THANK YOU

A HUGE thank you to all of my friends and church family who so kindly came over to visit with us, pray with us and bring us some of the most delicious meals and treats a person could ever want. The outpouring of love was truly humbling and heartwarming. You all truly made us feel loved and cared for even when our families were hundreds of miles away. We were taken cared of and "spoiled" by home-made meals, cakes, treats, goodies, flowers and phone calls. We truly saw God thru all of you. Saying Thank you just does not seem enough. I pray that I can return all the love you have showed me either to you or to someone else in need. I love you all and am SOOO thankful to God that you are in my life. xoxoxoxox

October

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
George Cooper, October's Party

WHY?

This word has been heard a lot in the last 24 hours. It has been asked and sometimes even prayed. I have no answers. I don't know why and I don't understand. Our family is suffering the loss of our baby. The kids are hurting. My husband hurts and my heart will never be the same. This sad loss has shaken us but will make us stronger. This baby was kissed and sang to and talked to and rubbed by many hands. Big.... and small.

 I do know that through it God has been so good. He never once promised life would be easy. He never once said... during His time on earth and in the bible that you would breeze through life if you were a follower and believer in Him. BUT He does promise to guide you through. He does promise to hold you, He does promise to catch every tear you cry in your hand. Everyone is familiar with the poem "Footprints." Perhaps it would be a good time to re-read that poem. How true it is. I have seen God's hands in so many things this past day. In small things and in big things He has shown me that He is there with me. The verse from Philippians 4:6,7 ---

"be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THRU CHRIST JESUS."

This verse kept popping in my head today. I am living proof of this verse. I have felt an inexplicable peace today that I can't describe. Don't get me wrong. I have cried more tears than humanly possible. I have hurt so bad and I know that has just begun. BUT I know He gave me peace in dealing with this loss. I was scared and nervous about today but I had peace about why. I have peace. Its not the drugs, its not shock, its peace. He has held my hand today and will continue to do so as my family grieves. There will be great days and many nights of tears but a very living God will be there to help me.

My prayer to all of you is to not be bitter and not be mad. If I as this baby's  Mommy can still praise God for all His goodness even through this storm then I ask you that instead of cursing to just pray. Pray that God also gives you peace and some sort of understanding. If you seek it, it will be given.

 

Pretty Princess

Here are a few pictures of our pretty princess. Im sure you'll agree that she is just the most beautiful Miss Muffet the world has ever known. Xoxox we love her!!!

My Preggo Project

The time has come for me to start painting again. For anyone that knows me, knows that when Im pregnant my paintbrushes come out. Not only do I crave every type of food under the sun, But I also get this insane, strong urge to spread color on every blank wall I get my hands on. My old house was pained every color I loved by the time I moved and I LOVED IT!!!

 My new house is perfect. Better than a blank canvas. So many colors and options to choose from. Jason and I spent time at Lowes this weekend sorting thru endless color displays. The kids gave their opinions and picked..I mean FOUGHT over which color to paint the upstairs bedrooms and bathroom. Molly of coarse wants orange. Orange walls, bedspread,hair,clothes. You name it and she wants it orange. Yuck! My least favorite color... But since she is so cute, I think the color is actually growing on me.

 Anyway, my walls are taped and spotted with all sorts of colors. In a few weeks I will pick the color that aggravates me the least and that will be the lucky winner!! (yes, I wrote aggravate. Im pregnant and weird. Deal) Jason and I will empty the walls and the time will come to smear color all over. I can't wait. I get giddy just thinking about it. I will keep you posted on the process. Until then wish me luck. I picked up about a thousand different choices and you all know that choices just aren't my thing! 

We Did It!!!

Well we made it! We drove up to NC and picked a bunch of apples. What fun!! It started off kinda bad. 2 Miles down the road a bee happened to fly into our van and stung Noah right on the leg. He was a screaming lunatic! We had no clue what happened, so I make my way back and see that he has the bee CAUGHT in his hand and he is STILL screaming. I yell at Jason to pull over and yell at Noah to let go (of coarse I should have grabbed it out of his hands but since I was so scared of the thing I kinda just swatted it... yeah nice mom I know) Anyway after a few minutes of trying to calm him down we were off. The drive was amazing and beautiful! Jason rigged the portable dvd player in the van so we could have some peace and quiet during the trip. Boy did that work!

 When we got to Skytop we had to turn onto their driveway... no one mentioned that their driveway was about 3 miles long going up at about an 80 degree angle. My poor black van... we thought she would never make it, but we did. We had a lovely time picking apples, climbing trees and eating juicy golden fruit. We stayed a few hours and pigged out on donuts and played on the playground. It was a great day! This saturday we will be headed up to another mountain for our church pig pickin. Yum I can't wait. An afternoon filled with fresh air and good eats. What could be better than that?

Twas The Night Before Apple Picking....

...And all through our house. The kiddies were screeching but not from a mouse!

 That kind of describes the mood our home had yesterday as I told all the kids that in the morning we would be headed up to NC to Mt. McAlpine to pick some fresh juicy apples from SkyTop Orchard. To be quite honest, I think Jason and I are more excited!! I can't wait. The weather is going to be cool and crisp, the sun will be shining and our bellies will be ready! 

 The kids excitement spilled out into the street last night as they played and chased the neighbors up and down our street. Our air had a bit of crisp fall coolness in it and all our neighbors were out enjoying the breeze. We chatted and laughed. The babies were thrilled to be able to finally run up and down the street with the big kids.

 Bedtime rolled around and all I heard was... "I can't sleep mommy,Im too excited about tomorrow..."

 Tomorrow is here and we are ready!! (ok, we are not but we are headed in that direction!!) Jason is making me a nice egg breakfast, Hannah is finishing her math at the table and I will start packing the picnic as soon as possible. In two hours this train will be headed up, up, up to the sky...(ok maybe just a few thousand  feet but thats still high!) Lets hope the kids don't drive us crazy on the ride up. Watch out apples... we are coming!!!

Did You Know...

That today is National Constitution Day? On September 17th, 1787 The Constitution Of The United States was officially signed by our founding fathers...

 Did you know where it was signed? Do you know who signed it? What it actually is? Or why it was written??

 We DO!!! We learned all about that lovely document this afternoon. We learned about the articles, the Bill of Rights and what exactly that means. We remembered the other countries that don't have the freedoms we do. My childrens eyes were literally wide open as I told them stories about people who do not have freedom of religion. I explained to them how christians in some other countries have to hide and are killed just for worshiping God. We talked about what Founding Fathers meant and what they did "find." Who they were and how blessed we were to have them.

 I won't give you the answers. Its more fun for you to look them up yourselves. My children have an assignment due tomorrow. They are upstairs in their room right now writing their very own Constitution. A Constitution for our home, explaining our "government" and even includes their own "bill of rights" (a.k.a rights of the kids) They must end it with a family life goal based on values in our home. I hope they remembered everything that we discussed today. I can't wait to see what their brains come up with. I will be sure to let you know!!!

My Football Boys

This weekend was full of Football. When not screaming for the SC GAMECOCKS Jason is an avid and loyal fans of one of the best teams in the nation...The NY GIANTS!!! He wears his jersey proud on game days and is teaching his son to do the same. "Daddy Football, Football...." Thats what Noah screamed when Jay turned on the game. Emma went and got his jersey and Jason could not put it on him fast enough. Living in the south we don't get NY games very often so Jason subscribed to the football package on direct tv. Lucky me. My weekends now consist of every game in the known universe. He can even watch 6 at once. Oh joy!!

 This past weekend was not different. Our beloved GAMECOCKS lost... much to Jasons disproval. They are currently being punished... No flag outside our car window. On a brighter note, our GIANTS won! complete victory. Yells and screams in our home were not in vain. 

 A GAMECOCKS jersey is in the mail... any day another one will show up at our door and will be worn on weekends. Even Abby has her GAMECOCKS bow. (Jason said it was because she took her bow off that they lost) Next week I will be sure all kids are wearing their proper colors.

 Besides our weekend of football, life in our home was quiet and peaceful. Church was great and dinners were yummy. As usual time flew and now we are back to mondays...school work at the kitchen table, 4 loads of laundry that need cleaning and dirty bathrooms abound. What fun mondays bring!!!

Daily Schedules and Stuff....

Here are a few charts we have hanging on our kitchen wall. People always wonder how I manage a house with 5 kids and a hubby. Well here is a glimpse. Its a team effort! Everyone does their share. SOme kids are too little to help(like Abby-girl) and some need a little more "direction" in listening (MOLLY!) but together we get the jobs done.

 Chart #1 is our chore chart. Its followed every day and I make sure they get done. I have to re direct Molly and remind the older girls but all in all the chart really is a success. its color coded so their is NO EXCUSE! And if chores are forgotten, they lose privileges. Most of the chores are done in the A.M after breakfast and before school. Other chores are thrown in as needed. A lot of help is needed to keep this home neat and tidy and clean. Of coarse if we have something else planned for the day then we get them done as soon as we are home and settled.

 Chart #2 is our home schooling chart. I don't have times blocked out like last years chart... for a good reason. I don't want to be rushed teaching and I don't want the kids being rushed learning. If grammar or math takes a little longer one day and shorter the next then we re adjust. Its just a simple basic goal chart so the kids know what's coming next and they have a basic sense of order. Its not "written" in stone and can be thrown out for special event days and such.

 Chart #3 is a list of some really good thinking questions I found on the internet. Its great to re-read them and discuss them with the kids. Some words are large and need explaining but every few months we go over them again. I enjoy hearing how their answers change... especially with the little ones. These are questions I would always like them to have in the back of their minds as they go about their business.

 Thats about it for now. Just some of my "secrets" to managing my home. I would love to hear feedback on how others manage theirs!!!