Joe's 15 now...

My dear second born son and last of my older set of children turned 15 this last week. In many ways Joe is so easy going...he didn't really have a special meal he wanted or a special dessert. He was happy with the gifts he got. His acceptance of life without me having to bend over backward to make him happy is a blessing to this mama's heart!

How we celebrated...we got up early and drove 30(!) miles to a popular doughnut shop. When we arrived it only had 2 tables, six chairs, and one was occupied. That wasn't quite going to work for a family our size. So we took them to go and headed to the National Park located across the highway. We found a picnic table and had a nice leisurely Sunday morning breakfast...a little too leisurely I guess. After hurrying home to pick up Brian, Grandma, and the potluck meal we were about 20 minutes late for church. We came in the middle of our missionary friend Rebecca  sharing what her life is like in the country of Belize. We so enjoyed the part we heard and the pictures she shared!

That afternoon we had our parents and Leelee over to help us celebrate. Cooking on the grill...well intending to...we were out of propane! Burgers on the stove, opening gifts, and fellowship. We plan to have a bigger 'outdoor' party if this heat wave ever breaks. I pray Joe was blessed this year like I have been every year he has been in our life.

All about our Princess SJ...

Our precious little Princess SJ is 3 weeks old. She is a real beauty. I love to sit and rub her soft skin and long brown hair. How blessed I am as a mother to have this healthy little one in my arms! She now is about 7 1/2 lbs and growing. She sleeps well although the NICU got her on a perfect every 3 hour schedule to eat...that means 12 PM, 3 AM, 6 AM...you get where I'm going with this (-;

Princess SJ recently had her pictures made by our dear friend Brittney. As a new photographer, she is constantly refining her photography skills and asked to take pictures of our little one...what mother can refuse that offer?

Thank you to each one of you that Prayed, Served, Cooked, or Helped with the Girls!! Our family has been incredibly BLESSED by the love and friendship you have bestowed on us.

Princess SJ is Here!

What an exciting, nerve wracking, and sometimes disappointing week we've had. On June 28, I went to the Doctor for my regular OB appointment. After examining me he determined that we were getting close to giving birth. I went home and rested, making sure I stayed close the bed and laid down often all the next day. Finally I had to get up and prepare dinner on Wednesday the 29. While getting that together my water broke. After a quick call to my friend Cheryl, for a ride to the hospital, a call to Tamy to pray, a call to hubby to stay in OKC, and a call to our midwife and friend, we were on our way.

We arrived at the hospital in a timely fashion thinking labor would move quickly. Sixteen (long) hours later we were holding our sweet baby girl. Within the hour we were made aware that Princess SJ was struggling to breath and would be taken to the nursery. She was kept in the nursary until the next morning. At that point they sent the medi-flight team to transfer her. Because the hospitals were so close the team took her by ambulance to our local Children's Hospital. She was placed in the NICU unit with the other critical babies. It is hard to think she was 'that' sick. These babies are 1-2 pounds, born weeks early, in incubators, and on oxygen...yet our little 'princess' got most of the care time for the first little bit.

We received IV's, oxygen, CPAP, feeding tubes, billi lights, in addition to all the monitors. She has been stuck so many times the last 10 days. It is hard to believe our baby is 10(!) days old and she has never met the majority of her family. J man, Grandma S, Papa B, cousins Jana and Aaron, and a few friends are all she has seen.

As of today she was weaned off everything and even packed to come home when her billiruben started climbing again. She was denied her 'get out of jail card' as Tamy referred to it. They put her back on the lights and will test her levels again tomorrow. While we are filled with great disappointment, we also know it is important to do what is best for her health...so we will be patient once again.

~~~praying that God guides us and our children through this time. That blesses all with patience and understanding.

Her name means "Our God is Gracious to our Princess". Both names accurately fit our precious baby.

Here's some good, clean...I mean really clean...FUN!!

What takes 4 screwdrivers, 2 tarps, 2 bottles of baby shampoo, a water hose, 7 people, and a lot of courage??

A Redneck Water Slide!!

We had a great time soaping up the tarps for our own giant 'slip and slide'. My beloved, Joe, and Brian had races, slipped and slided, having a great time. We couldn't talk Josh into it! Miss K, Miss M, and Miss A loved every minute as they ran really fast...slowed down to sit...then gently slid down the hill. I played in the sprinkler as I didn't figure a 7 month + belly flop would be the best idea!!

May is on the WAY...out that is!

For a woman that planned to be a weekly blogger, it seems like twice a month is all I ever get done.

May has been busy finishing up school for the year, doing all the end of year things we love to participate in, and being VERY sick!

The girls participated in the final Keeper's of the Faith Meeting back on the 5th of May. We had an awards night with a potluck dinner at our friends the E's home. My Beloved and Miss A  had to stay home as she was running a high fever. She and I stayed home from most everything for 2 1/2 weeks while we coughed until we choked. I'm so glad that the cough is 99% gone now.

Miss Musical had a 6th birthday party here with our family. We were just too sick to invite anyone else. Thankfully with Miss Musical's sunny personality she didn't mind and kept telling us this was her best birthday yet! I let her make and decorate her own cake. She really enjoyed that!!

Miss Creativity sewed the doll a dress and I sewed a matching bonnet all in the material that we used for Miss Musical's prairie outfit. She was very excited to have matching clothes.

J man and I took a safe driving course through our insurance company. This class gives us a yearly discount of $60 for the next 4 years. With every dollar counting, this was something I sure didn't mind taking and it gives us better driving skills.

I went to the Dr. and he assured me all is well with our little one. My weight is staying the same...which really blesses me as long as she is growing correctly! I'm to go back at 34 weeks.

On Sat. 21, our dear friends the E's and C's held their girls graduation party. Miss A and I were sad to have to miss due to being sick. The rest of the family attended and were blessed to have the fellowship opportunity. Congrats Lil and Brit...we are proud of you!

This week was filled with tornados once again in OK. We are praising God for his mercy and protection.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend! Be safe...

SKILLS USA Competition ~ STATE and a Mini Vacation

We took a fun 3 day trip to Tulsa for Josh to attend the State level Skills USA competition. We left on a very rainy Sunday morning...even viewed a rollover accident due to the slick and cold weather. We checked into the hotel with plans to meet my Kim for dinner that evening. Unfortunately, we couldn't reach her and so after Josh took his written test, we got the opportunity to stay at the hotel instead. We took full advantage of this to do a little swimming in the heated pool and hot tub. It felt so wonderful to this aching back!!

On Monday, Josh left bright and early to present his skills to the judges at the convention center. The girls and I spent a lazy morning at the hotel and then headed out to lunch with the Latham family. Jinger and I braved taking 8(!) little girls 10 and under to Taco Bueno for lunch. With everyone looking as we entered and even a joke about 'taking a field trip' from the cashier, we got everyone settled. While the littles visited, we mommas had opportunity to catch up and share life with one another .

While we were eating and unaware we were still being watched(!) a gentleman came to our table and said "Excuse me, I'd like to congratulate you that your children are so well behaved. God tells us to train our children and yours are doing a great job". He then proceeded to give us both gift cards to the restaurant. What a blessing! I've heard it happens, but to see it up close and personal...I was amazed!

All the girls in age order except R 10. L 9, R2, Miss K 8, S 7, E 6, Miss M 5,
 (S man 4 not pictured), Miss A 3

After a full 6 hour visit with our friends, we hugged goodbye and headed back to the hotel to wait on My beloved and Jojo to arrive. When they got to Tulsa, we picked up my blessing, her Hubby B, and Leelee and headed off to Chili's for a fun, yet expensive (with 10 of us!) dinner. Later they returned to our hotel and we all went swimming together. It was a nice relaxing visit with our whole family together. (After having Jojo gone to ATI camp with the E family for a whole week...his first time away from us...we were glad to all be back together again!)

Finally after not much sleep, we got up early Tuesday morning and headed to the Tulsa Convention Center in downtown Tulsa. There we got to witness J man being awarded the 'SILVER' metal for HVAC in the State of OK. He placed second in the whole state of OK! That's great for a first year student. He received a nice box of tools to start his HVAC career as a reward for his placement.

My beloved, J man, and his instructor, Mr. P

Way to go son...we're proud of your hard work!

May is taking off with a bang...all the while I'm slowing down daily. Only 11 1/2 weeks to go to meet our precious little girl!

Homeschool Fieldtrip - Harn Homestead, a step back in time.

This last week we were blessed to get to take a fun day with friends and head to OKC for a field trip. We attended the 'Land Run' day at the Harn Homestead. Most of the children dressed in period clothing (and a few of the brave parents too), then we headed back in time to see how things were done in the olden days.

Josh, Elijah, Melissa and Matt 

R , Miss K, H, Miss A, Miss M, and Josh

We played games, staked tents, chose what we would take on our wagon trip, made rope, and then enjoyed a nice picnic lunch AFTER we staked our claim in the Land Run reenactment.

Josh and Miss A wait for the gun shot...then it's off to lay claim to a property

Before the day ended, we headed down the road to the OK State Capital for an official tour of the state house.




One of my favorite parts of homeschooling is sharing living history with the children. We had a great time!

Miss K's 8th birthday and Josh's late party

Happy 8th Birthday to my second daughter and forth born child. Miss K is such a blessing to me. She's growing up way too fast of course...such a big help, yet still a little girl. This year she's taken over the job of family laundry and is doing a great job. She's very responsible (most of the time!)

Lots of fun gifts from friends and family!


The piñata that she chose. She had never hit a piñata before. She got to go first and then we went up by age until an older friend finally broke it. Fun!


The cake with coolwhip icing that she requested...yummy!!




All the girls taking a break from chasing butterflies to get a quick picture taken.


A three legged race with Papa B as the officiator.

The boys couldn't wait to hold a volleyball party for Josh's 17 birthday...too bad it's freezing in January. This gave us the perfect opportunity to have our friends over for a very fun, but competitive game! They had a great time!!

A full busy week...but blessed!

Last week was SO BUSY. We did volleyball practice on M. Tuesday night we went to a ceremony honoring Josh for being inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Wed was our only down day...stayed home and crammed school! Thursday, Josh took his drivers test and was rewarded with a licenses, but not until they could work all the bugs out of the paperwork...lines and more lines to wait in!!
Friday the boys played Volleyball at the Norman league. Josh's team won both games and were ecstatic. Joe was very disappointed in how things went this week for his team...hopefully next week will be better for him. Saturday, I was blessed to go crop with Tamy for 12 hours. My mom kept the girls to bless me with this 'free' time. Thanks MOM!!! I got 21 pages completed...yea!
Finally today (Sunday) I was very blessed to worship our Lord with fellow believers, listen to Mr. Fagala exhort us to follow God's word, and soak in all the wisdom this group has. I praise the Lord for good friends and the support they give me!

Birthday fun at any age...

One fun new tradition that the ladies of our church fellowship have made is a trip to Chili's for lunch whenever one of us has a birthday. We usually have 3-5 of us arriving at lunch time, eating until our hearts (and bellies!) content, then sitting and talking until way past lunch time.
We all agree the 'Bottomless Soup, Salad, and Chips' is the way to go. With plenty of choices we all find something we like, even if we don't agree what the best soup is(!)

Here's pictures from our last two 'girls days'...one celebrating Gloria's and Beth's special days:



Can't wait for our next round of birthdays in the summer! We might just have to come up with some great reason to go this spring...love you ladies!!