Kindness

"Treat everyone with kindness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are."

One of the most important things I teach my children - to always be kind.

I tell them to be kind, but more importantly I show them to be kind.

There are people in this world that can hurt you.

There are people that will be rude to you.

I think it is very important to just continue to be yourself. Don't let another person change who you are.



Thoughts

"Children may not always seem to be listening, but they are almost always watching. Be kind."

So the other day Jacob points at my tummy and says "Baby."

Later that same day Sarah asks me when I'm having my next baby.

And to top it off, our dog kept following me around - which he does when I'm pregnant. (It's kind of sweet.)

But what does this mean? It certainly had me wondering about our family's future.

Tom and I have chosen to accept all children God has planned for us.

I know I have enough love and care.

And I am to the point where my faith is bigger than my fear -

fear of having enough space and money.

I truly feel our children are blessings.

Each one just feels "right." Like my heart has known them forever.

True. We are a big number.

We have had to accept that we aren't going to be included in some things.

We don't get invited to parties like we used to.

We can't afford to go out and do certain activities anymore.

I do catch myself feeling sad when I know we've been left out.

But our children are worth every penny.

Our children appreciate each other and have fun together.

Their bedrooms are crowded, but they are only for sleeping and keeping clothes in.

When they are laughing and playing, my soul just smiles.

I say "thank you" to God and I feel Him smile down on me - like He is saying "thank you" to me for taking care of His children.

He has given me a very important job. I am going to do it well.



November - Thankful

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."

November.

A time to really think about what I am thankful for.

My birthday was this month.

I am thankful for another year.

And what a great year!

 Another little member of our family has joined us.

Last year on Thanksgiving is when we shared our pregnancy with everyone.

CJ is such a blessing. He is very happy. He loves to smile.

Waking up to a little smiling face with eyes sparkling at you is the best way to start a day. Holding CJ and having his arms reach for me and his little hands grab at me is the best feeling.

Even when my hair gets yanked.

And the smell of him.

I truly think that Heaven smells like a baby's head.

I am thankful for our messy home.

Toys on the floor, counters full of crumbs, a sink full of dirty dishes, coats and shoes on the floor, towels and laundry piled everywhere,...

Signs that:

1. We are a large family.

2. We are able to provide for our family what we need.

3. Our children like to have fun.

For these, I am thankful.

Chores are patient.

By the end of the day, they will get done.

(Or maybe the next day.)

I am thankful for family and friends...

especially those who know and accept that our home is messy. It is messy because our family lives here, not because we are lazy. And let's face it - more people means more stuff. Plus, there are just more important things to do sometimes.

For example,

Jacob and I have joined a parent-child play place. I used to take my younger children, but stopped going when life got a little too busy. Now I realize what is important. 

I found a photo of Brandon from about 14 years ago. He was almost 2. Jacob looks a lot like him.

It makes me realize how quickly time goes by.

Having Jacob and Cameron is like flashing back to when I only had Brandon and Ethan.

I want to really enjoy my husband and children.

Really enjoy my life.

I am thankful for the kindness of others.

I have been blessed by many who are close to me, but I have also been blessed by many strangers.

To those I can not thank in person, may they know that I am very touched by their kindness.

I plan to continue the kindness.

I plan to pass it on.

God has surrounded me and my family with so much goodness to be thankful for.

Halloween 2011

"When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween."

Halloween was a lot of fun again this year.

Our 3 girls were fairies and I was their Momma-Fairy.

Our oldest boys were Reapers.

Jakey was a bat and Cameron was a puppy.

The cutest part was when you'd ask Jakey what Cameron was, he would say "Baby a Woo Woo."

(Woo woo is doggy in Jakey language.)

Jacob got the hang of trick or treating very quickly. He loved running up to the doors and getting candy. The first couple of homes he let them hand him candy - after that, he would reach in and grab his own.

He did get really good at saying "Thank you!" by the end of the evening.

Jakey went for over 2 hours! He wanted to keep going, but it was getting late. Plus, it was dark out and he was running around in an all black outfit.

Good thing his shoes light up.

I was thankful that Tom got home in time to spend the last hour with us trick or treating. He was too.

Another fun night of trick or treating with our neighbors and friends.

Our children are off from school for half of this week. Parent-teacher conferences. Looks like I'll go alone, but so far I am very happy with how our children are doing this year.

Sarah enjoys preschool very much! She has the same teacher that Leah had. Leah learned so much in preschool - I am happy she has the same teacher. (She also has the same bus driver which is wonderful! She is the best driver and really starts Sarah's day off right! Plus, Jakey loves to go out and blow kisses to the driver and assistant on the bus.)

Leah loves kindergarten! And we've been blessed with the same teacher as Rachel and Noah had. She is wonderful! Love her! I got to go to Leah's class on her birthday and help celebrate their Fall party. Extra special day.

Rachel is enjoying school this year and I am learning that she has the best teacher this year! I was able to go spend time with Rachel on Halloween in her classroom for their Fall party. Rachel's teacher allows siblings which is great for our family! Jakey, Sarah, and Cam got to come with me. Her teacher is very sweet and kind. I think she is the perfect match for Rachel.

(Hopefully Leah will get her for 3rd grade.)

Noah has the same teacher Ethan had for 4th grade.

I am looking forward to meeting with her this week. Noah was just diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and we know from Brandon that our child's school and teacher are very important during this time. So far it seems that Noah's teacher is very willing to help us. She communicates well with me and uses positive reinforcement with Noah. Noah really likes his teacher and he told me that he thinks he got the best 4th grade teacher.

Ethan and Brandon are doing well enough that we won't have conferences at their schools. I kind of wish we were - just because I like to know the face of the person I am emailing with. Plus, I only hear what my teenagers think of their teachers. I would like to meet them and decide for myself what they are like.

This morning I had to take my boys to the Orthodontist, but before that I was sitting in my room with my girls. They like to go through my old "dress up" jewelry. My 2 oldest girls had a little conversation that went like this...

Leah: Mommy has had 8 babies.

Does that mean she and Daddy have

gotten married

over and over again?

Rachel: No.That just means that

she has kissed Daddy over and over.

That's where babies come from.

But Mommy, how do the babies

get in your tummy?

Me: Ummm....

Leah: God puts them in there.

Me: That's right. Thank you Leah.