Morris zoo

It's True! Right now, as I type, I am holding my sweet baby girl. In all her pink glory. She was born on may 19th. She has been with us for eleven weeks now and we are all taken with her. Her name is Evelynn but for the most part we call her Evie. She has lots of blond hair and looks just like each of her brothers. So much in fact, it's hard to remember that she came with girl parts. All of my boys were eager to come, and came quickly. Evie on the other hand fought us every step of the way and took her time. When she did arrive she was angry and let us know it. She came to us at a good 7 pounds 6 ounces, but lost a lot of weight quickly and was in the six and a half pound ranges for awhile. She was under a watchful eye for weeks before she got back to her birth weight. And now she keeps growing strong and adding a few cute rolls that make your heart melt. She was a long baby at 21 inches. With long fingers and long narrow feet. She takes after daddy there. And now she is pretty healthy with the occasional tummy trouble and thrush that seems to be hanging around longer then we would like. She sleeps good threw the night but rarely sleeps during the day. So it's close to impossible to keep up with all that life demands with a family of 7. Having a girl is even more then I imagined. I'm really enjoying all that comes with it and looking forward to what will come. I do wish however, that I was in charge of when and how she grows. If I could just freeze her at this age she's at now for awhile. And then when I'm ready I'd let her move on to the next stage. If I could have a super power that's what I would like it to be. Wishful thinking, I know, but you can't help what you day dream about. The best I can do now are with pictures. That's why I end up with so many, I don't even know what to do with. I'm so grateful for her. And for the feeling of a complete family. She's our caboose and all I can say is.... I'm happy it's PINK!

Servpro Update

So it's been a while. Things have been crazy still even after the flood of 2010. I'll write more about that later. The purpose of this post is to update you all on the power and influence an otherwise anonymous blog has. After the flood I was so upset. I was upset at the situation, the loss of our possessions and memories and the fear that we'd never see any of those things again. I took it out on the only people that came to mind. I used this blog as a way to get my feelings out because I just had no other outlet. Apparently, my friends and family aren't the only ones who read this blog because a few days after making the previous post Don got a phone call from the guy who owns the Servpro franchise in Arkansas and a few other places. He said the things you'd expect a person to say after reading that their company had ruined someones life. Don said that he was very impressed that he would make a call like that. He said it would have been far too easy for Servpro to simply ignore one negative blog, but they didn't and that means a lot. It made an impact on me too. I realized that these people were just like me. They have memories, they have possessions, they have things that simply can't be replaced. The truth is, Servpro was very professional and did the best they could to restore our things. I realize now that some things we lost were just simply unrecoverable-nothing anyone could do. Everybody makes mistakes and while nothing or no one is perfect it made me feel better to know that there are people still trying. I hope something like this never happens to me or anyone else, but if it does you CAN count on Servpro.

Sorry for the absence everybody. It's been crazy. we have had to much going on for me to keep up. I'll give you a quick review just for fun, but unfortunately I wont be able to keep this up until life gets back to normal around here. I'm guessing a month or so.
First off the good news. Most of you know that I am pregnant and have been for a while. I'm in my 6th month and enjoying the thought that this is the last pregnancy I'll be putting my body through. I am so excited to report that we will finally be getting the little girl that we have been longing for. YEAH!!!!!!! Everybody is so excited!!!!! The boys were just as excited as we were to find out. So Evelynn (or baby Evie, as we call her now) will be arriving late May. And our whole world will change. Something I just cant wait for. Bring on the pink!!! I'm ready!!!!!
Now for the not so great news. We have had a lot of testing going on for 2 of our children, Jaren and Kelland. I have known for a while that something was there and that I just didn't know how to help them or how to get help for them. So we have been going to a wonderful psychiatrist to help us diagnose my two beautiful kids. The diagnoses came back as Asperger's disorder. A form of Autism. While this information was hard to take in at first, I have found it to be quite useful now. And it's easier for me to understand their brilliant minds and know how to help and get help for them. Kelland will have to repeat kindergarten next year but it will all be in his best interest. And now with getting him the help he needs it's fun to see him blossom into an eager student. He actually says he loves to learn and can't wait to go to school! That's something that I was not expecting! I feel like we can get through this now. I have a good support group here as well. And that's always a great feeling!
Now for the bad news. On our way home from visiting family for New Years we arrived to half of our house flooded. It had gotten so cold here that the pipes froze and then burst. Unfortunately our pipes are in the attic. So ceilings collapsed and walls were damaged. The room that was effected the most was our office. So computer gone! I haven't been able to even check everybody blogs. I have felt so disconnected from the world. It's amazing how much we rely on computers isn't it? And all my scrapbooks and pictures destroyed. So sad!!! Really upset about all that. We had a service called Servpro come out to help us get things cleaned up and and help out with the damaged things to try and save them. They totally dropped the ball. And instead of saving things that could have been saved, like my photo albums,scrapbooks and books, they just left in a room to get moldy and ruined. I was so upset about this because I can't put a price on these things. I felt betrayed. They said they would fix it and they didn't.I could have dried them off myself and saved them. But I trusted them and they let me down. Now I'll never have those things again. Lesson learned here? Do it yourself and tell everybody you know not to use Servpro. Anyway, the last 2 months have been dedicated to rebuilding and renovating the house. It's still not perfect yet but we are close. We decided since we are painting and changing our house a bit that we will get it ready to sell. We need a bigger place now that we are adding to our family. So that presents even more projects. Life just doesn't seem to stop. We are really busy with everything but still feel blessed. And we really appreciate all the prayers that have come our way. Again, sorry for ignoring everyone for so long. And i will try to keep everybody posted here and there from now on. Love you all!! Miss you much!! I'll post soon enough. Wish us luck!!

It's about time! Right?!

Ok, So I know the kids have been in school for a while now but I just couldn't leave these pictures out. Grandparents look at this blog too. So without further ado, The First Day of School pictures.

The night before was a hard one. They were to excited to sleep and went to bed way to late. I thought I was going to have a hard time waking them but the excitement carried into the morning. It wasn't until the 3rd morning that the lack of sleep caught up with them.

Layton staying cool in his Labron James jersey, camo shorts and new shoes. Forget the forth grade. This kid is headed for stardom. Or so he thinks anyway. It's hard to keep this kids head out of the clouds, but he is going to have an awesome year. I can just feel it.

My GQ boy Jaren. Out of all my boys, this summer was a time of change. He grew up the most. He got taller and has a look now more like a big kid then baby face. He is headed to second grade with great expectations. He had a rough year last year but the future looks bright. A lot of good things to come for him.


My big kindergartner. Kelland was probably the most excited about the day. He normally is very slow in the morning but this day he was up and willing. To bad every morning can't be like that. The worst part of my day is trying to get this kid going. Slow poke is an understatement. I feel like I accomplished great things when I get them to school on time. He is so cute though. You just can't stay mad for to long. It will get better. That's what I keep telling myself anyway.



Ok, funny picture! I asked the boys to put their arms around each other like a hug and this is what I get. Can't they just stop being boys for two seconds while I take a picture? Honestly!

So I drooped them off and then snuck in to take some pics of them in their new classes. Jaren in his seat not even noticing I was there.

And Kelland who I couldn't get to turn around. I didn't want to be that annoying mom with a camera. I tried to be cool about it. I knew, however, that Layton wouldn't have found it to be cool at all but I tried anyway. His class left all ready for another activity. bummer. Another missed opportunity to embarrass, gone.

I always pick the kids up from school And it never fails that the first day of school is the worst day to do it. The line went on forever. The school was still around the curve, and over a small bridge away. Crazy, I know!

Brigham couldn't wait any longer. After waiting in line for 1/2 hour he was gone. Dreaming of picking his brothers up in a timely fashion no doubt.

And my cute kids waiting for me. They had a really good day. Lots of fun. It's going to be a good year. I'm really excited about it!!

"I'm not a baby! I'm a BIG boy!!!

Another year has past and he doesn't seem to stop growing no matter how hard I beg and cry. My sweet little one is a big 3 year old. How did this happen. Life is cruel sometimes. We didn't have to big of an ordeal planned. Just a weekend of fun with the family. But a family of our size is an instant party. So I'm not worried that he didn't feel special. Still a lot of people to celebrate with love. We took him to dinner. A birthday dinner at Jason's deli. Our kids favorite. I think they just go for the ice cream!
Kelland takes his ice cream seriously!

Mom: "Jaren take a lick of your ice cream so I can take a picture."
Jaren: "But it's sooo cold mom!!"
Layton: "that's why they call it ice cream Jaren." (cue eye roll)



Then (of course) a trip to TOYS R US. A tradition. We always take the birthday boys there to pick out a toy of thier choice..................Well, with in reason anyway. He always goes straight to the big wheels. After this, nothing seems as good.

model cars? No, just not the same.

Model Airplanes? A little better.

Remote control airplane? Yeah!! That will do!

Helping daddy put it together before bedtime.

This was when Grandma and Grandpa or Nana and Papaw called to wish a happy birthday. I can't remember who it was exactly, but both times it looked just like this. He really enjoys talking on my phone. Pretty soon he will be begging for one of these for his birthday. They start way to young. Am I right?!

Sunday was his actual birthday. So we had some friends come over to celebrate with cake, ice cream and presents.

Kelland was counting the candles for him and anticipating digging in.

"Happy birthday to Brigham! Happy birthday to you!"

Present time!!

Lightning McQueen is his favorite Disney character. What a shocker for a kid who LOVES cars!

Thank you Oma!!! You always sends books and the kids are never disappointed!

Come on Brigham. Be nice and let Kelland have a turn!

Our sweet friend Jeniffer is always there for my boys. She shows them so much love and they LOVE her for it. I swear, they would spend all day with her...... And have before. It just wouldn't be a party without her there to celebrate!

Best present of all. And of course the cheapest!

Brigham is an amazing kid. Very animated and funny. I love to be around him. Always puts a smile on my face. I hope it was a special day. Only the best for my little man.

BEST NIGHT with my BEST FRIEND watching the BEST BAND ever!

I love Paramore! There is just something about them. I have never felt this way about any other band. I love their music and if I was 10 yrs younger I probably would have spent the whole summer following them going from concert to concert. But I'm not 23 I'm 33 and that would just be plain crazy! So I settled for one concert. It still was a little crazy. Because the closest concert was in St. Louis 5 hrs away and in the middle of the week. Don was great though and made sure that it happened for me. Even though it was a pretty stressful time for him with his job. We decided to make a little trip of it. Just one night but worth it. It was our first night away from ALL the kids, but not the last. They did wonderfully and we had a blast. Paramore was great but were opening for No Doubt. So Paramore's concert was to short and when No Doubt came on I found myself disappointed. I've always liked No Doubt, but to me they just weren't as good. A little weird actually. We were getting bored and I suggested we leave, and walk around. I was hoping to run into them. Don just kept smiling at me. I'm sure he was thinking I was crazy but he didn't make me feel that way. Instead just went along with it. We didn't get to meet them but it was still a wonderful night. Hot! but wonderful. They wouldn't let us bring cameras into the concert so we had to use cell phones. Bummer.

Don had WAY to much fun taking pictures of me and even a few videos. I think he thought it was so funny how excited I was. And it was funny. That's why I'm going to spare you and leave the videos nice and snug in their file folders.


The next day we didn't have to much time before we had to get back but we wanted to do something. We didn't have a lot of knowledge about the place so we had to go with what we knew. The Arch is the place to visit when you go to St. Lois right? So that's where we headed. It was fun but something you don't have to do twice. Beautiful city though.

I can't wait for more bests! Thanks hon! Your the ultimate BEST!

Independence Day

Well it' about time I posted these pictures. The 4th of July seems like such a long time ago. It's crazy how fast this summer is going. Anyway, We were still visiting my sister and her family for the 4th. We had just got back from our camping trip and and were a bit warn out. So we didn't want to go all out. Just some place to go to watch fireworks and then maybe a few of our own on their driveway. But really, it turned out perfect. I think if we had packed anymore into our night it would have ruined it.

We found a perfect location. It was in a town that I had never heard of before but it wasn't to far away. We traveled down there, found a parking lot, got out and waited by the car to watch. Brad and Natalie let the kids climb onto there Suburban, which, as you can imagine, was a BIG deal to the kids. Brigham was the only one not allowed up there but as you can see, he was content with daddy.

This is the part of the night that was a bit scary. All the children wanted to help Don and Brad with the fireworks. And most of them didn't get to.

Layton got to!

And Cally got to. But that was it. And you can see that some of the kids were disappointed. Honestly, can't they just be happy with what the got!?! Wow I just had a flashback to my parents saying that to me. I couldn't have been as selfish as my kids were acting could I have been???? DON'T ANSWER THAT MOM!!!!

I put this picture in because it shows how many children we have together. We definitely are a crowd. Brigham was the only one not in there. And look how big they are getting!

Well, that was the end of our trip. We left the next morning. It was great though. And I miss my sister terribly all ready. Next time it's their turn to come visit us. Hopefully before school starts. So what do you say Natalie?