How Do I Keep From Losing It?!?

Ok, for anyone who is not aware of our current house selling situation...here is the basic rundown. We have had our house on the market for almost 15 months. Some of that time with a realtor some by owner. We are currently with another realtor and I am going off the deep end. I am so sick of going crazy to put my house in show quality and then turn around and no one shows up. Yesterday, the girls and I kicked our rears trying to get this place ready for a showing at 7:00pm. Its not like we live in filth, but when you have six kids and a baby on the way, things tend to get a little out of place throughout the day. The girls are not the most meticulous cleaners but they do try to help. However, the most part falls on me and when you have a belly that protrudes way beyond the rest of you, deep cleaning is not the easiest task. Let me just say that as I walked out my door to leave for the hour that they had scheduled this showing, I was feeling pretty good ab0ut the way everything looked and smelled. I purposefully leave my door unlocked so upon returning if the door is locked, I know the house has been shown. Well, much to my dismay, the door was unlocked and there was no evidence that anyone had been there. I am so defeated today! I know people dont see what they cause when they do this to me but for once I would just like a little respect for the extreme machine that happens when a showing is scheduled. Do they realize that I doped my poor little "K", with 103 fever, up with so much motrin and tylenol to give her a false sense of wellness just so she would be able to help me. She is my best cleaner, and I depend on her. I am so sorry "K" for pulling you off the couch to clean by my side for no reason at all. You are a trooper! Maybe next time we will leave the house the way it is and see what happens. Yeh, anyone who knows me knows that that will never happen, but my what a shocker that would be to these mindless realtors who throw my world upside down for nothing. All I am asking for is a little consideration....just call and leave a cancellation notice next time so I can pull myself out of the whirlwind of cleaning. Please!

Take My Breath Away

"H" has hit that "bicker" age. She thinks I treat her like a baby and maybe I do, but it is all in the attempt to keep her safe. It seems that daily she and I have unrest with our opinions on life, however on this particular day I was able to catch her in a state of tranquility. There was utter chaos all around while we were trying to capture family photos but as she climbed up onto that rail and held onto that pole and I peeked through that camera window, finally I saw her for all she desires. To be free, she is my free spirited child who fights daily for that right. It is so hard to reign her in for school and chores and minor needs throughout the day but if I just remember this image in my head maybe it will make me more understanding as to who she is and maybe I just need a new approach. I love her passion and her spirit! Lord, help us to lead and guide it in the right direction.

The Blue Hat Baby

My BFF and I were discussing while we were at the beach a few weeks ago that we have now become those people that we used to laugh at in our earlier years. You see our children and our husbands spent a lot of time either wearing extra clothes while playing in the ocean or on the sand or at least wishing they had been smart enough to wear them. There is nothing like your child getting burnt the second day into a week trip at the ocean, or your husband getting the itchy scratchies from his over exposure to the sun (that is with spf 50), or your little baby being allergic to the sunscreen that is supposed to be protecting him from the suns burning rays. All in all, we have decided that those swim shirts that the surfing shops sell are a great idea and big rimmed hats are the bomb, hence all my pictures of Little "O" are this cute little faceless baby with this big blue hat. I did find this treasured shot that shows his sweet face while playing in the only water he wanted to touch at the ocean. He was perfectly fine 30 feet away from that never ending rush of water. Can you tell he was almost ready to crash for naptime? My sweet blue hat baby.......

Kids + Water = Fun

The kids worked so hard to get that silly slip and slide to work so they could have some fun party time. What is it about kids, they just love to get wet. Personally, I think it is a little overrated!

Little did they all know that Big Daddy Scooter would be in charge of the water hose. I think he sprayed any germs that could possibly be around clear off of them. We have massive water pressure and their little tushies sure felt the fire of the hose.

After all the sliding, the little girls decided to take a relaxing break in the baby pool. Did you know you could squeeze that many kids into a tiny pool? Me either!

It's A Party

What do you put on your first boy's 1st birthday cake? Well we decided to welcome him to the zoo of our lives and made him an animal cake. He loves playing with the animals that were on top, so I guess that was a hit.

When you have a baby allergic to everything what do you do for his cake? You throw caution to the wind and give him some anyway because hey every baby deserves a taste of his own birthday cake. Needless to say he thought that cake was a great idea.

I got bubbles, I got bubbles, I got bubbles hey, hey, hey, hey!!! (Watch, The Little Rascals movie and you will understand.) Little "O" was thrilled with opening his gifts and truly enjoyed what he found inside. I think he may wonder why everyday isnt dedicated to him after all this fun.

"Hey Daddy, can you help me get my tools out of this box? Maybe you and I can do some of Mommy's 'honey do' list tonight."

Happy Birthday Little "O"....

Today is our baby boys birthday!!! At 10:19 am one year ago this little miracle came into the world. After giving birth to 5 sweet miracles prior, I knew what I was in for with labor and delivery. However, little did I know how different it would all be once we came home with this little bundle of boy. From day one he has been so different from the girls. He is a great sleeper and so meticulous with all he does. Is that a boy thing or a little "O" thing? I guess we will find out in the coming year as our next baby boy (Lyndon) grows into boyhood as well. As my love grows for each one of my children daily so has my love for little "O"!!! Time seems to have flown by and I am realizing that I need to soak in everyday with this miracle we have been given. If this year has gone this fast, how fast will it go next year and the year following? I dont want to wake up one morning to a young man leaving me for college and wonder where his babyhood went.

I charge all of you to live each day soaking in every moment of your loved ones (especially childrens) lives, because I already wake up and look at My "H" and wonder when did you become who you are? This amazing journey began with that little miracle full of such a will to live and now she is turning 11 this fall. I am going to make it a day full of remembering today and try to slow this timeline down. We will all talk about "when you were a baby" so everyone knows that I remember them just as clearly as I remember Little "O".

Thank you little "O" for reminding us today on your birthday that life is truly a miracle and everyday we have with you and each other is a gift from God. You are an amazing little boy who I love just to love on. Thank you for allowing me to be your mommy and for giving me such joy in you.

Here is the song that has rocked you into sleep for the past year, I know that one day you will be too old to want to hear me sing it to you so I am going to record it here for you to have memory forever:

The Mens Take on What Lives in the Ocean....

What good daddies these children have. They were dedicated to the march on the ocean. 2 daddies 10 children.....minus Little "O" who decided the ocean water was not his thing.....marching out to the never-ending fun of wave jumping. When low and behold...

....these brave men spotted something in the water. Notice they are peering out in the deeper water. Two seconds later they come running with with the children close behind. You see my husband who fights for this noble country is terrified that he will meet his demise face to face with a shark. I guess his anxiety is contagious because our good buddy fell prey to the fear as well.

My Scooter Boo felt this was a much safer depth of water to play in. Luckily the kids enjoyed playing along with the shark attack theme. What can I say that's my man!

A Crabby Beach Story....

It was a beautiful day at the beach and the kids were all playing in the water except "B" and Little "O". All of the sudden "B" heard "H" crying and saw her running out of the water.....


What's the matter "H"? "I got pinched by a crab, boo hoo hoo!" I am never going swimming in the ocean again, boo hoo hoo! Mommy said, " I will give you $5 if you get pinched again. So off "H" went back into the water.

"K" decided she must make the ocean safe for her sisters to play in so she went fishing for that blasted pinching crab, but all she could catch was ........

.....this funny looking fish. Deciding that the crab incidence was a fluke "K" declared the ocean safe for all her sisters to go and play.

"F" and "D" decided to go together to protect each other in the event that another crab would try to attack. Sadly this was not the last crab attack. Everyone was pinched at least twice and Mommy is now broke from all the $5 promises.

The End
But stay tuned for the invisible shark attacks declared by the big daddies!

Pure and Simple.....

....simply the purest of my beach shots. I love my kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love to capture the sweet love these two have for each other. There is just something to be said about a man in love with his baby boy.

I could just cry....

Purity at its best....Little "O" discovered a little thing called shadows today.

I just couldnt resist the desire to post this image. I think these little angels belong on a beach billboard dont you? Can I say it again.....Man I love my kids!!!!!!!!!!

In Memory Of......

Ok, I know it has been a while since my last entry, so lets play catch up.
On Memorial Day Scooter planned a quick trip to our towns Memorial Wall of all the soldiers who have fought and died for our country from our little town. I was amazed at all the names of the people from just this area. The girls were looking at all the names and finding names that were similar to people we know here.

It was nice to see the girls so concerned about the wall dedicated to all the gulf wars. I guess this wall was one they are able to associate with. What a good daddy to take this time to share these quiet deep moments with his girls...

....and Little "O" .....who seemed to be enthralled with the Memorial Day Flower arrangement someone had placed at the center piece. I wish the color would have come through a little better on this one because the picture is a classic.

To all the brave who have fought to keep this country safe and to the ones who still fight daily, we are greatful to you, for the freedoms we have today. And to my own soldier at home....I am proud of you and will stand behind you with every deployment and training opportunity, because I know you fight for the noble cause of our freedom. Our children will always see you as their hero as will I. We love you!!!!!!