love; it's their thing

Not surprisingly, we get a lot of comments having 6 kids. What is surprising is that more than people comment on how many there are, how busy they must keep us, and how much food they eat, people comment on how much they love each other. They certainly have their moments of not getting along like all other siblings, but their love for each other is undeniable. People who have never even met them pick up on just from watching them in a restaurant or shopping. They look out for each other, they take care of each other, and they help each other as much as they can. I noticed many years ago, when there were only two, that Genna and Elijah had a very special bond. Elijah barely spoke an understandable word before age 4, and Genna took it upon herself to learn his "language". Like all parents Jeremy and I could understand things that others could not, but Genna could truly interpret things that we never could. I feel very lucky that God has given us a great group of children with personalities that blend together very well. They really are a gift, and I could never have even dreamed up anything better.

He's HUGE

I just popped my little baby boy on the scale, and he's weighing in at.............. 20 pounds! 20 POUNDS people! Genna and Bella didn't hit 20 lbs until a year, Nahshon didn't hit 20 pounds until a little after 1 year old, and Elijah and Isaac didn't hit 20 lbs until at least 9 months. Micaiah is 5 1/2 months old and is one fat butterball turkey! (but he's adorable ♥ ) One of these days I'll figure out why my pics won't download on the computer, and actually get some new pics up of him. Until then, you can take my word for it, he's a chunky-chunk-chunker.

things that mark the passage of time

Last night I was watching Nahshon jump around on the couch like a little monkey, wearing Thomas the Train pajama pants. As I was watching him I realized those are the pajama pants Isaac used to jump around the couch in, and Nahshon was still nestled in my tummy. It's hard to believe Isaac was once that small, and even harder to believe that at this time next year Micaiah could very well be jumping around in those same pants. It goes so fast, and I'm so glad I get to savor every moment of it.

Think globally, act locally

For nearly two years now, Bella has been putting together her business plan for her sweet shop she hopes to open someday. Last night at dinner Bella announced that her candy store is a great idea because it will provide jobs for people and help them earn money for their family. Move over Obama, my girl has plans to turn this economy around! She is accepting applications at any time.

5 months later, 6 Gerber babies, 1 Downy ball

It's funny to me that even now, 5 months later, when I walk into a room holding Micaiah all the kids start clamoring about who gets to hold him first. I guess he still has that new car smell for them.

This week I started feeding Micaiah solids. He took to the food instantly, and doesn't spit out a bite. For some reason though, the other 5 children also find his food irresistibly delightful. They all beg for bites when I'm feeding him (no, I don't use a special spoon or anything else they might find intriguing, and yes, they gets lots of fresh fruit and veggies), and any time I give them a bite, Micaiah SCREAMS. It seems Micaiah can't get enough, and he has no intention of sharing any time soon.

Last month I started buying Downy, and picked up a Downy ball too. (the fact that it actually does make the fabric softer is a bonus. I bought it because I love the way it makes my mother-in-law's laundry smell) The kids also love the way it makes the laundry smell and every time I start a load someone is there begging to fill and toss in the ball. Such simple things in life give them great joy.

6 kids in a picture, take 3

Last chance guys, lets do it this time!

Isaac, stop pinching the baby

uh-oh, where's Nahshon?

Oh, there he is!

But Bella's eyes are closed

I like the enthusiasm Nahsh, and that you're the only one looking at me!

Hey, little boys, turn those smiles my way

Isaac, stop biting the baby

Hmm, Nahshon sees something

Now Isaac and Bella see it

I think we're going to lose Nahsh again.....

And, he's off!

Oh well, maybe next year!

6 kids in a picture, take 2

OK, lets try this again

Thanks Genna, now if we could please get everyone else to look this way

Good job team 1! Team 2, look alive!!


Isaac, are you ever going to look up?






Oh dear, we've lost two of 'em

Let's round up moe and ace and meet back in 10

6 kids in a picture, take 1

Yes, this was from August. I'm a bit behind. Enjoy anyway

blurry, bummer

Hey, where did Bella go?

Isaac, put your arm down, we can't see Genna


Uh, I think we're losing Nahshon

Yup, there he goes!

Take 5 everyone and we'll try again

That one just doesn't slide with me

There are many things the kids do that I can see the positive side of. Ice hockey: when the ice melts, we just wash up the floor with the water. Vanilla extract all over the kitchen and dining area: makes the house smell like cookies. Dish soap bubbles in the living room: they can wash some dishes while they are at it. Maple syrup "pools" to float things in: Sorry kids, I draw the line there. Syrup all over the house just doesn't jive with me. Try again please.

toddler talk

This week Isaac keeps asking me if he "can watch One Bixy?" Translation- he is asking to watch Because of Winn Dixie.


I love the way little kids talk

the question is, why?

Last night Bella wandered into my room and said that if she gets a lollipop on Halloween she's going to save it and when we get home she's going to dig a hole in the garden and bury it. I said OK, then asked her why she planned to do that. Her only response was to raise her eyebrows and give me a mischievous smile as she walked out of the room. If I could just take a ride in her brain and find out what in the world is going on in there........

This one is mine

I often post about the silly things the kids (or my husband) do around here, so I figured it was time to share one of my not-so-bright moments.

A few years ago Jeremy and I both had the same car, just different colors. It was a 4 door Mazda 626, one was blue one was green. I remember I was pregnant with Isaac at the time, so I blame at least part of this on preggy brain. One late afternoon Jeremy decided he was going to take Elijah out to the movies and dinner. I decided after the boys had left that I was going to take the girls shopping so they could help me pick out some baby stuff. One little problem though: my purse was in the car that Jeremy had just left in. I called Jeremy and asked him to let me know where he was going to park at the movies so I could drive by and grab my purse. He told me right where he had parked, and the girls and I were off. Jeremy gave me very specific details of where the car was located, and claimed it would be easy for me to find. The girls and I arrived, but could not find the car. We drove around, and around, and around, and around, and around, and........... You get the picture right? I was getting so frustrated I could not find the car, and kept texting Jeremy while he was in the movie. (he was probably equally as frustrated with me!) After a good 30 minutes of driving through the parking lot it dawned on me that I had been looking for the green 626 the whole time, and well, I was the one driving the green 626!!!! He had taken the blue one, which was sitting exactly where he said it would be.

There really isn't much I can say to defend that one. At least I'm married to a man that can make me laugh 'til my sides hurt when he's making fun of me. ♥

Meet Ardi

Ardi skeleton, pencil drawing of what scientists think he looked like

Pencil drawing of gorilla skeleton

Pencil drawing of Ardi's supposed face

Gorilla photograph, National Geographic, 1981

Meet Ardi. He's being pushed as the most important discovery for the theory of evolution. (even more important than that Lucy gal a while back) I have posted for you images of Ardi, as well as images of a Gorilla. Am I the only one that thinks Ardi looks a lot like a regular gorilla? Now I have not read any of the scientific reports about Ardi, but as a Christian I can already tell you that I don't believe Ardi is my missing link to my past ancestors. So tell me, what do you think?

Genna's words

~Everyday of my life is the best day of my life~


That is why I call her sunshine and rainbows

Hey! That's not yogurt dad!

Last week we took a trip to the zoo, and as we were unloading kids from the car Jeremy noticed Genna and Nahshon were wearing a bit of their breakfast on their faces. Jeremy grabbed a wipe and wiped off Nahsh, then then went on to Genna. I look over and notice him really scrubbing one spot on her forhead and mumbling to himself that this yogurt just will not come off! I watch him for a moment (as Genna's forhead is turning red and she's scrunching up her face), before offering a helpful thought: "uh, Jeremy, are you trying to wash off Genna's scar?" "Um, noooo?" Jeremy replied, quickly stuffing the wipe into his pocket while poor Genna looked on with a rather indignant expression on her face. Dads, what are ya gonna do with 'em?