Rainy Days

Ok, so it has been raining off and on for the past 4 days. Do you know what that does to a family that homeschools and spends a majority of their breaks outside? Let me give you a hint....go smell your dog when it is wet. Children seem to acquire the same scent when allowed to play in the misty, wet weather. Now pretend for a moment that I dont have a smell phobia, however when you take the smell of wet dog and multiply that times 5, it could send even the sanest person over the edge. Not to mention that I have to be side by side with them as they read me a book that seems to be a million pages long because the smell is so overwhelming. Needless to say the girls are in the bath at this moment washing the stinch off so we can finish our schooling with the sweet smell of soap. Am I taking this a little too far? Maybe, but dont judge me until you have walked a moment in my shoes which I never take off my feet due to the fear of stepping on something yucky like a piece of wet cereal or a piece of melted cold ice or orange juice that was spilled this morning and no one seemed to see the need to clean the area with a wet cloth. So now every step I take makes a sticking noise but all that is something I will leave for another ranting post.

To My Scooter Boo!

There is really no special occasion for this letter, but I am just overwhelmed with my love for you today. Although I have loving thoughts of you everyday, today just seems more intense. I think of all the things we have come through. We started out alone and grew stronger pullling off of each other instead of family and friends. I truly believe that God set us apart from our comfort to make us who we are as a couple today. Every so often He will put us in a situation that makes us remember how much we need each other and not so much everyone else. I guess these weeks while you are in training is a reminder to me how much I need you. You know I am not a needy person nor do I ever want to be, however when you are not here I feel misplaced. Does that sound weak? Who knows...maybe deep down I really am. All I know is that when you are not here something is off. I truly miss you! Now go ace those tests, run like the wind, and come home as soon as you can. I love you!!

Jenni Leigh

"Happy 7th B-Bear"

Look at our little Indian Princess......what a sweet beauty she has become. She seems to be maturing much faster than I wanted but she feels the urge to be like her big sisters. There are days I forget that she is still little. What a sweet innocence she seems to have. She is in love with her family and loves to be reminded how much she is loved. Look at that face doesnt it just beam with sweetness. Sweeter than sugar or in our case Nutra Sweet.
What a great party we had with the cousins. Lots of sugar and plenty of fun.
Memaw and Pepaw were there too. Memaw made B's favorite meal (spagetti)! Its the simple things in life that make times more enjoyable. I must say Memaw makes a mouth watering sauce! Um Um Good!!!!
Ummm......cake!!!! Happy Birthday B-Bear!!!!!

Thank you Pepa for setting up the Military Police dog demonstration. We learned a lot about the importance of the dogs in the K-9 unit, and the guys in the unit were so sweet to the girls. They were very informative even with the silliest of questions. Turns out cats cannot train for the K-9 unit (bummer).
After the dog demo, we went over to learn about the planes used by the military. The older girls were very intrigued by the facts they learned about each plane. However, the younger 2 were more interested in rock collecting. They were both 2 lbs heavier by the time we left due to the collections in their pockets. We also seized the moment and took a very nice picture with Nana and Pepa. We had a great day.

The Other Side...

Here are a few of the other cousins on Scooter's side. Mr. Blondie loves to have his picture taken and seems to leave his brothers in the dark. They are all handsome boys and the girls had a wonderful time when we were visiting. Its a shame there is such a driving distance between us.
Isnt she so beautiful? And not big as a minute. She has four months on little O and he seems bigger. She is just a teeny tiny thing. I think her cheeks are the chubbiest thing about her.

15 Kids and a Campfire

On my side of the family there are 15 cousins. Here are the boys....They are way out numbered. So far there is a 5 to 10 ratio. Luckily the girls like adventures just as much as the guys

Here are half the girls ......

....and here are the other half.
Here is little "O" joining in the adventure. We believe in starting the kids young in outdoor fun. Too bad he is too little for beanie weanies and mac and cheese.
When you have 15 kids to feed and need a little memory maker ......try making beanie weanies and mac and cheese over a campfire. Who says kids need modernization to have a good time? Their ages range from 4 months to 14 years and they all enjoyed it the same. Memaw and Pepaw will be the heros in their eyes for months to come. We even sang a little Kumbaya and had hot cocoa. Memories, memories,memories.....

Adventures in the Park

Last week we got together with the our favorite group of little gentlemen and had a wonderful adventure at the park. They all climbed rocks and discovered the effects of no rain on the creek. We had a dry creek bed (bummer) but lots of fun watching our little mountain climbers make it to the top. They all seemed very satisfied with their rock climbing skills. Even little T and D made it.
I love these shots.....8 little adventure seekers dashing off to see what else they can discover.....or was it a bathroom break they were seeking? Either way children just seem to dash from place to place no matter what the occasion.

Happy B-Day "H"

Happy Birthday to "H" !!!!! This is one fun kid to give presents to. Especially when it is something she likes. This year all we needed to remember was kittens and crocodiles and it was a success. 10.... can you believe that? It seems like just yesterday we were in Guam trying to come up with a name that would fit our first born; planning out what she would be like when she grew up. We couldnt have planned for a more perfect baby. She has been such a wonderful beginning to our ever growing family. Everyday I look at her and realize our time with her is growing shorter by the minute. Everytime I blink she seems bigger and more independent. Now we are venturing into preteen years and I am a little nervous. My baby isnt a baby anymore.

For Dr. S....She's the Best

I know I already posted little O's rash but this is for the doctor's sake. This is how he woke up this morning.

Not So Happy on Milk

Poor little O......he was doing so well on the lactose free milk formula, however Saturday he began projectile vomitting and Saturday night he began forming a rash all over his body. Poor baby! I guess he is literally allergic to milk proteins.