The weather is finally above freezing here in Chicagoland! I love it when it warms up.
Today, as we finished school, I sent the 5 oldest kiddies out to play. When I looked out the window a few minutes later, this warmed my heart even more:

I didn’t even ask Andy and Brady to swing with their [...]

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  (III John 4)
When Grayson arrived (and was a BOY!), we knew the kids would all be thrilled. Yet, we also knew that Connor would find it extra special to have a baby brother! A first for him!
Today, more than seven whole [...]

It’s family tradition around here to read Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus before opening gifts at Christmastime. We do it as a family and also with our extended family.
A couple of years ago, our now 9-year-old nephew Joshua read the passage aloud and did great. This year was my Andy’s turn. We had [...]

We finally squeezed a family photo in. We would have done it sooner, but we keep getting sick. In fact, Nate hasn’t been feeling good since Saturday evening, but since he was the only one who seemed plagued, we went for it yesterday.
We explained to the photographer that we didn’t expect everyone to be smiling, [...]

We scheduled an appointment at a local photography studio to have some family portraits taken tomorrow. I called yesterday.
So, wouldn’t you know it? Two of our crew seem to be coming down with fevers, complete with watery, dripping eyes and very runny noses.
I hate it when infants are sick. So sad.
I especially hate it when [...]

We’re celebrating the birthday of my dreamboat husband, today! Wooo-Hooo!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY!
The ingredients are ready for your birthday meatloaf, mashed potatoes and turnip / collard greens. A chocolate mayonnaise cake is in the works.
Six darling children and one smokin’ hot wife is waiting for you to return home from the airport so the festivities can [...]

My kids have a great aunt. Actually, they have several, and I don’t mean that in the generational sense. I mean their Aunt Heather is terrific.
We got to spend some time with them at a recent family reunion and — goody for us — she brought her camera! Look what she got:

That’s my Grayson Philip, [...]

Last night, we finally broke in our huge tent and camped out in the backyard. That’s a big step away from camping on the living room floor.
Believe it or not, all eight of us made it. We all woke up in the tent this morning, with only a few episodes of confusion from the girls [...]

On Monday, we met my parents at a small children’s zoo half-way between our houses. We were thrilled that Nate’s brother, his wife and their three children could come, too. My mom’s sister came and brought my cousins three boys, also. All in all, there were six adults and 12 children. Half of them were [...]

I’m as patriotic as they come. My favorite holiday is Independence Day… I love red, white and blue, the stars and stripes, a soldier’s salute. I’ve been known to cry at the presentation of the colors.
Memorial Day is always special, too. I come from a long line of soldiers and other “homeland servants.” I choose [...]