yellow or red most of their kindergarten year? Guess who's kid throws the BEST tantrums wherever we go?

Mine. The baseball field. Mine. And Mine.

Another part of the humility lesson has come in the form of accepting help.

I stink at it.

Anyway, I'm learning that I can't do this whole "raise 7 kids thing" on my own and that I need to learn to accept people's generosity and allow God to use them to bless our family.

Still...when a Sunday School class adopts you and gifts you with money to purchase Christmas presents for ALL of your kids...

...or when two sweet friends give you a coupon book for everything from babysitting to dog walking...

...or when a local office knocks your socks off with a gift to your family...

...or you have a friend who ALWAYS is there to watch your small ones for you...

...or someone shows up with clothes for your kids...

...or a family gives you their old washing machine not 8 hours after yours dies...

...or friends bring you meals just because....

...or someone secretly pays for your dinner when you are out celebrating your birthday...

I mean...seriously...

Humbling.

How does one ever repay such generosity, especially when it feels so undeserved? How do you EVER say thank you enough? I mean, we aren't saints. We aren't out curing cancer or solving the world's hunger crisis.

We are just a family, raising some pretty awesome kids and trying to do so with grace.

So, to all of you who have gifted our family beyond what we can EVER repay. I just want to say thank you. Thank you for blessing us. We look forward to doing the same for others.