ten

1. Adah learned how to sit up all by herself last weekend.
You would have thought she was walking the hire wire, so excited were we all in her accomplishment.

2. Camden was trying to organize a hunting game "like they play at Wynn's house" with the twins the other night. Gwyneth was not allowed to be a deer, moose or bear. So she excitedly chose elk. The boys were the mighty hunters. Jude was too impatient to wait and finally decided to track down his elk. The sounds of agony that ensued as Gwyneth the elk was being hunted were heart wrenching...and ear shattering. Jude finally trapped her and led her back to Camden. "Look at my elk, Camden!"
"Jude, you're supposed to shoot her!"
"But, I can't shoot her. She just looks sooooo sad." and he was on the verge of tears.
"We're not playing this right!" barked Camden.
Girls. They can turn anything into a soap opera.
Mama wouldn't have been able to shoot her, either, Jude.

3. I've been having some health issues for the last couple months. Girl stuff, so I won't elaborate. Among other things I feel very pregnant. Tired, nauseous, irritable. Smells and tastes turn my stomach. But after 2 very negative pregnancy tests I've decided that my hormones are just going crazy. The bigger problems are enough for me to schedule an appointment...They don't have room to fit me in until November 2oth! A Saturday no less, the only available day. Grrr.

4. I try really hard to make it through a prayer for my children each day from The Power of a Praying Parent They are really beautiful prayers that focus on specific areas and things I may not otherwise think of. It really challenges me to go beyond the basic everyday things I pray about for my children that can sometimes seem mundane. Anyway, last night's prayer was specifically about their God-given gifts; to be discovered in each of them, to be revealed to their parents, to be used wisely, for wisdom on how to develop them, opportunities to develop them, to be used only to, and find their fullest expression in, glorifying God, etc. Not 30 minutes later I got Debbie's e-mail about art lessons. I knew instantly that God wants Camden to do this. Drawing is his passion right now and we could never ask for a better or more Godly teacher. I'm pretty excited and so is Camden. Gwyneth is green with envy. "I'm not six, but I'm bigger, and that's big enough!" she humphed.

5. I'm feeling inspired again. To do lots of things. Anything really. To make beautiful things and to make my house more of a home. But with it comes frustration. I never have time to do those things. (and what's that stuff called money, again?) Right now I am a mom. And a wife when I have time. (; Someday maybe I'll have time for the extra things, but for now I just have to keep reminding myself that it's not important...nothing is as important as my family.

6. I want a big family. Really big. Before I'm old. Tomorrow I will change my mind.
Speaking of which; Robert and Nancy's baby has given me the very worst case of baby fever. What a doll she is!

7. I have revised my daily schedule, again. When I get it typed I'll post it.

8. Christmas is coming fast! It'll be the first time we've ever hosted it at our house. Can't wait! What are your plans for Christmas. Anything special you're trying?

9. Can you tell I'm tired of this post? (;

10. I have been working really hard on menu planning. Lyle said I should blog a photo of dinner every day along with the recipe. I think that means he likes it! :) I don't know about that, but I may post the monthly menu plan. I ran across this really great idea to have a seasonal menu plan by month. That way, for 3 months at a time, the menu stays the same and so does the grocery list. EASY! Then, after 3 months I switch to another menu. If you keep it the same every year it takes virtually no work. And we haven't gotten bored yet. In fact, it's hard to cram all that yummy food in. Plus, I've been making a double batch of each meal and storing half in the freezer. My goal is to not have to go grocery shopping at all (or cook!) the month of December and then again in February. Doesn't that sound heavenly?

11. You get a bonus! I have a video I really want to share but can't figure out how to resize, it's way too big to load. Help!