Faith, Fishin, and Four Wheelers

Someone asked me yesterday, "Oh my gosh, how do you guys do it? How do you have that many different kids in one house?" By different he meant skin colors...backgrounds...and so on. And my reply was, "I don't know, we just do".

Of course I ended with a smile and walked away. But later I thought...what are some things that we do that work? There are 2 main things...first and foremost is God and the second is simplicity. We don't have a lot of "outside" influences on our kids. They have had SO much happen in their little lives. They know so much more about life than they should.

Jason and I were amazed at the many things that they did not know how to do and had never experienced...they had NO idea of how to play outside...we would send them outside to play and look outside and they were just sitting on the ground. They didn't know that moms and dads tuck you in at night, or that you can drive to other states, or that you can sleep at a hotel, or how to hug good night, or how to dance in your pajamas, or sing out loud, or how to laugh just because, or that there are other family members that love you too. Both Jason and I were raised by hard working parents who knew how to enjoy the simple things in life and we want our kids to know what that life is like.

We go fishin and ride four wheelers and roast marshmellows and look for four leaf clovers and plant our spring garden and feed carrots to our rabbits and give the stale bread to the chickens and always tell the "girls" thank you for their eggs, and sometimes stay in our pajamas all day, we take care of what God has given us and always try to do our best the first time and we have traditions and love each other and love to hide and scare dad and we make cake just because and color pictures and make things for people that we love and always kiss and hug our family when they leave to go home and that your dog or cat really can be your best friend and that God's word is not just read on Sundays. At the end of the day I want my kids to know the important things in life...not how to play a video game or how to change the tv to the Disney channel or that Abercrombie (I probably spelled it wrong) is a "cool" brand to wear.

I want my kids to know that they are precious because God made them that way and that life is precious and they should not waste a moment on what the world tells them is important!

Gracie caught her first fish last night...

Ended Spring Break with Uncle Levi

Here is a pic of Levi with us today...

Here are some pics from the wedding...read below for the whole story.

My Aunt Joy is an INCREDIBLE person who is very faithful to God. She decided in her twenties that she would take care of my Grandmommy who was not in great health. Because of that decision my Aunt Joy never married.

She is one of the most generous and kind people that I know! In an age where no one ever mails cards anymore, my Aunt Joy NEVER misses a birthday or holiday or anniversary. My grandmommy passed away several years ago and when she did I know that Aunt Joy was not sure that she would ever marry.

At that point she was in her late forties...but God was faithful to my Aunt Joy and he brought along Levi. I got to be matron of honor in the wedding a year ago Valentine's Day...she got married on my birthday.

My Aunt Joy and I have always had a special bond. All of my family lived in Texas when I was little, but then all moved to North Carolina when I was like five...I cried and cried when my Aunt Joy left!

I was not sure what I was going to think of Levi and I told him that he could not marry my Aunt Joy if I didn't like him...well he is GREAT! It is just like God to bring along the perfect person. He travels a lot and has been able to come and see us twice in the last year. He got to come and play dominoes and visit with us this afternoon and it is always nice to see him! He has a heart for God and loves my Aunt Joy like CRAZY!

Spring Break

We went to see Maw Maw early in the week...it was a pretty drive and good to see her!

Then we got to see Aunt Nae and the kids' cousins...Amber and Bryce. Paw Paw, Nana, Aunt Nae, Amber, and Bryce and Daddy and kids all went to eat Mexican food together. Then that afternoon we drove to Fairfield to meet Kissy and pick up Bicky and bring her back home. Pa Pa was happy to see Bicky!

Then on Thursday, Gracie went with me and Bicky to our favorite garden place while the rest of the crew was fishing. She was our big helper...she put all of our plants in the wagon for us and made sure that we smelled EVERY plant there!

Dad and Nana decided to go fishing, so Jazz, Davis, and Jocey decided to go...

Jocey caught a BIG catfish but it got away.

Jason said it was so big that it almost pulled her out of the boat...pretty good for her first fish.

JB Snoozin

From the first time that we took a car ride with JB when he was like 10...

this is what he always does is the car...

something about the car makes him fall asleep even if we are not going far.

Isn't he pretty? Could not resist the photo opportunity!

Rollercoaster

No one tells you that being a mom is like being on an ever moving emotional roller coaster!

JB is my oldest and in just a few short months will be going off to college...I really can't imagine not being able to see him every day. Now, a senior year does kinda get parents ready because they are gone SO much with sports and friends and church. But, just like this morning he is not up with us because he is exhausted BUT I can go in there and kiss his forehead if I want and I can steal a hug when he gets up. I can't do that in about 6 months...he will be 2 1/2 hours from me and will not be coming home much because he will be playing football.

Then there is my baby Bea...something happened over night...the cute chubby cheeks and thighs are gone and replaced with long legs that I can't seem to find pants long enough to cover. She talks and acts just like her sisters. She is now able to do so many things independently. She can even do chores now and wants to have a chore just like her siblings.

I am just not sure what to think or how to feel. I see my kids loving God and making good choices and caring about things and people around them...I just can't imagine life without them and I know that before I can blink it will be Bea going off to school.

I guess I am just gonna love them and teach them and show them God as much as I can. I am so thankful everyday that I get to be their mom...that God chose me to parent these precious children...I just wish sometimes that I had longer!

Gracie

She said to me this morning...

"Mommy take my picture, I look just like the girl on Cat and the Hat"