B is for Birthdays

We celebrate birthdays quite frequently around here.  As a matter of fact, we celebrated two birthdays just this past weekend.  L2 is L3 now and E8 is the big E9.

These boys are just so handsome.

L3 received his favorite items ... cars!!!

...And he enjoyed being pulled around the yard in his new wagon.

E9 received a MP3 player and video equipment for his blogging and vlogging.  What?!  You haven't checked out E9's blog?  You totally should.  He's awesome.  Here's a sneak peek for you...his video titled '7 Reasons It's Great to be in a Large Family'.

Once again, I'm linking up to Ben and Me's Blogging through the Alphabet.  You might like to head over there to see a post all about a 'Not' Back to School field trip that we had the pleasure of attending with her.

Pin It Now!

Look How Far He's Come!

Our Baby L was born exactly 1 year ago. 6 lbs. 15 oz. Such a sweet little man.

One week later he became sick and was admitted to the NICU. Eleven gut-wrenching days. But God sustained us and never left us. And despite the fact that his MRI showed 3 brain bleeds, despite the fact that he has overall low muscle tone, despite the fact that our therapists didn't even expect him to crawl by age one...


Yup! That's Baby L standing all by himself 2 days before his first birthday! God is good!!!


L1 waits expectantly.


Hmmm...seems interesting.


Oh, yeah! This is definitely my favorite...his first bite. I laugh out loud every time I see this picture.














Oh, was it a mess! I have to say a big THANKS to Chad who totally took care of clean-up.


After a quick dunk in the tub, he was ready to open presents.


What a big boy!!

Pin It Now!

Another month, another birthday.

Our oldest daughter turned 8 last month and I'm just now getting around to telling you about it...Tsk, tsk.

A8 celebrated with a sewing themed birthday and her very first slumber party. Boy was she excited!

Each of her sweet friends brought her something to fill up her sewing basket with...so she received lots of fun fabrics, ribbons, threads, and buttons. I showed the girl's how to cross stitch with a small cross stitch kit that each of the girl's got to take home.


Here are our three beautiful girls: H4, A8, and L1.

January started our back to back birthdays with E3. February was A8. March was Chad...he just turned 30. (Don't worry, honey. Not that many people read this blog.) Mine is this month (I'll be 28.) H4 in May, L1 in June. THEN we take a break! Well, for a couple months anyway.

Pin It Now!

Two to Three

E3 celebrated his 3rd birthday with my younger sister who turned 19 in January. They were almost born on the same day as I was scheduled to be induced on her birthday. My pregnancy with E3 was my hardest as pre-term contractions (which were nothing more than Braxton-Hicks) put me in the hospital twice. The doctors swore that I would go early, but in the end I still had to be induced. I ended my pregnancy with a yucky stomach virus that put me in the ER. My doctor took pity on me and surprised me a week before I was due to be induced by saying, "You want to have this baby tomorrow?" I squealed with delight and literally called her a "bles-sed woman!"


E3 is a ridiculous charmer and serious trouble maker. I'm convinced that God gives all the trouble makers an extra dose of "cute" as a defense mechanism against the wrath of their mothers.


Just this past weekend he has finally graduated into "big boy undy-wears" making us a family of only two in diapers once again. Yeah, this Mama is not ashamed to praise God for that one!


And here he is with his great-grandma and his favorite birthday present...his "truck blanket". All of our kids (and their Mama) are Linuses, dragging our blankets with us throughout the house. As a matter of fact, I'm wrapped up in one right now as I type.

Pin It Now!

Celebrating another year with E4!

E4 becomes E5 today! I am so blessed to be his Momma. He is bright, brave, funny, and so handsome - who can resist blue eyes and dimples?! Here is glimpse into his fourth year...

























Happy Birthday Baby! Mommy and Daddy love you! Pin It Now!