A post days before school started

Just a couple more days until school starts for us in this busy house of our. The girls are all super excited along with our youngest he to is excited. He calls it is class time and can't wait. Our oldest on the other hand is ok with it, not jumping for joy but he kinda has a little attitude, all those to will pass. So we're hoping that changes when he sees how its going to turn out. We are going to be having our plates very full to start off with and of course if things get to be to much for one then we'll adjust the plans. So far we have the three girls doing Cheer leading, the Football Coach for Trisitan's team keeps asking him to join, now into a week of their practicing already Chris hit up Tristian again today at Church about playing. I don't think he really wants to so we're not going to push it. He told both of us this evening that he doesn't want to do any sports this year except weights and swimming. So that's fine with us. Also Awana's is going to be starting up this next month or in Oct. through the church on Monday nights and I know the 4 younger kids would love to join that. And then youth group on Wed. nights...... I think our plates will be full. Because somewhere in between all those things, we have dr. appts, dentist appts, ortho appts (although not for much longer hopefully) grocery shopping for 7 is a chore in and of its self and then play dates with the little one. So with all that will be starting this month and months to come I have to remember to keep Friday evenings open, that is our family/Movie/Game night and I won't budge on that. I have mentioned before or at least I thought I have but I am going to have each one of the older three kids plan a meal for their certain night of the week for dinner. I thought that would help them and me as in planning our menu's etc. I will have to let you all know how that really goes. So tomorrow I will be getting out our family schedule/to do list and put it back up in the kitchen so hopefully things will run smoothly as we start this new home schooling project. And of course we will change things as we go and will find out what works for us and what doesn't. My dear husband keeps telling me everything will be just find and about all the faith he has in me and my abilities to teach all five kids ranges from ages 4 to 14. I can do this and with my God and my faith we all can do it!!!!!

Lovin' Simplicity..........

So with schooling at home is getting ready to start in about a week in a half. We will all be getting started with our routine with bedtimes again and all the things that go along with that. Also I have been looking into using my crock pot a whole lot more. I have been looking up a lot of recipes and making a list. Also the leftovers will be great for school time lunches, there are even some recipes for breakfast. Now wouldn't that be just perfect to wake up and have breakfast all ready for the family?? Oh the thought of that......With having a preschooler, 1st grader, 4th grader and a 7th & 8th grader all at home schooling this year my time will be mostly devoted to them and not so much on cooking up a big dinner for the family. I was also thinking about making things as simple as possible. Like a friend of mine said, "The laundry, dishes and such are never done. There will always be a meal to make, a mess to clean up. If I just fit it in when I can, I am a much happier person!" Those who know me know that I have always worried about how clean my house is etc. Well I am welcoming simplicity into our home!! I know that hubby and the kids will feel a little bit relieved of that....now don't get me wrong our home will still be clean I am just going about it a different way. I am figuring out what my prioritize are and they are having a nurturing family, happiness, health and embracing simplicity!!!


Here is just some of our books for the kids, the rest are still in boxes.

Can you say animal shelter?????

I feel we are turning into a animal shelter.....many of you know how we acquired 4 kittens within 2 days of each....2 we adopted because momma was killed and they were 3wks old...then the next day there were 2 kitties from a stray that lived in a field. Now today dad found a baby squirrel that had fell from a tree and momma was dead....so we are heating the baby on a heating pad and feeding it milk. It's eyes aren't even open and it barely moves, just a little at a time. And then here comes 2 of our daughters back from the park and our oldest has her shirt wrapped up.....with another kitten maybe about a week or so younger then what we have already.

Our new addition on the bottom of our other kitty and then our baby squirrel.

Another week in review

We haven't been up to a whole lot this last week or two so here are just some quick pics. Soon after we get all the kids books and school stuff all organized in their desks and work stations I will post pictures of them. So I better get on it because Sept. 1st is approaching fast. They all are so excited for this year!!!

Here is a picture of one of the six new (to us) chairs we bought from a local Cafe closing up shop. We did some researching and some chairs from the same company but a little different design (ie. seat) are going for 400.00 each!! We about fell over when we found that out. We paid less then 10.00 for each. I guess it was meant to be. I tried buy other chairs earlier in the week and the lady sold them out right from under us. I was a bit frustrated but it all worked out for the better. Patience has never been on my side....that's something I've been working on. So if any of you like these chairs he has lots more to pick from, just let me know. Now all I have to wait for is for my dear hubby to build me that big beautiful table he has promised me a while back......remember I am trying to be patient.....

Trinity and Savannah showing off their new hair cuts they just got. Trinity's is basically the same just trimmed up and Savannah she got a lot taken off. They both like the stacked bob style haircut. And actually Trinity is a bit honored to have her little sister want her same kind of style. Lookin good girls!!!

This morning the little two kids started of the day by styling daddy's hair but for some reason I didn't get a picture of them but I did get one of Savannah doing his hair. Doesn't he look really happy?? What you really can't see is all the water that was running down his face and neck from a VERY wet comb.....lol Oh ya and I am totally loving the headband. The blessings of having so many girls in the house.

I took the kids the a local Middle School where a church was putting together some fun things for the kids to do. So here is Zachie jumping for the first time in a blow up house. He had a ball!!!!

He didn't want to get out!

Sierra coming down the water slide and oh boy the water felt so good it was in the mid 90's if not hotter that day.


Happy Birthday to Daddy....the big 39!!! Every year the kids make him a cake and it always has a girlie theme/colors. I don't know just a running joke. Last year he had a pick cake, pink frosting with pink sparkles. Silly kids. Well this year not as girlie but it still have light pink and yellow around the edges. So there you go daddy!!

Tristian wanted me to shave his head bald so there you go. I also cut Zachie's hair but you just can't see it that well in this picture. And I am not quiet sure why Zach is trying to plug his brothers nose??........

Tristian (obviously before the haircut) said he would make dinner for us the other night. Bless his heart he did a great job! Although cutting the onions was not his favorite.

In deep concentration........

The end project was Shepard's Pie. Very good Tristian and thank you very much!!! We might have to do this more often......how does this sound....we each have our own dinner night??? At least the older kids....hmmmm

Oh yeah and then there is this picture. Now all my kids know I HATE snakes, spiders and pretty much anything that moves really fast. So that being said Zachie our youngest comes in and grabs my camera, I was thinking maybe something that the boys built outside and he wanted to take a picture of it to save it.....OH NOOOO he runs in the house and says "Momma look what Tristian and I got" and shoved the camera in my face. You would have thought the snake was sitting on my lap. Kids I tell especially boys.....boys that know what your sacred of.....those little turkeys!!! Boy how I love them all!!!!

Summer Fun & Blessings Part 2

The kids Aunt Lala and Herb FINALLY got here, only after 3 months of trying. See they live on the road driving long haul truck. Every time their dispatch said they were sending them this way the plans changed and they were heading some where else like Florida or Maine and everywhere in between. But after all that they got here for the Fourth!!! We went and bought fireworks ate and when it was dark enough shot off the fireworks, thanks to pyro buff Dave. He did a great job!!

They bought back with them toys and two very neat kites so the next day we all flew kites on the train tracks in front of our house. The kids got a show as well as those driving down the highway liked them too.

Aunt Lala and Herb left after a couple of days and Herb told us that they was going to buy a swimming pool for the kids so they didn’t have to keep asking to go to town to swim in the city pool. Well just a couple of days ago this is what we got when the FedEx man came by our house……

We have yet to be able to go through a day without them getting into it. THANK YOU TO AUNT LALA & HERB!!!!!! Also they have invited us to Mardi Gras next year. Yeah we are counting down the days to that as well. That could be our honeymoon that we have never had.

This brings us to our 5th Anniversary July 9th. I know everyone says they have married the best man in the world but I have to truly say I believe I have!!! When I met him he was a single soldier 13 plus years in the Army, traveled the world and actually wanted me along with my 8yr old son, 6yr old daughter, 3yr old daughter and a 10 month baby daughter. He took us all on and filled the shoes of a dad, daddy and a father whatever you want to call him. He is an amazing man and I am bless to have him as my husband. I believe he has definitely won Father of the Year and Husband of the Year as well. I love you honey with all my heart. Happy Anniversary!!!