I am no professional here....Just a Mom trying to take a good picture!

Yet another attempt at a good picture of the kids......

I don't know why we try.  I think in hopes that one day all of the kids will look at the camera with their best smile on their face looking as cute as can be.  It never works.  Don't get me wrong....my kids are as cute as can be, but one is always doing something different!  Ahhhh!

We went to Ebert's Greenhouse and Holy Hill for some fall fun.  Dan's sister and her boyfriend were kind enough to come along with us.  We told them they could escape us at any time...but they made it the whole time with us!  Gavin loves Lisa's boyfriend, Matt.  He kept calling Matt "Auntie Lisa" because he wasn't sure what to call him.  

Anyways, we attempted a few pictures of the kids.  Lanie wasn in a mood again...like usual.  So hard to crack that smile for her!  Here are some of the best ones we could get.  Don't tell Dan, but I want to go back and try again.  It was 85 degrees this day...maybe going on a colder day would help!  

 We took a picture like this last year.  Pretty soon there will be 2 little boys on one side and 5 girls on the other.  Enjoy your "man" time while you can, Gavin....there is going to be another little guy soon!

 Another failed attempt.  Do I expect perfection?  YES I DO!  Just one.  Just one shot of them all looking and smiling.  Do I ever get it?  NOPE!

 Maybe a different location would help?  What do you think?  NOPE!

                                                   When all else fails....make a funny face.

We didn't get many photos at Holy Hill.  It was closing and the kids were sick of pictures.  Dare we try and go back?  I don't think I can convince Dan of that one!


Okay and on another note.  I tried to update some pictures of the kids on the blog.  I don't know what I am doing.  I can't get all the pictures to be the same size.   I don't have anymore time to mess around with it.  So, even though Lanie's picture is 1/3 the size of everyone else....I still do love her just the same!  I think I need to take a class on blogging!

That's is for now....off to pick the kids up from school!  Have a great day everyone!

Yesterday was a good day....a much needed good day! Friends, husband, only 1 kid, and Hanna Andersson....what more can I ask for?

I won't lie.  I won't deny it.  If you know me....you know what a crazy life I have.  The last couple of weeks have been kind of rough.  My anxiety has kicked in to high gear.  If I could fast forward 8 weeks...I would in a heart beat.  All I want is to have my new baby boy in my arms...safe and sound.  I want to stop worrying if he is okay and when he will come.  I am a glass half empty kind of person.  I think I used to be a glass half full kind of girl, but I have had some things happen to me that make me tend to look more on the negative side than the positive side.  I don't like being this way....I don't want to be this way....I am working on it....but for right now....that's how I am.  So, anyways, I haven't had the best couple of weeks.  The reality of being a mom to 7 kids under 9 has kicked in.  How will I do it?  How will I manage a nursing, demanding, crying infant while still caring for the other 6 children?  I know it will be okay, I know we will all work together to make it work,  but the fear of the unknown is still scary.  I haven't been feeling very well the past couple of weeks.  I haven't been myself.  I had the doctor do some tests on me to see if my levels were all ok...and they are.  I think I have diagnosed myself....it's called "the state of being overwhelmed!"

Okay, I am going to end my pity party now.  So yesterday was a great day!  Dan and I were able to meet our dear friend, Julie, for lunch.  We haven't seen her in a long time and it was much over do.  We had some great conversation and it was so much fun to catch up.  Julie has promised that all of our kids can be in her wedding....now we just have to find her someone to marry!  Then, Dan and I were able to do some errand running.  Lots of in and out of the car.  Lanie was super duper crabby.  All of her top teeth have poked through now, but they are still bothering her.  My best friend is my husband and I love spending time with him.  I love that he wants to spend time with me.  We had a good day together getting Christmas gift ideas and just hanging out.  He was a trooper...he even went in to Joann's with me!  (a man's nightmare for sure!)

We picked the kids up from Dan's parents house and we headed home.  I had forgotten to get the mail yesterday so I grabbed that before we headed in.  I focused on a cream colored envelope with my name on it.  I don't get mail.  Well, I don't ever get any good mail I should say.  (except when I got a letter from Adam Stone...the CEO of Hanna Andersson).  So, I came inside and quickly opened the letter.  Okay are you ready for this now?  I received another hand written letter from the Marketing manager of Hanna Andersson.  Just thanking me for loving Hanna and sharing our family with them.  Now, I know what you are all thinking.  Hanna Andersson?  What? Really?  Why?  I can't explain it.  My very first blog on this site was about meeting the CEO of Hanna Andersson.  To me....it was like meeting a celebrity.  I could care less if Brad Pitt or Julia Roberts ran in to us at the mall.....but when we got to meet the CEO of Hanna Andersson, that was one of the best moments ever!  So, to receive a letter in the mail from him a few weeks ago and another yesterday from someone else was just unthinkable to me.  I am a nobody.  We are not anybody special.  We are just a big family, with lots of love, that loves Hanna clothes!  Good things don't happen to me.....but I must say I might be changing my out look.  Who knew one small card from someone could give me a boost that I needed?  I know I am carrying on here....and I know this may be so childish to many....but I am just beaming!

Adam Stone, the CEO, sent me a gift card to Hanna Andersson with his letter to me.  He had hoped we would use it to help towards the kids Christmas dresses.  When we were in Illinois a few weeks ago looking at a new van for our expanding family, we made a special trip to the Hanna store to pick out their dresses.  We were able to find matching dresses, a vest, and a one piece for all the kids!  Here is the best picture we could get so far!  The new baby boy has a matching romper to wear....so we won't be getting a Christmas card picture out until he arrives.  Can  you tell I am such a proud Mom?  I know Lanie isn't looking, but I think it gives a real picture of our life!  Actually, Lanie wasn't too sure about the boots I made her wear!

Okay I give up....I have tried to publish this blog 4 times now....each time it keeps deleting the rest of what I type.  (and it was some really deep good stuff too!)  Anyways, I will try to continue it on another post.  But for now I will just end it with the fact that this picture was an awesome reminder today of what an amazing life I have!  I couldn't ask for anything more......not a thing!

( I know the picture of the kids is kinda small...you can click on it to make it bigger if you would like!)

The Birthday Girls!

I feel like a chicken without a head.  I feel like a crazy person.  I feel like the days go by so fast.  I feel like I can't think straight.  I almost secretly want to go on bed rest so I can just sit on the couch and do nothing and not have to think about anything.  BUT,  I must keep going!  I HAVE to keep going.  Things haven't slowed down here one bit.  I don't feel like I gave Molly and Kenadie enough "blog time" for their birthday...so here you go!  

Molly Rose.  9 years ago Dan and I were clueless.  This pregnancy and baby thing was all new to us.  Molly was born 4 week early.  I had a long but very easy labor with her.  I remember thinking, "that's it?  That is what labor is?  I could do this 10 times!"  Ha!  Little did I know!  I had a REALLY good epidural with her.  No pain, no nothing.  A couple of pushes and BAM...our sweet baby girl was here.  (I won't go in to detail about the pain I suffered after she was born....that was way worse than labor for sure!)  Anyways, we were in love.  Molly stopped breathing 1 week after she was born.  I won't go into detail as it is a long story, but it was the scariest day of my life.  My daughter was turning blue and I couldn't help her.  

 Fast forward 9 years and here we are!  Molly is and AMAZING little girl.  She has a very giving heart.  She has a very helping heart.  She is very compassionate and caring.  She is an awesome big sister.  She is a great helper.  Molly LOVES to watch TV.  We call her "TV eyes!"  If the TV is on...Molly is trying to watch it.

 Molly is an awesome soccer player.  I was so amazed by her this past Saturday at her game.  She had control of the ball for most of the game.  She has really great ball handling skills and can move the ball down the field past all the other players, no problem.  Her coach mentioned how good she was to us on Saturday.  I was so proud of her!

I love that Molly still wants to be little.  Don't get me wrong, she is growing up and giving us some attitude, but she still loves being a kid.  She still wants to do things with us.  She still thinks we are cool.  She still likes to play with Barbies or squinkies or little pet shop.  She is the leader of the kids.  She always has something lined up for them to do.  She helps Gavin a lot!  She tries to do what is right.  She is a good student and a great listener.  I don't ever have to worry that she is not behaving or listening.  I know she is.  I don't know what we did with her to make her such a good kid....(if I did, I would try doing the same thing so Gavin would change!)  but I know she has Jesus in her heart and she loves Him dearly.  

I still can't believe I am a Mom of a 9 year old.  I am so thankful to have Molly and for the time we get to spend together.  I am so very proud of the young lady she is becoming.  I love her giving heart.  I love that she is the best big sister ever!  I can't wait to see what plans God has in store for her as she gets older.  I love you, Molly Rose!  

Kenadie Faith......

Kens turned 5 last year.  Where did those 5 years go too?  When you are number 4 in the family, things are a little different than when you were first born.  Kens is so easy going.  She just goes with the flow.  Kenadie is so independent.  We call her "floppy body."  Kens tends to kinda just trip or fall very easily.  She can just be walking down a open hallway and fall.  She will pop right back up and say, " I'm okay,"  Her legs are always covered in bruises.  

  
 Kenaide rocks at soccer.  This past Saturday, they had to put a 2nd grader in her game because she was scoring too much.  It is funny to hear what the other parents have to say about her as she takes full control of the entire soccer field.  I think she may be following in Molly and Sadie's foot steps with soccer.  We may be able to have our own team!  Kens has a smile that can change your mood.  She also says the most hilarious things.  She is a little comedian.  She is a great big sister....to Lanie.  Her and Gavin can be the best of buddies one minute and the next minute he is hitting her and she is scratching him.  Kenadie is our biggest "junk" collector.  You should see her desk.  Sadie and Molly's desks are spotless and organized.  Kenadie's desk is covered in "treasures"  I can't even see her desk....it is so covered with stuff.  Kenadie is in her own world most of the time.  She can play a "story" with just about any little toy or trinket.  She loves to create stories all by herself and play them.  She loves to play with her sisters, but she can also play very independently by herself.

 Kenadie loves going to school.  She says she doesn't have any friends or play with anyone...but she is always looking forward to going.  ( and when I peek in on her...she is always playing with someone!)  Kenadie is great about telling us what other people are doing....aka tattling.  She has a little kitty and blanket that she sleeps with every night.

 KenadieKenadie still has a break down now and then.  She had one this past Saturday at soccer.  When she has a breakdown....you have to leave her alone.  She talks to no one.

I can't believe she is five...yet I can't believe she is only five.  Sometimes she seems so much older to me.  I pray that Kenadie will keep developing into a kind little girl and become a woman of God!  She is an amazing daughter and a great little girl.  Sometimes I have to remind myself that she is ONLY five.  She is allowed to have break downs and act crazy and silly.  I love you, my little peanut butter and jelly Sandwich!

2 weeks in a nutshell.....

Where did the last 2 weeks go?  I am not really sure?  They seemed to zoom right by in the blink of an eye!   In a nutshell....we had soccer games, soccer practices, 2 birthdays, special days, shopping, date night, ultrasounds, walk-a-thon, thirty-one party, play dates, Dan out of town again, test driving vehicles, snack days, Train rides, birthday cake, teacher treat Fridays, working, cleaning, playing, oh and so much more!  

So here are a few pictures to highlight!  

We drove to Illinois on Saturday after the kids soccer games to look at a van.  In 2 months, we will no longer fit in our minivan.  We need something bigger...or two cars....so Dan found this beast of a van for me!  It seats 9!  And we all fit in it very comfortably.  It isn't really pretty and it is huge....but it works!  We were at the dealership for 5 hours.  The kids were AMAZING.  I am not kidding.  They played outside the whole time and made up some kind of story.  No fighting, no yelling, no nothing.  Man, I love my kids!  Anyways, they tried to get us to buy it.  Dan said yes, I said no.  I won.  The dealership let us test drive the van for the weekend.  So we drove it home and took it back on Tuesday.  Someone asked me if I was from "19 kids and counting"  No lie, people.  Anyways, we DID NOT buy the van.....yet.  We are price shopping and comparing.  It is just a matter of time.  So when you see me driving the party bus....make sure to wave!    Donations are being accepted :)

 Uncle Joe and Aunt Chelsea sent a huge box of gifts for the kids.  Squinkies...their favorite!  Thank you Aunt Chelsea and Uncle Joe for thinking of them and taking the time to send them something!  Thank you, also, for Skyping with the kids, Joe.  They miss you dearly...and so do I!

 I was working one day and Lanie was keeping herself busy.  It got a little too quiet for me.  I checked on her and she had fallen asleep on the kitchen floor.  Did I mention how much she loves her "blanks!"

 The kids school had a Walk-a-thon.  Lanie was all bundled up and ready to walk.

 Molly was paired with her chapel buddy.  She did a good of making sure she stayed with her!

 Gavin didn't walk...he ran.  And he had a blast.  Gavin is well liked by some of the older boys so they kept him company!

 My mom had a birthday party for Molly and Kenadie at her house on Sunday.  Oma was so nice and made and decorated a Rupunzel cake with/for Kenadie.  Kenadie did more tasting than decorating.

 We took the kids to a train club place by my mom's house.  It was free.  The kids rode on these home made trains.  Way cool.  The kids had a blast!

 Auntie Dawn was nice enough to ride with Lanie.  She seemed to like it!

 Daddy had to get in on the fun too!  The kids rode around the track at least 5 times.

 Auntie Angela made Kenadie and Molly new pillow cases and gave them super soft pillows!  They are so spoiled!  Thanks Auntie Angela!  (oh and thanks Uncle Brian too, for working so hard to make money so Angela could buy the pillows and stuff to make them! )

 Molly chose a pumpkin ice cream cake.  YUMMY!  It was all gone...no leftovers.

 Look at how pretty Runpunzel looks!  Kens and Oma did a great job!

 Molly got a Nook for there birthday, a pair of pajamas, a scensty buddy, and a purse to put her nook in from us.  She loves to read!

Kens got two sing-a-majigs, squinkies, and an American Girl doll.  Her favorite thing?  The pack of $9 squinkies.  Yup....the doll got pushed aside.  The doll she has been asking for, for a long time.

We took Kens to Abblebee's for her birthday dinner last night.  I asked Dan to grab the camera....he didn't. We celebrated with a cupcake when we got home.

It has been a crazy couple of weeks for us.  Baby #7 will be here in 8 weeks.  That is in 2 months.  The car seat is out and ready.  Nothing else is.  I am trying to be prepared, really I am.  I just don't have enough time or energy.  I honestly don't know how I am going to do what I need to do with 7 kids.  I know that somehow God will give me the strength to do it all...that is the only thing I can focus on right now.  Between car shopping, birthdays, working, volunteering, cleaning, cooking, shopping, playing, preparing, planning, and sleeping God has helped me get through it all so far.  What's one more kid?  Right?

I will try to keep you updated.  The baby name has been agreed on.  We LOVE the name.  My sister-in-law has already made him a stocking to hang up just in time for Christmas!  I am not to the uncomfortable stage yet....I am still functional.  However, I am so anxious to hold this little (well, maybe not so little) boy in my arms and kiss and hug him.  I may never let go of him.  You have all been warned.....this will be our last one....I will have to do all the holding I can!

We have a busy weekend ahead of us.  Kenadie