I am a sucky blogger....

Charlie and Phebe visit Jack's spot. I loved this little moment in time. She told me she wished she'd been able to hold him. Have I told you that I love, so much, when people remember him or tell me things they wish they could've done with him? Such an important part in the healing process. Love these kids.

Back at the ranch, the kids got crazy on our last day with Pheebs before she went back to Florida. (luckyyyyyy) So grateful that my kids get the chance to know more of their cousins. 

Excuse my utter randomness...but this popped up on FB one day and I needed this reminder. 

Caught #5 taking selfies. She is....unique.

Mel's school pix for her sophomore year. Which reminds me, I never did take "official" 2013-14" pics like I've been saying I would. Maybe this will be my month. maybe not?

This was that week that I had only to care for this girl...the three big kids were doing their things, being all grown up like and Levi was in Illinois with his dad, a cool opportunity, and it was just me and Syb. She is something else.

This was my good morning song one morning as I got to CCG for my training session. God sends the coolest reminders, doesn't He?

So, while Levi was in Illinois with his Daddio, we found out through cool cousin Ginger, that her mom, David's Aunt Sharon (Levi's favoritest original Young sibling) had some old doors at her place. I'm wanting to make a room divider for the upstairs. Will has moved outta his small space, to make room for Molly...and we've put him in the former living room. These old doors are PERFECT, and utterly cool. Be on the lookout for some changes at Young Manor.

Solomon (aka Will) and Molly. More on this event later.

Emily and Ellyn G, two of our favorites. This was taken the night we had the Napoleon Dynamite party...Love these sweet, Godly sisters.

This should be up with the pic of Solomon and Molly but ya know, Blogger has a mind all it's own.
Will and E were asked to participate in "The Story" at Center Grove Presbyterian...the church that hosts their weekly class, as well as the home church of their cool teacher, Mrs. Thais. Their format is like the Tonight Show...I love that his Converse are showing...And the hosts are David and Moses. Hilarious.

Ethan played Daniel...I must say, he is pretty passionate about the things he loves...they carry over into anything he does, even portraying Daniel...he was promoting physical health and maybe even karate. Love this guy.

Pardon my French...I wanted to get on here just to say HI and to let my faithful blog followers (probably no one anymore, rightfully so) that I will update this blog this evening....and clue you in on all of these fantastic pics above. I know you're dying....


Ok, it's later now...I've been out running children to piano lessons, errands, Bible Study and now I get to be home for the evening with Levi and Molly!! Love love LOVE that E can drive. Now that I'm over the initial dread and fear of him out on the road, I only slightly bite my hands and have a tummy ache. He is such a good guy about calling when he lands and calling when he takes off again.

Now for some updates:

1.) The biggest one, and I'll try not to totally gross you out, is this....our sump pump (aka sewage ejector) went out two weeks ago yesterday....yes, that was January 19th. Granted, it's only in use when we use the lower level sinks, tubs, toilets or washer (pretty much my WHOLE everything)...once we got it all cleaned up...can you say NASTYYYYY?....we bleached it down, sucked it out and got it ready for manual dishwashing/laundry doing....all potty and showers were to take place on the upper level. whoa boy. The first two days, it was a fun adventure. Just call me Mrs. Ingalls. The 3rd day, David and I skidaddled outta town for the Smoky Mountains, leaving our poor children to fend for themselves. (they did fine). When we got home late Friday night, the first thing we did, even before unpacking car fully, was to suck up the water and dump over side of hill. Mind you, it was laundry and dish waste, not poo poo waste. Welcome home. Needless to really say, the adventure is over and the JOY is chosen daily. The gratitude and appreciation for a working sump is not lost on me. And it is without further adieu, David has picked up a replacement and found out that it may be covered under warranty (and it should be, we replaced it in the early fall of 2011. Finding a receipt from those dark days is proving to be more challenging than you can imagine. I didn't know which end was up in those tear soaked days). praying we find out that it is covered. I cannot WAIT to do a load of laundry or wash dishes (or use my own restroom facilities and not the boys' facilities upstairs, though I am MOST thankful for it!!) without worrying if the well was going spill out.

whew. this is a major relief.

I can say this too...I've enjoyed running by the laundromat to throw in a load or nine, wash 'em all up quickly and bring them home to dry...there's something peaceful about a laundromat at 10 am on a Tuesday morning.

2.) David just finished up a hugerrific job at the NCAA. It started while we were in TN, but he hit the ground running when we got home...Saturday through this past Friday...14 hour days. Working with him is always entertaining. In recuperation, he rested all day Saturday and most of yesterday....he is a force to be reckoned with. Feeling pretty darn grateful for him on many levels. but that may be a blog post for another day. Very excited to see how the Lord continues to bless his endeavors.

3.)  In 32 days, we leave for an unexpected trip to Orange Beach, AL. My parents didn't end up going this year, and we weren't sure if we'd even go again this year if they did due to worky stuff...we have some friends that are letting us use their condo for a week. More on this later.

4.) At the end of this month, I'll be going on The Lemondime's third Craft Liberation. I'm pretty excited about this!! I think I'm even leading a craft (a wreath..imagine that!) and look forward to seeing how the Lord will work in the lives of the attendees and even Kellie and I. A full out crafting weekend is a dream event!!

5.) Please be praying for my momma, as she's having a surgical procedure on her eyes tomorrow. I'm hoping to be there when she surfaces but Levi has his first orthodontia appt, Molly has gymnastics and I'm trying to line up my helpers.

6.) It's birthday month for my sister. I'm sure she'd want me to tell you that so you can begin planning the ways in which you shall spoil her, surprise her and what not. It's also the month that Ethan will turn 18. I'm really struggling with this...he was really just a newborn. I read back thru my journals of that winter of 1996 and I'm floored...it was another snowy, long winter, followed up by our move to North Dakota when E was 5 weeks old, Will was 17 months old. so thankful for the gift of that crazy, tender hearted little guy, my Valentine's boy. More on this later too.

I can hear Levi and Molly arguing about something upstairs so I'm off to ref. Hope that this finds you warm, healthy and enjoying all of the blessings that the Lord has given.

God bless you!