Here we go again...

I did it. I got another animal, which I pretty much swore I would never again do. You see, I was taken to family court the other day by my son Austin who claimed that he and his siblings are the only kids left on the earth without an animal. He also touched on the fact that we have gotten dogs, cats, birds, fish, hamsters...(you name it, we've tried it) and given them away. What could I say? He is right. And it didn't help that he had 5 other little witnesses to back up his claims. But oh, how I hate animals. Yet being the guilt ridden mother that I am, Chris and I decided to try one more thing that we haven't tried yet....baby bunnies. I think I can handle this. They are outside in a cage. They poop in the cage and not in my yard. They don't make any noise. They keep themselves clean. And they keep my kids outside, instead of inside, wreaking havoc in the house. So, there ya go...pray for my poor deprived children that this one lasts more than a week.

Puzzle Pieces...

My first child was the easiest time of my mothering life, I must say. I had two, and still felt ahead of the game. Three???...not so much. Having number three stands out to me as a time where I realized this wasn't near as easy as a thought. It's also when I realized that I didn't have as much patience as I had always thought I had. Still though, we made the shot for number 4, and what came out? A little boy that never made a cry or a noise. He was the quietest baby ever. He was also kind of serious. He would just look at me with those blond curls and blue eyes, all serious and quiet and adorable. I think sometimes that Heavenly father sends us our children in a certain order on purpose. Christian came so that I would be willing to have two more. I have to admit though, he is now one of my loudest children.

Having lots of children also means less time for each of them. It doesn't have to mean less quality though. And it will never mean, that they are a lesser piece of the puzzle. I love them each with all this big mama heart, and I wouldn't trade one single one of them.

Conjoined twins and random toilets...

Why wear two separate shirts, when you can both fit into one? Maybe they're trying to rid our house of too much unnecessary laundry? Hmm...I'm thinking it only added to the two shirts they were wearing before this picture was taken. And yes, that is my 2 year old with a toilet on her head...don't ask.

Shhhhhh....it's a secret.

Pssst....come closer...I have a secret to tell you, but you have to promise not to say anything, especially to Connor. Yep, he tried to shave. My 9 year old TRIED TO SHAVE. Obviously not very succesfully. Still trying to figure out why he shaved under his eye, rather than on his chin.

I'm singing in the rain....make that running.

This past week and a half have been lonely running days for me. My best friend and running partner is having some IT band issues (boo boo's around the knee area) and is out of commission for a short time until she can get healed up. I must say that I don't really like to run alone. Sometimes it's nice to have the time to think about life, but mostly it is just plain BORING. I have been dragging my poor husband along for runs as long as 6 miles, and he really has been awesome about it considering he usually runs around 3. Today I had to run alone because he and I ran last night and we ran harder than usual...for him especially, because he hasn't been running that long. Tonight when I ran, it was pouring like you wouldn't believe. I thought before I started that it would be miserable. It wasn't though. In fact it wasn't all that cold out (63 degree's) and it felt so refreshing. It made running the hills much easier. But you should have seen me. I was drenched from head to toe. I could barely see just from all the water (mixed with sweat)dripping down my face. I totally should have taken a picture.

When I first started running, my friend and I decided if we were going to do this, and really stick to it, we had to take on any, and all weather conditions because we new if we weren't consistent, we would never last. I read a quote today that I really appreciated, especially in light of my run tonight. It goes like this... “Runner’s don’t get rained out, they get rained on.” And I have, many times. In fact rain to me, is much more inviting then this past winters ice, freezing temps, and snow galore. I love knowing that I can do it, even though it absolutely and positively is not easy, and I do get very discouraged at times...I know I can do it, if it's really what I want...and it is.

Scoot your tush over please...

We had a fabulous Memorial Day Holiday spent with my family. Gosh, I love going to see them. But, this is what our car looks like whenever, and wherever we go. Does anyone realize how full this car is? You have to see a picture to realize how overly packed it is. Imagine then, packing for 8 people? It can be 3 days, or it can be 7. Either way, it's going to take at least 2 large suitcases that you have to sit on in order to get zipped, and several small bags. That doesn't include camera cases, mini DVD players, movies, diaper bags pack 'n' play, etc. The list goes on. Oh, and of course my good old box fan. If you who know me well, you know that I cannot sleep without the luscious noise of my loud fan. I blame my mom for this. She made sure we had one while we slept from the day we entered the world. Anyway, without a doubt we have a lot of crap to bring wherever we go, and somehow or another, I still love to travel with my family. Someone shoot me please.

Home...

This is a picture of our home that we have hanging in our playroom. It was left behind by the previous owners, and I am so glad because I just love it. I was holding Scarlett the other day when she looked over at it and said in high pitched voice of excitment..."It's home!!" She has seen this hanging a million times but it was like she figured out for the 1st time, that it was home. I have to say...this home that we live in to me really is home. The chipping paint, the creaky floors, the porches that are ancient and so desperately needing replaced do not matter to me, because for some reason, it really is home. I can walk out on my porch (when it's sunny that is) and feel in my heart that there is no place I would rather be. I think I was meant to be some farmers wife. I guess Chris could be the farmer? Nah, there is no time for that unfortunately. But I want my kids to feed chickens! I want to see them dirty from head to toe. I want them to run around with bare feet! I want them to own bb guns and be a little on the red neck side...(okay...very little) but a little nonetheless. I feel very blessed to live in a place that regardless of age, means everything to this little (big) family. Without Heavenly Father's help, we wouldn't be here. We would still be stuck in a neighborhhod jammed packed up against other neighbors. Neighbors are nice, but I gotta tell ya.... for me...privacy, and room is much nicer. I feel so blessed to call this old place home.