Visit with Dad 9.19.10

Dad came back to the states for a few days and managed to squeeze in a visit with all of his married daughters...Erin and Jerry, CarrieLynn and Michael, and us.  Thank you dad for making the time to see all of us.  It sure means alot and your grandkids sure enjoyed their time with you!!  Here are some pictures from his visit.  I was so busy taking pictures with his camera so mom and the rest of the family could have some to look at, that I forgot to grab our camera.  Oh well, at least we captured the enjoyable time we were together with these fun photos.

 Dad rocking with 2 of his granddaughters on the front porch watching...

Martin and Millie play with the new big blue ball he brought the kids...

 

and eat some circus peanuts he brought them for a treat.

 Stephen cooked some big ol' grass fed steaks on the grill for supper.  We cooked a t-bone, sirloin and rib-eye so dad could try them all.  They turned out quite tasty!

 Dad reading them Elaina's favorite book...Posy the Possum.

Love you PapaCarl!!

Warm and Fuzzy 8.19.10

Here are some recent updated photos of our 6 precious children.  

Just sitting back and looking at our life...we are so blessed!  

There are so many things that make me warm and fuzzy when I think about them...my adoring, precious, sweet husband who loves me deeper than anything in this world,  the mornings Stephen and I are able to have Bible study and coffee together, holding the hand of my one and only as we take a "pasture walk" together, the 7 sweet smiling faces I am so blessed to see every day, the pride in Martin's eyes after he has completed an important task, the sound of Millie, Bella and 'Laina giggling after we have put them to bed, the delight in James's eyes when his Papa scoops him up in his arms, the soft sweet sound of Lydia's coo, my beautiful new kitchen (pictures soon to come), the aroma of homemade bread baking in the oven, the dried roses Stephen has given me at different times that I have hanging on the wall, all of the times my kiddos pick flowers for me because they love me, the smell of the leather scented candle Stephen just gave me, getting to sit down and watch a fire in the wood burning stove, the thought of a nice comfy bed to go to sleep in, and the joy of getting to wake up the next morning and having another blessed day!!

Thank you Lord for the blessed life we live!

Baby Shower 9.18.10

One of my friends from several years ago just had her 2nd baby.  Stacy invited us to a shower/tea which all my girls and I attended.  We had such a lovely time.  I had never done anything with just the girls before.  Stephen was so excited for me to get to go spend some time with some friends and other ladies.  Mrs. Herzog went with us to the shower and it was great having an extra set of hands.  We had a great morning getting to visit, enjoy some yummy finger foods, watch Stacy open up some beautiful presents and visit some more.  

I made her a little wall hanging with her newest daughters name and birth date on it.

All my lovely ladies in yellow.

 Here is Stacy and Cecily with Millie and Elaina.

Bella Jane holding up the wall hanging for a picture.

Lydia and me.  I think Millie took this picture for me.

Another Family Photo 9.12.10

We got to church a little early last Sunday and had some time to take a family photo.  I am always looking for opportunities to take family pictures.  Our pastor saw us walking past the church's front door and offered to take the picture for us.  We were grateful for his assistance and the time he took for us.

First Day Of School 9.9.10

Well, we have started school!  We may be a little late according to the conventional school system, but thats the beauty of home schooling... flexibility.  Since we just had a baby, we wanted to take time to having another member of our family and get adjusted that way.  As far as we have planned, we would like to do school year-round to allow us time to take vacations and holidays whenever we would like or need.  That also gives us time to have what Stephen fondly remembers as "nature days" and to experience and learn about things that happen in our every day life that you won't learn in a classroom.

I have lots of good resources from my mom and other friends that we have gleaned from.  So far we are working on getting down a routine and schedule and setting aside time for school where we sit down at the table for.  Martin, Millie, Bella and Elaina have all expressed an interest in "school" and have looked forward to sitting down together for that time.  

All 4 of our big ones sitting down for school.

James actually has done well keeping himself busy which makes him not so needy (although he is cutting teeth, so that always makes things a little more difficult).

Sweet Lady Lydia still sleeps alot during the day and all night for that matter if I would let her, so she is fitting in quite nicely.

Keith's Birthday Party 9.6.10

We celebrated Keith's birthday at the Herzog's on Labor Day.  He and his "intended" Karen, fixed everyone quesadillas for supper.  They were absolutely delicious!  It was lots of fun getting together with some of his friends and some of our family to celebrate.

Karen had some chocolate on her cheek and James tried to get it off.

The Herzog boys have always enjoyed looking at magazines (especially farm or tractor ones) while sitting around the table.  Stephen and Kevin are doing just that.

Bella and 'Laina are enjoying some chips and salsa as an appetizer.

Lydia enjoyed a nap in a quiet room as the party was going on.

Here is a sweet group of girls and friends.  The one holding Lydia (her name is Jessica) was the assistant at our birth just a few weeks ago.  On her left is our midwife, Erin.  We actually had an appointment with Erin in one of the bedrooms since we were all gathered together.  Lydia had been having a difficult time nursing and I had been thinking she was tongue tied.  Erin looked in Lydia's mouth under her tongue at her frenulum, and agreed that it was a bit shorter.  She asked if we wanted her to clip it, and we agreed.  We had Martin's done when he was 8 days old, so we had some experience on the subject.  It only took a few seconds and it didn't even bleed very much and now she nurses much better.  Boy am I grateful!

Some more gathered together visiting.

Keith opening up his presents with lots of help.

Millie holding her baby sister and loving it!

Labor Day Weekend Vacation

Our family took a little vacation to Salmon Lake in Grapeland, Texas the first part of September.  We had a great time.  They have a bluegrass festival there every Labor Day weekend and this time Appointed was asked to play.  The park was very nice and the swimming area was a favorite of all the kids... and the big kids for that matter.  There were many old buildings there at the park that the owner moved in and fixed up (he moves buildings as his profession) and people rented them out to stay in for the weekend.  We took some family pictures in front of some of the "town square" buildings as well as some at Mission Tejas State Park that we stopped off at on the way home.  I'll have to post some swimming pictures later, but for now here are some updated family photos.

Bring On The Rain! 8.30.10

It rained!!  We have been so dry this summer and have desperately needed some rain.  It had been such a long time and it seemed as if the kids almost forgot what it was like to see rain and mud on the tires after driving around the pasture.  The kids are always praying for rain and it has been such a refresher to have a "drink" for the ground.  That afternoon after a 3" shower, the kids asked if they could play in the puddles.  As you can see from the photo's they had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Picture Update for Lydia 9.2.10

Yea!  It worked!  Here are some pictures of the last week's events...people that have visited, food that was brought, flowers given, things we've done...

(If you click on the picture it will bring it up in a new window and enlarge it a tad.)

Quick Update 9.1.10

Well, I am not quite sure what the problem is, but I can not get blogger to upload any of my pictures.  I have been trying for 3 days now, and it still doesn't work.

Our little Lydia is already changing and growing.  She is so sweet and such a good baby.  She is always getting a kiss from someone and doesn't seem to mind.  I wish I could show you some pictures.  We have already been so many places: down to the Herzog's for a birthday party for her, and over to the farm for a family get together, moving and checking cows, working in the garden, and to Church last Sunday.  She has done a great job of fitting right into this busy family.  She has such a soft peaceful spirit about her and she makes everyone smile at her innocence.

I will continue and try to figure out how to post some new pictures (because there are many).  Thanks to everyone for their comments here on the blog, prayers, calls, cards, flowers, meals and fellowship.  We are so blessed and grateful to the Lord!  Blessings to you all, Christina