handsful

The day began early for me, since EJ had to be at church by 7:45am.  He plays drums for the middle school worship band every-other Sunday.  And, since Randy struggled with allergies the night before, I let him sleep in a bit.

I’m an amazing woman, aren’t I?

Once home, the rest of us got ready since the first, full TESTIFY concert was at 10:30.  I’ve really been looking forward to this.  The kids and Randy have been working hard, about 4 hours of practice each Sunday, to get ready for this.  Randy has been helping with the acting practices, since he wrote the play.  Abbey dances, sings in an ensemble, and acts; Marley sings a duet/solo, Payton dances and acts, Ethan sings a duet/solo.  The kids share acting parts, so they don’t always act in each concert…none of the kids acted yesterday.  But, Marley was singing her usual duet as a solo since her partner was out of town.  My daughter who is SO like me, and would rather the attention be on anyone other than her, was going to sing a solo.  Courage!  It helps that she absolutely loves to sing.

The concert was incredible, they did an amazing job!  Let me share a God moment…

One of the main characters in the play is a bully.  You don’t know it at first, but you find out that he’s very anti-God because he lost his mom to cancer when he was 15.  His father initially became angry, blaming God for taking her away.  He drank and the situation became too much for the son, who moved in with family.  Later on, the father stops drinking and eventually becomes a Christian, but the son…still too mad at God for taking his mom…wants nothing to do with his “religious” father.

After the play, a man came up to Randy, having heard he wrote the play.  He said, “You won’t believe this, but…” and begins to tell Randy that he lost his wife to cancer when his son was a teenager.  He became an alcoholic.  His son moved out and, to this day won’t have anything to do with him.  The father has since become a Christian.  He was in tears, Randy was trying to hold his back.  The man told Randy that he was going home to call his son, and ask if he’d come to a future concert with him.

God works, people.  He’s alive, and uses us in ways we’d never dream of, to further his plans and purposes.  I’m in awe!

So, that was the morning.  Pretty good, eh?  We came home to meet up with EJ (who had gotten a ride home from church), took a few hundred pictures to get a couple of good ones (heh), and then went to one of my favorite restaurants for a late lunch.  We ate too much.  But, it was yummy.

Oh, and they gave me a zebra print tote bag (from our church’s Marketplace store…we sell things made by women in impoverished countries and the money goes back to them, giving them a way to earn a living and support their families!), and a book that I can’t wait to start.  Score one for Randy.

Back home, Randy switched out sprinkler heads while Marley and I hoed around the plants in our newly planted garden.  I’ll blog about that next.

We spent the rest of the night watching old videos while Randy attempted to get them put onto DVD’s.  We have video from 2009 to present on our camera.  Not good.  He’s still tweaking the best way to do it.  Why can’t anything involving a computer be easy?!?

A great back massage later, and I was in bed for the night.

I’m blessed to have such a wonderful husband who spoils me and makes me feel so special, and 6 kids to get hugs and “Happy Mother’s Day” greetings from.  I think back to our infertility treatment days, when we weren’t sure we’d have ANY children….I still remember that sad feeling for the other women who so desperately want to be moms on this day.  It’s such a hard day for those not on this side of the fence.  I wish everyone who wants to be a mom, could be.

Mother’s Day 2013 was wonderful.

Last week was…how shall I put it?  Busy times infinity.  And, given Randy was out of town for a lot of it, the brunt of the comings and goings (and comings and…) were on me.  I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see the weekend come.

Not that things slowed down much.  Or, at all.  But, at least my sweet husband was home, and we could tag-team like usual.

I’ll start with Friday.  That afternoon, Dylan went to the birthday party of his best buddy.  I picked him up afterwards and we rushed home so that I could curl Abbey’s hair.  Her friend Aaron arrived from Raleigh just a little before I got home…he and his mom made the special trip so that he could take her to the prom.

Abbey and Aaron have known each other for years, his family was in a church small group we hosted back when the big kids were little kids.  Since moving to FL and then moving back, the’vey re-connected through FB and now Skype all the time.

They had a great time.  We’re thankful that our kids get to experience things like proms, despite being home schooled.  This one was planned by a local homeschooling group, and they went all out with beautiful invites, engraved glass mugs, and gorgeous decorations.

Saturday morning came early, and we had somewhere to be.  Our annual Easter egg-hunt at Gram and Pa-Paul’s house.  Yes, we know it’s past Easter…but, finding a date where we could all make it was a little tricky.  As usual, it was all 8 of us, along with Randy’s brother’s family…minus Caleb and Samara who couldn’t get away from college.  Gram’s Sunday school teacher, his wife, and their two little girls joined us this year, too.  And, Aaron, who was driving back to Raleigh (same direction we were going), decided last minute to stay as well.

The required pre-hunt picture on the porch

Ready, set, go!

The older kids, who graduated to “hiders” instead of “hunters” quite a while ago, goofed around while waiting for their turn…Gram does a scavenger hunt for them to find their treats.

Even the big, big kids goofed around…

Payton lends Micah a hand at getting the highest egg…

Gram’s system…find eggs, dump them into the big bucket (by the way, she had about 40 eggs per kid, for 6 kids).  Then, we go inside and divide the eggs based on the sticker on the egg (i.e. red smiley=Lainey).

Time for the teens…

Read the clue, run all over the place, read the next clue, etc.  This year, she had all their goodies hiding in their car trunk.

Back inside to open the eggs…it gets a little crazy, as the adults divide up the eggs and toss them to their owners.

We left around 8:30, getting home at 11ish.  Head to bed, tired from a great day.

Sunday.  Randy took the big kids to church, while I stayed home with the littles.  I seriously needed a little break from the going and going, and me being home meant I could cook lunch for them rather than spending money on fast food (like we tend to do too much on Sundays).

He got home with the four big kids, as well as three extra teens (it’s the usual).  We ate, and Randy was soon off with a few of them to Testify drama / dance practice.  I hung back, and took the others (having added even one more teen in the meantime) to the practice to meet up for their first performance of the year.

This was just a mini-concert…only a few songs, a little dancing, and no acting.  But, Marley and Kylie got to sing their duet, and they did a great job.  Happy to have that first one under their belts :)

After the concert, I dropped Marley and Ethan back at home, and drove to church for another drama / acting practice.  Payton and Abbey both have acting and dance parts, so their Sundays are always full of practices.  Their first full concert is May 12th!

That was our weekend.  After an exhausting week, it was still busy but lots of fun.

And, this week so far? Blissfully boring.  Ahhhh…..

Sometimes you’ve just gotta torture your kids with posed pictures.  I’m not sure why, but some of my kids HATE having their pictures taken.  Hate it.  Hide when I bring out the camera kind of hate.

At least these guys are always ready to smile for a pic.

Unless your sister tries to squeeze you too hard.  Not cool with Dylan.

He requested a “silly picture”, which made it all better.

I don’t ever mind having my picture taken with my extremely handsome husband.

One more of the kids, just because I can.

It’s been a fantastic Easter Sunday…starting with a wonderful church service spent praising my risen Savior.  Followed by a lunch feast of baked ham, corn on the cob, green beans, roasted potatoes, and rolls.  And, now we’re being lazy watching NCAA basketball.  Perfect.

Happy Easter :)

All dressed up…

with somewhere to go.

With her good friend, D’Qota.

The homeschool Valentine’s Dance.  On her last day being 16, too.

He surprised her with this fun ride to the dance…borrowed from a friend.

Payton and Ethan also went, but they refused pictures.  I’ll get them back for that later…

Marley decided not to go, since she sprained her ankle last Monday on the dirt bike.  Like the attractive foot attire?  She gets to wear it for two weeks.  Kylie and Kailee still wanted their picture taken with her.

I’m still waiting for them to plan a “Parents Only” dance one of these days.  I’d love an excuse to buy a pretty dress!

Welcome, 2013.  We stayed home and took advantage of the fact we have land…

While Randy played pyrotechnic, the kids lit sparkler after sparkler.

We played by the rules, and purchased our fireworks here in NC.  There are some folks who wander over to SC, where the BIG stuff is legal and then bring it back over.  Not us.  Well, at least not this year.

These were fun, even though on a small scale.  Bright, lots of colors, and some were LOUD!

After our mini display, we ran inside with about 2 minutes to spare.  Quickly turned on the TV and counted down with the rest of the US…Happy New Year!!

But, we weren’t done yet.  We had a Christmas tree to ceremonially dispose of.  In a blaze of fire.

We dragged it down our drive, to the spot we usually use for a fire pit.  Randy lit a small firework and threw it in.  Almost immediately…

It crackled and literally swallowed up the tree in less than a minute.  The heat coming off that tree was intense, and we all had to move back.

About this time, I’m thinking “I hope we got all the ornaments off…”

I guess we’ll never know for sure ;)

Cloud of sparks

That tree was quickly turned into a charred main trunk with short, spindly branches.  Amazing.  I guess it’s true what they say…Christmas trees DO burn quickly!

These shots were taken on my phone, by the way….too lazy and tired to drag out the big camera!  I’m not exactly a night-owl like most of my family.  Yawn.

It was a great, family-fun way to begin 2013.  We pray that this year brings God’s blessings, whatever they may be, to us and to our friends and family :)

Random Christmas shots too good not to share…but, somehow had no time to get on here before today.  Such is life.

Christmas craft with Lainey and Dylan.  I think I shared the initial salt dough handprints we did.  It took them quite a few days to dry, and then they painted them.  I helped a little by drawing lines and showing them which sections to paint which color.

I think they turned out great!  Nevermind that I still need to spray seal them…

“The” cookie recipe that must be made each year.  My mom made them every year when I was little, then I took over after I was married.  I still use the same press that my parents received as a wedding gift.

The happy baker!

Must. Concentrate…

My three helpers were terrific!

We decorated inside and out.  We have trees that line our winding, gravel driveway.  Randy put lights on every other one all the way down.  My favorite decoration this year, hands down.

Marley helped Randy with HIS NC State tree…all sports related ornaments.

Love our full mantle

This is our 9th year reading the Arnold Ytreeide series of Christmas stories…we began in 2004, when Abbey was 8 and the trips were 6.  We’ve only missed 1 year, 2010…when we were in China with Dylan.  We rotate through all 3 books, so the one we read this year was last year in 2008.  We forget much of the story, too, so there are still surprises!  And, Randy makes it fun by being silly with all of his “voices”…we crack up and then finally convince him to read normally.

Nativity calendar.  The kids take turns each night, and we all guess what could be behind the door.  Donkey?  Wiseman?  Sheep? Spiderman??

Christmas eve…after we came home from our church service, I gathered the kids by the tree.  They agreed, as long as…

…they could do a silly pose.

I didn’t even make them do this!  They just did…gotta snap that picture.

A mom and her oldest son…

My big girls

My littlest kids.  Ugh, those reds clash…

So, there’s some Christmas randomness!  Next up?  Pics of the kids riding those dirt bikes…

Is that a word?  Probably not, but I’m still on vacation so I can make up words if I want to.

We had a great Christmas day around here!  And, I do mean “around here”.  We were fortunate to have the whole day to ourselves, with no where to go.

The day began kinda late, as far as Christmas morning goes.  The littles were up and playing together upstairs…no one is allowed downstairs until we give the “ok” sign.  But, the teens were still snoozing away at 10am.  Really?!  So, I made the traditional cinnamon rolls (no, not homemade…they refuse to allow me to break tradition and insist on the canned version), and Randy woke them up.

I’ll avoid going through every-single-present and just hit the highlights of our morning…

Stockings first, as always.  Marley is opening her charm bracelet from her dad.  Randy started a tradition years ago of getting each of his girls a piece of jewelry and last year it was charm bracelets and 1 charm for each daughter and a necklace for me.  Unfortunately, Marley mis-placed hers.  Randy clenched his teeth and replaced it, the charm, and even added another charm.  I got my bracelet and a charm this year, too.  Love it!

No stocking for Jack, he got a new bed.  He likes it a lot.

How about I share favorite gifts?  Abbey…

She loves the show Duck Dynasty.  If you’ve not checked it out, you’ve got to.  It’s a hoot.  I knew she’d love this shirt.

And, her very favorite was her new bow.  She’s been wanting one for a while, and was thrilled.  She spent all of Christmas day shooting, and by the days end was in love.

Marley…

It’s hard to say with Marley because she didn’t really ask for anything big this year, and she seemed to love everything!  She noticed these shoes at the mall a while back and I quickly snapped a pic without her knowing.  So, she loves them!

This one could be her very favorite.  She wanted a purity ring this year, but wanted it to be something different that SHE picked out.  It’s a single pearl with a couple of diamond-like stones on the side set in sterling silver.  Beautiful.

Payton…

He was easy this year.  And, that’s saying a lot.  In the past, he’s been our most mysterious kid…never wanting anything specific.  Not this year.  The tailgater speaker system was high on the list.  As was the robe he’s wearing.  He found it while we were out shopping and fell in love with the thing.  Now, all he needs is a pipe.  Just kidding.

Ethan…

This one’s easy.  Although, he might say his bag of Skittles and Simpson’s movie from Abbey ranks pretty high, he was pretty surprised with this new 17 caliber air rifle.  Much larger than his last one, which he used so much it broke.  It’s heavy and loud…sounds like a .22 going off.  He’s very happy.

Lainey…

Again, easy peasy.  She asked for a kid’s tablet with Wi-fi.  She got half of her wish.  (does a 6 year old NEED wi-fi?)  This is her reaction when she opened it.

She immediately jumped into my arms, yelling THANK YOU, MOM!!!!

One of my favorite moments of the whole morning…

Dylan…

Well, I can’t figure this kid out.  I wasn’t sure what his fav was, so I asked.  Turns out it was the clearance slip-on shoes I found at Old N*vy…bought them as an afterthought, not planned at all.  They are cute, white with black little skulls and crossbones.  Ethan wanted to borrow them.  Heh.

Randy…

Biggest surprise for him was that I went to the ABC store and picked up his favorite whiskey.  I’m so cool.  I also gave him an NC State coach’s polo which he loved.  And, a Steeler’s sock monkey.  That last one goes without saying.

Me…

Love my new Justin boots…I’m fitting right in around here, now.

Biggest surprise?  An Ip*d mini.  I had hinted about a new e-reader…didn’t expect him to spring for this!

And, because I love them so much, I’m sharing all the sibling hug pics.  The kids drew names just like last year, and had so much fun picking out just the right thing.  They were all so excited for their sibling to open their gifts!  I love that…

Payton to Dylan:  Hulk hands

Marley to Lainey:  Slushy Magic cup

Abbey to Ethan:  Skittles and the Simpson’s movie

Ethan to Marley:  red and black plaid jacket

Dylan to Abbey:  bracelet and earrings set

Lainey to Payton:  Itunes card and his fav candy

After all the opening was over, Randy suggested they walk down to the downstairs garage.

Dirt bikes, for sharing.  And, for the littles to grow into (they got hula hoops and a pogo stick, too).

And, this is how the family room looked like AFTER…

Like I said, it was a wonderful day.  We ate left-over Christmas eve goodies and the kids spent the day outside, playing with their new “toys”.  Ended the day with a Christmas movie.  Perfection.

Next post, I’ll share some random Christmas pics that I never had time to share before!