Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Time keeps on slippin





A couple of quick excuses and an even quicker update. We decided to bail on Verizon DSL about a month ago and that turned into the ultimate ordeal. We were without Internet for close to a month. We tried a different service that did not work out and we finally settled on Comcast Cable. Although it is more expensive, it seems to be the most reliable, which is important for the classes Rich is taking torwards his Master's Degree. Excuse #2 would be...I AM SO PREGNANT and there are still 4 kiddos running around this house that I am trying to keep up with. While our Internet was down I realized how much time I was spending on the computer neglecting the cuddling, loving, training, schooling, and homemaking that I should have been doing instead. So, there ya have it. Two super great excuses for my out of date blog.
Now, for the update. Rich has started his first of 3 classes that he will be taking through Liberty's Distance Learning program this summer. I believe it is Reading and Language Acquisition. He is so gifted in the way he is balancing 2 jobs, being a super duper daddy, a supportive and loving husband, and going to college. Makes my belly hurt just thinking about it. Please keep him in your prayers as the next year will be very very busy and full of a ton of expectations. I ask that Rich is patient with himself and the plan that God has for this next year.
Dante is, as always, AMAZING. He turned 10 at the end of April. I blinked and 10 years of my life have flown by. I am so thankful for how accountable he keeps me to all that I say and do. He has taken on a huge amount of responsibility with all that goes on in our family. He is a fantastic big brother and friend. He has also starting pitching in and working at blessing Rich by doing quite a few extra chores around the house, including cutting grass. He got a new bb gun for his birthday and is pretty sure he is the coolest thing in town when him and daddy shoot it every weekend. We are wrapping up another year of homeschooling and excited about next year.
Elijah is changing before my eyes. He is still super caring, sweet, and sensitive, but can keep up with the big kids like he is 10. He is working on a phonics program that he is almost finished with and trucking right along with some beginning math, which is picking up on quickly. He loves dressing up like a cowboy and riding his colt (bike) up and down the street with Dante.
Justus has turned into one of the sweetest 3 years I know. He cheeks, eyes, and dimples make him very hard to resist. We are surely working at some serious tomato staking with him, but he is just as cuddly as can be. He would love to be able to do everything that his big brothers are doing, but I am not sure I am ready for all of that. He just loves riding his tricycle around the picnic table in the carport.
Isabella, Isabella has found her spot among the boys. She knows what she wants and will let you know. She has become great at sign language as a form of communication. It is so cool the way they can figure out how to communicate at such a young age. She will bring you a pair of her shoes and say "side" meaning she is ready to head out to play. Also, when her diaper is poopy she will tell you "EEWWW, Gusting." meaning "EW, I am DISGUSTING."
As you can tell, I spend a lot of my day putting on shoes, wiping messy faces, buttoning up cowboy shirts, changing "gusting" diapers, but the best part of all is the smiling. Rich and I smile at the blessing of these little people. We cannot imagine life without any of them. They each add such a unique and special piece to our flock.
Finally, Nana is here to help with the children and the birth of baby #5. She is having a great time hanging out with her grandbabies and is definitely ready for bed at about 9:00 each evening.
I hope to update the other sections of my blog as time allows.
Love,
Amy

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Justus turns 3 !!!!!!!!



There is just no way to slow down time. I cannot believe how quickly my life is flying by. I want this time with my children to last forever and it is just slipping away from me. Can you tell I have had an emotional day?? Justus is so into birthdays and parties right now, so this year was really fun. He is also so easy to please. We decided to just do a family party and enjoy the intimacy of the 6 of us. Things can just get so fuzzy when there are a ton of people around. He was filled with such excitement after opening each gift. I love when they are just so easy to please. He did get some great gifts including a toy rifle, another set of Go Fish cards (his favorite game), a roll of quarters, a new set of smelly markers, and a bag of Tootsie Pops. Yup, he chose to eat a lollipop instead of a xlice of my masterpiece Blue's Clues cake.
Our lives are so rich and full because of the addition of Justus. God, we thank you for allowing us to spend these last 3 years with him. He continues to grow into such a marvelous little man.

Love,

Amy

Friday, March 28, 2008

The sights of Spring



Daddy took Dante to work with him yesterday, so the 3 little ones had mommy all to themselves. The thought of that was a bit overwhelming to me. I was so pleasantly surprised at how well the 3 of them played together. Elijah stepped right up into his big brother role and even buckled Justus into his car seat when we were getting ready to go out. Elijah said, "Well, since I am the one with the biggest muscles here..." We filled up the sandbox last week and I will tell you that is one of the best $5.00 I have spent in a loooooooooong time. I just love when the weather is beautiful, the bugs are still hiding and we can enjoy a few weeks of all day outside time.

Love,

Amy

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Poppy is 70 !!!!




We have postponed celebrating my dad's 70th birthday for a few weeks until my parents were able to travel here. The kids were just so excited. They spent their own allowance money purchasing a few gifts from the Dollar Store for him. I love just letting the kids organize their own "events" to watch and see what awesome, creative ideas they can come up with. Dante and Elijah did a fantastic job of making a super special birthday party for Poppy. What a fun time for all. It was such a blessing to be able to spend this milestone with my happy and smiling 70 year old dad. WE LOVE YOU, POPPY!!

Love,

Amy

Friday, March 14, 2008

TGIF



Thank goooooodness it is Friday. We just love Fridays. We so look forward to having daddy home for 2 days. The children are so just content and full when there are 2 of us parent people around the house. Two people to cuddle, 2 people to get us juice, 2 people to entertain us and listen to us chitter chatter about everything, 2 people to love.

I am going to take the kiddos swimming today to burn some energy so that Rich and I may be able to get an early start on our weekly date night tonight.

Here are the kids are "patiently" waiting on me at 8:00 this morning to get ready to go swimming in 2 hours. I wanted to attach both photos so you can see the smiles all around. Ahhh, the promise of a pool does wonders for the disposition.


Have a super weekend.

Love,

Amy

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Fresh air at the Goodwill?



This morning there was such a nice fresh breeze coming in my kitchen window while I was making 15,000 dozen pancakes, that I decided to take the kids for a walk. We live about 3 seconds from a Goodwill store and the boys wanted to walk in and check out the toys. It is always a nice surprise to find some good stuff for a super price. We were able to pick up some great bargain toys and it has entertained the children while I prepared lunch. Dante was also able to find a new cowboy shirt and a hunting shirt for $4.00, too. Gotta love having your kids find things they will wear for that price.
So yes, there is some fresh air to be found at the local Goodwill.


Love,
Amy

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Just in time for Spring


Friends of ours adopted 2 rabbits about a month ago. Little did they know, but these rabbits were about to become mommy and daddy rabbit. So, along come some of the cutest baby bunnies ever. My boys are pretty sure that they cannot live without owning at least 2 of these bunnies. To our surprise, daddy said yes and we will be bringing Drover and Snuggly home Saturday, March 22nd. I wanted to share a picture of Dante with his newest little buddy Drover, the runt of the litter. I will post pictures of our homemade bunny hutch once we get it completed.


Love,

Amy