The busyness of life as a mom of 7!

I wake up every morning and can't believe that I am the mother of 7!

Millie has fit into our life perfectly and is definitely no wallflower.  She certainly won't let you forget that she is a very present bundle in our lives!  

I have to say, she is the MOST needy baby I have ever had.  It takes a little more juggling to get things done around the house, to keep everyone happy, and to keep everyone's bellies full...and with all my boys, seeming to be going through a growth spurt, that is no easy feat! Miss Millie loves her mommy and loves to be held.  She is the first of all her siblings who has wanted to be held 24/7.  That made getting things done a bit crazy at times, but I do have lots of little helpers, and they have stepped up to help me so much!

I am embracing the life that God has been so gracious to give to me...even with the ups and downs.  

Here are some recent pictures of our lives over the past several weeks:

Life is good. I am blessed.

Summer 2011

About my Gideon

It has now been nineteen months since the discovery of Gideon's brain tumor...very hard to believe that it has been that long!

I am pleased to say that he will have his last physical therapy session on Monday, May 9th! It has been a long road to recovery for my boy. When I think back to when he first started therapy and wasn't even able to walk, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God!

Gideon has always looked forward to seeing his therapists....they have become almost family to us. They have been such a large part of our lives for a long time. When we first started, we were going three times a week, to physical, occupational and speech therapy. A few months ago, we were down to just physical therapy, mainly working on his core strength.

If you were to see my boy, you would see a normal, active, rambunctious seven year old. I am so grateful that he is doing so well. Believe me when I say, I have seen many children who see his same therapists who will never get better in the same way that Gideon has. They will have a lifelong struggle to just do basic tasks.I only experienced a glimpse of what it is like to have a child with special needs....and that great affected me and gave me a newfound appreciation for those caring for their disabled children.

I feel that as we prepare to move to a new city and become members of a new church...we are closing a chapter in our lives. In some ways, it is sad, but we are very excited to see what God has in store for our family.

A test of faith

Life isn't always easy. No one ever said that it would be...so why is it, that we expect everything we want to us without the least bit of effort on our part?

Here I sit, in Maine, enjoying the company of my family...and contemplate the last couple of months.

You see, we lost our home. Amidst a husband losing his job....amidst a child with a brain tumor...amidst a pregnancy that has gone smoothly in spite of the stress that has been looming the entire time...amidst a health scare with Paysie and little unborn Judson...God decided that this just wasn't enough.

My goal has been that, instead of asking why and getting angry at God...that I ask Him what will YOU have me learn? What is YOUR purpose in allowing this heartache in my life? With YOUR help...what can I do to further YOUR kingdom through my situation?

My faith has never wavered, and for that, I am eternally grateful. It had nothing to do with me and ALL to do with HIM!

There has been many tears...many unanswered questions...but never any doubts that God would and is providing for my family.

And it has been hard. Very hard...to pack up a home, when you don't know where God is leading you. When you aren't sure where you will end up. Instead, we had to rely completely on God that because HE KNEW exactly where we would live...that had to be enough for us...and it was.

I've learned so much from my children over the past couple of months. They ask no questions...but instead, portray complete dependence that mommy and daddy are doing what they have to do and never once have they questioned their well-being, safety or future.

My prayer has been to have that same unquestioning attitude when it comes to God. I don't know why things happen the way they do. Even now, I have friends that are hurting and scared of the unknown...and this is my prayer for them as well.

Will we ever know the future the way God does? No. But knowing that our Mighty Creator knows the outcome of even our smallest problem is enough...and not only does He know the outcome...He has complete and sovereign control over it! And this is MORE than enough!

Again I sing....GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!! I sang it at my little boy's bedside at his impending surgery...I sang it as I sat by him in recovery....I sang it when I waited to hear the results of my little girl's echocardiogram...I sang it when I found out about possible genetic issues with Judson...I sang it when I discovered that our house was no longer our own...and I sing it now....Knowing that through it all HE has been FAITHFUL and will continue to hold me and my family in His hands.

A quote

I recently found this comment by a mother of 8. I could not have said it better myself:

I am a mother of eight, but it’s not because I am Super Mom. It’s not because I was born with some rare gift that makes me capable of mothering a large family. It’s because this family God has seen fit to give me has shaped and changed me into the person I am today. It’s because God sends challenges and then follows up those challenges with the graces you need to get through them. Always.

I can live this imperfect life with eight imperfect children, not because I am awesome, but because God is.

Pictures from The Barn at Buladean!

Last Saturday, we went up to the mountains in NC, to spend some time with friends! I could seriously live my life in Buladean, and not have a care in the world!

Here are some pictures!

A day at the apple festival

Today, I took Nolan, Gideon, Haddon and Paysie to a local festival. I left Jamison home with John because I knew he wouldn't enjoy being stuck in a stroller for a few hours. I knew he would get ornery, and he would start poking Paysie in the eyes in the side by side jogging stroller.

John stayed home to do some minor gardening (or so he thought). John's dad ripped out our bushes that were way too overgrown, and we are now replacing them with something a bit more tame and pretty. Who would have thought that cleaning out some old roots, leveling some dirt, and planting new bushes would turn into all day affair???

Anyway, back to the Apple Festival!

My boys did great, holding on, eating their kettle corn and whatever other treat they could get...while I pushed a sleeping Paysie in a tank of a stroller, through a street mobbed with so many people, that oftentimes we were at a stand still.

The kids didn't complain and were thrilled when I let them pick out one amusement to go on. They chose some sort of bounce house, of course!

We ate lunch at Sonic, and they were so excited. They've never eaten real food there before and kept thanking me over and over again for my great idea!

Here they are eating fudge filled mini-ice cream cones:

And what Paysie-girl looked like for the majority of the festival:


And sweet little Jamison has no idea what he missed!

"I just don't know how you do it"

I hear this a lot.

To which I usually reply...You just DO it.

It's not as though I've got some hidden secret powers that I can pull out when I most need them....as nice as that would be!

It all comes down to God's grace.

If there is one thing that having 5 children has taught me, it's that my needs are secondary...at least most of the time. If I have a crying baby or a fussy toddler, blow drying my hair somehow doesn't seem quite so important anymore.

I have found that it is nearly impossible to be lazy and procrastinate if I am to run my household well. When there is opportunity to throw in a load of laundry or put the dishes away, I need to take full advantage of those brief moments when all is calm. As any mom of a newborn knows...that calmness can quickly turn into quite a storm in a matter of seconds!

It is still tempting to just want to sit and relax and not do the things that need to be done. As a human with many faults, I often feel like I am entitled to be selfish, that I somehow deserve more than I really do. That it's perfectly fine to ignore the tasks at hand and blame it on how tired I might be or that the kids just wouldn't allow me to get even the smallest thing done. This is sometimes the case, but more often than not, it's because I have not managed my time well. Whether you have children or not, I think we all have issues with procrastination and time management!

I feel like I have truly been blessed to have such a full house. There are days when I feel as though I am barely surviving and that a good day means all the kids are dressed, fed, and happy. When someone says to me "I just don't know how you do it!", I feel like it is a great compliment. What they don't see is the daily struggle and full reliance on God that enables me to run my household well.

From the outside, it may look like we've got it all together. Thankfully, it isn't me holding it all together.

There but by the grace of God go I.
-John Bradford

A Father's Day Gift

(My head isn't really chopped off in the original picture...it's just that the scanner doesn't scan 10x13)

The temptation of Rhubarb

My sister has rhubarb plants alongside their shed. It is about that time of year, when the rhubarb is perfect for the pickin'.

On Saturday, amidst a large family picnic at her house....this is what happened:

My Meme walked into the kitchen where my sister and I were talking.

"Erin," Mem said to her, "I apologize. I did something bad." Her head laid low.

"What Mem?" Erin asked.

"See, I saw your rhubarb. It is perfectly ripe, and I couldn't help myself....so, I picked it....and I know how much you've been looking forward to picking it..."

"Oh, don't worry about it...did you leave me any to pick for myself?" she asked.

"Maybe about three."

"That's okay."

But for some reason, Meme's head remained lowered.

"Meme, what's the matter?" Erin asked.

"I knew I shouldn't pick it...but since I couldn't help myself, I asked Auntie Mary to stand in front of the rhubarb plants, so you wouldn't know I picked them." Meme answered.

"Meme, it's okay (laughing)...it's really not a big deal."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Then, Meme walked over to the screened door and screamed outside to my aunt Mary who was standing by the shed...

"It's okay Mary....you can move now...I told her what I did!"

Oh my goodness....we were laughing so hard, lol.

It was a great visit, but much too quick!

On Friday night, my sister and her family arrived! Erin, Josh, my niece Cosette, and my nephew Mark decided to take a detour to Tennessee on their way to Maine from Florida. We were all very excited to see them, even if they couldn't stay very long.

The kids were counting the days to their arrival and stood at the front window, when we knew they were almost here. When their car pulled into the driveway, they ran to the door to greet everyone!

My boys were talking nonstop, chattering away every detail of their lives to their cousins, and their cousins were happy to not be in a car anymore. Cosette and Mark showed them what they got at Sea World and told them about their travels.

After my boys went to bed, we ordered pizza from Simms...to which everyone decided it was some of the best pizza they had ever had. It's hard to complain about food when you feel completely famished!

The men ended up downstairs and us women talked upstairs. When I got my sister alone, I invited her to the True Woman Conference and was very thrilled when she said she would love to go! I can't wait for it!

On Saturday, Erin and I took a much anticipated trip to the Decorator's Warehouse. Our cart was soon filled...and then soon emptied until we were left with the few things that we really wanted.

The men took all the kids to Burger King to eat lunch and play at the playground.

We spent a lazy afternoon with the kids. They had rest time, played games, and visited with Barbie on the computer.




John and Josh went on a short hike through the mountainous ice and snow.




There was dinner:


Wrestling:


Growling:


And snuggling:


Auntie Erin tried to get her fill of Jamison:


And he was happy enough to oblige!


Our night ended with homestyle cookin' from Cracker Barrel and a few episodes of The Office.

It was sad to see them go. We wish they could have stayed longer! Gideon woke up all excited to wake up his cousins...forgetting that they had left early that morning. Through his sobs, you could hear him tell me that he misses them. It about had me in tears too.

The verdict is in. We have decided that there must be another visit and it must be much longer than a day. That's all there is too it!

A first haircut

I live in the south where I see many mullets. If that is how you want to wear your hair, that is your thing, but if you are one of my children, I can only let it go so far. That is why Jamison was in desperate need of some scissors.

I did it on a whim. It was not planned. I just looked at him and decided that the time was right.

He didn't enjoy it. He fussed while he ate his graham cracker. The results are just what I expected. I've got a mullet-free little man!

I should have taken a picture of the back of his head. You could have really been able to see the length. It's too late though!

Before

After

Move over Chris Tomlin...enter Daddy

On our way to the post office this morning, the kids started asking me if I could put Amazing Grace into the cd player. You see, every night daddy goes in and reads them a Bible story and then sings them a hymn. Their favorite is Amazing Grace.

Now, I have the newest (not sure if you can really call it new) and it has his version of the song.

I put it in the cd player thinking....'wow, they are going to be so excited that I have this song for them to listen to.'

Um, no.

Nolan immediately asked me to turn it off because it wasn't the right song. I turned the volume down and started singing it to them, and his response was "Now THAT'S the right song, Mommy!"

I guess Nolan prefers his daddy's version of the song better than Chris Tomlin's!

A trip to the Brookfield Zoo

We had a great time. Each trip has it's moments that make it that much more memorable...like how we booked a room that we thought was a two room suite, when it was really one huge room. (Unless you have more than 2-3 kids, you know what I'm talking about when I say that bedtimes aren't too smooth when you are all sharing a room.) Or how when you want to go to the Chicago zoo....you make sure that you get a hotel near the actual zoo. Chicago traffic is a nightmare.

The kids loved going to zoo. I dressed the kids in matching shirts and shorts to make them easy to see in a crowd. I recommend orange shirts to anyone with small kids going anywhere crowded! We spent the entire day there....we were sooo worn out! I can still hear Gideon's squeal as the sea lion swam by him over and over and over again!

I love that we were given the opportunity to make these sort of memories with our boys. They are still talking about the things they saw...though Nolan was disappointed there were no dinosaurs, lol.

Here are some pictures of our day :)

I think this is the only picture of all six of us!

Jamison was happy as long as he had a never ending supply of Cheerios!

In the kangaroo pouch...

See the camels!

Gideon loved the Giraffes!

PSA....Earth day is everyday!

Gideon was getting quite squished by his brothers

It's been a long day...time for sno-cones!

Petting the goats!