coming to a close.

Summer vacation is coming to a close. I’m trying to ignore the fact that Chris is going back to his other job (besides being a full-time dad this summer) in a couple days: high school math teacher (sobbing). Fortunately, he gets home early most days and comes home during his lunch break.

Even though the sun didn't shine as much as we would've liked and not all our bucket list items got checked off this summer, we had some great family road trips and spent a lot of time just stepping back from the grind-- I guess you could just say that we relaxed... So we're gonna miss you, Summer vacation, and will think of you fondly. We'll also be greatly looking forward to seeing you again. 

tennis.

Today was the last day of Summer tennis. 

Six of our kids attended: Sophia, Charlie, Pearl, Lincoln, Ruby and Jasper. 

There were a couple of my kids who complained and gave me ugly faces on their first day. They all ended up loving it!

The coach said it was the best summer camp he's ever had. I wonder if it had anything to do with the six competitive characters jumping out of my car for practice. 

They loved the coach, said he was hilarious! He even gave the three boys their own rackets at the end. 

Sophia, the most vocal about being 'forced' to try it out, ended up joining the coach's high school team. Her choice. She loves tennis now! This will be in addition to her dance. 

Some times it's good to broaden your horizons.

scuba.

This kid is taking a scuba class on the Navy base for the first time. Because that's Parker. 

Letting my kids grow up causes growing pains on my heart. But then-- when you step back and look at who your kids have grown up and become, you think, "Wow. They're so awesome," and it makes you cry. Because you know you did a good job even through the trials. I thank God because it was His grace that brought us to the place we are now. 

Even the hard times-- all worth it in the end. 

This is my first born. Parker. 

Now he has a job that he goes to at 4:45 in the morning and has had not once complained. When his shift is over, he comes home for lunch and then, off to football. After football, he comes home, eats and goes to bed. 

So when he's not working or in football, he's at the ocean being refreshed. 

He is hungry for the world. Wanting to experience all the adventures it holds. Which is why he's taking a scuba class today after work-- he likes trying things a little bit off the beaten path and he's still considering trying to become a navy seal after college. 

By the way-- I was against him getting a job just cause I wanted him to be free from that kind of responsibility (he has his whole life to work...), but he liked the idea of getting a paycheck to buy those extra things for his truck (which he's nicknamed 'Ophelia') that belonged to my Dad! Ha!

To my kids-

Stay wild, stay free.

Make it last forever.

summer 2018.

It’s taken me a long time to come around to liking the beach. 

Just never liked the baby eating sand, baby crawling all over mommy with sand covered hands, sand in the diaper. 

But now that our youngest is three, I have fallen in LOVE. My happy place. My place where the kids don’t fight. My place where all is right in the world. 

Strange because I grew up in the Palisades and never really went to the beach that often. I’ve now lived here for 15 years and even though my kids have always LOVED the beach, I have just now really discovered just how wonderful the beach is to me. 

And with 11 kids, maybe one of them will become a pro surfer. Who knows....

pearl & basketball.

Her first tournament. Her 4th game.
Only been playing 3 weeks....she's still learning!

his first passport.

Last night was bittersweet. 

I spent a little part of the evening helping Parker fill out about seven different forms. 

As we finished, I put my hand on his and kind of jokingly said I just helped you fill out forms to become an adult.

Bittersweet.

I knew this time was coming. The next chapter. But it's not easy.

I know some parents are eager for their kids to move out. Not me. I really like this kid.

We spent this morning at the passport office getting him a passport for a big trip he's taking to England and Scotland with a small group from the church that Chris and I were sent out of. 

It was really hard for me to say yes. Ugh. Such a Mom. 

Our Pastor and his wife are going, along with Chris' mom and Parker's two cousins who are seniors as well.

I'll need a lot of prayer while Parker's on his trip. I had all my 'what ifs' which I spilled all over Chris when we were deciding to let Parker go.

Having a Mom's heart sometimes hurts and makes decisions complicated. Especially considering the world we live in today.

But God is always God and decisions become easier when I'm reminded that Parker is in His hands and in His care.

four new fuzzy chicks.

At the beginning of the month, I warned Chris that I was getting tempted to buy some baby chicks. 

Then just recently while we were at the market, he quickly mentioned that maybe we needed to get a few more chickens to produce more eggs. If you know Chris at all, then you know that he doesn’t just blurt out random things. And since he already knew I was really wanting to add to our flock, I immediately took it as a promise that we get some new chicks.

And just so you know, when I hear “some”, I think 9. But when he says “some”, he means 2, so we compromised and got 4.

And since Jace LOVES baby chicks as much as I do, I decided to tell him that they were for his birthday. Of course, he was so excited to go with us to the feed store and help pick some out.

While at the feed store, we learned that they’ll be getting another shipment of chicks on March 7, and since I never tire of baby fuzzy chicks, I may just have to get two more. [By the way, the next ones I want lay Chocolate colored eggs.] 

sunday.

Our littlest is turning three tomorrow. My heart's not ready.

Tesha.

Hope doesn't take the pain away. 

Hope can't control the grief. 

But hope tells me that my brother will pick up the broken pieces and put them back together for their children. 

Hope tells me that Jimmy will honor Tesha in all he does. 

Hope tells me that we will all see her again. 

Please pray for my brother and their six children. 

I wish I could take their pain away and the fact that I can't is gut wrenching to me. Paralyzing at times. 

But I know that Jesus will carry them. Jesus will comfort them. And we have Tesha to thank for that. 

Because of her, my brother, her children, me and my children have Jesus. She was the one who took him to church and they later took me to church! 

To know Tesha was to know the most caring person in the whole world. She loved people and people loved her. She had the heart of Jesus. 

My heart is broken and will never be the same. 

But I'm blessed to know the sweetest most caring person I've ever met and to call her my best friend and my sister. 

sunday's children.

Still working on getting Jace to smile for pictures.

cherish.

My heart explodes every night my boys come bursting through the door and come looking for me to tell me all about how their football practice was.

As sure as the sun sets, there isn't a day that goes by that this doesn’t happen.

I cherish these times and I cherish every second I get to call these kids mine.

tea time.

There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned tradition— and my group loves traditions. 

Things they can count on and enjoy. 

Having tea time is one of them. 

At first it was something I did for them so we could sit down and be a family and if everything went well, I’d read them a story or poem. Sometimes it was a chore just to get it all ready and have them sit for a few moments. 

But then it began to happen… I would be out running an errand or some other thing and I would call the house to check in with everyone only to learn that it was “tea time”. 

I was shocked and greatly pleased that it mattered so much to the kids that they still made it happen. 

A few of the kids have even stepped up, taking on different roles. Sophia has become the tea time treat maker and surprisingly, Lincoln loves making the tea. He claims he makes it the best. 

And Jasper and Ruby actually love setting the table and making it nice. 

Mission accomplished!

candle making.

I’ve been totally scared into not using scented candles anymore. 

Total bummer. 

If it’s true how bad they are, I want to stay away from them even if they are one of my favorite things. Mostly since Parker and Sophia have allergies. Not fun for them.

I decided to go with pure organic beeswax because of all the benefits for my pack. And why not take it one step further and make our own candles? 

I think I enjoyed the activity even more than the kids.

And after researching organic beeswax, I tried to convince Parker to make that his major when he goes off to college. Organic Beekeeper. 

However, he wasn’t quite so interested as I was. 

I’ll keep working on him.

parker.

My boy is 17 years old today.  

The trailblazer, the oldest of 11. 

Parker is one who is always willing to lend a helping hand.  

Shows kindness to those who others ignore or don't see. 

His heart is compassionate and genuine. 

He never runs form hard work and know when to dig down deep. 

A lover of outdoors, animals, football, family and Jesus. 

He is someone who really cares about others. 

Isn't afraid to share the gospel. A leader. Loyal. Sincere. 

And has a lot of good old fashion values and beliefs. 

Happy Birthday Parker!

 I'm blessed to be your Mom!

Lincoln.

My Lincoln James.

Today he's 9 years old.

Happy Birthday to the boy with a big heart and a big smile.

I remember the day you were born as if it just happened.

Absolutely one of the most perfect births I could ever have.

You were so darn adorable. And you still are!

Loyal, kind and true.

To know you is to know a real friend.

Pearl's Irish twin (both 9 years old for the next two weeks).

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

river.

My wookie, fuzzy, wuzzy, hobbit River turned 5 last Friday.

I love this little cutie!

Sweetest heart.
Kind all the way through. 

I'm blessed to be his Mama.

I love you to heaven and back.

He wanted to go to Panda with Chris and me for his "birthday lunch'.

Next: birthday shopping.

jace.

Happy 2nd birthday Jace.

I couldn't imagine life without Jace.

Really!

I love him for the way he has to snuggle super close against me to sleep.

I love how he hugs his siblings when they wake up.

I love how he runs to get his shoes when someone is leaving the house.

I love how he wakes up super early when he hears Chris to spend extra time with Daddy.

I love how he always perches himself on the kitchen counter to watch whoever is cooking.

I love his special affection for Charlie who's his partner.

I love that he needs his Mama always.

I love when he signs (ASL) and wants me to test what he knows.

I love how he always wants me to read his two favorite books.

I love his sweetness and contagious love.

God knew I needed Jace after a miscarriage and before the loss of my little Sunday.

Merry Christmas.

As Parker's Coach likes to say: 

"All things considered,
I'll take these guys eight days a week and twice on Sunday."

sunday's child.

Sweet Tallulah.