Anybody wanna go sailin?!

The other day I asked Robby if he thought Jack was cool, and he said "no, why?"

I told him that when Jack got a little bigger that they would have so much fun building forts and riding bikes, legos, etc... and he just smiled and said, "you mean we get to ride all by ourselves?"

Then he ran off to play. Later that day Robby came over to me and said. "Jack is so cool mommy!" I pray that these two boys will be the best of friends thoughout thier childhood and for a lifetime.

I miss you Aunt Sonya, Uncle Andy, Charis, Micah, Joel and Eden! I love you!!!

I have been thinking alot lately about how I can manage to raise 4 children and keep my sanity.
(rabbit trail : had a teacher once who said you raise cattle you rear children....or did he say you rear cattle and raise children??? I am so worried I say it wrong, but can't remember the right way to say it!!!!) Ok back to my original thought, how did my mother do it?! Still baffles me that she is as sane as she is (wink wink mama) and survived all 4 of us kids. I feel sad that I can't just let my kids got outside and play...it just isn't safe anymore, or the fact that I can't just throw them all in the van and run around town. Those of you with 4 or more know what I mean.
I mean how many verses to "the wheels on the bus" can one handle before having a total mental break down, how many knock knock jokes will it take. On a good day I know they don't conspire to drive mama mad, but on a bad day...I'm not so sure. We had family night last night and after a really nice dinner we watched "Chicken Run" it was so cute and the man kept hitting his head saying "it's all in my head" becasue he was sure the chickens were "organized" and trying to escape.... raise your hand if you ever feel like that! Ok now if you've raised your hand, look around and make sure no one saw you, and put your hand down!....don't worry I'm sure you aren't the only reader of this ramble that raised your hand. All this to say, I am sure, or at least I hope and pray that I will make it threw these years with my babes, and that everyone will come out of the other side of it all with all limbs intact and by the grace of God a willing spirit to serve HIM. And at the end of the day, after they are all tucked in AND ASLEEP, I am so thankful for my sweet family and all the blessings that they bring to me. phew, what a ramble.

My garden got started late this year, but it just couldn't be helped. I am blessed in the fact that I have more days before the first frost...lol - in florida - ya right! I am praying that I will see some results before the "winter". Here are some, well alot of pictures actually of my little garden. Next spring will be twice as big, so this is really just my practice run.
Peppers
Blue bells (above) just getting started. They really need a better home and something to climb on before they take over the ground!
This beauty is in the front next to the mail box.

Above are the beans (in front) and cucumbers (in back)
Herbs and peppers
more peppers and tomatoes
These purple flowers are in the back corner of the backyard.

It's he beautiful?!

Jack Ryan 16 months

I came across this funny story on the web today while sitting in my room attempting to get 2 of my kid-o's to sleep. It gave me a good chuckle, and no they are not alseep yet. Enjoy!

Hi all, Just thought you all would get a kick out of Mommy's Potty Training mistake today. It all started with getting up this morning to a dead fish in our fish tank. I explained to all the kids that things like this happen and that it is natural for things to only live for a short time. I not thinking decided to flush the fish down the nearest toilet. Where I'm trying to potty train. We proceeded to give the fish a water burial (toilet) and they all flushed it away. I made the statement that now the fish was in now in heaven and we said a quick prayer.10 min went by and we are all going about our business of getting breakfast and stuff. I proceeded to ask Joshua (who is trying to potty train) "Do you need to go to the bathroom and go pee." He looked at me with a bewildered face and stated, "But mommy, there is a fish in my toilet." I explained that the fish was gone now to heaven and it is swimming in the crystal pool now. "Then mommy, does Jesus need my pee too?" No son, we flush your pee and it goes down the drain. (I realized I was in trouble) But mommy, you said that the fish went to heaven, did he go in my pee? No son. (Joshua calls for reinforcements......) Then here comes Jacci (who is also trying to potty train) and looks at me and says, "Mommy, fish in toilet?" No sissy, in heaven. You could tell that she was thinking... then Josh pipes up.."Sissy, fishy went in my pee to heaven. I don't know why Jesus needs my pee?" By this point I could tell that I had lost the battle. There was no recovering my blunder. The worst part is that it took me a couple of min to realize that we have TWO BATHROOMS and asked them if they would use my potty. "Does it go to heaven too?" No son. Ok mommy, but...........HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't he so cute in his little stripe PJ's. I could just eat himup. This was taken last night right before bed. Jack loves this book becasue it counts how many of each item are on the page. His favorite page is number 5 because it has DOGGIEEEEEEEES, which he loves.

My sweet B seems to be growing up so much lately. She is very shy and if she knew you heard her voice she might crawl under my arm. I am not sure where she gets her shyness from , Troy and I are not what I would describe as shy. She brings us so much joy with her sweet smile and quiet spirit. Next month she will be 3 years old. It's hard to believe that she was so small when she was born, such a little peanut, what a blessing she is!

Above is the picture in my heart and below is the picture you'd see if you looked through my window! Vast difference, I know!!! I just feel so overwhelmed lately. My house seems to be out of control, dishes are dirtied faster than I can wash them (yes, by hand no luxury of a dishwasher) yesterday I felt like I was just following the kids and picking up after them. I would usually have them pick up after themselves...but I just didn't have the energy to repeat myself 48 times. I have a few bags to give to salvation army...but I am thinking about adding alot more if it doesn't find a place on the shelf soon. This morning I just had to get out of the house, so while the litte babes were sleeping the rest of us headed out back to enjoy the fresh HOT air and learn a little about composting and see the progress of our little garden. I let the kids play and I weeded a little and moved some starter plants around. One day we will spend more time outdoors than in. I have grand plans for the back yard....one thing at a time. I would love a bird bath, birdfeeder, fountain, more stepping stones, you can never have to many stepping stones!
Well my ramblings seem to have gotten out of control....fitting don't you think!

Robby informed Maddie on the way home today that he wanted to be a "stranger"
who broke into peoples houses when he grows up....I guess I'll have to revise the talk about how he can be anything he wants when he grows up!!!

Our friend Jesse was called home to be with her savior yesterday

at the age of 21 when her heart gave out.

We rejoice that she is in heaven but are so grieved as we will miss her greatly.

Our hearts and prayers are with her husband and family.