I must have blinked......

Today my baby turned 11 years old!! I sit across the table from him and wonder where all the time went. How could he be this big already??? I have realized over the last few months that the little boy who sang the Thomas the Train theme song over and over while lining and organizing all "his guys" and the boy who always bit his fingers while chomping down on his McDonald's french fries and then would burst into tears.... might just be growing up. Maybe it was the need to purchase the deoderant, axe and clearasil.....or the size MENS 7 shoes???
I miss the view from my rear view mirror of his little legs bobbing up and down while he sings his favorite songs. I miss his Willy Wonka impressions and his reinactment of Seussical Musical and Horton hears a Who....quite a gentlemen of the theatre he was....
For a moment I get a pit in my stomach that maybe I missed something from these first years of his life...it went by so fast. But, then when I sat down to write this....it is true, it went by WAY to fast...but, I remember every minute of this precious child's life. My first, my perfectionist, my organizer and helper. My buddy, my sweetie...and the first boy to show me that I could be a boy Mom....and love it more than life itself.
I hate that he has grown up so much but, love who he who he is growing up to be....
Hunter is responsible and smart. He has pride in his work and in himself. He has a gift for the elderly and a heart to follow the gift. He is compassionate and patient and as tender hearted as they come. He has not grown so big that he will not sit on my lap or is embarrassed to kiss or hug me in front of his friends. Thank goodness because that phase will kill me.
So my sweet Hunter, Happy Birthday! You can only know when you become a father yourself the love that I felt for you before I ever laid eyes on you and the total joy that came over me when at last I finally did. I wish I could explain it to you...the joy, the fear, the love, the total fullfillment...the little moments that literally take the breath from your chest....but, then if I could...it would deprive you of that someday.

You have brought total joy to my life and made me wonder what I ever did before I had you. You have changed every fiber of my being...having you has made me a better woman, mother, christian, person...you have nourished my mind, soul and my heart beyond measure. I watched you change your father from a wonderful man into an amazing father with one smile.
I secretly loved that you liked me to hold you the best. I loved the way you would wrap your bottom lip around your pappy and how you loved your blankie.
I love watching tv with you and hearing you laugh out loud. I love how excited you can get watching a football game or winning a basketball game. I love the way you sing and have a heart for the Lord. I love your passion for life and for others. Thank you for all the joy and giggles and priceless memories you have filled my mind and my heart with.... I am proud of you and love that I can call you our son.
These pre-teen years might prove to be a little challenging...and I am soooo not ready to see you grow up.....but, I know it must come sooner or later. And wow...why did it have to be sooner??? Challenging as they may be...I am blessed by you...we are blessed by you. Your siblings are better children because of the love you give and example you are to them.
I knew on December 29th that your Father and I were blessed.....I just had no idea what a miracle you would be!
I love you baby, Happy Birthday!
Mom

Love to all,
J

Merry, Bright, White....and over!

Christmas Eve was one of my first real days of feeling like myself again. I had most of my energy back and the pain was about gone. And the first order of business was to visit Santa one more time. I had taken Faith to the mall earlier but, she had a really bad cold and she is very convicted in "not getting her friends at school or Santa" sick...so we said we would wait. December 23rd rolled around and she pops up and says..."Mommy, you never did take me back to sit with Santa"....ughhhh...I thought. How could I have let that go??? It was a must do! So, Bo and I loaded two cars with our kids and Hunter's friend Chico hoping to arrive at the mall right when they opened and zoom in and out.....wrong my friend. We waited nearly two hours but, you could tell by the sparkle in her eye and the skip in her step after she hopped off Santa's lap...it was well worth the wait. Oh, to be three and the magic of Santa! The boys see the magic too....they just worry about who else saw their Mom making the sit on Santa's lap....but, I could tell they were glad I did!

We left the mall to find a chilly afternoon brewing with some rain...that quickly turned to snow ....and it snowed and snowed. We couldn't believe it! It started to stick and accumulate. The kids were thrilled! Could it be that we would have a white Christmas....indeed it would!



(Faith after I gave the 5min warning to come in the house)





Okay...stay with me....I am feeling that this could get lengthy!!!!
In keeping with our tradition...the kids each shop for each other on Christmas Eve and get to open each other's gifts. The gifts were not important but, look at them.


And we did wake to a white, white Christmas! The kids tore through their gifts in record time and once again...Santa was very good to our kids and they had a wonderful Christmas with their whole family! And so did I.... my husband got me a MAC computer, which is exciting..although I have to say I am not much of an apple person but, I am very excited at the prospect of it making my year booking life easier and having alot more options with my photos.He also gave me a years worth of one on one sessions with an Apple rep. so that I can get to know my new computer! I love that idea because I am a little afraid of this MAC, I think.

This year seemed a little different to me...I think with me being sick and being forced to slow down and rest and heal it seemed a little less rushed and a little more peaceful. I made myself feel okay about it will be what it will be....because I didn't have the energy to make myself crazy to make things perfect. And yet the funny thing is....it was perfect!

Bo and I decided that I would stay home from church this year with Halle and he joined James and Sarah and their kids for church on Christmas Eve. While they were gone I listened to my Christmas carols and cleaned up the house to prepare for the mess that was about to come. It was nice to be home but, I really felt I missed something huge by not being at Church. The Christmas Eve service is something I have always loved. I love the songs, the closeness and the humility that we all seem to share while listening to the story of how that sweet baby was born and what He would mean for us. It is a time that I seem to be able to check all distractions at the door and though I have heard the story over and over I listen so closely as to not miss a word of it. I love to watch my children's faces and to listen to them sing and watch as Hunter tries to contain himself from breaking out into and all out boogie because his heart is so full! And of course the candle lighting...can you imagine our crew with open flames and hot wax..ughhh. It is usually just Bo and I and it is quite a job making sure that our kids don't light each other or the lady sitting next to them dress or hair on fire. So far so good! But, I missed that this year. The wonder and awe on their faces...I was jealous Bo was there with them and I was home with sweet little Halle.
I have always loved Christmas carols and in recent years have wondered why they are exclusive to the month of December. I mean shouldn't we be professing joy to the world that the Lord has come everyday? A few years ago Toby Keith came out with a Christmas CD...the boys and I particularly love. His version of Go Tell It on the Mountain is one of our favorites ... We sing it every time we are in the car. Not just at Christmas but, almost everyday!!I will tell ya...I sometimes lose my breath when we have that song cranked up loud and I look in my rear view mirror to see them all shouting out that tune..."Go tell it on the mountain...that Jesus Christ is born" and I know that even though I have told them the story repeatedly....when they sing this song...they know it...they feel it...it is in their hearts. A couple of weeks ago Faith and I went to pick up pizza...she wanted to hear that song on the way there and the way back! When we pulled in the driveway all three boys were playing basketball and Faith rolled down her window...the boys shouted out.."don't turn your car off Mom, let us sing the song"...Faith and I sat in the car and watched my boys dribble basketballs and jump around on the driveway and Faith in the car shouting at the top of their lungs ...Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born..." I cannot describe the feeling...the peace...that I knew...my children get it! And they have a heart for Him.

While the MAC was wonderful.....my true gifts weren't wrapped and couldn't be found under the tree. My true gifts are that baby we should be shouting from the mountains about....my husband, these amazing 5 little people given to us, our extraordinary family, my irreplaceable neighbors, the opportunity to experience real friendships with my girlfriends and many more things. As Halle and I sang those Christmas carols that I love so much...I had to make sure that HE knew that I recognized His sacrifices for me and my gratitude for my many many blessings. And then that sweet little baby would smile so big at me...as though she might bust wide open...and that familiar humbled, wonder and awe came over me... And although she is so small...I could see it in her face too.

I have just about everything I have ever wanted and then some...which brings me to a not so happy place. The place of thinking of my sweet friend who lost her 6 month old baby boy a year and a half ago. Praise God she is pregnant again and expecting her baby in a couple months but, that doesn't make her miss her little Nash any less. I peer into the eyes of my little Halle and feel sick to think that if it could happen to Tracy...it could happen to anyone. And find myself right back at why? What is the purpose? Why did He give him to her in the first place...only to take him away? It's hard to need those answers and not be able to get them...at least not for a long time. And so, sitting there with Halle in our house all alone...I thought of my sweet friends and of their boys...Tate and Nash and this miracle on the way....and again...I am humbled. And I think....Go Tell It On The Mountain...that Jesus Christ is Born..and hold dear what we know....because if things had been different...then we would not have the peace of knowing that Nash is experiencing his joy in heaven. And so my dear friends and family....please think of my friend and her family....pray prayers of comfort, healing and peace as she prepares to welcome a new miracle into their family. I worry for her...I want her to be able to enjoy this new baby and not be consumed with worry...with fear...of the unexpected!

Ahhh....you have reached the end....
So in closing...I hope that you are well and that you had a moment to experience the joy and the wonder and that perhaps at some point we will all have the courage to Go Tell It On The Mountain!!!!

With all the noise and chaos...here's how sweet Halle enjoyed her Christmas morning!



Love to all,
J

ps...Our Christmas cards will be on the way shortly....I got that uploaded on the 24th......glad I included the Happy New Year sentiment!!! ;)

Shingle Bells, Shingle Bells.........

I actually don't find my title to be too amusing but, my Aunt was sweet enough to text me that last week......she explained that she just couldn't resist and felt badly...but, it had to be said....and knowing that she loves me enormously....I believe her. Now.....I can see the humor!
Anyway, got home from Vegas on Friday...had sports, science fair logbooks, school, etc. I had begun to tackle my mountain of shopping but, was still in a little panic over our kids. Hunter was the only one at this point that had made his list to Santa and it only contained 5 items. With 5 items for Santa...I wasn't sure what would be left for us to get him. And the others had not even begun. We planned to take the Christmas card photo on Tuesday night, I needed to burn 5 "winter" songs cd for the Kindergarten party, order balloons, get paper plates, goody cups, and come up with a craft for Faith's party. I needed to buy my contributions/donations for Chandler an Hunter's parties, teacher gifts, shop for our foster children we adopted and try to decorate my house....those were just a few things. All the while I was having an unusual pain in my hip and left leg...I brushed it off and kept on motoring until things progressed to a point on Wednesday night that I could no longer ignore. Blisters everywhere. What in the world I thought....and I would soon find out that I had shingles! Too young to have shingles you say??? Apparently not! According to the ER Dr. ....young, yes...but, getting more and more common among exhausted, overstressed Moms! Wow!!! I went on to have a week of something I have never in my life imagined. I managed to drag myself to the parties and somehow survived until the kids noon dismissal. It was a long week but, I have finally healed and hoping that I can keep it from ever happening again!I have been told that means saying "No" once in a while and asking for help...hmmmmm...I'lllll try!

And all I can say is....thank goodness for Amazon and Santa!

Oh, and just an added bit of fun for us last week...both of our cars were side swiped out in front of our house at night...and the driver was kind of enough to leave without a note! Fun, Fun, Fun!!!!

Love to all,
J

The weeks leading up til now.......

If it's not one thing...its another. It has been a wild couple weeks. Bo and I flew to Vegas a couple weekends ago for his brother Jame's 50th birthday. My 3rd trip without our children in 11yrs....not something I do well. Not to mention the fact that it was two weeks before Christmas and I played major roles in Faith and Westons Christmas parties the next week, as well as wanting to photograph all grade levels for the school yearbook. I had not purchased one gift as of yet, had not photographed our kids or ordered Christmas cards, my children had not even made a list for Santa... I had not decorated my house sufficiently and had a yearbook deadline. BUT, I picked myself up by my boot straps packed my bags, kissed my babies goodbye and boarded my plane to Vegas. It was difficult but, I love my brother in law so much and knew that I wanted to be a part of his celebration.
Bo had to deal with my "traveling w/out our kids blues" for about 24hours and then I was able to relax a little and enjoy myself. I had checked in with the kids a number of times and all was well.....actually, all was "awesome" they were with their Grandparents.


We had a great couple days on the trip and were headed home....but, not without incident.....you see it would seem that my memory is not as great as I thought(perhaps I should phrase it that is is much worse than I thought) and as we arrived at the Las Vegas Airport on a Friday morning...we discovered that our "noon" flight was in fact at 11:10 and we had three minutes to check our bags, get through security and board the plane.....as you may have concluded....we didn't make it! Things were a little bumpy between Bo and I for a little bit! In fact, I was anxiously awaiting the point at which Bo would be no longer speaking to me....
We were able to catch the next flight and made it home just a couple hours later. There is nothing quite like coming back to our kids! There are so many other lives I could have had.......so glad I have mine!

Happy Birthday Jameo!!! We love you tons!!!!
Love to all,
J

Thanksgiving.....

Things that come to mind when thinking of Thanksgiving are turkey, stuffing, gravy, clothes that are too tight, naps,time with family etc. But, as with many holidays...does the focus of the true meaning of the day get lost in the shuffle? I am as guilty as the rest and I would say for sure it does. Every day is busy for me and the holidays are busier, and that means that we rush here and there...throw down some food and then onto the next thing. I hate that. I don't like that life takes over and that we hurry through things that should be savored, cherished and remembered.
I feel badly that maybe my day didn't reflect how truly thankful I am ...for everything. I know that in the quiet of my room at night that I am careful to remember all my blessings when I am in prayer...but, do I show that I am thankful? Sometimes I am not sure. I know that my rushing, stress, and sometimes short temper don't show that I am thankful...that bothers me. It seems that I always think...next year I am going to do a better job at showing that I am thankful....
This year we went around the table at my Mom's and listed 10 things that we were thankful for....10 things that perhaps we don't always mention...10 things that we don't just like but, that we love....It was amazing that the kids right down to Faith had little to no problem rattling off their 10 things....I will share with you a few of them.
Hunter's were: Sunny Spring Days, Basketball, "steak, pork chops, ribs and things of that nature" (gotta love him), smell of clean babies, times to myself alone, the privilege to stay up late, God
Chandler's were: Trips to Texas Tech, horses, Dr. Pepper, Steak, Papa's Airplanes, Cold days and Snow
Weston's were: Brinker Elementary, Elephant & Hippo(his favorite stuffed animals),Golfing with Dad, God and Teachers
Faith's were: RV Trips, Her pappy and blanky, sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed, Grandma's baby doll, the song Jesus is Mine, chocolate chip cookies and shoes (100% true and all on her own)(I thought it was cute, it scared Bo):)
Bo and I didn't feel like we could begin our list without placing our 5 amazing miracles at the top. We knew that they were "big" things and that we are regularly thankful for them...but, still it didn't feel right to put them anywhere else but at the top of our lists. Followed by the children a few of the items on our combined lists were our health, irreplaceable neighbors, sonic ice and diet coke,girlfriends to giggle with, having a job at a time when many don't, hearing my kids laugh, Family Vacations,our big family, long eyelashes and things that are pink. Again...these were random things from mine and Bo's lists....he wouldn't want any of you thinking that the pink or the girlfriend things were related to him. :) I personally felt like my list could go on and on...I am repeatedly thankful for the big things...but, there are so many small things for which I am HUGELY thankful. I hope my gratitude is not a hidden secret, I hope that people who know me best know that I am and the ones who don't....still see it. I know I could do a better job and I have once again added that to my list of things to work on....and hopefully one day I will get there.
I will say this.....I was so impressed by so many of the things on our children's list...so many of them so simple and yet so profound for their ages. It seems that even with our unintentional indulgences...our children still appreciate the small simple things in life....and for that I am thankful........

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and had many things for which you are truly thankful.

Love to all,
J

"Mom, Can you me bring my knitting?"

Not sure that I ever thought I would hear that in my house....at least not until the girls got older. Well, the moment arrived a little earlier than I expected and not really from the child I thought it would be.....
Yesterday the 5th grade had what is called Colonial Days at school. They have been studying the colonies, pilgrims, etc. So, all the kids had to dress up like a person from the Colonial times. Hunter was a pilgrim....The event lasted all day. Volunteers were to be up at school at 7:30am and it went until 2. They rotated classrooms and had different activities that represented the time. I (for once) said "No" to the volunteer opportunity because that seemed like a reeealllly long day to be talking about the Colonial Days....and the Mom's had to be in costume too...that was a major drawback for me. Anyway, I was up there for several hours taking pictures for the yearbook....that was enough for me...and after all....I could never not show up for something involving the kids....
One of the stations in a classroom was knitting....a Mom was able to get a ball of yarn and knitting needles for each child donated from a local shop. That was pretty cool! Anyway, when I arrived up at school...a Mom said to me in passing..."You should see Hunter...he is really taking to the knitting." I didn't really think much about it...and proceeded on with my photographing....a little while later a couple other Mom's made a comment about his knitting again...finally, a fourth Mom said...."Jennifer, you are amazing...how in the world do you find time to knit? To which I replied...."What are you talking about....not only can I not knit...I cannot even sew". She explained that she just assumed that Hunter knew how to knit prior to coming to school yesterday....I gasp...and said..."Oh, yeah...I am teaching my BOYS to knit....what are ya nuts?" "Have you met my husband???" We are only allowed the manliest of manly activities around here....he would never tolerate...knitting....!
The Mom said..."oh wow! well you should see him...so I go in search of him...and there he sat in his classroom with a couple of his friends all hunkered down knitting. His friends were struggling a bit...but, Hunter was motoring through and those needles were just going as fast as they could. I instantly explained to the Mom's giggling and ..."that is sooo cute" over my shoulder that...I could see Hunter's OCD had kicked in...and this was not about the fascination of knitting...but, about a task...a task to be learned and to be completed. He was determined with this...as he is about MANY things...never forgetting to cross of the day of the week on his calendar before he goes to bed, having me respond "sweet dreams" after he says goodnight...EVERY NIGHT, making lists and lists of the current NCAA Football Team rankings....and I could go ON and ON.....the knitting would be no exception. He noticed me there...and held up his work and said..."Mom, I am making a scarf for Halle...."
School let out, we went home and proceeded with the usual after school chaos. Later that night Hunter and I are preparing to watch an episode of Full House...as we do every night (again...OCD) and he is tucked in our bed...I am doing some last minute picking up and I hear him yell out...."Mom, could you please bring me my knitting?" Bo immediately jumps in..."what did he just say?".....I explain the day...and just as I suspected....rolled eyes...and a "gggggggrrrrrreeeeeeaaaattttt, Hunter is knitting" I was tempted to repeat all the banter from the Mothers at school...but, I could see my husband was in pain...and well...he just couldn't handle the truth. I thought about attempting to lower the stress level...I could give him a recap of how many "manly" free throws Hunter made when he was practicing basketball and how far he threw the "manly"football to the kids in their after school game of football!!! But, I could see that Bo had tuned me out was retreating to his happy place...and all would be fine!



Men...gotta love "em....
Love to all,
J

Wild Bear:Wild Runner....Wild Somethin!!!

Weston ...Poor Number 3 as you might have imagined.....somehow he seems to get the short end of the stick...more frequently than not!
But, anyway...last weekend was the long awaited, much anticipated Y-Guides Father/Son Campout.....An honor that one can only enjoy after reaching the ripe old age of 5! Weston has watched and waved at the back door both Hunter and Chandler depart for this coveted weekend of male bonding with their Dad and their friends.
We began talking, planning and packing for this weekend days and days in advance! Weston was pumped, to say the least....that is until Thursday afternoon when I got the dreaded phone call from the school nurse. Weston was on the other end of the phone requesting to come home with a bit of a tummy ache. The day played out and not so much in favor of Weston....it was confirmed...he had the stomach yucks!!! Of course, he about died when he connected two and two and that "TOMORROW IS THE CAMP OUT"????? What will happen, will he go? Will the rest of his friends go? Will they call it off? Needless to say he was bummed with a capital B! We would wait...hoping to implement the 24hr no vomit and fever rule...and as it stood..we would be hitting it down to the wire. So, Friday came and noon rolled around and he was in the clear for the 24hr rule...however, two hours shy of needing to be packed up and on the road...Weston was still rather rag dollish on our playroom floor...not lookin much up for camping. Bo and I and Weston decided that perhaps a 3pm departure would be a little premature and that we would wait until early evening. I got him up and showered...and put a little food in his belly and over the next little while Weston kind of came back to life. He was begging for Chik fil A and we figured that it would be the ultimate tummy test. I fed it to him and he passed the test... Sooooo...off they went. They went down that night...had a beautiful day on Saturday and loads of fun....and all things came crashing down shortly after he inhaled a hot dog! Which I might say were my farewell words to both of the...."whatever you do...don't eat any hot dogs this weekend..." but, what can ya do? A campout and hot dogs just kind of go together....well, at least for everyone...but, Weston. So, about 8pm Bo loaded Weston and all their gear up in the car and headed home. He concluded the campout weekend with all their camping items crammed in the front seat of the car so that Weston could have a comfy bed in the back...(hoping sleep would suspend the throwing up)a speeding ticket and just as they pulled in the garage Weston yacked in the back of his car! Yep....Weston went out with a bang!!! But, as the poor child is throwing up in the garage with his war paint on his face ....he attempts to give me the highlights of his 24hour campout. Tummy yucks and all....this WAS the weekend...he had waited for all these years. And ya know...for that ....I am thankful! He deserved to have a wonderful time!



Love to all,
J

5th Grade Campout

At our school and many other public schools in our area the 5th graders go to camp for several days during the school week. It is time away from school but, there is plenty of school work done over the three days. The 5th grade teachers and several parent volunteers accompany the kids on their adventure. Having a boy and a newborn...Bo seemed like the logical volunteer from our family. And the small detail that I am not really a big camper! Anyway, of course Bo was happy to go and Hunter was thrilled to have him along. So, Bo was grouped with 12 5th grade boys and one additional Dad.
They set out last Monday at the crack of dawn. Bo had to arrive early in the morning to unload the students cars and to organize their gear! Hunter was very excited. Some of you may know that I design and create the yearbook for the school and so I get the priveledge of poking around school to take pictures. I arrived a bit later and the kids were bouncing off the walls. The parents were being worked hard as they unpacked all the kid's cars and then loaded all the bags into a big truck that would transport their stuff to camp. The boys were assigned a cabin by the name of Coreopsis...we would learn that this was the name of a wild flower. News to us!!!! Anyway, the camp counselors (Bo) were responsible for getting some kind of coordinating item (that means..Me) for the boys in his group. I decided on a knit ski beanie hat and had "C Boys" embroidered on it. They were in Brinker Blue and turned out really cute! They also had to make up a skit or chant to perform on their last night. We came up with a fun song to the tune of the Cadence Army chant.
It went like this:

I don't know what you thinks cool
We like Camp better than school.
Cabins are small, food ain't the best
Best thing is we don't have a test.
Sound off: C Boys, Sound off C Boys,
C Boys
I don't know what you've been told
C Boys like to rock and roll
Lights out at ten they say
What's wrong with them, we could party all day
Sound off: C Boys
Open up the barnyard kick out the hay
We are the C boys of the USA

Pretty cute huh? Bo said the boys all wore their hats and came out dancing like the football team in the movie Remeber The Titans. Wish I could have seen it! Instead I have to settle for pictures!

Wednesday came around and it was time for the boys to come home. We piled in the car to meet the buses at school. It was so neat to see the boys pile off the bus and watch them meet their parents. For some this had been the first time they had ever been away from their parents. It was also neat to watch the bonds that had been forged between the kids over the Camp. Some of them were great friends before they left and others became that way from the days spent together. I had one of the boys in Bo's group come up to me on Friday when I was at the school photographing another event for the yearbook....and he said..."ya know Mrs. Feagin...your husband is so much fun...and funnnnnny".....it made me proud. Not that I don't know Bo's funny but, this child is sometimes viewed as difficult, disrespectful and troubled....not on this camp out. Bo had no problems at all....Bo had reached him...and that made me proud. This boy had a great time on the Camp and stayed out of trouble for three solid days! That was a result of Bo's leadership....that made me proud too.And then of course the memories Hunter will have of his Dad sharing this with him and his classmates.
You know I think we tend to forget that every kid doesn't have parents who attend, photograph and volunteer for everything in their lives...like we do...joyfully, anxiously and full of pride. But, you know what....this child has memories of a wonderful 5th grade camp and that is because of Bo...one day he will talk about this year and about Hunter's Dad...and how he made a difference....how awesome is that? Our children will be better children...better parents....because we did this...and I hope that Boy will too...just from having spend a few days with Bo. Ahhh, things like that warm the soul! I love it!
I can't believe that Hunter is in 5th grade and on his way out of our cozy little elementary school that I know like the back of my hand. I don't look forward to not being able to peek in on him. Just another part of that whole stinkin' thing they call growin up I suppose......
Love to all,
J

Time is not flying.....but, I can't believe that she is 3 months old.

Our little baby Halle turned 12 weeks old last Saturday! I can hardly believe it! When you have babies with colic...12 weeks is the ribbon at the end of the finish line. It's the big milestone of survival....however, not for us this time. After weeks and weeks of attempting to solve the tummy battles...her Dr. informed me that she is really only 5 weeks old because she was 7 weeks early. And you know...that Dr. is lucky I didn't knock her out! Why was that necessary to tell me??? I have changed formulas several times, tried the gas drops, the ALL natural gas drops, homeopathic gas tablets, and then we moved to the prescription meds. The Dr. offered me three different meds...normally I think I would have started at the low end of the totem pole but, we were up to holding her for about 14 hours a day now...and so I went for the Prevacid....I could barely get to the pharmacy fast enough to fill the script. And all I kept hearing in my head was the Dr.'s voice saying...."you just won't believe how much relief this medicine will give her....and you"! So, Bo headed to the pharmacy to pick up the miracle drug....a few minutes later my phone rang only to hear Bo on the other end arguing with the pharmacist in the drive thru....and requesting generic prevacid...to which there is none, then he asked her to double check again....annoyed...I finally asked what was going on....he shouted over the phone...."did you have any idea that this medicine was $250 dollars....did you"? Then I hear the pharmacist tell him that this was only a 15 day supply...I thought he was going to come through the phone....I was shocked a bit...but, told him to just pay the lady and bring the "gold" in pill form home to our screaming child!!!! All I could imagine was driving without screaming, dinner without screaming, homework without screaming...and being able to potty and type and a whole list of other things without holding her or using one hand! GET HOME...I said!
So, he paid and came home with the medicine....he had to leave almost immediately for a business function but, called me a few minutes later. Well, he said...have you given it to her....what is she doing"? I had just put it in her mouth..."at the moment she is just looking at me, I reported.....Then in Bo fashion...he said well, for that amount of money...the girl better be walking and talking by the time I get home....and informed that regardless of how miraculous the drug was...she would not be getting another $250 supply! About 5 minutes later she started screaming again and it would become obvious to us ....the money would have been better spent on those plum colored Uggs I had been eyeing. In short...it didn't work....and neither does anything else. The one sure fire thing that worked with Hunter was putting him on the washing machine....imagine how upset I was when I loaded Halle up in her carseat to take a ride on the washer...only to realize...we had upgraded to the new and wonderfully quiet and still HE washer.........ughhh!!!!!!
So, here we are....switching to soy has helped and Halle now smiles and coos at me just when I think I cannot take another moment. And when she does....my heart melts!
One silver lining in this is it has been very interesting watching the reaction of the other children to her constant discomfort and loud crying. I will notice that they all move in to help her find her pappy or are very willing to take turns rocking her carseat when I need to get something done! None of them complain and they all love her tremendously! So much so...they would "really like to have just ONE more......!!! Yikes!!!!
We will forge on for a few more weeks and hope that there is light at the end of our tunnel...but, even still....she is precious and her little giggle can wipe out the hours and hours of tireless crying!
Babies are an amazing miracle....and our newest little one is no exception!



Love to all,
J

Hallowen 2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Another great Halloween! Our little Bo Peep, Michael Jackson, Batman, and Sumo Wrestler looked pretty darn cute! Faith was a little irked that we were not willing to invest in the $400 sheep that she saw in the catalog with the little girl modeling her costume but, she got over it. She had the idea all on her own that our dog Mattie would do as her sheep. I thought it was a great idea until we saw how excited our 60lb dog was to see the tables of food and a hundred kids running around. So, she had to go on without her sheep!Little Halle wasn't much up for a costume...her bad tummy leaves her a little out of sorts and she hates having her clothes changed. So I settled for her wearing her candy corn bow!!!
We had our usual block party, had good food, desserts and the kids ran around and played. Once it got dark the families huddled together and everyone set out to trick or treat! My kids were ready to go, especially Faith. We thought she would never tire....and the only reason we got her in was because she ran into a girlfriend, Reagan and the girls decided that they would rather have a playdate than trick or treat. So, they headed in the house to break out the babies and the doll strollers.

The boys trucked on and on. Hunter came home after a while to head to a Halloween party of another 5th grader. You know...this grownin up thing stinks. Didn't care much to share Hunter on Halloween night but, compared to some of my neighbors whose boys spent the whole night with friends...I counted my blessings. Hunter still loves to be with and around us....and I love that.

Another year of good company, the realization of how blessed we are by our awesome neighbors and friends.....but, most of all....our children.

Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Love to all,
J

Stay Tuned....

Due to a high volume of crying....I have barely had time to even look at my Halloween pictures must less post them and recall the memory of the night! But, they will be up tomorrow! I promise! Poor little Halle....horrible stomach and NOTHING works!

Love to all,
J

Check this out!!!

A friend emailed this link to to Bo today. The first photo is of our boys at the game taken by press. Even though the game wasn't televised...they still got the coverage!!! Pretty cool!

www.spotted.lubbockonline.com





Love to all,
~J

PS...Happy Birthday Bo!!! xoxo

Memories that last a lifetime............

You may or may not know that Bo went to Texas Tech and is darn proud of it! He has carefully
encouraged our children to be Red Raider fans and now they are full blown fanatics!!! I used to try and throw in a ..."let's hear it for the SFA Lumberjacks", and they just stare at me with open mouths!!! So...I decided to just switch and join the Raider side!!! Last year Bo took Hunter and Chandler on their first "boys weekend" and went to Lubbock to their first Tech game. It was a little slice of heaven for the boys and they have talked about it daily since they returned. Well, needless to say they were thrilled when Bo came home a couple months ago and announced that the tradition would continue. They were going to the Tech vs. A&M game! They got the RV last Friday and the boys loaded up...this time Weston would join them. We were a little nervous about sending Weston and wondered if he was old enough to handle all the activities but..we decided to give it a go! The boys were busting at the seams to get on the road...to begin their magical weekend with Dad! Hunter and Chandler had shared so many memories with Weston and they were so excited that he was coming along.
We only had one hitch in the plans...that was ...Faith was a little miffed that "Dad didn't ask me if I wanted to go! I want to go to the football game." It didn't matter which way I tried to spin how fun the girl's weekend would be....she wanted a ticket to that game.
The boys headed out to a friend's house in Dimmit, Texas...where they would hook up and stay the night. They love going to Mr. Bradford's house! Sorry, Sally...as good as you are to them...it is known as Mr. Bradford's house. They love the pool, the trampoline (without the net...they always need to throw that in)...the HUGE front yard that is THE BEST yard to play football. I happen to be on the phone when they pulled up to the house and could hear the ewwing and ahhhing on the phone! Then Chandler said "AWESOME" ....Mr. Bradford had adorned his roof with a huge Texas Tech sign in Christmas lights!!!


If you follow the Raiders you already know that they played a horrible game and lost to A&M for the first time in double digit years...but, you would not have known from talking to the boys. The fact that they stunk was a side note to the amazing time that had in Lubbock...once again!



The next day they started making their way back but, made a stop to tour Mr. Bradford's Cotton Gin. The boys loved this and brought home bags of cotton.

Last night when they arrived home...we all sat down to dinner and the boys exchanged stories of their weekend. They were beaming!!! Tech Football,tailgating before the game and RVing with their Dad ...what a weekend!


I have to admit that I am a little jealous of Bo...I don't know if he realizes how much the boys relish in their time with him on these weekends and how I know that they will remember every detail for the rest of their lives. How proud they are that their Dad went to college at Tech and how much they love sitting next to him in that stadium. I also wonder if the boys know that I think their Dad is just as or more proud to be sitting next to them. It's an awesome thing they have between them.
Even though I am jealous...I feel so blessed that our children have a Father that loves them enough to make these memories that will last a lifetime.

Faith and Halle did enjoy their souvenirs!!! Well, Faith more than Halle...


Love to all,
~J
GO RED RAIDERS!!!!

Those Darn Pigs.....

Wonder where I've been?? We have been down for the count...with swine flu. Last Sunday morning Hunter woke up at 3:45am with a fever and a sore throat. I took care of him, gave him some motrin to make him comfortable and quarantined him into the playroom! Immediately packed a bag of Halle's things, texted my Mom and let her know that we were on our way. I dropped Halle off in the wee hours of the morning ...and as the tears flowed all the way home...I kept telling myself that it would only be a couple days. Boy, was I wrong!

I took Hunter in and he tested positive for the Flu A...which they assume is "swine flu"....and so the week began. He was confined to our playroom with a TV, playstation, cell phone and a nurse that visited every 30 minutes. Bringing the baby home was taking FOREVER and I missed her terribly. It took him a couple days to kick it and finally by the 4th day he was ready to come out of confinement...which worked out well....because Chandler came home from school not feeling well and after a round of lysol....Hunter was released and Chandler was admitted. That should give you an idea of how we got to Halle living at my Mom's for 6 long days. It was good that I was busy taking care of sick kids or else I would have gone crazy.

My Dad took pictures of my sweet Halle and I am not sure if it was good for me or bad. What I could see was that of course she was being loved every minute but, it broke my heart that she would become more alert, start to babble and sqwak while she was away from me. Not to mention that her sweet little face changed so much while she was gone.

Finally, it seems whatever gunk we had has made it's way through...I am just hopeful that we can keep the illness to a minimum this winter so...sweet Halle can stay with us......where she belongs!

Here are some recent photos....
Love to all,
J

What's been going on???

I know, I know....I have been slacking! Actually, I have been moderately busy...but, I got an email from Ashley yesterday pleading for new pictures. Things have not been too crazy, just constant...which is pretty much the way it was before the 5th baby. Let's see what all has been going on....September 10th....Weston turned 6! He skipped off to school to celebrate with his friends and his teacher. Bo and I went up and had lunch with him at school. He shared brownie treats with his class and all in all ....a great day. After school we had pizza and cake and ice cream. He got a couple presents...all skate boarding items which is all the rage around here. Last weekend he celebrated with his school friends at a place called Jump Town..which is all inflatable bounce houses in this giant building. I would say judging by the amount of sweat rolling off their heads...they had a great time. He had 26 kids there...mostly new friends he has made in Kindergarten and then Hunter and Chandler got to each bring a friend too. I love to watch my kids with their friends. I don't know if my kids are incredibly blessed by who their friends are...actually, I know that they are...but, the kids that come over here are so good with all our other children. They really and truly love them. Hunter has two twin boys he hangs around with and they put up with Faith tirelessly pulling at their shirts and saying "chase me...Jofus (Joseph, but we don't have the heart to correct her) and Michael"...She is forever planning where she is going to sleep among all these boys.....well, that part seems a little scary to Bo and I....which is why we lock her down in our bedroom whenever the boys have someone spend the night.
Anyway, Hunter and his friends tossed around these little 5 and 6 yr olds for two hours inside these bounce houses. The kids loved it and Weston seemed to feel 10 feet tall. That day...his big brother was the coolest!







Halle is doing great! She is still on her NICU schedule for feeding and is gaining weight like a champ. Bo stays up with her until her 11pm feeding and then I get up at 2 and 5am. It has worked out great. Like all of our babies she has a bad tummy and she has her fussy times of the day She had her bloodwork done on Wednesday and it came back that her anemia is almost cleared up. Her blood count was just below normal for someone her age. We are so thankful. Now if we can just keep her healthy through this scary flu season....I am a nervous wreck and I will be glad when it's over...
We are not quite sure who she looks like. As she gets chubbier cheeks and puts on a little weight...we think it changes week to week. We still think the strongest contender is Weston. We do know for sure that she has inherited my family's pasty white skin...poor thing! Anyway, see what you think!

Here are some photos of Halle taken yesterday!





Oh...and a picture of Faith and her babies! Too cute! We thought it would be best to equip Faith with her own babies and supplies...just to keep her busy!
You can hardly tell which one is the real thing!!!





Love to all,
J