Friday, August 15, 2008

double digits

As well as yesterday being the 1st day of school, it was my oldest daughter's 10th birthday. Yay for birthdays!

Jaci Taylor was born 12 days late, at home. My hubby, my mom and a good friend with lots of home birth experience helped me labor this child into the world. Her birth was rocky but we had a good doc on the phone who talked us through some stuff and everything ended fine.

We celebrated the last ten years with a big pool party a few weeks ago. We had given Jaci a Webkinz at the end of July because it happened to be the "Pet of the Month" so she needed to get it registered before August. Her highlights were her other gift from us and I did those Monday evening. That left the gifts her sisters bought her {with their own money} to be opened yesterday before school. A bike basket and scrapbook paper. Goooood.

Our tradition has always been that the birthday celebrater gets to chose a place to eat out {or a meal for mom to cook but trust me, we usually eat out!}. Jaci wanted Applebee's. She's grown quite fond of mozzarella sticks and I'm a dumb enough mom to let her eat them for her meal. ;)

Jaci is a blessing to our family. She's cute and funny, crafty and witty, ambitious and responsible, and loves to sing and teach. She's been prophesied over that she will be in worship ministry and that she will be a little evangelist. She's a good friend and loves to bless others. I'm so proud of the beautiful young lady that God entrusted us with!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

off they go

Today is the day I've been dreading for a couple months now. First day of the new school year. It's not so much the school part but the 'end of my flexibility' season. But God knows my path and I guess it's best to trust Him. Here's the happy ladies ready to start another year...

The birthday girl - starting 5th grade!


My joy heading to 2nd grade. Quick story: This morning I made cinnamon rolls (don't get too excited, they were Pillsbury) Chandler was eating hers and Jaci commented that she "didn't feel like a cinnamon roll this morning". Chandler answers, "That's because you're not one!" What a goof!


The Kindergartner. I'm not sure what was up with waving with her fist but she did it for about 10 minutes. Whatever.


Even though it's blurry, I love this photo. All my girls, on their way to school. Sigh.


Jaci with her best friend. I'm not sure what they are chatting about, but it must be shocking by that look on her face. :) You can also see Jaci's newly done highlights. Not too shabby for her rookie hair dresser - her mamma.


We don't look too miserable do we? ;) Oh, on our way into class, we found out that Robin's preschool teacher from last year is now the para in her K class. What a blessing!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

honestly

Nothing too major right now since I really ought to be heading to bed but....

School starts day after tomorrow. All 3 girls will go this year. My Little Bird is ready for Kindergarten. How did this happen?

I hope to take {and post} pictures of the whole first day of school thing.

Even though I have to confess, I'm totally dreading it. It just doesn't seem right that summer is already over and I have to live by a schedule again. Honestly.

Also happening on Thursday is my oldest princess's 10th birthday. Yikes. Double digits. She's really disgusted that she has to go back to school ON her birthday. Heck, I would be too.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Happy Birthday, Baby

My little Robi bird turned 5 on Tuesday! We've had some serious celebratin' happening this week and I HAVE taken some photos. But I'm just too busy to post them right yet.

So for now, Happy Birthday to my baby. All grown up and ready for kindergarten. {sniff} This gal's got some serious spunk and passion packed inside. And it's been a riot these last 5 years.

I'm committed to storing recent memories of her going around with her 'magic wand' asking "what do you want to be turned into?" Um, maybe we've gone a little overboard with Disney's Cinderella? Anyways, life just wouldn't be the same without my 3rd born child!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

100th post tribute

This is my 100th post on this blog! Yay me. I thought I would dedicate this 100th post to my kids and give tribute to each one and their God-given little personalities.

Jaci Taylor.... will turn 10 in just a few short weeks. Jaci means beautiful - and she is. Her middle name means maker or creator and she does have a passion for creating. Most will tell you that Jaci is the spittin' image of her mamma. And she is. Though, she will argue with you til the end - that's her competitive side. :) She is responsible and takes initiative to get things done. Jaci has very high expectations of herself and of life. (hmmm, wonder where that comes from?) One of Jaci's callings is in the area of worship. I believe that deep in her are the leadership abilities to lead hundreds in worship of our King. Jaci's sense of style is quite eclectic and she shocked me when she told me she would like to dye her hair jet black with bright magenta highlights!

Chandler Hope.... is 7 1/2 years old - my only winter baby. Put together, Chandler's full name means light of hope. She was born at the beginning of one of the most difficult years of our lives. She was our hope in the midst of hard times. Chandler lights up a room with her goofy personality. She loves to make people laugh, or at least put a smile on their face. She is the compliant, easy going, middle child, striving to please Mitch and I. She is definitely 'Daddy's girl' and is often found cuddled up in his lap. Chandler is extremely generous, often spending all her {infrequent} allowance on others. She has gifting in the prophetic and is sensitive to supernatural things. Someday I'm sure she will minister right alongside her daddy, speaking God's intimate words of knowledge into people's hearts.

Robin Danielle.... will be 5 in just a week and a half. More than meaning little bird her
name means famous. And that she is - at five, she has more friends than I have had in my lifetime. Her middle name is the same as mine, meaning God is judge. Robin is what you call a free-spirit. She is flighty, sassy and dramatic. She makes me smile....and pull out my hair. :) Robin brings color to our world. The word PASSIONATE has described her since she was in my belly. I swear she never slept. And when she was born, she was the fiercest eater I ever fed. Robin is content playing by herself for hours on end - serious imagination. Out of that imagination comes songs, lots and lots of 'make it up as I go along' songs. Robin's giftings include worship and dance, two things you will always find her doing.


So those are my babies. My daughters of Mitch. Each uniquely individual. Yet, you could pick them out of a crowd as sisters. Our lives wouldn't be the same without one of them. They bless me, challenge me and keep me crying out to Jesus for wisdom.

I often feel so incompetent as a mother, though I know God has given me the task of stewarding and discipling these ladies for His glory. They belong to Him. Who they are now and what they will become. I only pray I can equip them for the journey God has called them to run.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

kid's project

So while My Beloved and I were putting together our new grill, the kids found themselves another project. Do you know how big the box is that a grill comes in? Big enough for a car for 3 small-ish girls!

They used utility knives, pocket knives, screwdrivers, a drill, pvc pipe, styrofoam, duct tape, and anything else they could find in daddy's workshop...


...including house paint!


Lookin' good sis-tahs!


What you don't see is the finished product. It has pedals, a steering wheel, door handles and all kinds of stuff. (I'll have to take another pic) Jaci was even asking Mitch if he had an extra light switch laying around they could use!

And lil' sis found another use for the leftover styrofoam....

Girly robots get pillows....


....and blankets!


See how happy she is!

Oh, how creative little brains are!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

celebration of Independence

Our 4th of July actually began the evening of July 3rd. Our little town has a yearly kiddie parade that was moved, this year, to the evening before. My kids usually participate in that and this year was no different, though I was really hoping we'd be out of town so I didn't make any preparations for the parade. My creative eldest daughter, thought up a cute (CHEAP & EASY) idea, so they participated for the 4th year running.

Here are the 'Beach Bums'! (someone asked if they were the Beach Babes - that woulda been smart but nah, they're the bums)

walking down to the starting block from our house


every beach bum needs their drink of choice in a cool cup

digging into the stash handed out to all the entrants at the end of the parade


Following the parade, was an incredible fireworks display put on by some guys from our church. Just a couple guys who enjoy throwing THOUSANDS of their own personal dollars into a pile to be burned up. :) They don't light anything by hand but wire everything and then flip switches. They do a tremendous job and it's REALLY LONG. Way longer than any big city display, I would guess.

The youth center of the town brought out the concessions including, cotton candy, nachos, chili dogs, pop and candy bars. (great way to come off a fast!) I hope this 3rd of July deal becomes a tradition because it was a fantastic evening! And left us free to enjoy the 4th of July in the town next door - posted about HERE.