lots of us

Of all the kids, 

I didn't really expect it to be Aggie that would say something like this....

As we drove into town the other day, 

Aggie looked out the window and then said wistfully,

"Mommy, did you know that some people live ALL by themselves... 

because they just really like peace and quiet?"

smarts

Queen Mommie?

But Mommy, that's not how you spell mommy!

Mommy, do you know the other Queen Mommy, 

the one that spells Mommy the right way?

No, I do not, dear.

Probably she is the kind of mommY that uses real diapers,

and doesn't let her kids eat sugar.

Be careful what you covet! :)

manly men

MARCUS! Did you just spit on Seth?

(Huge smile)  “It was a surprise!”

Marcus walked up and down the hallway singing,

 "I like to wear, under-dirty wear"

"Wow mommy, that bacon has a lot of bacon juice!" said Seth

 "Eldon don't jump off that or you will break your bones open!" cried Marcus.

Marcus: “Are my shoes on the wrong feet?”

Yes. 

Chin up, proudly he states, “I like them that way.”

Oh, boys!

mr. questions at the funeral...

When Seth saw two other pastors helping at Delia's funeral he was very concerned. 

 "Mommy, did daddy SAY they could come up there with him?"

"Mommy, why do you need those tissues?"

I had been crying for ten minutes, at least.  I sniffled and said, "Why do you think?"

"Mommy I really don't know! Why do you need those things?"

"Seth, look at my face."  He looked at my red-nosed, puffy, tear streaked face.

He said, "What?  Your face isn't dirty!"

noisy puzzle time

Nothing, not even puzzles, are done quietly in this house.

MAMA, LOOK!
I DID IT!!!!

A new Aggie smile

Aggie's two front teeth came out this morning!

During Bible study yesterday she came up screaming 

because she bumped Lilly's head (I think that was the story...)  

Though I can't imagine Aggie and mild-mannered Lilly wrestling around

like a couple of boys....

oh wait, yes, I can.

Tree haven

The girls have finally figured out how to climb our tree!

They go up there to eat, to color, to tell stories and to pretend...

And the best part?

No boys allowed! 

Sorry boys, you're not big enough!

babying the baby

Sorting through old clothes the other day, 

I came across this old newborn knitted hat....

(sniff)

Of course, the boys thought Peter should try it on.

He didn't mind it a bit!

This baby likes to be the baby...

and that is fine with me!

boys

 "My parents are exhausted."

Exhausted, to say the least.

Who needs a photo booth?

Arms for Pete

When you are child number six, you may not get to spend all your time in mommy's arms.









But there are many other arms around, and they love to love you.

Sweetie Petie.

Anniversary!

A few old pictures to celebrate our anniversary:

Life before kids! 

Josh, your love is truly a picture of God’s love.  

May it always be the life of our marriage. 

Happy anniversary!

pricetag

This:

Is exactly what it costs me to have ten minutes peace.

Marcus milestone

Not one to be out done, 

Marcus is learning a new skill this week:

"Mommy, I'm trying to teach my scooter how to balance me."

The scooter is learning, slowly but surely.

This is really ok?

At the Holiday in,

I let Peter play in the stream.

He kept looking up at me like,

"Is this really OK with you?"

Of course it's ok!

It's stinkin' adorable!

New glasses

Today is her first day at school with her new glasses.  

Jesus thank you for this sweet soul!

Hold her close today! 

so many of them!

I love how we make a scene everywhere we go.

After school

What was your favorite thing today?

Lorraine:”I liked that I didn’t have any homework yet!” “It’s weird being in third grade.  I’m upstairs, and the fourth graders come in for part of the day.  It feels like I’m in fifth grade or something! Can I have another twinkie?

Aggie: “I liked all of it.  Me and Lilly showed the teacher our trick on the monkey bars.”  She then showed me the Arthur books she brought home, and sat quietly reading them while she ate her snack.

Seth: “I liked playing with my best friend Gus. And look at this smelly monkey sticker!!!”  He told me all about the story about the gorillas called “Go Bananas,” and showed me his minor playground injury.  "I know how to cross the monkey bars now too mom.  So can I have another Twinkie too?" 

My favorite thing today?

A quiet confession from my brave kindergartener:

“Mommy, I missed you at naptime.  I cried a little bit about it too, but nobody saw me.” 

He held my hand as we walked home.

To Seth, on your first day of kindergarten

               Last night, you cheerfully packed your Cars blanket and your pillow pet so you could use it at rest time at school.  Then, you ran into the office to get another pillow from your bed.  When I tucked you in, you smiled and told me how you found a "big, huge" pillow.  "Look mommy! It's kindergarten sized!"

         I see it in your eyes, son.  You were made for this moment.  You are absolutely ready for the next step in life.  You watch me intently, and the moment I say “go,” you will grab your red backpack and run off with your sisters to school.

First KG paper- He had to get his gorilla
so that he was sure to color it accurately.

I am excited for you and with you, Seth.  You no longer need your mommy like a preschooler.  You moved past that stage many months ago.   I remember when we first moved to White Creek, you just hated crowds and strangers and social activities of any kind.  You would cry, cling to my leg and tried to hide yourself.  Yet we are a pastor’s family, so I had no choice but to inflict the torture of socializing on you on a regular basis. 

The church picnic was yesterday, and you spent no time whatsoever near my leg.  You bounced, you ate, you went for tractor rides and even let Dave teach you how to drive!  You spoke to strangers and adults, you played, and you came home happily exhausted, chattering excitedly about starting school tomorrow.  I can’t help but marvel at the way you have changed over the last two years:

           




Whining changed to stoic endurance, endurance to tolerance, and tolerance to participation, and participation to delight!

                Before you rush off, son, let me pray for you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for this dear child, Seth.  Thank you for blessing me with him five years ago, letting me enjoy him as a baby and a toddler, and using me to help him grow into this big kindergartener.  You have given him an analytical brain, a delight in things mechanical, and an excitement for school.  God continue to make this child grow and bloom.  Sustain His delight in learning and making friends, and protect him during his days of school.  Grow his faith along with his body and mind, and be faithful to Him always, as You have promised.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Alright son, it is time.  A kiss, a hug, an I-love-you....
and finally those words:

On your mark, get set, Go!

Off to school!

church picnic

What a fun day!

I was too busy having fun (and counting children)

to take many pictures this time, 

but here are a few!

First, Dave's Tractor Rides!

Note Dave in the front, and his lovely wife Whitney in the back.

Don't they look cute?

The tractors began to arrive yesterday morning.

The boys were in heaven!

They could even see them from their bedroom window!

Ice Cream attitude face.

Eldon and Lauren.

It cracks me up how this little stubborn guy 

so cheerfully takes direction from (little) women.

Pete slept through most of the fun, 

but here he is squinting in the sunlight after his nap!

The bouncy house was awesome, 

and of course pastor came home soaked from the water fight!

Thank you God for a fun afternoon of food and fellowship!

And for the rain when it was all over- 

to wash all the piles of ice cream slime away!

Yep, it is just like this all the time.

I repeat, ALL the time.
But it was nice, this time, to have the chaos set to some pretty music.
Thanks Josh :)

big sis

"Mommy, I heard Petie wake up, but he still looked sleepy 

so I just held him and patted him on the back and he fell asleep on me."

Thank you, God, for my first baby, 

and for the way she blesses the littlest baby.