Belated Birthday!

It is no secret that our kids LOVE birthdays. L-O-V-E them!! Any time that I mention it is someone's birthday, they go crazy with wanting to sing, get the birthday person a cake & candles, wondering if we have a present to give, and, most importantly, if they themselves will have a chance to help blow out candles.

If you've ever had the privilege of celebrating a birthday with my family you would/could easily understand my kids excitement. We have birthday cake when we aren't celebrating anyone's birthday! "Every day is someone's birthday" my uncle will say. Then we sing to everyone in the room and each one has a turn to blow out the candles--no matter who's birthday it is. After all, what's a birthday without everyone in the room getting to blow out the candles?? I digress.

Today we're going to celebrate Pap's birthday with him. Yesterday the kiddos sang their hearts out over the phone, asked if there was cake & candles, wondered if we'd get to blow out candles, etc. They had Pap in stitches with laughter asking all of their crazy questions.

Then they had me seven kinds of crazy asking when were we going to Pap's, when were we going to blow out candles, when were we going to give him presents...you get the idea.

So today is the day...albeit one day late.

Today I celebrate the gifts of forgiveness, grace, and love that have so fully been felt and shared in our relationship. Today I celebrate the smiles and laughter that resonate around the house when we're together. Today I celebrate all the roadtrips, the sacrifices, the small and the big surprises that bring us so much joy. Today I celebrate family with all its quirks, "steps", and qulaities that make it uniquely ours.

Again I am reminded of the gift that Pap is to our lives.

Today I have so much to celebrate.

The Evolution of a (Wannabe) Thumbsucker

Okay. Sophia and Savannah, LISTEN UP! I'm irritated and need to calm myself. You know, as well as I, that the only way that is accomplished is by sucking my thumb--which is forbidden by Daddy (thanks to you two ruining it for me). I need you to do your best to distract Mommy while I work on this, okay?!

HUMPF. Good thob, guys. I'm thwying here.  Keep smiling, keep smiling!

OH NO. (gasp) Mommy might be on to the plan!

Let me just give her the cutest look and try a "senior picture pose" with my head cocked to the side and my hand on my cheek. She won't even see my thumb slipped into my mouth...

SOPHIA: Ava Grace, let me give you some pointers...

AVA: I'm wheely thwyin' here, Phia! Don't dwaw athetion to me! Savannah--keep smiwing, girl! Gweat job! Now if I can just get these few fingers out of the way...

Nice, nice. Great work, sisters!! Mommy'll never even notice with the two of you cheesin' so hard! All it takes is a little teamwork.

Especially from two who understand.

Now if we can work on a pact and plan to distract Daddy....

Heard just now

SOPHIA (yelling):  MOM?!
ME: Yes?

SOPHIA (yelling, standing right in front of me):
I LOVE YOU! AND YOU'RE THE BEST AND HANDSOME!

ME:   I love you, Phia.

SOPHIA (no longer yelling, looking @ a photo of Daryl): Daddy's the best and handsome. I want him home now.

And, Mom? You're full of sweet (now hugging me tightly around my neck, my heart melting). I give you a butterfly (as in butterfly kiss--now brushing her eyelashes against my cheek, my heart melting all over again).

Mom?

ME:  Yes?

PHIA:  You drive me crazeeeeee. (huge smile)

How could I not love this kid?!

Poster-man

My husband could easily be the next poster-man for Alopecia. Besides the fact that he's extremely handsome, he has handled this disease with relative ease. It has not always been easy for him, but he takes it all in stride. He has stated many times that he is thankful that he has this condition and not me, as it would be much more difficult for a girl/woman to deal with than a man. We're both also much more thankful that he merely has no hair instead of fighting some other awful disease.

Alopecia, as far as we know and have researched, has no affect on vital organs or senses. His body's immune system views hair follicles and nails as a foreign invader and attacks them causing weakness in the hair shaft and nail bed/cuticle. And if the hair does grow (which has happened from time to time in patches) it falls out within a few days. Daryl's nails are weak, full of pits, and split/break very easily, often deep down into his nailbed.

We attended a church play in a nearby town on Monday night. After it was over we were visiting with quite a few of the members and others we know. Suddenly we heard a voice from behind us say, "Excuse me, but do have alopecia?" Being that almost no one ever knows about alopecia, I was surprised. People usually assume Daryl is ill with cancer/undergoing some type of chemo or radiation treatment. Nonetheless, there stood two beautiful young ladies, one with gorgeous, thick red hair that I had earlier admired as she took her seat for the play. She proceeded to tell us that she, too, has alopecia and has had it since she was two. She shared how she has learned to use makeup to disguise her lack of eyebrows/eyelashes and she has a few wigs from Locks of Love. She and Daryl had a lengthly conversation comparing notes, symptoms, family history, etc. At one point she removed her hairpiece to reveal her beautifully bald head.

Daryl and I have prayed that this disease would not affect our children, particularly our girls. I cannot even imagine what it would be like for this young lady growing up with no hair, no eyelashes, no eyebrows, etc. and trying to explain to people, especially ones her own age, what was going on. Kids can be so cruel. My heart and admiration go out to her parents. I know what its been like for Daryl and me! And we've only been walking this road for seven years. And while I've previously stated that its been relatively easy for Daryl, there have been many times he has said he wished his hair would grow back. If for no other reason than the practical--hair shields your head from the sun, eyebrows and eyelashes help also to shield the sun and keep things like sweat and dirt out of your eyes. Never thought about it, did you? Neither had I until he no longer had them and I was washing his eyes out with saline to remove sand, paint, dirt, etc. from the jobsite. And there has been/still are many times when he returns home with bloodshot eyes from his own sweat burning them while he worked.

All that said, it was nice to talk with someone else who understands. It was also a joy to meet someone so outgoing and friendly considering she's seen and heard her fair share of stares, ridicule, and rudeness. It was good for my "Momma's heart" that if alopecia strikes one of our girls, particularly, there is help and hope. There's still so much that is unknown about alopecia, but now I have more areas and sites in which to research thanks to this one beautiful young lady seeking out a fellow alopecian in my husband...and a real handsome one at that =)

Heavenly Peace

Peace. Serenity. Calm. Joy.

None of these words describe me at the moment.

But they perfectly describe these precious photos of Ava Grace.

Not sure what your day holds. Mine is crazy. And it hasn't quite started.

Yet, I am told in the book of Colossians to do everything as unto the LORD, not men. Kinda changes my perspective and how I'll go about accomplishing all that is before me.

So my prayer as I go about this hectic, jam-packed day is that I may exude, feel, share, and know Heavenly Peace today. Like Ava so aptly depicts above.

And if you're in the same boat as I am today, know that I am praying the same for you.

A shot (or three) in the leg

Ava Grace survived her first shots today thanks to her brother & sisters. Simply stating the three older ones were worried/upset about her having to get shots is a HUGE understatement.

When the time came, Brayden covered his eyes, Sophia gave her a pep talk and apologized profusely for what was about to happen, Savannah smothered her with kisses, and I helped hold her still. Midway through the awful shot process, Sophia started to cry with and for Ava, Brayden was nearly in tears asking if it was over yet and Savannah was doing her best to get to Ava and rescue her, and I was the awful one still holding her still. But now with tears welling up in my eyes.

The whole scene melted my heart.

And made me actually cry for the first time over my child getting shots!

Needless to say, there was ALOT of post-shot lovin' on Ava from the 3 best siblings in the world and their Momma! Had I known how emotional this would be on all of us, I think I may have opted for Daryl to leave the jobsite and take her!!

You know, I need moments like that to remind me (1) how short life is (wasn't it just yesterday that I had Brayden in for his first well-baby checkup?!), (2) just how much we all need to surround others with love and support, and (3) to pray that my kids continue to love and support one another like this in the years ahead.

Here's to hoping you feel the love today, too--without the need for shots, of course.

Sleeeeeeeeeep.

This has to be one of my favorite things about being a mom. I L.O.V.E. watching my kids sleep. I love to stare at their sweet features and details that makes them unique. I love the sound of their soft breathing. I love their little lips, their little hands, the peaceful look on their faces as they dream. If I were being brutally honest I'd also tell you I love knowing that they're no longer tearing up the house, plopping food all over the kitchen floor, exploring the bathroom, changing their perfectly clean outfit for the fourth time, or bickering with one of their siblings over the must mundane thing. But since this isn't about being brutally honest, I won't tell you that.

I have pictures of all my kiddos sleeping. And each of my kids has different ways of sleeping that I love to capture as well. I have photos of their feet hanging out of the crib, their fingers entangled in hair, them hugging their favorite animals or blankies, little ones sleeping under the table, at the table, on the table, inside the front door, on the steps, in a chair, on a footstool. They can drop just about anywhere at any time.

Unless its naptime. Then everything about that last statement is null and void.

Did I mention that I would love to be able to sleep like that?! Leave me alone for about 5 minutes and it just may happen. No telling where you'd find me. In the laundry room, on the probably not yet scrubbed kitchen floor, across the clothes baskets, atop the toy bin, beside the baby swing, at Daryl's desk, or most preferably in front of the fireplace. Oh, to dream!

But most likely you'd find me just like this:

On my feet. Yep, I could totally sleep standing up at this point in the game. And I, too, would likely have one foot in the diaper bag.

Hoping for zzzz's under my tree,

mandy.

Quest for the perfect shot

Here's a preview of our "Christmas Card 2009 Photo Shoot" this year. Took the photos tonight with the help of sweet Aminda. These are some out-takes in my quest for the not-so perfect photo. You know, the one in which everyone is smiling and looking in the same general direction.

Hey, I'll take just smiling at this point.

Well, I like to show the reality of what goes on behind the scenes. Just making sure that I keep it real here, folks!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phia giving her "Pound Dog" face. For the rest of civilization it is known as a mean face.

This is Brayden's classic face--actually one of my favorites! Between him and Savannah, I'm certain this photo will make some crazy blog about jacked up family photos. And, yes, I am fairly certain that this would be the face each of them would make if there was indeed someone standing over my shoulder with a knife...

Phia's contemplating the meaning of all this and whether or not its worth her time...

These next three aren't "out-takes" per say. They were just some nice ones I wanted to share. I absolutely L.O.V.E. the two with the girls holding Ava Grace. I think that those will make their way into a frame on my wall.

Leaving you with a gem.

Again, don't say I never gave you anything.

Singing "Willie" Nilly

You see this sweet face?

This is the face of a girl who LOVES to sing.

And unintentionally impersonate someone she doesn't even know...

Yep, WILLIE NELSON!

That being said, Phia currently sits at my feet with a Thomas book that comes with a microphone with which you can sing along. Thought you'd enjoy reading her lyrics to the songs playing--no matter what music was accompanying her. Oh, and I am typing them verbatem as she sings VERY SINCERELY at the top of her lungs...just so you don't think I am tootin' my or Daryl's horn (although I have no problem doing that if you're interested in listening):

My dad is so handsome!

My mom and dad are so pretty!

My dad and my mom are handsome and pretty!

And my dad is at work!

My dad is so handsome!

My dad is safe from the shop!

I'm so pretty and my dad is handsome!

Twinkle, twinkle little star up above the wheeled so high!

My mom and dad is handsome!

He is a handsome dude!

My mom is beautiful pretty!

My dad is a handsome dude!

I like that sound!

Up above the wheeled!

My mom is beautiful and pretty!

God loves you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thankfully she sounds (and looks) MUCH better than Willie.

Sorry, Willie. Just being honest.

O (Gingerbread) Christmas Tree!

   Our AP bought a gingerbread kit for the kids nearly two years ago. She bought it with the hopes of doing an activity with the kids but, as is the usual, we got busy doing all kinds of other things fun and crazy! So she sent the kit home with us to do together some evening. Being the lazy busy mom that I am, we just got around to doing it this past week! The kids chose the decorating option on the box. Not a big deal, I thought. I've done birthday cakes and gingerbread houses more complex that this!  And to my utter delight, it really wasn't difficult! I think the kiddos could have rolled solo (tres??) on this one with me just overseeing the mess creativity. The only thing I had to do was play Icing Police to prevent sugar highs and save my sanity. 

And since I'm all about being honest here, I probably would have let the kit stay in the pantry for another year if Brayden wouldn't have got it out, opened it up, and prepared all the items inside PRIOR to asking me if we could build and decorate it. Its not like he has been asking to build it for the nearly two years that it has been in the pantry. We had a GREAT time doing this together! Now I wish that I hadn't postponed it for the last two years!!

*And sorry for the weird photo layout. I'm trying out the new Layout Program, so bear with me as I learn it and use it to my advantage your viewing pleasure!

Waiting for the fun to begin:

Decorating with gusto!

Placing all the "bulbs"

Our motley crew so proud of their tree!! This photo really captures their personalities...LOVE IT!!

A comparison of what the kiddos did and what they wanted it to look like. Not bad!! And, yes, ours is sans star thanks to the youngest decorator giving into the temptation and eating it  =)

2 months!

Sweet Ava Grace is two months old...and I don't like it one bit! Don't get me wrong, I love her personality coming through, that we have a schedule now, her smiley disposition, the cooing along with it, etc. Its her growing up so quickly that I do not like.

She's our last baby and I think that that makes it all the more difficult.



The one thing she is not lacking is in being smothered daily loved and doted upon. Her brother and sisters would literally hold/touch/kiss her every moment of the day if Daryl and I didn't intervene.



If anything, the poor child will have no concept of personal space! But if that's all she can complain about then all is well =)



I weighed Ava this morning and she is just shy of 12 pounds. I'm soaking her up as much as I can and still feel as though its rushing by us faster than we can take it in. That applies to all our kids right now, though!!


Does anyone know where I can find a PAUSE button on life??

(Sophia's) Tree Skirt....literally

Yes, this truly is our tree skirt. And, yes, she really did come down the steps wearing it! Love this kid!!

Caught on film

The sweetest, dimply grins and cooing from Ava Grace while "talking" with her big brother:



She's been smiling/cooing for three weeks now. But its hard to capture it on film especially with the second delay on a digital camera. Ava's first smile was on her fifth week birthday and by six weeks, she was on a roll!! And, yes, she sneezes quite often as well! She is really starting to notice her older sisters and brother now--they are quite entertaining to her =)