motley crew

A few weeks ago we had my sister's kids over for a few days. They all got along really well, and stayed so occupied that I rarely felt like there were six kids in the house. I put all three pictures on here because the first two were attempts at straight faces. You can tell not everyone was able to stop smiling! We had a great time, and can't wait to get them together again.
Please ignore my garage. It was just a few days before our garage sale, so it looked worse than normal.

Here you go Dad.

We had a fun weekend with nowhere to go. We almost didn't know what to do with ourselves, but we figured it out. Chloe and I made kool-aid popsicles on Friday, so they were ready to enjoy the next day. I found the popsicle stuff while cleaning out for our garage sale recently. I'm glad I kept them, because we all enjoyed them. I can't remember the last time I had kool-aid, but it was just as yummy as I remembered!
Chloe also helped Keith wash the van. She loves helping him, and she actually cleaned it. She even helped clean the wheels, and had the dirt in her fingernails to prove it.

Long trip home

We went to Florida last week, and of course, I didn't take any pictures. So, instead, you get to hear about our trip home. We left Sunday morning in hopes of making it home for church. (There are two reasons I think Sun. should not be a travel day: we have to miss church and Chik-fil-a is closed.) Anyway, we got the van loaded and were all ready to go, but the battery was dead. So Keith jumped it and got it going. Around Birmingham we stopped for lunch. Normally we just grab some fast food, but we were trying to think of something a little healthier, so we stopped at Wal-Mart. I know that sounds strange, but Chloe doesn't eat anything other than chicken and fries(at a resturant), so we thought she might have more options there. She chose a lunchable (questionable, but at least not fried), and the boys and I were contemplating Subway. We decided against it, and were planning on leaving until the van wouldn't start...again. So, the kids and I ate in Subway, while Keith bought another battery and changed it out. I'm telling you all of this because I don't believe in coincidences. We never stop at Wal-Mart on a trip. We don't even really like going to Wal-Mart ever, but just this once we stop there. And what do you know...we stop somewhere that sells batteries. That didn't happen by chance. It also didn't happen by chance that this all happened on the way home, instead of the way down there. I drove down by myself because Keith left a couple of days earlier(with guard). So, even though it wasn't the trip home we were expecting, it could have been so much worse.
Also, since we were already going to be too late to go to church, we stopped by my parents' house. My dad had called while we were eating at Subway to tell us that my mom had been to the ER the night before. She received over 30 stitches in her leg. She was leading a colt when it got spooked and rared up. Then it accidentally came down on her leg. It was nice to get to check on her, and visit for a little bit.

Guess she was really hungry!

I think Chloe is going through a growth spurt lately. She actually took a nap a couple of days, which she hasn't done since she was two. Also, since she's been home from Florida, she's hungry ever couple of hours. If I think any of the kids, not just Chloe, have had enough to eat, then I offer only healthy snacks, like fruit or yogurt. I figure if they're hungry, they'll eat. If not, then they were probably just bored. Anyway, last week we had vbs, and we ate at church before, so by the time we got home, she was hungry. We let her have a little something each night, and I think she just got used to it. The next night, after vbs, she wanted something at bedtime again. The only problem was that she didn't eat very well at supper. So, I offered her carrots and broccoli, since that's what she didn't eat. She wasn't very happy with that, but after a few minutes, she called and asked for some carrots. I just had to get a picture of her eating carrots in bed. Guess she was really hungry! I'm so glad that I gave her a healthy option instead of just telling her to go to sleep.

I'm really on top of things lately

Or not. Whatever. Today we headed out to pick up Keith, so we could drive to Nashville and get his iPhone. The excuse to go was that I needed a new ID card, but the phone was the real reason. Forget that we could have picked it up on Sat! Anyway, as I was leaving the house, I backed out of the garage with the back of the van open. I don't recommend doing that. It tore a small piece off the back, where it covers the handle to open it. It looks lovely now. Really classy. Thankfully the drive to and from Nashville was uneventful, but upon returning home, I found our front door open. It wasn't just unlocked, but actually open. My first reaction was to panic (and overreact) but then I figured it out. Right before leaving the house, I gave each boy a job. One went out the garage, but the other went out the front door. I went on out through the garage, so I didn't notice that the door was open. Then that boy, came into the garage, and didn't think about the front door ever again. I felt better knowing that we left it open (ok, I also felt worse/stupid), but I still wondered if anyone had been in here. I haven't found anyone yet, so I guess we're good. I hope my brain returns to me soon, before we need a new van!!

I'm trying!

I'm really trying to get back into posting regularly. This week has been busy, but fun. Last night was our final night of VBS. Keith and I both had fun helping out, but I'm looking forward to doing nothing tonight. The kids had a great time. Two of Brady's friends went with us most of the week, and last night one of Avery's friends joined us as well. The boys really enjoyed that. It was a loud ride home each night though!
We've had some storms come through this week, with lots of lightning. We had quite a show on the way home Monday. I really don't remember seeing that much lightning before. Chloe kept saying that it looked like day time! Last night's storms took down a pretty big branch in the back yard, but more importantly, it brought with it cooler temps. My walk this morning was much cooler than yesterday. I'm excited about the weekend being cooler too.
I feel like school is just around the corner. I've already bought some school supplies, but I'm really not ready for it to start yet. As the kids get older, I'm trying to enjoy the summers more. I know each one puts them closer and closer to...well, I don't really want to talk about that right now! :) I'll just focus on the here and now...a time that they still rely on me for everything. So, we're going to try to make the most of the last few weeks of summer. We're headed back to Florida next week. We're looking forward to hanging out with family, going to the beach (something we don't get around to very often) and playing with some puppies(but not getting attached)! Hope you're all having a great summer!

Back from vacation...kind of

We haven't really been on vacation for the past month. I just took an unplanned vacation from blogging. I've missed it, and thought several times about blogging, but it just didn't happen. Things have been pretty busy around here. We enjoyed a couple of weeks just hanging out after school ended, and then it got crazy. Keith and I have both traveled some, me just to Chicago, and Keith to Dallas for a week. It was a guard trip, plus he's had a few extra guard days locally. The week after his Dallas trip all of us except for Chloe went to church camp. I could have taken her, but I don't think I would have been much help, plus she would have been worn out. She went to Granny and Pops' for the week, and I'm sure she enjoyed being there without the boys. The rest of us had a great week at camp. The weather was perfect, and being with the kids was great. I didn't get to see the boys very much, but I liked being there with them. The Friday that camp ended, we headed down to Dothan for the 4th. (I came home Thursday night to wash clothes, or this wouldn't have been possible!) Keith's aunt and uncle live there, and they had a big reunion/party. We had a fun weekend, and then all three kids headed back to Florida with Keith's parents. It was funny just seeing Chloe for the weekend. I wondered if she would be ready to go home with us, but she didn't even hesitate. She was quite clingy all weekend, but I guess she got her fill! Keith and I had a nice week just the two of us. He wasn't able to take off from work because he was out for two weeks, but that's ok because I enjoyed some time to myself during the day. :) We went out on several dates, and got quite a bit of cleaning done around the house. I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but it really feels good to get rid of stuff. We're planning on having a yard sale soon, so I'm hoping to clean the house out. I'm so tired of having so much stuff that we can't even enjoy any of it. I'm ready to have less, and enjoy it. So, that's the past month around here. Keith is on his way back right know with the kids. Fortunately the rain we really need is finally here, but unfortunately he's driving in it. There are storms popping up everywhere, and it's making his drive slow and frustrating. Hopefully they'll be home soon, and we'll all head to VBS.

I don't have many pictures to share, but I just have to share this of our garden. We don't have much, but what we have is doing well. The kids got some seeds from my mom recently, and we started them inside. That's pretty much the whole reason for the garden, but we're hooked now, so next year it will be much bigger! We have pumkins, watermelons and sunflowers. They're all getting huge. The pumpkin and watermelon plants are growing out of the garden! And last night when we were watering, Keith discovered that we actually have a watermelon!! We were so excited! We actually have several, but only one that's recognizable. So, here's our watermelon. I know it looks like we really need to weed, but it's actually where the plant is growing into our yard.