Work of art...

I'm not exactly sure how to feel about this portrait...

Grace...

Grace wrapped this lovely picture of herself and gave it to Chris and I on Christmas Eve. What a sweet little girl she is..

Christmas Day....

I got to sleep Until 7:30am on Christmas Day...a Christmas miracle, indeed! Everyone loved their presents. We even got out and went on a walk in the brisk air as a family. Just what the doctor ordered. We are getting ready to eat a big turkey dinner and I'm going to eat and eat, and eat, and love every minute of it. I'm so blessed this Christmas and every Christmas. I couldn't ask for any more happiness. Life isn't perfect but it's beautiful.

Christmas Eve...

We had a bake-a-thon yesterday as always for Christmas Eve. Lots of goodies and finger foods, new Jammie's, the nativity and "It's A Wonderful Life" to top it off. We may have had some sickness this year, but everyone is doing pretty well today, and that was the goal. 

We have a winner...

Our sweet Connor won first prize and a $50 check in a peace poster contest. It's a picture of water being poured over the plant and if you look closely you see little buds growing...representing different countries. We are proud of this artistic boy.

Nutcracker...

We had a wonderful time watching the nutcracker production today in our small community. ❤️❤️❤️

Communication...

Sometimes I feel like there's constant arguing in our house amongst our kids. It's so hard teaching 6 children of varying ages, with different personalities and ideas to communicate effectively. But...then things like this happen...and I'm reminded that they really DO love each other. And they really ARE trying. My heart gets fuzzy and warm when I see the love they have for each other.

38...

So thankful that despit the fact that I'm getting older, I get to do it surrounded by the people I love. I wish Chris were in this photo too. He truly makes everyday happy for me...but on birthdays and Mother's Day, he takes it a step further. I'm so blessed to have health, and happiness, and most of all family.

Christmas town...

Christmas town is coming to my home tonight. I love, love, LOVE Christmas time. Just call me Jolly old Saint Nicholas because I'm feeling jolly, indeed.

Let me in...

One thing I don't love about living in a 100 year old home is that for some crazy reason I have not one....not two...but THREE different doors for entering mine and Chris' bedroom. This means (because I'm a mom) that I have kids knocking at three different doors everytime I go to hide in my room (because privacy is banned when you have kids.) I have sort of given up on hiding anymore because it just doesn't really work. However despite my annoyance with this little problem I couldn't help but smile when Scarlett passed this note under the door. 

Girls weekend...

What are you looking at in these pictures? Four very excited women who are extremely grateful to be on a girls weekend. If I didn't have a husband who saw an occasional getaway as essential to my sanity I'm not sure how I would survive. Thank you dear Chris. I'm truly grateful for friends and the time spent laughing and connecting. I'm grateful for strong woman examples in my life.

Thankfulness...

We had a fun family home evening tonight. In light of the fact that thanksgiving is next week we had a coloring contest and wrote what we are each thankful for. When it came time to vote for the best picture we all picked a different person, so in the end it was a tie all around the board. I love that not one of the kids wanted another person to be excluded. Tender hearts make me smile from head to toe.

Sophie...

As if 6 kids and one dog wasn't enough...I went and got another puppy. But who could resist a sweet little dog that weighs only a pound? Chris thinks I'm a little crazy but I asked him if he'd rather me be puppy hungry or baby hungry....he was quiet after that.

This is Sophie. Another sweet little element to my blessed family.

Hottie...

Is it weird that I think my husband looks totally hot with wild blue hair???

Home sweet homeschoolers...

My little homeschoolers are like busy bees hard at work. Algebra 2...their favorite subject. (In another lifetime.) nonetheless, I'm impressed with their efforts and love them to pieces.

Spooky fun...

What's the most healthiest thing you could ever eat??? Baked pumpkin seeds smothered in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Ok leave the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon out and it might be healthy, but would it fun and tasty?  ummm....no. We do tasty around here. I love that the kids look forward to this tradition every year. 

We had a pastor from the kids' private school once ask why anyone would want to celebrate a holiday that worships the devil. He meant no judgment by it, but to me Halloween has nothing to do with the devil. It has to do with candy, fun, anticipation and most of all tradition. And a spook here and there never killed anybody. :) Happy Halloween.

Fall...

A beautiful fall day...

Time...

Days off for me are rare these days. If I'm not studying, I'm working. At nighttime, what am I doing?...working. I feel as if I am made out of the same materials as gumby.. My favorite cartoon character as a child. Stretchy. Today though, I have the day off. Still studying but not working, so I guess I have "half" the day off. I'll take it. I'll do things like, walk the dog. Clean the house, take a nap. Maybe even bake cookies. These are things I once took for granted. Now I relish them. I relish every minute off with my family. It's truly helped opens eyes to how blessed I am and how precious time really is.

Letty...

I found this picture of my sweet baby Scarlett today, and my heart melted like butter. If I could just hold each one of my babies for one more day...I would give the world.

Men...

There's a million something's about this picture that puts a smile on my face. I absolutely and positively love having boys. They are (believe it or not) my protectors, along with their dad. They are also my sounding board...giving great advice. They make me feel safe when Chris is at work or out of town. They are boys, but truly...they are men.

Movie night napping...

Two peas in a pod. Every Thursday night we have a movie night due to the fact that the kids only have a four day school week. It's something we all look forward to each week. Somehow or another Chris and Scarlett always end up asleep about halfway through the movie. Great times....

Girl times...

This is the fun part about Chris and the boys going on camping trips together...I get to be with my girls. Eating, laughing, and sleeping in a bed, rather than on the hard ground.

Loyalty...

Running isn't easy. Infact...running is the most disciplined exercise I personally have participated in. It takes determination and motivation, but most of all it's a sport you have to remain loyal to for it to ever get any easier. I'm proud of Halee and Austin for running cross country this season. There have been a lot of ups and downs...it's been a hot season but they have given it their best and that's all I can ask for as their mother. Good job, kiddos.

My life as a slave...

Yes, it's true. I've been subjected to slavery. Slavery to books, and studying and computers, and Teeth...that's right....TEETH.  I'd love more than anything to cozy up by my warm fire and watch a good movie all alone in the dark, late at night, but atlas....I am a slave. Feel free to save me if u can.

Cherish it...

There must have been something in the air this weekend. It was a beautiful time spent with family over Labor Day. It's a beautiful thing when you can spend time with your blood relatives, and also the ones they choose to have in their lives. My sister April has an amazing fiancé that just fits right into our circle. And my brother David is seeing a girl that we all have fallen in love with. It really is beautiful when everything just kind of "fits." 

We also did a family talent night...actually it was a "family forces Melanie to sing with David night" but that's ok, because it is now a cherished memory...I sang with my sweet little brother...how many times will I have that opportunity? I'm telling you...life is too short to not make it beautiful. Take advantage of every lovely moment and savor it with all your heart.