CK Christmas

Our Created Kids Christmas party was, once again, a super fun celebration, with people we dearly love.

Madison - almost 13

Carson- 11

Allyson- almost 10

Colson - 8

Wilson - 6

Tyson - 6

Piper - almost 3

It's so fun to get dressed up. And I have to point out that my girls' outfits were dropped off anonymously on our front porch. What a blessing!!!

Posing in front of the tree...

 Making ornaments...

 She loves her daddy...

 With our good friend, Lydia...

 Ally and Clara...

 Ty's ornament...

 Such sweet girls...

 Best buddies...

 The "cool" guys...

 Lydia getting into mommy's purse to get some lip gloss...

 My precious, precious friends...

 Girls who will change the world...

 And of course there was dancing - which somehow lead to Pip being on the floor...

It is so easy each Christmas season to go through the motions. I have been trying to truly reflect and ponder and worship this season. The God-man invading human history in the form of a baby so that he might die and reconcile sinners with a holy God is mind boggling and nothing we should ever grow numb to. Thank you Lord for Jesus!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

The oldest 4 were all part of a production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. They were spectacular. The Playroom Theater Company really puts on fantastic performances and the kids were spectacular in this one.

Madison was the snobby goodie goodie, Alice Windlekin. For being such a sweet girl I was amazed at how well she played that role of a selfish snotty girl Ally played the part of Charlie (little brother turned little sister). Her part was hilarious. She had a lot of the comic relief. Especially when she sings "Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, because there are no Heardman's there."

Carson played Father - who also had us in stitches most of the time. He had to use lots of sarcasm... hmmmm... wonder where he learned to do that? Sweet, Abigail, played a truly convincing Mother and looked stunning to boot!

Cole, sweet, sweet, Cole played Ralph Heardman. He had really struggled this semester. He had all his lines memorized but trying to make sure he said them at the right time was a new challenge this semester. He was fabulous! I was so proud of him. Look at that sweet dirty little face (with Creed who played Leroy)

2nd to the terrific acting abilities, my favorite part of the play was when our precious friend, Lydia, was trying to offer her baby doll when she overheard the line about no one wanting to let them use their baby for the play. Lydia got right up out of her seat and tried to walk forward saying "You can use my baby!" She is SOOOO cute!!

Once again I am so proud of my little actors.

Reformation Celebration

OK - I'm so behind on blogging that I am going to post a few pictures from our Oct. 31 festivities and then link you to my dear friend, Amy's blog where she beautifully recounted the night.

We were missing our sweet Madison as she was in Peru. The rest of the gang tackled Dr. Seuss...

Thing 1 and Thing 2...

 Cindi Lou-Who...

The Mayor of Who-ville...

Ally-Woo-Who...

And the Cat in the Hat himself...

We celebrated the Reformation at my friend, Tiffany's house. You can read all about it and see more pictures here... http://ack-livingmystory.blogspot.com/2010/11/reformation-day.html

"Beautiful are the feet...

...of those who bring the good news!" That's what the Bible tells us in Romans 10:15. So, I thought it only fitting to take Madison to get her first pedicure before she left on her first missions trip. Uncle Jack helped to score both manicures and pedicures. She loved it!

She said she felt like a queen with servants doting on her and getting her water when she was thirsty. She is so precious.

I cannot not even put into words how full my heart is when I think of this girl. She is truly amazing. I can't imagine my life without her and I continue to pray that she will desire to pour her out in the service of the Lord to advance His Kingdom. I love her like crazy cakes!

Go Grambling!

I know it's been forever since I've posted. Kinda ironic that my last post of "keeping it together" has been sitting on the blog for so long because I can't find the time to post recent activities. Oh well, when school is in session priorities change.
Last month we planned on going to Dallas to meet my family and see dad's team play at the Cotton Bowl. We planned on going down on Saturday (at least that's what the kids thought). But Friday morning Uncle Joby video called us on the laptop and informed the kids that it was spontaneous day (this is Joby's annual day - you never know when - that his gives the kids gifts and a super fun day)! He told the kids we would be coming to Dallas right away and spend the day with him. He also had them look in the oven where they found 3 Nintendo DS consoles to entertain them on the drive!
Once in Dallas Joby took the kids swimming on the roof of our hotel (thanks mom & dad and Jack & Josh!)

What a view!!!

Joby became the "Uncle Joby Express" in the pool... so fun...

And Papa joined us a little later...

Uncle Jack, Josh, and Nana all joined us by evening and we all went out to dinner. It was great to be with my family. It was also fun to see SO MANY people in the hotel and around town in their Grambling tshirts.

The next day we were going to continue spontaneous day with passes to the zoo that Joby got us but it was POURING and storming outside. We went to mall and walked around instead and ate lunch at La Madelines. We headed back to the hotel in the rain and got some naps in for Pip and me.

When it was time to leave for the game the rain stopped and blue skies emerged. It was a very fun game and the Tigers were victorious.

Pip and Uncle Jack - she was scared of him (it was kinda funny) at first but warmed up in no time...

Some famous (I think) rapper did part of the half time show. Right up my alley - haha.

Distracting the kids with treats while the Grambling dancers perform quite a number at half time...

Go Papa - so proud! (And the Tigers have won every game since! They are 8-1 as of today.)

Keeping it together

There's a lot of chaos in every home - I know it. But as you can imagine, there is plenty in this house with 7 active, loud children. Add to that the responsibility to feed them 3 meals a day, and educate them (a 7th grader, 6th grader, 4th grader, 3rd grader, and two 1st graders!) and you are probably wondering how much hair dye I use to cover all the gray. Ha! Here are a few things that have helped me in recent weeks to make our home joyful and productive amidst the chaos...

Lesson plans written for the year.
This is the first year I have written out my lesson plans for the entire year. I have normally written them a week at a time. There is nothing wrong with writing them a week at a time, but if you have a slight leaning towards laziness, which I do, one can find themselves letting things slide. I would either be too tired to write the new week of lesson plans or maybe even forget to write them. Then I play catch up all Monday getting it organized. And if I'm looking at it all on Monday morning it is very likely the supplies I needed for a project never got purchased and now we just have to move on. OR, since there was nothing written in the blocks for the following week it was easy to just push off what was planned to days ahead. I'm not saying we never got school done, we did, it just wasn't as organized as I needed it to be.
So, I have used my regular planner. I love this kind because the month is spread over two pages with lots of room for writing...

Then, I took the pages dedicated to the individual weeks of the month (which I NEVER use) and made them into lesson plan boxes. That way my lesson plans are right with my planner that goes everywhere with me...

I spent a good deal of my summer writing lesson plans for every subject for every day. This has been AMAZINGLY helpful for me. Combined with our moving out to the dining room table it has helped me get done everything I need to do and everything I want to do. Because it is all scheduled I have done art projects and activities that have fallen through the cracks in days past. Plus, whatever supplies or books from the library I need I write in the "notes" section of the previous week. That way I am sure to have all supplies ready when we need them. I love being this organized. I will never go back - this is definitely the way I need to plan.

Having a daily schedule.
Having a schedule up with designated times has also kept us very productive. I thought there was NO way I could do all my schooling before lunch but when I put it all on paper it actually seems possible. And when I put it up on the chalkboard to keep us all on task it is very helpful. We don't have to follow it like it is the law but it gives us general guidelines for where we should be. I love it.

Posted Scripture Memory.
I have been horrible at implementing good scripture memory in my home. Sometimes we get good about it but it slowly fades and we go back to relying on all the Scripture music Cd's the kids have (which are WONDERFUL!). This year, since I have my chalkboard in the dining room, I can post our memory verse where everyone can see it. And with every meal we can review and say it together. I picked a program from desiringgod.org that has memory verses for every week of the year. We are also doing it with friends so the kids can keep eachother accountable. It has been wonderful. Every woman I have talked to who has gone before me says they regret not doing more Scripture memory. How can I not take that to heart and try to be better at hiding God's Word in their hearts.

Posted Meal schedule.
Does it every drive you crazy to have your kids ask every day "What's for dinner?" Well, I have 7 that ask and since they are home with me all day they ask about lunch AND dinner. Now, full disclosure is that I am still a very fleshly woman. I wish I were more patient at this point in my life but I still struggle. And where I sweetly answer the first 2 that ask me about what we are going to be eating by the time I am being asked for the 6th time I might get a little testy at the unsuspecting inquirer. So I am have posted a meal schedule.

I have always written out a menu for the week while I make up my grocery list. Now I just do it on a little chart so the kids can refer to it instead of asking me. I have written out lunches and dinners for each day of the week (I've also been trying to do more creative lunches instead of pb&j over and over). When I'm feeling a little sassy I even color coordinate it.  It hangs inside a cabinet right by the kitchen sink for easy access.

They love knowing what we are having and I love not having to answer the question over and over.

Helping with room cleaning.
I want my kids to have clean rooms. I know some parents feel like it's a battle they do not want to fight and as long as their kid closes the door they don't mind. That is not me. I want to teach them to keep their room clean so they don't become crazy hoarders or awful spouses. I think it shows gratitude for what God has given us. I also realize that most of the time when a parent feel very strongly about something that is a non-essential, they will one day eat their words and completely change their mind!  But for now... (ha!)
I've found, however, that when they come out and say their room is clean it does not necessarily meet my definition of what is clean. This had lead to frustration in all parties involved. So, two to three times a day I have been going back to their rooms and pointing out what can be done and actually help them so they can maintain clean rooms. They love having me help, it helps them learn what to do, and it means their rooms have stayed pretty consistently clean.

I don't mind if they build elaborate forts or bring out all 6 million Lego's - it has just been difficult for them to get everything back to where it belongs. By staying on top of it we are all a little bit happier. (I wish they would help me keep my room clean!)

I had a few more things to share, like twin time and a rolling chair, but this post has gotten pretty long so I will end - it's going over the scheduled time- hehehe- Just wanted to share a little glimpse of what is making this momma so happy in the last few weeks. Yay for being intentional about what is going on. Who knows? In six months this may all change because it was terribly impractical of because I've resumed my lazy ways but for now it is working. A happy momma does mean a happier house. And this house, as you know, should always be full of all the fun in the world.

Little Buddies turn 6!

Here we are - at the end of the birthday whirlwind. I need to remember for the future how much I DO NOT feel like whipping up birthday cakes and party decorations by the end of August and be prepared. This year I am just thanking the Lord for cupcakes and our flock Ice Cream Social.

Whenever there is a 5th Sunday in the months the family flocks (we all started as one but have grown into 3!) meet for an ice cream social. My buddy RC calls it 5th Sundae (I have such clever friends). Last year "5th Sundae" wasn't quite developed yet but a 5th Sunday smores night was scheduled at our house and as it happened to be on my twins birthday it became their birthday party. Our social this year was the day before their birthday and guess who decided to try and pull it off again. Yep. Nominate me for lame mom of the year or cleverest woman on the block but I told the boys that everyone was meeting at the church for their birthday. :) And wouldn't you know it, some of those precious people brought gifts. It really felt like a party.

Then, on Monday night (their actual bday) we had two families over who also have new 6 year olds for pizza and cupcakes. I told the boys I was just too overloaded to do fancy cakes or themes so they both picked a character they would like to be turned into to top their cupcakes. Wilson chose Annakin Skywalker

and Tyson chose Leo from Little Einsteins (surprise surprise)

It was a quick and easy yet fun solution.
It was great to celebrate my boys with dear friends.

They got great gifts but were most excited to open the huge box from Nana and Papa (it was a basketball hoop)

I always call them my naughty boys but I love them to pieces. They are my precious little guys. They are best of friends, different as night and day, love their family, love first grade and are full of energy. I long for them to give their lives to Jesus. They are turning my hair gray and filling my days with laughs. I love them to pieces.