Not surprisingly I didn't get back here like I had hoped but I've got a few minutes so here we go.

I am thankful for insurance. I am the only one in our family who doesn't have it right now. (So I am thankful for my health too!) This month all three of my kids have been to the doc at least 3 times for one sickness or another. Including the flu shot. so, yeah I'm so happy we have health insurance for them!

We had a WIC appt this week. They're not very fun at all but it provides me with over half of the formula that Malachi drinks. And other beneficial food for the kiddos. Like milk, cheese, fruits and veggies, etc. SO GRATEFUL.

Girls night out is a lifesaver for a home body like me. It was lucky enough to have two this week....one was actually during the day with Staci. She helped me get some Christmas gifts ready!!!! Gracias Stack!

Movies~ LOVE LOVE LOVE going to the movies. Basically because it is time that I am not needed. I can sit and relax uninterrupted. Terrible isn't it?

Music----it brings healing to my soul. Enough said!

And that's the list for today~

I am thankful for.....

Before I get Christmas crazy I thought it'd be good to spend a little time celebrating Thanksgiving! So I will attempt to come back from now until Thanksgiving.

Here's my list so far:

Well today I am most thankful for Puff's plus! When I sneeze snot is flying across the room. Not really but that's how it feels.

I love being able to stay at home with my children. It gets a little crazy at least once a day but I enjoy this blessing.

My family is amazing. We all pitch in to help on another. As they say, it takes a village to raise children...im grateful for them all (family and children).

Justus started school this year and he has a great teacher. Justus loves her so much. God put him with the right teacher. I pray Gods blessing for her and her family.

Wonderful friends....I have only a handful. But without them I'd be in the nut house! Thanks for the encouragement, love and simply listening!

A patient hubby. The past nine years have had lots of ups and downs. Sam has been very patient. He is a great daddy!

My savior....he gets the least of my attention and yet loves me even still.

Justus' first Panthers Game

Finally some mountain pics : )

WOW....we have an awesome creator~

Goofy me, Mal, and a couple of AMAZING scenery. I heart the mountains!

Each day got a little colder and even from Friday to Monday there was a big change. The last day was very foggy. It was fun attempting to explain to Justus about how we were in the clouds. The clouds came down to where we were. Just the day before at the grandview overlook you could see the entire mountain ridge of course in the picture there is nothing but us and the clouds.

Family pic beside the creek. Trying to keep the kids out of the water~


Mal looking goofy and my hair which is getting so long. As usual I don't know what to do with it so it's up in a ponytail.


Trouble walking!


One of the beautiful creeks


Another family snapshot

SO my pics are pretty scrambled up. The pictures of Zeke are at the apple orchard where we picked our own apples and the kids peeled their apple to eat. LOTS of fun! Plus we bought some delicious fudge that we ate before we could even take a picture. It was the case of the sweet piggy. The ones of Justus are at the caverns beside the creek.

This and that~

The snake that Zeke picked up. He thought it was a big worm. Thankfully non-poisonous!



Malachi practicing sitting up & entertaining himself.



Making puppy chow to send to a Navy buddy in a care package....they had so much fun!

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.