Forty-five years...now that's an accomplishment

Do you know what I admire most about them? The time they spend together.

~She may love to shop. While he'd rather take in a farm show.

~He may like to drive through a John Deere Implement to browse. While she'd rather window shop for a diamond.

~She may like to relax with a game of golf. While he'd rather watch a NASCAR race on television.

~He may like to take a ride in the combine. While she'd rather take a ride on her horse.

And while they may have different tastes from time to time, and different opinions now and again, and different ways of expressing themselves about this and that....there is one thing that they agree on each and every time. They would rather be together than with anyone else.

Maybe that is not what they set out thinking every morning they awake. Maybe they have not made that their marriage mantra. Maybe words of affection are not spewing constantly from their lips. But their actions have shown us, their grateful children, that time and time again.

I can not think of a better example of love than that.

In their 45 years together, I imagine that there has been much joy. I also imagine that there has been much sorrow. Their marriage has survived, nay flourished, for more years than some can piece together three marriages. I believe that they would be the first to say that every day has not been sunshine and roses. In fact, marrying into this family, I have seen that many days are a struggle. But above all of it, the noise, the chaos, the unpredictability's, one thing is always the same. The love that my father-in-law shares with my mother-in-law.

It is a love that is not present because of some cosmic aligning of the perfect personalities. It is a love that is present because of a lot of small decisions, each and every day. Decisions to be together, not apart. Decisions to pursue common interests and leave the selfish ones behind. Decisions to enjoy each other in every environment instead of choosing environments over each other.

Decisions to laugh. Decisions to hold. Decisions to love. And above all, decisions to DaNcE.

Happy Anniversary to two people who make what they do look like so much fun. We love you very much!

Black Friday Shopping

Um, no thank you. I experienced that thrill last year.


Unless grabbing Subway for dinner counts as BF shopping? Please share your finds! I would love to celebrate someone else's success.

I am so very thankful for these people

Happy Thanksgiving from our Family to Yours!

Nicholas David turns nine

Birthday's around here are much cause for celebration. We love us some birthday fun!

But there is something a bit undefinable that happens in this mama's heart when it is her firstborn's birthday. No, his birthday is not more important, less important or anything in between, when compared to that of his siblings. But the emotion is a bit different.

He is my first born. The boy who changed my life entirely. My husband changed my name. My son changed my heart.

From the moment he arrived, squalling and bawling at every opportunity given, I knew that every decision I made would be forever wrapped around the tiniest of fingers and needs. I would no longer base my opinions and desires on what was best for me, but what was best for him...and those that would follow.

I became that mama bear. Fighting to protect her cubs from all that would seek to harm them. I did not realize as a young and very naive mother...just how much fought for their soul.

Nicholas is passionate and intense. I have used those words since his birth. Some may say I am optimistic and could use something a bit more specific. But it is truth. He attacks everything with intense passion. And when he fails, or more accurately does not perfect it, it is a tragedy in his mind. He wants the best from himself and would really like to see it in others as well. A trait, that while troubling at times, will serve to take him to the places of his dreams. He loves deeply. No brother cares more for his siblings than Nicholas. He and only he, has the right to torment, annoy, tease or bully them. Anyone else attempt it...there will be trouble.

His dad and I know that he has the potential to change his world. Just as each of our children do. We only pray that Nic also realizes his potential and trusts God enough to put his life into the hands of the One who gave it to him. While we have our own hopes and desires for him, they are only wishes. We know that God and only God knows what is best for him. And while we wait, we pray.

Parenting Nicholas has been the greatest challenge of my life. Honestly. It is a tough road many days. But as I mature, I realize that the bumps in the road have come due to my inexperience...not his. He is a priceless gem. A gift of great worth. A treasure. And I am honored to call him my son.

Happy 9th Birthday to my first born. I love you Nicholas David!

My people are so cool

Thanksgiving is next week. NEXT WEEK people. Sorry. I am not cyber yelling at you. I am just fighting off a panic attack. You see, I am hosting Thanksgiving this year. Not a big deal. Right? Well there is one small problem. My head. My head is always the problem.

In my head is a picture of a Martha Stewart-y table, where sits a Rachel Ray-ish basted turkey, and the caramel pecan cheesecake looks more like a work of art than a dessert. The people, dressed in pencil skirts and tweed jackets, are sipping from wine glasses while quietly conversing with the person next to them. In this picture I am hovering about in a fabulous skirt and heels while graciously receiving compliments on the divine food and decorations.

My reality is a bit different. Dinner served in a cramped dining room with barely enough room for the guests much less a three tiered centerpiece. The guests will hopefully be eating a turkey that is slightly more appetizing than that of the Griswold's, and the pies will be made, if I am feeling brave, in my own oven and not that of Perkin's.

The people in my reality, however, will not mind that they are sitting elbow to elbow with a child. In fact, it is probably one of the reasons that they accepted the invitation. They will engage in a raucous discussion from one room to another and will gladly participate in our sung prayer and game of thankfulness. They will appreciate the comfy attire later in the day as they lounge about on couches watching an NFL game.

Of course, I will serve wine. But a good cold beer sounds better to me.

No, we aren't expecting company

Was it practical? No, not really.

Was it risky? Yes, definitely.

But seeing the faces of my kids when I called them into a candle lit dinner, with 'grown up' wine glasses containing grape juice, fancy plates and silverware and special dessert dishes was worth every bit of impracticality and possible danger.

No one knocked over the stemware, no one lit their napkin on fire, no one complained about the peas, carrots and broccoli mixed into their favorite Chicken Alfredo meal. Obviously they were too distracted by the wine glasses and flickering candles.

It was worth it. Not because they left the table understanding on an even deeper level how valuable they are, but because I left the table remembering how important it is to show them.

Extremly extreme.

I tend to be extreme in many areas of my life.

Yet another personal discovery I am making in my 30's. Aren't you glad that you come along with me through these epiphanies?

And in the interest of bettering myself in every way possible, I am trying to learn from these discoveries as opposed to just accepting them as unchangeable.

Extremism is not necessarily bad. I am extremely devoted to my Creator. I am extremely devoted to my faith. I am extremely in love with my husband. I am extremely proud of my children.

But typically being extreme is a bit of a problem. It can be the extreme over-doing something, or the extreme under-doing of it. And I fall into both categories.

Being mindful of the foods that I eat, good. Extreme dieting? Not so much. Trying to work exercise into my daily routine, good. Scheduling my day around exercise? Not so much. Expanding my mind through reading, good. Unable to put the book down until finished? Not so much. Wiping down my kitchen, using the 'sanitize' function of my dishwasher, washing hands regularly, good. Stressing over every germ that crawls into my home? Not so much. Enjoying time with my kids, good. Making that an excuse not to clean and organize our lives? Not so much. Allowing my kids to become individuals, good. Letting them run amuck without discipline? Not so much.

I think that you get it, right?

Moderation.
Acceptance.
Change.
Growth.

It's a journey. And I think I might finally be mature enough to take it.

It's a party

We recently celebrated Andrew's birthday with a family party on the day of, and a BIG family/friend party on the Saturday following his birthday...which just so happened to be his daddy's birthday too.

All the sibs getting ready to eat some birthday brownies.

"You look like a monkey, and you live in the zoo!"

Just what every kids wants, a squooshie ball!

At the big party. CHEESE!

Reading the cards before ripping into the goods.

Saying "thank yous!"

Feeling a tad shy when we all sang "Happy Birthday" to the the two birthday boys.

Even though Chad did not feel well, he was a trooper! Here he is with his mama.

All the kiddos. There were lots of adults too! Everyone loves to celebrate Big D.

The bright side

A cold summer really stinks.

But September in November is pretty awesome.



**(Does anyone know how to spell check in the newer version of blogger posting?)

Love makes that diamond shine

I am without something this week. 
I do not take my engagement/wedding rings off.  Ever.  When I was ridiculously chubby with pregnancies I wore them until the 11th hour and then if I could get them off, I did so because of the pain they caused in being so tight.  But as soon as the pudgy fingers shrunk back down, I slipped the rings on and there they remained.  They are not an accessory for me but more a feature of my being.  Kind of like the freckles on my nose and cheeks, or the curl in my hair. 

But I do not always take such good care of them.  Heck my freckles at least get moisturized and my curls get de-frizzed.  But I had not taken care of my rings, in any manner, for pretty much the eleven years that I have worn them.  So, I decided that they needed a little bit of maintenance.  The flat underside was really annoying me and the shine had long since diminished.

I took them in to the little family owned jewelry shop and asked how much a quick buff and cleaning would be and was shocked when I was told that it was free.  Free?  Are you kidding me?  Free?  Nothing is free anymore.  Why hadn't I been doing this more often?  A little stop into a hometown downtown shop, a little buff--a little rub and wha-lah, good as new.

"Did you know that two of your prongs are gone completely and the other four are worn down to nothing?"  the lovely woman asked me.  "What?"  Of course I did not know that.  My precious diamond could have fallen out at any time.  "We'll need to fix these right away.  All six prongs will need to be replaced."  "How much will that cost?"  I asked.  "That my dear, is not free."  Of course not.

As I walked out of the shop I could not help but notice that the sun had nothing to reflect on, as my left hand ring finger was bare.  If only I had taken the time to care for it over these past 11 years, I thought to myself, I would not be shelling out the dough now. 

As I drove home I was reminded by the Lord that my rings are a symbol of my marriage commitment.  How much care have I been giving that?  How much maintenance has been done in the past eleven years?  Are there flat spots, scratches, and polishing that needs to be done?

Even though my rings mean a great deal to me, the man who gave them to me means far more.  I guess it is time to take a little bit better care of both.

Noah's on television

Noah is the adorable boy with the big grin and beautiful brown eyes, wearing the green polka dotted cape.

The Golden Boy celebrates his Golden Birthday

"The Natural". That is what my husband lovingly refers to our youngest son as, The Natural.

He is a natural joy.

A natural pleaser.

A natural charmer.

A natural lover.

A natural engager.

A natural learner.

A natural talker.

A natural thinker.

A natural athlete.

A natural obeyer.

A natural laugher.

On and on I could go. Those of you whom have had the pleasure of meeting Andrew, I believe, would indeed call it a pleasure. He is just like-able.

I know, I know...we would all like to believe this about each of our children. Having five of them however, I know the reality. They each have strengths and they each have weaknesses. And each offers unique blessings to our home.

Andrew indeed is a blessing. He compliments this family in a way that makes each of us shine brighter, love deeper and give more of ourselves to one another. And we are truly blessed.

Today he celebrates his golden birthday. Turning four on the fourth. And while he looks the part of a four year old, it is often difficult to wrap my brain around the fact that this intelligent, articulate, charming child is just four. He is wise beyond his years. I pray that it is the wisdom of God and that he will channel that wisdom and seek it all the days of his life.

If you see Andrew out and about, go ahead, smile at him. You will not be able to stop yourself anyway. And if you want to give him a little squeeze, he probably won't even mind that!

Happy birthday big D. We love you oh, so much!

Halloween Pic '09

I kind of dropped the ball on the whole Halloween costume thing this year. We had good ideas, but I just did not get around to preparing as I should have. Still, we managed to pull a few cuties out of the hat.

Olivia and Kate knew that they wanted to be Mary and Laura Ingalls. So we did our best, with the help of a grandma, who has old stuff like this lying about! And the boys, well, Nic is already to the age where this is losing appeal quickly. Especially given that he is not a candy lover, so there is little motivation there. Andrew considers every day Halloween-ish, because he costumes up regularly and gets candy pretty much whenever he asks. Anyway, here they are. And Elizabeth went along bundled up in warm, practical clothing with a little bonnet on her head...so that she could be baby Carrie Ingalls.