PHOTO Shoot!

I have a photo shoot tonight...WOOHOO! I am not looking forward to the heat, but I am looking forward to seeing these little guys again! These are the twins I watched this past year. Tonight I'm shooting them, their handsome older brother and their lovely parents! It should be hot an adventure! And yes I still have twin envy! I'll post pics later! Then next week......wait for it....wait for it....BEACH PHOTOS....go ahead jump up and down and scream with excitement...I am!

Uncluttering Makes Me Happy

I've been nesting, and I'm not even expecting; but I've been nesting as if I were! It's so refreshing to get rid of stuff....so much stuff....that we don't need....that's still good stuff.....but we just don't need it. I was talking on the phone with my mom today, and she said something that made me really happy. She said that she realizes that even though she may have trouble paying her bills, at least she has a home and clothes and food. It's hard to imagine the poorest person in America...it's hard to imagine people living on $80/month....it's hard to imagine being homeless or hungry! It's hard to imagine....I've been thinking about how blessed we are to live in America. I don't think this because we have stuff, but I think this because we have so many choices that other people in other parts of the world don't. As I was talking to my mom today....I told her that even though we have really tight finances....we have a lot! I mean we really have a lot....there's a lot of stuff we could definitely do without which is one of the reasons why I'm getting rid of stuff. We also have a lot of stuff that someone else could definitely benefit from which again is one of the reasons why I'm getting rid of stuff. We live in an old house which didn't have closets, so when we moved in; we made this little breezeway room our closet. It's HUGE....I mean HUGE! In it we have the place for our hanging clothes, and then we have an armoire that also houses clothes. In our bedroom, we have a shiftrobe (look it up if you don't know what it is) that houses clothes and a vanity that houses clothes. I have to admit....I have lots of clothes! I decided last week when I was cleaning out all my girls stuff, so that I could purge the three youngest into one closet, that I didn't need all those clothes. It's ridiculous for me to have all those clothes....shoes, now that's another story ;) (just kidding). I've made it my mission to get rid of the armoire and the vanity and just use the hanging part of our closet and the shiftrobe (remember to look it up if you don't know what this is) for mine and NPayne's clothes and that's still plenty of clothes. I'm not going to say it will be easy, but I feel it's so necessary. After that, I am going through our kitchen and clearing out and getting rid of stuff in there. The living room and bathroom have already been cleared out, and I kid you not when I say the back of my suburban was completely packed full of stuff that was donated! I've always thought that once I get things more organized, I will be much more productive; and I truly believe that is just part of my nature. I can't function when things are a mess, and there is clutter....I end up losing all sorts of things, forgetting all sorts of things, getting so frustrated I can barely stand it, and usually giving up! NPayne and my girls, except Drew....and I think maybe Elliot as she gets older, cannot be bothered with cleaning up and clearing out. Clutter and a mess doesn't really bother them much. It drives Drew and I nutso, and it would drive Cal nutso as well....he is very organized in a sort of chaotic way! Bryna just moved downstairs into Elliot's room, and Drew now has her own room....for the first time really ever...and she is so glad that it will stay clean! That's my girl! So let the clearing out, the uncluttering, the donating continue; and if you are doing the same....YOU GO GIRL or BOY!

TRUE OR FALSE

I was nearly 40 years old when my last baby was born.

True or False?

NPayne was born in a different decade than I was.

True or False?

I have a tattoo.

True or False?

I always wanted to be a mother, but I never wanted to get married.

True or False?

I rode the church bus to church when I was a little girl.

True or False?

I have had lots of stitches.

True or False?

I have seen "the light".

True or False?

One of my childhood friends was murdered.

True or False?

I was NPayne's one and only girlfriend.

True or False?

I still have my best friends from middle school and high school.

True or False?

I was a cheerleader and a bookworm in high school.

True or False?

I was painfully shy as a little girl.

True or False?

I have 5 piercings.

True or False?

I have gained about 60 pounds since high school.

True or False?

I do not enjoy driving.

True or False?

I always wanted to be on The Price Is Right.

True or False?

I LOVE Mercy Me, Elvis, Lenny Kravits, and Harry Connick Jr.

True or False?

I can't wait to hear the song that NPayne has been writing me for years.

True or False?

I am very laid back.

True or False?

I DO NOT like to be busy.

True or False?

My birthday is the day after Christmas.

True or False?

I am an only child.

True or False?

I live in a really old house that I absolutely love.

True or False?

I only miss church 2-3 times per year.

True or False?

I rarely buy anything new.

True or False?

I could survive on coffee, sweet tea, yellow cornbread, grilled hot dogs, hummus and any kind of pastry.

True or False?

I would still love to have more children.

True or False?

My entire wedding cost about $2500....including the reception and my dress.

True or False?

I break out in dance moves at any random moment.

True or False?

I have a store on Etsy.

True or False?

Photographs often take my breath away.

True or False?

I cry in church nearly every week.

True or False?

I feel God's presence now more than ever.

True or False?

I am extremely allergic to horses and dogs.

True or False?

My children's initials are ABCDE.

True or False?

My children's middle names are all after someone dear to me.

True or False?

My grandparents cotton farm was one of my favorite place in the whole world.

True or False?

I have had plastic surgery as a result of a terrible auto accident.

True or False?

I love my life.

True or False?

I would love to homeschool my children.

True or False?

Sometimes I still can't believe I'm the mother in the house.

True or False?

I use to ask for a brother for Christmas.

True or False?

I am not good at sharing.

True or False?

I love a good massage.

True or False?

I have never liked my curly hair.

True or False?

I have horribly ugly varicose veins.

True or False?

I bite my nails.

True or False?

I hate scary movies.

True or False?

I often cannot sleep, because I have been inspired to create something.

True or False?

I don't like the TV, but I love my Mac.

True or False?

I eat peanut butter every day.

True or False?

I could nap every single day.

True or False?

God is Good, and I am so blessed by Him.

True or False

The answers: TRUE

This post was inspired by Brittany at 4LittleMenAndGirlyTwins!

"STUFF"

Tuesday morning, the 3 little girls and I went to have breakfast with our beloved Ms. Peggy. Ms. Peggy is a preschool teacher at the preschool at our church. Addi, Drew, and Bryna were all in her class. Elli....well she won't have the blessing of having Ms. Peggy....SIGH! You see Ms. Peggy retired this year, and she's moving to a very small little community and living in a cabin. We adore Ms. Peggy, because she's wonderful in so many ways and loves life and everything living. She's one of the greenest people I know and always has wonderful earthy things to do with the kids. She's a granola girl....through and through. We'll still see Ms. Peggy from time to time, but we won't see her every week like we use to; so we decided to have a little "we love you" breakfast with her. While we were there visiting and eating, Ms. Peggy was talking about her little community and country town that she is now living in. I told her how I was truly a country girl at heart and would love to live in the country, have bad cell phone reception, no TV, and a huge garden. As we were reflecting on the country life she is now living, she said something to us....and it was just further proof that our Ms. Peggy is the fabulous person that we know she is. She said that she really liked living in her small little cabin, in her small community, where people don't have much; because it was humbling. She said that it just proved to her even more that we don't need stuff to be happy. I so know that's true....I do....and I'm so on board with that. I'm not saying that I don't have or like "stuff", but I'm saying that I know that "stuff" is not what makes our lives full. Relationships with others, serving others, loving Jesus, praising Him and serving on His behalf....those things are what makes our lives full! NPayne and Addi are on a mission trip this week, and although they are exhausted from working their tails off helping others....they are having a great time, building relationships, being the hands and feet of Jesus, and being full of The Holy Spirit. I have to say....I'm a little jealous! Now don't get me wrong....I'm thrilled they are serving...it makes my heart so full to know how much they are helping....but I simply can't wait until I am able to go as well. While they've been gone, I've been exhausted from working my tail off here at home. I've been cleaning out and getting rid of stuff....right and left....and I just realized tonight that I am also serving others by doing this. There will be many families, children, adults who will benefit from the things I'm donating. I also came to realize that I'm being filled by knowing that I don't need all this "stuff" to make my life full and getting rid of it is so so so refreshing! Really what it boils down to is this:

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

-Psalm 126:3 (NIV)

Dinner Out

So the other night, NPayne comes home from work and makes a suggestion that I never even imagined he would. We had already decided we would eat out that night....just because we had not taken the family out to eat in a very long time, and it was payday! :) He walks in, greets everyone with hugs and smiles and heads to our bedroom to change his clothes...which he usually does. I followed him to ask him where he wanted to go, so I could tell Cal and let him have time for it to sink in. NPayne then surprised me completely and said...."Why don't we use those gift cards and go to Outback?" "All of us?" I said. Honestly I was thinking....Is he nuts? He wants to take our family of 7 to Outback? It will cost an arm and a leg, and none of them have ever been there....except Addi. Instead I smiled nervously and agreed. NPayne called Cal into our room and said...."Cal, we want to go eat at Outback. They don't have chips there, but they do have french fries. Is that okay?" He smiled and nodded his head yes, so off we went. We told the girls where we were going, and they were excited....mainly because they had not been there before....and in Addi's case because she had been there before. We arrived, and I got out to go inside to put our name on the list. I asked if we could sit outside....I'm thinking at least if there's a meltdown....we won't be inside for everyone to stare. NPayne and the kiddos walked in, and I said...."Do you want to sit outside?" He said, "Not if we don't have to." He then said, "If there's a meltdown, at least I want to be cool." I reluctantly agreed, and we were escorted to our big round table. Everyone ordered, and NPayne ordered us some of those loaded french fries for an appetizer. When they arrived, NPayne put a serving on everyone's plate....except Cal's. He started to sit the fries back in the middle of the table, when he and I both noticed the expression on Cal's face. He looked a little confused and almost insulted....as if to say....why didn't you serve me any? So NPayne said, "Would you like some?" Cal said, "Yes!" And you know what? He ate them....french fries with cheese and bacon and even some ranch on top. Now some of you are probably thinking.....big deal....he ate some fancy french fries. What you have to understand is that Cal doesn't eat fancy french fries or usually anything except chips in a bowl at a restaurant. When he ate another serving, I literally could feel the smile on my face as I chewed my fresh steamed veggies. I couldn't believe we were sitting in Outback with our children, and all was going quite smoothly, and our son was eating loaded french fries....ahhhhh....the simple things. We got the bill, used our gift cards, and ended up owing $4.95 plus tip of course. It was such a wonderful night, in such a "fancy" place as Drew called it. Although the food was great, the company was awesome, and it was a huge milestone for the boy; we won't be going to Outback, as a family, again for a very long time. Had we not had those gift cards, our bill would have been $100. Tonight, we were going to grab a quick dinner out; and NPayne was asking for suggestions....guess where Bryna suggested? You got it....Outback. Guess where we ate....You got it again....not Outback....but the ever so tasty Taco Bueno!

PHOTOS are FUN!

Dandy little big family here. Aren't they just lovely?

Foster Parenting

Some wonderfully dear friends of ours have been feeling a call for a few years now....a call to share their home. After much prayer and consideration, they decided to start the process to become foster parents. The entire process took about 12-18 months, and then they started to wait. They really didn't have to wait long before a placement of a child was needed, unfortunately that one didn't work out. My friend had become very ill with a bacterial infection. Once she was finally better, she received a call on a Thursday...."There is a 2 day old baby....Will you take her?" Some discussion and prayer, a lot of shopping, and a definite "YES"! About 24 hours later, they had added the baby to their family of four. A newborn baby....breathtaking as newborns are! The very next Sunday, July 4th, my friends came to church with their new addition. I knew they were coming, and I knew they were coming to sit in the pew with my family; but what I didn't know was how completely overwhelmed I was going to be. When I saw my friend walking towards me, with that precious baby in her arms, and the most glorious beaming smile on her face....I wept....Okay I sobbed....that big ugly face sob....I did that....yes in church....and yes for a multitude of minutes. Then she handed me the baby, and I snuggled her the entire church service....still fighting back the tears. The girls immediately started asking me if our friends had adopted her, and I was trying to explain briefly and quietly what fostering a child meant...after all we were in church service. Then Cal looked at me.....looked at the baby and said...."Why are we getting a new baby?" Everyone around us chuckled quietly, and I told him the baby was not ours and that she was our friends' baby. They will have probably have her for at least a year. She is going to be so blessed by this family, and they are going to be so blessed by her. Our God Is Awesome!

No More Babies!

All Spring we had been trying to figure out what to do upstairs. What I mean by that is we have 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, several huge closets, and a playroom up there. Four of our five children have bedrooms up there. Remember we live in a very old house and the upstairs is really our attic that NPayne has converted into all these usable spaces. It's really quite fabulous. The time has come for our sweet littlest, Elliot, to come out of her crib....yes I know she's 3 1/2, but she loves her crib. What NPayne and I have learned is the easiest way to transition a child from his/her crib to a "big kid bed" is to have them move in with someone....for some reason this helps with any anxiety he/she may have. So we were trying to decide where Elliot would fit upstairs. After much thought, we decided that Bryna could just move downstairs into Elliot's room....leaving Drew her own room....Addi still having her own room....and Cal still having his own room. Everyone was on board with this, so we began the switch the other night. NPayne moved the beds from Drew's and Bryna's room downstairs....because I wanted them to match :) .....and he moved the twin bed from Elliot's room up to Drew's room. The crib was in limbo, because although there was room for a crib and a twin; there was not room for a crib and two twins in the downstairs bedroom. NPayne.....frightened by the fact that Elliot may cry all night without her beloved crib....was very hesitant about moving it out. He originally planned to roll it into our living room just in case and then roll it back in....if she decided she needed it. I told him I thought we should just take it out and go cold turkey. I can't even believe I said this....because I knew that would mean NO MORE CRIB IN MY HOUSE....and that is heart wrenching for me. But I did. Turns out that the crib could not be simply rolled out, it wouldn't fit through the door; so it would have to be taken apart. Before that occured, we asked Elliot again...."Are you ready for a big girl bed? Are you ready for Bryna to sleep in here with you?" She happily nodded and said "YES!" Everytime I had tried to coerce her into sleeping in her twin bed, she would just point to her crib and say...."That's my bed!" I wouldn't argue and would put her happy little thumb sucking self into her crib. As we were getting ready to remove the crib for good....SIGH! Drew came in and said...."Elli, say goodbye to your crib. You're getting a big girl bed now!" Elli walked over to her crib and grasped the side rails. She held onto them tightly, pressing her cheek against them and said...."Bye bye crib. I will miss you. I hope to see you soon!" Well that was all she wrote, when Drew told me what Elliot said; I had to excuse myself and sob for 20 minutes. NPayne even said...."I'm ready for the crib to go, but that was sad!" I walked upstairs to see Drew's new solo room and all the cleaning she had done to prepare for being alone. When I walked in, the first thing I saw was Bryna's name on the wall where her bed use to be; and again the tears flowed. How can my babies be growing up so fast? How can it be that Drew is perfectly okay with sleeping in a room alone when she has always shared with someone? How can it be that I no longer have a baby in a crib, or diapers to change, or someone to rock? I know it's part of the life cycle....I get that....and I'm not by any means complaining that my kids are growing and thriving. I'm just heart broken at how fast it is going by. My firstborn is 13. My youngest is almost 4.....you have to admit that 4 sounds so much older than 3. Until recently I had been changing diapers for 13 years....now I'm not....honestly that I won't miss much, but it's a new season for this mama! I know having older children will be such a blessing to me as well....I just wish time would slow down a tad! Seeing my Drew so excited about having her own room that she can keep clean and tidy makes me happy, but it makes me sad thinking about her not being with Bryna....they have shared a room FOREVER! Having Elli in a big girl bed sleeping all night without a hitch makes me happy, but hearing about her telling it goodbye makes my heart break. I am not a parent who can't wait to be an empty nester. In fact, I would be happy if my kids all went to college close to home and lived at home while doing so. I have realized that I am going to have to embrace the years to come and cherish them as much as I have cherished the years past, and I will! I am so very blessed by these wonderful creatures that God has lent me. My goodness am I blessed?

And Baby Makes 5!

Some of dearest friends have been blessed....they became foster parents this past Friday to this little blessing. More to come on this story later, but for now....love those fingers and toes!

Happy 4th

I can't believe it's July 4th and our summer is almost to the halfway mark....that makes me a little sad! We have been busy, and you all know I am not a fan of busyness; so let's take a deep breath and SLOOOOOOWWW DOWN! Who's with me?

I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July....at least those of you who live in America! Remember to keep our service men and women in your prayers....not just today....but every day!

MY WEEK

One wedding down, one to go...phew...it's exhausting editing 1000+ photos...but it's finished. I still have one wedding left to edit, but it was a much much much smaller occasion; so it shouldn't take nearly as long.

Our VBS this week has been loads of fun....I was the "floater" which is quite a nice change. I've been the preschool director of our VBS for the last umpteen years until this year. Last summer, I kindly decided it was time to give someone else a chance to love directing preschool. This year I have been a commander (which is what the adult classroom leaders are referred to this year, since our theme is space). I have gotten to help lead kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2 separate preschool rooms. As I said, it's been loads of fun! My children are loving it as well. Our children's pastor, Nathan, is a real gem....SOLID! Our VBS adopts missions each year to support, and this year we've adopted 3: Feed Our Kids, Soccer Balls for children in Africa, Scholarships to send local 5th graders to NASA for space camp. Each day to help bribe motivate the children to bring money to support missions, Pastor Nathan agrees to do something outrageous....crazy....silly....nuts.... if the children will bring a certain amount of money each day. The first day, Nathan got 2 pies in the face! HEE HEE! The second day, he wore a pink dress and wig all day which would be disturbing if I didn't know him. The third day, he drank an entire bottle of Louisiana hot sauce....can you say PEPCID?. And the last day, he will be drenched with chocolate sauce. I'm going to have to admit if I didn't attend our church and didn't know Nathan, I would think this whole thing was crazy and maybe even a little cruel; but since he is completely on board....and it works....the children bring mission money....well.....I still think it's crazy, but as I said....it works! I will tell you that seeing Nathan walk across our church parking lot sporting a pink dress and wig was....well...shall I say....funny and weird. One more day of fun to be had in VBS space tomorrow or as Elli refers to it....PBS (Pacation Bible School)! She's so stinkin' cute!