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When our kids were younger, it was often said we looked for any reason to celebrate. We’d have families over with their kids and had so much fun. (I miss those days). The older the kids get, the less you have these times. I get it. But still….

Even within our own family, it is harder and harder for our growing family to all be in the same place at once. Still, I know we all try and if one of us is missing, it is noticeable.  I’m glad we have instilled in our family that there are just times when we all need to be together. They may jokingly grumble or make a face, but I know they all look forward to ALL of us being together.

I know I look forward to it.

Yesterday was Drama Queen’s birthday. And while I am thrilled that it was her birthday and I look forward to our “annual selfie birthday photo,” it’s also put me in a good mood just knowing I was going to have my whole family together yesterday.

Annual Selfie Birthday Photo
Annual Selfie Birthday Photo

And I knew I was going to ask for a family photo and that they would grumble because they hate it and there are too many of us and they are still growing so who is shorter and taller is a little confusing now, but still, they went and took one for me. And ONE shot was all we had, soooo…but any way. 🙂

I guess this is why Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s not so much Thanksgiving and Christmas, but knowing that we have three family birthdays, plus family/friend parties, plus the holidays and more. It’s knowing that for the next few months there will be fires outside and beautiful weather, with laughter and talking and times for us to get together and irritate each other and laugh at and with each other….it’s all of that time we have together as a family…and embrace it as we continue to grow and change and well, this is my family…and I love them. 🙂

Snakes and Toilet Paper Rolls!

It’s amazing the conversations that take place in our family. Sometimes, the group texts are even funnier! Someone will send out a message and 68 messages later we can’t stop laughing! It’s crazy. There’s also the weird things that happen in our family that cause us to send out messages like the one below:

Me: “Are you removing the cardboard from the toilet paper? Someone keeps taking them out of the roll in the downstairs and boys bathroom?”

Response:” How is that even possible?”

Me: “You got me!”

Response:” Ha ha ha so no. :)”

It’s rather inconvenient when the group messages start while I am at work. Especially when I am in a meeting and my phone won’t stop…and I happen to glance down…and then burst out into laughter before I can stop myself.

Other times…it’s just a little scary.

Like a couple of weeks ago when my husband sent out, “Has anyone seen the snake?”

Responses are immediate with shock and laughter.

You see, it’s not uncommon for these types of conversations…”Why is there a frozen snake in my freezer?” or”Mom! Who put the lizard in the freezer and why is his head split open?” are not strange questions in my house.

It’s not uncommon for one of my kids to start a conversation with, “So mom…what would you say if…..” and I know it would shock others, but…that’s just the way the Vivas’s roll.

Sometimes I feel like our family should come with warning label, “Warning…you are now entering the Vivas Zone…”

So, when asked if we had seen the snake….we giggled.

Then, we realized the snake was really missing…and we were immediately concerned.

Not because we were afraid of the snake; he’s been with us for several years. We were concerned because we knew how much it meant to the Talented One and how heartbroken he must be. So, we searched and searched. And friends felt bad but remarked how they were not coming over until the snake was found.

And we weren’t sure when we would find him because he’d just been fed.

The last time our other snake got lose (someone forgot to close the lid), was found quickly…because he decided to take a nap with the Talented One.  😯

Anyway, a week went by. No snake.

And another week.

And then, this morning, excitement in the air. As the Smart One told it, he was sound asleep in La La Land when the Talented One started turning on all the lights. At first he wasn’t happy, then he realized the snake had been found! Turns out he was thirsty and needed some water.

Friends, you’ll be happy to know you can come over again…the snake is happily locked in his cage.

And don’t worry, I think someone knows that someone better not ever ever touch the snake again.

You know…all in the life of a Vivas!

 

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.

Taking the time to…

I can’t remember the last time I really took some time off of work. Coming from someone who spent 15 years as a stay-at-home-mom and then went into working a 50+hour week, life has certainly been an adjustment the past few years! Throw in adding two more children to our already large family…and well…we’re kinda busy.

Apparently God had other plans for me this holiday season It started with Thanksgiving and kidney stones that kept us from taking a trip to Colorado. Instead, my parents traveled to us with their 5th Wheel and stayed an entire month. We got to enjoy spending much needed time with them. 🙂 One of the highlights of the month was my dad spending the day with me on his birthday, which was the day after my surgery. We sat on the couch nearly the entire day and just talked and laughed. Another was shopping with my mom, just talking about random stuff, enjoying each other’s company… and not losing her in the mall!

As I recover from surgery, my body has kept me down for a lot of movies and Dragon City time! ha ha But, we also had cookie baking time, and pie baking time, and special one on one time with my kids. There’s been Sunday morning breakfasts with my oldest son.

Then there was the impromptu Christmas “party” last night. I had so much fun staying up until midnight visiting with friends that I don’t get to see enough. We played silly games, ate, and talked and laughed.

By this afternoon, I was done resting. As I sat on the couch watching the little ones spend yet another day on their tummies eating junk food and ready to watch another movie, I informed them they had five minutes to put their swimsuits on. We spent the next two hours swimming at the neighborhood pool. I actually managed to swim 500 yards and do another 150 yards of lunges and stretching in the therapy pool! I’m sure I’ll regret it tomorrow, but it felt so good to get out and do something. The Roni and I spent some time working on his swimming skills and what to do if he gets into trouble in the water. I taught him how to turn over on his back and float and use his arms to get to the side of the pool. Who knew that just a while later he’d belly flop off of the high dive and get the wind knocked out of him! I got a good scare as I watched him bobble up and down in the water, but breathed a sigh of relief as he managed to roll over on his back, float for a minute and then swim on his back over to the side of the pool.

Proud mama moment when he pulled himself up out of the water, smiled at me triumphantly without a tear and then climbed the ladder to do it again!

I’ll admit that I’m back to my pj’s on the couch and watching the Princess Diaries 2, but feeling good to just be. AND….I’ve got one more week of this!

So, what are you taking the time to do during this season?

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!