"Mommy says green is my color."

We need to observe a moment of silence...PLEASE!

Reagan, shown here with Peyton's Boppy on her head, returned home from church camp yesterday. She walked in the front door sunburned, dog-tired, and nearly completely hoarse. But true to form, her barely-there voice didn't diminish her intense will to converse.

She began speaking the second she spotted me across the room, hardly taking the time to breathe as she detailed each and every aspect of her trip:

-who was there.
-who wasn't.
-what they did.
-what they didn't do.
-who got hurt.
-how they got hurt.
-who helped the hurt people.
-how they helped the hurt people.
-new people she met and where they are from.
-the menu for each meal they had.
-what tasted good.
-what didn't.
-what people wore.
-what they should have worn.
-and a thousand other very important facts it was absolutely necessary for me to know.

I continued listening even when she started insisting that I view (up close!) every mosquito bite she has...even the three on her bottom.

I was patient (oh, so patient), loving and calm. I listened until my ears bled, and when I had reached my limit I suggested gently that it was time to let her voice rest. She agreed and left the room, only to return moments later to tell me about the new boy she likes.

I will listen today, tomorrow and every day after that because if she's anything like another teenager I know, someday I might be missing our conversations... when I am the dumbest person on earth and the last person she wants to speak with.

I'm dreading his teenage years

Landon (yelling from the back seat): "Go faster, Mommy, go faster!"

Mom: "I can't Landon, the policeman will get me."

Landon: "Well, he won't get you if he can't catch you."

Oh my.

Don't rush back...we're doing fine!

Sutton is at volleyball camp, Reagan is at church camp, and Keaton is here in her own little heaven. Going from the middle child who, when compared to her sisters, has had little power and even less time alone with the baby, to "large and in charge" sister who has been Mom's right hand man for four days, has been a real ego-booster for Keaton. While not quite ten years old, she has proven that she is capable of many of those big girl jobs once relegated to her older siblings. She's been patient, helpful, calm, and mature...it's amazing what a little responsibility can do to make a little sister feel (and act) so big.

"I so love him."

Keep workin' Daddy

Baby Girl needs some shoes to go with her sundress.

Rules for surviving a shopping trip with six children

1. Take Button-Pusher son (AKA: child #4) to school for the whole day. He won't get into near as much trouble there which will provide him with a sense of accomplishment. So you're actually boosting his self-confidence by not taking him with you. Make sense?

2. Never, ever, skip rule #1.

3. Always check to see what kind of undergarments (i.e. diaper, pull-ups, big boy underwear) Tinkling Toddler (AKA: child #5) is wearing. If you do discover said son is wearing underwear and you have no change of clothes for him, don't panic. Simply start praising him for being such a big boy and remind him to tell you when he has to go.

4. Pray (really, really hard)

5. When Tinkler Boy gets "the look" during lunch, run him straight to the restroom, hurdle over other patrons if you must, but do not stop for any reason. You are on a very important mission.

6. Hesitate long enough during this mad dash to see if you are running your child into the Men's or Women's room. I neglected to verify our position today and didn't notice the urinal until we were on our way out...no wonder the "lady" in the next stall got so quiet while we were there.

7. In the stores, put I-Hate-Shopping daughter (AKA: child #3) in charge of toy-looking with You-Better-Not-Tinkle boy.

8. When Chatty-Cathy daughter (AKA: child #2) gets too talkative, send her on phantom searches. ("Honey, please go find me a pair of pink, size 6 long, blue jeans with a blue pocket, and animal print trim.") It keeps her busy.

9. Grumpy-'Til-I-Graduate daughter (AKA: child #1) can't be pleased, so don't even try. You'll just end up with headaches.

10. When child #3 brings Already-Tinkled boy to you from the toy section with very wet pants, you are then allowed to panic, but only for 30 seconds.

11. Walk Tinkle-Now-Running-Down-My-Leg-And-Into-My-Shoes boy to the kids' clearance section, grab a pair of shorts, send Grumpy to the front to buy them, send Chatty to the restroom with Tink (remind her to check the restroom signs first) to change his clothes, put Shopper-Hater in charge of the buggy, and you nurse (standing up, mind you) Sweet-Baby-Girl (AKA: child #6) who has now had all that she can take.

12. Try to wipe off the exacerbated look from your face and be friendly to the cashier who must comment on how full your hands are, and question how you do it. Smile convincingly when you tell her how much fun a large family is, even though you aren't feeling it right then.

13. Go home, put I-Really-Love-My-New-Shorts Boy and Sweet-Baby-Girl down for a nap. Give Grump, Chat, and Shop jobs that must be done right away.

14. Sit back, close your eyes, and dream of lying on a secluded beach somewhere while sipping a cold beverage.

15. After returning from your five minute vacation, remind yourself how wonderful it is that you have these children, how easy it is to laugh at yourself, and how truly lonely that secluded beach would be after those five minutes were up.

16. Plan your next shopping trip...kids and all.

Just checking

Landon (running to mom in the kitchen): "Mommy, I in trouble?"

Mom: "No sir, you're not in trouble."

Landon (relieved): "Okay, thank you!" (runs to dad in the living room)

Landon: "Daddy, I in trouble?"

Dad: "Nope, not in trouble here."

Landon (again relieved): "Okay, thank you!"

(runs out of the living room squealing) "WHOO! HOO! I not in trouble!!"

There was a little girl who had a little curl...

...Right on top of her head.
And no matter what her mommy did
To try to smooth and calm it,
Nothing worked, it wouldn't lay,
So she stuck a bow upon it.





And that didn't work either...sigh.

Our Anniversary

With this man I share:

Children with ear infections and broken arms, eternal pregnancies, crying babies who won't be soothed, late night vomit clean-ups, long car rides with fussy kids, bills that were hard to pay, homework that is too difficult (for us!), ball games that never seem to end, toddler tantrums, teen rebellion, dirty diapers, weight gain, diets, and difficult times apart as he travels.

My life, however, is just the way I want it, perfect if you will. We are able to overcome any obstacle and laugh at each other along the way. Together we make decisions and navigate through the rough terrain, a mighty team that can't be defeated.

As unromantic as all of the above might sound, it is my life. It is our life. It is built on love. And there is no one else in the world I would rather share it with.

Happy Anniversary sweetheart. I love you.

Devin

The best place to be on Independence Day

Fort Hood had an all day event for the families of their military personel as well as civilians. There was food, fun, and activities galore. The boys enjoyed exploring the tanks and military trucks.














After spending the afternoon playing on the grounds, we laid out some blankets to await the military program.












The rains came just before the fireworks, forcing us to seek temporary refuge. Fortunately, the weather cleared at just the right time; the fireworks display was breathtaking.

Everybody loves a parade

especially for the 4th of July. It was muggy and hot, but oh so fun.

Meet the (God)Parents

Peyton was introduced this trip to her daddy's Godparents. Uncle Jim and Aunt Gloria have been so wonderful to our family for years, helping us celebrate every milestone and making Peyton one lucky little girl in more ways than one...they gave her a beautiful diamond cross necklace she is sure to cherish forever.

These things are cool

Boy cousins getting to play together.

















Playin' in the rain.













Lunch outside with the flies.













Horses so much a part of the family that they sit with you.













Sisters that go with you when you're not quite sure.

















Doggies that make you not afraid.













and Poppies that let you talk...





















...and tell BIG stories!

Horsey business

Uncle Don and Aunt Judy were kind enough to allow us to ride their horses. They both walked the kid-ladened horses for miles through the hot sun as well as the pouring rain. It was definitely a thrill ride for everyone.

A day in the country...

You go fishing.
















You drive a tractor.
















You ride in the trailer.





















You feed the cows...
















...carefully.














You pick corn from the field.





















And you play in the sprinkler (with your boots on, of course.)