Blessed with Six

Life is full of chaos. Bills need to be paid, groceries bought, laundry, cleaning the house, just to do it all over again the next day, week, month, year. We get so caught up in our everyday "living" that we forget to truly live. Tonight is a striking reminder to live each day as if it was your last... My friend called me this evening. Her and her husband had just pulled up to a wreck about a mile from her house. A jeep had rolled. In the back was the son of one of Mike's friends, who happen to be a friend of Daulton's (even though he hadn't seen him in a while) he died in the crash. My friend's son plays football with him. He had just gotten picked up at his house with a friend and pulled out and a car clipped the jeep causing it to roll. Zach was the only one who did not survive. The man in the other car was arrested. Tragic does not even describe the loss. Live each day as if it were your last. I can't imaging what is going through his parents' mi...

This Easter the two oldest kids left with Mike to get to church early, so I only got pictures of the youngest four. They are so sweet!

Addison likes to play in my make-up. She tells me she is going to give herself a makeover. Devyn and I went to walmart and when I got back I could see through the carport door that she was kissing the walls in the living room. WEll come to find out she had my good lipstick on, kissing the walls. This is what I had all over the living room and the hall... Luckily most of them came off with bleach water, but in the boys room I have to repaint. I am hoping to just survive raising her.

Devyn got her drivers license in March when she turned 17. She was a nervous wreck when we got to the DMV. Almost to the point of tears. She made it through the test just fine and passed it with flying colors. I am still nervous about her driving. It has helped me out when I need help with the other kids. This picture I took at Easter when we went to grandmas, she pulled in the driveway before we did, this is the parking job she did: This is how close she parked to grandmas car. Boy, am I not ready for this!

At the hop, our local parks and rec holds a "Daddy Daughter Dance" every year around Valentines day. Mike has been going for the past 12 years (except for when it was filled up when Devyn was 11) The cut off is 12. So right after Devyn's last year Gracie started. This year the theme was "At the Hop" I made Gracie a poodle skirt and Mike wore his black leather jacket and was a "Greaser". Devyn use to love goiing to the dance and Gracie does to, befor long it will be Addie's turn, and I know she will love it. So by the time it is all over with, Mike would have attended 19 "Daddy Daughter Dances" that is if they continue to have them.

I didn't post any Christmas pictures since we were so busy with Randy. I try to get a picture of all of them in front of the tree. This is takes quite a bit of time and it is a nightmare !! I can never get anyone to smile at the same time, they are all being sarcastic, I finally end up getting mad and telling them to forget it, while they are all laughing at me for getting upset with them, which just makes me even more mad. So here are a couple of great shots that I got this past Christmas... You have got to love them, I am truly blessed. -pg

Colby started the first grade. I was a little nervous about the first day of school since last year he cried when he got there, he cried for the first month and it got to the point that I had to get the counselor (good thing I work at his school and she is a friend of mine) to pull him out of the car and take him to his class. This year he got he best teacher ever, Brady had her and she is the BEST!! He was so excited because he has some buddies in the class and was a little rambunctious the first day. I am trying to get my post caught up so I am adding some pictures of Colby playing baseball this past season. Colby loves it other than when he gets out. He is very competitive. My older two boys would never get upset about getting called out, so this is a first for us. It is a little embarrassing when the coach's son (Mike coaches him) is wailing all the way to the dug out from being called out and then sits on the bench crying at the top of his lungs. One time he got called out at...

School started this past Thursday. I have 5 children in four different schools. This year Devyn is a Senior! Brady started middle school. Colby did great this year he was actually excited, not to mention he got the BEST teacher in the world! Mrs. Hardin! My all time favorite! Daulton is a sophomore and Gracie is in 4th. The next couple of years are going to be very emotional for me! Dev graduating this year and her first year of college will be Addie's first year of school. I had not post anything for about 6 months so here is the picture of the last day of school in May, have they grown any over the summer?? Last day of school May 21, 2010 Brady's last day time in the busport. Brady's last walk in the halls in Elementary school Colby Graduated Kindergarten I pray that they have an excellent year, that they study hard, make life long friendships and allow the Lord to guide them.

Children always have a way of keeping you humble. I am not pioused enough to think that I am perfect or my children are either. I fail on so many levels. Yes, I have said some words that I am not proud that I have said. I have watched shows on tv that are not the best as far as language. But Addison summed it all up the other day. The children were playing and they are so bad about saying "Freakin". Addie being the little mama she is said this: "Momma doesn't like for you to say 'Freakin", she doesn't like shit or crap either". Well, at least she knows what words I don't like. -pg

Now say that in your absolute worst stressed out voice. That would be my Addison. Here lately she is discovering all of these new things about herself. We were in the van after church Sunday and you know how hot a vehicle is when you first get in. She was sweating a little and said, "Mom, what is happening to me??" Almost terrified. I guess she finally discovered sweat. Tuesday she cut her finger, after much persuasion she let me wash it off. She stared at it and said "What is happening to me!?". I wish I could see the world through her eyes. She is so full of life and amazement. She is so much fun and keeps me smiling. What is really happening is she is growing up :(

Here we go again, the start of school. Summer was short and sweet but no where near long enough. No matter how hard I try to hold on to my kids childhood it just slips right out of my hands. This year is going to be a difficult one. Devyn will be a senior : (. Dautlon a sophmore, Brady is starting middle school, Gracie is in the 4th and Colby a 1st grader. That means next year Addie will start pre-k! Devyn is the only one excited about school this year. Everyone else is dreading it, even me. I am not looking forward to the stress of getting them ALL up every morning. What gives me peace is to know that my Savior is there. I pray that God puts a hedge of protection around all of my children. I pray that he guards their minds, hearts and bodies. I pray for a great year, that every one achieves the goals set out before them. I pray that the Lord gives me rest and peace when getting them ready, picking them up and helping with homework. There is a song that I love by Needtobreathe, I have...