What we have been up to you ask??

How about Puke, Poop, and bleach. That pretty much sums up the last week or so. I know; disgusting but its reality people, and with 4 kiddos and a stomach bug carried straight in from the devil it wasn't pretty. I am not sure what is worse, everyone getting it one by one and lasting for days or if it came all at once. I am sure both have its negatives and negatives;) Anyways, do to God's grace and that He didn't want me to go completely insane, everyone is feeling much better and after 2 weeks of barely any school (what do you do when the teacher is out and she doubles as the sub?) we are attempting to get back on track. I pray for anyone who encounters this demon bug...no I am being serious...it was horrendous. Sorry there are no pictures with this post I will leave those out along with the details of the past couple of weeks;) In the mean time check out this website http://www.boutiqueforaweek.net/ I am signed up and cant wait to get rid of clutter and make some money doing it:)

The Cutest gift under the tree if you ask me...

I cant believe its already December 16th. Wow...as fast as the days are passing Sadie is growing. She will be 8 months on the 18th, she is crawling, walking along walls and sofas, even your pant legs if you are standing still long enough, she wants to eat everything, and she LOVES playing with her sisters and brother. Today we found her underneath our Christmas tree, Isn't she just so cute! God is so wise! Can you believe His plan all along was for us to have 4 beautiful children!? Taylor is doing well despite a discouraging report from her Drs. Her measurements were not good this last Drs. visit and we will have one more check up before discussing surgery. Will you pray that it be God's will to heal her? She is loving reading and continues to help me with the little girls. Colin is growing and he is the main source of entertainment for the girls here, his passion is video games but as often as he asks to play is as much as I am seeing him read! YES it clicked and I am so excited, I even found him copying bible verses in his oh so cool Vans notebook;) Lauren is Lauren and although we are about to go into "stop peeing in your panties boot camp" she continues to keep us laughing, she says the funniest things and has been enjoying her little sister getting big enough to play with her. I know they will be good friends:) We are in full swing of December events, we have had a HG Christmas party for the children which including Walk Through Bethlehem and the Griffiths watching our children...all of the children so the parents could fellowship, to the adult HG Christmas party at the Blacks home, where there were plenty of yummy foods to eat and a gift exchange, the Christmas Bash, the Undivided coffee house, and a few get togethers here in our home. I am excited by a recent conviction I felt strongly from the Lord, this Christmas Vacation to spend quality time with my children. I am so looking forward to being obedient and we are starting it off with a day of baking tomorrow. Well don't let the December rush stop you from enjoying this wonderful month where we get to celebrate the most sacrificial gift, Jesus, and the blessing of family and friends.

Sadie gets her ears Pierced!

Well it was time to get some bling for the youngest girl in our family, and what better way then to do so with friends:) We met up with Stephanie and Ella (and her big brothers) to get the girls ears pierced. They really did great considering they were both ready for morning naps. We had a yummy lunch afterwards (which was a big treat for my kiddos...mall food!) and headed home in time to finish up school for the day.

I have been tagged.....

I've been tagged:) here was my picture Ms. Cissy, her hair grows So Fast! What a cutie!

Sadie's Dedication

This was how we looked through most of the praying...Sadie was either grabbing Colin's hair or pulling on her flowers. I think my mom told me she smacked at her once too, add in that I thought we we praying when we weren't and you have your self some good Sunday morning entertainment.

Gosh, she is so cute isn't she?!

My parents and my family...Thank you Tara and Stephanie for being great photographers!!!

What the Little Girls have been up to...

This is my Sadikins...you will find her most days stuffing her hand in her mouth, tempting us to think she is getting a tooth.

And I am slightly tempted to tack a swiffer cloth onto her clothing, she is scooting everywhere and in a few short days I am sure will be crawling.

Up on her hands and knees...

Almost there little mama. She is getting so big and Jonathan and I are loving it! She went in for her 6 month check up about 2 weeks late. She weighs 16 lbs. and 10 oz. she is in the 50% for weight and the 75% for her height. She loves to eat and it is starting to show it:) We couldn't imagine our life without her sweet spirit...Life is good.

And Lauren, well, Lauren's paci has been eaten by buggies. Well that is what we have told her anyways. It has been about 3 weeks of no paci here and on most days we have a little or a lot of above attitude. I am however in full faith that it too shall pass. She is a smart cookie and she will eventually figure out it isn't coming back. BTW, we also couldn't imagine our family without Lauren...well we could imagine it but we wouldn't trade her and said moodiness for anything.

The Carving...

The yuck of the pumpkin, I toasted the seeds after we cleaned them and then they were yummy:)

Daddy was amazing at carving, he and Colin picked one of the harder faces to carve and he did an excellent job. Such a hot dad;)

Our scary skeleton

And Lauren...

And Colin proudly displaying his pumpkin.

The Pumpkin Patch

So sweet!

Lauren wanted to stay at the 'Patch" all day

Taylor was extremely helpful and just went with the flow

Colin ended up finding the "perfect pumpkin"

And Sadie, well if I would have let her she would have sat and just licked every pumpkin and ate straw all afternoon:)

More updates...

Ha-Ha Cissy, Colin is still 7:) Life has just been taking up all 24 hours of the day. Literally. Lauren and Sadie are now sharing their room and I think both of them are still getting use to each other. Like this morning when Sadie woke up at 6:30 to nurse Lauren took it upon herself to wake up too. I am a firm believer in children staying in bed at least until 7:00 but after a discipline and 2 very awake little girls I decided this morning it was not happening. Besides waking up early Lauren has decided that you are a girl when you wear a dress, and otherwise you look like a boy. Hence a dress everyday. Sometimes 2 or 3 depending on whether we make it to the restroom in time. Colin has lost his two front teeth:) I love it, I think its just so cute when they have no teeth in the front and the lisp slightly. Unfortunately one of them didn't fall out naturally, apparently the snaggle tooth in the front was an extra one and it was pulled a week or so ago. He did so well and they even let him keep the pulled tooth, I swear it was about an inch long...disgusting. He has also been able to take days off his punishment because he has on several occasions choose wisely instead of foolishly or selfishly. This has been indeed a big deal in our home. We are all excited when we get to rejoice for changed behavior.

Sadie is doing just wonderful aside from being distracted by above sister and not sleeping in like she use to. it has been twice now that I have found miss Lauren in her crib with her in the wee hours of the morning. She is eating like a little piggy and growing everyday. She scoots/rolls all around the floor and you will often find her half way under the sofa or bed. Her hair is getting thicker by the minute and I am sure in no time she will be sporting bows:) Taylor has been a huge help within our home (usually;) She recently served at one of her first Metro Youth events. (I still cant believe I have a middle schooler) It was the Senior Luncheon, Grams and Gramps sat at her table and I believe they made wonderful memories. Well, that's us lately on top of Homeschooling, Home group, Piano, Singles, Deluge, Worship Team, Accountability, Cleaning, Cooking, Grocery shopping (a job in itself) Leading, Submitting;), being a mommy and a wife, oh did I mention I was trying to exercise too?

Colin

So it was last night after a loooong day I thought I needed to reflect on Colin and all the wonderfully good things about him. I never really did so adequately for his birthday so I thought I would post now after another really looooong day:) Since we have been spending so much time together in our bathroom (Actually I was interrupted from this post to join my bathroom buddy again) that taking time to acknowledge all the great things the Lord has given me in Colin would probably do us both some good. Some things that I am thankful for... 1. Colin has a very compassionate heart for those who are less fortunate, from a very young age he was willing to give toys away, save money and buy things for them at Christmas time, and often asks about children in other countries. 2. He is a life saver to Lauren, literally. 3. He loves to entertain both his younger sisters and they love to have him entertain them. 4. He still gives me hugs and doesn't wipe off my kisses. 5. I love that he lets me play with his floppy ears. 6. That he is opened about asking questions about Christ and heaven. 7. That he is learning to play guitar. 8. Once he starts serving he begins to enjoy it. 9. He desires to be around his family. 10. What God is going to do for him, through him, and with him. Colin, Happy 7th Birthday! I love you!