Surprise!!

So life is full of surprises, right?

It's a suprise that I am blogging after five months of nothing.

I had a great surprise to find that my 5-year old had unloaded to dishwasher just because she loves me.

Another surprise was to find my husband's aunt from Tennessee at my front door. (Which was very obvious as I had a dirty diaper in my hand and a part-naked baby toddling after me and I wasn't "dressed" for company in my husband's sweat shirt and my paint sweats. But once I got passed that and invited these classy ladies into my living room-full of case lot sale items---we had a wonderful visit!)

Our most notable surprise is that we are expecting another baby in May....
I told my children they could tell their friends after Halloween because we would be past the worrisome 12 week stage, so I decided I would tell my friends here.
A few months ago, Lucy and I were talking about Lincoln (my 15 month old baby), how cute he is, etc. Lucy started talking about Lincoln having a playmate and how fun it would be to have a younger sister or brother for him. I told Lucy that I didn't think that little Lincoln would be having a younger sister or brother and that I felt that six kids was enough for our family. She replied, "Mom, you aren't in charge of that, Heavenly Father is." I was kind smug, thinking that yes, I was in charge of that. I guess I was wrong.

We are excited for our sweet little friend to join us in May and yes, it will be good for Lincoln to have a playmate. (There is a four year difference between him and his older siblings.) Most surprises turn out to be good if we have the right perspective. I'll be happy when my perspective doesn't include vomiting and the toilet, but all in all, it is a great blessing.

I hope your day is full of great surprises as well....

Hammy is twelve!!

I can't believe my "little" Hammy is so old. It is wierd having a preteen in the house. It sure changes the dynamics. He is a great help and a good example to the other kids most of the time.

Lucy's birthday and baptism

Lucy just turned eight the day after Christmas. It was a fun birthday and her baptism was very special. She had a little birthday party after the baptism on Saturday and then we had a dinner after the confirmation on Sunday. She is such a sweet, responsible girl. We are proud of her.

Christmas

Lincoln loves his jumper, even though at first, he didn't know what to do with it.

Hayden loved his Netbook.

Dallin was so excited for his miniature semi's and animals. He loves everything that has to do with ranching!

Lucy was so excited for her American Girl doll and books.

Miss Molly and her new outfit for herself and her bitty baby...

Porter LOVES his new cowboy hat!

Christmas was wonderful and exciting! We enjoyed all the fun with the kids, but are glad to have everyone back to some sort of routine.. Here are some picture and video highlights of our Christmas Season. Hopefully, your Christmas was as magical and fun as ours was!

Tell me a story

Molly wanted me to read her story the other day, and as usual, I was busy doing one of those mundane mom tasks. The baby was asleep, or so I thought, in his bouncy chair. Molly stopped pestering me for a story and after a few minutes, I could hear her talking in the familyroom. I walked in there and found this cute setting.. She was "reading" to her little brother. Isn't it crazy that this little four year old is better at taking the time to be a "mom" than her own mom? It was a good reminder: the laundry, the dishes, the bills, etc will always be there, but moments like these won't.

The Sheriff

So I was doing laundry the other day when Molly found this little Sheriff's vest among the clothes. It was Porter's Halloween costume last year...no idea how it got out, but Molly decided it was meant for Lincoln... I was in the other room, of course, and I heard some commotion and found my little man (still in his pj's) adorned with a badge! He's the cutest law enforcement officer I've seen lately. (And suprisingly, I've seen a few.)

Halloween photos

Aren't my little witches darling? Little guy (he wasn't Lincoln yet) was a sweet pea in the pod. He didn't get to trick or treat, but I don't think he missed it! He got to have a rest at "Aunt Gretchen's" house so he wouldn't be around all the bugs. But his grandparents got to see his cute costume.. My big boys went horse riding with their dad rather than go to the Halloween trunk or treat at the church. They got to have the "Halloween" experience the week previous at the Goring Halloween party.. Who knew that they would choose horse riding over candy!