I always love that Thanksgiving gives our family a month to focus on being thankful. Which is something we could all use around here. So often I could complain about doing laundry and forget what a gift clean clothes are and the list goes on. I have come to realize that being obedient to the Lord and having a thankful heart brings joy. I have the kids make a wall of thanksgiving each year. They have to think of someone or something they are thankful for and write it down on an index card. They are being creative this year and decorating their cards too. We are also doing some mini-studies on Thanksgiving and doing some worksheets too. Here is a pic of the wall so far. The pictures on the side are copy work of a Thanksgiving poem.
Brayden loves baths he gets a little upset at first, but then relaxes. So here are some of his expressions I captured of him while in his bath. his little clenched fists. and
We are so thankful for our newest gift.
:>Michelle
Well with Thanksgiving coming up so quickly and Christmas a mere 53 days away I am wondering where time goes. I have days that seem to last forever and months that are gone before I know it. Brayden is already a month old. That just amazes me. School is still moving along and is about to take a turn towards how thankful we are for all God has given us and then on to Christmas to learn about the greatest gift of all. Brayden loves to be held, well what I really mean is that he wants me to hold him a lot or else he screams. I am sure learning how to work with only one arm. lol.
The kids are going outside as much as possible these days. I keep telling them they better enjoy it now, because the freezing weather will be here soon. Today we were blessed with a beautiful day. They were able to play for a couple hours after school.
Last week I finally was able to get some outside pics too. Between forgetting and the rain I wasn't sure I was going to get any before the beautiful leaves were gone. I didn't really capture all the great colors, but hey it's the kids that are the star of the pic anyways.
We also went to a local church's pumpkin party and the kids had fun searching the dress up containers and their closets for something to wear. They played games and were given prizes like the silly glasses shown below.
Here are a bunch of pictures, since I have a bunch of kids and don't want to leave anyone out. The kids also made a cool fort with the leaves. It even has a tunnel to get in and out.
And finally I love little baby feet. Here are a few I thought were so precious.
:>Michelle
Oct. 19, 2009 - What Me and My 6 Little Ducks are Up To
I thought I would give another update. It's hard for me to believe that Brayden is nearly 3 weeks old. We are all really enjoying loving on our new little guy. The kids are great with him and everyone has been so helpful. I am starting to feel better, but am eager to get back to normal.
We have been doing some school, but in a more casual way. I am starting to get us back on schedule and in a better routine. Being too relaxed makes it harder on me and them. Structure is our friend. lol
The kids are all doing great in school. We are going to be starting a Bird Lapbook and Bailey is finishing her Amelia Earhart one. I have to keep in mind that the holidays will be upon us quickly. I like to focus on those through unit studies and discussions.
Back to loving on the baby. I really do feel so blessed to have 6 wonderful kids to love. We do have times where things go crazy and what I call micro-bursts of chaos, but overall it's wonderful. I look at them sleeping or randomly during the day and am in awe that I get to be their Mom. They are all so eager to help and hold Brayden too. The girls love to pretend he is their doll.
They also LOVE holding him any chance they get. Proud big brother
Carter keeps asking, "to kiss his little cheekies" Kiley loves that she is now the big sister to two brothers. And I don't think she minds remaining the baby girl
They are also helping around the house a lot. They have been assigned a couple more chores and are doing great. They are all so willing to get Brayden anything he needs too.
Here is Carter washing the bathroom counter and sink. He was so proud of himself and asked me to come see how clean it looked when he was done.
And finally I need to try and get a hold of the lady who designed my blog. We need it changed to, "My 6 Little Ducks and Me" and update the picture. I hope she is still designing blogs.
Well I am going to feed him and get to bed. The morning always comes so quickly.
:>Michelle
Ok, this is my second attempt at a post. I somehow erased the last one I have been busy with Dr's appointments and preparations. I am finally going to deliver next Wednesday. We can't wait to meet him and start our new normal.
I am going to have to do some catching up on here. My twins turned 8 on September 11th. My Mom and I took the kids to Chucky Cheese for lunch. We had lots of fun. I wasn't sure what to get the boys for their gift. I decided to surprise them with a trip to the pet store. While Kiley and the others wanted a dog, I had hermit crabs in mind With a new baby coming the last thing I want right now is to train a puppy. I told them to ask again on their 10th birthday. We already had a cage for them and I remembered having them as a kid.
Here are some pics from Chucky Cheese. Sorry I haven't take any pics of the critters Carter and Cameron on the monster truck. I think this picture is saying, "yeah we are cool we are 8 now"lol I love when her dimples show.
Later we had dinner, gifts from Grandma, and Jeff played kickball with them outside.
Then the next day I drove to see Laura again (love her) and also to meet Emily for the first time. We have been blog friends and played lots of scrabble on FB for a couple years, but hadn't yet met. I was very excited and had a great time. I was really glad Laura was nice enough to share her visiting time with me. Emily was so sweet and fun to hang out with. The 3 of us enjoyed lunch together and laughs. It was a bit sad leaving knowing that Emily lives so far. And I sure wish Laura and I lived closer too.
And then finally school stuff:
I have been a bit edgey lately and school has not been real consistent. I had been praying and asking the Lord for wisdom and His guidance. Then last night it came to me. I decided we needed to still do school, but that we needed a fun day. I thought since it was the first week of Fall we needed to celebrate. I began to think of ideas and at 11 o'clock at night I wrote them down and surprised the kids the next morning. I had them write in their journals something related to Fall, I read them a fun Fall book, we did word mining with the phrase "Fall pumpkins", finger painted trees, made a list of things that happen in the Fall, and baked cakes, muffins and breads. I had them work in teams and make the different things. They even did their Math lessons while I cleaned up the kitchen. It was very fun and just what we needed. It is so good that when we pray and ask the Lord for wisdom He gives it. Love that
I only took pictures of them painting. I didn't think of it when we were cooking. Bailey Cameron Kileyki Collin Carter
Next time I am back I am guessing it will be to post pics of the new baby.
:>Michelle
Well here I am up at 3 am with terrible heartburn. It wakes me up so often. I am just glad I never get unless I am at least 7 months pregnant. That would really stink. I decided why not blog if I can't sleep.
I am now 1 week away from what I hope is my delivery date. It all depends on the results of the Amniocentesis. We all know the statistics are good (99% that his lungs will be mature) and lots of prayer. Yep, we should be meeting our new little guy next Wednesday We still haven't settled on a name. This sure gets harder the more we have.
My twins will be turning 8 on Friday the 11th. I can't believe it's been 8 years. I think I say that every year for each kid. lol It's just so true. Last week we let them have a birthday sleepover. They had a friend and their 2 cousins over. Jeff took them for ice cream and to play baseball, while I cleaned up the pizza mess and got the craft ready. They wanted to do a craft. My Mom took them to find something. They decided on ceramics to paint. We did cupcakes and presents and then it was time to lay down (haha lay down) and watch Bolt. That movie is really cute. I went to bed before them. They finally went to sleep when they woke Jeff up for the 3rd time It was 1:30 am. And of course they were up before 7. I remember those days.
Here are some pics. They sure don't look like twins, brothers yes, twins nah. And I was told they were identical. Here they are with their cousin who is 3 months younger. We all had fun!!
As I have mentioned before one of our challenges this year is what to do with Carter. He has been so used to having 4 playmates all Summer. He is doing much better and is learning once again how to play independently and/or to sit nice at the table with us. I have also been praying for wisdom and trying to remember the things we had done when the older 3 were little.
The other day I got out the colored bear counters, a piece of white paper, and some markers. I drew the same colored lines on the paper as we had bears. I told Carter he needed to match them and line them up. He loved the idea and sat there for a long time sorting and arranging. It was great. And then apparently wore himself out. Here he is sleeping while I make dinner. And he tells me he doesn't need naps He really thought he was a big kid. Here he is almost done. We could not wake him.
Each Summer when garage sale season comes along I have a list of things I want to find. This year at the top of the list was all the stuff I would need for our new baby. You see I keep saying I am done and getting rid of everything. Silly me, I am not answering that question anymore. lol Back to what I was saying.... I found everything I needed for the baby and the Lord blessed me with some great finds. Also I bought clothes to size 12-18 months, which I hope will get me to the next Spring when the garage sales are back.
As the garage sales are coming to an end I still had a few more things on my wish list. One was a waffle maker and the other was a bike trailer. Jeff has been taking the older kids for bike rides and I have been left with 2 little sad faces. This past weekend my Mom found a waffle maker, new still in the box for $3. I joked and said I was going to wrap it up for Collin. He loves all foods that go with syrup. It was getting late in the afternoon and we were trying to find our way out of the subdivision we had been shopping in and found a street we had missed. One of the houses had a bike trailer. I thought it must have been priced too high, since every time I had seen one over the Summer they were always sold. Nope. I was able to get it for only $20.
Here are the kids all loaded and ready to go for a ride. Can you tell they were excited?
In baby news....
I went for a checkup and for an ultrasound today. Can we say long day :) My friend has been watching my kids for my last couple appointments. It has been such a blessing for me and the kids. She lives only 10 minutes from the drs. (which is an hour from my house) and so it's no problem to drop them off. She is pregnant with her 5th so she isn't afraid of my crew. lol Our kids are all the same age and it works out great.
Baby is doing great and is growing! They estimate his weight at about 7lbs right now. And here I was thinking that going 3 weeks early would give me a tiny baby. Well at least that explains all the stares I get for my really big belly.
I would really appreciate prayer for the baby to have mature lungs. I go for an amnio on Sept 15th. If his lungs are good I am scheduled to have a c-section (my 4th) on Sept. 16th. Thank you
Here are some pics I got today. I don't know why my cropping didn't work, but I am not going back to fix it. His little foot. He is resting his chin on his arm.
We started back to school this week. I am really glad we did, because we needed the extra time to adjust. Carter has forgotten how to play without the other kids. I am trying to find things to keep him busy, but mostly he wants to be where the kids are. I am hoping after a couple weeks he will get it. The kids have done great and are working in each of their subjects. I think school is wearing me out more than them. lol
We are also trying a few new things. I added J. Fulbright's Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day, Map Skills, and some Geography booklets. I am also switching Bailey from Abeka Math and going to Saxon in a few weeks. So far so good on all the changes. I think the schedule I made should work, if not I will adjust as needed.
Here is a picture I took of our first day.
:>Michelle
I haven't been blogging much, it's not that we haven't been doing lots. I have been preparing for a new baby, a new school year, and well just life is a 24/7 job too
We are finally getting some Summer weather and so the kids have been swimming everyday. We went to my Dad's farm and his local beach a couple weeks ago. The kids loved it and were even able to ride one of his horses. Carter had never been on a horse and so he was very excited. The other kids told him he could go first. He was thrilled. I am sorry that I didn't feel like walking back to the house for the camera, it was at the end of a very long day.
We have also been going to Dr's visit for baby no name We are still working on a name. The kids get to hear the babies heart beat. Carter says, "Baby's heart says, wow wow wow". Which it really does sound like that.
I have also filled the baby's dresser with clothes. I had been picking up clothes at garage sales all Summer and sorting them into boxes marked with sizes. I am so thankful I did that. I have the newborn and 0-3 month clothes in the dresser and 3-6 sitting next to the dresser, figuring it won't take too long.
The kids and I have also been having special park days with friends. Through facebook I found friends who I went to church with through out my childhood and also went to school with too. Others I have been in contact with throughout the years. There are 6 Moms all together. Our goal is to meet each month. The Winter months will get tricky, but we have so much fun we will make it work.
Here are all our kids and a couple Mom's who needed to hold the kids for the picture. here they lined up by age and a group shot.
Finally, I went to the Dr's today and baby is doing well. I am scheduled for an amnioscentisis on September 15th and if all is well I will deliver on the 16th. This will be my 4th c-section. I was really nervous about the amnio, I have never had one. I talked to the Dr today and am feeling much better. I have been seeing the same dr for 10 yrs now and he has delivered all my kids and so I trust his judgement. I think the concern of me going to fullterm are enough that I will take his advice and deliver early. I have had a baby that has weighed 5,6,7,8, and 9 +pounds. It will be interesting to see how much he weighs.
:>Michelle
Aug. 11, 2009 - I Didn't Know they could get Medical degrees!
We had some bats in our attic. I contacted a place and they said that we would have to wait until the 1st of August to get them out. The reason being is that the babies were too young to fly out and would still be nursing for food from the females. He also explained how to set a trap of sorts, where they can get out, but not back in. We talked about this several times while the kids were around.
The first of August finally arrives and we began to make plans to set the "traps" up. The kids were talking about it and fascinated that Daddy was on the roof and how cool (me YUCK) that their were bats around.
Then I hear the funniest conversation take place amongst the kids. I am not sure which boy said it first, but they were both sure about what they were saying and agreed with each other. They were talking and said that the "nurse bats" were still in the attic caring for the babies. Then they began to discuss how some of the bats are nurses and they care for the babies, while the parents are out eating bugs. Bailey did kind of mock them and say something about a Dr. Bat coming by to check them too. But she didn't correct them either. Jeff and I were looked at each other and laughed (mostly inside). They later retold the story to my Mom and asked if she thought the babies were old enough to fly or if they had to stay at the home with the nurses.
I love kid conversations. Their versions of what is said and perspectives on situations never cease to amaze me.
:>Michelle
Well the good news is that I didn't actually find any skeletons in my pantry closet. After viewing the pictures you will see my concern. LOL
I am not sure if any of you remember this post. Well I like to keep it real and so here I go again. I wouldn't want any of you to think I am some super Mom/wife/housekeeper lady.
Taking the before and after pictures of these major projects is actually incentive. So if any of you have something that needs some serious organization, you may want to try it. And of course post it on your blog and let me know, so I don't feel like I am the only one who can't keep it all together
I like to know what I have and what I need to buy, so keeping the pantry organized is important. Otherwise I do things like have 6 cans of cream of mushroom soup (which I use to make beef gravy...yum) and only one can of cream of chicken. I also get frustrated when I can't find something and have to wade through and search around in order to find it.
Somethings I have learned is :
> a 3 year old won't put things away properly when asked to put something away in the pantry,
> the 5 year old isn't much better,
> the boys make an ok attempt depending on what they were pulled away from,
> and Bailey is my best chance at it at least being on the right shelf. And if Bailey is putting it away that proper place needs to be available and if I had any of the previously mentioned children put something away recently it won't be there.
Here are the pictures I took. It was hard to take a full picture. The pantry is in a hall and so I couldn't get back enough to take it. I am sure you will get the idea.
BEFORE!
Here are the AFTER!
I wish I could have gotten a better angle, but you get the idea. I am glad to have it done. If you noticed the dates. It took me a couple more days to get a chance and/or the guts to work on it.
I am thankful to cross another thing off my "to do" before baby comes. I have only 40 days or so to go. I am going to have to get back to that list so I am ready to snuggle and kiss our new baby a lot!!
:>Michelle
Jul. 29, 2009 - Visiting New Friends * Birthdays * Silly Boys
My husband is a talker and he talks to just about anyone. He was working and saw a man stocking Christian books in a Walmart. He decided to introduce himself and a really cool friendship was the result. Soon Jeff took a little trip to visit him and some other men who are truly seeking the things of God. The group has a home church very similar to how it is described in the New Testament. The families sing, share what the Lord has been doing in their lives, and pray. The service often goes on for hours. After Jeff had made a few visits with friends the kids and I joined them. Jeff also invited some other of our friends to go too. All in all there were 23 of us (kids included) heading out to meet some sisters and brothers in Christ. They were part of the Mennonite and Amish Community. When we talked they expressed how they were believers following the Lord's leading and aren't really part of a particular group any longer. It was really a neat day and the kids had so much fun. Here is a picture of some of the kids that were there that day.
We also had a birthday party for Bailey. I bought little ceramics for the girls to paint and canvas bags to decorate. The girls also swimmed for a bit. Unfortunatley we are having a really cold July and our pool was kind of chilly. Most of the girls didn't seem to mind and had a great time. Bailey was really blessed to have all her friends come and celebrate with her :)
I also have two silly boys who have found a new way to swing.
:>Michelle
I have an intense love-hate relationship with my boys k'nex. I love how they bring out their creative side and how they spend hours playing with them. But and here is the hate part...I find them everywhere and I mean everywhere. In the bathroom, front room, kitchen, and well you get the idea. They have a home and place to be played with and yet they wander throughout the home With that said here are some really cool things my boys have made.
The first was a gift to me from my sweet Collin and here it is working great... I asked Carter what his creation was and he told me they were,
"thingy a bobs" Cameron Collin with his silly smile
They have also made motorcycles, helicopters, and planes. So while it drives me crazy avoiding them with the vacuum and stepping on them, I think they are really cool toys for the kids
:>Michelle
Bailey turned 9 yesterday. Sadly she has a really bad ear infection and so we weren't able to do much. I promised her that we would as soon as she is up to it. Like all Moms I am wondering how 9 years could have gone by already. Although I miss the baby and toddler stage, I am enjoying watching her turning into a lovely young lady. She is very sweet, a great help, and most of all loves Jesus. I am really looking forward to watching her interact and care for the new baby. She is now at an age where she can do more than just get diapers for me. Once again, she is going to be a wonderful big sister The other kids surprised her with this poster. Her ice cream cake. Carter blew out all her candles and she just laughed. He thought he was hilarious.
The boys made her a giant flower that had a motor that made it spin. They also made the words "I Love You" out of k'nex.
Next week she is having a pool party. It should be lots of fun.
:>Michelle
The 4th of July always signifies the half way point of Summer for me. Our area has had unusually cool weather. It's kind of crazy. So it's hard to believe we are half way done. If it doesn't warm up soon, it is really going to seem like a long winter. It does make good being pregnant weather, but that's what the AC is for.
We went out to my Aunt and Uncle's house on Saturday. I was primarily there for my cousin's baby shower, but the whole family was invited to swim in their lake and play on their beach. They share a lake with other houses, but have their own private beach. It was so cute, Carter told my Uncle that he really liked his pool and sandbox. The kids swam and played for seven hours. The boys worked on making a river with their cousins. Kiley bringing water the river. Bailey was in the water most of the day. She loves the water. The poor girl ended up with a bad case of swimmers ear. Carter is forever looking away when I take pictures, but I still thought it was a cool pic.
On another note, we will be starting school in 6 weeks. I can't believe it I still need to order some books and organize the school room. And then in about 9 weeks I will be having the baby. It really seems like each pregnancy goes faster than the last. When I think about my pregnancy with Bailey it seemed like it took forever for her to be born. I felt like I was pregnant for 2 years. lol And now I am going wait it can't be at the end already. Although we are all getting very anxious to meet him and hold him.
:>Michelle
I went to my Dr. appointment yesterday. I just love hearing his little heartbeat. The Dr. wants me to schedule my c-section about 3 weeks early, if baby is ready. I was instantly excited and freaking out at the same time. That means that I will be delivering in mid September. For some reason that sounds way sooner then the beginning of October. Which is only 11 weeks away!! I started working today, even more, on preparing for his arrival. Of course that also means that we need to come up with a name sooner too
Bailey is concerned that Carter is going to freak out when I go to the hospital and don't come back for 2 days. The boy is seriously attached to me. I think last Summer's baby boot camp intensified it too. I am fine with it He likes to be wherever I am. So when I am at my desk he plays with trains or legos in the boys room. I love to hear him talk to himself as he plays and tell me all about what he is building. Another thing he does, is when I call him in my you are in trouble mister voice. He smiles so cutely and tells me he loves me as he rubs my cheek or arm. It is so hard to stay stern, but I try my best
Here he is playing with the trains. Also if anyone wants a toy boys from 2 and up LOVE and have never broken Geo Trax is it! He is hugging the tracks and telling me he wuvs trains.
Jun. 28, 2009 - Friends, Friends, and More Friends
Our family was once again blessed with great company. We had 2 families over that totaled 22 people (including ours). I have been blogging with both Laura and Angel for a while and we got to get together again. It was such a nice day!! There were 16 kids, that played, swam, and ate together too. The parents had a chance to talk about things from what the Lord is doing in our lives, to school, to just life. It is amazing how the Lord gives us a kindred Spirit that just makes friends so nice to have around. We are already looking forward to getting together again.
I didn't get a chance to take too many pictures, but here are a couple.
Thanks again for coming over friends, you are welcome anytime.
:>Michelle
Well the Summer is finally here. We are having hot hot days and I am not complaining. Well not that I am not sitting in the air conditioning, but the sun does my heart merry.
We began getting our pool cleaned and set to go a few weeks ago. We have had a bit of trouble, but I think it is getting better. All the kids love swimming. I remember going to the public pool as a kid. One Summer I think we went nearly everyday.
My garden is growing nicely. I am sooooo looking forward to being able to enjoy the fruits err I mean vegetables of my labor. Last years garden was attacked by aphids and I am praying they don't come back. However, I did read that banana peels keep them away. I have been saving them and freezing them. They didn't come last year until about July. I will be putting them peels out very soon. I hope it's ok that they are frozen and it works.
My pregnancy is moving along I am almost 25 weeks now. I just love feeling him move around. I am so anxious to see what he looks like. I get more excited to see the babies features and kiss it's little head then finding out what the gender is. We are all wondering if it will look like Collin. He is my only blondish kid. Collin also has light colored eyes. But I do have to say Jeff's genes have very little power over mine. HaHa We are still not sure of a name and may not have one until he is born. Carter was a day and a half old before he was named. Now if I was having a girl a name would be much easier. It is so hard to choose a name for a boy. It has to be a good kid and man name. Well he can't go nameless for too much longer, so I am sure we will come up with something.
I am off to do more housework. We have lots of guests coming over this weekend. So excited
:>Michelle
After 4 yrs of Homeschooling, although I have been HSing since Bailey was born, we went to a HS convention. We weren't sure what to expect and Jeff wasn't crazy about the idea. But it turned out that we both loved it!! We each went to different workshops and were able to share with each other what we had learned. They also had times where everyone gathered to hear a speaker.
I went to only 2 different speakers. The workshops that interested me most, were hosted by Jeannie Fulbright.
She not only gave great school info, but also all areas of life. She talked about what it means to be a wife who builds up her house, the power of prayer, that our goal isn't for academics at the cost of godly character, and real life stories that make you realize we all have our days. I was really encouraged.
I am excited that we will be doing her, "Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day" book this year. All the kids are interested in birds and will love to explore them more. I will need to do my homework on what we will be doing and how often.
They also had a huge exhibit hall filled with curriculum and hallways with tables and tables of books. I have to say it was a bit overwhelming. I am glad I have an idea on what I want to teach and what I wanted to learn more about. Many of the creators or direct workers of the curriculum were there to explain and talk you through what you were looking at. I didn't buy too many books. I mostly looked around.
Later on the ride home, Jeff and I talked about what we had heard and taken away from the conference. We even had some similar things that we had gleaned from the speakers.
As I listened through out the day and saw so much I was reminded about what the Lord had put on my heart last year. I am re-posting it as a reminder to me as I pray and consider our upcoming year. I pray that each year I am teaching we are all more Spirit led in our home and school time. Here is that entry.
September 2008
As the new year of school arrives, so many thoughts, worries, ideas, and wonders begin to mill around in my head. I tend to get insecure and wonder if my kids know enough or what this person's kids know, why don't my kids love to read like so and so's kid, when will what I am teaching click, .....and more lies and not of God thoughts begin to linger in my mind. I really think WAY too much. And the more I consider them, the more discouraged I become. I went to the Lord in prayer and one of the verses He gave me was Phil. 4:8
Whatever is True, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, if anything is Excellent or Praiseworthy think about such things.
He also began to remind me of some things.
He reminded me that He called me to Homeschool our kids
He reminded me that they are His children
He reminded me that my children love Him
He reminded me that my kids love to pray and worship in song
He reminded me that when I am weak (or shall I say realize and admit) then I am strong in Him.
He reminded me that I can do all things through Him.
A friend who just began Homeschooling began asking the Moms she knew that HSed what worked for them. She asked questions and suggestions from each of them and was amazed at all the different answers there were about what is "important" or "unimportant". She received so many different "ways" to homeschool. One stressed this and the other thought that was vital. She was told not to bother with that and others said make sure you do that. And she said rather than feel overwhelmed by all the make sure and be sures, she knew that there was no "one way" to do it.
After this conversation, which was weeks ago, God began to speak to me. He reminded me that He intentionally chooses the parents for His children. The things that God puts on my heart to teach my kids and those things that I see as important are the things that God planned. That as I submit to Him, He is able to use me to train them for His work. I don't know what plans God has for them, I don't know where He will send them, what they will do for Him, their careers, their future friends or families etc... Yet God does.
I am continuously praying and asking the Lord, "teach me to teach them". I seek Him on what He wants them to know, for direction, and guidance. And though I may not be doing the things other Mom's are, the public school is, or the private school is, that is not what God has called me to do or planned for them at this time. Realizing this is truly setting me free and keeping me from getting discouraged and overwhelmed.
I just thought I would share one on the things God has been doing with me in my walk with Him.
:>Michelle
I am so in love with Jesus and am seeking to know Him more each day. I am a wife to Jeff and Mommy to 6 children (Bailey 9, Cameron & Collin 8, Kiley 5, Carter 3 and Brayden born 9/30/09). My house is often crazy, but always full of love. This blog is a story of my adventures, God's mercy and grace in my life, and funny days that aren't always very funny at first.
The pictures on the side are copy work of a Thanksgiving poem.
his little clenched fists.
and
The kids also made a cool fort with the leaves. It even has a tunnel to get in and out. 
They are all so eager to help and hold Brayden too. The girls love to pretend he is their doll.
Proud big brother
Kiley loves that she is now the big sister to two brothers. And I don't think she minds remaining the baby girl
He was so proud of himself and asked me to come see how clean it looked when he was done.
:> Michelle
I have been busy with Dr's appointments and preparations. I am finally going to deliver next Wednesday. We can't wait to meet him and start our new normal. 
Carter and Cameron on the monster truck.
I think this picture is saying, "yeah we are cool we are 8 now"lol
I love when her dimples show.
) and also to meet 
Bailey
Cameron
Kileyki
Collin
Carter
It was 1:30 am. And of course they were up before 7. I remember those days. 
They sure don't look like twins, brothers yes, twins nah. And I was told they were identical. 
Here they are with their cousin who is 3 months younger. 
We all had fun!! 
He really thought he was a big kid.
Here he is almost done.
We could not wake him.
Can you tell they were excited?
I don't know why my cropping didn't work, but I am not going back to fix it.
His little foot.
He is resting his chin on his arm. 
here they lined up by age
and a group shot.
Bailey was really blessed to have all her friends come and celebrate with her :)
and here it is working great...
I asked Carter what his creation was and he told me they were,
Cameron
Collin with his silly smile
The other kids surprised her with this poster. 
Her ice cream cake. Carter blew out all her candles and she just laughed. 
He thought he was hilarious.
The boys made her a giant flower that had a motor that made it spin. They also made the words "I Love You" out of k'nex.
The boys worked on making a river with their cousins.
Kiley bringing water the river.
Bailey was in the water most of the day. She loves the water. The poor girl ended up with a bad case of swimmers ear
. 
Carter is forever looking away when I take pictures, but I still thought it was a cool pic.
I still need to order some books and organize the school room. And then in about 9 weeks I will be having the baby. It really seems like each pregnancy goes faster than the last. When I think about my pregnancy with Bailey it seemed like it took forever for her to be born. I felt like I was pregnant for 2 years. lol And now I am going wait it can't be at the end already. Although we are all getting very anxious to meet him and hold him. 
He is hugging the tracks and telling me he wuvs trains.
