Plump Babies

Meal time around here has turned the corner. Boaz, who is about to be 6 months on the 27th, has officially made it to the highchair. I can't believe that Roman is out and Boaz is in. Strange how quickly that transpired.

Here is my plump little chub-a-lub. I had to strip his shirt off since the squash baby food had been sufficiently squashed on to his shirt. His baby fat just sends me....lol If only it was as attractive on the rest of us.
Here are the babies. Yes, we call them the babies in this house. They already have a sweet little bond. It will be so nice to have them close in age throughout their lives.

Boaz Is 2 weeks Old

My little man is already 2 weeks old. Hard to believe. He has had his days and nights mixed up and it has been a bit brutal on Daddy and Mommy. However, I prayed and prayed that the Lord would solve that problem, and low and behold the next day he was bright eyed and bushy tailed. More importantly he started to sleep in between feedings all night, last night. What a huge blessing for us parents. Thank you the Lord for the little things you grant us!

I decided that it was time to get a picture of my two babies. After all with only 2 years between them they will be the best of buddies in life. I tried explaining this special news to Roman, but as you can see he wasn't falling for this. He sees Boaz as a sleepy, tiny, eating machine and not a whole lot more at this phase....lol

However, after explaining that he was the BIG brother, his mood picked up. It's all about positioning and birth order in this house full of men.

Son #6 Is Here!!

Now Introducing Boaz Alexander....



This little bundle of Joy weighed 8 lbs. and whopping 21 3/4 inches long!

How precious is this face?!?


I, Mary, have the privilege of presenting this beautiful baby to the blogging world for all to see.
Trina's labor from, start to finish, was 3 1/2 hrs. and even though it that might seem like a short spurt of time, lets not kid ourselves ladies..It was still Labor..hehe
Trina did amazing (no shock there) and the Lord saw fit to again bless this household with another son!
Trina is doing great and feeling good and Baby Boaz is following in Mommies footsteps. We are so happy for them!
Welcome to this world Baby Boaz!!!

Stubborn Teeth

Nothing that special about this photo right? I mean he is six (almost 7) and he has lost his front tooth. Seems like a very normal and humdrum experience, and it is.....sort of.....but a little background must be in order for you to fully appreciate the glory of this missing tooth.

You see for months....and I mean months Abram's two top teeth have been loose. In fact, they began to discolor and buck out a little. I warned him to continue to loosen them so that they would come out, after all I could see a permanent tooth trying to poke through the gums up above, looking for an exit if that tooth didn't clear the way for it.

Therefore, I bribed him with a little more money and a jaunt to the dollar store if he got on the stick with it. However, those boogers wouldn't loosen up enough to where even I could feel good about giving them that final destructive tug.

So Saturday morning he came in to give his habitual happy hello, when I saw the dratted, discolored, bugs bunny teeth taunting me AGAIN. I gave them another wiggle and was disappointed at how little progress he had made with them. So I sent Abram downstairs to let Dad have a little look-see. Once he bounced downstairs I continued on with my conversation with Teresa, and forgot all about it.

A few minutes later Abram was back upstairs, but this time his demeanor was quite deflated. He opened up his tiny mouth and their was blood all over the place. With tears in his eyes he whimpered while holding out the tiny tooth in his hand. He said that Daddy had pulled it out and he didn't think it was as ready as Daddy did. I was extremely pleased, very relieved, a wee bit shocked, and saddened all rolled into one emotion. Abram said that Daddy wanted to get them both out at the same time, but he declared with as much desperation as a six year old could muster that he could NOT endure that! lol I didn't blame him!

So now we have one stubborn tooth out and hopefully the second discolored, protruding tooth to follow soon. After all, the permanent tooth from the first hole is already filling in and coming down remarkably fast. They are ready to come out, whether they want to come out or not!

Birthday Season

5 birthdays in 6 weeks, not including mine which is also in April.

This time of year is an important time at this house. I suppose it's because I will have given birth 5 out of the 6 times during the spring, and therefore we are in birthday mode around here, which of course just so happens to be full of pivotal birthdays this year.

You see, Levi just turned 13 (he is now officially a teen), River is about to turn 18 (where did my little boy go?) Abram is turning 7 (thank goodness he is not in the double digits), and Isaiah will be turning 16 in April (aacckkkk another driver soon). So all four of those birthdays happen within weeks of one another, nevermind squeezing in a fifth celebration smack dab in the middle. I know we could have planned it a wee bit better, but if you know Den and I then you knooooooow we are not big planners....*giggle*

Anyway, I have learned that close to birthdays the boys get antsy. It's not because they can't wait for birthday cakes and gifts, no it's more like a little timer goes off in their biological brains and bodies, and it's not normally a very jolly experience for mama. I have made notes throughout their lives of these sorts of events and I am pretty sure it is scientifically correct, of course I am the mad scientist.

So, River is counting down to becoming 18 because he has big plans. He is getting ready to leave this old nest soon and he is flapping his wings and batting people in the eye with his gigantic wingspan. Levi is now a teenager and can attend church functions as a "young kid". He is constantly getting advice from his older brothers on how to be "cool" at such activities. Of course, then he wants to practice the "cool" part on the rest of us. Isaiah is anxious to turn 16, but he is behind on getting his drivers license and he is NOT pleased about this. He tries to get sympathy from me, and I can fake it from time to time, but I am sure I ooze "Oh well" a little too much, and therefore am not scoring points in that department.

Oh when did it all become so complicated? Abram is getting ready to turn 7 this month and his biggest concern is if we will be able to manage a Chuck E. Cheese run on his glorious day. I think I can squeeze a two hour adventure in to make his little world go round. However, he is not immune to the birthday evolution. He is always a little more emotional a few weeks before he is ready to blow out the candles. A few more gusts of throwing his little weight around in whatever small area he can, but lucky for me, his little weight is easily placed in the corner on such occasions....hehehe Now a 6'5" foot boy is a little more challenging and therefore takes a little more caloric brain power for me.

So to conclude this long winded post....I have to ask myself the question, "What was I thinking adding another birthday in the spring??!!"LOL

Sneak Peek

Den and I were downstairs and the house was very quiet. It's never very crazy around here, but we normally have a straggler or two that wonders up and down the stairs from time to time, making his presence known. After a while I decided to head upstairs to see what everyone was doing. Isaiah, was playing X-box in his room, Levi was sitting at their computer playing a pc game, Abram and Roman were on the floor playing with Axis and Allie pieces. Everyone was in the same room, and everyone was quietly enjoying one another. (River was in his room chatting on the phone). The boys didn't see me as I stood at the top of the stairs looking in on them. I thought this is the life. It doesn't get much better than this.

He Hears Us

Our morning routine is to sit down and visit with each other. River and Isaiah were talking about their friends and some of their strong suits and some of their weaknesses in building relationships. It was interesting to hear their take on things. Isaiah had talked about how he had a hard time talking about feelings, and sort of equated it with being like his Dad. I have to smile while typing this because if you know Isaiah at all then you know that he worships and adores his Dad. So I began to share with Isaiah how that his Dad is very sensitive, especially as he has gotten older. I talked to him about a conversation his Dad and I had in the car the other night, and how is Dad got choked about how much he loved his sons. I shared with Isaiah how much I LOVED this about his Dad. Isaiah just smiled, and we moved on to other topics.


That night, after church, Den was sitting on the bed. He had been reading some scripture when Isaiah and I sat down to visit with him. Den began to talk about a brother who wasn't coming to church with us right now, and how much he loved and missed him. As he was sharing his heart with us, his eyes welled up with tears. Den said, "Oh here I go...getting all watery eyed. I need to be better about telling people how much I love and appreciate them." I glanced over at Isaiah to see if he recalled our conversation earlier that morning. Isaiah looked contemplative as he looked at his Dad. I smiled and said, "See Isaiah, your Dad is very sensitive and he has the sweetest heart." Isaiah smiled warmly, and said nothing, but we both knew of our conversation earlier that morning, and knew that the Lord was working.

What Are YOU Looking At?

I think the construction t-shirt that he is donning evens out the high heels, don't you?

Roman loves my high heels, well he loves ALL shoes to tell the truth. He loves them because they mean "bye bye", everyone elses shoes are easier to put on, and the more difficult they are to walk in the more fun they are to clunk around in.

He is wearing my strappy black high heels, and Bro. Rusty, who was spending the night at the time, thought it was funny, and snapped this photo with his cell phone. I had to giggle. I mean here he is in his Mama's shoes, only a diaper and t-shirt, and his little chubby hands on his hips with the look on his face that says, "Who do you think you are, snapping a picture of me?!"

Bro. Isaiah

What a beautiful weekend. I had no idea how this weekend would unfold, but God did. Thank you for answering another one of my prayers on my children's behalf. You are a generous and merciful Heavenly Father.

Here is our little assembly. Isn't it amazing to see how much it has grown since 9 months ago? All the brethren have gathered at the waters edge to watch Isaiah walk down in to that watery grave.

Bro. Sean was the one Isaiah asked to baptise him. We sang "Shall We Gather At The River", and then he knelt down to pray. This photo is sooooo beautiful to me. To see and to hear another man pray is so private and so humbling.


Here is Bro. Sean ministering about the importance of baptism.


Bro. Sean and Isaiah beginning their walk in to the water while the brethren sang "Go Bathe in that Beautiful Beautiful Pool".

I love how that he lets Isaiah lean on him while he makes sure his footing is sure. Just how it should be in real life. It touched me.
I love the smiles here.
Announcing what he is baptising him into.Down goes the fleshly man, making sure all is covered.

Bro. Isaiah sitting in the chair overlooking the water, while he continues to listen to how he will receive the holy spirit.

Den ministers on this for a while.


Bro. Sean, Bro. Dennis, Bro. Doyle, and Bro. Elvin lay hands on him to receive the holy ghost and certain gifts in the spirit. With a sensitive ear I listened to hear what it was they were praying over him.

My heart is so moved. I am so thankful that my second son has made this important choice, on his own, in the Lord's time.

When we first got to the lake the wind was whipping about briskly. I was shivering as I began to wait for the brethren to all gather around. I worried about how cold it would be for Bro. Sean and Isaiah. Once they walked down in to the water the wind just stopped. I was amazed as the temperature felt like it had risen remarkably. After Bro. Isaiah was sitting in the chair, Bro. Doyle announced that he and Bro. Brian had prayed that the Lord would stop the wind, and that he wanted to stop and thank the Lord by giving Him credit for this. Tears streamed down my cheeks because God is such a kind Father, and hears and answers so many of our prayers.

We had his ordinance supper later that night. Again a beautiful, traditional service that has been handed down from generation to generation.

The whole weekend was full of unexpected company and it all worked towards our good. I will share more later, but for now I want to savor these pictures and this moment in time.


Thank you to Sis. Tisha for remembering your camera, and to Sis. Marisela for snapping the shots that will burn a beautiful image in my mind forever.

God's Design

Mary and I decided to meet at the pool with the kids last night. Den and Rusty were at a men's meeting, for the night, so we decided to take this time to get the kids together for a nightly swim.

We met at the athletic club, wandered in to the family changing room, and got everyone ready to go. We put life vests on Hailey and Roman, and made sure that the other kids were ready to hit the pool. Everyone was in the water in a splash, literally. I held Roman, confident that he would be a clinger all evening long, after all we didn't have his typical water wings that are placed around his arms. However, he proved me wrong. He kept wanting to shake my hands off his hands so that he could swim by himself. Not wanting him to be scared when he tipped forward I kept trying to hold tight to his little hands, but soon he made it clear that he wanted independence. Figuring that he would have to learn the hard way I released him, but instead of crying he began to tread, and very quickly he was off and swimming towards the other children. Mary and I were amazed at him and his convictions, as we giggled.

This is when I had another parental epiphany. I had nothing to do with this....lol That is who he is. In the beginning of my parental adventures, with River and Isaiah, I gave myself credit or blamed myself for every little thing that my children did, believing that I had the impact on forming almost every part of their personality. Now that I am 36, and I have five sons I realize that this was blown completely out of proportion. I obviously, influence their behavior as far as morals, and their understandings of things, but HOW they see their world is more in line with how God made them, individually. I know that I have stated this a million times, but I have to say that it never ceases to amaze me. They are who they are from the womb, which is why God says he knew them even while they are in their mothers womb. I find this intriguing, and I also find it exciting to discover who they are, and how I can help them be better people. It does make parenting more challenging and difficult, but it also brings a new light of trusting in the Lord's design, too.

For instance, I have had some high maintenance children and some lower maintenance children (all children are maintenance;), but why they are, who they are, in this manner is how God designed them. I have given them the same amount of love, discipline, and in general guidance, after all I am only one mom and I am pretty predictable. So if I was the complete sculptor wouldn't it make perfect sense that all my children would behave exactly the same? Of course. Now, please don't misunderstand my point, in no way am I advocating that you shouldn't discipline or guide children because you have no control, not at all, but what works with one may not work with the other. Does this mean that you don't try to figure out how to make it work? No, it just means that some lessons will be easy for one and more challenging for another. Keep up the good work moms, but just know that each child is their own person.

So looking at Roman, at two years old, swimming all over the pool, independently, made me smile. Abram would have clung to me for dear life at this age. I haven't done anything different with Roman to cause him to be the opposite, he is just unique. I loved it. I love to see who my sons are, even at the youngest of ages. At times one makes my life easier, and other times that same child puts me in an emotional quandary. All that I can do is pray for wisdom so that the Lord can show me how to get through to each one, and how to comfort them when they, inevitably, need me.

Setting Priorities

Den and I have been examining our family a lot lately. I'm not sure if there is one superior reason for this, or just an accumulation of things. I do know that our family has had a lot more sit down conversations about the Lord, and how to live our lives. The evenings that we have done this sound more like a parental downpour of our ideas and think-sos, rather than an entourage of conversation coming from the boys, but you have to start somewhere, right?

Anyway, Den came home from work and asked me how my day went. I told him how it started, and how it ended. I let him know some of the ground that I covered with the boys, and where I felt like we needed to continue to work. Gratefully, he quickly agreed to keep on working, and set a plan in motion. What was that plan? To play bible trivia....Why, you may ask? Because one of the things that we feel is important in their lives is to have a clear understanding of the bible, and it's history. I remember playing it when I was a teen, and I gained a lot of knowledge without realizing how much I was actually retaining.

When we announced that bible trivia would be the family hour this evening the boys seemed surprised. Nevertheless, they were all plenty eager which made Den and I pleased. We made some snacks up on a plate, we set up the game, and then decided how to determine teams. Den was his own team, I was my own team, and the boys were all on one team. Surprisingly, everyone held their own. I mean Den was expected to stomp us to the ground, and therefore we made sure he was tested by the more challenging cards, and (not to the shock of the rest of us) he won. However, it was only by a minimal margin, and so everyone left the table content. We decided to incorporate this time in to our family entertainment on a more regular basis.

I discovered that biblical names were not the boys' strong suit. I, also, realized that Abram knew a lot from the bible dvds we purchased at the homeschool convention (again another learning tool that doesn't feel like learning). There were a couple of times that the hub bub came to a stop, because we were stunned at an accurate answer that Abram gave us. Most importantly it was a fun family moment that taught us a little more about family, love, and the bible. Can't beat that!

When My Hands Tremble

There are times to be strong. Sometimes I feel like I am going to crumble under the responsibility of being a mother. Raising teenagers is far more exhausting mentally, then the 2am and 3 am awakenings in the middle of the night by a baby. I thought those days or nights were difficult, and they were in their own right, (believe me I am aware of baby #6's impact that is soon to come), but the teens are far more, emotionally, stressful.

I look at my older boys and I realize that I don't have years to accomplish all my goals spiritually, educationally, and relationship wise anymore. The clock is ticking and all that I have done, or not done, will follow them as they pack up their few belongings and head out to face the world someday soon. I hear their own thoughts and sometimes the words they speak are like a symphony to my ears, and other times I hear the foolishness of a young heart. In those times, my heart will skip a beat and I want to focus all my energy on changing their perspective. However, this isn't always possible. I am raising men who are set on forming their own lives, and believing in their own convictions.

Now is not the time that I can be their best friend. I want to be their close friend, and I feel that I am, but it can't ever supersede my role as a mother. If while they are in my house I am a mother that shows love, consistency, and a Godly walk then I can say job well done to myself. If, on the other hand, they adore me, but they take advantage of me and they haven't stretched themselves in to the men that God appointed them to be because I was lazy or afraid to be disliked by one of them, then I have failed. It is a fine line that I walk daily with each of them.

There are days that I have felt out numbered. That conflict seemed to be heaped upon me like red/orange coals, but I am not one to run away from a battle. They are worth fighting for and I will do battle for them until the day I die.

The great victory is when you have one sit down with you, and you explain the battle that you see ahead, and they "get it". I have had to have private conversations with each one, and break down the purpose of our lives. I have explained to them, at times, that we are in a spiritual battle, that they may not be able to see the war that God and Satan are having for them, but I do. Therefore, I can't turn a blind eye to poor choices, or directions that they may want to walk. I, instead, am the keeper and the one to help them stay on the straight and narrow path until they are ready and able to recognize what this life is truly all about. It isn't about being the smartest, the wealthiest, or the funniest man, there is a far greater purpose to our lives. There is work to be done, so I need to make sure that they understand why they are being taught our beliefs, and held to the laws of God's word. For if I let them "get away" with laziness, dishonesty, and no relationship with the Lord than their lives will be in vain.

So for now, if I am not the most popular person in the house on any given day, than so be it. I have told them that mothering is not a popularity contest, but a serious labor that I have taken to heart. I am not the law maker, but the enforcer, and in doing so there is much beauty and peace in serving the Lord.

10 Moments Of Smiles

Some of the things that we experienced on our Disneyland Trip that made me either smile or giggle:

1.) When standing in the shuttle it was wall to wall people. All the seats were taken when we got on, and there was a very small place for us to stand. A gentleman got up and offered me his seat. I thanked him and was reminded that chivalry isn't dead.

2.) The five us were sitting in front of a stage waiting for a show to start. Roman and Abram were generously feeding the outgoing little birds some Chex mix, when the show started. Towards the end of the show Woody from Toy Story came on the stage and Roman's mouth literally fell open with the widest eyes of shock I have ever seen. Den and I watched him stare at Woody, and we both chuckled at his pure joy and amazement. That was a Disneyland moment I will never forget!

3.) While watching the Christmas parade Abram said, "Look he/she waved at ME!" I clapped my hands and agreed.

4.) Disneyland Playhouse had a room where parents and toddlers sat on the floor and watched a character show. There was familiar music and characters from all the Disney shows that we watch on television. Roman was so excited and so in to it that he would stop and just run to Den, Levi, Abram and me to give us spontaneous hugs. That was the only way he could express himself. Den and I snapped several pictures of his sudden loving outbursts, and giggled and reminisced about that later in the day.

5.) During the Christmas parade the Evil Stepmother of Cinderella and her dreadful Stepsisters were role playing with each other as they were dancing down the avenue, when they spotted Abram and asked him if he was willing to take her daughters to the ball. He of course said, "No." lol so she let him have it, about how he wasn't ready for the ball and left in a huff. It was quite funny and he loved the interaction.

6.) Levi said on the third day of Disneyland, "I STILL can't believe we are at Disneyland!"

7.) When the Fairy Godmother exhorted the boys on good manners before she would sign their autograph books and pose for a picture. It was very entertaining and true to life.

8.) I was down in the lobby with Roman. I was following him around the huge lobby just letting him explore the vast spaces. It was all about letting him blow off some steam since we had been cooped up in the hotel room all day. He was quite content that I was giving him a little distance, and this made him feel independent and quite adult like. A man came up to me and commented that he was quite the little man. I smiled and agreed. He then schooled me on how much harder life was going to get once I had teenagers and they began driving. I nodded my head in agreement and smiled sweetly, thinking if he only knew I was on #6, and two were in their teens......lol

9.) Watching Levi watch me through some of the shows that were 3D. I could watch his face of anticipation to try to judge whether something was coming up that he thought would be funny. By the way, he was right, I screamed at just the right times, every time....

10.) My favorite part of this trip was how Den and I would climb into our hotel bed and rehash the day. We would laugh and demonstrate some of our favorite moments and expressions from the kids. We decided, this year, that we would consider this our Christmas present to each other, and I have to say that it is one of my favorite gifts I have EVER recieved.

Christmas Nostalgia

Christmas time is such a special time of year for me. I have such amazing memories of the holidays when I was a little girl. Although my sister and I were the only two children in the house you would have thought from all the excitement there was six of us. Those traditions I have tried to hand down to my children. My mom used to wrap the presents with such care that I remember admiring how she would crease the corners at the end of each package, and then tape them inconspicuously. I found such a beauty in it that I find picking out the wrap, and carefully wrapping them brings me the same pleasure today as it must have brought my mom.

Shopping with all the red, green and "Merry Christmas" signs gets me in the holiday spirit without much trouble. There are even certain smells and tastes that conjure up all things Christmasy. It's funny to hear how long this season seems to last for my boys, but as for me, as I am gaining in years it goes by so fast that I try to stop and smell the eggnog along the busy way.

I want to be one of those people that savor and enjoy this holiday for all times. I know that some consider it commercialized, but I believe everything you do in life is what you make of it. If you feel the dread of such a holiday than dread is what it will be, but if you relish it, even the craziness of it all will be precious to you. I have chosen to relish it. I have chosen to listen to the holiday tunes every chance I get. I have made it a tradition to make the homemade almond roca, white powdery lemon bars, and Russian teacakes and let those aromas and memories burn imprints upon my children's memories. Then one day when I am old they will come for Christmas and have the nostalgia in their hearts with their own children.

Merry Christmas to all!

Good Morning To You

I was just laying in bed thinking about all that I got accomplished yesterday and feeling pretty pleased....hehehe Then I was letting my mind go over my agenda for the day, when I heard a little, "Hi" from below my bed. I scooted over to the edge of my mattress so I could peer over it, and there I saw little Roman laying on his toddler bed. He was all snuggled in his Car blankets smiling at me.

The room was still hazy and dark. I hadn't even looked at the clock to confirm that it was 7am, but I knew that my internal clock, and Roman's, is pretty accurate. I watched him stretch his blanket out, fix it just right, only to lay back down, and I just quietly watched him behave so big.

I reached my arm out, and ran my fingers through his sparse baby fine hair. As I did this he closed his eyes in delight. I let my hand caress his soft cheeks and drift under his chubby chin, just thinking about how blessed I am. I loved the quietness of the morning that we shared while we silently gazed at each other. Then, as the mind works, I began contemplating the next baby, and how he would be snuggled in alongside of me soon. How challenging it was to picture him exactly, but confident that very soon he would be a permanent fixture in our lives that we wouldn't be able to imagine life without.

Soon after my daydream, we could hear doors shutting, with laughter coming from the hall, and I knew that this would be too much temptation for my two year old. So I declared, "Up?" To which he responded, "Up." So we both teeterd out of our cozy beds. I slipped on something modest, and he tugged on my pj pants and asked, "Dess?" "Dess?", and when I confirmed, "You want dressed?" He smiled and nodded. OH the joys of raising children. Thank you God for the quiet moments between us.

Roman is 2

Roman is turning 2, tomorrow.

I remember when he was born (of course). He was smaller than all the rest of my boys. I was sick alot with his pregnancy and he was teeny. (6lbs-15 oz. All my others were 9lbs-4 oz. BIG DIFFERENCE)

He was the first one I breastfed, and it wasn't easy or glamorous, but he needed it!

I love his high tolerance for pain. Not that I smack him around, but he can fall or hurt himself and he is as tough as nails.

I love how he puts his hands on his hips and stares me down, even when he is in a good mood. It cracks me up!

He is full of pride. A pint size man with the pride of a 100. (That's not going to be pretty when the Lord has to mold around that....lol)

I love how he is so masculine, but he loves and adores shoes. He can walk up and down my stairs with my black strappy heels without breaking a sweat.

I love how he acts tough, but he melts like butter in Mama's arms.

He is now saying, "Mom" "Mom" and when he sees that I stop what I am doing and ask him "What", he feels all and powerful. Typical male! hehehe

He is starting to say the last word that anyone says in their sentence. It's off the wall and hysterical.

He loves to stand with his legs far apart and put his hands up like a ninja warrior. If he only knew how little he really was, but no one has the heart to tell him.

I love how we still call him "Baby" and he is accepting of it. We are trying to break ourselves since a new baby is on the way, but it's really hard!

He is a big eater. He loves loves loves to eat!

I love how he is pretty easy to reason with, even though he is just about to turn 2.

When he is referring to anything or anyone that is tough (like a superhero) he says, "Grrrrr". Enough said.

When someone is getting ready to go he high tails it to find his shoes and get "dess" (dressed). He wants his hair done too, which he demonstrates by whining and repeatedly pointing to his little noggin. He is a man that is all about the details.

He loves to draw, now if we can just keep it on paper rather than walls, doors and furniture. (magic eraser is my new best friend.)

I just love him! I am so thankful to have another little human in my life. I want to help him on his journey and make him in to the man that I know God intends him to be!

Happy Birthday Roman!!

VICTORY!

Here is a photo of Roman sleeping in his own little bed. It is bumped tightly to mine so I can hold his hand in the night or place the blankets back on him. As you can see its a tight squeeze wedged between my bed and my computer chair, but it is WORKING!! (Excuse my unmade bed, but if I made the bed the toddler would have woke, and the moment would have been lost.)


I am so excited! I can NOT wait to share this news. No, Den and I didn't win the lottery, but it's almost as good. Are you ready? No, seriously, are you sitting down for this? Okay...........


Roman slept all night long in his own toddler bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What?! You're not as excited? Well listen here, I am on CLOUD NINE!


If you have read my blog at all in the past than you know that our little Roman has been a nightmarish sleep partner. No one likes to sleep with him because he is literally ALL over the place. I would wake a couple of times in the night with his belly atop my head. Not exactly the most dreamy state for mama. Den would hear me fighting for air and time and time again save my life. It was a miraculous routine that took place nightly, unless we could convince one of the boys to take a turn with him, which the boys did. I would complain about my night with him, how exhausted I was, and either Levi or Isaiah would give Den and I night time leave. Then they would share their gruesome tale the next morning......hehehe


So I decided enough was enough. After all baby #6 is due in the middle of March and something has to give. I mean there isn't room for 4 in our queen size bed, and I would have to put the baby in a bubble to spare his life with Roman next to him. Therefore I conjured up a little plan. I bought a crib mattress and a couple of the softest sheets I could find, and two "Car" blankets that literally feel like butter. You see Roman is into textiles. He loves to FEEL things with his small chubby palm. So I knew in order for this plan to work he would have to love the FEEL of the blankies.


I brought the stuff home and I gave him one of the blankets. I placed it upon his shoulders and gently rubbed his cheek with the buttery material, and he was instantly smitten. He carried the blankie around for quite a while. He also happens to love "Cars", but that was dumb luck. I placed the made bed on the family room floor and told him it was his, as he bounced and jumped on the miniature mattress. He LOVED it!! (Ohhhh little did he know that it would be moved next to my bed and forevermore be his sleeping apparatus, but that would come in time!)


Finally at bedtime he was placed, with as much enthusiasm as a tired mommy could muster, on his tiny bed, that was next to mine. He wasn't sure, but I again told him how soooooooft his blanket was, and it was all HIS! That first night was, admittedly, exhausting. He was up constantly wanting to climb into my bed with me, but I was firm. Even when he jumped up and down at 3am and then 5am I denied him. I got up several times to lay him back down, and to try to melt his heart with his little blanket.


However, last night he slept all through the night, and in fact as I am typing this (right next to him) he is STILL sleeping. Ohhhh the giddiness that I feel from the top of my head to the tip of my toes is difficult to describe! I am so happy that I have convinced him to sleep in his own little bed. This calls for a nonfat/decaf/peppermint/mocha from Starbucks!! hehehe

No Such Thing As Perfect

I was thinking about a post I read today about people who aren't honest about their parenting difficulties. How, we, moms already feel guilty a lot, and we don't always feel like we can share the dilemmas that we are having with our children, because we may be JUDGED! What a shame. We need to talk to other moms and women who have been there, done that, and are not afraid to admit it. After all, we are not raising perfect saints, we hope to get them in good shape spiritually, but we are all sinners, for goodness sakes.

Now I think my boys are pretty grand, and honestly they are really good boys, but they are flawed. So am I. I have raised my voice plenty of times in this house, I'm not even sure that every time I have regretted it....lol There are days that I am at my wits end and they know it. However, since I am a constant work in progress I see where I need to grow too. I don't think I am a perfect woman raising perfect kids. Pleeeease!

I have some core issues that I don't bend on when it comes to raising my kids, and in those I feel pretty good with our little family. However, by other people's standards I may be missing the mark. However, every family has to come to their own terms and ideas of what is the most important values to teach your children. There are some things for me that are black and white with hard fast rules, but other stuff I am willing to compromise on.

We eat sugary cereal. We watch Disney movies and Nick Jr. We have read all the Harry Potter books, and have seen the movies. My kids collected Pokemon cards when they were black balled in the christian community. I let my boys play with toy guns, and they are allowed to wrestle and be physical as long as everyone is having fun. My boys know how to cook for themselves so that Dad and I can go out on the town and not have to worry about them. Dad and I rarely take the boys to a nice restaurant (since it is so expensive), but we take them to Taco Bell, Burger King, and Pizza Schmizza (even Starbucks for a little something something...hehehe). I am not saying that they don't ever get to go out to a nice restaurant, but its not the norm for our large family. We take candy out of their Halloween bags that we want, and we call it our "Daddy Tax" for taking them trick or treating. We are fair with it, but there is no guilt involved. I have had my toddler throw a doozy of a fit in public and blushed from embarassment. I have put my boys' nose on a door and forgot about them before, because I was busying doing something else.....lol The thing is the boys know that their Dad and I are not perfect. We say we are sorry, and we try to explain things to them as to why we do certain things, and why we want them to make the same good decisions in their own lives.

I don't tolerate back talking, hurting on purpose, foul words, laziness, flagrant disobedience, or putting each other down. Does it happen from time to time? Yes. However, it is on my list of "Don't put up with it", so it isn't a continuous problem. We may have one son, for awhile, that tests the water, and man do I stay on top of him for it. That is to be expected, they are, after all, human and want to make sure I mean what I say. Which, for the most part, I do.

So I think that its important that we can share the good, the bad, and the ugly and not feel judged, or that we are experiencing this alone. I assume everyone is dealing with it. I don't think I have EVER looked at another parent and thought that they had perfect children. I think that she may be great about staying on top of her struggles, but struggles DO exist for each and every one of us.

Baby Baby Baby

Trying to figure out if I am turning into a Hunchback with this pregnancy. LOL Im hoping its just my shirt, but maybe this sixth pregnancy has finally done it!

I haven't bought anything for this baby yet. Not that that is unusual for me at this stage of my pregnancy. It's always hard for me to get too excited about purchases since I don't know the gender. I am not a green or yellow lover when it comes to baby clothes anyway. So I am waiting. I have quite a few baby boy stuff, although Roman was born at a different time of year in a much harsher climate, so there will be some new digs purchased for sure. Plus I think buying a few new things is one of the things that makes a new baby fun.

I am starting to feel quite pregnant. Having to be careful to not overeat at meals or I feel miserable. Not laying on my stomach at night, which is a huge sacrifice for me. Having people look at my stomach when they are firsting eyeing me. These are just a few of things that let me know I have crossed over....lol

My favorite part is when you lay on your back and you can see, and feel, the baby move. Little movements here, quick jerks there. It's amazing to really think about a 10.5 inch baby (head to heel) in there. Last night was the first time I shared the news with Roman. It had to be done since he thinks I am a human bean bag. He was trying to get his little round diaper clad bum comfortable on my lap when I was gasping and removing his elbow from my belly button time and time again. So I said, "Ow Roman...baby" while pointing to my stomach. He thought it was funny and turned around to look at my belly. I said it again, "Baby" again pointing. He then followed suit and pointed to my stomach saying, "Baby". We played this harmonious little game for about 15 seconds til he began getting more excited and started pushing on me and smacking me around. I was like "Okay okay....geesh...enough little man!" Soooo I think he sort of got it, or..... maybe NOT!

I Am Thankful For:

I love having a house full of boys running around, even if at times I think it's too rowdy. I can't imagine how different it would be if the house was quiet with no children underfoot.

I am thankful for the cookie dough that gets made, but the cookies turn out flat because someone didn't add enough flour.

I am thankful for shoes scattered by the front door, because Mr. Roman couldn't make up his mind which pair he wanted to wear that hour.

I am thankful for all the smirks that wash over River's face as he recieves texts from his other homeschool friends.

I am thankful for the sound of Isaiah's guitar and voice as he his singing from his bedroom.

I am thankful for the sound of cartoons and laughter from the family room as I type.

I am thankful for the library books spread out all over the living room, while Abram is sitting criss-cross-applesauce on the floor sounding out words.

I am thankful for the constant whirring of the washing machine that never seems to end.

I am thankful when I hear Levi taking the time to teach Abram something during homeschooling.

I am thankful for the sound of elephants storming the kitchen when I holler, "Time to eat!"

I am thankful for the bible that is open on the floor from where Den was reading it the night before.

I am thankful when River pulls back up in to our driveway with his jeep, after work. He was missed.

I am thankful for the notepads and crayons across the dining room table, because Roman is happy and content.

I am thankful for the excitement when we are ready to leave to go to McDonalds and the boys can't get in the suburban fast enough.

I am thankful for my family and my life! Even when its a little chaotic or the house is a little bit messy. I just wouldn't have it any other way!!

On another note, here are some pics of the costumes from the party. We had animals, ninjas, princesses, a masquerade ball lady, and some Hannah Montana guests. It was AWESOME!

Here are all the "Littles" from our Halloween party. Roman was asleep. He couldn't keep his peepers open, and therefore missed out on the party. It was a bummer, but he didn't mind as long as he got a sucker and a cupcake upon his wakening....lol

Here are the older kids all dressed up. We had a LOT of fun. I was so glad that the kids seemed to have a good time and got into the whole thing.

This is Levi's costume. He is an overweight tourist. We put on clunky hiking boots, and don't forget that camera to get those great shots!

Abram was a ninja this year. He's too cool for his costume! hahaha

Roman is a mini ninja too! The hat with the tie isn't on quite right, but you get the idea. Isaiah took the pics of the boys so they are ariel shots.....lol

Here is Roman striking his favorite Ninja pose. Abram and him, definitely, play the parts when they are in costume. It is so cute!