The Room

For a long time we have been trying to move Kira into her own room. Finally, it has happened. We cleared the last piles of stuff out of the old office on Friday afternoon and then put her new queen size bed in, figured out where she wanted it, and then finally put on the boxspring and mattress and to Kira's delight, the sheets and pillows and comforter she got on Thursday night.

Kira loves the bed!

Goodbye Sadie!

Well, this morning, our long time pet, Sadie died. She has been a part of our family for 11 years. She has just always been here. Life hasn't been as exciting for her as it used to be when she would jump on the boat with Ron and I and go for a cruise around the lake. Or, jump on a jet ski with one of us and take a tour around. She shared Ron's and my love for the water and we certainly had our share of fun with her. She bore three litters of adorable puppies in California, which some of our friends are still loving on.

Sadie was a great, lovable dog. Great with the babies and kids. She has been sick and hurting and it was definitely her time. We will miss seeing her in the backyard, having her run up to greet us or just hearing her bark that she wants to play too, but God blessed us with 11 years with a wonderful dog. Thank you Lord for those memories.

Halloween

Meet the chubby duckling...
Kitty, Peter Pan, Yu-Gi, Pippi & Ducky

A Pippi Pose

Fall witch and Yu-Gi

Winterland Thumbelina

Halloween was fun. We did the town parade and party. We went Trick-or-treating at the Assisted Living center in town with Sara's preschool and we went out Halloween nite in our subdivision which is just packed. The kids spent a lot of the time jumping out of a gutted washing machine that Ron set up and scaring people as they were getting candy. Kira never even trick-or-treated. I can't believe that she has outgrown that already! I hope that everyone had a fun and safe Halloween!

Wyat

Isn't he too precious?
Wyat and Papa

Wyat and Daddy

My Little Pumpkin

Hmmmm- let me think...

He is getting big so fast! You'd think that by #5 it would be old news but no way. It is still just such a miracle to me how fast they change and learn. He knows us all, no doubt, and smiles and laughs. He can prop up sitting for brief periods and is chopping on his hands. Teeth are coming soon. His sleeping isn't as well right now but that is life. None of us can get enough of him. I just love when he is done nursing and just looks up at me and smiles and coos and plays a little peek-a-boo with my shirt. I could sit like that for an hour. He is now in size 6-9 month clothes which fit perfectly. Yes, he is 3 months old now. He is such a blessing to our family!

Sara's Birthday Day

Sara's really working to blow out her candles!
I love this picture!

Presents from Uncle Abrey, G-ma & G-pa

She loves this dress that she got from Grandma & Grandpa!

She is so precious- even when she is stubborn and rebellious. She is smart (she recites John 3:16 and the Lord's Prayer every nite by herself) and creative (I will have to post some of her art). I still remember holding her the day that she was born, so aware and lovely. She exudes God's beauty even at just 3 years old that I am so excited to see where He takes her.

Movie nite

It's amazing that I got eye contact while a movie was on!
Lookin' a little tired?!

Cute as a button!

Is he bright-eyed or what?

Faker!

Sara's 3rd Birthday Party

Kira helped a lot with the cake

...eyes and ears and mouth and nose...

Do I have to look at the cards first?

Just a little big?

Thank you Robin for taking all of the pics! Parties for little one are so much fun! I can be goofy and silly and they don't roll their eyes at me!

October Pics

Sara's kitty face
Sara crashed out with costume in lap

Kira performing "Wild One"

Cody on a hay ride

Kira in her Jr. Girl Scouts ceremony

Cody turned 5!!!

A perfect picture of personality
One of his favorite presents...

He, and his siblings, are still enjoying this!

Dad took him fishing with his new pole and tackle box that he got...
unfortunately, all that he caught was a turtle.

It is hard to believe. I look at him and he is still so little, so impulsive and so...so...his own little person. One of those kids that brings a smile to everyone's face and walks around a restaurant and will talk to all the people at all the tables. He has such a strong personality. The pastor thinks that he will be a pastor and the teacher a teacher. Who knows what God has in store for our little guy? For now, we will try not to quelch his spirit, but tame it a little, and just enjoy...

Labor Day Weekend in Branson, MO

At The Landing- isn't this cool?
A little blurry. Kira singing "Concrete Angel"

Sara getting a little cozy ON TOP of Cody

Outside of the Dixie Stampede with one of the horses

Kira singing "Wild One" at the Uptown Cafe

We went to Branson for Kira to perform in some shows- the Uptown Cafe, one at the Liverpool Legends opening for a Beatles Tribute band, one at the Dixie Stampede (that was fun for everyone!) and one for the MDA telethon by some fountains. It was a very busy weekend!

Sorry...Sorry...SORRRRY!

Yummy blueberries!
Isn't he too cool?

Wyat looks like a little elf!

Time is just flying by! I can't believe that it has been more than a month since I have last written when it really doesn't feel like it! I knew that somebody would eventually say something and, of course, it was Angela. Thank you Ang! It is nice to know that it's noticed when you drop off the "blog-life" for awhile. I mean, after all, Ang and I talk almost everyday. Rita was next to check in on me. Well, all is well just very busy, as life should be with 5 active kids and an entrepeneur husband. September has fully welcomed all of the year's activities. These evenings include dance, gymnastics, basketball, karate, guitar, boy scouts, girl scouts, AWANA and, of course, the much needed bible studies. The days are slightly less busy with Cody in kindergarten all day, Sara in preschool two mornings for 2 1/2 hours, and me homeschooling Kira and Jacob. School is going well for everyone. Cody loves kindergarten and doesn't miss being home with us at all. Sara also loves preschool and feels like a real big girl reporting on everything when I pick her up. They are both very good reporters and smart. They don't miss anything. Schooling with the others at home is going more smoothly now that I have made a schedule. We all like the curriculum that we are using which is history/literature/ bible based. Things are good. I feel so blessed to have such smart, healthy and confident children. Not that everything is perfect and easy....just good.

Wyat is doing awesome. He is bright-eyed and smiley. He sleeps a good 8 hours a nite typically- yeah! I finally got a sleeper! A friend told me that holding him is giving her the baby itch- it is me too cuz he is such a wonderful baby! None of us can get enough of him. I don't tire of holding him (except he is pretty heavy) and he usually sleeps on my chest during much of the school morning. He is definitely a blessing to us.

Ron is working hard at everything. He is keeping the rentals going, doing construction and playing plumber and appliance repair guy trying to get the laundromat in town ready to open in mid-October. Busy, busy, busy. I am so blessed to have a husband who is creative and willing to work hard in anything to support his family but, most of all, prays everyday for guidance and strives to be the godly man that this family depends on. He is awesome! Is that enough catch up and info? Luv to everyone!

Share your love

This week, a week when two wonderful families that we know have lost loved ones, special attention has been on those that we can wrap our arms around and thank our wonderful God for. On Monday, friends from Kira's entertainment group lost their mom/grandma. I had met her once but knew what a wonderful woman she was from just being around her family- a loving, caring, Christ centered family. The motto this last week was "The show must go on."

On Saturday night we got a phone call from a friend of a friend, that their daughter had passed away. This little girl was not expected to live more than a few years and she almost made it to her 11th birthday! Despite her obstacles and health concerns, her family created a wonderful life for her. She, on the other hand, was a picture of determination, fearlessness and love. Once you got to know her, everyone couldn't help but be impressed by her ability to surpass the barriers of her wheelchair and all of the other medical equipment that surrounded her. Watch out for first impressions! She would bust them to pieces!

I am not writing about these people to make everyone cry, or feel sorry for these families. Their loved ones are truly free- in a place so amazing that we can't even begin to imagine its beauty. Neither one of them need their wheelchairs anymore! We can hear these stories and use them as wake up calls to appreciate those around us, to love on them, spoil them and make the most of our time with them. God put us on this earth for only a brief time- let's spend that time enjoying life and sharing love and laughter with everyone. God Bless.

Kira in KIDs Caring for Cancer Show

Kira performing "Concrete Angel"
Picture time!

Kira and Sydney singing "Tomorrow"

Pic before the set comes down....

She did AWESOME!

August Pics

Cody's first day in Kindergarten!

Wyat is now 4 weeks old!
Jacob in his Gi (sp?) He loves karate!

Sara in her new bakers outfit-only

Spoiled at the fair

Grandma & Grandpa took us to the waterpark!