Surprises

So...this is how Noah started the day yesterday! I was on the phone confirming he would have to go with me to Naomi's 2 month (joy!) He wasn't getting enough attention just digging in the cupboards. This is a 5# bag btw. A friend said better than in the toilet- I can imagine that would clump up. As much as I would love a Kirby vacuum, my motto had always been "as long as it picks up cherrios," well add instant spuds to that! Needless to say, little darling Noah is trying out new strategies. I found a great harness backpack for him, maybe I will try going public again with him. yikes!

A day in the life of...Naomi

Naomi is smiling...cutest thing ever! And these are a couple of her favorite positions. Gravity and pressure holds at any expense and she is usually satisfied. Definitely a momma's girl, so that is fun!

So this is what it looks like around our table!
Happy Birthday Aubrey is 14 and Lexi is 10. Double double digits! They are the first of birthday buddies in a year. Next to come is Libby, Reany, and Adam- all within the first week of May. Then we get a break until September- David and Noah are 4 days apart. Then Naomi's a few months away. Boom boom! I usually don't like to share cakes and I prefer to bake my own. Many times I try and make something special for the kids. Aubrey and Lexi have gotten the best of cakes, as they were here first, and of course before much chaos! They have enjoyed birthday cakes of: dolls with (pampered chef batter bowl) skirts, bears swimming in a pool, castles, a violin, a piano, basketball. The worst was a dog cake I attempted for Reany once, atleast they are edible!! The girls celebrated their birthdays and the next day Lexi even got a snowday for her birthday!
I totally forgot to mention earlier, the other members of our family. Above is Bruno, our four year old stud Boxer. He is just beautiful and if we wanted to show, I have a hard time believing he wouldn't win it all. He is great with the kids. So is Kalu, our first wedding anniversary gift, ka- katie, lu- luke. It wasn't until recently that Luke finally appreciates him for the excellent pet he is to our family. He is like a dog and follows us around, is very tolerant to toddlers, and his good looks have him many offers for second homes! Princess is not shown, she is too delicate to photograph, no; she is hiding downstairs. She doesn't trust Bruno (maybe from Luke tormenting her?!) Princess is my 12 year old calico from growing up, we lost Jubilee this summer. After 16 years he wasn't doing good. Reany still asks for prayers for him to get better...

naomi

The little cuddle baby. She is super sweet. Loves to be with momma, night and day- as in sleeping in my arms. Has been the best eater yet of my 3, plus she looks more like me. People have asked me what I contribute to my kids looks, so I am rooting for one to look like me! She is demanding my attention right now and I have to beat Noah to her, so over and out!

aubrey adam reany

Since I am new to this, I didn't get the pictures on like I wanted. I am sure at some point it will be made up for!
Aubrey is turning into a great young lady. She is a genuine and bubbly girl. This year she did danceline for Albany Pawettes. After years of wishing the girls could be in extra cirricular activities, this was the mother load and she had 8am practices New Years weekend even. For a couple months we forfieted half of our weekends for her events. But, it was a rewarding experience for her and she will do it again next year. She fell from a 2 story window when she was 4, so she is a miracle in itself and we are excited to see what God has in store for her, hoping that she is able to follow the good path. Do as I say not as I did, the heartaches have been hers too. It would be awesome to live next door to them, but years ago their mom took them to Albany and plans to stay:(
Adam is the other teenager, no matter what age he acts:) He has come a long way, since when we got him at 8, he didn't even know his alphabet. He is autistic though, so there are some caps with his involvements. He does like youth group this year, the academic pressure is now relaxed. There was light at the end of the tunnel! He likes golf and will do his 3rd year, so what if 9 holes are in the 100s? He loves to help cook- more than I like another in my kitchen, poor kid. But I do let him help some and have even directed him with ragu spaghetti- and everyone liked it. That was a date night, so I got something better. He still hasn't held Naomi, but we are not too worried. She will steal his heart soon!
Reany, short for Norean. She is a delightful, resilient, eager girl. She loves dance and is in the top of her class, always has been. She is very coordinated, has no fear, a high pain tolerance, and poor spacial judgement. Cartwheels are not allowed in the house, you can imagine why. She can even do a one handed cartwheel! She is learning to read better than we would have imagined and years of therapy seem to pay off at that! She has been with us since 15 months, Libby is 5 days older than her. They are the best of friends, usually. One friend says that younger doesn't always mean better, but it does mean longer. Haha

lexi libby noah

Lexi lives with her mom in Albany. Unfortunately we only get her and Aubrey every other weekend. We have come to terms that 4 days a month is better than nothing, and as they mature hopefully they can appreciate the differences of our homes and choose what is best. She is really smart and likes the baby. She is the baby (for another month) at her mom's and so sometimes she has issues at our house. Luke and I met before she was even born and I have known her since she was just a month old. Her special song is, "lexi loo, lexi lee, lexi monica (her middle name) cutie, go to sleep, baby girl." I used to sing her that when I was the only one to get her to sleep on our weekends.
Libby is fluent in spanish, not bad for a 6 year old. I do have braging rights! She has a great imagination and is very practical and helpful. I don't know what I would do without her. She is a natural born leader and quick thinker. She reads excellent for her age in English, despite only being taught in Spanish. She loves to play teacher. After 4 years of combo classes, she didn't want to dance and is doing only gymnastics. She is very sensitive and loves attention!
Noah, the ham. He is the craziest 2 year old ever! Very fun and full of imagination. His rider worm is anything from a four wheeler, snowmobile, racecar, mortorcycle, and even an ambulance once. His stick pony is a rifle, golf club, or bat. He can even bat at imaginary balls! He keeps me on my toes and loves the baby, is an awesome big brother.

Meet the Kids

This is David. A great description, as his first first grade teacher said he is "delightfully inquisitive." He gives us the most challenges but can also be a charmer. This pic shows his genuine enthousiasm, he got an MP3 player for Christmas. He loves electronics, when Luke was on laundry duty- he found 12 batteries in his pants! Hence, he is not allowed to use our rechargables and buys his batteries from the dollar store. He earns money from giving me back scratches. He loves little kids and is a good helper...when not testing his limits or looking for an argument. Making great progress since we got him at 6 and he has much potential, on a good day:)

Family Rules

Well for my first post, I decided to share what is on our wall. I should redo it, as it is black marker on a sheet of green construction paper. We made it last year, when it seemed there were a few too many limits being pushed. Having rules posted helps, but of course- rules were meant to be broken. Or designed to establish the expectation, thus it is helpful to be in green and black, so to speak. We also feel that positive always beats negative, so that is the sentance structure too. Here they are:

1. We are respectful.
2. We are helpful.
3. We are honest.
4. We obey parents and GLORIFY GOD.
5. We do not yell or raise our voices.
6. We keep our hands to ourselves, no touching.
7. We do not spit or use bathroom talk.
8. We do not call names, for every bad= 3 nice
9. We ask permission of others to use things.
10. We only call on God when praying.
11. When you're asked to do something: RIGHT AWAY, ALL THE WAY, AND CHEERFUL HEART
12. We do not go outside or in the garage without permission.
13. We put our own belongings away.
14. We choose Christian music.
15. We do not say, "stupid, dumb, ugly, hate, kill."

Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up. Galations 6:9

Now if only it were so easy that those rules were never broken!