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What’s Important?

2013 was a tough year for my family; a really, tough year. I spent a lot of time soul searching, crying, pleading, fighting and more. I spent even more time asking the big question, “Why, Lord?”

And we made it thru.

So what did I take away from 2013 that I can use towards 2014? What was I supposed to learn and what is important? What can I change and what can I do to work with the things I can’t change?

First, there’s the job. Not that my job comes first…it’s just that I spend the majority of my time there. Working 7 to 5, Monday-Friday tends to wear a person down. I can’t really change my job and I wouldn’t want to. I love my job and love the people I work with even more! And…I love the fact that I can see five of my children every day while I am at work. I’m figuring out that on the days I can leave, I need to get outta there! I’m also breaking up the day by taking a power walk with some awesome co-workers and NOT talking about work! And…I’m going to bed earlier. 🙂

God. Time with Him. Laugh all you want, but I love my Bible app, YouVersion. It lets me read whenever I can get a few moments in; some in the morning, some at night…and sometimes in a quiet corner just to get me thru the day! And now that my son can drive me to work, sometimes I read in the car, too! I know that we’re taught to read in the morning and then again at night and it should be for a certain length of time…but I get up at 5 am and am exhausted by 8 pm…and I am sure that God doesn’t care that I’m not following someone else’s rules for spending time with Him. The point is that I do find a way. 🙂

My family. We have seven children. Yes, seven…and a beautiful bride for our oldest as well. Between work, grocery shopping, Walmart shopping, homework, projects, and everything else….it’s hard. But, they are our most valuable treasures. So how do we fit it in? Some days it’s taking one shopping with me so we can have a quick meal or stop for a treat in between. It’s amazing the conversation you can have when it’s one on one. We alternate…we take turns taking our kids out on dates. Sometimes it’s planned…most times it’s seizing the opportunity! And my children are great! They don’t complain that we’re playing favorites because they can appreciate the quality time themselves. And nothing warms my heart more than watching them make the effort to spend quality time themselves with another sibling.

So what’s important?

All of the above. What’s important is learning balance; facing life head on and realizing that some things are necessary and others are out of your control. What’s important is realizing what you can control and making sure to live each day, each moment, to the fullest. It’s making sure that those who are special to you know it. That they are not just hearing it, but that you are showing them as well.

I’m not sure what 2014 holds for me; for us. But I do know this; my plans are to make sure that I seize the opportunities that come my way; to seize the moments that will make us laugh, cry, dance…love.

Large Families

Reasons to have a large family:

1) There is always someone around to talk to.

2) There are a lot of people willing to stand up for you. (Granted there are also more people to pick on you!)

3) There are a lot of people to choose from to get a slurpee…or Starbucks …or ice cream with….

4) There is twice as much laughter (as well as other feelings)

5) There is usually someone around to kill a spider for you…or a cockroach…or a giant flesh eating moth!

6) There is always someone to fix the tv for you.

7) There is someone to go shopping with.

8) There is someone to snapchat with at all times.

9) Sharing a story with a group of crazies like you is always possible with a large family.

And the newest reason?

10) When the youngest vomits the nastiest stuff you’ve ever seen… There are plenty of members to put on the gloves and masks and help you to get it all up.

…and laugh at how great it is to have a large family to die with together as you try and live thru the clean up process!

I love my large family!!!!

Skydiving

When our oldest turned 18, we decided to take him skydiving. So..we loaded up and headed out…got on a plane…tried not to die of a heart attack…

and then jumped.

OUT.

OF.

AN.

AIRPLANE.

And LOVED it! So much so, that I was caught screaming, “From now on, on everyone’s 18th birthday, we jump out of a plane!”

And so, when the next one turned 18, his older brother took him up in a plane, while his father and I watched from below.

As they jumped out of an airplane.

Bboo, on the other hand, said she would not. She mentioned shark diving instead.

But this weekend, she kept with family tradition.

Her oldest brother again, went up in an airplane with her….

and jumped out. I sooooo wanted to go each time, but….at least I get to watch them.

I will say, though…when we get to the youngest…we will ALL JUMP OUT OF AN AIRPLANE TOGETHER…well, two planes…cause we’re a rather large family.

My honey put together this video to capture what we’ve been up to…and to celebrate Bboo’s graduation.

Three down…four more to go!

We’ll Miss You, Leah!

Tonight we said “See you later!” to a dear friend…no, family member, as she moved across the states. We like to tease her and make her cry and remind her how tough we are…that we are not criers like she is.

But the truth is, not knowing when we will see her again breaks my heart.

Leah has been there for our family through the past eight years. For me, it started out as a choir teacher who loved my kid. The moment I watched the Drama Queen run up to the stage and bounce into Leah’s arms as she kept singing without a beat….wow. Someone who got my kid!

Leah brought out the best in her. DQ is such a free spirit and Leah got that. She worked with her and taught her so much about singing. I had so much fun teaching children’s choir with her even though I can’t carry a tune…but together, we had some fun years!

Throw Bboo in the mix and we had even more fun!

But the best was just knowing she was there putting a dent in my couch on Sunday afternoons. Or knowing any of us could call or text and she’d be there; whether it was to sit next to one of us in the hospital or take one out for a movie or shopping spree….or well…whatever was needed.

Sunday was the last time the DQ and Leah sang together before Leah went home to be with her *real* family. Three services…and by the last one, she could barely hang on. Fitting…but hard to watch.

We love you, Leah…and we’ll miss you terribly.

As we say goodbye….

Where they started…..

One year ago…

I looked to see what I was doing a year ago. That’s the cool thing about having a blog.

A lot of it was the same….gardening, enjoying the weather, etc. Seems I was having a relaxing weekend at this time last year.

Not so much this time. Ha ha

This weekend started off with the Smart One going deep sea fishing (I asked him to catch a shark for me, but…), the Talented One disappearing for the weekend and Bboo hanging with her friends now that she has her own car. Then there are the two youngest; one of whom I spent the entire day with at the kitchen table working on a school project. It’s careers this time, so he chose to do a project on Office Managers…aka…interview mom. That was fun as he learned about what I really do and it’s not just sit at a desk all day. The Princess got to spend quality quiet time with Dad, which is probably just what she needed.

Then we made home made pizza’s and settled in for the night….only not so much. Seems the Drama Queen wanted to have a little drama and so we ended up at ER half the night. She’s fine now, but had fun scaring us all. Bboo drove up just as we were walking out, so she drove us. Then the Good -Looking one showed up with his new bride who isn’t used to well… She’s just not used to all of the drama we experience. That’s ok…we’ll show her how it’s done!

Honestly, we try really hard to stay away from drama. We managed a whole three months…to the day!

I’ve decided that that is just what it is meant to be. In a family this large…there is always going to be something. No use getting upset…

drama=life=itsavivasthing!

So today….couch, HGTV, candy crush…well…that’s about it!