Hello Noni

I'll just title this exactly what it is, a note to let Noni know we're thinking of her. So hello Noni!

Life has been going at it's new normal pace ever since baby Hope arrived; warp speed. School, cleaning, cooking, playing... we're just living life as it comes these days. Doing our best and recognizing it's nothing without the daily grace of God to cover our weaknesses. At my baby sisters wedding last Saturday Pastor Brad called living life together "a whirling dervish of grace". I whispered back to Kara (yes, from the stage), "I'm changing my blog title." :-)

Here is a snapshot of how you can catch our family at 730pm most nights when daddy is home, snuggled up watching Jeopardy. We lead a thrilling life and we like it. Oh that one glorious day last week when we could ditch our shoes and feel the wonderful grass and dirt between our toes. I walked in the garden just for the fun of it. Then I threatened them within an inch of their lives to keep them off the freshly mopped floor and we all hit the stationary tub. The above child at full speed as usual. Her daddy calls her Sweety Pie Crash for a reason.








Don't get too excited for wedding pictures. Here is the bride and groom on the practice night and that's about all I've got. I just couldn't tote around 4 kids (all in wedding get up that's supposed to stay clean) me in a bridesmaid dress with flowers and a camera. So, the photographer will make a little money off me for a few pictures. It was a beautiful evening. Here are the highlights:

• Kelly was the most stunning bride I think I've ever seen.
• It was completely beautiful weather.
• Most people with a pulse cried while she danced with my dad.
• I had the privilege of praying for her during the ceremony.
• All nine babies plus Woody the Rescuer made it down the isle in one piece.
• My escort was the most handsome man in the room. ;-)
• John was my escort.
• The wedding party spent an unexpected hour at my house just chillin' between pictures and the wedding. It was fun for me but poor Kel looked at the clock every 5 minutes.
• My pastor likes to dance to "Play that funky music white boy" a little too much. yikes.
• My wonderful husband took the kids home so I could stay and party.
• Sunday morning we all gathered again at my parents for brunch and to visit with the Indiana relatives. It was so much fun and I couldn't believe how awake and with it the kids and I were after such a long day.
• Monday was the longest day of my mothering life. I was sore, we were all tired, we were all cranky. I put the kids down at 7.
• All in all it was a wonderful weekend.
  

I can almost feel the sweetness of cuddling with this precious little girl just by looking at these pictures. She looked so squishy and warm I just couldn't resist documenting her waking up. I know the coloring is off but I couldn't bring myself to blast the flash in her face and ruin the moment. :-)

Why mom?

Oh! Yeah! Mommy! (I know... try not to die from the cuteness.)

Lastly, have you ever tried adding spinach to your smoothie? A friend of mine is having these regularly to help his blood sugar and energy stay regular throughout the day and I thought that sounded absolutely disgusting so we tried it. (I'm aware that is strange logic.) My kids call them Salad Smoothies. You truly can barely taste the spinach. This one was with frozen blackberries, strawberries, half a banana and about 2 cups of spinach. I don't have the time, money or desire to make them 4 times a day like him, but for a regular snack or even breakfast or lunch, you should try it. It's definitely the best way I've ever tried to get spinach.

Baby Hope

We missed Hope's dr's appointment on Monday so I rescheduled for Wednesday and she is 14 pounds 10 oz. A very healthy girl. :-) I asked the doctor why she didn't poop very much and she said because baby Hope is "very efficient at using what she consumes". haha. Me too. :-)

During the assessment questions the nurse asked if she was rolling over yet. I laughed at her and thought, "rolling over! She's only 4.5 months old." When we got home I put her on her tummy and she promptly rolled over.

I'm just trying to save her from being trampled. I usually keep her in the swing or bouncy seat. But apparently I'm stunting her development. I figure being trampled by a sibling would stunt her development too though.

So, on Thursday I got a letter in the mail from the pediatrician saying if I miss another appointment I could have a fine applied to my account. I noticed it didn't say how much so I called and asked how much the fine is. Are you ready for this? Ninety-five dollars!! I cancelled Hope's 6 month appointment. :-) I kept it on my calendar and figure I'll call the week of and see what's available. I can't trust myself that much.

My mom thought I should get a credit for each time I can get there 15 minutes early. I was thinking some sort of credit for each baby I have allowed him to see. I mean seriously, when did it go from a competitive market of trying to get your business to a ninety-five dollar penalty for not showing? I guess to their credit I rarely ever have to wait more than 5 minutes to be seen so maybe they don't schedule people on top of each other and therefore see fit to charge you an arm and a leg for missing. Who knows. I'll get off my soap box now.

Something a little different

This picture has nothing to do with anything, I just like it.
Dinner tonight was a recipe I hadn't made in a long time.

Thai Chicken Fettuccine.
I don't make it much because it's kind of heavy and I like to eat dinner. I'm aware that experts say to get most of your calories early in the day. When I try that I just end up eating more calories. I have it boiled down to one thing: sleep. I can blame most things on a lack of sleep. As the day goes on all things get harder. I'll assume this isn't just me. And anyway, I enjoy cooking almost as much as kissing on baby Hope's 14 pound cheeks so I want to eat what I've been creating.
What was I saying?
I'm defending eating dinner and lost my train of thought.
I need to go to sleep...
right, the recipe...

• 1 cup Picante sauce (my recipe is homemade but I have found the Kroger brand is fine.)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 2 Tablespoons orange juice
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp fresh ginger
• fettuccine
• chicken breasts
• chopped fresh cilantro
• peanuts
• thinly sliced red or yellow bell pepper
  

Very simple to create. Just mix the sauce ingredients (which, by the way don't seem like enough. I double it and that makes too much but I prefer left overs.) together in a sauce pan until smooth. Pan fry the chicken in olive oil and butter mix. (Have you all jumped on the ban wagon of cooking chicken this way? It's worth jumping on. It's great.) Cook fettuccine. Serve with the cilantro, peanuts and bell peppers. (the kiddos love the independence of putting there own toppings on.) Yum.

And a piece of great advice from my usually passive wonderfully wise Grandpa Neal: When I told him all the remarks I get in the grocery store about being crazy for having so many little ones, he said, "Well Kris, you just hit them over the head with your frozen hamburger." :-) haha. (All my siblings just had a great laugh.)

Beautiful

"Be Still, My Soul"by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

valley girl

I don't know where Anella got this but I can hear she and Dora playing dress up downstairs and Anella keeps responding with the most valley girl, "No waaaay!" I've ever heard.