21 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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Benji's 6th Birthday Party....

I always have to laugh at our attempts at family pictures. With 4 kids (and 2 grown ups) it takes some time, patience's and skill to capture the 'perfect' picture. Or does it? The following 3 pictures are not what you would consider perfect. But, in my eyes they couldn't have captured our family more perfectly.

The normally smiley Katie.. pouting (likely mad she had to get off of Boppa's lap). Benji is doing his goofy smile. John is thinking about the frosting. Carolyn is demonstrating her 'princess' smile.

Trying to get Katie bug to smile. John is perfectly smiling. Carolyn is licking frosting already. Benji is thinking about licking frosting.
Alright.. we gave up on smiling. We are content to have all 4 sitting together in one spot. Eating frosting off both cakes.
I'm sure between Gma Linda, A. Tanya and A. Heather they maybe got a picture of everyone smiling.. at the same time. I have some adorable pictures of Boppa, Benji and all the cousins to post on the kids blog soon. What's not to be adorable with 1 Boppa, 2 bday cakes, 9 grand kids and trick candles!

Benji's Story

Dear Benji:

Today you are turning six! How is that possible!? It was just yesterday when you changed our lives forever. We went from 'husband and wife' to 'daddy and mommy'. Your due date was 11-10-03.
At the time, we were milking cows with Uncle Joe and Aunt Heather. You would be proud to know your mother did chores ALL by herself quite often, while Daddy worked late in the woods. Your pregnancy was an enjoyable one. NO morning sickness, no problems, no troubles. I loved every minute of it.
Late Wed. Nov 5, I was awakened by contractions. Every 10 minutes. Being 1st time parents we were all ready to run into the hospital right then. But we were told to wait until they get closer together. Thurs morning they stopped. Then to start up later that day. Then stop. Then start. Always 10 minutes apart. By Friday night it was constant. Every 10 minutes. Finally Saturday (Nov 8- Boppa Ben's bday!) night, Daddy was getting concerned worried anxious. And I was more than ready to go.
The hospital graciously allowed us to come in for observation. IF nothing progressed, they'd send us home at midnight. I wasn't dilated very far when we arrived (maybe 2cm), but contractions were getting somewhat stronger, but still 10 or so minutes apart. At midnight, we got the option to go home, or to spend the night there. We chose to spend the night.
About 3:30 am (Sun. Nov 9) my water broke while I was going to the bathroom. That gave us a 'do NOT go home-go directly to labor suite' pass. Contractions picked up from there. From 3:30am till about 2:00 pm I did everything I knew possible to stay calm, focused and work with my body to get things going. (In the meantime, my parents and sister, left right after Sunday mtg. and were driving speeding 3 hours to meet their 1st grand baby.. niece/nephew.)
I wish I had wrote more down because the 'little, important' details, that I swore I'd NEVER forget are already fuzzy. Somewhere late morning, they realized my water hadn't really broken. It was just the 'fore-bag', so they re-broke my water. Around 2:00 pm I was FINALLY allowed to start pushing. Daddy was talking to Boppa Ben when I was giving the okay, so they started out on the short 1/2 hr drive. I still remember so clear the Dr (I got the 0n-call Dr.. who later became my Dr for Katie and John) saying in his forgein accent/broken english: baby #1 take long time out. push and push for days. baby #2 #3 #4 will fall right out. no worry. You certainly made this Mommy work labor for her baby. But it was worth every hour, every minute, every second. And I'd do it all over again. In a heart beat. Just to have you! The very moment you were born... the hours preceding were forgotten.
At 4:00pm exactly, you were born! A boy! 7#12 oz. 20" (exactly the same size as Mommy was!) One of the proudest moments of my life. You made me a Mommy. And your Daddy... well, he was QUITE proud of his new son! Oh the feelings of seeing and holding you for the very first time! We were a FAMILY!! Once the DR gave you (and mommy) a quick look, we handed you off to the not-so-patiently waiting grandparents/aunt about ready to break thru that hospital room door!
It seems like in just the blink of an eye you went from newborn to big brother to the 6 year old you are today. There is no denying, you are your Father's son. From looks, to 'attitude', to likes/dislikes. We love each and every trait that makes you the special boy you are. Like when you fall asleep in our bed and rub our ears (or any body's ears.. at given anytime). Or how you used to stutter when you were little.. or when you got real excited. Or how you can gallop like a horse. Or how you love your little brother SO much. Or your blueberry blue eyes that just make us putty in your hands. Or your new way to reason with us (6 yr old logic). Or how you rub someone's back/shoulder when they are hurt/upset. I could go on and on. Today is your special day. It's your 6th birthday! So to my (not-so-little-anymore) cowboy... Happy birthday Benji!! We all love you SO much!

Love, Hugs & Kisses,

Mommy

blog.friends.birthdays

Today one of my blogger friend's has a birthday. Happy Birthday Neisha! I've seen her for about 7 years at our annual church conv. I've never really talked to her. (Unless you count a passing "hello", or a friendly smile as I chased after my kids) Sometime last year I came across her blog. And as they say, the rest is history. I've been a loyal stalker follower ever since. This fall I was looking forward to seeing her. Unfortunately, plans didn't go as planned. So we've yet to 'meet'. But I'm certain when we finally do, it'll be like we've been friends forever.

Although I've been known to waste spend too much time on the computer I don't completely regret it. Because of blogs I've gotten to know countless number of amazing women. Most are mothers, like me. I find it strange and amazing at the same time, how you can feel so connected to a person (and their lives) if you've never met them.

I may never met any of them in real life. Yet, I am content with that. Because thru their blogs, I feel that we have already met and been introduced. So if some lucky day down the road our paths should cross, it wouldn't require any intros, just a long-awaited reunion of 2 great friends.

20 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
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So I'm cheating a little this week. These pictures aren't from THIS week, but I haven't posted them yet, so they are NEW pictures! Daddy snagged my camera, and I can't find my older camera, so... this is what you get.

Some more pics from last week in TN. Did I mention we had perfect, gorgeous weather while we were there??

We stayed about an hour south (east) of Nashville, at the Henry Horton State Park. Of course we've only been there twice (and during the off season- Oct/Nov). But even during the weekend, it's been quiet. There are plenty of cars parked by cabins/lodge rooms... but the playground was ALWAYS empty, the walking trails were deserted, the restaurant, which is delicious and reasonable, is never full. But one thing you can always count on is a big, hearty helping of southern hospitality!
sigh... I'm ready to go back already!

19 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
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Whew.. we are home! (as of this afternoon)

Carolyn, John and me tagged along with Daddy to TN. (Benji and Katie wanted to stay with Boppa when given the choices: TN or Boppa's house) The kids did great traveling. The weather was perfect. Sunny, upper 60's. And the fall colors... were AWESOME. We rented a cabin house at a state park. With plenty of great weather and plenty of space to run we spent most days outside. (except for wednesday. it rained.all.day.long. we were quite glad we had the cabin then!!)Almost half-way home.. quick bite to eat!

As always.. it's good to be back home. But couldn't someone else do the unpacking and laundry for me?

18 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!
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This past Saturday, my parents and sister came for the day. Because we had sick kids, once again, we decided it maybe would be better to NOT do the whole wk end. Although our time together was short.. we made the most of it. It wasn't too long after they left.. the kids were fast asleep in their beds.

Carolyn has stick-straight hair. (Katie has naturally curly hair.) So Friday night after her bath, she requested curlers. "So I can look like a princess for Gma Joyce" These pictures were taken Saturday night, after a full day's play. Kisses for Mommy
Kisses for you.. Carolyn Rose

Tough Love vs. Spanking

** I got this in an email. I couldn't resist sharing. Here's to all the Mom's out there that have been at their wit's end with their kids... an NO! I have NOT done this.. yet! j/k! :)**

Most of the American populace thinks it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.'

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc.

Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. Eye to eye contact helps a lot too.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

Sincerely,
Your Friend


This works with grandchildren,
nieces, and nephews as well.