merry, merry, merry Christmas!

eve.

Lookout world

...here she comes.

Heaven help us all.



I am so sorry boys.

{ X }

I. My honey got me a new cell phone for Christmas. That's right. He couldn't wait for me to open it and badgered me until I did. He's terrible about keeping secrets. I always know what I'm getting long before he gives it to me. I love surprises but it is nearly impossible to truly surprise me. I have a sixth sense, you know. But I love the phone anyways.

II. The word of the week is "pistol" All the kids run around acting out scenes from Savage Sam and yelling, "Where's my pistol?! ... Get me my pistol!" and so on. Gwyneth started it. Is anyone surprised? I thought not.

III. Last week Heidi and I went over to Grandma's and rolled and dipped 200 chocolate cherries....In 2 and a half hours. With 3 "helpers". Not bad. Good thing we left them all there....The cherries, not the helpers.

IV. I'm really loving Bebo Norman's holiday album. I made Lyle download it for me after hearing it on Pandora. It's just so calming. And I need calm. Also love Third Day's Angels We Have Heard On High, even if my hubby does think it's a bit on the cheesy side. (the piano..gorgeous!)

V. Adah's list of accomplishments has grown by leaps and bounds. She now shakes her head no when she doesn't want something, grooves to the Christmas tunes by bobbing up and down, calls me when she wants me, has sprouted another tooth, and thanks to Daddy, will give anyone who asks a high-five. They're currently working on the stick-your-tongue-out-and-blow-spit-all-over-everything-while-making-that-obnoxious-sound trick...what is that called, anyway?

VI. "Tigers have bangs!" Gwyneth informed me the other day.
"Do you mean, 'Lion's have manes'?"
"Oh, Ya!" Giggle.

VII. A few of the stuffs in our stockings this year; tutu pom wand, velvet clips, super hero masks, ribbon clips, quilted bibs, paper dolls. We also have wooden circus trains, Lightening McQueens, batteries (yes, you read that right!) and lots of other boy things. Lest you think they got jipped.

VIII. Our boys made their stage debut last Sunday for the Christmas program. Gwyneth is an old pro; this being her 3rd time. They were all so excited, but you wouldn't know it to look at them up there. They were literally scared stiff!

IX. After nearly 3 years we are finally getting a tub faucet! Now I can soak in my own tub instead of the kids'! $300.00 later...ya, there's a reason it took us this long...and that was on the cheap end! (And yes, I feel VERY guilty spending that kind of money on something so unnecessary.)

X-mas?
No.
Merry Christmas!

her royal highness

Our princess, through-&-through.
As if there was ever any doubt.

{wonder struck}

he with the falling snow...

and I with him...

{violets are blue}

and I'll never love brown eyes again...


this weeks accomplishments include:

*her very first tooth, with not a single fuss
*her first complete roll, tummy-to-back-to-tummy
*she now understands, "eat", "jump" and "night-night", and will tell me when she's ready to go to bed by laying her head on my shoulder and popping her thumb in her mouth.
*her hair gets more unruly by the day. Mama is trying to get up the nerve to cut off those straggly curls. {Sniff.}

{a comparison}

Adah looks like Mama.

No doubt about it.

But I actually see others in her. Maybe even more than myself.
From the day she was born everyone has said she has Great-Grandma Colene's face:

Grandpa Jim: Exact same nose, cheeks, mouth...Mama.

She has my long face.

Poor girl.

But where did I get it from???

(my ears! they always stuck through my thin hair when I was a girl. Ugh! One of the reasons I always keep my hair back!)Aunt Tess: I can remember her well at this age. (after all, I was 11 years old!) And oh, how Adah reminds me of her...temperament as well.
Brother Camden:

I sometimes confuse them in my mind. Looking back at his baby photos is almost like looking at Adah...with different eyes. Adah always makes this expression...He is roughly her age here:

And one of Sissy Doll herself, for reference:

I don't have any new ones!

That's tomorrow's project!

tuesday...

1. Yesterday I walked into the bathroom and found Jude and Gwyneth going potty. At the same time...On the same toilet. Apparently neither if them could wait another second. Gwyneth was perched along the side while Jude, with only inches to work with, went along right behind her. The were giggling so hard I'm surprised they didn't make a mess. But not one drop was to be found. They were so proud of themselves I caught them at it again last night.

I know.

2. Why did God send me the difficult ones two at a time?

3. Still selling on Ebay. It's worth it, but very time-consuming.

4.Jude ran up to me the other day, slapped me in the rear, and said, (happy as can be) "Get me more milk, little fat girl!"

I know.

I'm telling myself he doesn't actually understand the word fat.

And that he's only mimicking what everyone says to Adah.

And that I will never eat bread or sugar again.

5. Speaking of sugar. I love Java Bear. Better than Starbucks, for sure. And run by a wonderful family. (7 kids!) I met the 3rd daughter the other day and was so impressed! One of the sweetest people I've ever met. And super cute to boot. Too bad she's too young for my brother-in-law. (: Anyway, stop by sometime, if you haven't already. Get the Chocolate Chip Ice Rage and enjoy it for me. You know, since I'm not eating that stuff anymore.

6. My oldest is a perfectionist. An artist. And may have a photographic memory. I'll devote a post to it. And keep quiet all you face-bookers! Daddy beat me to it!

7. I had a dream the other night. Or maybe a vision. Maybe I'll be brave enough to share it someday. It disturbed me. It more than disturbed me. And I'm sure everyone will believe I'm crazy once they hear it.

8. Can't wait for Christmas music! Next week...

9. Kira and Preston are coming to play today. I haven't told the kids yet. They're gonna be so excited!

10. Women's Ministry tonight. I always look so forward to it. Love those girls!

Way back when...

Siblings=BFF

My sister and her gorgeous fam.
These guys are so much fun and always ready for a party!

Always my best friend and best enemy...
I am forever thankful for my sister.

Just look at those angelic boys...
And that sweet little girlie...

Awe...

I could've cloned in a photo of Avril looking at the camera,

but I kinda like how enamored with her Daddy she is...

(by-the-by: if anyone knows of the perfect black-n-white action can you please share?! I've not found one that I love...)

Told you they're a hoot!

We didn't have time for much playing.

The rain was hittin hard at this point...

Don't know if I've ever told ya, Jay,

but I think you're just perfect for my Sis.

I think I almost have her convinced of it, too! (:

Love you guys!

10 on {nearly not} Tuesday

1. I put wheat germ in the kids' applesauce every morning for breakfast. Usually we call it "sprinkles". Today Jude asked, "Did you already put snowflakes in it, Mama?" (:

2. Speaking of snowflakes, Gwyneth announced to me yesterday, "It's good to be a snowflake." ...Okay then.

3.The house looks like it erupted clothes. I have been trying all week to get all the boys' outgrown clothes listed on Ebay. I've almost made it through 2 {of 7} bins. ugh. It's left me wondering how people like Karina do both mothering and schooling. I can't even concentrate long enough to type a complete sentence. I am in awe of "working" mothers.

4. I realized this week that Jude and Gwyneth's birthday will be on Easter day next year. How special is that. Mine also fell on Easter when I was little, but Mom can't remember which year it was.

5. I need to put together a grocery list. We spend roughly $250.00 on groceries every payday. Including all toiletries, cleaners, diapers and all those other "necessities" you can be sure to find at Wal-Mart. Eating out is extra. Before children that number was a mere $75.00. Huh.

6. I'm with Ryan. I loathe insurance. Whatta crock. (Unless, of coarse, you happen to work for UPS. (: The price tag difference between Adah and Avril is staggering.)

7. We've been working on our "fruits of the Spirit" around here, Mommy included. It's pretty funny to hear the kids fighting and screaming at each other, "Well, you're not showing fruit of the Spirit!" Why does everything always seem to backfire on me?

8. Camden got to have a boys night out with Daddy last night. I think he had fun, despite the allergic reaction that sent them home early.

9. Lyle has another business trip to Seattle later this year. And guess who just might get to tag along. Besides Adah. (: I'm so excited about a {free} trip with him that I can hardly stand it!

10. I'm feeling really jipped about missing out on my favorite season this year. Autumn is the most special because it only lasts for such a short time. But did we have to skip it altogether?

enchanting...

she is.

(Showing off:

her first hair bow,

sitting up...almost,

and her personal favorite;
spit bubbles.)

first snow

I don't know about you guys, but our household is in a complete frenzy today.

Yesterday the kids glimpsed the first snowflakes of the season up at Grami and Grandpa's.
This morning I decided to wait and see who would be the first to notice their new world of white.

Not surprisingly, it was Gwyneth, upon sitting up to the table for breakfast. "It's snowing!" And they could hardly sit still long enough to eat.
There were shouts of joy, squeals of delight and stimulating conversation ("God makes some pretty tricky things!") as they scrambled out the door to taste, tromp and throw.
Even Adah was awestruck, gazing out at all that white stuff with her nose and hands pressed tightly against the window.

Seeing our world through my children's eyes is breathtaking.
Watching my children discover is beyond compare.

T.O.T.

1. Nobody likes me, everybody hates me. Guess I'll go eat worms.
A song that my cousin, Adrienne taught me when we were little and I still remember (nearly) every word. It pretty much sums up my attitude yesterday, a side affect of the minor health issues I've been experiencing since having Adah. But I'm over it now. God showed me how silly I was being when it suddenly popped into my head during the middle of my pity-party.

2. Today we went to visit my Grandparents. We need to go more often. It's one of those things I'm constantly convicted of. They live just across the lake from us and love to see the kids, but the best part? They love to see me even more. And that's something only a grandparent can give.

3. Speaking of grandparents; this week marks the 100th anniversary of my Great-Grandmother's birth. The very same Great Grandmother I named my daughter after. I never realized until after the fact that they were born almost exactly a century apart. How awesome is that! (Has anyone noticed the birthmark on her mama's neck, similar to mine? This is who everyone in my family thinks I resemble. Thankfully there are prettier photos of her (; She is my great-great grandmother.)

4. My home school journey has officially begun, at the insistence of my oldest son. We now spend our afternoons together working on all things academic and there is nothing I throw at him that he doesn't grasp. From printing letters, to phonics, to numbers, to patterns and even telling time. He devours it all and has left me wondering how I'm ever going to keep up with him next year, let alone after he gets past Kindergarten age.

5. Adah continues to woo us with her sweet, sweet spirit. Daddy says all the time that we envies her happy heart. She has a calming effect on me like nothing else. Truly medicine for my soul.

6. I've lost 5 measly pounds since determining to be my wedding weight once again. It could have something to do with the nasty addiction I have to Raspberry Chocolate flavored coffee creamer. I've cheered myself by stacking up five pounds of butter on the counter and imagining it slathered all over my body instead...and not thinking about the other 25 still smeared all over me. ugh.

7. I'm really mad at myself for wallpapering Gwyneth's room while I was pregnant, even more upset about how much I spent on it, and furious that I never finished it. Never attempt to decorate a room while pregnant. N.E.V.E.R.

8. My hubby recently bought me a Scentsy System. I LOVE it! If you want to make your house smell yummy, this is the way to do it! I love it so much I might even consider hosting a party, and that, my friends, is nothing short of amazing. (my favorite scents all reside in the "Scentsy Man" category. Not sure what that says about me...Rustic Lodge, Hemingway, and African Mahogany, to name a few. "Warm, outdoorsy, woodsy, rich–these words perfectly describe the fragrances in the Scentsy Man Collection. Here you will find scents dominated by amber and musk; woods such as cedar and charred oak; and spices like ginger and frankincense." Yummo!)

9. Can't wait to decorate my house for the holidays this year! Last year I was sick, the year before; twin terrors, and next year another into everything. I better enjoy it while I can. Christmas, here we come!

10. I'm really missing nap time. Now that Camden is doing school every day I get exactly zero free time. Zilch. Nada. It's rough, I tell ya. Does anyone out there have any suggestions on how to keep a pack of monsters 5 and under busy long enough for a few minutes of Mama time?

makin hay while the sun shines

I can't believe I almost forgot about these!

While at Grami's one day, I suddenly realized amidst all the chaos that it'd had been awhile since I'd last seen Camden.

This is where I found him.
Enjoying a few moments of solitude, peace and quiet.
And making "hay".

He could not have been more content.
Nor I.
One of my sweetest memories of summer...
Stolen moments, shared only by us.

blood red?

yes.
blood red. You can't tell it by the pic, but the red extends almost completely around her iris.
And you can see the incision when she looks to the side.

Right this very moment she's outside running around with her brothers.
How's that for resilient?

thank you

for all the prayers.

We most definitely felt them and could not have had a better experience!
Gwyneth was nothing but excited to be there and finally get that darn eye fixed.
She didn't shed a tear the entire visit.
In fact, I decided, on a whim, to decline the "kiddy cocktail" they usually give to relax them.
It's supposed to make the separation easier.
It didn't work the first time around and just makes waking up afterwards harder and more upsetting. (think non-stop screaming for 20 minutes or so)
I could tell they weren't exactly thrilled about my decision, but I think they were pleasantly surprised when our Dr. came in and asked Gwyn if she wanted to walk down to the operating room with her. Gwyneth said, "Sure!", hopped off the bed and strolled hand-in hand with the doctor down the hall without even looking back, let alone saying good-bye to Mommy and Grandma. Stinker.
Her doctor told us that after they got to the room Gwyneth announced that she had to go potty, so she took her. Something I wouldn't normally be comfortable with, but what do ya do? And I think it's pretty neat that she cared enough to help her. Gwyneth just loves her. She's been seeing her since she was not much older than Adah is now. And it's pretty awesome that God gave her a woman doctor (one of only four total pediatric eye surgeons in the area) given her extreme apprehension of most men.
Surgery went well. They only had to operate on one eye. I can already tell that it vastly improved her range of motion, if not fixed it completely. And I would really recommend not doing the kiddy cocktails whenever possible. Post-op was a dream! She woke up, drank some juice, had a Popsicle, got dressed and we were outta there! Not one bit of fussing the entire time! Well, until on the way home when she finished devouring her chicken nuggets and wanted more. Ravenous! I don't think I've ever seen her that hungry!
Her eye is bloody red. Although, not as bad as I remember it being last time and she is tearing blood. It's also draining blood out her nose. Disturbing. But she just thinks she has a sniffle and hasn't realized it's blood, yet. Ignorance is bliss.
She's already back to her sassy self and was too busy working on a craft project from Grandma to be bothered with nap time.
Thank you, again, for all your prayers!
I cannot even begin to express my relief that this is finally over.

Please say a prayer

for Gwyneth.

She has eye surgery at 8:30 in the morning.

Possibly on both eyes.

And while you're at it say a prayer for Mama, too.

There's no doubt I'm more nervous about it than she is.