Domestic Domestic

Way back when, before the days of children and when I actually wore single digit pant sizes, I played Junior Olympic Volleyball. It's not as hoity toity as it sounds. I sat the bench. A lot.

Anyway, during my 5 years of JO Volleyball and traveling to weekend tournaments, I spent countless nights in hotel rooms packed with my teenage teammates. These were the days before smart phones and laptops so we literally had no choice but to build relationships and act like teenage girls. That included swimming in clearly closed hotel pools after business hours, spitting over balcony railings, guzzling caffeine laden drinks until the wee hours of the morning, winning some tough matches, losing some that we should have won, making huge plays, missing crucial serves and just growing into adulthood together. You will never hear me say that I miss high school, because I do not. But those days of JO Volleyball, I miss those. A lot.

I miss the sport and I miss the people.

JOVB Summer of 1997 (?)
I'm the 3rd from the left. My friend Heather is last on the right.
Our hair. I blame humidity. And the 90's.

In a day where facebook reeks of political agendas and controversy, especially following the Grammy Awards, State of the Union addresses and the latest celebrity soapbox, I'm often annoyed by what I find on there. Several times I've wanted to just shut down my entire account because I am so over people talking about who said what and what they did and how it was so outside of what they should have done and blah blah blah. But, I don't. And the reason I don't just shut it down and walk away is because:

1) I like showing off my kids. And today was the first shower I've had since Sunday so leaving the house to show them off isn't really an option every day because their adorableness would be overshadowed by my smell and the length of my armpit hair.

2) I get to keep in touch with some people that I treasure deeply, even though I've not seen them in, say, 13 years. Some of those my former teammates from my JO Volleyball days. Heather is one of those people.

Heather drove her tan, chrysler mini-van to practices. Practices that she attended wearing argyle socks and cut off khaki shorts, and sometimes, a polo shirt. I remember being slightly enamored with her because she is one of those people that you just truly enjoy being around. Thoughtful, honest, genuine.

I graduated high school and kissed my semi-small town goodbye, loaded up my car and moved to an even smaller town to play college volleyball. I knew most of the players on my college team from my JO Volleyball days. Heather played volleyball with me in college for a year (maybe 2?). When she hung up the argyle socks and khakis (wait, no, that never happened), she stuck around our small, liberal arts college and for the next 3 years we shared our college campus and a few friends. She was forever making stuff. I remember her making a table top entirely from bottle caps for her apartment. From scratch. The only thing I'd ever made from scratch was Ramen.

Some people have a gift to see beyond the immediate potential of an object (or business) and cast forth a vision of their own. To see beyond what something is in the present and create with it something outside it's normal function. I mean, do you know how long she had to save bottle caps? I'd have quit after buying my first 6-pack of bottled fanta. But that's not Heather.

Through the miracle of the internet (yes, miracle) I've watched her grow into an entrepreneur who sees what is lacking in a community and fills that void in local commerce with tenacity. All while maintaining those same qualities I admired so many, many, many, many years ago while we wore unsightly spandex (you can't play in a game in argyle and khakis) and knee socks. Honestly, integrity, authenticity.

Her latest endeavor is a company called Domestic Domestic. While most Americans disagree on everything from breastfeeding and cosleeping to more serious social issues, I'm sure there's one thing we can all agree on: Buying American made products. Buying WELL MADE American made products, at that.

That's what Domestic Domestic is all about. I asked Heather why she started the company. Here's what she said,

"So many friends do amazing things. Adopt babies, save lives, drs, lawyers, missionaries. I sell things. I just wanted to sell things with a purpose. Make my own difference. The selection of Domestic Domestic is carefully curated. Each item comes from a great company that depends on consumers to be aware of the quality. I love being the connection between these companies and craftsmen and a consumer who gives a damn."

I think that is amazing. Knowing your natural bent in life and pursuing it with a passion to make this crazy world a better place.

Domestic Domestic sells everything from whiffle balls to taco plates (which would make taco night at our house immeasurably easier. Dear God, SPILLED SHREDDED CHEESE. *shudder*) to this little gem that would surely make me smile more when I'm in my kitchen.

Head over to Domestic Domestic yourself and check it out. Because they have stuff I don't even know what you do with it. And a murse that I'm pretty sure Luke is gonna pee his pants over when I show it to him. (He's been looking for one for months. Just pick one already, right?)

Point is, there's variety. American made variety. And some pretty fun stuff that if I'd known about in college, would have made me feel better about making my ramen from scratch.

Winner, winner.

The winner of the contest on this post is Jennie Shellenburger!

Congrats Jennie! Contact me at beaverbunch (at) gmail dot com so I can mail you your Storybook Bible!

Technically, Mikaila was first but she said she already had a JSB so Jennie is the first runner up. Like Miss America except with less tears and make up and there's no swim suit round.

Winner, winner chicken dinner. Jennie, if I don't hear from you by Friday, I'll go on the the next person. Cool beans?

Visibly more beautiful: Dove Visible Care Review

The bathroom door clicks shut, I take a seat and it's like an alarm goes off in the minds of my children.

"Mom! Can you get me a drink?"

"Mom! Can I have a snack?"

"MOM! SHE HIT ME!!"

It's like they know. Something deep within them snaps and as soon as I hit the bathroom they lose their ever-lovin' minds.

But there is one place where I can often find myself alone, without distraction and with time only to myself.

The shower.

So a few weeks ago when this little gem arrived, I was THRILLED. What a perfect product for my very first sponsored review!

I looked at the bottle, turning it's streamline shape over in my hands. The bottle touts, "Visibly more beautiful skin in just one week."

Psh. Yeah, right, I thought. How can a body wash make my skin softer? But as I looked further and read more about this revolutionary line of premium body wash, I realized that the product I received was not only formulated to to soften skin but to moisturize dry spots.

Um, yeah. That's me.

While my shower time is usually all my own, I rarely get time once I'm out of the shower to do more than get dressed, much less apply lotion. And girls, my skin get d-r-y. Especially my hands since I wash them approximately 4,872 times per day.

But this body wash? It's legit.

I lathered its rich creme on my skin, breathed in the amazing fresh, clean floral fragrance and felt my skin get softer.

With a 4 month old, it's often hard to feel beautiful in my own skin. My body isn't what I want it to be, I have very little time to fix myself up and often I simply wash and go. But y'all, this stuff has changed my mind just a bit.

Maybe it's the relaxing fragrance. Maybe it's the quiet time in the shower knowing I'm washing away all the dry, scaly skin.

Maybe it's the fact that even in the shower I feel like a multitasker since I can wash, soften and moisturize all at the same time. But this Dove Visible Care Softening Body Wash made me feel more prepared to take on my little brood of children. And, in some ways, more beautiful. Because I believe beautiful skin comes not only from the products you apply outwardly but the comfort you feel on the inside coming out.

So maybe it's true. Maybe you can get visibly more beautiful skin from a body wash! I think maybe it's possible. And just to be sure, I'll need lots of hours of alone with this purply-white bottle. :)

If the kids are looking for me, I'll be in my personal sanctuary the shower.

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Our Savvy New Friends: Where chaos and understanding collide

Oh this blogging world, it's full of any and everything to tickle your fancy. Foodie blogs? Check. Organic, natural and no GMO foodie blogs? Double check.

Mommy blogs? Check.
Large family blogs? Check.
Small family blogs? Check.

So, imagine my surprise when about 3 years ago I stumbled across this blog. Kate and her Savvy Little Women (and one little man) have a life eerie similarity to our own.

Twins!

Picture in your mind a family with an eight year old, 2 six year olds, 2 nearly four year olds and one cute, chubby cheeked toddler.

Sound familiar?

Well, it's not The Beaver Bunch. I just described the Savvy Little Family...and, nearly our own as well. I think that internet formed friendships still have a stigma attached to them.

Only weird people who have no social skills make friends over the internet, right?

And only people who are begging to be kidnapped actually plan real life, in person meetings with people they meet on the internet, right?

From the moment I began reading Kate's blog I sat staring at the screen knowing she just got me. Someone else, in the trenches of mothering half a dozen little loves, living a creepily similar life to mine and living to tell about it.

Just last week, she wrote this post. Oh how I get that.

And on more than one occasion I've reminded myself just to Do The Next Thing.

And so many more of Kate's posts that I just don't have time to link up.

So when we planned our "vacation" west to see family and friends (and I use that term loosely because vacations usually involve toes deep in the sand or fresh mountain air and plenty of sleep and rest - and we had none of the aforementioned, thankyouverymuch).

Ahem, where was I? Oh yeah, our trip west.... it only made sense to see if there was a snowballs chance in a southern July if Kate and her crew could meet up with us. Since we're planning a departure to Kenya in January this might be our only chance for a very, very long time.

Turns out (as I'm sure you could tell from all the photos) we made it happen. And for 36 glorious hours Luke and I sat with Kate and Eric and "talked shop."

Our kids adored each other. They grouped themselves off and played to their hearts' content. I think it's not coincidence that they paired off in birth orders. It's like they knew too that families like us don't happen everyday and to embrace each other quickly.

Reese and Lucas, the 2nd born in both of our crews, hit it off

Elizabeth and Ella, sporting their new BFF bracelets

Ashlee and Charlotte (and Elizabeth), the 3rd born in each crew

Kinely and Aaron, 4th born

(It was way too hard to get pictures of Raya and Olivia. And Lincoln and Ella? FORGET IT.)

Kate was exactly what I expected from reading her blog - you know, except much taller - and we laughed like old friends well into the night.

Feeding times we're quite the spectacle. Next time, I vote we go for a feeding trough. ;)

The "big kids" enjoyed a slumber party on our second night. 7 kids piled into the floor on sleeping bags, making sweet memories and giggling until well past bed time - much to their mothers' preferences otherwise.

Sunday morning came quickly and we said tearful goodbyes to these new friends.

These people who simply, all around, get us. They understand the chaos, the brink of insanity where we live life, the mountains of dirty laundry, the endless refilling of sippy cups and snack bowls. These people who know that at the end of the day you worry whether you spent enough time with a certain child and you can't remember the last time you had a proper shower. These people who understand what it's like to be the oldest of 6 (or 7) siblings and what it means to be a twin that is the also the middle child. These people who live life in the trenches next to us, albeit several states away.

Somehow God saw fit to bring us into each others' lives through the internet and I am so very thankful that He did. I feel so bonded to my new friend Kate, through this chaos I call the everyday. I can now tell which one of her 1st set of twins is Reese and which one is Charlotte. She understands my hesitation with sharing too much on a blog and reaping the negative consequences. I get her desire to maintain order and control while I too fight the urge control every aspect of my children's lives.

And while we are each unique and different in our own God designed ways, Kate and I are beyond similar in almost every way. Luke and Eric understand the challenges they each face in fathering a brood of kids. I know there's another woman out there that I can text and simply say, "Three year olds drive me crazy" and I know she gets it, doesn't judge and will pray for me as only a mother to a posse can.

Internet friend turned real life friend. Those are words I never thought I'd type. In this big bad internet world where I am fiercely aware of the creepers and stalkers, I'm so thankful that the Lord saw fit to connect me with Kate.

Just one more family on the list that I will miss severely when we leave for Kenya. Praise God for skype. And praise God for the reassurance that I'm never, ever going through crazy, chaotic, large family life alone.

13 kids in all. Crazy, chaotic and beautiful.

1,200 miles, 13 kids and counting

We're still alive. Whew! It's been a busy, busy, blessed week.

Luke's healing nicely from his emergency appendectomy 3.5 weeks ago. On the heels of his surgery and all that was going on I packed us all up, loaded the u-haul and we got out of dodge.

We left late last Thursday night (the 28th) and drove through the night to Luke's Dad's house in Mississippi. Then we drove over to Arkansas to visit my family and see friends. Then we drove back to Mississippi again spent the night, then to Memphis to see more friends and Luke's Mom for a couple nights. Currently, I'm sitting in northern Tennessee. We've driven over 1,200 miles in the last 9 days.

Tomorrow is sure to hold some surprises as we look forward to a day jam packed with 13 children under the age of 8.

I'm not even kidding.

In this great big bloggy world Kate (and her Savvy little women & 1 little man) and I have forged a friendship that can only be bound through the common understanding of lots of kids and lots of chaos and lots of laughs. We met up with them this evening and immediately her 6 and our older 6 hit it off. Giggles and chatter and crumbs flowed freely from around the table.

Now, all 13 kids are snoozing away.

Tomorrow's going to be fun day. For sure.

We hit the road again Sunday and roll on home.

I'll have stories to tell, pictures to prove them and lots to share, I'm sure.

A Sunday link up

Lucas is running a fever this morning. So while Luke is at church with the other kids and Lucas is laying in the bed watching cartoons, I thought I'd link you guys to some great posts I've read over the last week or so.

1st up, Missy at It's Almost Naptime reposted her blog In a Stable. It's good y'all. Go check it out. You won't be sorry.

Amy at Building the Blocks posted last night about having no more room at their children't home in Guatemala. It's heartbreaking that they'd have to begin turing children away. Please read her post and see how God is moving you to act.

Finally, the Livesay Haiti Weblog's post about how to Let Go of our stuff and move forward with the life that God has called us to live sat with me for days.

Hope y'all have a great Sunday!

Link it up

I wrote my final post for the Summer Session blog. It was about Revelation.

I know.

You can read it here.

I quietly stalk the Block family. They're moving to Guatemala with 7 of their kids in the next week to do full time mission work. This post that Amy wrote sums up exactly how I feel.

This post by my friend (and fellow AIM appointee) Leah is awesome. And I agree with her 200%.

I found this post via my bloggy friend Holly. It broke my heart and made me angry all at the same time. It should be against human law for a child to live, starving, in an orphanage.

This post by Missy had me laughing out loud, literally.

Finally, I'm feeling more horrible in the evenings rather than in the morning. Which is a HUGE answer to prayer since I typically feel pukey all day long and spend 99% of my time hovering over the toilet. Yay for God answering even the simplest of prayers for me not being a pukefest.

He's awesome.

-----

What have you read lately that's link worthy?

I like to link it, link it

Sometimes you just read someone else's blog post and think, "Dude. If it weren't against a few laws, I'd totally steal that and post it myself."

Instead I'll just link.

This post by Missy at It's Almost Naptime will get your wheels turning about the Caylee Anthony story. I didn't follow the trial but I agree with what Missy says.

Amy and her husband Todd are moving their large family to Guatemala to be missionaries. This post she wrote about taking their children on the mission field is superb. She's basically been reading my journal.

I totally relate to this post Mary Grace at Books and Bairns wrote about feeling lonely while surrounded by tons of people. It's an odd phase we're in right now, preparing to move, loving the people in your life yet looking ahead to life without them. It's strange to say the least.

Finally, this post by our friend Neil on our church's Summer Session Blog speaks greatly about how the Bible has changed his life. And I feel the exact same way. God's word refines my heart continually and draws me to Him, wooing me with His love.

Hope y'all had a superb weekend and an awesome Monday.

I'm gonna go spend the day trying to school our children and NOT throw up. Both incredible tasks worth every ounce of my effort. :)

Summer Session. Join me?

Wanna know what three words send chills up my spine?

Are you ready for this......

Bible Reading Plan.

I know. The horror.

Probably because in my short time as a follower of Christ (7 years to be exact) each and every time I've began a Bible Reading Plan *shudder* I've failed miserably.

Sometimes I'd make it to the 3rd or 4th week. Most times, I just give up 1 week in when I'm 2 or more days behind. So when our Pastor announced on Sunday that we'd be doing a church-wide Summer Session complete with a Bible Reading Plan I thought, "Yeah. No thanks."

Truth is, I also thought, "You know what? This is for people who don't really read their Bible. This is for people who aren't growing in their relationship with God because they refuse to pick up their Bibles and really read them."

Then, our Pastor hit us with a staggering statistic. He said out of all of the regular church attenders (that would be people who come pretty regularly - not just on Christmas and Easter) only 11% have regular, consistent quiet time, studying the Bible.

ELEVEN PERCENT.

That stunned me. Then I started to wonder....would I consider myself in that 11%. I mean, I have small group on Sunday night with our teenagers, then another small group on Monday nights with my girlfriends, then during the school year I have a small group Community Bible Study group that meets on Thursdays and that's not to mention when Luke and I read together a night during the week.

I mean, I'm good. Right?

Then the Lord gently spoke to me. "Jessica, those are great but really in each of those instances you're reading studies that other people have produced. You're not reading Scripture for yourself. And you've never even read all the way through the New Testament."

Ouch. Okay, I'll do it.

So, I really wasn't going to mention it to Luke. That way, if I failed at least I'd be the only one with a record of my disaster. But then, on Monday night, Luke cracked open his Bible and said, "So, did you do the summer reading for today?"

Yikes! Good thing I had. Then, yesterday I got an email from our Pastor asking if I'd contribute to the blog for the summer reading.

How did he know?

So, I guess I'm making it public.

I, Jessica, am doing a *gulp* Bible Reading Plan this summer.

I'd love you to join me. It's not too late! Plus, sometime today, a post I wrote will be up over on our church's Summer Session blog.

Click here for the Summer Session schedule.

Click here for the blog where there will be posts for each day's worth of reading.

Three days in to the Bible Reading Plan and I'm so glad I've jumped in with both feet. Join me?

How do you feel about ads?

Hey friends!

Alrighty, I need your advices and opinions.

Probably close to a year ago I applied to be wait listed on a the ad publishing site BlogHer. Honestly, I never thought they'd ever ask me to apply since my blog has small readership (comparatively) and also because I assumed that there is a huge waiting list and the chances of me floating to the top was slim-to-none.

But, about a week ago I received an email from BlogHer basically asking me to "apply to apply."

Short story, my blog has been selected to be in their database to have ads placed. I would earn revenue based on the number of page loads.

I have mixed feelings about having ads. On one had, whatever revenue we earn could be used for supplemental income - and later - to help supplement support for our ministry. (Though, truthfully, I can't see this being a big money maker. Maybe $25 a month?)

On the other hand, I know that my blog would begin being published and advertised with BlogHer and, well, I'm not sure how I feel about that. I mean, naturally all bloggers want to have a nice following of readers, but truth be told, I LOVE the small community of regular readers who come here. I'm not sure I want the masses coming this way and messing with the good thing we already have. Ya know?

But, in the end, Luke and I are praying about this decision - be it ever how trivial - and knowing that the Lord cares about details, even this one.

So my question for you all is this....

Would you be turned off by blog ads? Would it make you less likely to come back and read? Do you think it would annihilate the virtual intimacy that is already here?

I love that this measly little blog has connected me to so many of you who I would have otherwise never met. In fact, on our trip to Arkansas/Tennessee I had the privilege to meet two "blog friends" have our children play together and later the three of us women enjoyed a nice, relaxing dinner. Now, I'm honored to call them real-life friends.

A few of you have taken the step of faith to support our ministry both in prayer and with your finances. You truly have no idea just how much it humbles me to know you'd follow God in obedience to support someone you've never even "met."

So again, I ask you, is having an ad publishing network on here going to ruin that? Truly that's the last thing I desire.

I appreciate your insight and the way you guys care about me, my family and this silly 'ol blog.

2011 better BRING IT

Happy New Year!

2010 was an amazing year for our family. I love looking back and seeing the highs and lows that were the journey of the last 365.

Just as we ended the year with a stomach virus, we also started 2010 with one as well. Nice to know.

I ate my words (and sort of kept them all at the same time) saying (in my pre-motherhood life) that I'd never drive a mini-van.

In span of 30 days....

My Grandmother had, survived and recovered completely from major open heart surgery...

We withstood the chaos of me being 8.5 months pregnant with my husband several states away all while prepping our house to sell...

And we OFFICIALLY adopted our daughter Olivia!

And all of that happened a mere month before my due date with our youngest, and 6th, child. Keep in mind, too, that at that point in our lives, all of our kids were ages 5 and younger. Whew!

God certainly proved Himself faithful in that season of our lives. Even while I lamented no activity with my cervix, God was busy moving in other areas. A few weeks later, we moved into our new (rental) house and our friends Overwhelmed me with an outpouring of their love and support.

While waiting on Baby #6 to arrive, we began to reveal to you all just how God had been working in our lives in the way of missions. From the Darkness of a uncertain season with God and from the Inital Cry of my heart, God began confirming in both Luke and I our calling to missions.

Finally, FINALLY at 42 weeks and 1 day Little Miss Ella Joy made her world debut.

God continued Calling Just Like Before as we began to feel, even stronger, our calling to missions. Even with questions, and doubts, AND FEARS.

We landed The Mothership and I still love it.

I admitted, and you all agreed, that Being A Mom Is Tough.

Lucas and Ashlee turned FOUR.

And a week later, Aaron turned TWO.

A month or so later, my shins went on strike after I ran my first (and so far only) 5k.

Then, my first baby, Elizabeth, turned SIX.

I realized my need for wax earplugs.

My friend GK sat her drink dangerously close to Ella AND our laptop and I, in turn, wrote The Hardest Post I've Ever Written.

After 4 years of staying land locked, we found out that Life's a Beach.

God showed me, again, why I don't believe in Coincidences. Only Providence.

Our sweet, dramatic and joyful Olivia turned TWO.

I was reminded that even during chaos, the Lord Binds Me Up and Gives Me Strength.

Aaron gave me his first scare with thinking he needed stitches...thanks to Lucas' help.

I tried my hand at being a Photographer and had the Judd's in my head for the entire next week.

We attended Africa Inland Mission's Candidate Week in New York, and were appointed as Members! (Official Missionaries!)

On our way there, we stopped and visited Washington D.C. and realized that Getting There Was Half the Battle.

We published our First Official Ministry Newsletter as AIM Missionaries and continue to wrestle and pray over a location.

We realized that Crazy Has Company and I officially gave up on Potty Training anyone else ever. Or at least for the next week.

Luke and I celebrated 8 years of marriage and we continue to marvel at how much the Lord chooses to bless us.

Wow. What a year. 2011 has some big, BIG shoes to fill.

Bring it on 2011. BRING.IT.ON.

Black Friday!

Okay y'all. I'm NOT a crazy Black Friday shopper. At least not in a physical store. But this is too good of a deal to not share.

At Kodakgallery.com you can get 1 package (a set of 10) of FREE 5x7 Holiday Cards. Use the online coupon code (FREE10CARDS) once you've got them in your cart.

Also, they are having a great deal on their PhotoBooks. I ordered one for my Maw last year and I LOVED IT. Right now you can add as many pages as you want for no extra cost! (Typically after 20 pages it's $0.60/page...I think). Y'all that's fabulous. And you use 20 pages faster than you'd think.

Also, if you purchase more than $40 in products they pay the shipping! (You must use the coupon code SHIP40.) (Yes, you can use more than 1 coupon code!)

Finally, they have some other great deals on Notecards and Magnets. I'm telling you, if you like to give photo gifts you've got to go to Kodakgallery.com. But I think this all expires on 11/28/10 so hurry!

**I'm not getting compensated for telling you this, I just like to share great deals!**

Go. Now. I mean, if you want.

Yay for bargains!

Time: A guest post by Luke

Time.

We all say we never have enough of it.

I had a conversation today with some brothers of mine. It led me to talk about having a large family and making good use of time. So..... tonight after dinner we wrestled. Yep, with six kids (well Ella just stared and wondered what all the noise was about). We all laughed at one time or another, we all (count 'em, Ashlee about 4 times, Lucas 1 time, Aaron 2 times, Olivia 4 times) cried because of pain (oh, and me about 12 times because I had 5 kids doing all they could to hurt me). At the end of it, was great family time.

Oh, but that's not all. We asked the older 3 to go get ready for bed, and naturally one listened and the other two couldn't hear a thing. I put the Aaron and Olivia down and go upstairs to find Lucas cuddled up in his bed, while the girls are playing. I proceed to tell them Lucas gets something special and the girls have to lay down (FYI - the older 3 now all stay in the same room). I lay down beside Lucas and tell him he can have an extra token (we do responsibilites and pay in tokens = really cheap payout) or I can lay with him. After he thought for a little while he chose for Daddy to lay with him.

There is still 4 loads of laundry to fold, 3 loads to wash, a van to be unloaded from our trip, crumbs to walk on in the kitchen, dishes to be unloaded...... but that was time well spent. I pray that more times like tonight come. I was a very blessed father tonight.

NavBar and some random

What's new around our house and this blog?

A lot actually. We are still processing our time in New York with Africa Inland Mission. We thought we had the potential assignments narrowed down to 2, then after sending and receiving a few emails we now find ourselves considering a few more. I'm getting a little anxious about picking a place and moving forward because we still have A LOT to do before our target departure date of July 2012.

I know it's 18+ months away but we still have a whole lot to do. I'll try to outline all of that for you all soon.

If you follow me in Google Reader, you probably saw a few random posts today. Sorry about that. I was trying to get a new Navigation Bar set up and I accidentally published some of those links with today's date rather than backdating them. Ooops. Oh well. Hopefully, once I get all those Navigation Bar links up and running I can omit a lot of the info in my sidebar and make my blog a little more user friendly. If you're interested in making a NavBar for your blog you can go to Jenieshell's Design Blog and read her tutorials. They are SO SIMPLE!

Today Ella turned 8 months old. She did her first baby sign today asking for "more." Well, at least I think she signed it. Or maybe she was clapping because I was clapping. Either way, she's pretty much the sweetest baby ever and a complete genius. :) I'll try to do a whole post on her soon and hopefully post some video because she's crawling (sorta) and can push herself up to sitting and has now been dubbed as "Elliegoat" by the big kids because she eats everything she can get her chubby little fingers on.

Aaron desperately wants to go pee in the potty but I'm over trying to potty train him. I'd be fine if he'd put everything in the potty but all he seems to care about flushing is pee pee. All other "items" he could care less about putting in the potty which means he's still in diapers for now.

I know, I know. I should carpe potty but I just don't want to. I would if he'd carpe in the potty. Then we'd be golden.

That's about it for now. I've used all my allotted computer time making the NavBar and now telling you why I had random posts showing up and talking about seizing the potty. Y'all have a great evening. And Happy Thanksgiving if I don't get back to you before then!

An apology

I feel like I owe you guys a deep apology.

While I was searching the "archives" for my last post, I came across this post. The sting of my words in this post made me hang my head in shame. Over the last several days, the Lord has convicted and gently spoken to me about the tone and the words of that post. And y'all, I'm just so very sorry.

While there is truth in that post, the curtness and the coldness with which I wrote was uncalled for an, truly, unacceptable.

Yes, I felt those things. But the Lord is showing me that just because I feel something, and even if it is a valid feeling, that doesn't give me the right to spew hatred and anger. While this post may not have offended you and though while my feelings and emotions were real the Lord is pressing me to rethink how I sounded. I feel very led to apologize publically, most specifically over my comments on Questions 3 & 4.

So I pray that you will accept any offense I may have given you all over this post. And maybe it didn't offend any of you and this is just another piece of humility pie the Lord is asking me to eat. He's been dealing with me deeply in the area of pride so I won't be surprised if that's the case. Either way, thank you all for receiving what I say here with a spirit of grace. Thank you for allowing me to be real, honest, blunt and open. Thank you for standing with us in prayer as we walk through difficult trials and as we've emerged stronger and more in tune with the will of God on the other side.

As we continue this journey that God has us on, I know that having you all at our side, praying for us, encouraging us and asking us tough questions will prove to be invaluable.

Thank you.

The.hardest.post.ever.written.(by.me)

Well.this.may.prove.to.be.the.hardest.post.I've.ever.written.

All.because.of.some.little.chubby's.grabby.hands.&.fingers,our.computer,and.a.cup.of.water.

bet.you.thought.this.was.going.to.be.emotional.and.heartfelt,huh(insert.question.mark).

Oh.yes.I'm.taking.blogging.to.a.whole.new.level.

OH.YES.I.AM.

Water.Damage.People.

WATER.DAMAGE.Apparently,Dell.doesn't.make.their.computers.water.proof.

Who.Knew(insert.question.mark)

The.said.water.(and.corresponding.baby)
damaged.our.spacebar.the.letters,"b"&"n"&.also.
the.arrow.keys.nor.does.the.question.mark.key.work.

Hence.all.the.periods.due.to.a.non-functioning.spacebar.

Wanna.know.how.I'm.typing.the.letters."b"&"n"(insert.question.mark)

COPY.&.PASTE.Oh.yes.

Do.you.know.how.many.words.contain.the.letters."b"&"n"(insert.question.mark)

I'm.too.lazy.too.find.a.question.mark.to.copy.and.paste.

So,Luke.&.I.are.trying.to.decide.what.kind.of.new.computer.to.purchase.

Should.we.get.a.....MAC(insert.question.mark)

or

purchase.another....PC(insert.question.mark)(Clearly,I.enjoy.accurate.punctuation.even.with.a.jacked.computer.Clearly.)

What.would.you.do(insert.question.mark)...you.know.other.than.continuing.to.write.with.
all.periods(question.mark)

If.you.don't.hear.from.me.for.a.few.days,I'm.trying.to.revive.a.drowned.computer.

Motherhood.Rocks.

Prayers for Bennett

Hey folks. I'd like to ask you to send up some prayers on behalf of my blog-friend Adrienne. Although I've never met her IRL (in real life) we've emailed back and forth several times and she has just encouraged me in countless ways.

Yesterday, Adrienne delivered their son Bennett at 26 weeks and 5 days. Adrienne has had many complications throughout this pregnancy. After having 6 miscarriages Adrienne was finally able to maintain her pregnancy with Bennett. He is their 4th child though, since they've welcomed 3 others into their home through adoption. The last two little ones in their house have joined them in the last 8 months and both of their 2 littlest ones are just over year old! Their oldest son, Owen, is just 4 years old! They've gone from 1 child to 4 small children in just a year. What a blessing!

That's just a snippet of their story. Check out Adrienne's blog and lift up her family, especially Bennett in prayer if you will. I know that they have a long, long road ahead of them.

Thanks friends.

Winner

Remember this post? You know, the one that made me famous? Heh. Yeah, I'll admit I almost forgot about awarding a winner. I went back and forth, back and forth over whether to be lazy and award someone with stupid, useless Beaver points (which, I mean SOUNDS cool) or to award someone with an ACTUAL prize.

I chose a prize. I mean, if you like what I'm giving away, it's a PRIZE. Otherwise, use it as a coaster.

Annnyway..... (insert drumroll)

The lucky winner is the 8rd (chuckle, chuckle) commenter which was The Bannister Family! Congrats Bannisters! I'll be giving you a copy of David Platt's new book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream.

You can see my original post of Elizabeth's messed up birthday cake by clicking here.

And, as for clarification on the "fixed" version of the cake...if my memory serves me correctly (which most times my memory does not serve me at all, much less correctly so take this as you will)...

Almost 4 years ago, when I ordered this cake, I stood beside the lady as she wrote out our cake order. On her scratch pad she wrote, "Happy 2rd Birthday Elizabeth."

To which I said, "Don't you mean second?"

In turn, she scribbled out the entire "2rd" and wrote something, undecipherable, above it. Yes, I should have asked for further clarification. No, I didn't. Clearly.

And, just for the record, when I write "2rd," in my head, I hear the word "terd."

Poop is inevitable when you read my posts, people. Even when I talk about cake. Deal with it. I do do.

I'M FAMOUS!!! Except, not really

It shouldn't be a surprise to you that one of my favorite sites is Cake Wrecks. I mean, what could tickle me more than brilliantly remarkable screw ups that make you laugh, literally out loud, AND they're made entirely of cake?

Nothing, that's what.

I mean, come on people. It's like the hilarity and flavor of heaven all in one website. Perfection I tell you. Well, not really perfection because, hello?, they are messed up cakes.

At any rate, when I first found the Cake Wrecks blog, I immediately submitted a cake that was made for one of my family members.

TODAY ON CAKE WRECKS, my cake made it to press!!

That's right people, it's like the 7 phases of Kevin Bacon except without the Kevin Bacon. Which means I'm totally famous now!

So, here's the deal, check out this post over on Cake Wrecks. Come back and leave me a comment telling me which cake is the one I submitted (it's not that difficult because I've blogged about our cake screw up before). Of the correct answers I will randomly pick a winner and award them with a prize.

Your prize could be as arbitrary as 584 Beaver points (which are totally worthless). Or possibly something a little more enticing. (Cut me some slack here people, I've gotta figure out what would be a cool gift and right now I DO NOT have the brain power. Work yourself up for the points and if it's something better, well, then HOORAY!)

You have until 11:59pm on Friday, May 28, 2010 to enter. After that, and when our lives return to normal (normal for us anyway) I'll pick a winner using Random.org.

Happy caking, everyone.

Hummm...that reminds me...I've gotta go order the twins' birthday cakes for their party on Saturday. Think I should use the same place as when I ordered the Wreck? Naaaaaaahhhhh....

Did you miss me?

Well, I'm still here. Pregnant and alive somewhere amid the piles of boxes and junk that we call our stuff. We just got our cable and internet hooked up today. It was a nice break from "real" TV and the internet. But I'm glad to be back to 2010.

No baby yet. As of this morning at my Doctor's appointment, I was dilated 2-3 cm and effaced NONE. Yes, NONE. I love my cervix.

We are officially moved out of the "old" house and into the "new" house, which we are renting. However, we have NOT closed on the old house and hope that it happens sometime this week.

Otherwise, we are just doing life as normal. Well, as normal as life gets with 5 children aged 5.5 years and younger, with #6 due any moment now.

You know, normal, simple life. How are all of YOU? Chances are I won't have the time to read and catch up on your blogs. But I've missed you all and reading about your lives.

Hopefully, I'll be posting soon about the new baby. Don't hold your breath though. I know I'm not. I'd love to blog more but people are waking up from naps and requiring my attention. I hope to post quite a few things about the ways that God has blessed us in the last few weeks.

Some of them, actually most of them, are mind boggling. I can't wait to tell you all about it.