Birthdays, Basketball and the “Running Game”!!

We have had several birthdays this month and that means kids are growing UP!
Garrett, you are such and inspiration to us and to so many others as well.  You have a great sense of humor and make people feel good about themselves.  You are friendly, outgoing, and thoughtful.  Our lives are more blessed because you are a vital part of our family and we thank God for your strength, honor and godliness.  Our prayer is that you continue to grow in Him as you walk in His light! You are a young(man) of God.  We love you.


Micaylah has just had a birthday and it’s so hard to believe she is nearly a ‘teen’. She is a gentle and kind-hearted young lady that loves God with all her heart.  We can remember the day she was born and have watched her grow into a young lady who’s heart truly desires to seek God first and become all He has for her.  You will do mighty works for the kingdom, Micaylah! We love you!


We have a special game we really enjoy playing at the end of the day. When we all go outside and the weather is nice, we play the running game.  I know, it sounds almost too simple, but the kids love it to pieces.
Here's what we do:
*everyone takes a place near the caller (the one who calls out the spots to run)
*the caller names several places around the yard where the kids can run to
*after the caller says, "On your mark, get set, GO!"
*all the kids go running to each spot, in the order it was called out
*the first one back home-wins

 One of their favorite places to place is one the rocks, next to the creek.  The water is flowing and they have some of the most imaginative stories to make up.  They always come back in pretending they were on some island or sailing on a ship.  We love it!

Here’s a little update on our kiddos…

The  days are just flying by as we are getting settled in our new routines with our ‘littles’, our ‘middles’ and the one oldest (who’s still loving living here at home, whilst she is in nursing school).  WE love our new home nestled in the mountains and are enjoying the briskly flowing creek running right outside our front door.
The other night we were having some fun taking a few photos and here’s a sample of the evening. 

Big Sissy got some new glasses and guess who ''HAD'' to try them on...yes, 3 new pair!!

Playing in the den with blocks, Legos, and duplos ( they had a few friends over for a short visit)

You can't have too many hugs!

All eight of 'em! They have bonded in such a special way that it truly amazes me to see the changes taking place right before my eyes.  I don't think they will ever forget each other.  Our prayer is that the good will out weigh any bad. 

It’s amazing what changes can happen during the course of just a few months.  Our schedule, time frame, home-life and priorities have all ‘shifted’.
God has and is providing for us in such a beautiful way that these few words can not possibly express it in any way sufficient enough to bring all the glory to his name that He completely deserves. We are more than humbled by what He is doing in our own lives that we just want to continue to say thank you Lord for what you are doing and how you are doing it “ALL”, on our behalf. WE love you Lord so very much and thank you!

10 Reasons to be happy this evening:

I saw this on my friends’ blog recently and wanted to share my thoughts.

1) We all ate a hearty, homemade dinner—together!
2) My husband has a good job-we’ve been w/o one
3) We saw an old friend tonight-miss them greatly
4) my Bible is laying here beside me-and I read it today
5) my living room is finally painted-creamy yellow, one of my best color choices ever!
6) the ‘’littles’’ are peacefully sleeping, the olders are having quiet time and I’m watching them all
7) I have a new chicken coop for ‘my gals’
8) I can hear the rushing of the creek outside
9) my husband is spending the morning with us tomorrow
10) God is my very best friend!

Share your 10 reasons! Have a great night and blessings to you this evening!

Thankful hearts

Autumn has come and been so pretty.  We have been enjoying our beautiful weather and the changing of the season here in the foothills of Alabama.  Since the addition of our 4 children, life has been busier than ever! Trying to get my lesson plans completed has really taken a back seat unfortunately…sad face. I’m hoping to get back on it shortly, but we’ve spent some good quality time instead…here’s how our Thanksgiving went.

Snack time out on the upper deck, just outside the kitchen.

Going on a hike into the surrounding mountains on the property.

Every kid loves to walk along the creek when it’s low enough.  Posing for this pic wasn’t the favorite idea though. 

Getting ready to head in for some turkey dinner.

We had sooooooo much food!  This year was a little different in that we didn’t go anywhere and didn’t have any visitors…very, very different.  But we did have four new little family members!!  In light of that we decided to stay home and focus on being together as a family.  Since possibly that may have been something new for them.  Our two oldest girls helped me in the kitchen and we baked and cooked all day.  Our oldest boys and Dad went out doors and the ‘littles’ went along too.

At the end of the day, we sat down to a huge dinner…all 10 of us.  Good, good feeling! 

Hope you  had a wonderful Thanksgiving day! Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Blessings! Kimi

 

Finger is healing

It’s been a week now and Garrett’s finger is in a cast and has finally stopped throbbing so bad.  We go next week for a check up and hopefully the cast can be removed.  He’s ready for the normal things boys do at his age: play ball, wrestle with his brother, rake the yard…NOT…that’d be the things Mom wants the boys to do at his age. 

Thank you for your prayers and concern.  Much love to you!  More update soon.