My Bro...

Happy Birthday to my most wonderful brother! I always loved having a big brother, the stronger and wiser one.

• He always knows how to make me laugh (and I mean LAUGH!) and think...two very good things.



• He made my world feel like a safer place, just by being there.



• He showed kindness when I can just imagine irritation was his first reaction.



• He showed love and respect to his parents always, something I hope my boys do.



• He made a great choice in a wife - my best friend! :)

I have not been able to live around Tom since college days, but have observed his life as he is now a husband and father. He is a very tender, compassionate father and a very loving husband to Jenny. I'm not amazed at all by the man he has become...he has lived his whole life as he is living it today. I am so glad for the influence he is for my kids and only wish I could be near him more. I'm blessed to call him my brother!

choosing...

This is for every woman who is choosing to raise a child over other options.




I could have more time,
more house,
more room.
but I choose you.





I could have more money,
more things,
more dinners out…
I choose you.



I could have more me-time,
more sleep,
more freedom;
I choose you.



I could have less mess,
less cooking,
less laundry;
I choose you.







I could have less school,
less PBS,
less PB and J;
I choose you.



But because of you,
I have MORE.
More love,
more memories,
more smiles,
more delight,
more tenderness,
more patience,
more joy,
more faith.


I have no doubt it is a good choice.

Years ago, our MOPS director gave us this format to write our own poem and this is what I wrote. I only had three children then, but it is still so true and has only doubled in its meaning. :)

comfort and joy...

Christmas was extra special this year as it was a "white Christmas"! The kids enjoyed the snow and beautifully clear days.

Christmas Day was spent with our wonderful friends, Tony and Amy. We have known them for years and so enjoy their company. They have become like family!

Lauren, Kody and Drew ready for Christmas Dinner: ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, cherry salad, broccoli casserole, hot rolls, sweet potatoes, sparkling cider, and pie.

Autumn, Dawson, Jayce and Tucker




Lauren and Autumn watching the "Kit Movie" in the boys' room.On Christmas Eve, Lauren helped Tucker write a note to Santa. His eyes were so bright and he had so many questions about the whole procedure.

This is what they thought to leave for Santa...the note and fruitcake that was given to us.

Christmas Eve after attending the Christmas Eve service

The kids greatly enjoy the hunting game from their grandparents

Gramps playing a game of Dominoes...we celebrated Christmas early with Nana and Gramps before they flew out to Chicago.

Claire and her nana...Claire received the tiniest mittens and hat!

Our Christmas with our family before they flew out. Homemade pizza, garlic bread, salad and a Happy Birthday Cake for Jesus.Our sweet Gramps loving on Claire

Before Christmas, my dear friends from our co-op came over for breakfast. We had a great time just relaxing and chatting...school was out for break and we had made it through 4 months!! We did have a little excitement when two coats caught on fire (flames!!!) when they got too close to a candle while hanging on the coat tree!





We had a great time celebrating the season with our friends, the Mullins and Stanleys. It was the day after Robb's birthday, so we celebrated that too. 4 more years to 40!!
This year we decided that we would show our appreciation to our church staff and their families...many of them worked until Christmas Eve night. We baked 12 apple praline pies and took them to the staff to enjoy for their Christmas dinners.

This was a low-keyed, relaxing Christmas...we all loved hanging out together and soaking up the love!! We hope you all had a delightful time with those you love as well.

Christmas Sunday Family Pictures

A little bit of heaven...

Well, we have made it a little over three months with 6 kids in the house, and we are all fairing pretty well! Life is very full and busy, and I won't pretend that every day has been one of pure joy. There have been many "hard" days (it's all relative, I know), with so many needs, messes everywhere all through the day by an 18 month old, Robb's long hours away at work (sooo thankful for work), keeping up our attendance and progress with schooling at home, all the interrupted nights of sleep with a newborn, maintaining church commitments, practicing violin with three kids, and still trying to look for those teachable moments with the kids.

But amidst all the loudness and true chaos, I have seen little glimpses of what God intended a family to be...learning together, looking out for one another, pitching in when Mom is occupied...I have seen the kids grow so close and learn to really enjoy each other. I have seen my sweet husband, getting home at 10:00 at night, after working all day, and then going to the kitchen to do dishes that were left from supper (something I never wanted my husband to have to do). I have been a part of "midnight dates" with my sweetie and the baby, just to get some time together. And I have seen the family of God, helping us out when we needed it, and encouraging us along our journey.

God has been at work teaching me things these last few months! I have definitely learned about priorities...Robb and I are almost daily asking each other, "What is the most important thing?" I have learned that a clean house is not! I have had to forgo some things, just to meet the very basic needs of my family, and some of my friendships have suffered (sorry, guys!). But I have learned to rely not on my strength (sometimes it's just not there), but on His strength! It has been amazing! This has been quite a lesson for this independent spirit!

I know one day I'll look back and thank God that I had 6 children; come to think of it, that day is already here! Here are a few pictures from our crazy, wonderful months...

Salt Lake Get-away

A couple of weekends ago, Robb and I took the kids out of town to Salt Lake City for a quick get-away. The kids had never been to a big city and were enthralled with all the activity there. It was definitely "Country Mouse goes to the City"! It was quite comical, and Robb and I shared a few good laughs!! Tucker had never stayed in a hotel that he could remember, and was very worried about how and where we would sleep.
We found the city to be very family-friendly (no surprise there) and we were thrilled that even the "small" booths is McDonald's could seat our whole family! We visited the Planetarium, the Children's Museum (Discovery Gateway), and the zoo. It was delightful to just be together for a few days without responsibilities and to learn so much about God's Creation together. There really was so much to take in and discover! I came home refreshed and revived! Preston had a blast in the water area!

Playing in the farm area

Robb and the boys making a movie together

Pretend time!

Drew and Robb lagged behind, discussing many things relating to science (Robb was thrilled to finally have a buddy that liked to go slow, for those who have ever been to a museum with him!).

So much to see!
What the moon is like...

Sweet baby Claire...

Drew, doing a weather report about the hurricanes...

Lauren's favorite part of the day...she was on the screens around the museum!

The day at the zoo began rainy and cold, but soon after we got there, the sun begin to smile on us.







Riding the train...