Great Anticipation

The excitement is building around our house. We went shopping last night to get some things we need for our vacation. We are all set. Everyone has their sunglasses, flip flops, swim suits, UV shirts, goggles, and clothes. We are getting so excited. I have many lists going and am beginning the processes of packing.

When I think of packing for the kids...18 outfits (at least) plus all the undergarments and hair bows and shoes and extras it seems overwhelming but I am loving every minute of it. The kids talk about it all day & hope they are not disappointed when they find out that mommy was right (isn't that great) when she said they were not swimming with the dolphins. We will SEE dolphins only.

I posted pictures of the flip flops. Kaityn's are the cutest though...pink polka dot and small...so cute!!!!!!

I can't figure out how to post a picture and have something written under it so if any of you pro's can help I would appreciate it.

Hope all has a good day!!!!!!

Home Sweet Home

I really mean that...there is no place like home.

We got home last night from a fun trip to Tennessee for my cousins wedding. It was a wedding straight out of the pages of a wedding magazine. If you know who Collin Cowie is then you will know what kind of wedding it was. The ceremony was simple and beautiful. The reception...AMAZING!!!!!!!! There were two HUGE tents (one was 100 feet long) with GINORMOUS flower arrangements. There was all sorts of food...shrimp, caviar (yes, I tasted it...interesting), lamb, fried fish, all sorts of crackers and cheese & alcohol EVERYWHERE. They did set up a small table in the back with water and tea (there is NOTHING better than sweet tea from Tennessee...I probably drank my weight in sugar). In the large tent there was a dance floor set up with a band that was really good and then in the back they had a "lounging area". There were couches and chairs with mirrored side tables, candles and flowers. I tried to take pictures but it was so dark many did not turn out so you will have to use your imaginations.

My sister-in-law, brother, Chris and I had a rental car and we had so much fun together even though my brother might be the WORST driver in the history of driving. I get car sick and he likes to take corners fast and hit every bump (I love you, Mimul). My brother and husband kept Lindsay and I in stiches. Chris is VERY witty and can make anyone laugh and my brother has a unique talent (I think) of making up songs. He would say, "Give me a word and then a style of song" (country, jazz, classical, etc.) and he on the spot would make up the funniest songs that would keep us laughing. We ventured out to find the best BBQ (we ate BBQ 3 times) so we drove what seemed like forever to eat at a BBQ restaurant called the "Commisary" which ended up being down the street from our motel. We decided it was the best. We even managed to drive by the home of Elvis Presley (no we did not see him and NO we were not about to pay $27 to go see his home).

My mother-in-law stayed with the kids and when we got home our house was SPOTLESS!!! It was great. I thought I was going to have to clean and do laundry all day but instead I got to play with my kids. It was great. We are so thankful that she was willing to come take care of all 4 of the kids. I'm sure she is worn out. She surprised them with PaPa coming. They love them so much and have fun when they are in town and sad when they have to leave.

Well, it's Moday and we are leaving Sunday for our vacation. We are SO excited but lots to do. I have many lists and feel like we are moving. We'll talk soon.

Thankful Thursday!!!

I have alot to be thankful today...I hope you do to. We are all so blessed.

1. I am thankful that we are leaving in just a few minutes for Tennessee.

2. I am thankful that I figured out what to wear for "party attire." :)

3. I am thankful that Grana was willing to take 3 days and come take care of ALL four
kids. They love her so much and are excited she is hear.

4. I am thankful that Chris is going to Sonic for me this morning for my special
drink.

5. I am thankful that all my babies are healthy.

6. I am thankful that we are finished with school this year & that God has given me
confirmation in my heart about homeschooling next year.

Hope everyone has a great day.

"The Lord is good. His love is eternal..." - Ps. 100:5

They Are Boys...

that's what I keep telling myself and Chris keeps telling me. I did not expect my sweet girly girl Kaibryn to join in. When you see the video you will know what I am talking about.

Tonight was just a fun night at home. Chris put together my early birthday present together (a patio table and chairs) and the kids played in the backyard. I love this weather and I love being outside playing. Oh to be a kid again.

Zoo Day

It was so beautiful today. We were excited about the warm weather this week and decided to go to the zoo. My friend and her two little girls, myself with my 4 kiddos, and my sister-in-law went and had a great time. All the kids were 6 and under. They did so good and loved looking at the animals. Everything is so fun to them. I love seeing things through the eyes of a child. I have a "zoo pass" and it is so nice because you don't have to see EVERY animal to feel like you got your money's worth. We made it to the major animals and skipped the side of the zoo where all the "deer" and some of the cats are. We called it our "Phase One" trip. Next time we'll go see the animals on the other side of the zoo..."Phase Two".

Enjoy the pictures!!!

What a Weekend!!!

It is Sunday night and as usual the kids are in bed and Chris and I just sat down and are exhausted and sore. We were outside ALL day yesterday working in the yard. I will have to post pictures of that later. I will say though...it looks GREAT!!!!!! I love spring/summer. I love looking out our front window and seeing flowers, colors, and sunshine.

However, if you ask our kids about this weekend I'm sure their first response would be, "we found a snake." Chris was on the side of our house cleaning out underneath the rose bush. He was clearing some stuff out and almost picked something up and then realized it was moving. He yelled, "bring me a shovel quick." I knew then it was something major but thought maybe a big spider or something. But no, it was a brown snake about 14 inches long. It freaked Chris out a little...he NEVER gets freaked out. The kids kept asking (after Chris chopped his head off) why the snake kept moving. I was really proud of Christopher. He usually does not like to touch bugs but he actually held the snake...he was so brave. Kaibryn on the other hand just looked at it. She tried to touch it a couple of times but quickly pulled her hand back. The rest of the afternoon they were talking about keeping the snake and took turns "babysitting" the snake.

Things have calmed down and the snake is now gone...it is probably being digested into some animals tummy right now.

This is a crazy week for us. Tomorrow we are going to the zoo with some friends so I'm sure there will be pictures and stories to follow. Chris and I are going out of town this weekend with my parents and brother and sister-in-law to the wedding of the century. There is lots of laundry, packing, cleaning and finishing projects (painting the laundry room) before Wednesday...Grana is coming. The kids are very excited and are counting down the days. HOpe everyone has a good week. We will talk to you soon.

Kaityn Mae, Part 3

Well, I am happy to say that Kaityn is back. She is still fussy at times but is running no fever, is eating, and praise the Lord she is sleeping.

I thought I would include in this the top 5 cutest things that she is doing right now.

1. When the kids are brushing their teeth she will get her toothbrush and some toothpaste and sit on the floor and try to put the toothpaste on her toothbrush.

2. She will feed her stuffed animals or baby doll with a bottle and then put it in a "push toy" and push it around the house like a stroller. She's already a little mommy.

3. Yesterday I was painting Kaibryn's toe nails and finger nails and Kaityn picked up the polish and sat down beside me to paint her toe nails. I took of her socks and started to open the bottle and she took it out of my hands. During this Kaibryn had stood up and walked away. Kaityn when over to where Kaibryn was sitting and sat down exactly where she was and how she was sitting. I painted her nails (clear) and she sat so still and seemed to enjoy being "pampered." It was precious.

4. Sometimes when we leave the house we make a "shoe train". Everyone sits in a line like a trian with their shoes and I tie them one by one. Kaityn has caught on to this and will get in line with her shoes just like everyone else. Yes, I know, they need to learn to tie their own shoes. I'll work on it.

5. This is usually done with her Daddy. She will walk away from you and turn around to make sure that you are coming after her and she will squeal at the top of her lungs and just laugh. She will do this over and over. She loves to be chased and picked up.

There are so many things she is doing right now. I forget how quickly time goes when they are young. All my kids are changing but I forget how quickly they change and grow in their first few years of life. She is a blessing. Thank you to everyone who prayed for her and for her MaMa. We are all doing well.