Where I've been

I've not posted lately for a couple of reasons.

#1. Christmas.
I enjoyed a lovely Christmas with my family. I would have to say that it has been the most meaningful Christmas we've ever had. Jesus was the focus, rightfully so.
Not to say that we did not have presents. Oh, we had presents. First of all, shopping for seven children is a full-time job. Wrapping the gifts for seven children is another full-time job. Watching seven children open their gifts...well, that's like a full-time vacation. Pure joy!
If we were to give this Christmas a gift theme, it would have to be photography. Five of the children received digital cameras under the tree. {I got a great deal on Black Friday but that's a whole other post. Insanity!} I was so excited knowing that I would be able to borrow one of their beautiful 10.2 megapixal, red cameras. {Red is my favorite color.} As you've probably noticed I've been using a sad, little, 2.0 megapixal camera that was a hand-me-down. It has a broken battery door that will not stay closed so to operate it must have a tight rubberband wrapped around the body of the camera. Sad lil camera. BUT, what do you think my sweet husband handed me to open first thing Christmas morning. That's right! A new digital camera.
You are saved from the barage of bad pictures on my blog. Thank the hubby.
Old Camera

New camera...and, yes, it is red!



#2. My sister and I received some interested news last weekend that greatly affects our business.

A law has been passed that will make the reselling of used children's products illegal after February 10th. In order to be legal we have moved the sale date up from the end of February to February 5th - 7th. Obviously, we have had to kick it into full gear. We are very hopeful that the law will be amended and we will be able to continue with future sales, but not before the Feb 10th deadline. If you would like to know more about this law google CPSIA. You will get a ton of information. If it is not amended then it will continue to be illegal to sell children's clothes and toys on CraigsList, Ebay, at garage sales, Consignment Sales, Consignment shops, and Goodwill. This affects us all. It would be extremely helpful if you would contact your congressman and express your concern about this. In the meantime, check out our website and register to consign if interested.

Overheard...

...in our home.
7. "LOOK! I just coughed up a hairball."
--Bucket, while holding up a large wad of dryer lint.
6. "When we go in here let's act like normal people...and not like crazy, wild heathens."
--John, in his ever-present, calm, even-toned manner, as we were getting out of the car and entering Wendy's
5. "Please, everybody, don't come in my room and steal stuff without asking."
--Banana, the most organized and particular one of our clan. I suppose you can steal her stuff as long as you ask first.
4. "Daaaaaaad......Bucket's about to DIE because Fig's sitting on him."
--Not sure who said this, because we were in another room and simply said, "Fig, get off your brother." Bucket is still alive, last we checked.
3. "Rosebud, Stop choking your brother!"
--Why do we have to say this?
2. "Bucket, It's NOT polite to suck the inside out of your deviled egg. "
--'nuff said
1. "Can someone help you ask Jesus into your heart or do you have to do it all by yourself, because Rosebud helped me and I want to make sure it's right?"
--Mojo, precious Mojo.

Thoughtful Gifts

Some folks just have a knack for giving extremely thoughtful gifts. Apparently I am surrounded by these folks. My family and friends have blessed me with very special gifts this Christmas. Maybe these will inspire you.

Do you love it!! I do!!

One of John's co-workers gave him this beautiful star. She made it herself out of tobacco sticks. How thoughtful! How personal! How meaningful! How beautiful!

My sweet Bible Study friend brought this by today with a huge "Merry Christmas"! This might not mean that much to you, but to me, it is like gold! She knows me. She knows how much I enjoy a cold coke...in a can...my favorite!

On a recent women's retreat, a friend introduced me to this fun game, Farkel. What a great idea; wrap up 6 dice and the instructions off the internet! She gave a perfect, thoughtful, family gift!

My sister know how much I love things that smell good. We discovered this product recently. It can only be found at Lowe's food (I think, let me know if you've seen it somewhere else) and it is a little more expensive than your typical dish soap or cleaning products. Therefore, I would not buy it on a normal shopping trip. It would only be a luxury. Well, my sweet sister, gave this thoughtful gift to me and I'm loving it.

Sometimes you have "history" with a friend. One such friend gave me this leather bound copy of a particularly meaningful devotional book. We have history bound up in this book, making it a very thoughtful gift.

Notice, that not one of these gifts would be considered expensive.

But valuable....yes!

Each one cost the giver something more valuable than money; it cost them time, energy, and a piece of their heart.

Thank you family and friends! I'm inspired to give a little bit more of myself this Christmas. What about you? Share your thoughtful gifts!

Did you notice?

Did anyone notice that my brother-in-law looks a lot like Harry Connick Jr.?

Whenever the cell phone commercials come on TV, my children always scream, "There's Uncle John!"

C'MON, You see it...right?

I don't know Harry Connick Jr. but I can be sure that there is no way he is as nice as my brother-in-law.

Wanna see a boatload of kids? Michelle and I have 11 children between us. Aren't they cute?

Happenings

This verse stood out to me today.

Psalm 16:7-8 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

If you dare listen to the news or pick up a newspaper, this is a good verse to remember. I WILL NOT be shaken.

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Last night, we had dinner with my sister and her family.

You can't beat $1.49 for a Happy Meal. After dinner, we went to see a live nativity. After waiting in line for about 30 minutes, we found out it would be another 1.5 hours. I'm sure it was wonderful but the children were not going to hold up. We left and went to Santa's house. A precious husband and wife in Apex are opening their home every night through Dec. 23rd, to the public. They have it decorated beautifully, he looks great, and they hand out small gifts to every child. Next door a live handbell choir was playing. It was a real treat.



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I borrowed a super idea from a sweet friend.

Salt dough ornaments are easy to make. The recipe is simply flour, salt and water. The recipe can quickly be found on the internet.

Making salt dough ornaments will be a new tradition in our home.

I was surprised by how cute they turned out. What treasures they will be!

I've included a sample of each family members work.

Bucket's Christmas volcano? yeah...I don't know, either.

Fig's fish (remember, he's only 3)


Mojo's reindeer


Banana's bell...so funky!


Rosebud's Chocolate chip cookie...nothing says Christmas like a Chocolate Chip cookie!

Triple H's Wreath... I was impressed with her sculpting ability.


Scooter's silver snowflake... NICE!


John's "J" for Jesus...always the Spritual leader.



...and my lil red mitten...I'm so proud. Pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

But I saved this one for last. You see, this is more than a salt dough ornament. This is a spiritual mile marker. Every night, John has led us in an advent devotion. We've had some interesting conversations, but a good bit of the time we are wondering if anything is being caught. After all, some are under the table, a few are wrestling on the side, we even caught the 3 yr old playing with matches. But we perservered. A couple of nights ago we had an interesting discussion about Jesus' statement that we must drink His blood and eat His flesh. Who would have thought that our 7 year old son was actually paying attention?

We asked him what his ornament was supposed to be...

"This is Jesus' blood and skin!" he answered emphatically!

It will definately have a spot on the tree.

What's the deal?

So...
I mentioned in my last post that I pulled a muscle in my back. What's the big deal? Right? Everyone pulls a muscle from time to time. But let me tell you. This one is a doozie. It will not heal and it hurts.

I can't figure it out and I'm in pain and I don't have time for such nonsense and I'm not sleeping and nobody wants to be around me when I don't get enough sleep...so...I went to the doctor. I know! for a silly pulled muscle. But this is no ordinary muscle thing.



This is what I came home with:

• A steroid
• A muscle relaxer
• A narcotic pain pill
• An anti-inflammatory

I am a little better. But after all of those you'd think I would be a lot better.

So...what's the deal?

My conclusion: This is simply a part of getting older. This earth suit is wearing out.

I look forward to my eternal body. Will heaven be great or what?

(By the way, the laundry is almost caught up. Whoo hooo!)

Bamboozled and Drowning

I've been bamboozled by these three rascals. They claimed to be sick this morning so I allowed them to stay home from school. Here they are in their pjs with lots of attitude.

Because I pulled a muscle in my back, I have been out of commission for the last two days. I've let things slide. Letting things slide is not a good thing when you have a family of nine, especially laundry. This is the pile of clean clothes that need to be folded and put away.

This is the pile of dirty clothes that fill my entire hallway.
Can you believe it?

TWO DAYS!

How do we produce this much in such a short time?

It's a good thing I enjoy laundry. I love that it has an end, a goal that can be accomplished. Everything smells fresh and is crisp and clean. Ahhh, the pleasures found in small things.

So...this is where I will be today and probably tomorrow. If you would like to stop by, I'll pour you a cup of hot cider and we can chat over the hum of the washing machine and dryer. Be careful, though, you may have to do some folding.

Wait a minute, I have a better idea. We'll chat and the bamboozlers can fold laundry.