Summer Summer Summer ....

Ari meets Asher

The Jet Set Gang getting ready to take off!

Saying Goodbye to my Baby

The kids enjoying a summer rain shower

Silly officially hates my camera, lol.

A Summertime Fire Ari helped to build

Ari's New Dress from Gramma <3

Real Men Paint Toenails :)

Ari's Backyard Oasis

Mr. Jim and Ari enjoying some down time

Ari wearing a Mommy-Made Dress

The reason there aren't many pictures of my dude :)

The Birthday Princess

Ari giving Caleb's "Aunt Jennie Made" quilt a test run!

Caleb in his cool new ride sporting his Aunt Jennie PJs and Quilt

Krynnies wearing her Aunt Jennie made Dress

Trinny's little doppelganger wearing her Aunt Jennie Fairy Dress :)

Vinnie has resorted to eating his fingers to bulk up :)

Time, Time to Sit Back and Unwind.... sorry, Will Smith, not so much of the unwinding going on around here, but it's all good :)

The pictures above are just a small portion of how we have spent this super busy, super full, and super fun summer, so far!

The children have returned from their yearly Florida "pilgrimage" with my mom. Three weeks of fun in the sun for them and three weeks of "relaxation" (organizing, cleaning, and taking care of Ari) for me! It was really nice, TBH. They are home now, looking blonder, taller and tanner. We are scrambling to get everything ready for their first year in public school - uniforms (yes, in public school!), registration, testing, physicals, as well as school supplies/shoes/backpacks. We are just about wrapped up. Lis's pool is done so they are having a blast at "La La's" (Ari's affectionate nickname for Lis has become EVERYONES nickname for her, LOL).

Trin celebrated her 6th birthday this week. The highlight of her birthday, for me, was when her older siblings donated their arcade tickets to her so she could get a fancy tiara and wand from the prize booth. I was so proud of them <3

I am healing, learning and taking baby steps since my surgery. I have had a few victories (really successful weightloss, plus I am down 2 sizes already!) and a few setbacks (having to go back on my blood pressure meds after being taken off them was kind of a blow). Still, taking it one step at a time and focusing.
 
Ari has been talking in leaps and bounds lately, full on sentences and using proper pronouns and tenses (as in I want to, not, me wants to). She cracks us up constantly with her observations....

"Bubby Buttface to Me"
"I jumping up to the sky, WAY up there" as she furiously hops with both feet off the ground.
.... 

Ari-"OPEN THE DOOR"
Me-"No, not right now"
Ari-"Come ON"
Me-"Why?"
Ari-"Cause SAID SO!!"

...

She also discovered "bleeding" when she fell and skinned her knees, but she was a little confused about it, I think. She came up to me crying one day, "I bleeding" ... only it was dirt. I showed her it washed off and she was SO relieved!! 

She got some shots today. She is a smart cookie because when she heard me talking about them, she went and sat on the floor in the hallway and refused to come back in.  Poor baby, that sucked.

 Jess and I celebrate 12 years in two weeks. Still the best decision I have ever made :) 

JUNE?!

I can't believe it's been so long since I posted! June already?!
I have said it so many times, but life just flies by when you have children growing like weeds right before your eyes. Speaking of weeds, they are completely out of control this year in my front garden. I re-mulched and the weeds laughed their way right through it :( Our strawberries, rosemary, roses, basil, lime and lemon balms, and lavender are all quite happy despite the unwelcome company!

We are surviving... treading water, really. Sometimes getting dunked under but God is always there to help us back up. Work comes in spurts for Jesse but there is always hope on the horizon. His ability to psychically work took a hit a couple weeks ago. He walked in to a spike on Uncle John's bike.....I mean, HARLEY (said with appropriate reverence, LOL) and literally speared his knee to the bone. A Dr. visit, a tetanus shot and a couple of weeks later he can sort of bend it. He ices it every night still.

Cori's last day at work is in two weeks. We are going to miss the little Vin Man, but she promises to bring him by a lot. I am so thrilled for her and Mike! He passed his apprentice-ship test with flying colors and was so happy to tell his wife to quit her job to raise their baby. She is over the moon :) I have loved watching my baby sister turn in to a mom. She makes me so proud!


I have been going to the Dr. constantly. My kidney disease has progressed to the point that I am on 6-7 different medications and I am going to need a biopsy in August. I would have it sooner, but I have some other things to take care of first. No worries, though. She isn't looking for cancer. The marker for that is negative. But the diseases that remain can only be diagnosed (and there for treated) with a biopsy. I will keep you all posted. Please keep me in your prayers.

The children have asked to "try" public school this coming year and after some discussion we have agreed. They are very excited, which I think is hysterical. Silly children, don't know how good they have had it :) I am sure there will be plenty to post about, come fall!


This is the summer of change and I am peaceful in God's Perfect Plan for us :)

What's Happening...

A couple of funny stories I want to share and remember...

We where out and about running errands and the song "Venus" came on. Sylver comes up to me and whispers in my ear "Mom, This song is DISGUSTING!!!" .... clueless, I ask her, "Why, what's it about?"... she looks at me in disbelief before Jesse says, "Honey, it's Venus with a V!!"

.......

Talyn says to me one morning... "Mom, I think Ari wants an innie belly button"
I ask why and he says, "Because I saw her trying to push hers in with a pencil..."
followed by... "Why do I have an innie and she has an outie?"
Yes, I knew it would be entertaining, so I asked, Well, why do YOU think that is?
"I think it's because the testicle cord pulls too hard when the baby is in your belly"
" The WHAT???"
" You know, the testicle cord...."
"Umbilical, baby, it's UMBILICAL!"
"Oh.... well then, what's testicle?"
"Ask Dad when he gets home."
"Why can't YOU just tell me?"
sigh...
.....

Yesterday in Target, we where in the cleaning aisle and Talyn says, "What are you looking for?" and I said, "Steel Wool" and he Says, "WOW, I want to see the totally awesome sheep that makes that wool!!!".... and the kicker is he was being SARCASTIC!!!! LOL, Momma's boy!!

.....

Other than that, it's life as usual around here. Harried, hectic chaos, which makes for a busy, blessed, content momma. I did go to the Dr. last week and my blood pressure was very high (164/110) even after relaxing and knitting for awhile. I have some bloodwork to be done to see why... could be my kidneys, being out of shape, having four kids or, more likely, all of the above. I am on a beta blocker now, but the adjustment has been pretty rough for me. I think my body metabolizes medications differently because my kidneys don't function as well as they should (just an FYI for those that don't know, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Chronic Renal Failure during my pregnancy with Ari, it's not as scary as it sounds, promise!). The bottom line is the beta blocker makes me tired, loopy and my vision goes blurry for a couple hours after I take it. But, I have started taking it at bedtime to minimize that and I actually do feel more energetic during the day. I spent five hours disinfecting my entire kitchen from top to bottom Friday! Good times, lol :)

I would like to take a moment to pray for my sisters, Cori, Angel and Brandi. They are amazing women who are going through some difficult struggles right now.  I love you three very much.  I am so blessed to call you sisters AND friends.

Heavenly Father, I would like to take this time to lift Cori, Angel and Brandi up to you and ask that you bring them strength, peace and the knowledge of your perfect plan for their lives. Please Father, draw them close to you and heal their hurting hearts. Please bring them comfort and shower them with your Grace. Please Father, help me to be a source of love, friendship and support for them. In the precious name of your son, Jesus, I pray.

He is Risen! Happy Easter, everyone!

Some Funny Pictures

First up is the look of disgust on Vinnie's face when Trin kissed him... seriously Priceless!!

Next up is Ari "helping" Sylver Rollerblade. She actually dragged Sylver along at times, knocking her off balance.

And this is why we love our Raggies so much... Popeye's big ole' butt in Ari's dainty little doll stroller and he stayed there for as long as she wanted to wheel him around! The cat in the corner is Lola and she just came over to sniff him and ask him if he had any dignity at all, lol. (FYI, I made the nightgown Ari is wearing! & excuse her cute little bedhead). Jess says Popeye got in the stroller all on his own.

Trinity "snowboarding" on a 60 degree day!! We got so much snow that there are STILL snow piles sitting in our yard!

Jesse and the little Vin Man getting in some quality reading time...

And one more cause it makes me smile :)

And some pictures...

I am gearing up to print out my blog in to a book, sometime in the next couple of months, that is what's up with all the pictures. I was terrible at baby books, but printing my blog out every 18 months or so is do-able and will give the kid's memory books to look through as adults. I love looking at my baby pictures as an adult and realizing that my mom felt for me the same way I feel for my children. SO very cool :)

 

 

Snowstorm Pics....

 

Our Backyard-Check out the hammock!

 

That's our Firepit!

 

Our side yard fence is under that snowdrift!

 

Our First Day...

With Vinnie! Cori went back to work today :( ... she was so sad. BUT, the bright spot is we get to watch Vinnie 4 days a week!
It was exhausting and joyful!
Ari went back and forth between claiming him as HER baby while ordering us all away from him and trying to shove him off my lap, LOL. She wanted to share all of her food with him, steal his bottle and hold him. She dragged a pillow over to the foot of his swing and sat on it to watch him sleep while she noshed on goldfish... when she tired of that she took it upon herself to wake him up so he could further entertain her. She was too funny!  By the end of the day she was tired of sharing her mommy and I had more babies than arms/lap.... isn't that the best?!
Vinnie is adorable and sweet, of course... he really likes Jesse's deep voice and Talyn's antics- he smiled and babbled at both of them. Talyn, Sylver and Trin all argued over who got to do what for him, which I hope doesn't wear off too quickly!
I took pictures of our record setting snowstorm. I will try to upload them tomorrow, before we get another foot or two!
I am going to bed... before midnight!

In the Thick of It....

A nasty stomach virus and septic water, that is.
BLECH!!

The kids have all had a nasty stomach virus. First Sylver and Ari, which resulted in a 24 hour day of washing linens, bathing children, and just being in mommy nurse mode. Trin got it yesterday and tonight Talyn, who NEVER gets sick, came down with it. I had it first, last Sunday, Praise God! I can't imagine caring for everyone else feeling that bad!

To add insult to injury the laundry room sink backed up with septic water- NASTY!!!!!! I had to call the state sewer people and they came out at 11pm last night only to inform us it wasn't their problem.

banging my head against a wall.

So, until we figure out what the problem is and how to fix I can't do the laundry, some of which needs to go through a sanitary cycle because of the above mentioned virus...

and Life Marches On.

Something I want to remember...

Jess and I where laughing tonight about Ari's constant snitching of things from the pantry. He was cleaning it out and organizing it and in the midst of long lost expired food treasures, she found a Canterbury Egg from last Easter... I think she ate the tin foil wrapper, because we still can't find it. blech.
Anyway, It triggered a memory of something Trin did when she was about 2 and a half (see the above pic).  She talked really clearly from 2 on and her comprehension was spot on. We where grocery shopping and she asked for some marshmallows. In the interest of a peaceful shopping trip I said, Alright, but Trin, Look at me... DO NOT eat that whole bag.
Ok Mommy....
When we made it to the check out line I looked down, noticed what appeared to be an empty marshmallow bag and gasped... TRIN!! I told you not to eat the whole bag!
Mommy, I didn't.... she produces one lone smushed marshmallow from the bottom of the bag.... Look, there is one left!
She looked so proud of herself, too. Jesse laughed and told me to be more specific next time.
While I was paying she was tugging on my sleeve, Mommy... can I have the last marshmallow, now?
sigh.
I ask you, could you have resisted?
:)

Thank You...

To say I am feeling grateful for my friends and family who have shown me God's Grace this week would be a gross understatement. It was a brutal week for me, this week. My spirits where as low as they have ever been, my peace was completely out of reach and panic set in. I literally hyperventilated at one point and it felt like as soon as I stopped crying I would start all over again. I am more likely to hide under my covers then reach out for help, yet God brought help to me. My friend Jen, whose children Ben and Zia we watched last summer, showed up at my door late one night and reminded me that God's Work is done even when you aren't looking for it. She left me speechless and humbled. Thank You seems insufficient, but I will say it anyway... Thank You, my friend. My sisters, Brandi and Cori showed me love, support and selfless generosity. My sweet beautiful sisters, Thank You. I am more grateful for your love, support and friendship than you will ever know. Your love gave me the strength and courage to pick myself up off the floor and reach out for help. My church family gifted, not only the most beautiful blue spruce Christmas Tree we have ever seen, but an amazing cherrywood crib for Ari that we can turn in to a toddler bed and then a daybed. Through this, we where blessed to meet another homeschooling family who has struggled much like we are. As are result, we feel a lot less alone in our struggle to find our footing again. Most of all my church family lifted me up in prayer, that my panic would abate and I would once again be able to rest in the peace that God promises to His Beloved. The end of the week has brought me peace and hope. I am still, finally, quietly reflecting and admiring all the small details that God took care of... He spoke clearly to me, through those around me... You are NEVER alone my beloved Child.
My mother has been a constant source of emotional strength and practical help, not only this week, but always. Mom, Thank You for all you do. Your strength, wisdom and generosity have been my touchstone. Dad said to tell you Thank You, from the bottom of his heart... yes, he really said that. He is grateful that you do what he wishes he was able to. Daddy, I love you. Our yearly trip to get the kid's Christmas presents always reminds me that we don't spend enough time together. Aunt Bonnie, you always do so much for so many people, quietly and joyfully. The chicken was delicious and we are making homemade chicken soup with what is left. The cupcakes where gone before you left and the clothes you have sent home for Talyn and Sylver are such a blessing to us. I admire you so much- your courage, your strength, your selfless, loving spirit. Thank You and I love you. Izz, Thank You so much for starting a new Christmas cookie tradition with the children. The cookies are long gone but they are still joyfully talking about it!
We are holing up for a couple of days because of a major winter storm.... the first flakes are falling now. I am looking forward to being snowed in with my family. For a small moment the world will stop for us and we will get to enjoy what God has brought. It means time with my family to decorate our Christmas Tree, finish making the kidlets' presents, set up Ari's crib, make some yummy holiday goodies and enjoy each others company. I am looking forward to seeing the children play in the snow and, particularly, Ari's reaction to it! The new year will likely bring some hard changes and challenges, but for now I want to just enjoy this peaceful reprieve made possible by my Loving Heavenly Father and the family and friends He has brought in to my life. I truly love you and am humbled by the love you have shown me. My Prayers for you will never cease. 
In Christ, In Joy, In Hope,
Jennie

Our Weekend...

...was a breathless blurr of kitten clients (All 7 of the babies are at their forever homes now!). We get a nice 6 week break before our next litter! YEAH! I love this work, though, truly!

and...

Sylver turned 9.

I am actually feeling kind of melancholy about it. I was looking over her baby pictures and watching her grow through the last nine years. It made me feel a little sad that this part of my life is passing by so quickly. Sometimes I wish I could go back and live certain moments over again... I guess that's what memories, blog posts and pictures are for, right?

I will also admit to feeling a little trepidation about what's to come. I have done early childhood, over and over and over. First as a nanny (or mommy in training, as I think back on it) and then as a mother. I really am not sure how to be a mother of tweens and teenagers. There aren't many books on the subject, probably because most parents get by on a wing and a prayer. That would be a pretty short book,  you know? It would begin and end something like this....

Good Freakin' Luck.

The middle would consist of deep breathing techniques, headache remedies and, for when all else fails, cocktail recipes.

Sylver's birthday was very nice, but I thought I would let her tell about it on her blog. I will have her sit down and write Thank You notes and a blog post tomorrow. Thank You so much to everyone who remembered and sent a card/gift/e-mail. It really meant the world to her!

One of THOSE Days....

It's 2pm and I am ready to go back to bed with a bottle of tums and some chocolate (and man, am I missing wine, about now!).

Ari's latest fun thing to do is to spin in circles until she is dizzy.... you see where I am going with this, don't you? Yup, slammed her face right in to the corner of a plastic, square, litter bucket. Someone (I'm not saying who, but the little golden haired culprit knows who she is) had dragged it in to the kitchen to use as a stool and then left it there. My poor baby girl, busted her bottom lip, bit the side of her tongue and tore the top of her lip where it attaches to the gumline (frenulum). I don't do the whole blood thing very well. I tried to see the injuries through the blood and couldn't without totally becoming lightheaded and nauseated. I called Jesse and made him come home to pull her mouth open to see if she needed stitches (it's deep, but not something they generally give stitches for). I still feel queasy. I really don't do this particular part of parenting well. I am calm in a crisis until blood is visible, then it's a struggle to keep the panic at bay. She is fine, now.  A little swollen and sore, but cheerfully playing and eating. I am fighting the urge to hover and/or wrap her little body in bubble wrap.

But, wait! There is more! More?! Yup, more... (rolling my eyes, here... oh, the drama!)

Our bank made a $600!!! error, not in our favor (why are bank mistakes NEVER in your favor?!). It's fixed, thanks to my wonderful mother and her willingness to drop everything and go to the bank and pull some strings to get it fixed ASAP. I couldn't leave Ari (wasn't really in the right mindset to drive and deal with bank personal in a calm, non-freaking out manner, anyway). Mom has friends everywhere she goes, so she was able to get it fixed within 20 minutes, from Florida! Super Mom to the Rescue! Thank you, mom. I love you :)

All this before noon.
 
I am for sure NOT driving today!

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for your Grace and Faithfulness in every moment of every day. Thank You for Jesse, Mom, and Mr. Jim for bringing us lunch and company. I pray for healing for Ari's sweet little mouth and my re-occurring sinus infection/earache. In the Precious Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Our Halloween....

We had a fun Halloween! We drove over to Heather's neighborhood and ToT with 3 other families for a total of 11 children! What a wonderful, joyous, chaotic mess! Everyone had a great time. We had a very small Halloween Budget this year ($0, LOL), but I think they are our best costumes yet!
No pictures of Ari, though. She wore a tutu, missed her nap, but once the candy started flowing she was a much happier baby!