Love List

Tonight was a struggle. No kids thought it was a good idea to listen. I yelled more in one night than I usually do in a month. I am not proud of that. So...I have decided to make a top 3 list for each kid what I love most about them.
Kaylee:
1. Tenderhearted
2. Helpful
3. Determined

Emilee:
1. Goofy
2. Devoted Friend
3. Giving

Gavin:
1. Inquisitive
2. Polite
3.Caring

Gage:
1. Loveable
2. Sensitive
3. Momma's Boy

Aliya:
1. WILD
2. Happy
3. Snuggly

Ahhh...I feel better already. Now I can go up kiss all their foreheads while they are sleeping and thank God for a fresh start tomorrow. Isn't it amazing how children are so forgiving? I love my kids. But sometimes I just need a reminder.

Happy Birthday, Gavin!

Happy 4th Birthday, Gavin!

I can't believe you are 4....where did the whole year of 3's go?? This year went by the fastest of all. You are growing into such a fun boy! You love to ask questions about how everything works and we find you getting into things often. I have figured out that you are not getting into them because you are trying to get in trouble you are just curious about everything in life and want to know exactly what, when, where, why, and how everything works. You keep up laughing constantly and come up with some very creative stories and thoughts daily.

Here are some of my most favorite things you have said/done:
1. sticking your head in the toilet on numerous occasions...and the dog.
2. rubbing syrup all over your hair and arms cause it felt cool.
3. Jesus lives in your stomach and not in your heart...cause there is too much blood in your heart. Jesus loves to eat you leftovers.
4. After complimenting you on your great listening at pre school...you then told me that Jesus turns on the switch in you to listen at school and when you get in the car...He turns it off.
5. You can dress yourself, buckle, fill your cup....you are were one of the most independent 3 year old I have seen.
6. Stories...wow...you tell them in great detail and leave us wondering what is real and what isn't. Your imagination is a real gift.
7. You love to make others smile and have the cutest belly laugh.
8. You LOVE LOVE LOVE to watch t.v. I even put the t.v. on the weather channel once to bore you...it didn't work. You learned quite a bit and talked about it for days.
9. You also love book and ask to be read to a lot.
10. You can be a wild man, but also pretty quiet.
11. If given the chance you are very affectionate and love to be held. I committed 20 minutes a day(10 in the morning and 10 in the afternoon) to holding you...and you love it!
12. You can be pretty shy.
13. Finally got bunk beds and you sleep on the top!
14. I love watching you write your name and seeing how excited you get.
15. You want to be just like your daddy.
16. Recently we found you on the floor at a McDonald's under a chair...dad started to tell you to get up...then we realized you were inspecting the swivel chair to see how it worked.
17. you took the remote apart and then proceeded to tell me how it works.
18. You love to play with small toys and army men.
19. Although you are not the greatest eater in quantity, you will eat anything and are not one bit picky. Salsa is one of your favorites.
20. You are AWESOME!

Gavin,
You are a gift. I will never forget holding you for the first time. I was so proud to have a son. You have never been a demanding child and still tend to sit back and not ask for much or require much attention. Your sisters and brother adore you and love you. Daddy and I are crazy about you and are more than thankful for being blessed with you. God chose you for our family and I am overwhelmed with joy that I get to raise you.
I pray for your future wife and for you to walk with the Lord all the days of your life. To be a man of God and a strong leader for your family.
Happy Birthday, buddy!!
Love always,
Mom

Joyful

I am tempted to be down on myself and believe the hurtful things that people say and do....but I will choose to be joyful. The Lord has commanded us to have "happy hearts" as I often remind my kids. I am trading my sorrow and pain and laying them down for the joy of the Lord.

This is what complete Joy looks like to me...my boys hanging out together and enjoying one another.Watching my daughter work hard to accomplish something and not giving up.
Snuggling and loving on this precious thing daily.Soaking up ever smile and amazed at the absolute beauty in this girl.

Being able to share my life with someone so selfless and forgiving. (and good looking too! ;)


Thank you Jesus for such a sweet life. I pray I choose joy daily.

Thankful

I started this post a while back and never published it.

I have been feeling so led to share this photo and how blessed we are to have this guy in our lives. He is my oldest brother.
He is a miracle...an absolute miracle.
Without going into detail, he has been through and survived more in his short life then most people would ever dream of in a lifetime.
I thank my God every time I remember you...Philippians 1:3

(this photo was taken Christmas of 2008. My mom and my oldest brother)

30! 30! 30!

I thought I would share 30 things I love about this guy since he turned the big 3-0 today...but really, 30 things that can but kinda...well....alot, so here goes it:
1. gorgeous smile!!
2. loving heart
3.great daddy
4.even better husband
5.incredible provider
6.great runner
7.determined
8.goal setter
9.goal achiever
10. humble
11. giving
12. hard worker
13.patient
14. kissable
15. very good lookin'
16. smart
17.very hairy legs
18. can cut his OWN hair
19. loves to workout
20. triathlon man
21. social
22. compassionate
23. great example for our children
24. outgoing
25. forgiving
26. funny
27. cover stealer
28. easy going
29. messy
30. HOT, HOT, HOT!

Well...that wasn't too hard.
Thank you honey for all you do! You mean more to us and are more loved every day!!

13 years ago today we started dating and never have stopped...and never will! :) Love you!

Gumby Times 5

Life is so unpredictable! I have been learning that more in the last 6 years than ever. But recently I have had to step it up a notch.
We have had to leave town at the drop of a hat twice in the last few weeks, which is a bit of a struggle with 5 kids and pets. But God has been teaching me that giving up my plans, schedule, and working on being flexible is a great thing for not only me, but our children as well.
Its a heck of a lot of work to pack for 7 people and a dog. And if you are as anal as me when it comes to a clean house, then I MUST clean up before we leave. That includes clean beds for all, house vacuumed, bathrooms clean, EVERY toy in its place...and so on.
But after talking to a few different people with less kids than we have I have come to realize the craziness of 5 young kids in itself has made my kids very flexible. Which I am grateful for. They have had no problem being thrown in the car, sleeping in strange places, being left with people they don't see all that often, and eating crackers, cheese and meat for lunch with a few Cheerios on the side. They just seem to go with flow and not be out of sorts. I don't get it...cause that is not me. I am organized I keep my kids on schedules and I don't ever feed them a meal without at least a fruit.
So lesson learned....my kids are like Gumby no matter how much twists and turns come their way they just adjust to the new "new". I am going to try that approach to life...but with a plan in place of course!

July Birthday Beauties

All 3 of our girls have July Birthdays...so this month has been one BIG party!!

Aliya Sue turned "1" on July 4th........................................................... Her first cake was a BIG hit!










Emilee Grace turned "5" on July 20th..............................................She got a PINK razor scooter!











Kaylee Jeanne turned "6" on July 23rd............................. She got a PINK razor scooter!













Dear Aliya,
You are such a sweet baby. You are learning to walk and taking a few steps, feeding yourself, and sleeping all night with 2 naps during the day. This first year went by way too fast, but you have taught me to cherish each and every day! You are proving to have a very silly personality and are quite possible the loudest (happy sounds) baby ever! We love you SO much and look forward to watching you grow!
Love, Mommy

Dear Emilee,
5....I can't believe it! You are growing up so fast and it makes me sad. One of the best things about you is that you love to share. You are very inquisitive and witty! You keep us all laughing and we are amazed at what an incredible memory you have. We are anxious to see you blossom in kindergarten this year! We love you SO much and look forward to watching you grow!
Love, Mommy

Dear Kaylee,
I guess you are not a baby anymore...I can hardly stand it. The day you were born was a day I will never forget, YOU are the reason we knew we wanted many children. You were perfect in our eyes and you are still so precious to us all! You start 1st grade in just a few weeks. :( You are a great big sister and help around the house. We love you SO much and look forward to watching you grow!
Love,
Mommy