looking back

I got a bunch of pics ready but can't upload them...try again later. Until then...
When I go through pictures from the past my heart feels full.  Day to day it's sometimes hard to see the big picture or the beauty in the normal occurances, but when I look back to see these children grow and change I see how quickly they will leave childhood and leave me.  Oh how they fill my life and my heart (and my schedule).  Watching them caring for one another increases my love for them exponentially.  They come with goodness and laughter and I'm grateful to be a front row spectator.  These are the times of our lives!

Self Feeding

Daniel has had it with me being in control of the spoonand is been begging for independence. Here's what it looks like.

 Straight to the kitchen sink afterwards.

 Mom in training.

Sunday we went on a short walk behind our neighborhood along the bayou. Paul had taken Leah there several days earlier for a date and they found blackberries! We braved thorns and chiggers but were paid off with a container full of juicy ones. The kids kept yelling "Jackpot!" We picked enough to eat, make smoothies and share with our neighbor who was prepared with Bluebell vanilla ice cream. 

 Daniel was happier than he looks in this picture. 

 Chasing butterflies

Took this from higher ground since we've seen alligators not far from here.

Not sure how I took no pics of the actual fruit, but this is where the picking took place.

kids meal choices

lasagna B
popcorn chicken IB
burritos IBL
spaghetti IB
pizza ILB
dumplings IB
fried rice ILB
ramen IB
baked potatoes ILB
chicken divan LB
pork chops IB
tacos IL
enchiladas IL
haystacks IL
corndogs IL
bean and bacon soup IB
fried chicken I
roasted chicken I
sweet n sour chicken I
bbq chicken I
orange chicken I
lem on chicken I
hamburgers B

french fries I

carrots LB
corn ILB
celery ILB
beans ILB
cucumbers L
brocolli L

pommegranite IL
kiwi IL
honeycrisp apples L
strawberries IL
blackberries IL
grapefruit I
pineapple I

soda I
oj I
apple juice I
chocolate milk I
sweet water I

cookies 'n' cream ice cream I
sherbet I
no-bakes I
slushies I
milkshakes I
hot chocolate I
rice crispy treat I

Christmas is coming!

Leah was snow in her Christmas program....she's the one in white in the middle.

Isaac's second orchestra concert...but the first one we saw him in.  The one a few months ago started at 6:45, not 7... sooooo disappointed that night!  But this one was so fun!  We've heard him practice the same three songs now since August (one day I caught him playing in a semi-supine position on the chaise with his eyes closed...like he was really feeling it)  and as soon as we heard them start one song we've heard an upwards of ten thousand times, Benjamin and I looked at each other and smiled like we were coming home. No words needed.  Here he is with Mr. Grimm. Oh, and afterwards he came home and got chili all over his new tuxedo shirt even though I told him to take it off first.  Someday I'm going to miss having toothpaste all over the counter and Oxyclean and jello pools in the drawer a week after Isaac makes his creations.
At the bottom is his latest.  He made it on a sunday morning.  When in was time to take the glass in the middle out it was like the sword in the stone; when it finally came out what a noise it made!

The last few weeks have been busy with so many things we had to wait nearly a week after getting our tree to finally all be home at the same time to decorate it.  And it's really still not done.  It's been torture for Elizabeth but it helps that she has lots of play dates during the week.  Good for her and good for me!  I've been having some tough days lately but what always makes me feel better is spending time with Elizabeth.  We try to do a bit of school every day: singing, reading, practice writing, etc.  We had a picnic on the floor the other day for part of school and it was destroyed by Daniel.  He crunched up all the food and pulled hair and messed up the blanket that Elizabeth worked so hard to get flat.  Elizabeth says "ow, ow, ow!" when he gets her hair and in the same breath says," it's ok, Daniel, you didn't mean to."  Can't tell you how many times a day I hear versions of that.  Her goodness and kindness to him and me inspires me to be better and makes me know God must love me because He sent her to me.  

After some wildfires here in Texas a month or so ago I had what I thought to be an effective dialogue with Benjamin about sacrificing for others. I was organizing some clothes and other items in the back of the van to be dropped off for some of those families in need. By the look on his face it clicked. He ran inside as I waited in anticipation of him bringing out his Star Wars Legos or maybe some of his new school clothes. But then he ran back outside with these:

Isaac's 12!!!!

He wanted to use the whole pack of candles on his cake, so each one represented .5 year. And no, he did not make/frost his cake. That was me. I do think it's his finger that swiped through the frosting, though.

He wanted money only, but we got him a few gifts to open, too.

Leah bought him some mechanical pencils and a magic trick, Benjamin bought him a magic trick, Elizabeth bought him a package of foam animals that grow in water and he got a 600 piece map puzzle that we finished over conference weekend. Still missing Uruguay.

You're looking at the greatest thing since sliced bread: sliced Snickers. It's what he chose for his all-you-can-eat birthday treat.

I love this picture because he looks happy.

We love you, Isaac!