Only a Month Later....

To do.

Post Jake's birthday pictures.

Check.

Great! Now I think I only have Cap'n's birthday pics to post and the Rejoicing Feast we had a few months ago.

So, these pictures were from last month when Little Big Man, who seems to have outgrown that name now, turned 14.

Jake is our resident comedian. Always laughing and smiling and trying to make us do the same.

He's great with the Littles and can entertain them with army men and sword fighting and great books. 

He's like his Mama and loves bread. He's usually the first to sniff out the fresh loaves of french bread after they've come out of the oven and been smothered with lots o' butter.

And he's a steak and potatoes kind of guy, too. Marinated steak, that is.

Group shots are ever the adventure. The crazier the better.

Yes, Cap'n did have his moments of bliss during the celebration.

Jake loves to write and read and be in the outdoors, shooting black powder or throwing knives or riding bikes. He's compassionate and protective. He enjoys the writings of Wodehouse and John Buchan. Oh, yes, he likes to read theology books, too, and eat ice cream late at night.

His birthday wish list included books,

books (Yay...a Puritan paperback....I wonder where he heard about those),

and more books.

Of course Mountain Man had to throw a knife in for good measure, which completely surprised Jake. 

Apple Crisp is what he wanted instead of cake.

He was challenged by Reaches Up...."Think you can blow out ALL those candles?"

And, yes, he did.

We love you, Jake! Oh what joy you bring us every day. May God always be glorified in all you say and do and think, and may you love your Savior more and more with each passing day. 

After the Rains

Your Tea is Ready, Mommy

Clairesy runs to get me, telling me that my tea is ready. That's nothing unusual. I rarely finish a cup of tea without warming it in the microwave at least 100 4 times. Must be the distracted Mama in me.

I walk with her to get my tea and open the microwave to discover...

I have no clue how long she tried to warm this tea up for me. Evidently she pushed the right buttons, and we're all thankful the cup didn't explode. :)

Chuckling afterwards, I said, "Clairesy, you make me laugh. You know that?"

"Yeh maam." :) Giggle. Giggle.

And as I record this sweet example of Clairesy's helping spirit, she's busy trying to shoot flies with a leatherman.

I am one blessed Mama, and it's gonna be a beautiful day! 

Another Place You Can Find Ink

Also known as Scribe....

He's started posting book reviews at Into the Book.  Go take a look. Follow. Read. :)

Until Next Time, Sweet Caity!

We had {sniff, sniff} our last sewing lesson with Caity this past Monday.

I have to brag on Miss Emma. She's taken to this machine, and I'm amazed at what a natural she is. I'm so proud of her! We learned how to read a pattern and cut it out, and then Caity showed Emma how to piece everything together and start sewing. 

There's still a bit to be done on the pants, but rumor has it that Caity's lovely sister might come to our rescue! (Please, Marissa!!)

Of course, the Littles will miss Caity, too. They love having their hair done and then smiling big to show off their new styles.

And Caity does other fun things, like swinging the Littles low

and then high.

Cap'n even had lots of smiles this time around. Isn't this a sweet shot? :)

We love you, Caity-Dear and can't wait to hug your neck again soon. What a blessing it is to have young ladies share their talents with other families!

Little Boy Blue and the Rain

Little Boy Blue,
When you're just a babe,
You can live half your life in the desert
Before you ever see rain.

They're beautiful things,

those raindrops that fall.

Never lose your wonder,

Or forget that God made it all.

Reach out your hands

To touch all He's given.

Praise Him for His kindness

Shown in the life you are living.

Ponder it all

And consider it well.

As great as God is,

There's always a story to tell.

Pray for eyes wide open,

That not only see rain,

But His constant provision

In joy or in pain.

Yes, Little Boy Blue,

It's a wonder to behold,

God's endless mercies

That each day unfolds.

How We Celebrate Six

Finally the post the Grandmas have been waiting for.....Ella's birthday pictures! :)

Of course, the day started by waking up and looking beautiful.

Hugs are one of the best ways to start a birthday! (Why does this picture make me cry. Such sister love! Isn't God so good to us?)

Then, like any other six year old, Ella helped change diapers. This sweet girl LOVES to get Cap'n going in the morning, even if that means he's screaming the entire time she's getting him dressed.

The birthday girl gets to choose what she's wants for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast was yummy homemade waffles, on the HAPPIEST birthday plate ever.

Brothers worked feverishly on the birthday sign...it's a tradition around here.

Later that day it was time to whip up the birthday dessert....together. Instead of cake this year, we made a yummy chocolate treat with a butter and pecan crust.

I think this was the first time Ella has tasted Cool Whip. Ha! She liked it. :)

They all did.

The chocolate pudding tasted great, too.

The center of Ella's birthday dinner was my famous homemade chicken fingers. Yum! I've got to keep the southern spirit in these girls, you know, even if we're miles away from sweet tea and hearing "y'all" all of the time.

Pretty presents wrapped by talented Whistler. Have I said before how GLAD I am she can wrap now??

Because every princess needs some jewelry.

But, a girl after her Mama's heart, Ella's favorite gift was the pack of PENS.

It was time to sing...I think she thought that was funny. :)

She needed a little help from Clairesy, who simply couldn't resist giving Ella a helping blow to the candles.

Yes, the older brothers were at the party, too, but for some reason, they kept running away from me and my camera. You'd think I have a reputation for taking lots of pictures or something.

What's she thinking? I'd say she's thinking she had a great birthday.

Ella Grace. She belongs to Jesus and loves to sing. She's full of compassion and ready to help. Her laughter is beautiful music, and she loves babies. Her heart is tender and requires gentle handling. She brings sunshine wherever she goes.

 And we're so thankful to God He 

chose us to be her family.