Her First Pink Car

On her car from Grandpa and Grandma.

Think we shall have lots of fun with this car in the future!

Ten Months!!

It's getting harder to take Laura's pictures, as she doesn't want to sit still very long.

Everything is a game. :) I remember these few months - from 7-11 being, active couch "sessions".

It only lasts for a couple minutes, and it's busy. :) But cute.

 

Laura's latest:

-Climbing up all the stairs

-Folding her hands to pray

-Climbing up the bunk bed later

-Singing

-Saying da-da

-Crawling as fast as she can to the toilet to play in the water

(even when you're chasing her)

-Experiencing her first pigtail (antennae)

-Still loves playing in water. (bathtub is a splasher's dream) She doesn't mind at all to fall right in, and get soaked; just turns over and gets right back with hardly missing a breath. 

Grandpa & Grandma's Visit

My parents came to visit for a whole week. We were so excited. Counting down the days til' "Grandma and Grandpa" would be here. Mom and Dad were on their way home from the quartet convention in Kentucky, so they made us a "stop" on the way home. And we were so glad. We think it should be an annual tradition. :)

They arrived on a Monday night, and after supper, brought out some lovely treasures for us all.

Laura got blessed with her own ride on car! Dad and Mom had found it at Cracker Barrel for 80% off - an amazing deal. It's so cute, and Laura is quite please with her own toy....

....and so was Erik.

For the first few days, it was a bit busy, as the kids all wanted their turns to ride it - now it has calmed down, and they all enjoy it, but thankfully, not all at once. :)

Grandma spent some time every day with Katie, helping her with her school.

My mom is such a good teacher with her. :)

With little Laura outside.

Grandpa showing them how the "Hoover Craft" thingy works that he brought for them.

Don't you love Katie's hair - she's into, "doing it herself". :)

Then the guys did a major miracle to our home. They poured a cement step where our mud pies used to be baked...what a delight! I didn't think they'd be able to get all that down in a few hours, but they did, and what a help that will be to have things fixed up (eventually) on our front step and driveway. You'll have to see the after pictures in about a month!

My hardworking dad.

Katie and Laura with their matching dresses that came from Uncle Andrew and Aunt Becca when Laura was first born. They can finally wear them now - aren't they adorable? :)

Grandpa, indulging his grandson with THE book on tractors, trains, and all things that have wheels - Erik's favorite book - Richard Scarry's "Things that Go" and two more that are in one combined and abused book. :)

Katy and Mom reading more of a girl book - kinda. :)

We had a couple more days with mom and dad, and then they left. Sigh... it goes by too quickly.

We did get in some wonderful discussions, fun times, and practiced a song to sing for Sunday - "Burden's are Lifted At Calvary" - with Dad, Mom, James and I. It was so nice to sing with them again. Mom and Dad spoiled us by taking us to a lovely restaurant one day, and we just enjoyed them so much. Then it's over...

All of a sudden, they're getting into the car, and you realize that... wait. You may not see them for another year...and then the goodbye gets hard. Really hard. And then you have tears, and so does mom, but she's trying so hard not too.... they leave, and then you cry on James for just a bit.

And then continue on.

I'm happy, they're happy - we just miss each other.

Cause being with family is so special.

And Baby Makes Four

Meet Skittles, our newest little darling. :)
Due the beginning of March 2014.

This little one is the reason why the blog has left alone for so long. :) Thanks to you all for continuing to check to see if any life did exist over here!

I never knew I could be so tired. I guess with three other little ones, you should expect that you would be more tired. Duh. :)

I'm thankful that the sickness time is almost over, as I'm 15 weeks. Still some nausea and exhaustion, but I see some light at the end of the first trimester.

I really didn't think this one would make it this far. I was sick, and extremely tired, but didn't think I was sick enough to "keep" the little one. So it was kind of a hopeless time, and rather dark.

But God gave us a miracle, and at 10.5 weeks, Sarah found the baby's heartbeat... what a shock to me, and an absolute delight. Sickness is worth it, and we'll see where God leads with this new little life.

Mud Pies & Neighbors

Katy loves it, when her neighbor friends come over and make mud pies... these girls had fun.

The last mud pie event, before the new step went in a couple weeks later. :)

Good to get to know, and spend a bit of time with the people around us.

First Day of School!!

Well, I've been a teacher for one week, of a very cute JK girl.

Katelyn loves her school work, and can't wait to do it every day.

Thus begins the days of homeschooling for this family - we'll see how God leads us.

The perfect little homeschooler - jean jumper and all. Poor girl. What her mother does to her.

She was so excited to start JK, and has done really well.

Working on her lines...

Proud to be doing school.

Saturday at Home

A Saturday morning singing time with the two guitars. :)

Erik playing his favorite "Speak O Lord" song.

Katie working hard on her coloring. (you can tell by the tongue)

Sticker head - must be compliment of a sibling.

Sad face of a boy who ate it all...