Kissable baby feet
The smell of my baby's sweet breath while she lays on my shoulder
The contagious laugh of my 2 year old
That my 5 yo tries to break dance
And that we all find it so funny we laugh so hard we cry
That my 7 yo got to see puppies be born, even though she gagged
My 8 yo loves to sing, and brings me to tears every time I hear her
That after a 14 month fight, we finally were awarded full guardianship of our 15 year old "daughter"
And that because she's finally home, loved, secure, and happy, she hasn't cut herself in months, and never feels suicidal anymore
That my husband still desires me and calls me beautiful even when I have spit up on my shoulder, boogers on my hip, a breast milk saturated bra, and maternity undies on.
A 4 slice toaster, because I can never just make a piece of toast for myself
For my Keurig, because nothing says relief like a hot cup of coffee/tea freshly brewed
The freedom to homeschool my children and great living books to read when we snuggle together
For a roof over my head, and a beautiful one at that
For a wonderful Mother and Father who raised the 8 of us to want to model them
That my sisters are more then sisters, they are my best friends
For 3 sets of grandparents that adore our children
And a Savior who cared enough to give all of this to me
__________________

Sisters

 

I love my sisters.  No one can understand me like Renee.  When I need a sounding board on the frustrations of homeschooling, or yet another mess to clean up, its Renee that I call!  And when I need someone to empathize with whatever it is I'm going through, it is Rachel I need near me. Becky was there for me when I gave birth to Gloria-Grace, and Bobbi always finds me funny, which is a refreshing change!  

No matter how busy I am, I will never regret having the girls so close.   I am so grateful that my daughters have each other.  They are the best of friends even though they are as different as the sun and moon!  I wonder how Gloria-Grace will fit into their dynamic.  Right now, she is just their real live baby doll that they carry around all the time!   

Frowning Beauty

Gloria-Grace has a beautiful frown.  She was born with a frown on her face, and still, 4 months later, she has a perfect frown.  I love smiles of course like all mommies, but those frowns are precious too! 

Plate Lickin Good!

I made lasagna the other day, and for our brood, I made two large pans of it.  We ate it all in two days!  Malacai especially enjoyed it, and Bridges helped me clean the pan! LOL

Day out

Today I took a few hours and met my Mom for her birthday, she's 67.  I told her that the other day in the car, Rhema asked me, "Mom?  Will Nani still be alive when I have my babies?  Cause she has to be there when I push them out, she just has to be!"  I thought that was so cute, and I will believe with her (and me!) that my mom will live that long and be healthy. Lord knows I don't know what I would do without my Mom.  She's my comfort in difficult times.    Just the smell of her near me makes me feel so much better.  I pray that I can be that to my girls.  No one understands me or what I am going through like my Mom.  

I want to be that for Katie, and I've been that for her for the last year.  God, I implore you to work it out so that she can continue living with us, help me to rest and trust, knowing that we have done all we can, and Your word says, now it is time to stand.  

When my kids realized this may be the last time she tells them a bed time story, they broke down crying, 

all of them, Katie and I included.  She belongs with us, Lord.  Please help us during this time. 

Puppies

What a gorgeous New England Fall day it is out today!  We took a break and brought out 4 of the puppies for their first time outside.  They are just starting to walk on shaky legs.  We'll bring the other four out sometime today as well.  Mom got a bit nervous at first, but then wandered away for a bit.  

Also, I had a few minutes to take Gloria-Grace's 3 month photos as well, so here are a few of my favs: