Stones of Remembrance

shut 'er down

2009-03-11T13:43:00.006-06:00

It's been pert near a month since I've posted anything here. I think it's time to do what I've been thinking about and combine all blogs to one. Life has changed. Seasons change. And our life is about to do a complete somersault {more on this later - at my main blog}.

To close this blog out, here's some completely random photos I found on the camera from the last few weeks. The kids took about 100 very similar ones to the ones you see below. Gotta love this techy generation!

Chandler's turtle collection

remember THIS venture? well, the 6 weeks is up and these puppies are comin' out to be replaced by.....

...these turtles! what else? :)

And speaking of earrings, this is the 'taking out' process with Little Bird

What a drama queen!

Now for the big sister of the bunch.... (i'm pretty sure these are all self-taken)

freaks, I tell ya

And who could parent this buncha yay-who's but some a coupla crazies!

public school memories

2009-02-19T07:46:00.002-06:00

Robin is the last one up after being stirred multiple times. She moves slow. If prodded, she moves slower. She will sit in the bathroom for atleast 5 minutes, sometimes 10. No joke. She almost never eats breakfast at home because she takes too long. I usually send some juice and a cup of dry cereal with her in the car.

This 'getting up' is good for her for discipline's sake but I'm sure her bent to staying up late and getting up late will be a blessing in her future. As will her relationship with food - take it (and take alot) or leave it (completely not hungry). God has passions instilled in her even now. They just seem like flaws. :)

The other girls wake up easily, trudge into the kitchen for breakfast before their eyes are fully open. They get ready quickly and usually have time to chill or study before leaving. Jaci moves quickly while Chandler can get up earlier. And go to bed earlier.

Just a few observations over the year.

living Jesus well

2009-02-16T23:53:00.003-06:00

We had parent/teacher conferences today. Once again, all we heard were good reports. The kids are doing well academically and they are a huge blessing to their classrooms. No problems whatsoever.

A surprising report from Jaci's teacher - she is one of her top Math students! Jaci doesn't really enjoy math and sometimes doesn't understand it but evidently applies herself and learns it well.

Robin continues to be able to not only be friends with everyone (but especially Konner) but is doing very well with her Reading and Math has come easy for her so far. (they must get the math stuff from daddy - not me!)

And Chandler is her sweet, very smart and excellent student self. Her 'smart kids' teacher just loves her and had nothing else to say. And there were no comments from any of the teachers on her being 'too quiet or shy' so she's come out of her shell, so to speak - the Kindergarten teacher would be proud. :)

I'm blessed to know my babies are living Jesus well in their world!

reading habits

2009-01-27T21:11:00.002-06:00

Over the last weeks, we've really got back into the habit of reading together before bed. We read 2 Ramona books while Mitch was in India. Now we've started through a few books from the "Beautiful Girlhood Series"~Christmas gifts from my parents.

I can't wait to get through these and on to "Here Comes Heaven!". This is the book that was stolen before we could get our hands on it. I finally re-ordered and now I'm chomping at the bit to dive into it with the kids.

girl party

2009-01-19T21:40:00.004-06:00

Well, it's a big ol' girl party when Daddy is away for a couple of weeks so today we did the ULTIMATE girl thing. Ear piercing!

Chandler is supposed to get hers for her 8th birthday in a couple weeks anyway. Somehow it seemed like a good idea just to let Robin get hers done too. It took a little convincing {by Jaci} for Chandler to agree that though it 'wasn't fair', yeah it would be OK if Robin got hers done too.

I'm not sure what Daddy's gonna say when he comes home in a couple days, but hey, he wasn't here. :)

patient and generous almost-8-year-old

ultra-spoiled baby of the family :)

a funny one

2009-01-16T13:58:00.002-06:00

Robin, my 'lover of sleep' told me this morning, when I went to wake them up for school at around 7am....

"Mom, you always disturb me in the night and I don't like it."

In the night!?!?! Whatever, you've had about 11 hours of sleep.

laundry machines

2009-01-03T14:56:00.002-06:00

I think Jaci is ready to be launched out on her own with the laundry thing. Of course, not MY clothes - but I think she can do her own and her sisters. Chandler is ready to assist and Robin....well, she's just the spoiled baby of the family anyways so whatever. ;)

The girls have watched me several times but this week Jaci and Chandler actively participated and then did a load or two themselves. They sorted clothes too so they are getting the hang of that as well.

I'm sure there are many super-mom's out there that have 5 year olds doing their own laundry (my mom is one of them) but I didn't sign up for that class and have happily been doing all laundry on my own til now. But I think my job is being taken over. No objection from me!

Christmas is coming.....

2008-12-21T16:09:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, the girls (with my help!) hosted a Christmas Tea Party for just a few of their friends. We used to do one years ago but since we've moved here and hosted a big Open House each December, we haven't been able too. This year, I cut out any non-essential activities so we could focus on stuff we truly wanted to do to help us celebrate the season.

The girls had a blast! It was fun to watch them all have such a good time. The one and only activity I had planned for them after their Chai Tea, hot chocolate and goodies was to make gingerbread houses. I was a tad worried about 8 little girls with frosting, graham crackers and candy but they did great and really didn't make tooo big of a mess. :)

Here's my girls with their creations!

Robi-bird. I made her move over since the point was to see the house. Miss Poser.

Chandler-bean. She's a pro cuz she made one a week ago in school.

Jaci. She's got Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause on top of the house and a couple reindeer around the house. One is dead. Seriously. But I don't know why.

And here's my goobers in their lovely Christmas outfits, acting....not-so-lovely. ;)

"did you hear that funny voice?"

2008-12-18T21:32:00.004-06:00

Monday night was Robi-bird's first 'real' school program. She was very excited! She was created for the stage for sure.

The kindergartners and first graders performed "The Elves' Impersonator" together. Most of the speaking parts went to the 1st graders but Robin had a short line, which she spoke along with a friend.

Not a nervous bone in her body!

She's smack dab in the middle of this photo - 2nd row with the big red bow.

the whole crew

for memories' sake

2008-12-17T08:00:00.003-06:00

I need to post photos of Little Bird's Kindergarten program but not taking the time to download stuff now so....

For memories' sake, I wanted to post what my days look like {when we're home} this season.

I'm up first, around 6:30/6:45, then on to wake the kiddos.

If there's lunches to be made, I do those while they get ready. They are big enough to pretty much get themselves ready. And we only do cereal or toast for breakfast, so there's no cooking in the morning. Unless it's ramen noodles for their thermos'.

Mitch leaves to take them to school about 7:45 - then I'm on my own for a while.

Usually I like to sit and FINISH a cup of coffee, often at the computer - like now.

Sometimes, I'll shower next but often I'll jump right into my list for the day. Cleaning, baking, laundry, church computer work..... whatever the day looks like. Or I'll just sit until Mitch gets home from taking the kids. Because...

When Mitch gets home, we usually make an egg breakfast - 1 egg with toast or an english muffin. Good time to connect with My Beloved.

When he leaves, I work around the house more and try to have my shower done and be 'beautiful' before he gets back around noon for lunch. Lunch is a minor meal but we usually enjoy it together.

He usually heads back to church between 1 and 1:30 so I try to get things done again until I leave to pick the kids up at 2:35. I leave early to get a parking place. School doesn't get out til 3:15. I usually take a book or even the laptop to be productive while I wait for the 20 minutes once I get there.

Once we get back home around 3:40, it's a free for all. Homework, chores, craziness. Supper is usually on the table by 5:30 or 6:00, so depending on that prep, I work on that.

If we happen to have an evening home, we try to hang out as a family. Like last night, we watched a movie. Evenings are kind of a blur, I guess. Probably because it's so rare to have one at home. :)

That's a general day at home. Of course, I don't get those often. :) It seems I have to make trips to town more than I think I should. And often we are 'on the road' at some point in a week so there's extra laundry and packing.

Since it seems life moves in seasons, I thought I might like to look back a year from now and remember when..... :)

uh, duh

2008-12-04T09:54:00.003-06:00

Robin's best friend this year is a little guy we hear much about, nearly everyday. I've met him and know who his mom is and am happy she's found a good friend in Kindergarten.

The fact that Konner is the opposite gender gives reason for others to have fun with this one. But we're keeping things low-key at home.

After asking her why Konner is her friend, we had to laugh though. "He's so funny. And he has cute hair. And cute clothes." Mitch asked what she knows about 'cute'. Her reply - "Dad, I've seen cute people before" with that 'uh, duh' look every kid can give.

blogging tradition continues

2008-11-29T20:56:00.001-06:00

A couple new bloggers are on the block...

http://craftychick98.blogspot.com/

http://colorchick.blogspot.com/

a mountain of cushions and kiddos

2008-11-23T15:15:00.004-06:00

So it's been just us gals this weekend. Here's what night number 1 looked like for them (i slept in my own bed, thank you very much). These are ALL the couch, loveseat, chair cushions they could muster. Then all the pillows and blankets off their beds. Fun stuff. I did pray that they wouldn't suffocate in the night. They were fine.

daddy's princess

2008-11-13T19:14:00.001-06:00

Today Robin was wearing a dress (not unusual) and down on her hands and knees with a dustpan and a wet rag, cleaning my kitchen floor. (not really sure why but it totally needed it!) Anyway, she randomly makes the comment, "Mom, I'm still Daddy's princess no matter what."

First of all, be still my heart. Secondly, what a revelation. Even if we're scrubbin' floors, we are still our Daddy's Princess.

red ribbon week

2008-10-30T07:57:00.003-06:00

The theme is to be 'Drug Free'. My kids are showing their commitment....

It's 'groovy' to 'lei off' drugs so go 'color your world' drug free. Public school silliness. ;)

Who's not afraid of the camera?

Sweet, hippy little Chandler

Totally disappointed she didn't have a grass skirt but I think she got over it.

And today it's time to "Sock it to Drugs"....

school work

2008-10-23T21:11:00.004-06:00

School projects are always the funnest, yes?

Jaci's piece of artwork - landforms

Columbus Day masterpieces by Chandler

A couple of Robin's pieces - gotta love the hat!

God & Me!

2008-10-12T20:33:00.002-06:00

I gave the girls each their own devotional book today. I guess they were a hit since the big girls have each done over 10 lessons! Robin hasn't got quite as far since she needs help. I'm thankful my girls are digging into God's Word - very cool!

Robin and Rico

2008-10-09T20:52:00.002-06:00

Robin's class has a guinea pig. His name is Rico. And Rico came to visit us over the past weekend. That's my kinda pet. One that stays for a couple days to love on and then disappears indefinitely. No cages to wash out. Minimal poo on my floors. Yay.

Robin had a blast pampering Rico for 48 hours.....

parent teacher conference

2008-10-07T19:13:00.003-06:00

Some comments written by the girls' teachers today...

"What a sweet girl!! Chandler is always polite and friendly to myself and others around her!"

"Chandler works very hard on completing assignments on time and neatly!"

"Jaci is a delight to have in class."

"Jaci is such a blessing to have in class! She is always asking how she can help, and a breath of fresh air with her positive attitude."

about Robin "friendly to everyone. doesn't let small problems bother her."
"she is quite an artist."
about her classroom behavior, "excellent!"

Makes me one proud mamma!

raising your kids to be leaders - a good book

2008-10-02T16:58:00.003-06:00

Braggin' on my kid - because that's what THIS blog is for. ;)

Jaci got invited to an all-day Leadership Seminar at a local college! And that's because she's on Student Council this year which I don't believe I've blogged about but it's a pretty good story.

If you want to be on Student Council, you write a small speech and give it to your class - then they vote. In 3rd grade, she did that {very nervously} and was heart-broken when she didn't win. In 4th grade, we talked her in to trying again but she ended up being sick at home the day they gave their speeches. THIS year, she came home one day and said "I made Student Council". Wow, we didn't even know the vote was coming up or that she was getting a speech ready. You go girlfriend!

Anyways, her leadership qualities are maturing and being noticed. I'm very proud of my girl!

that's the way, uh-huh-uh-huh, I like it

2008-09-18T18:14:00.003-06:00

It's easy to post about those times my kids drive me crazy. When they are sooo naughty (read previous post on the pen and pillow issue). But I thought I'd reminisce on last Sunday.

Mitch left around 8am to travel to a different church for the day. I was left to get kiddos and myself to church early. So I could not only preach, but manage the morning service and all that entails. Worship leader quirks, sound and multi-media issues, taking offering, announcements, blah blah blah.

Let me say that the kids were FABULOUS that morning. They got ready for church well and quickly, even Little Bird, who is prone to dawdling. They didn't get crazy in the hour and a half they had before church even started. In fact, Little Bird prayed with me for a while.

Then after church, I had given them the choice what they wanted for lunch {fully expecting to go into town to eat}, they chose noodles. Which I made and everyone ate. Jaci gave her leftover birthday candy bars {which have been in the fridge since July} to her sisters {and me}. Chandler wasn't even going to ask since last time Jaci about tore her head off when asked to share. This time Jaci said, "That was before. I'm generous now." Halleluia.

Thank You Jesus, for times when everything DOES go right.

it's a bumpy road, but someone has to travel it

2008-09-12T21:22:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was a pretty bumpy day. I won't go into all the details, but when I heard the prophetic word that was spoken over my husband while he was away last night, I thought, "wow, this must be why we were battling hell here".

ONE of the many little bumps in the day was finding out from Jaci that Robin had written her name, IN PEN, on one of my couch pillows. I thought she was joking. Uh, no.

Can someone tell me WHY a 5 year old, who has NEVER done anything as permanent as this in her toddler life, chooses to do it now? She was disciplined, without a crack of a smile from me. Later though, I smiled as I thought how we will most certainly laugh at this in 10 or 20 years. Mainly because she told me the reason she did it is so people would know that it's ours. Huh? Whatever.

76 trombones...

2008-09-10T23:00:00.003-06:00

OK, maybe just one, not 76, but we do have a trombone {and eventually, a player} in the house now. Jaci, as a 5th grader, is in Beginning Band. And what does my tiny little 10 year old choose? The largest instrument a 5th grader can chose, of course. :) She's doing great so far though.

And Mitch and I were very blessed when we heard all her friends had chosen flute, yet Jaci didn't 'go with the crowd' but made her own decision. Maturity is becoming to you, my girl!

double digits

2008-08-15T18:53:00.003-06:00

As well as yesterday being the 1st day of school, it was my oldest daughter's 10th birthday. Yay for birthdays!

Jaci Taylor was born 12 days late, at home. My hubby, my mom and a good friend with lots of home birth experience helped me labor this child into the world. Her birth was rocky but we had a good doc on the phone who talked us through some stuff and everything ended fine.

We celebrated the last ten years with a big pool party a few weeks ago. We had given Jaci a Webkinz at the end of July because it happened to be the "Pet of the Month" so she needed to get it registered before August. Her highlights were her other gift from us and I did those Monday evening. That left the gifts her sisters bought her {with their own money} to be opened yesterday before school. A bike basket and scrapbook paper. Goooood.

Our tradition has always been that the birthday celebrater gets to chose a place to eat out {or a meal for mom to cook but trust me, we usually eat out!}. Jaci wanted Applebee's. She's grown quite fond of mozzarella sticks and I'm a dumb enough mom to let her eat them for her meal. ;)

Jaci is a blessing to our family. She's cute and funny, crafty and witty, ambitious and responsible, and loves to sing and teach. She's been prophesied over that she will be in worship ministry and that she will be a little evangelist. She's a good friend and loves to bless others. I'm so proud of the beautiful young lady that God entrusted us with!

off they go

2008-08-14T10:12:00.004-06:00

Today is the day I've been dreading for a couple months now. First day of the new school year. It's not so much the school part but the 'end of my flexibility' season. But God knows my path and I guess it's best to trust Him. Here's the happy ladies ready to start another year...

The birthday girl - starting 5th grade!

My joy heading to 2nd grade. Quick story: This morning I made cinnamon rolls (don't get too excited, they were Pillsbury) Chandler was eating hers and Jaci commented that she "didn't feel like a cinnamon roll this morning". Chandler answers, "That's because you're not one!" What a goof!

The Kindergartner. I'm not sure what was up with waving with her fist but she did it for about 10 minutes. Whatever.

Even though it's blurry, I love this photo. All my girls, on their way to school. Sigh.

Jaci with her best friend. I'm not sure what they are chatting about, but it must be shocking by that look on her face. :) You can also see Jaci's newly done highlights. Not too shabby for her rookie hair dresser - her mamma.

We don't look too miserable do we? ;) Oh, on our way into class, we found out that Robin's preschool teacher from last year is now the para in her K class. What a blessing!