Our Family

While Jeremy was at home this week we took advantage of the opportunity to try to get some family pictures taken. It was 100 degrees outside and fairly humid but the kids were good sports and we ended up with some fairly good shots. You will probably see at least one of them again in the form of a Christmas card later this year.

While cooler temps would have been wonderful...you take what you can get!

Our Time Together

Our time with Jeremy at home is quickly drawing to a close. The last few days we have spent some of our free time playing a game that our pastor and his wife taught us awhile back. It is called Take Two and you play with the tiles from a Scrabble game. We have always enjoyed playing games together as a family and this one is a current favorite.

Tonight we opted for a final game before hitting the sack. Keith won by just a few points over Jeremy but we all had fun.

I find myself not wanting to say goodnight because I know what the morning will bring. But instead of focusing on that, I will choose to be thankful for the time we have had together these last few days and what a blessing it has been. Hopefully it won't be too long before we can play some more Take Two with our whole family together.

A Full House

The girls and I have returned home as have all of my boys. Jeremy is even home to spend a few days with us and I have to say that it is awesome to have all of my baby birds in the nest for awhile. Granted, not many of them look like babies anymore.

Today, after Tyler got off work, we went bowling. None of us bowled lights out but we had a great time anyway. Here are a few pictures I wanted to share.

Have you ever seen a sweeter pair of bowling shoes?

This is a great contraption that the bowling alley has to help little ones get the ball down the lane. Where were these things when we were young?

She's a natural.

Austin's turn

All arms and legs

These girls adore their big brother.

Alicia and Drew

Keith beat me both games...but not by much.

Unfortunately my camera battery died before I was ready to stop taking pictures but I'm sure that I'll have more to share over the next couple of days. Jeremy will be here until Thursday morning and we intend to make the most of our short time together.

Visiting Grandma and Papa

With the 2 younger boys away at camp and Drew off visiting Jeremy, the girls and I decided to spend the week with Grandma and Papa.

My parents moved into a retirement complex last year. It has an awesome swimming pool and we have been making great use of it this week. It gets the girls out of the apartment and gives them an outlet for their abundant energy.

I thought I would share a few pics from our time so far.

Emma has taken to the water like a fish. Today, she removed the arm floaties and took off on her own. This child has no fear.

Kara was not originally very excited about the idea of the huge pool. But after maybe 10 minutes in it on the first day, she is the one constantly begging to go again. She doesn't like water in her face but she really loves to float around in it. Today she got brave enough to try floating on her back, which she really seems to like now.

Ths is a picture of what happens to the adults after an afternoon in the pool...notice the girls looking as fresh as ever!

We are all having a lot of fun and enjoying the rest and relaxation. We are looking forward to the rest of our week here. See you all soon!

Just Like Her Dad

The boys all had their own plans tonight so Keith and I and the girls went out for dinner. We had a nice time and our evening was uneventful, which is how we like it when dining with the little ones.

The only glitch was when Kara's balloon got away from her and floated too high for any of us to reach it. She handled it with grace and Emma even offered to share hers with her sister. It was sweet.

As we finished up eating, Emma went back to coloring her kid's menu. There was a big blank page in it just begging for some color. She had commented earlier that she didn't know what to draw. I could see her really thinking about it for a long time.

Since she couldn't come up with anything on her own, she opted to copy what was on the preceding page. We were amazed at how well she did. I thought you might like to see the fruits of her labor. You can click on the pictures to get a closer look.

She must have gotten her drawing ability from her Dad because her Mom can't draw water from a well.

It was really fun to watch her working on this drawing. She was concentrating so hard. I wish I would have had my camera to capture the intensity on her face.

So... just what do cows like most in New York? Leave a comment with your best guess.

This is Commandment Five

On Wednesday nights during the summer, Emma and Kara attend Patch the Pirate Club at church. This is Kara's first experience with being in a real classroom situation instead of being in the nursery. She is loving it.

Our pastor's wife is teaching the youngest group of kids (the Plebes), and they are learning the Ten Commandments. Kara has been able to tell us each week which commandment they learned. I have been amazed at what she remembers.

Tonight, she was going through the house singing the song they learned last night. Keith thought we should video it...so I did. It is so precious I have to share it with the rest of you.

In case you aren't up on your commandments, the 5th commandment is found in Exodus 20 verse 12. It says "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

What Else Ya Gonna Do...

...when it's 102...degrees that is!

We never got our big pool put up this year, but that hasn't stopped the girls from working on their tans. Kara can be in the sun one day and she is as dark as can be. Emma tans well also but it takes slightly longer and she doesn't get as dark.

Emma loves to be outside. This extreme Texas heat doesn't seem to bother her a bit. Kara loves to be outside too but she doesn't much care for these high temps. She is much more like her mother.

Today we made a card and some cookies for our new neighbors that moved in down the street. Considering all of the new houses on our street, we better get busy making some more cards.

Anyway, while the first batch of cookies was cooling on the stove, I escaped to the other room to check my email. When I came back to the kitchen what do you suppose I found...yep, you guessed it, fingerprints in the cookies. Ugh! Guess that batch will stay here. I really should know better than to leave something that tempting unattended in the first place.

So, what's a mom to do? We passed them out and ate the evidence. Didn't even get a picture of it. Oh well, there are plenty more where those came from. Ooo, were they yummy!!!!

In fact, I think I'll go have another one.

Brotherly Love

As we finished dinner tonight the girls were begging to play Chutes and Ladders. While Keith and I cleaned up the dishes, Drew offered to play with the girls.

I will play just about anything with them but Chutes and Ladders is definitely not my favorite. That game can go on forever. You just think you're getting somewhere and you hit a chute and go back to the beginning. Come on, this is supposed to be a game for little kids. Have some mercy on the parents (and big brothers) already.

Anyway, Drew, being the great sport that he is, sat down to play with his sisters.

The first game went along fairly smoothly with the exception of Kara's occasional mix up in the counting of the squares (she still needs some help in this area). She ended up winning in what appeared to be near record time. Then I heard her ask the dreaded question..."Can we play again?" The look on Drew's face was hilarious as he responded "Can we double each roll?"

They did play a second game...even played it by the rules (no doubling of rolls). Kara won again and her smile went from ear to ear.

Thanks Drew for taking the time to make memories with your sisters and for loving them enough to play Chutes and Ladders. I'm quite sure you made their night.

3 Years Ago Today...

...on a very hot afternoon...in the southern part of China...Kara joined our family.







She didn't have a clue what was going on and went into an emotional cocoon for those first few days. Her personality slowly emerged as we loved and cared for her.








This was her first meeting with Daddy. Kara had little interaction with men before joining our family so Daddy took a little getting used to, as did all of the boys in our house.



Kara is a precious gift from God and a delight to our souls. While still very shy, she has a smile that lights up a room and a giggle that just makes the rest of us grin.

She is a momma's girl and loves to snuggle. What more could I ask for?!

We are so blessed that God brought us together to be a family. Today we celebrate Kara's "Gotcha" day. It's a great reason to go out for some yummy Chinese food and spend some time just being together.

Happy "Gotcha" day Kara! We love you so much!!!!

Happy Independence Day!!!!

Being a military family, we understand the sacrifices that have been made so that we can enjoy the freedom that we celebrate today. I just want to say "thank you" to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and to their families who live with that daily.

Also, to those that are currently defending our nation and their families "thank you". We are so grateful for all of you.

And to my dear husband, who has spent the better part of his life serving our country, "thank you...I am so proud of you and I love you dearly".

Happy 4th of July! May God bless us every one!!!!

One Answer for Rising Gas Prices

I just thought you all might like to see Keith's new ride. He looks pretty good on it, doesn't he?! I've been teasing him that since he's retiring from flying jets next year, he needs a new thrill in his life.

He went into this whole thing just looking for a way to save money on gas but he's like a little boy with a new toy, always looking for an excuse to go ride it. It really makes him giddy.

He's having so much fun that it kind of makes me feel bad for giving him so much grief about buying it to begin with.

The thing still scares me to death but I sure enjoy seeing that big ol' grin on his face when he comes home from work.

Well, I guess if gas prices keep rising we can always add a sidecar.