(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 =)

Celebrating Savannah's 4th Birthday!

I will never get used to our kids growing up.

Seems as though I held each one of them in my arms just a few days ago--and now look at 'em!

November 2, 2009.

Our Savannah is 4?! UNREAL. She, of course, wanted a Princess birthday complete with castle cake and the works. Well, with a fresh newborn at home, I did my best.

And I failed.

Miserably.

Ever visited the site Cakewrecks? Yeah, I totally would make their next entry with this:


What, you don't remember Cinderella's chateau in a state of disrepair following her father's death?!?!


Well now you've seen it.

Don't say I never gave you anything.

Thankfully we live about 7 minutes from Dairy Queen and Savannah--while upset about the Chateau of Disrepair--was happy to pick out her own candles (which, SURPRISE, were also the most expensive) for her DQ ice cream cake. Another drama diverted =)




As the saying goes, "Sugar and spice and everything nice..." well that perfectly sums up our Savannah. Sugar and spice...with a couple extra doses of spice! You can see it in her eyes!


She is one-of-a-kind and I wouldn't replace her for ANYTHING. She's a lover and a fighter. She can hold her own in any crowd. She's FULL of drama...TO THE MAXIMUM. She's intelligent and a quick learner. We are often amazed at how quickly she learns Bible verses and prayers. She's a singer! And a dancer. A perfect end to an evening is a "dance" with "her Prince" (a.k.a. Daddy) in our kitchen. While Daryl has never been--nor ever wants to be--a dancer, he twirls her around and hugs her close with gusto...hey, that'd be a perfect end to any of my days, too! She absolutely adores her big brother, mothers her younger sisters, and loves on the dog so much that he guards her everywhere she goes in our yard and field! I've loved watching her and Phia's relationship blossom with Brayden being gone at school. They are each other's best friend and fiercest enemy throughout the day =) Despite appearances, she still has a ferocious appetite and sees to it that everyone around her gets fed too. She loves all things fancy and girly. She's into Fancy Nancy and ponies. She often excitedly refers to herself as "God's Little Princess". She loves dirt. She loves flowers. She loves carrots--anyway that she can get them! She can't sleep until we've all prayed together. She still sings herself to sleep. She loves her new glasses. She adores her family. She loves and thrives from one-on-one attention. She gives generously--never hesitates to share with anyone. She talks excessively. She's independent, yet vulnerable. She's sensitive to the max. She's stubborn to the hilt. She loves wholly. She cries easily. She laughs heartily.
She's our Savannah. And for that I am eternally grateful.

Sunrise Secrets

SAVANNAH: Hey, Phia, know what?
(Now whispering) I got a secret!

SOPHIA: (Excited, then whispering) WOW, Sis! Can I have one??

If you're happy and you know it...

...say AMEN!! That's exactly what Brayden, Savannah, and especially Sophia did on Sunday evening with Logan, Landon, and Whitney at Dad's church. It was an evening service full of special music and giving thanks. I had only enough disk space to get one part of the kiddos--it was GREAT. I can only imagine what hearing these little voices does to the Lord's heart! I imagine all of Heaven pausing to listen as they joyfully sing =) This was big thing for Brayden as he DOES NOT like to get up in front of crowds. He changed his mind, however, on Sunday afternoon and let me know that he wanted to sing with the group. What a blessing! Even better was what followed: Savannah ran back up to the platform and asked to sing a solo. Dad knelt down with a microphone as she sang "Jesus Loves the Little Children". Then Sophia followed with "Jesus Loves Me". And it didn't end there! Logan went up and sang "I'm Glad I Got Converted" with Landon following him singing "Jesus Loves Me". Whitney was the last to run up and sing a few lines into the mic--and all of this was unrehearsed. Each time Dad would stand to continue another little grandchild would run up! As Dad so eloquently summed up the events--if only we were like these little ones who so eagerly ran forward to sing for the Lord! My only regret is that I couldn't catch it all to share.

Sisters & Sweet Baby Face!

How beautiful...

...are the feet of those who bring good news!



AVA means "bearer of good news". What a blessing she has been these 6 weeks since birth! The time is flying and we are absorbing as much of this time as we can with all of our little ones. It passes so quickly!

Fall Tradition

This is the start of the third year in our home...third Fall Photo on the wagon:






You can see our first Fall Photo here and our second Fall Photo here!

I had great little outfits lined up for the photo but that all went out the window when an unexpected guest showed up at my door as I was changing the girls. We then had little time before the sun set for the evening, so we went like we were! It'll be fun to look back on these and check out Phia's boots, the girls mismatched (only half changed!) outfits, the hair all over the place, etc. Oh well! That's what we're all about around here--keepin' it real, ya'll!

'Twas the Night Before Kindergarten

'Twas the night before Kindergarten
and Momma can't sleep
The First Day outfit is pressed
and laid out so neat.

The lunchbox is packed
with yummies galore
And the backpack is ready
sitting by the front door.

Checklists are checked
and bus stop reviewed,
new socks are stuffed
down inside each clean shoe.

Batteries are charging
for many pictures to take.
The video camera's even ready
for memories sure to make.

The only thing missing
is Kleenex for mom.
A towel might be better
to catch all her sobs!

She is thinking of her little man
how the years have flown by!
Just this thought alone
is what makes her start to cry.

She has cried and she's prayed
over her son and his future,
For his school and his classmates
and especially his teacher!

She's nervous--he's thrilled--
about this new life change.
My how their lives
will be now rearranged!

But for now she'll just sit
and watch him peacefully sleep
as memories of her first born
replay and she keeps

Smiling and praying
for the school year ahead.
When actually she should
be climbing into bed!

But her thoughts keep replaying
all the memories galore
that she stores in her heart
of the son she adores.

Tomorrow she'll be strong
as she waits with him for the bus.
Then once it's out of sight
she'll be nothing but mush!

So for now she'll settle down
and think only good things.
For tomorrow her boy starts Kindergarten
and what joys that will bring!

To be a Princess

Don't be afraid to chase after your dreams:



Seek truth; look people in the eye:



Make friends that will stick as close as a brother:




Be silly!



Make the most of every photo op:



Let your sweet nature shine through:



And always look to the King for guidance...

...after all, without Him you couldn't be a Princess!