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I LOVE my helper!!!

We had to wash the stinky dog...

Cassi is great at helping with this.

She loves to help and do things in a one-on-one setting.

She's a good kid.

I guess I could call Tanger a good helper too, for letting us wash him.....

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I LOVE the power of a Root Beer Float!

How do you get your kids to eat their dinner, clean up after dinner, do their homework, shower/bathe, and be all ready for bed by 6:30???????

You tell them they get a Root Beer Float if they do, that's how!

No, they weren't in bed at 6:30...that would be nice, but that would also mean they would be up at 5:30 tomorrow morning...I don't like how that sounds!

But they were ready so when bedtime came it was much less chaotic and less stressful.

Now they are in bed.

It's quiet...now I get to fold about 30 loads of laundry that has been building up in our bedroom...

You think I am joking....I wish!

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I LOVE our blog!

Okay...here it is.

I love my blog.

I used to be a pretty darn good journal writer.

Then we had kids.

Somehow there has been much less down time since then.

In church today we were talking about journal writing...

They asked if there were any journal writers in the group.

I thought for a minute, wishing I was as good of a journal writer as I used to be, then I realized...I am BETTER now!!!

My blog is my journal...my journal with pictures.

I love it.

And plan to get it all in print, one day.

I have two already, one in the works, and haven't even started this years.

But it is all there, all recorded.

But I will say, you might see me writing a few more things about how I am feeling instead of just what we are doing that day.

ANYWAY...

Today was our Primary program in church.

It was absolutely beautiful.

There is nothing that brings the spirit to my heart like those sweet little voices singing those heavenly songs.

It was so fun to watch my two oldest and how VASTLY different the two are.

Madi is our perfectionist.

Madi does not want to sing the wrong word, or do the wrong thing, so she is very mellow up there, very quiet. But she still sings.

Cassi, on the other hand, could care less what others thought of her.

Cassi spent a good part of her time in her own little world....but all the time singing as loud as she can, usually the right words.

Madi sits quietly, sings when it's her turn, reverently watching and listening during the rest of the program....

We watched Cassi at one point, picking her nose...no not picking, digging is more like it.

Oh my goodness...I tried so hard to get her attention, but as I said before, Cassi is in her own world at times...and there was no stopping her.

All we could do was laugh.

Oh and I laughed.

My only comfort was that I ASSUMED everyone would be watching their own kid...not the one picking her nose!

Oh man, the memories!

I love that kid and that she is comfortable with her and who she is.
I just wish we could get her to stop picking her nose!

But the program was beautiful.

I had tears in my eyes and I was touched by the music and the words that were spoken.

It was a very good Sunday.

Then this evening we got to go spend some time with our most favorite people, the Youngs.

Braelyn turned 4 today!

Happy Birthday Brae!

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We LOVED making this birthday girl HAPPY!!!!!

It was a very fun filled day.

Cassi woke up and had a birthday outfit laying out for her, complete with crown and matching skirt...she was very excited!!!

The girls had their primary program practice this morning...which was perfect, cause it gave us time to decorate for her SURPRISE party!

Our friend Jenni picked the girls up and took them to her house until we were ready to come and pick them up...

Cassi first birthday wish...

Lunch at McD's!!!

Happy meal and all!

Our plan was to go bowling, but the lanes were full for tournaments until 6:00...so we went to Wahooz.

I don't think we could have had any more fun!

And I have pictures to prove it!

Happy girl

He wants to play too!

It was a little cold at first....but they got over that quick!

Proud papa, watching his speeding children.

Madi stayed pretty close to the front the whole time.

Cassi did awesome..she thought it was so neat to drive a car by herself!

Me and my babies.

Checking out the score

Get is Cass, get it!

Yay!

Go Elsie!

Even the boy finally got to have fun!

Lots of fun!

Ticket mania

I love this...the excitement in both their faces makes me smile!

Future basketball All-stars

Hey, he wants to play too!

Get him Madi Bell!

Elsie and her tickets.

Elsie loved this...you have to jump over the light like a jump rope.
She thought it was pretty fun!
(Here is a shot of Elsie wearing her new shoes and braces...pretty cute....she is doing AWESOME with them!)

SURPRISE!!!!

Then there was the party.

She really had no idea!

My friend Jenni came over early to help the friends come in and hide.

I got in the door a little earlier than Cassi did, with Brent's help keeping her behind.

I had to get a pict of her reaction!

It was great!

She was so happy.

I think the girls all had a fun time.

I looked for party games to play...with a flower theme, and I was sick of all the games...

So we made some crafts, cause that is what Cassi loves to do anyway.

Here are the picts of the party...enjoy!

Decorations

The gang

Showing off the flower clips we made.

I think they are adorable!

Our other fun little craft.

A flower picture for them to hang in their rooms.

And last, but not least...the birthday cake!

I think it turned out cute...and ALMOST like what I had in mind...

Only in my mind, the fondant didn't crack, oh well, you eat it anyway!

Happy birthday to our sweet Cassi!

I am pretty sure she had pretty great day!

(Sorry for the BIG post...but I gotta have all the pictures for our book in the future!)

Happy Birthday CASSI!!!!!

HAPPY #6 BIRTHDAY CASSIDY!!!!!!

Today we have a fun filled day for her.

(Most of it she doesn't even know about!!! How exciting!!!)

Thi is notr her official "6" year picture, we will go do that in the next couple days...

But here, for you to enjoy, are the years of Cassi!

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10 days old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

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I LOVE date night!!!

I got to go out with my man tonight!!!

Thanks to our friends, the Terry's, for suggesting we all go out, and finding a babysitter for all the kiddos!

We went out to eat at Carinos....always a favorite of mine!!!

It was just what I needed after a hectic day...of getting things together for a surprise party for a certain almost 6 year old. (Cassi)

SHHHH.....don't tell...

Lots more about it tomorrow!!!

I can't wait!

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ALSO....

go here and turn your photos into a Polaroid!!!

Totally awesome!

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I LOVE a happy hubby!

Christmas came early this year for Brent...

He has been looking and eyeing these things for a very long time.

Finally there was a deal that we couldn't pass up...

Now, he has been saving up...but to get Brent to spend his saved money...it has to be a major good deal!!!

But I think he is very pleased...

Now how am I gonna get him out of the garage???

Part of the "good deal" was that it came with its very own work table....
And it even folds up...so it doesn't take up room in the garage...
'Cause we all know that room is saved for my JUNK!!!! (It is good junk...)

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Also...I found the perfect shoes for Elsie...I am surprised how well they work and they are pretty dang light weight too!

And Elsie loves them!

I found them at Payless...who knew????

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I LOVE and appreciate all those who have helped in making Elsie's life just a little bit easier!!!

It is amazing how many services there are around for little kids with "disabilities".

I am so thankful for all the services Elsie receives and will continue to receive.

Elsie got her new foot braces today.

They are more light weight than her old ones...and these will actually help mold her feet in a better way.

To help prevent things from going wrong in the future.

I still need to hunt down some shoes for them to fit in.

They aren't really that bulky, except over the outside of her foot, and that is what makes it hard.

I need to find a tall shoe, that ties on top, and I can pull the insole out.

I also hope I can find some that are lightweight...she has been doing such great walking with the shoes she has, and they are so light-weight...I would hate to weigh her down with heavy shoes!

But, like always, I don't want to spend a fortune...

So if anyone has any suggestions...

And yes, they are pink camouflage...so cute, right?!?

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I LOVE my first-born!

The first-born child should also be called the 'trial kid'!

I know that sounds bad, but seriously...you learn the good and the bad ways of being a parent with your first kid!

Madi is turning into a wonderful young lady, despite our many flaws as parents.

Sure, she is defiant....but that makes her a strong person.

Yes, nothing is 'her fault'...but I want her to be confident, right!

Yes, she likes things done her own way, and that is fine...as long as her own way is similar to MY own way....

Madi really is a good kid and she is a very hard worker.

She amazes me sometimes, well, all the time actually.

I know we butt heads a lot...but I really appreciate her and all she does to help out.

She has a way of sensing when a little extra help is needed...

Cleaning up the kitchen, unloading the dishes, taking care of the babies...

But she also has a little pre-teen in her...so sometimes when she has that sense that we need help...sometimes she ignores it...

But usually not.

She is pretty shy with people she isn't familiar with, and worries about doing anything wrong.

Madi loves to learn and she understands so much that I don't.

I love that...I hope she continues with that.

I am grateful to have Madi as my first born...even if she doesn't get to have as good of a Mom as the younger ones do.

I think in the end we are better people because Madi Bell was our 'trial kid'.

I hope she forgives me for all I do, and loves me for it anyway.

I pray that we can help guide her in the right direction.

Madi is a strong kid.

I think she will do good and go far in life.

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(By the way, I am realizing that it looks like a tire in the background of Madi's picture...actually it is a planter box...just had to clarify that....)

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Who doesn't LOVE a good old fashioned TANTRUM!!!!

Don't you just love it!!!

Little stinker!

I was actually trying to get a picture of Porter walking...he took a couple of steps towards Brent this morning...and I wanted to record it for all time sake...

So tonight I thought a sucker would help bribe him to take some steps...
Well, he just got REALLY mad that we didn't give it to him right away, and that he had to work for it.

So no pictures of his first steps...

But some pretty great ones of a pretty great little tantrum!

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this little man???