The fireplace revisited

As promised, here are updated pictures of the fireplace.

Fun in the Staunton River

One of our favorite places to visit is English Park in Alta Vista. It is wonderful to be able to hit the library, the Farm Store, Walmart, dinner, and then cool off with a dip in the beautiful river. We were only able to stay for about 15 minutes, because Dante was not feeling well, but it was still nice. I am so bummed that the one picture I had of Dante sitting so quietly (yup, I said quietly) was somehow deleted. :O(

Holy Demolition, Batman!

The next big project on the list is a getting the living room carpet out and replacing it with something a bit more kid friendly. Somehow light tan carpet, 7 children, and chicken poo just don't go together. But, before we even think about the floor there is the issue of the big ugly fireplace. Rich decided today was the day to tear it down and begin pondering what in the world to do with it. Take a look at this mama-jama of a project we have on our hands. I am already bubbling over with ideas. I just love the Better Homes and Gardens web page of ideas. I will try and remember to post pictures of the finished project when it is done.

New Digs

Thanks, Nana!
We LOVE our new clothes. We have already worn most of the outfits. :O)

Happy Birthday, beauty

Amazing 3 years with Cheyanne Ever. We had a lovely birthday tea, which included chocolate milk and m and m ice cream sandwiches, per Chey's request. She truly is a joy. Her smile lights the room.

That face

Oh, how I love that face!

Wood Furnace-take 2

In order for our new wood furnace to run as efficiently as we need it to, we are having to reinstall all of the pipe. Doesn't sound like much of a big deal, eh? AHHH...think again.

Rich also decided since we are "undoing" it anyway, we might as well lay a concrete pad under it. The more level, the more better. :O) So I hear.

We are hoping to have this bad boy up and running effectively within the next month in order to start heating our water, so that we can start recouping some of the major financial output it has taken on us. Over the next few years we will add a clothes dryer that will be heated by the stove, also. Won't that be nice?

Yummy

Thanks for the yummy Angel Food cake, Nana. It was soooo good we accidentally ate the whole thing.

Baby Mina is almost 3 months old already.

Jasmine Marianna is so very happy and so very chunky. She says, "Thank you, Ms. Amber and nana for the new cute clothes that I love so much."
I had the unfortunate event of losing lots of my little baby girl clothes due to icky, yucky mold. I have had the fortunate event of being blessed with some of the most friends and a super duper mama who have all helped get me through these beginning months by giving me some new little girly clothes.

Happy Birthday, Justus Kendall

Okay, so this chicken loving kid is like one of my main reasons for getting up each morning. His smile is infectious, his laugh is healing and he is a true joy to be around. He is so rough and tough, but one of the cuddliest boys around. His blue eyes and dimples melt my heart and his sense of humor is outrageous. We had a great day celebrating Justus's life yesterday. When daddy asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner, he replied, "I want Subway. I don't want you to bring me Subway, I want to go there and eat it." So, that's what we did. What a nice day. He was most excited about being able to light his own candles. Elijah made him the coolest homemade cardboard target to go along with the Nerf bullets he bought him. Poppy and Nana bought him a super high tech ant farm from Home Science Supplies that should be arriving any day now. And of course, he was able to cushion his personal bank a bit with money from dad. He has already started counting down until he turns 7. YIKES!!

Got creasote?

Dante accidentally knocked the wood stove pipe out of the wall Friday evening. Well, I guess that's one way to get it cleaned out.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I am so truly thankful to have been able to celebrate my dad's 73rd birthday with him this year.
We love him so very much and are blessed to spend this time with him.

Morning Love

These have been among some of the CRAZIEST mornings of my life. YUP... I said it. My feet hit the floor running at about 6:45am and do not stop until around 11:30pm when little pixie decides to give up and finally sleep (but only for a couple of hours). This season of my life right now is ABSOLUTELY AND BEAUTIFULLY INSANE. I wouldn't trade them for anything, but they are definitely full speed ahead.

I managed to snap a few pictures with my messed up camera and load them onto my slow booty computer and I don't think I even burned lunch in the process. Please enjoy because it very well may be months before I get back here. Did I mention that Isabella and Justus are out playing with the hose and it is only about 60 degrees outside? No, really, they are.
Love,
A mama still surrounded by the most beautiful people in all of the land.

I have proof

My oldest son is going to make a fabulous daddy. He is changing a 2 month old's diaper...VOLUNTARILY! Gotta love it. He is a phenomenal son and big brother of many many little ones. Thank you, sweetie for making my life a little brighter each day.

Welcome baby Jasmine

We are so tickled to announce the arrival of Jasmine Marianna. She was born on the 17th of January and weighed 7lbs. 11ozs. She was born in our new home, but in the same tub as all of her 3 sisters. We are all completely and totally in love with her already and look forward spending lots and lots of time snuggling her.