a little Molly Moo, Levi and a garden too.

Jack's Garden...I. love. this. place. I love that there is a little piece of his life buried here...even if it is the cord that caused him to not be here. mostly. why isn't that sinking in?

I will definitely be posting pix as we progress...I'm just trying to get the plants into the earth. Not sure when we will be leveling it, getting the landscape blocks around it. A definite work in progress...Mary Helen brought some butterfly weed and echinacea. Tambo gave me some Russian Sage, butterfly pic with the glowing marble and the butterfly bush smack dab in the center, which is over the placenta, Jodi gave me some Foxglove, the Ochoa's and Greenhill's gave us the angel and yellow miniature roses, Mary gave us the JOY stone....Grandma G gave me the Butterflies welcome pick, Beck gave the Angel ornament hanging from the solar light that Always remember you are loved....Can't wait to get it mulched and enclosed. A bench will be there eventually. If you have something you want to have planted, or plant yourself, you are welcomed to.

wild and crazy guy...

Molly crashed at the table at last weekend's reunion.

Lady Molly woke bright eyed and purple bushy tailed the next day. (name tags were for Prince Ryan of Tobey-Logan's 1st birthday. Dragon, castle, knights, ladies and kings and queen themed party)

I had to change that last blog post because on my Mac...it keeps showing up and sometimes it makes my belly hurt to see that cute little boy who is not here with me, in the flesh. I'm just mostly not ok with that. He should be here. Lord Jesus, please tell JOY that I miss him and love him. deeply.

Ok, well, all that said...to say well, I'm not sure what I want to say...hope you have a lovely weekend...hope to be back with more later on. I think I need coffee...which, thanks to my lovely cousin, Tory, I got a Sbux Via in the mail today. How cool is she? very cool. I tipped back a mug with you, dear....thank you so much for thinking of me. You just have to know what that does to my soul and spirit.

Much love to you all...

JOY's Butterfly Garden beginnings...

the frozen placenta at the bottom of freshly dug hole...it looks creepy but it was Jack's house for 9 months...it was so cool yet sad to see his cord, the very cord (it's at the bottom of the pic) that ended his sweet life. The tradition is to plant the placenta under a tree to honor the life that it housed. it makes for some nutrient-rich soil, I'm guessing.

it's so cool that God created an organ that our womanly bodies make during pregnancy to protect our babies.

In this picture, Molly asked me if that was my blood. I said yes, it was. She replied, "Gross" and then proceeded to tell me about the FOUR babies in her tummy.

I'm sure I've blogged about this lovely butterfly bush...but just in case I haven't, here goes:

My good friend, Tammy, was on her way to Jack's birth. She wanted to get some flowers for me for after it was all over. But then she saw this awesome bush as she pulled into Home Depot. She nabbed it and headed down to our house...sweet woman. As she pulled into our neighborhood, she was overcome by the Spirit to pray for me, for us.

As she made her way down my street, she came upon the Harrison Township fire truck...

This angel baby, aww, I love it...is from my Uncle Frank and Aunt Nan, Uncle John and Aunt Darlene (my Dad's sibs and their spouses). They brought him, along with two miniature yellow rose bushes, which will join Butterfly Bush this week. I also have a neat JOY garden rock that we got from our friend, Mary (who is also our neighbor and goes to C4 with us).

I think this garden will be a really nice reminder of our little Glory Baby...it is a work in progress and a labor of love.

yeah, I'd rather have him here but since I can't, we will honor his life with this lovely little plot of earth that we will all tend together.

I have so many thoughts rolling around in my head tonight. it has been especially challenging to make it thru this day. I keep thinking of what JOY would be doing if he was here...he'd be one month old now. I look thru the pix of the night he died and his viewing and my body just aches for that little guy. I know we all do...I don't feel selfish wanting him here but I know he is in an incredible place...He wouldn't want to come back. Can't blame him. it's hot here. we're crabby, getting ready for school things and work and such. He would have been such a nice diversion from the monotony of life.

I miss you, Jack. I want so badly to sniff your sweet peanut head and nibble your toes. Your breath, I'm sure, would be heavenly.

Godspeed.

no title...

Molly thought these roses were for her....

Levi got a job at Steak N Shake...isn't he cute?

Melanie did too...maybe now we will get some service there!

Don't have much to say tonight...just wanted to post some pix of the 3 remaining kids. Will and Ethan will be home tomorrow afternoon and we are VERY excited! David did get to see them last night and he said Will isn't coping well with lack of sleep...awww. my poor sweet boy. He wasn't in Will's cabin, but he was in E's so I got to talk to him for a few minutes. It was great to hear his voice and that he was doing well...sniff.

On that note, good Friday night...hope this finds you well. adios.

Molly says HEY...

Melanie did my make-up...sparkles don't show up. but I'm sassy.

love these little buck teeth...I had a similar set when I was this age...or so my mom and dad say.

who IS this kid? I'll tell ya who...she's well-practiced in the modern day art of self-portraiture...like all those silly girls that take pix of themselves in their bathrooms, with the weird grimaces that they THINK look good? yeah...uh uh. but Moo, you are CUTE! stay that way.

Just wanted to put a different, non-depressing spin on this day. Chow....

Molly's New 'do...

This is the expression she kept plastered on her face while Steph did her hair...so serious.

I have to say, her hair is much easier to maintain now and she doesn't have to lift it to look at you. And I think it brought out a little more peskiness in her. as if she needed anymore.

Sunday update...

Becky got $ for the iPod she is wanting to get.

not sure if David got anything. ha ha.

Uncle Tom, flanked by his two blonde nieces. I think they were trying to take his birthday money.

this is how Molly digests her carbs.

Ethan, Will and Mel, trying to digest their delicious Grandma-made lasagna before embarking on the infamous Boyden's cake perfection! Love E's expression.

Beck just proves that being 33 does not require one to be serious and boring! (this is one of her famous "self portraits")

My very serious, nearly 40 year old husband. (he won't greet 40 till this coming Sunday, March 6th)...Hello Chief.

David wanted to embrace these two (I mean, they are employees of his and such...) and Beck thought it would be fun to grimace...David made us re-do it...see below

We gather together to celebrate the momentous births of these 3 amazing people! Three of my favorites.

This girl had a busy day...she went to church with Beck and her family...spent the afternoon playing with the girls and there was no time for her nap between pick up time from Becky's and heading back to Beck's for the birthday party. Needless to say, she was grumpy, frenetic, and over tired. We got home by 9 p.m., she got herself p.j.'d up and tried to sneak past me. I nabbed her, and amidst her protests of "I'm not tirrrrrrred", I pinned her down and she instantly fell asleep. it was niiiiiiiiiice. and quiet. whew. she is quite precious when she sleeps though. I'll give her that. :)

(notice I took her stinkin' paci outta her mouth...I'm trying. I really am.)

So, it's Monday again.

I will bullet point some of the things I'm looking at this week:

~Another month starts, which is cool in a way, and with it brings spring. Our beloved Aunt Sherry & Uncle John (remember the Great Adventure trip, Kansas stop) are MOVING here this very week. Tomorrow in fact. Today is her birthday!

~David will turn 40 this coming Sunday. That almost leaves me speechless. hold on...I need a moment.

~I am 23+ weeks today, can't believe how fast, yet how slowly this pregnancy seems to be going. I am trying to "live in the moment" and enjoy this, as it will be my last one (yes, I know I've said this before but now I MEAN IT. if you've been around me, you have to know I'm DEAD serious.) I enjoy feeling the nameless one wiggle around, esp. after I've eaten...and I'm really trying to soak this up. I just know I will miss it. but honestly, I will be really glad to live through another labor and delivery, au naturel. Can't wait to see this guy's face.

~I guess I didn't have as many things to say as I thought I would.

In other news, Melanie and I really enjoyed a Mother/Daughter time away yesterday morning. My sis took Molly for me and David had the 3 boys. We went down to the Edinburgh outlet, enjoyed browsing without Molly. The weather was really mild (though it's far from mild today, due to thunderstorms that rolled thru last night, bringing with them cooler temps). Mel got a cool new Gap sweatshirt and I found a Gymboree blanket for #6 (the same blankie brand as Molly's) with little crocodiles on it.

got me thinking as to how funny it is that baby girls clothing is all flowers, mermaids, and cuteness, while baby boys clothing is bull dogs, sharks, crocodiles, and earth moving equipment. Very non-cuddly. kinda funny to me.

I will leave you on that note...time to gather my strength for the next 3+ hours out of the house tonight. ugh.

Maybe I'll put the crib up.

I've gotta brand new pair of roller skates...

these pix are from December 28th, 2010. I am sure I blogged them but hearing the song on my blog about new roller skates caused me to want to blog them again.

David took the kids (#1-4) roller skating yesterday...Molly and I stayed home, much to her chagrin. She ended up sleeping most of the afternoon away and I soaked up some much needed peace and quiet. For his 40th birthday, which is March 6 of this year, he wants to host a skating party and you're invited. You won't even have to pay....if we rent the rink, anyone we invite can come skate for free...and we eat lentils for the entire month. ha ha. I kid.

I got my molar pulled today. That was one of the more traumatic things I've endured in my life. Right up there with kidney stones and childbirth. Tonight, I have a large, gaping hole in my mouth that my tongue keeps migrating to. yikes. Jamie, Dr. Quill's adorable assistant, showed me the offending tooth and thankfully, we made the right move in pulling it, for it was cracked and would've had to come out one way or another. Whew! I don't think I ever want to have another tooth pulled, ever. it's a weird feeling.

Ok, I'm going to go watch a documentary on Mt. St. Helen's with my kids and wait for David to get home from work, praising the Lord all the while that tomorrow is Tuesday and we can pretty much stay home and REST/school/accomplish great things.

Good night...Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

thought she was sleeping...

This was sooo cute.

Or so I thought.

Jen and Twila were here, we were chatting....I went over to check her and whoaaa nelly! the smell!

Someone did a dukey in her drawers. Whaaaa? regressing already?

sheesh. never fear...I swooped in and no one was even aware of what had happened.

except for the green cloud that followed closely behind us.

up next: Mom's calendar pages. almost done.

Addendum: I totally forgot to take pix of Mom's calendar but it turned out cute. I think. soooo. never mind that.

we start 'em out young 'round here...

Molly loves the treadmill. she's on there right now and she just told me she needs to use my iPod.

You go, GIRL!

Bulletproof

nice outfit...

Not much going on in our world. I mean, there really is but somehow, there's too much to even blog about...as I type, Molly (Bulletproof above) is singing a lovely little diddy on the pot. I just closed the pool up with the boys. Mel is playing nicely with Levi. I took a walk with Mel (3 miles and every step felt like torture today) in this balmy fall weather. David's getting ready to start his big job at a local hospital. Tonight, he and I are going to find a remnant for Melanie's room and maybe squeeze in a "date". But not before 4 of my 5 kids head over to the east side so Jennifer can tutor Will in his Algebra. After I do some necessary banking and such....sheesh.

Admit it folks...I lead a glamorous life. I know. don't be jealous.

I hope that this finds you enjoying this lovely November day...no matter what! I know I'm trying.

Peace...

Really now...

This girl is:

•Into locking doors and doing sneaky things like

•Ruthlessly tattooing herself with Sharpie markers that never ever want to wash off.

•Getting some things figured out today. I hope.

I just sent this pic to her out of town dad and his reply? Awwwwwwww.

so cute from so far away, eh?

Happy Thursday to you! I'm so glad to be home today. Tomorrow, I will be gone to Map Your Future allllllllll daaaaaaaaay. waaaaaaa.

Flying Circus

• I love that Tom caught this with his Nikon....it just made my year.

• I have proof that she is a handful.

• Where DID she acquire such gracefulness?

• Love that David's eyes are fixed on the TV and he is missing the amazingness that is about to descend on our couch. this is my life. ha ha!

This girl wants to be Spidergirl...look at those calf muscles!!

today I am praising God for reconciled friendships, healthy kids, adorably intense husband, beautiful bright sunshine, an opportunity to pray with TK today, a good yet quick visit with 3 of my favorite people (Randy, Uncle Frank and Aunt Nan) and the freedom, gas, health and ability to go to the YMCA with my sister and most of our kids. Well, all of her kids but 3/5 of mine.

I am not worthy. I stand in awe of God's orchestration.

Gotta run...Happy Wednesday to you and yours! I love YOU!

Photo Credits: Tom G Photography. It doesn't get any better!®

trains & bangs

trains

bangs

Figured I could start being a bit more diligent about my blogging, since my parents don't travel down to our house to swim every day.

Figured you'd like to see what Levi and Molly are up to, Mom, Dad...they are still alive and kicking.

In all reality, things are going very well...God has answered some big prayers in our lives (He's so good at that)....so neat to see Him work. I think He's always done that in our lives but maybe now that we are seeking Him for everything, we notice it more. Prayer is powerful. Prayer knits you tightly with those around you.

We actually enjoyed a delish home cooked meal tonight. David's job with Blakley's ended yesterday so he will be home in the evenings now, until his next big job starts at the beginning of November. Then, we just may never see him ever. Salmon, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies....I think my peeps thought they were dying and on their way to heaven. We know how to eat well but it's the time...we just don't take the time to eat as well as we should or could.

On that note, my brain food is kicking in and I'm going to go lay down and read. Hope your Tuesday has been truly spectacular. nighty night...

Little Miss Twirls-A-Lot

Mel took these pictures...way to go, Mel.

Molly has discovered the unadulterated joy that is spinning....

when she gets dressed every morning, she is visibly upset if it's not a "spinny" dress.

This little dress was Melanie's when she was a little girl...a Christmas dress and straight from Scotland. It's so sweet to see her wearing it, spinning in it like Mel used to. It's like a second chance to appreciate my little females.

Hope these find you enjoying your Wednesday. I'm listening to Spinny girl wail in the other room...I guess along with spinning and twirling comes LOTS of drama.

Peace...

call me crazy

I just got really bored blogging, so I will cut this short for tonight....here are a few precious pix of #4 and #5 enjoying some beloved summertime activities...

it is the year of the push up and I don't mean bra...har har.

after seeing Levi in a swimsuit, we may want to take it easy on said push ups. i'm just sayin'. (love you, li'l Roundy)

Tambo gave us their little play house...I don't think my kids believe it's theirs yet. they are in shock. I moved it today (with some help from #1 and #3) down to the back deck...it was killing my struggling grass. Thanks K fam...Caroline will have to come over and play, for old times sake. We shall have tea and scones on the veranda.

one of summer's richest blessings...sunflowers, zinnias, echinacea, cosmos and other random plants. when they start sprouting, I weep with joy.

Folks, I'm heading to Green Gables (we love Anne)...but I have so many pix to blog. I will have to return to my sweet Good Life tomorrow morning, once I shoo David out the door (at 5 am)...our new schedule has us way more regulated and, though it's been a challenge to get used to, I LOVE IT! We go to bed when it's still sorta light outside...if you know us, you know that is weirrrrd.

Hope your weekend was spectacular. I know ours was. so much to say, so much to say.

Good night. God Bless you...

Vessel

Molly at 8 months. Love that big square head...and spindle-y li'l neck holding it up. awww, good job neck!

I don't know about you, but birthdays make me think. nice to know something makes me think, right? shaddap.

~First thoughts: "What was I doing on this day three years ago???" finding out we were only at 4 cm. Beck drove me home (bad move huh?). Retrieved my family, went to bank and Sbux, got home, contx picked up INSTANTLY! crazy, movie-like ride to birth center, tried to hold baby IN, got there in nick of time, Molly Christine born at 2:55 pm, bright sunny hot day. Seven pounds, 7 ounces, bright and chubby right off the bat. If I think hard enough, I can still feel it. (it's raining today, I can always tell I've had babies when it rains...TMI? dunno)

~looking at my post from yesterday, I think it's so neat how God uses us as mother's to fill so many roles...our very first being the host, master gardener, whatever you wanna call us...then when the birth starts, we become a vessel.

however long your delivery takes, your life changes dramatically from incubator to vessel to sustainer/encourager/caregiver.

As a mom, that will never change. Even when your baby becomes a big ol' teenager! (isn't that just so cool??) or when their feet are bigger than yours....I could go on.

Molly (Will, Ethan, Mel, Levi too), I am so blessed to have been your vessel to LIFE! You guys are one awesome little brood of kids to mother! I praise the Lord for the daily reminders He sends. so cool.

ok, gotta finish cleaning the house so I can enjoy the weekend! Hope this finds you healthy and whole...thanks for letting me get all nostalgic on ya.

Happy Birthday Eve, Miss Molly Moo!

can't believe I still had ankles! This was on our Memorial Day trip to Lafayette, while I still had FOUR kids.

July 9, 2007...that most joyous of days, when Sista Nugget officially joined our family! wow!! my hair was so dark...

Sweet little bundle of girliness....

It's almost 6 a.m. on the day before my fifth child's birthday. I'm sad because I thought I was losing space on blogger so I deleted the post from her day of birth. That was before I bought more space....

Anyways, I will be nostalgic today because July 8th of 2007 was a trying day...I was ready to be done with pregnancy, David and I were grumping at each other ALL DAY about this, that or whatever...to top it off, I fell off the wall surrounding the pool. That was pretty funny...but I scratched myself up nicely. Imagine a largely expecting woman toppling over...yes, it was funny. Yes, I did land on Molly.

I took off that night on a little drive. Needed to clear my fool head. I met up with my mom and sister (my very own Steel Magnolias), who had been down to the outlet malls that day. They got me a bunch of little things in preparation of Moo's arrival, which I was beginning to think would never happen. needless to say, I was feeling VERY discouraged. (If you've ever had a baby, you know what feeling and sensations I'm referring to)...

I ate a Big Mac that night and didn't care ONE BIT. (take that, David. and I ended up being the one who paid for it)

That is not sufficient labor aiding food but it must be adequate labor-inducing food...I went home, made good with my family.

Labored all night and you know that feeling when you first start to labor? skeery. especially in the middle of the night, all by yourself. vulnerable. weird.

Anyways, time to get a move on for this day...until I've ingested my coffee, I won't really know what's happening around here today...so enjoy your muggy July 8th and if you are pregnant in this heat and mug, I feel for ya.

Daughters...

Love that John Mayer song about said title....

and the Lord has truly blessed our family with two lovely, sweet daughters.

it's a good thing you are cute...