Who has Changed the Most?

Lincoln

Natalie

Naomi

Emerson

Ethan

A Fabulous Tree

Our old tree now slants like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Not reaching the top, I pulled the tree closer to me and CRACK... oops.

There are a few homemade reasons why my Christmas tree is the most fabulous tree in the world.

Our family enjoys pulling out all these decorations. Along with all the memories brings stories. The highlights of my life come from listening to the children reminisce over their life history. Their eyes seem to sparkle as they recap the moment in which they made a certain decoration. I am convinced these homemade decors are my favorite!

City of Angels

My house now looks like a big box of crayons. City of Angels is the new color for the bathroom- PURPLE!

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I think it looks pretty. Nathan on the other hand, hugs and kisses me and then says, "PURPLE? Really? I don't know about this..."

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"Oh, you love me... right?"

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"Yes, I love you but PURPLE?"

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To make up for my excessive behavior, I am sure to provide good dinners, a clean house, healthy children, a smile, and I shower. Oh, and I love that man beyond any pant or pooch. This pleases him. Thanks, my dear, for putting up with all my harebrained ideas!

Dawn of Discoveries

Discovery #1-
Homemade finger paint! Learning colors through kinesthetic learning. Just look at his face.

Discovery #2-

I'm a real dork when it come to Yoga! Let's just say, I'm sure glad I tried this at home after the children nestled asleep and husband gone! I am such a DORK!

Discovery #3-

I've become a bit partial toward dishes. I'm finding it hard to resist buying uniquely exceptional platters, bowls, dish sets, and whatever else reels my eye.

Many of these dishes came from my Grandmother. They were made during The Depression era. They are so beautiful.

Lincoln's Wife

Maybe, about twice a year we make a family attempt with the mall. Today was the day. For those that might not know, we live an hour or so away from the red-blooded American Mall. For this and five other reasons, we stay clear away from the bogus worldly trap!
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As we scampered about, we ran into The Claus- Santa Claus! Yes, Santa is making his appearance in Spokane already! Crazy Man, can't he wait until after Thanksgiving...
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Anyway... My oldest, like mentioned in the below post, must be growing up. He didn't even talk to the man. He ran for the line BUT then hid.
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"Ethan, don't you believe in Santa anymore?"
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"Just because I don't believe doesn't mean I don't like the presents."
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Well, the rest of the Herd ran happily up to the Jolly Ol' Man. After the three older children declared their deep desires it was Lincoln's turn.
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Santa- "And what would you like for Christmas, little guy?"
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Natalie- "He would like a truck. NO, a train! He likes trains."
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Santa turning to Lincoln says, "You like trains?"
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Natalie- "Yes, he likes trains."
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Santa again, turning to Lincoln, "Do you have trucks at your house?"
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Natalie- "Yes, he has lots of trucks."
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Santa focusing on Lincoln asked, "Are you excited for Christmas?"
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Natalie smiles and says, "Yes! He is very excited!"
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Santa turns to Lincoln smiles and says, "Is this your wife?"
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Old St Nick laughed so hard he choked an enormous belly laugh and then wiped away his own tears.

Snow Album

This was the very best afternoon! What a winter, I mean FALL, SURPRISE!"I'm cold. I want to go inside."

A glove never tasted better.

Emerson started his snowball from the main road all the way to our house!

A lazy snowman.

My First Miracle Baby

Yesterday Emerson did or said something that really upset me. Ethan came up to me and said, "I don't know about kids his age. It's that whole generation, they are just different."
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I laughed.
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"NO, really MOM! Don't take it personally."

Some life catch-ups need to happen for this my first born baby. He will be eleven in a short couple of weeks! Can you believe it? Eleven! This boy has a deep passion for reading. Being only in the 5th grade, he has a reading level of 12.8. This means his reading ability is as a 12th grader in his eighth month of school. Never is there not a book in his hand. He reads EVERYTHING!

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I admire his mind. I'm not sure if I really read a book until college, pitiful.

Tuesday was the Fall play at Steptoe. Ethan played the "Bad" guy. He stole the play! Really, he was absolutely amazing! His voice was loud and clear, he was funny, and really kept the audiences attention! I am still getting phone calls over his star performance! We were so proud of him!
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Nathan whispered late one night, "Eight more years and we will be filling out his mission papers."

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I cried myself to sleep that night. I know, it's pretty pathetic but what's a mom to do. Despite the tears, I am so proud of the boy he is and the man he is becoming! I'm grateful everyday for this my first miracle baby!