A Look Back At The Beginning...

Do you ever sit down with new friends and they ask you how you met your husband or wife? Well, since we moved here a year ago I have become good friends with a fellow homeschooler. While at her house last week the question was presented as to how I met my Scooter Boo. (Of course they dont call him that) As I began the story of the Scooter Boo/Jenni Leigh romance I began to fall even more in love with my husband!! Weird... because I know the story and how it plays out, but my heart was pounding as I spoke as if I were there again. I think most people ask the 'in the beginning' question because they are confused how the two of us decided we would make a good team. Most people would compare us to things that seem as opposites in life...(salt & pepper, oil & vinegar)...but in reality these so called opposites are really compliments of each other. Big Papa makes me even better than I was before. When I pms he makes fun of me (indirectly), and I am able to see the light side of hormones. When I stress he makes me laugh! When I need a lift he shows up with whatever food treat he thinks will make me happy (by the way my favorite is a caramel sunday!!!)...if any of you know my Boo that takes a lot of love because he struggles with food obsessions! He's a good man that keeps life full of LIFE!!! I laugh more when we are together and he knows that is my love language!!! Thats what makes him so great...he speaks my language!!!! I love this man!!! It doesnt hurt that he is one handsome devil as well! He is sexy from head to toe (ok maybe he has a little flaw on his toe). Piercing blue eyes, muscles that any man would die to have, with those muscles comes strength that makes me feel safe, his sexy bald head, not to mention he makes clothes look really good too. Shoot, I could have married him for just his looks and still come away in the good, but the truth of the matter is that this man is the perfect man for me. Yes, we may appear to be an odd couple to some but if you were a fly on the wall in my house you would see this is a perfect connection. ( then you would die because Big Papa hates flies, ask the girls).

The G-Side Talent Show

On Christmas Day everyone was challenged to bring a family talent to perform for the rest of the family, and for the most part it was a great success. We had talent from the full range of acts. We had singers, guitar players, comedians, musical spoons, poetry reading, dancing, and the art of having out in out fun. If ever you need a theme for a party try a talent show it may surprise you.


Cousin "A" played the guitar as Pepaw read his Christmas poem and Memaw reminded us how happy she was to be blessed so greatly this year!

Cousin "M" sang a sweet rendition of the solo she sang for her church Christmas program. She represented her family strong and proud and did a great job!!!

Uncle "J", Aunt "M", and cousins "N" and "I" were the comedians in the group. They each had funny Christmas jokes that started us off with laughter. Thanks for adding to the fun guys!!!

My "B" sang Joy To The World and it was great!!! To be so shy and timid she sure has a heart to sing in front of crowds. We also put together a musical spoons production but because I was in the program with the kids we have no pictures or videos. Even Little "O" and Baby "L" played the spoons with us. It was so fun!!

Then there is the one member of the family whose talent comes natural....Baby "J" has the talent of being Super Cute!!! He doesnt even have to try, he just is!! Keep up the good work Baby "J"!!!

And last but certainly not least Big Bro "J" represented his family with a lovely rendition of "Bad To The Bone"! Sing it brotha'!!! With cousin "A" on the guitar Uncle "J" broke into his soulful self and out came a star. See the G-Side's got talent!!!

Merry After Christmas From the G-Side Kids!!!

If you ever want to be around some pretty wonderful kids...take a pit stop into Memaw and Pepaws house on any given holiday and you will find this awesome group of the G-Side Kids!! One brother has 6, the other brother has 3, my sister has 1, and we have 7. When these guys get together they are such a joy to be around, and anyone who knows anything about the G-Side...we love music!!! Can you imagine 17 brains thinking of 17 different songs. Some are on the guitar, some are beating out a beat either on the drums or on the sofa pillows, some are singing their favorite tunes while some are listening to theirs on their ipods, mp3s, (any electronic device that will play music). Needless to say you walk away with a song in your heart and more than likely one stuck in your head. I cant wait for the next holiday!!! I love these kids!!!

By the way Merry After Christmas!!!

Happy New Year!!!! 2010

I am amazed to say that out of 7 children we only had one snoozer when the ball dropped on New Years Rockin' Eve!!! You would think this night was the pivot night for something great to come. The kids were so excited!!! We ate the traditional summer sausage and cheese and crackers, and cream cheese and olive dip on little tiny rye bread. The kids couldnt wait until the celebration foods were set out because that meant the official countdown was on. Sweet "D" asked every 30 minutes beginning yesterday morning "is it time for the ball yet"? Of course as it always happens she fell off into dreamland 20 minutes before the ball fell and we had to wake her to let her see the ball hit then she was back off into never-never land.

The video is for you my Scooter Boo! They were all sad to not be kissed by you so they sent you a kiss via the blog!!! Ill save my kiss for when you walk off that plane! So hurry up!!! These lips have been missing you for quite a while!

A Christmas Tale...

Twas the night before Christmas and the table was set with a tin full of treats and milk to keep the palate wet...


...the stockings were hung on furniture because, we have no fireplace for dear old "S" Claus...



...the tree was trimmed and engulfed with gifts each a surprise...and I could not wait to see my kids eyes...

...Baby "L" got a vacuum that goes vroom vroom vroom...we all are hoping it runs out of batteries soon...

...Little "O" got the scooter he has dreamed of for some time now...and all he could exclaim was, "I got my 'cooter' WOW!!!

...Little "D" was overwhelmed by the paper and mess...so she moved close to me where she opened the rest...

..."F" got some moon shoes that she can walk in...she couldnt wait to go out to show all of her friends...

..."B" was quite taken by the fun stocking treats...polish, pencils, and tic tacs to eat...

..."K" stood in amazement at the doll that she found...she fell so deep in love she just couldnt put her down...

...and my "H"...well she let out a big YIPPEE!!!!....she unwrapped a cell phone and as all of you see....she was happier than happy can be!!!

As morning drew to an end that day...and I sat and I watched as my children did play...a feeling of sadness came that nothing can fix....until Big Papa is home and part of the mix...so hurry home to me my Scooter Boo...your Jenni Leigh is deperately missing you!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas With Nana and Pepa!!!

Its funny how in the beginning of a big family gathering everyone is smiling and excited about seeing everyone. Then someone gives the children sugar and well I'll let you guess what happens to the smiles. Just kidding, considering there were 13 children under the same roof with utter anticipation of what could be beneath all the wrapping paper, I think everything went great!


Aunt "T" had to work the day of the family gathering, but she was not forgotten. Things just arent the same when you arent a part of the festivities Aunt "T"!!! Next year we expect to see more than 2 minutes of you in this madhouse of sweet babies on sugar!!

We tried to corral all the kiddies on the steps to take one of those memorable pictures...Can you guess which 2 love the camera? These 2 boys posed everytime they saw me with my camera. If only we could all be that confident with ourselves.

What a cutie!! Little "J" was full of little stories to tell the whole time he was there. He also loved the attention he was getting from the girls so he kept up his cute antics just to make them laugh. What a fun little boy!!

Baby "J" will probably be cleaning lip gloss out of every nuk and cranny for a while after she decided to use an entire container within 10 minutes of unwrapping it! Aunt "B" will probably ban us from gifting ever again after that greasy cleanup!

Speaking of Aunt "B" ....doesnt she look stunning standing next to 'the man of the house' while Uncle "R" is serving this country along side Big Papa! Isnt cousin "C" a handsome fellow. He will be a heartbreaker one of these days.

Now cousing "H" belongs on stage. She was the life of the party for the kids. She showed us this dance move and I can only imagine this must be a move she has seen someone else (not to name any names "T")! I guess her new name in this house will be Miss Personality!!!

The Three Amigos...."G", "J", and "H"....these three traveled in a pack at all times. If you found one you found them all. I am a little jealous that we dont live closer so the girls and the babies could remain close.

In the end...both young....

...and old!!! (just kidding) were ready to settle down for a long winters nap. Nana, Baby "L", and Little "J" just couldnt hang on any longer. They just needed to close their eyes and dream of all the dishes that waited for them in the kitchen....Sweet Dreams!!!

All In The Name of Tradition!!!

If there is one thing I like...it is a good family tradition!! Last year when we had just moved here, Big Papa loaded us all in the van and took us to see this wonderful displaly of lights. Of course we had to close our eyes until he said we could open them, then there in front of our eyes was this beautiful lighted house. This year the girls have begged daily to go see the lighted house, but I thought surely this must have been a one year thing. I was wrong!!! Apparently this guy does this to his house every year.

Big Papa, I took this picture for you so you could be a part of your family tradition from across the seas. Wish you were here!! Have your roommate shine a bright flashlight on your face to get the full affect of the lights. Now dont you feel like you were there with us? We love you!!!

Yes Virginia There Is a Santa....

Or should I say...Yes Little "O" there is a Santa Claus!

We as a family decided to not elude our children with the illusion of a Santa Claus persay, but more with the reality of where the whole Santa Claus idea originated. If you ask any of our older girls if they believe in Santa they will probably say yes, but then go on to tell you of the first Santa Claus. This has been the reality in our house for some time now. However, this year we have encountered a little kink (or should I say a little child-like belief). With little or no introduction to the concept of Santa, my Little "O" has developed an extreme love of this character. He tells everyone who will listen, "Santa Cwaus wuv me!"

Well, today at the girls dance studio guess who showed up?!? "Santa Cwaus!!!"



As you can see, my Little "O" was his best friend!!! They walked together and talked together. "O" just stared in amazement at this jolly figure of Christmas. He has talked non-stop this afternoon of his adventures with Santa Cwaus. He is so excited about him that it almost makes me get a feeling of belief. If only we were kids again, with that utter excitement of what Santa would leave under the tree just for us, because we were soooo good this year. Believe if you want my Sweet Boy, you are only little once!


Like I said, they did a lot of talking! We now know what cookies he likes and what the reindeer like to eat and that all bellies in the north pole are made of jelly.

In the end all the kids bent to my will and posed for a Christmas picture. As you can see Baby "L" isnt so sure he is as excited as his big brother about this very hairy man.

Tah Dah...Its Christmas Recital Time!!!

Little Helpers...

Baby "L" says, "Hey let me help you decorate (or should I say un-decorate) the tree!" I know we put the same ornaments on at least 10 times each thanks to his helpful decorating!