Life

This is honestly the first chance I have had to fold this laundry. I have kept up with the washing; I can always throw a load in on my way out the door. The folding takes time. Time is what I do not have.

This is what I am looking at right now. It's my bedroom. It's a mess. What's worse is that this is what it looks like more often than not lately. 
Here's what made me want to write this post. I haven't gotten a single complaint from the dreamy guy I share this room with. Not a single groan or heavy sigh from the fella that can't stand to walk into a house strewn with toys and clothes. And to bring it home, my whole house looks like this right now.  He's been incredibly patient over the whole deal. It makes me want to clean house and get fancied up before he gets home tonight. I think I will!

Lvb

Pantsisms

I tried to get a picture of her new teeth and she kept saying,

"Anybody for some bootybooty?"

She kept laughing so hard that the pictures were all blurry. Crazy girl!!

Gingerbread Houses 2011

I love this tradition, but it is extremely labor intensive. The mess is hard to describe, especially when sprinkles come into the mix. But we will never skip doing it. I love it and smile every time I walk past our little village!

This year we put the almond bark into a crock pot so that there was no fight over the microwave. And because we could scrape all the hardened chocolate back into the crock, there was less waste.

One of my little ones asked if I could make a tree house gingerbread house. It didn't turn out quite like I had hoped, but it was fun and that's the point, I guess...

Lvb

My Boys

I love these guys!

Whata greeaat life!

Little Blessings!

I love living in Missouri!

Lvb

Stranded

This morning while.I eas running errands, I really thought about buying a new battery while I was close to Wal-Mart, but I decided to wait it out. Little did I know, next stop I'd be stranded in the parking lot of the Dry Cleaners. It doesn't help that I had some dental work this morning and half of my tonbue is numb. Every time I have to explain this situation, I am bumbling and lisping (think Daffy Duck) through the explanation.

Ugh... Car troubles ain't no good!!

Lvb

S'mores Pizza

Brown sugar
Graham cracker crumbs
Butter
Chocolate chips
Marshmellows
Pizza crust

BEST THING EVER!!!

Sooo...

He'll make a million someday.

Engineer

Tre: Mom! I'm building a ride! This is the harness. You throw this rope over a tree limb and someone pulls you up!

This is his third project in 24 hours that I have had to pull the brakes on. The first one was a breathing mask involving a plastic bag on his head. The second was a handmade snorkle made out of straws. If he survives these first 18 years, he will be just fine! We're halfway there!!

Just another day in paradise

It's nuts around here. Kennedy is so excited about ballet that her enthusiasm is catching on! Last night after i got off work, she taught her first ballet class with three students. About five mintes after they arrived, Deisha walked into the kitchen and threw up all over the floor. About that time I got a rare phone call, and of course Scarlette broke out into a hysteria. The same night while I was sitting with Deisha in the basement, the toilet gurgled a few times and shot water all over the bathroom floor.

Listen, I don't mind a little chaos in my life. I am learning that some things matter and some rhings don't. But the key to that is finding the good part in the mess. When the plumber arrived, I shadowed him the whole time. It was probably obnoxious, but I have a lot of traffic on those toilets! I need to know how to clear the lines. Thanks to Mr. Roto Rooter I now know how to access the line from outside and how to use 100 foot auger. Can't beat a lesson from a pro!

It's these crazy days that make the hard days more bearable.

A quick FYI here: If you you find yourself with a clogges toilet, don't trouble yourself with flushing dish soap and boiling water for an hour. There will be bubbles coming out of every toilet in the house, and the plumber will make fun of you!

Lvb

Patrick and Spongebob

Lol did this whole thing all by herself! Yay for you!

Brothers

How much alike we are
We could be long lost brothers,
We even think the same
You know there may be others...

Can you name that tune?

Lvb

Always something...

Deisha: Mom! I'm having a good time wiss my banana!

Me: What did you say, honey?

Deisha: Wipe that smile off your face.

You never know with this kid!

Lvb

Halloween

I'm a little backwards, but here are some photos I took right before we went Trick or Treating.

We went out with three other families in an awesome neighborhood. There were kids everywhere, and with thirteen in our group we had a few close calls. I was glad when Deisha decided she was done so I could go back to the house and hang out with the ladies. Dale had the night off so he stayed with the rest of our crew until they each had way too much candy.

Every year I worry about missing houses on the other side of the street. Then when I realize the volumes of candy we acquire, I am appalled. Not the mention the volumes of candy that I consume...

Anyway, hope you are celebrating!

Lvb

Happy Thanksmas to All

It's the most wonderful time of the year...!

We are headed to Target to browse through the North Pole.

Please note the Thanksmas earrings Jasmine made me!

Lvb

May I just say...

It's the day before Halloween. Two days till Thanksmas. I have daydreamed about these holidays minimally this year. It's great, don't get me wrong, I just haven't had a lot of time thinking about it. Too. Busy.

Tomorrow night I intend to dress up and take these great kids trick or treating, which will hopefully get me into the swing of the most wonderful season of all!

If not, it may take some extreme measures to blow the doors off this apathy.

Lvb

The "T" Word

Tre: Mom, Robin Hood says the "t" word.

Me: What?

Tre: The "t" word, it says it all over it. All over Robin Hood.

Me: What "t" word?

Tre: The "T-I..."

Me: Spell all of it.

Tre: T-I-D-E

Wow.

Lvb

Waiting for a Miracle

My little brother, T.R., was diagnosed with oral cancer eight days ago. It's the strangest thing. He doesn't fit any statiscal eligibility except for being male. It should be a mistake. It should have been a canker sore.

There is a lot I want to say, but I am incredibly emotional about the whole ordeal. It's best if I shield you from that... But we do need your prayers. T.R. needs your prayers. If you would write his name in the corner of your checkbook register, or on the welcome page of your phone, or on the coloring page on your fridge, maybe you will remember to ask God in His infinite mercy to heal my brother. His life depends on it.

Specifically, we are asking for healing for him, wisdom for Mel as she supports him in all of this, and money to come in like a flood. They are not insured and have a young family. He has an appointment on Tuesday, so you can also pray that the doctors are baffled as they find him completely healthy!

You are my friends, and I am thankful to be able to entrust you with this.

Lvb

Last Picnic of the Year!

Dale planned a walk on the trails and a final family picnic with the little girls while the rest of us finished school this morning.

The picnic tables are 1.5 miles from the starting point of the trail, so the big kids rode bikes and skates.

I have to tell you, I loved it. This girl almost never volunteers an idea that involves being outside. It's just not my thing... But I do try to have a cheerful attitude when I know I have to be a part of it. Today proved that, that pays off sometimes. Besides, I burned 300 calories with the deal!

I hope you are enjoying these incredible fall days!

Lvb

P.s. I just realized my big kids are.all frowning! Hahaha! Crazy kids!!

Indoor Picnic

Deisha: Get the- get the whitehead outta here! (pointing to Scarlette)

Leila: The redhead, get the redhead.

Sunshine

She makes me smile!

Forty Years

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! You are amazing...