day off

Yes, I did it again! A new background that is!! It took me a few hours but I finally got it. After this I realized that there is soo much I need to learn about computers! I am sure I will change it again soon. Especially after I get my pics back from our photo session. My kids looked at the header and the "big" kids all wanted me to change their photos. After all that work? I am not changing it for the sake of them not liking their own pics ...it's my blog! :)
Well, anyway, we had a nice, relaxing day today. Though Ronnie had to work (he took my car in to have some work done so that left me staying home all morning) the kids and I stayed home and took full advantage of the fact that we had NO where to go!! In fact, Isaac woke me up this morning asking if anyone had any practices or games he was relieved when I told him "no". Actually he repeated the question about 2 more times in case I did not understand his question, just to make sure he was not being misinformed!! He did a "victory" dance right there next to my bed. I guess he felt like he had won something. I guess he (we) did.... a day off!!( from sports that is)

Best Buds

I love being home with my kiddos. Don't get me wrong there are moments when I really want/need to get away for an hour. Heck I would take 10 minutes some days! But overall I realize that all to soon I won't have little ones home all day, so really I treasure the moments! So as I was treasuring a moment this afternoon I looked at Caleb and thought "I am his best bud... his whole world". I know when he wakes in the morning b/c my name is the first word that comes out of his mouth. Even for the rest of the day I am the one he wants- to swing him , play ball with and yes the one he wants to change those diapers!!

I am positive that one day I will be replaced by someone else. So I am going to enjoy every minute of being his "best bud" as long as he will have me!!!

a little bit of a lttle bit

Typically I am a very busy person but lately it has been crazy busy!

I almost feel like I have lived another life and just getting my old back for now.(See what the smallest change in routine can do to me?) Last week we left for the weekend to head to Thibodaux,LA. and then traveled (it's about a 4 hr ride round trip) back and forth EVERY afternoon from Mon - Wed!! On our quest to win the National title for the 8 yr old Biddy All stars. (which we did) And Jake won All American! I am so proud of him!

Jake holding his "All American" plaque

Me and Jake getting ready to go to a game!

Obviously we did not make church last week with not being in town. And now since we had been gone til nearly midnight all those nights I have had very little sleep. Now Ben's routine is a bit messed up and he has not been sleeping very well! This morning I woke up 15 minutes before we should have left for church, missing church yet again this week! :( I am just so thankful that I got to at least go to bible study this past Thursday, I had missed about 3 weeks in a row because of ....well...life!

This weekend has been sooo beautiful and I have sooo enjoyed being home with my family and being outside playing with the kids! I found myself several times thinking " only 7 more weeks til summer....I can't wait!" We are still going to be busy (always) but at least in the summer we can relax some. No rushing to go to bed to be ready for school the next morning, no homework, no time constraints at least for the most part! I get to "have my kids back"! I love summer!

I just couldn't resist posting this pic of Ben... what a cutie!

Typical 2's

Caleb is such a sweet baby. When I drop him off at Sunday school he runs to his teachers arms wide open waiting for a hug! Every time I pick him up they are saying how sweet he is and he is a sweetie ..... most often!

But I will say he is very successful at keeping his multi-personality on the DL! Except when he is home that is! One minute he is sitting with you reading a book, and the next he is fearlessly running on the sofa, laughing at me as I chase him down repeating over and over again" Caleb sit down you are going to fall". He is totally confident that mom will rescue him from every danger around him and that if he does indeed fall mom will be right there to catch him!

Typical almost 2 yr old you say?! I would have to agree! And spite his "typical 2 yr old behavior" I love this sweet little boy and I cannot believe he will be turning 2 this Saturday!

on this day last year

One year ago today we found out that our lives would once again change forever. We found out that Ben would soon join our family. Of course we didn't know on this day that he would be a boy or even what his name would be.( especially considering that we didn't have a name til after he was born) We just knew that we would once again welcome another family member.


At this very time my Uncle would soon pass away so it would be hard for us to share this great news with so much sorrow around us. But just as life has a way of doing, it kept going. Once the news was out, we had more comments like " another one?" or " you are joking, right?" Than anyone should have to hear. I will have to admit expecting again was a little bit of a shock to me but I will also say I love my children and I love being their mom! I also know that I was called to do this ( be a mom of 8). I have sat and thought about why would God call me? I feel so unequipped. Surely He could have called this one or that one but He chose to call me! I most definitely consider myself extremely blessed by Him!



Yes, I am sure a lot of folks think~ 8 kids?? But to me these are the best 8 kids ever and definitely the most precious blessings I will ever know!




I also wanted to post some pics of Ben since he made 4 mos yesterday and because of this special anniversary today :)


His new thing is to make raspberries! ( as you can see)

weekend ritual

As I have mentioned before, every weekend these days have been spent at the basketball gym. But I just wanted to mention how great of a team Jacob has once again. Last year they won State and that's how far it goes for that age group ( 7 yr old). However this year they have district, regional, state AND nationals! So far in EVERY tournament the Dynamites( Jake's team) have left in first place! Tomorrow starts this weekends ritual and they are competing for the district title. Thankfully it is at our gym, so we will be close to home and nap time won't be an issue for the youngins!

So here are some pics of Jake in uniform. Not the best pic quality being that we have to sit quite the distance away, but you get it!



This last on is not usual for Jake. Typically he is non stop on the court( which also makes for bad pic taking) But he was waiting down there as the other team was shooting free throws.

I know I am a little obsessed with this sports stuff but with a family that has this many kids playing a sport it makes for obsession. I grew up playing sports. I ran track, played softball,basketball and cheered. There is no wonder I really enjoy watching my kids! When I watch them playing it will sometimes take me back to that time. I find myself telling my kids" you know I played......" They always respond with" I know mom you have already told us." Guess that was ancient years ago to them. Feels like only yesterday to me!

Not ME, Monday!

Like every weekend these days, we were once again stuck, I mean completely delighted to be at the basketball gym! Ronnie coaches and I get the pleasure of watching Jacob play as I watch 7 other children run up and down the bleachers all the while asking to visit the concession stands for 100th time and visiting the bathroom for 1000th! So when I tell you that after my 999th trip to the bathroom I did not walk into the MEN'S bathroom, you shouldn't believe me!! My children did not proceed to embarrass me by screaming " mom you are going the wrong way"!! And heads were not turned from all over the gym!

I was not up late last night taking 4 tests to catch up on my school work because I do not spend any spare time on the computer visiting facebook instead of studying! And just so you know I am not addicted to facebook! Nope, not me!

I did not feed my child left over cake for breakfast! No way! What kind of mom do you think I am?! If you guessed the kind who gives in to her child b/c he won't stop until you do. You are so not correct! That is not me at all!