Bringing in Another Year

Well, it's been a fun, chaotic, crazy week!  We brought in the new year with games, fun food, and presents!

 We do a silly gift exchange, Ornery Ockers Odditorium (Triple O), where you open or steal a gift.  It's a lot of fun...and a bit strange!

 We started a new game this year with Saran Wrap.  I wrapped a bunch of small gifts in Saran Wrap and someone got to try to unwrap it while the next person rolled dice.  When the person rolled doubles, the turn was over.  This is a great game that we laughed a lot at!

 And our dear young friend, Roelf Kars, from Canada, came to visit.  He fit right in with all the chaos, as he is also from a large family.  Although they might be a bit more reserved than we are...😜 Anyway, I don't think we scared him completely away!

 I just had to get a picture of him with Michael!  He is super good-natured and has a great sense of humor.  When I was concerned if he would fit in a twin bed and I asked him how tall he is, he said he is 5'19"! 😂😂😂

We immensely enjoyed his conversation and hearing his thoughts on so many things. I appreciated his insight, openness, and candor. One thing I realized while he was here is that we only really learn and grow and have anything of value through openness. I commented on how proud I was of him, to be able to open up and be vulnerable and really put himself out there. His reply was something to the effect of...To have a true and real relationship, you must be vulnerable and open. You have to expose yourself to the possibility of hurt.  Anything else is mearly acquaintance.  And it's the "real" relationships that are fulfilling, rewarding, and God-honoring.  Although we didn't actually discuss the blog directly, his thoughts actually helped me decide what I'm going to do with it.  I'll post about that later, when I have more time.  We are still hosting little visitors and while it is a lot of fun, we also have 9 children under 9 so it's super busy as well!

I know I've said it before but I am often so, so encouraged by young adults. I wonder what my life would look like if I had been so mature and God-honoring at a young age.  It wasn't too very long ago that my standard response over relationship issues was to simply walk away... 😓

Nothing in Particular

I almost didn't post, since I posted yesterday.  But, you know, it's Thursday.  Somehow it feels weird to NOT post.

Here's a day-to-day, middle-of-the-night funny. This is about how my life goes... Sherrod has been sleeping in Selah's bed with one of our little visitors but tonight is actually sleeping in Adelina's bed. I stumbled in, half asleep, to test Sherrod's blood glucose and habitually went to Selah's bed. I took her hand, poked it with the lancet, and Selah said, "Ouch! What's wrong?" I said, "I'm just testing you." Confused, she said, "Why?" It was then that I was awake enough to realize my mistake!
😳😳😳😳😳😳 Poor Selah!
Well, I'm wide awake now!

I know it's been awhile since I posted anything with emotion.  Anything deep.  Anything REAL.  I mean, other than day-to-day.  There's a reason.  I'm not sure I can anymore.  I am really praying through how I should handle the blog.  I appreciate other prayers in this matter and plan to give a more detailed post as soon as I can pull my thoughts together some.

Selah's Birthday

Selah recently turned 12!  TWELVE!!!! Time is vanishing right before my eyes, I tell you!

It was so sweet to hear the "thankful" items around the table.  Selah is such a sweet, generous, and patient person.  She is extremely compassionate and feels things deeply.  It is very important to her that people are treated in a right manner and she is quick to take up a defense for anyone who is treated unfairly.

We had a lot of fun during the gift exchange...

And she was SUPER excited to get the new Baker book (so was everyone else)!

She was also thrilled to get her 12th birthday locket...a picture of Michael and I on one side and a picture of her and Daddy on the other, which will one day be replaced with a picture of her with her husband.

And we have some special guests who are staying with us for awhile.  They were excited to get in on the action!

Selah chose butterscotch pudding and ice cream cake for her dessert, of which I did not partake! 😜

A birthday prayer...

I am so thrilled to be this sweet girl's Momma!  I wish I could protect her from all heartache, but I know that I cannot.  I will just have to strive to help her overcome it as best we can.

Adelina's Birthday

Sweet Adelina is now FIVE!  Wow...the time is just flying by! As we went around the table telling why we were thankful for Adelina, I started with, "Adelina, my last daughter...er, I mean my YOUNGEST daughter..." It hit me...she may actually BE my last daughter. 😳 She is so tender and loving and precious. 

Sibling and gift time...

Such a little love bug!

And she's so versatile! Easily changes from princess...

To cowgirl!

I love how close she and Knox are! I often wonder what they are whispering to each other! 😍

Sydnee made ice cream sandwiches! 

Blowing out the candle...

Birthday prayer!

Sweet, sweet girl! She is such a blessing!

Calvin's Birthday

Last week we celebrated Calvin's 8th birthday!

The sweet boy wanted only 2 things for his birthday: a Bible and a bow and arrow.  Even though he got both, the arrows are still rubber-tipped.  I know, I know...but I'm just not ready for that.  Honestly, neither is he.  He's still working on giving something his full attention... 😂

Calvin is super excited to be 8, FINALLY!  Only because now he doesn't have to ride in a car seat! 😂😂😂 It's the little things, right?

 The birthday prayer...

 A little craziness...

He had a lot of fun practicing with his new nerf gun set.  So did everyone else...

Birthdays are always fun and December gives us lots of opportunity to celebrate them!

If I look tired, guess what?  I AM!  I'm going through another no-sleeping phase.  I'm really ready for that to go away...