tuesday

1. Spent the morning with Crystal and all the kids at the park today. It made me chuckle to watch the kids. All but two of them are so close in age it looked like we had a class or something going on. They had a blast! Now if we can just get the rest of you to join us...

2. Maybe it should be Two on Tuesday. It would make this more manageable. (;

3. On the way home Camden told me he wants to give Jesus his heart tonight during prayers. It was all his very own idea after asking a few of his own questions. He insists on waiting until tonight. I think he wants Daddy there. Which is a good thing 'cause I'm pretty sure Daddy wants to be there! This has been a huge prayer for me the last couple of weeks, that God would prompt his spirit and give him understanding, so I was in tears over it. Still am, really.

4. Gwyneth and Jude were brushing out my hair last night (literally). "Isn't she a vision of loveliness?" Gwyneth asked her twin. "She is bee-u-tiful!" he agreed. After my heart was done bursting I could hardly stop giggling. They're both so theatrical it's hilarious.

5. Gwyneth got quite the compliment the other day when we went to say hi to Bryan and Heidi. We only see them once or twice a year, so the kids don't really remember each other all that well. Chloe took one look at Gwyneth and was convinced she was Cinderella. Gwyneth beamed when we explained it to her. This is the girl who has a princess name for every hairstyle imaginable. I think it made her whole week.

6. As Lyle and I were toting the kids through Wal-Mart last weekend a lady stopped mid-stride and looking at Camden said, "You're cute!" Camden was so embarrassed that he started making goofy faces at her. "I don't care what kind of silly faces you make, you're still cute!" She insisted.

7. I will be surprised if Adah walks long before her second birthday. Lazy bones.

8. We are officially doing school throughout the summer. The kids won't have it any other way. Keeping it pretty low-key, though.

Gotta get going....4 kids, ya know.

Baby~Sissy~Doll

Adah

sweet child

you are ours
delightful and enchanting

you make everything magical

with your beautiful spirit

you have captured our hearts

we will be forever captivated

Adah at one year

content
solemn
sensitive
quiet
silly
beautiful
contemplative
watchful
calm
good
cautious
small
gentle

sweetness beyond measure

tuesday

1. It amazes me the love my children have for their baby sister. They invite her into their room, involve her in all their games and imaginings, and would do anything to protect her. If she gets too close to the stairs they throw themselves in front of her and lay across the top of them so she can't get to them. If she has something she might choke on or is about to fall off of something they sob hysterically until I rescue her. When she does get hurt, they cry harder about it than she does. The moment she's awake they rush in to greet her. Every one of them insisting on giving her a love before she makes it out of her crib. The same goes for before nap. My heart would burst. I am reminded again that a mother's and a family's love is never divided. Only multiplied many times over. I witness it every day with my own eyes.

2. Camden tells me nearly every day that we're supposed to have many babies. We need them, he says. But we have to have 11 before we get to 20.

3. Jude delights in being mean to me. He is so good at it. If I go to give him a kiss he just sticks out his tongue or covers his mouth. If I out and out ask him for one he'll always say something like, "NO kisses for you!" All the while laughing gleefully. He has Daddy and I in stitches most of the time. He is just such a stink! In the most endearing way possible. Kinda like his daddy.

4. Camden lost another tooth yesterday.

5. Crystal is instituting a summer weekly play date with friends and family. We'll meet the same day, same time, different location each week. I am so excited. It's about time!

6. Lyle is getting so much done around here! The yard is starting to look beautiful. We really allow ourselves little to no "down time" but we love it that way! Who cares what's going on in T.V.Land, anyway??? On a side note; I can't believe the trash I see every time we get a glimpse. People actually watch that? People actually let their kids watch that??? (The commercials are enough to make me blush.) And then wonder why we're going down the pooper? Get a clue, people! If it's not allowed in our house, it's not allowed on our t.v. Period.

7. As the kids were running through the house with their toy guns the other day Gwyneth gleefully informed me, "We're going hunting!" In rushed the boys, "Gwyn's the deer!" Screeching halt. "I'm not playing!" Gwyneth humphed. Poor girl. She always gets the short end of the stick.

8. Our Sonlight order is arriving today! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!! If I have time I'll devote a post to it.

9. All of the aunties and cousins are coming to celebrate Adah's birthday on Friday. Can't wait! I am really in shock that she is already a year old. Really? When did that happen? I have enjoyed every single second. I truly wish I had it to experience over again. She is a dream.

10. Is anyone else ready for some sunshine? I was hoping for some during Adah's party. Doesn't look like that's gonna happen. I'm content though. The heat is just not for me. I literally wilt.

s'more

Isn't she beautiful?

Even without hair, Mama.

shout out

"Hi, Mom!" Don't let her fool you...
this girl is a mover.

She should have no problem keeping up with those brothers.

HoNEy hOneY

One of my favorite gifts from my dad.
It sits on my counter and makes me happy every time I look at it. Ironically enough, it's also my dad that has inspired me to eliminate all sugar from my diet.

Including, for me, even natural sugars, like fruit and honey. For now. Though my dad would disagree that it's necessary.

I usually keep my consumption to 10 grams a day and no more than 15. Which includes the small traces you might find in whole wheat bread, cream, certain veggies and the small portion of fruit I do allow. If you want to know how extremely small that amount can be just start reading all your labels. Just one of Lyle's Mt. Dews is the equivalent of somewhere around a week's worth of sugar for me. Maple syrup? Just two tablespoons contains nearly five days worth. Two tablespoons of BBQ sauce? More than a day's worth. 1/2 cup of (no sugar added) applesauce? More than a day. 1 tablespoon of semi-sweet chocolate chips? Nearly a day's worth. It has astounded even me how much hidden sugar I was consuming every single day.

I'm not really sure why I felt so suddenly compelled to do this. I just woke up one day and knew it was finally time. (Which, if you know me, is how I make all my major decisions...on a whim) I felt such an unbelievable difference after the very first day that it has been motivation enough to keep me going strong. Which is good because it's something I want to do for the rest of my life, not just to lose my extra weight. And speaking of; after only one week I had already lost somewhere around 7 pounds. I dare all of you to try it for a week and see what happens. You'll love it!