Santa Did you Know?

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Santa did you know...

The amount of thought I put in to what they would wear to see you for all of 10 minutes.

All the ironing, primping,brushing that 5 kids need.

Did you know I spent 15 minutes today searching for Collin's black dress shoes that are still missing , and that is why he is sporting his Converse. And that Collin's pants are not capri's but are regular dress pants that are bunched up under your hands as you hold tight keeping him on your lap long enough for the picture.

That no one shed a tear (this year)until I sat Collin in your lap.

Did you know I was nice enough to make Parker and Molly shorten their Christmas list to the Top 5 items so it wouldn't take too long to read.

I purposely came to see you on a Wednesday night in November when the mall was dead. I remember to well the nightmare of waiting with hungry, tired, bored children in a long line in mid December.

That I bribed them with dinner out if all went well. They didn't know we were eating out regardless.

Did you know Collin was crying like I just handed him over to a pack of wolves and it didn't phase me. We have a large variety of pictures featuring crying children trying to flee your lap and I love those pictures dearly.

Santa did you know it's all worth the effort. That seeing my kids big and small gathered around you is a tradition to me. Tonight will be the only night the whole gang will step inside a mall together till we repeat the process again next year. We listened to Christmas music in the car and sang along. These memories are priceless to me and I love my big book of pictures from the years past with you in the center.

Thanksgiving 2007

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Here is a picture of all of us at Mom's on Thursday. Out of 8 pictures this one was the best, it is so hard to get everyones eyes open ,mouth shut, and looking the right direction on cue . We call this our preparing for Black Friday picture.

The second is a picture I snapped of Collin after I gave him his Thanksgiving dinner plate. He was ready to dive in. And don't worry he didn't overeat most of the food was left on the plate. He enjoyed using (playing with) the knife and fork.

I am thankful for

I asked the children this morning to tell me what they are thankful for. Their answers are very fitting for the ages and show their personalities.

Logan's response was...
"I am thankful my ability to go to school, my after school activities, my parents, my house, and my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents."

Macy said....
"I am thankful for my family,my home, my brothers and sister, my freedom,my friends and teachers, and my clothing.

Molly is thankful for...
"My mommy,my daddy, my brothers and sister, my grandparents, and my doggie.

Parker ...
"I am thankful for Erin she's a good friend, my family and my school. Can I go now ???"

And Collin...
When I asked Collin what he was thankful for he just repeated Thank You several times. He was more caught up in sitting with Daddy watching the Macy's Parade.

As for me, I am thankful for my family. I have been abundantly blessed. I have beautiful ,smart, loving children. Sure it isn't always easy but I know that being a mother is my hearts desire. The toughest job with the best benefits. I have some much to be thankful for and to appreciate.

Molly's 8th Birthday

Back eight years ago when the doctor suggested we have our C-section on November 11th which was also Veteran's Day. My mom commented on how Molly would not receive a birthday card through the mail on her actual birthday because the mail wouldn't run on Veteran's Day . When you are HUGELY pregnant any day is a good day to have a baby so we went with 11-11-99.

Molly weighed at 9 lbs 2 oz's and still holds the title as being my biggest baby. She had dark brown hair and as a newborn she had a natural scowl .That may sound mean but it's the truth, I loved her to pieces but I was the first to point out these unique things about her. Molly was a light sleeper and only spent a few nights in our bedroom before we realized that we were the ones disturbing her sleep so she moved out to the big crib. Molly was a good baby, she fit well with the flow of the other 2 kids. By 6 months old Molly looked nothing like her birth pictures. She had thinned out, lost the dark hair, she sprouted whitish blond hair and she could smile.

Not to long after Molly's 1st Birthday we started to notice so things were wrong. She would scream out in pain at diaper changes. She also would cry more without reason. It took us 6 months to know in our hearts this wasn't teething or some stage . We took her in to talk to her doctor. After looking Molly over well , she suggested blood work. Long story short and many many doctors visits later she was diagnosed Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Molly hasn't really known life without pain and medicine. But in many ways thats good because she just accepts her illness and her limitations. She is a tough cookie and so determined. I know she will not be defined by her JRA.

People constantly comment on Molly's pretty hair and how cute she is. She eats this up. Molly is still so unique and that gets peoples attention.

Molly is an animal lover to the core,
She is her Daddy's girl.
She is strong and she is brave.
She is sensitive in so many ways.
A Cowgirl, a photographer ,or vet she will be,
There are so many places she wants to see.
She will go far this I know,
With her beautiful smile,curls and bow.

Happy 8th Birthday Molly Ann!

Locks of Love

Click on picture to enlarge - 12 inches later


Macy decided awhile back that she wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love so that they could make a wig for a child who had loss their hair due to illness. Macy's hair grows at a snails pace so it took her years to get it this long. Today was the day to make the change. I had hit my limit on being her personal beautician, she needed a style she could manage more herself. Macy was ready for a new do and got the pleasure of knowing she did a good deed. She was so excited, and I am really proud of her.

A Day In My Life

I did a photo journal of a day in my life. There are a few gaps because it just isn't that easy to capture every moment of my full day. It was alot of fun doing this and I hope to try it again some other time. The kids thought I was crazy but it will be nice to look back on someday. Click on the photo to start the slideshow and the i icon to see the captions. Enjoy!

Football 2007

We are nearing the end of the football season. With two boys playing football and Macy cheering it has been a busy time and we are ready for it come to a close. Parker's 75 lb. team is in the playoffs. They won last weeks play off game when they went into overtime 4 times and won by 1 point. Macy's cheer squad finally started to come together about the time their season ended. Hopefully Macy will pursue other sports because cheer leading this year was a headache.

Above are some Homecoming Pictures, Logan walked Macy in the Homecoming Court. Parker walked his friend Erin who won Homecoming Queen.

A dose of cuteness

Collin is in a fun stage he's always keeping me on my toes. Like yesterday while the kids were at school the doorbell rang. I was in my bedroom folding clothes. Collin comes running into the room saying , Hurry Momma hurry pizza's here! It wasn't a pizza it was the FedEx man but it was humorous that the sound of the doorbell made him think we were having pizza delivered.

Halloween 2007

Halloween 2007 featured a 2 year old Elmo, a 6 year old Vampire,a 7 year Pirate girl,a 10 year old Raggedy Ann, and an 11 year old Lego block. Enjoy the pictures!