It's such a joy~

I love being able to hang with my kiddos. Today Justus went back to school after a long weekend. It was hard for me. And Zeke too. However as usual Justus was ready to leave us behind & go learn. Here are a few pics of my guys.

Today is our 9th anniversary. I wanted to post some pics but need to try and get our printer hooked back up so I can scan some. Maybe later in the week.

Thanks everyone!!!!

Hello blog readers! I'm here for a quick update while our internet is actually working! It's been on an off now for about two weeks. Basically since Justus went back to school our connection has been hit and miss. We think it's the router but maybe the modem until we can figure it out we will be toughing it out.

We're planning a trip to the mountains so we're attempting to save every dime and nickel so we can enjoy our trip. We actually found a place to stay that will house our entire family (all sixteen of us). And it's only $100/nite so we will be able to stay for several nights instead of only a day trip. Each family pays for one night & then we all enjoy a break away from home!

Justus is LOVING school! Which makes it only slightly easier when I send him off to school each day. Sam has been able to pick him up and take him to school. And Justus of course loves every second with his daddy.

Zeke misses Justus something fierce...how the heck do you spell that word?? Anyways he misses him bunches and asks when J will be home almost every half hour. Malachi instead gets all of Zeke's attention which has been both good and stressful since Z doesn't understand that Mal cant' walk or eat "big" people food yet. But zeke is very entertaining and knows exactly how to make Malachi laugh. It's super sweet!

Also Malachi has two new teeth coming in on top and that equals one grouchy baby! He is rolling over both ways now & can scoot a little bit across the floor. However he prefers that someone else do everything for him & my little helpers pretty much take care of him. He's getting a little bit of independence though & can hold the bottle; when he wants to of course...if not he just cries until someone holds it for him. He's a very spoiled,loved, and happy baby.

AS FOR ME I am praying about getting some kind of job. Maybe with Sam maybe something more part time....not really sure. I've got some details to work out first. Like getting my license. It's pretty crazy that I don't drive yet. But I am making some progress. Finally renewed my permit so I can start practicing driving because I honestly don't remember/know how to drive....so sad. Aggh. Ugggh. Grrrrrr.

Well that's the update for now. Oh yeah. Aubrey & I went to see "All about Steve". It of course has some cursing and some inappropriate stuff....but I laughed out loud through out most of the movie!!!! And shed maybe a tear or two because I'm so tender hearted....well sappy.

First day of school

Snot nosed baby

Little one is congested but fairly happy!

Taking a second to update- our AC went out in our house last night in the middle of the night. It's 88 outside and 85 in the house. WHEW- that feels SO hot. I am optimistically hoping the repair guy will get us back on track before tonight. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make it so. Heat makes me cranky. Plus this week I am here with the boys while Sam is working. Luckily they spent the night with daddy last night so they aren't here to hear me complain. They will be back later this evening or afternoon so I am praying it will be nice and comfortable again when they get here.

Check out these cuties~

We're headed to the beach tomorrow. Can't wait!!! Hoping to come back golden brown & not extra crispy. Have an awesome week!

Highlights~

Here are a few moments from our weekend. First off we have me boiling eggs for egg salad. And when I go to pour out the hot water burning my arm. I have a lovely new burn on my arm that looks like a circle. Its really odd because the water poured all over my wrist but only one spot got burned.

Then when I run upstairs to go to the bathroom I come back down to see Mal choking on an object that one of the boys put in his mouth. A very scary moment! Thankfully I was able to get it out & my precious baby is happy as can be.

I also babysat my niece and nephew for a few hours. First I have to give props to Nicole for handling her twins so well!!!! Often when we're in public together people think Zeke and Leah are twins so I can 'imagine' what that would be like. In my mind its double the fun, double the trouble! And then throw in the two babies who are only 8 weeks apart, again I can 'imagine' what twin babies would be like----overwhelming & totally worth it.

Do I sound like I'm complaining? Really, I'm just journaling since hardly anyone reads I use this as a place to write memorable to me stuff.

Two teeth in two days~

OUCH! GOD bless us all, every one. And please make tomorrow better than today. AMEN!

Uggggg~

It's been one heck of a day! Nothing serious or bad but just one series of messes, boo boo's, energetic children and a super grumpy baby that is in eat, sleep, and complain mode.

Mal's first tooth broke through today. I feel sorry for the little guy & for myself as well- lol. Guess I got the better end of the deal though. At least I can walk away for a minute.

We're headed outside to play, probably until dark so that we can have a peaceful & hopefully quiet evening.

Zeke~

A few pictures of Ezekiel on his birthday. He made a mess with me, we made his cake together. He wanted to be a helper. Note to self, don't use RED velvet cake mix when you have a helper. It was everywhere! Sam helped me make an interpretation of Lightening McQueen. Zeke loved it!

Think green~

I took these pictures a few weeks ago. Our cucumbers are huge. We've got tons of squash, zucchini & green beans. These are just a few & there is different stuff ripe now. Most everything is self explanatory except the very bottom picture if you very close there are snow peas hanging from the scrappy vines. We also have pumpkins that grew voluntary. I've got more pictures. The pumpkins are turning orange already so they won't be any good this fall but we can use the seeds to grow more.

Mal~

We have a 15 pounder. And 26in. long. The doc says he's in the 90th percentile for his height. Which means he has the potential to be tall.

Right now he has a cold & is super clingy. Most of the time I really enjoy it actually. Babies grow too fast so they should be held as often as possible! Mal gives AWESOME hugs! And is so SMILEY these days.

This and that~

Mal doesn't like tummy time yet.




The boys found this creature outside. I couldn't tell what is was. My guess is that it's a growing tadpole. Or possibly a salamander. Justus HAD to have a picture to share.


And finally a picture of all the cousins. It's not often that we're all together anymore so we shot a quick picture.


I've got about thirty more pictures to share so hopefully I will get around to it soon!

For Father's Day~

The boys went fishing. My dad, Justus and Sam. J caught his first fish. The pictures say it all. I love the first picture, if you look closely you can see the reflection of the clouds.

Wll my finger is getting much better. The blister is much smaller now. But I broke my phone and cant talk to anyone. Funny how much I didn't realize just how much I use my phone. Now I realize it.

Bought some Lay's chips. Monterey Pepper Jack--yummy!!!

So I am just rambling & putting off cleaning up the house.

Justus lost his tooth. Need to load the pics.

Zeke says his words funny...so cute. "It's Utiful(beautiful) day momma". Stuff like that makes me laugh and smile. And be thankful I am a stay at home mom.

Malachi is eating some cereal now. It's funny to see the faces he makes!

I burnt my finger today. 3rd degree burn. Hurts like heck. My index finger has an ugly blister on it. OUCH!!!!!!!! That's what happens when i stop paying attention while talking to the kids.

Twenty bucks~

That is the average cost to do something "special" with our family. Like getting take out or fast food. Going to the park & enjoying the entertainment there- putt putt, carousel, train , petting zoo, etc. It cost twenty when we went bowling. Going to the movies- if we bring our own snacks. And when we took the kids to Dave & Busters with Chris & Staci. Not a bad price for the entire family. Of course some things are cheaper & others cost more but it's nice to have an idea of something affordable in mind.

Sam is at work today & my play date cancelled on me. What to do?? We've already been outside and the boys are just as bored as I am.


Thursday we took the boys bowling. It's quarter mania & you pay $5 for shoes & .25 for each game. The boys only made it through one game and then they were ready to play the video games. Justus is an addict to the Dinosaur game. And Zeke likes to "ride" on the snow mobile game. And we of course only got to play one game as well since we had to keep up with our rambunctious boys. I'm not sure that quarter mania is the best deal for our family.

Well anyways time to turn on the thinking cap & get creative!