Hello, Grandma?

Eliana wanted to call Grandma, but couldn't find the phone.  I guess this gun-shaped sprinker head will have to do. 

We Blinked

A while back, our family got to go see comedian Ken Davis.  I'm a bit on the serious side, so comedians aren't usually high on my list of people to go see.  But Ken Davis is a neat Christian man who can make me laugh.  Really hard. Anyhow, during his show, he was looking back on his life (he's now in his 60's) and told about how when parents blink, their children grow up.  He was urging us all to do the important things in life, because our children grow up so fast.
He called Tommy out of the crowd (and yes, Tommy is just one of those kids that get called on frequently) and had some fun with him for a minute, then he looked and Kenny and I, sitting next to Tommy.  He said to us, 'don't blink'. 
Tonight Danny and I put together a short slide-show for his graduation next Thursday.  I left him alone for a while to work on it so I could finish dinner.  When I came back, he put the headphones on me so I could hear the song he chose to go with the photos of his life.  He looked at me and said, 'Mom, we blinked.'

 With little brother Joey.  Some of the best guys I know.  Aren't they cute?

This one's for you, Cheryl. Remember the aquarium?  Your little guy is now a husband!

 Danny, reading to baby sister Hannah.  They both still love learning through books.

 Sammy and Danny.  They've sure come a long way in their friendship with eachother.

 Danny, in front of the most wonderful vine that has grown almost as fast as he has.

 In his suit and tie waiting with friends to speak and the last Speech and Debate tourney.

Just a really great guy.  I'm so proud of you, my first-born son! Go get 'em!

Laundry Day

I love Mondays.  I hated them when I was younger, because they meant a whole new week of work.  Now I love them because they mean a whole new week of work.  I guard my Mondays around here.  I don't like starting the week out of the home- it sets the tone for the next few days. So there is very little coming and going, if any.  And no friends over.  We work on Mondays!  And we do laundry on Mondays.  The girls do their laundry on Tuesdays, and the boys on Wednesdays, but everything else in the house gets washed, dried, and put away on Wonderful Monday.  And as you can guess, that is no small task around here!

Into the washer!

Out of the dryer!

Socks!

Folded and ready to put away!

Piano Man

Last weekend Joey and Tommy had their end of the year piano recital.  They each performed a written piece as well as an original composition.  Here is Joey playing the song he composed.  I had ten years of piano lessons growing up, and I never played like Joey.  He makes people cry, and we are so spoiled to have him in our home!  A little bit of Heaven while we wait.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58wYeiS8AJw

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and to my Mother-in-Law!
This blog is your Mother's Day present.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Mom- I am so proud of you.  You have worked so hard this year to get healthy, and you have inspired others to do the same.  Thank you for loving me and my big family.  You are a wonderful Grandma.  Can't wait to see you this month.
Mary- This year has brought a lot of unexpected trips to the doctor for you, as well as physical pain and discomfort.  You have weathered it so well, with your head up and all.  Thank you for your love for our family.
I wish I had pictures of you both to put up here.  Have a wonderful day!

The Capture of the Cork Bottle

There are days when I wish- I just wish - that my children were quiet and boring.  I'm not kidding! Because when you have ten children, and say, oh, about nine of them are talkative, or dramatic, or -gasp- can I say it - opinionated, it makes for a very unquiet household. Sigh. 
But there are days when I can laugh it off.  Like today, when Sarah decided to make a movie, complete with props, costume, and quiet little sister sitting next to her. Sarah's film was called 'The Capture of the Cork Bottle'.  But really it was just a cute little girl rambling about nothing in particular, just because the camera was rolling.
I hope she remembers us all when she's rich and famous.

Why I Hate Potty Training

Because I'm impatient.
Because it's messy.
Because I have to stop everything else and, well, potty train.
Unless....
I have older girls who want to get paid to help out.  Which I do.
I came into my bathroom the other day (or I tried to) and couldn't get the door open.  Why, you ask?  Because my tiny bathroom was filled with girls.  And the door would barely open.  Because they were watching a movie.  On my laptop.  Uh-Huh.
These pictures aren't very good, because it's hard to take good pictures when you can't open the door, but you can tell at least they were having a better time potty training their sister than I would have.