Family Christmas 2009

Our Christmas this year was wonderful as always. Due to our lack of snow in Michigan, it didn't quite feel like Christmas. We had rain ... lots and lots of rain. Now, a few days after Christmas we are getting some snow. Nice!!!

The kids didn't seem to mind. Christmas is always fun for them. This year Christmas morning went so fast. Our kids are getting older and they knew just what to do .. tear into the presents. With 5 kids, this leaves quite a mess, but it makes for a fun and exciting Christmas morning. Our day is spent at Papa and Grandma's house. Mommy makes her famous cinnamon rolls and we spend the day in our P.J's and diving into our new treasures. Lots of games, reading instructions, installing batteries, and making sure the kids are "sharing" and "playing nicely". (it can be exhausting :) We love every minute of it. Spending time with family is priceless. Next year, we are trying to convince grandpa and grandma to come visit from Idaho. It may take a year to convince them to travel across the country, but it will be so worth it.
Please enjoy these shots of our Christmas morning ...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours. May we live our lives to bring glory to God, the reason we celebrate this special season.

Emma the Chatterbox ...

Look at those precious eyes! So sweet, so intense! That pretty much describes my little Emma. She does nothing half way. Her new love ... words... lots and lots of words. Now, I am sure this is not a new trait, but I believe that the intensity has been kicked up a notch. Yesterday, I actually told her to close her mouth and try not to talk. (It did not work) She just smiled at me and said, "Oh mom, you are so funny!" Here is a small sample of the things that she felt needed to be said.

Things that must be said, according to Emma McElroy, age 4.

"Mommy, you are the best hugger ever!" (a few seconds later) .."just kiddin, mom"

"Mom, mom, MOM!! I feel like I must be starving!!!"

"Mom, how many more days until Christmas? It is taking so forever!!"

"Mom, no more ponytails in my hair. I mean it!" (attitude adjustment needed)

"Mom, your hair looks like a boy!"

"Mom, look no twists." (a response to her constant twisting of her hair, a daily battle)

(in the car) "Mom, mom, MOM! Why is that human walking outside? Does she have a car? Doesn't she know that driving is faster than walking!"

I wonder where chatterbox gets it. (Somewhere right now, my mother is laughing)

Thankful for God's creativity!

When I look outside at the beautiful colors of fall, I smile and thank God for His creativity. The beauty of His creation is breathtaking! Thank you, Heavenly Father.

They have arrived ... gifts that only a mother could love.

Are you curious? Filled with anticipation? What has arrived? What did she get? Brace yourself, because if you are not a mom this will mean nothing to you.

Last week my job as a mom got a lot easier ... my new washer and dryer arrived!!!! Yeah!!!!

These things are amazing compared to the machines that used to occupy this space. They are new, clean, bigger, and are equipped with modern technology. They do everything, but carry the clothes downstairs and put them in the wash. (Now, that would be wonderful) My favorite feature is the short dry time. Gone are the days of waiting 1hr. for dry clothes or drying the clothes for a "second" time. I find myself looking for dirty clothes so that I can use my new toys. I know what you are thinking, this feeling will go away. Yes, you are probably right, but right now I am enjoying my new problem - where do I put all these clean clothes!!

Look how clean and organized. It makes me smile!!!

Potty Training ... My current challenge!

Potty training with child number 5 is now underway. You would think with my previous experience in this department, I could do this with my eyes shut. Yeah, that's what I thought. I think the pure joy that raced through my heart when I thought of being diaper free has clouded my judgement. Or God thought that it would be helpful to give me a challenge to teach me a character trait that I am lacking or needing to polish. Either way, this is not the cake walk that I was hoping for.

I will be the first to admit that I have not been very consistent. I needed a few days where I could just hang out at the house and let him be in underwear. A few days ago, I got my wish. A sick kid has left me housebound, so I took my shot. The first day was a nightmare!! By 11:00am I had gone through 5 wet messes and one "other" mess that had resulted in a bath time. It was not pretty. By nap time, I was grabbing a pull-up and putting him to bed. The next attempt was much better. By 11:30am, I had no accidents and was bragging to dad when he came home from lunch. When I went to show him Tanner's big boy underwear, he was wet. Great!! One set back, no big deal. Thirty minutes later, I was getting on Tanner for spilling his drink on the floor. "What are you doing, son. Don't kick and splash the water all over the floor!" Upon closer examination, this was no water spill. He was playing in his own pee!! Unbelievable!! This child is not potty training material. Recall!!!!

Wiard's Orchard

I am a little late getting this post out, but better late than never.

Kallie and I had a wonderful time at Wiard's Orchard a few weeks ago. I love getting the chance to go with my kids on their field trips. It is always a special time to connect, spend quality time, and get mommy's undivided attention. (shout out to my friend Marla who made this field trip happen by watching Tanner)

Best Buds

Corn maze, a highlight of the trip

Mom and Kal with her pumpkin and apple. What a treat!

They looked thrilled that I am takin' another picture.

Kal, entertaining as always :)

I love this picture of Kal. Her eyes are intense!!


Kal and her friend Faith havin' fun on the bus!!

Kal and her teacher, Mrs. Haynes!

I Need Chocolate.. lots of Chocolate!

Where do I begin ... Today was just one of those days. Overwhelming would be an understatement. I will let you judge.

7:30am Wake up (if you can even call it that, more like roll out of bed and groan)
Running behind already. What a great start to my day. Have Dr. appointments set up for my kids this morning and this afternoon. (5 kids can't be seen at the same time, it is the policy)

8:10am Get kids and dad out the door, late and stressed. A few minutes to get ready before our 9:30am appointment.

8:55am Realize that my purse (w/ keys and wallet inside) is in my husband's van, driving into school. Call hubby and ask if he can bring it home. (yes, he can squeeze it in before his first class)

9:20am Arrive at our doctors and everyone in Southgate has an appointment today. "What, it is 9:20 in the morning!!"

9:30 - 10:15am Wait.. wait... wait... more waiting. (how backed up can you be?)

10:30am Trying to convince Hayden (10), Emma (4), and Tanner (3) that they probably won't have shots today. Just a physical. Eye test (so funny with Tanner, still a little shaky on shapes), pee in a cup (really?) Then the bomb dropped : 2 shots for all three kids, just to get them "up to date". Now the wailing starts, I start sweating. Who do I comfort first? Hayden (10) goes first: for those of you who don't know Hayden, this is a nightmare for him. He gets so nervous. He hates the doctors. He gets the shots and is fighting me and I am trying to hold him w/o scaring the others. He screams after the shot. Blood curdling!! It scared me!! I gave him the look and then turned my attention to Emma who is cowering behind the examination table. She tells me before the nurse gets in, "don't tell the nurse where I am.." (this is between sobs and wails) She gets poked and cries and then keeps crying all the way to the car and on the road to school, because her feelings are hurt. Tanner(3) did the best. He cried, but then stopped when the nurse pulled out the lollipop. Thank you Tanner, mommy loves you!!

10:45am Going through the drive through at McDonald's to get hot fudge sundays and lunch. (Don't judge. It was my bribe)

11:00am Shoving food in my mouth so that I will make it to recess duty at 11:30am.

11:30 - 12:30 Recess duty at school. Usually goes fine, but today they have inflatables in the gym. So fun!! The kids love it, but it gets crazy, loud, and the kids forget every rule and how to listen.

12:45 - 1:30 Go over to dad's office at school because I don't have time to go home before I have to pick up the other 2 kids from school and take them to the doctors. (i know, what was i thinking!!)

1:50 Arrive at the doctors for our 2:00 appointment and we walk into a crowd of people. Standing room only. They are over 1 hour behind. Shoot me now!!!!

3:15 3:15, did you see that, 3:15 we get called back to the room. My kids could of finished their school day!! I was not happy! I was trying to be a good Christian. It was tough. We had a sweet nurse, so that helped.

3:15-4:00 Kal and Rylee are both healthy, look great. They love the doctors. Thank you, girls!! Kal needs a shot (great) We discuss the level of pain for this shot for 15 minutes, fret over the details (she has to have every detail, and asks every questions in the book) She gets the shot and doesn't make a sound. Her response, "that's it!! Are you sure?" I rolled my eyes and told her that mom knows some stuff. Listen and believe next time!!!

4:15 Back in the drive through for hot fudge sundays. Life must be fair and equal, right?? :)

4:30 Pull in the driveway. Home sweet home. Before I open the door, Steve calls (hubby) I need to pick up the other kids at school, he is running the clock for the Volleyball game.

4:30 - 6:00 At the gym getting the kids, watching the game, running on the treadmill, trying to de-stress and get a workout in.

6:30 Back home. Shower. Sit. A kid comes up ( I don't even know who) "Mom what is for dinner?" AHHHHHHHHHHHH I need Chocolate!!! Lots of Chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!!