i hope you dance

and where are baby's hands?
i ask her
she gazes at me intently before
ever so carefully taking one in each of her own
then gently setting baby on her feet
so she can walk

&
for you, my doll
i will do the same

for as long as it takes

homeschool valentine

the kids eagerly await this event each year

dearest friends
fun games
wonderful crafts
heartfelt valentines
yummy food
beautiful decorations

and the sweetest memories

Sweet memories from this year:

On the way to the church the kids kept saying,

"This is such a fun day!"

Each of my kids were so big and really helped set everything up.

The boys made arrows and the girls made bubblegum necklaces.

Camden was the very first to win BINGO.

Jude was one of the very last, and not too happy about it.

The big kids each chose a little to team up with and help throughout the day.

Kaly chose Gwyneth. It made her whole day.

Malcom paired up with Jude. Kaelon with Camden.

Kaly came running up to me at the end of the party telling me that Gwyneth was choking.

I looked across the room to see her bright red and gasping for air, tears streaming down her face. By the time I got there she was okay. The buddy system works!

Jude got in trouble in the buffet line (and sent to his seat) because he missed the instruction to choose only one or two things. Poor guy. He loves his food.

When I asked on the way home what their very favorite part was Gwyneth squealed;

"ALL of it!"

{of coarse, with more than 40 kids, we never have time to take photos during the event
so these detail shots will have to do. Maybe next year the kids will let me include them!}

my heart is full

there are no words
to describe the beauty of all we have
and all we look forward to

we are so blessed

lovely

she and i are extreme opposites
yet we adore all the same things
projects.
pretty clothes.
tidy houses.
ballet.
bossing boys.
art.
baking.
it is so lovely, getting to know my daughter
sharing each day with her
always at my side
helping
asking what we get to do next
revealing a little more of herself to me
and filling my heart with joy

on the mend

baby doll has been sleeping since yesterday morning.
waking just long enough to get a drink and a diaper change.
she actually had enough energy to eat a little lunch today.
one slice of cheese. and then it was back to bed.

her eyelids are bruised, as well as under her eyes.
i guess that's what happens when you throw up roughly 56 times in half a day.

she still doesn't have the strength to stand

and she can't eat on her own because she shakes so much

She still begs for water constantly...

i think she lost about a third of her cheeks

but she is on the mend

and can still tell mama when she's had enough

i love to tease daddy about the amount of lunch dates he neglects to take me on.

but really? he should be the jealous one.

I get a lunch date with this cutie every.single.day.

it amazes me

how very twin-like these two can be...
how is it that fraternal twins
(in essence; regular siblings except for being born at the same time)
often still look like the real deal?
one of those mysteries that we pretend to understand but in reality we are absolutely clueless.
isn't God amazing?

yuck, big yuck

oh, Adah.

Your first time being sick and it is a doosy.

You really know how to crash a party.

At Trista's 2nd birthday you erupted without warning.

And it just kept coming.

Sitting on Mama's lap, we all sat stunned as it went everywhere.

and everywhere. and everywhere.

By the end we were both sitting in a puddle and even mama was covered, head-to-toe.

Dereck and Olivia were so gracious and loving and just plain wonderful, really.

Happily cleaning yuck up off their couch, their floor.

Getting me clean clothes. Starting a bath for you. Washing loads of laundry.

Can't wait to see of we get invited again next year! (;

For the next 14 hours it came every 15 minutes.

And you have been an angel all the while.

We can't leave your side for even a moment

not because you won't let us,

but because you can't do it by yourself.

Daddy took the first watch and let mama sleep until he couldn't stay awake any longer.

Then it was mama's turn.

Finally at 6:00 this morning, Mama laid you in your bed.

For an hour and a half you laid in there,

then quietly called, "Mama...all done...All done, Mama"

Not so.

You are frantic for water, but still can't keep even a tiny bit down.

My poor sweet girl, get better soon.

Before the rest of us get it!