Christmas 2012

I Love My Crazy Family

Selah Studios

Ok, seriously, look at those beautiful children.   Who am I to be entrusted with them?  These kids.  These amazing creatures.  These unbelievable lives with unique and perfect personalities, and such amazing purposes and plans to live out.  I am blessed.

Look at my Brooklyn.  Such a mature and beautiful young lady, inside more gorgeous and precious.  I love to sit and chat with her.  She's a deep well.  She knows the Lord, talks with Him, cries when she talks about what He's breaking her heart towards.  She's passionate and longs to follow Him and not get in His way in her life.  She's a typical teenager.  But she's a super hero too.  Willing to help out with her four siblings, and invaluable in helping me take care of her great grandmother who lives with us.   Inspiring when she tumbles through the air at gymnastics, beautiful to watch and listen to play the piano, my friend second, my precious daughter first.  I just love her.

Do you see this boy?  This is my son Nathan, my gift from God.  I prayed for him endless nights and months struggling with infertility.  He is my treasure.  He is my answered prayer.  Double digits, he's growing so fast.  He is my cuddler, sensitive, strong, affectionate beyond what can be contained.  God has gifted him with a mind that is incredible.  Works in a way that speaks purpose and heavenly design.  He's going to change the world and bring a lot of love to it.  He struggles to know how perfectly created he is, and that breaks my heart, I see nothing but God's hand on him.  He is a passionate teacher.  He loves to bring people into new understandings.  He loves martial arts.  He's good at it.  He's precious to watch picking out tunes on the guitar with his dad.  He makes me smile and talking with him is refreshing.  Can't imagine a single day without his smile.  He's absolutely perfect to me.

Oh, Corban.  My gift with purchase.  The answer to a prayer I was too afraid to utter.  Another child only possible in light of my inferitlity condition at the end of a succesful pregnancy.  A chance happening so small the Dr's didn't warn me it was even possible.  He was from God, and so we named him Corban, and set him aside for the Lord.  He is funny, and tender.  Strong, and loud.  Quiet in his love for his family, but diligent in defending us all.  He is quick with sarcasm, and quicker with a smile to follow it up so no one misunderstands his heart.  He is athletic in a way no one else in the family is.  He is agile and strong and sharp.  He is a true friend.  He notices people in the room that others might overlook.  I adore him.  He is a delight in our family.  Everyday with him is guaranteed to be full of laughter.  I am in awe of the plans the Lord has for him.

Bekelech Eva.  The one sent to challenge our family to grow like never before.  She is a true care giver at heart.  She loves to help.  She loves to be right in the middle of what's happening in the family.  God has blessed her with an innocence and spirit that is life giving.   She loves math.  Loves music.  Loves loves loves to dance.  God holds her firmly in His hands and He has laid a path before her that will serve His kingdom and bring delight to many.  We are grateful for being called to be her family.

Caleb.  Our crazy, never still, never quiet, never ending bundle of silliness.  He can repeat every joke and slam he's ever heard on tv, with hilarious accuracy to the situation.  He runs on pure kinetic energy, I believe his body believes if he ever stops he'll never get started again, and so it keeps twitching, and dancing, and jumping, and shaking, and fidgeting, and touching everything every second of the day.  He is a spectacular hugger, a strong little man.  He will grow in wisdom and esteem and he will be used mightily in the Lord.  We thank God everyday for calling us to "Go bring Home Caleb."

First Day of School 2010

  We sent our fourth baby off to Kindergarten today.  It's bittersweet.  I miss having the kids screaming and filling the house with a million decibels of noise, but I'm looking forward to the days with just Caleb and I at home, lunch dates with Jason, and time to get some things done that God has placed in my heart.  It's going to be a great year.

  We spent the weekend trying as best we could to prepare Bekeh for school.  We talked about lunch room etiquette, how she has to wipe herself in the bathroom, obey her teacher, stay in line, all the important things you know.  She did fine in her Pre-K class just down the hall last year, so I'm sure she'll be okay. . .  until 11:00am when she thinks it's time to go home and she realizes she's got 4 more hours!

 

The kids collectively decided that everyone should wear their new Converse shoes today, so the past week was also full of each of them deciding which outfit went best with their sneakers.  Bekeh was thrilled with her new school shirt and her "jeggings" that were "same as Brooklyn's."  She loves to point out things that are "same."    There were no tears shed by anyone today.  No one lingered at the door, or hesitated to leave mom or dad's side.  Brooklyn bolted from the car and only turned back to stick her tongue out at me as I brandished my camera half way out the window. . . They love adventure, new friends, and school too much to worry about such things.... besides they know I'll be first in line to pick them up, ok, fine,  so maybe, well, probably more like bringing up the rear in the carpool line as always. . . but nonetheless, I'll be there for them with all the hugs and kisses they missed while they were in class.

My Sweet Brooklyn is all grown up!  I can't believe she's in 6th Grade.  She is super excited about this year, mainly because she has started band.  She decided on the Clarinet, the girl is so much like her Aunt Becky it's crazy.  Her Uncle Kevin gave her the best possible gift over the summer.  He set up lessons for her with Mrs. Shine.  The Shines are Texas Band Educator legends from the Duncanville ISD and Brooklyn absolutely loved her.  It was worth the drive every week!  Brooklyn has a ton of confidence going into the year, and we are so grateful to Kevin and Mrs. Shine!

The other three are thankfully all at the same Elementary School this year, so my morning and afternoons aren't too crazy!  Corban is in 2nd Grade this year.  He's in his 2nd year of Looping with Mrs. Carter, so he has the same classroom, students, and teacher as last year.  There were no jitters or nervous worries this morning since he knows what to expect and what they year will be like.  We love looping.  He was insistent on wearing a purple or pink shirt, and fauxhawking his hair this morning.  He was going for a shock factor with his friends.  He figured since everything else was staying the "same' he should provide a little "different" to the occasion.  He's silly and crazy.  Nathan was quiet and reserved this morning.  Kind of his normal state.  He is in a co-taught class this year.  There are two teachers, and two classes sharing one room.  The teachers are excited about the concept, and we'll just see how it turns out!  Bekeh has the same Kindergarten teacher that Nathan had.  She is ESL certified, and has many many years of teaching experience, so I have confidence that she'll survive the Bekeh.  But we'll see.

Jason took the morning off work to take everyone to school.  They were super excited to have dad there when they woke up.   Jason didn't make it to Meet the Teacher, so Bekeh was thrilled to show him her classroom and her table.  

Caleb gave us the sad face when we got in the car and he was all alone.  Mainly I think he wanted to stay and play with the play-doh.  Jason's a softie though, and it wasn't anything Donuts and a juice box couldn't fix.  He's hoping around the house in a stolen pillow case now, so I'd say he's pretty much over it.  Although, I'll never get over that face, yummy, I could just eat it up he's so sweet!

And now just for fun. . .  a look back out how we've grown!

Family Photos

Emily sure had her work cut out for her this morning taking photos of 18 Crazy Roots, Mullens, Grahams and Blasers!  The sneak peeks excited me enough I can't wait to see them all!  Thanks Em!

Take Me out to The Ballgame!

Jason's family is in town from Wisconsin and Hawaii and we've been having fun living it up with them. Tuesday night we took in a minor league baseball game with the Frisco Rough Riders. It's a beautiful park, the weather was gorgeous, and the little ones had a fabulous time at their first Baseball Game.

More than the action on the field, I do believe Bekeh and Caleb's favorite part was the food. They enjoyed their first tastes of Cotton Candy and kept themselves busy going back and forth down the aisle eating everyone's ice cream, nachos, popcorn, or whatever else they could scavage. Bekeh still hasn't gotten the concept of not eating anything and everything that's fallen on the ground, and it was exhausting just trying to keep things out of her mouth! We appreciate Nana and Grandpa taking us along, it was a real treat!

Our favorite part of the game is always the singing of take me out to the ballgame, it's so cool that it's all about us. "And we ROOT ROOT ROOT for the Home Team!"

Way to go Corban!

I try to raise my kids to make good choices and to do it on their own, so they don't always need me there reminding them how to behave. I got this note in my inbox this week, and I'm so proud of my Corndog.

Just wanted to tell you that Corban was an ANGEL yesterday.
He always stayed close and I was in AWE of the fact that he held the door open for me everytime we came out of one of the exhibits. Figured you would like to know that he was on his best behavior. Oh and I loved the fact that he sang Wiggles as we saw the Australian animals. LOL
Thanks
Chase's mom
And she sent me this pic she took. Considering this is the same little blonde he insisted I take his picture with at their school play, I think it's safe to say my son has his first official crush. According to his teacher, she's a sweetheart, so that means, that so far, my prayers are working and he's got good taste in women! hehe

Happy First Birthday Carson!

Can't believe it's been a year! What a sweetie!

We had a great time eating Fajitas and watching Carson smash the ever livin out of his cake. He is a cool dude. Thanks Uncle Jason for his rockin hairdo. We love you little man, thanks for inviting us to your party.