Justus's quote for the week~

"Uuum. I smell a bubble machine." He comes up with some crazy stuff. I guess he liked the smell & somehow has connected it with the smell of bubbles. Anyways what he was smelling was the "linen" disinfectant spray I was putting on the door handles to attempt to keep us healthy.

A few thoughts~

Do your newspapers do Valentine's ads??? Ours had TONS this year. I've never seen them before probably because we don't normally get the paper. But my parents ordered pizza and a free paper came with it. I think its a great gesture if your loved one reads every day. If Sam were to ever put one in for me I'd never see it though.

Today I'm watching the Amazing Race that I dvr'd and am so pleasantly surprised that one of the couples is Jeff and Jordan from last seasons Big Brother. I love BB and Jeff and Jordan were one of my FAVS last summer! I hope they do well.

Speaking of DVR's; ours is a pain in the butt these days. We changed our box over to an HD and it's been nothing but trouble. Anyone else have problems with their dvr box?

We celebrated Justus's sixth birthday this weekend. He was hilarious when we sang Happy Birthday he ducked his head and pretended to be shy. He was blushing just a bit. So cute! His actual bday was yesterday so we took cupcakes to school & celebrated with his classmates. Then we checked him out of school and went to play at Chucky Cheese for a few hours. It's really hard being separated from my boy. I'd love to home school if I had the confidence that I'd do him justice.

Mal's birthday is just around the corner. He's growing so super fast!!! We're working on eating more table foods because at the end of the month formula supply dries up. There are 8 teeth in that monster mouth and several more coming through. He's walking quiet well now. And trying to run when he knows I'm after him.

Mr. Zeke-----all boy. Messy and sneaky!!!! He is refusing to potty train! He'll be four in July and it's making me crazy. We all know that every child is different but geez louise! Potty train already!!!!

We're waiting on our tax rebate! THANK YOU JESUS we're getting some back. Our van has the kiss of death so we're gonna drive it till she dies. And be looking for a new one in the meantime. New to us that is.

I have this stubborn wart on my finger. I've tried the liquid remover and the "freeze therapy". It's not coming off. Any suggestions?

Oh me oh my~

Justus's goes to a Christian school this year and they have decided to add 6th grade this year. However they don't want to expand their facilities. While I can appreciate them staying with small classes they have created a panic in the way they have worded next years policies.

So by adding one class but not expanding the entire school has to be rearranged. And now there will only be one class of each grade. Parents were all in a panic this morning when the re-enrollment applications were available. Sam said they were fighting over the applications---seriously???

I mean I love him being at a Christian school. They allow us to do "family" trips in the middle of the year. And it's been an awesome experience for Justus so far but I'm not in LOVE with the school. Truthfully if I thought he'd enjoy it I'd much rather him stay here with me and homeschool.

Well anyways, the parents were staying right there to fill out the application. Sam couldn't get to the sign in sheet because the moms were all sitting at the table. It's not the only private Christian school in town. Geez people get a grip! Yes it would be disappointing for Justus to miss out being there next year but not the end of the world!

Handmade by Nana~

My mom made these beautiful stockings for Justus' teacher and her husband. I've got to learn how to do this. Can't remember if they are crocheted or knit. She tried to teach me when I was younger but I am left handed and was too impatient at the time. Now I do wish I already knew how!

Christmas goodies~

I made these for the teachers as Justus' school. German Chocolate cake and chocolate covered pretzels. We made the oreo balls the Crystal showed us---thanks bunches Crystal! And some other cookies that I placed on the tray at the bottom. I LOVE baking. Even though I'm not that great at it.

Mr. Mal

HELP, my ten month old is taking 3-4 steps at a time! And climbing up the steps as demonstrated in the pics. I'm so NOT ready for this!!!! He is still very unsteady and unsure of himself but that doesn't stop him from stopping and attempting. He also discovered how to get through the barrier of plastic tubs that keep him safe from our woodstove. Thankfully he is still pretty slow.

OH Zeke!

So the past couple days "Sneaky Zeke" has decided he is interested in going potty. I guess it's the first steps to potty training. Including our last trip to Walmart where we had to make an emergency stop at the bathrooms to pee---exactly two drops.

Today he upped the ante so to speak when instead of peeing in the potty he decided to stand on the very top step and pee there. Leaving the pee to drip down onto the freshly mopped floor and onto the baby's Johnny jumper thingy. It was a laugh or beat your child silly moment.

I chose laughter this time but quickly explained that I wouldn't tolerate that kind of nastiness again. Sam had to walk away. Now we will have a clean johnny jumper and again clean floor---however long that lasts!

Grumpy Old Troll

Mal has been torturing me to I decided that I'd return the favor & pull up his hair in the girly fashion. Justus said-"that's gross mom....a boy girl. Take it out." Yeah got a good laugh from that.

Ahhhhh. I slept more than 5 hours last night. A miracle in the making. And that was even with Mal & Ezekiel up until 3am. We have had one sickness after another for the past three to four weeks. Respiratory infection, ear infection, stomach bug, and now strep throat. Well thanks to hubby I finally got some rest & am feeling good.

Sitting around waiting for Mali-woo to decide he is good and ready to go to sleep. The little booger has been getting up two or three times a night. Geez- he's not a newborn anymore. Ahhhhhhh. It's exhausting. Sound familiar Stack? Well, he has been up for 5 hours. Maybe he will sleep through the night tonight. We'll see.

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!