Francie Lou's favorite toy...

Who'd have thought it would be alphabet pal? 

She seriously drags it around all the time just to make it play music.

Crazy dog!

There will come a day...

...when we no longer find half naked barbies in random places all over the house. 

I wonder if I'll miss them?

At present, I highly doubt it,

but the ones who went before us say we will miss all of these minor irritations one day.

We'll see.

October Family Reunion...Picture overload.

This year, my parents rented a home overlooking Grand Lake for our October birthday celebration. If was the most beautiful location imaginable on the lake and we fell in love with the home. We are praying my parents will be able to buy it! It was built in the 50s or 60s probably and had the perfect mix of retro charm and tasteful updates. We loved our time together with our family and our soon-to-be new family, the Bernards, or "Nard dogs" as we might have to start calling them.

Lucy and Jesse spent most of their time collecting bugs, frogs, turtle shells, acorns and putting daddy long legs on people's heads. Yes, Lucy is holding a spider and smiling. EEK. All 4 kids spent most of their time outside exploring because the woods and the weather were beautiful. A perfect weekend.

Whenever Jeka and Kristin are around, Shelby always has to take advantage of their beauty tips and free make-overs. Kristin also did a model shoot with her. Shelby loves to model and Kristin is already an awesome photographer. She is going to send me all of the shots she got, so I am sure I will add them sometime soon.

This was Friday morning before everyone arrived...Despite the chill in the air, they were all about the outdoors.

Papa took them fishing, let Shelby ride the golf cart and showed them the house next door with a pool.

They have the coolest Papa ever.

Dance party and other random shots...

Hillbilly golf with GiGi and Papa Woodlee and the Bernards...

Shelby and Francie Lou.

Aunt Jeka with the 3 oldest kiddos. She is so stunningly beautiful and such an amazing aunt!

And the craft. No, we've never done a craft at this reunion before, but we made these in MOPS earlier in the week and James suggested we do it with the family. They turned out really cute. Just toilet paper wrapped in fabric with a stick and a bow. Easy Peasy!

It was a fabulous weekend. I wish we could do it more often. Pray my parents get the house so we can!

Embraced the camera with most of the fam in one way or another.

You should too.

Mornings with my sister...

Posed "Morning Prayers" pic.

Almost every morning, my sister and I walk and pray together. We've been doing it since March and it is such an awesome way to start the day. We always have really good conversations that sometimes lead to debates, but always end with prayer where we refocus and re-gain perspective even when we don't completely agree on something. We are both advice givers so we have really great ideas on how to solve all of each other's problems...or so we think. We don't get mad at each other when we don't take one another's advice though. We've moved past that level of relationship and walked into a place of grace and complete acceptance. It was a long time coming and we both agree that living next door to one another was God's way of saying, "I am going to put you so close to one another that you have to learn to work through your differences and practice grace and understanding on a daily basis and in the process I will grow and sharpen you both using one another and you will experience a depth of love and friendship you never knew was possible."

I am 12 years older than my sister, so the first half {well, probably longer, actually} of our relationship I was more of a parent than a sister and no teenager or young adult wants two moms telling them what to do or giving them unwanted advice. I know she always loved me as much as I loved her, but she used to work to gain my approval because I had set myself up as a mother figure in her life and we just couldn't get to that "sister-friend" level. We are there now and it feels so great. The beautiful baby girl that I used to babysit, change her diapers, and go get her out of her crib to come sleep with me is now truly my friend and I don't see her as someone who needs parenting. I see her as a strong and capable adult...growing closer to God and discovering who she is in Christ, just like me. My equal. God uses her to sharpen me just as much as he uses me in her life. It is an answered prayer, for sure. I found an entry in my journal from 12 years ago where I was wondering if we'd ever really have a close relationship where she didn't see me as another person she had to work to please. We've arrived.

Even though neither of our lives look anything like we had imagined they would at 38 or 26, we know we are right smack dab in the middle of God's will for both of our lives and the fact that He is working on us together is such a blessing. I want to treasure the time I have her as my neighbor because nothing lasts forever. That's why I bribed Jesse with a PopTart to come out and take this fake posed picture of what it does actually look like most mornings on Jeka's porch as we sit and pray after our walks. Just ask the construction workers across the street working on the school who probably think we are crazy women sitting out here holding hands and swinging on a porch swing together. 

One thing I love about this time of year is that almost every morning while we are praying the sun comes up. It is still mostly dark when we begin, but when we open our eyes after praying the light has come. It almost feels like God's presence with us...His pure pleasure in us crying out to Him together and thanking Him for all that He is doing in our lives, in unity.

I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them. Matthew 18:19-20

Wiltse's fall visit...

The kids wrote and acted out a Halloween play for Jenn and I yesterday. It had 10 acts.

We limited them to 5.

These creative kids destroyed the house to design the set, but it was worth it for the entertainment and a quick clean-up with all of us working. I love having them all together. Cousins, they are, and they fight like family sometimes too. All kinds of learning experiences...teachable moments. Staying together in this small house is a character-building experience all it's own and I love it.  Love them.

I wish I could describe the plot of the play, but it was just simply too complex.

You probably wouldn't understand it like Jenn and I were able to.

You'll just have to enjoy the pictures instead.



In the picture below, check out Mojo and Francie snuggling.  It was so sad separating them when they had to go. They played hard all weekend. : (



Wish we had them close-by all the time...but then, we'd never stay with one another and life would just eat up our time. At least we get quality time this way!

how in the world do we teach gratitude?

Lately, around the L house the Mister and I have been discussing that very question. You see, we aren't wealthy and we don't spoil our kids. Even if we were wealthy, we {believe} we wouldn't indulge our kiddos every desire. We don't buy our kids all the latest gadgets. They have to share rooms, toys and clothes. They don't have cable or get to go on fabulous vacations like many of their friends. They don't have all brand new pottery barn furniture that all matches or extravagant decorations. Yet, sometimes it seems like that just aren't ever satisfied. They want more, better, longer...it's never enough.

Is it that God sized hole that we all have in our hearts already rearing its ugly head or are we bad parents or what? Ann Voskamp talks about how every sin can be traced back to the garden and ultimately to discontent. We are born discontented and always try to gain contentment through every other means but Him and what He has already given us. We seek it through wealth, status, sex, possessions, leisure, vacations, fashion, media, alcohol, drugs...the list is endless.

I know a girl, a special girl, one like no one else I have met. Her name is Veronica and she is the daughter of one of my closest friends. You could give her a clump of dirt and she would do a back flip, ooohhh and aaahhh over it and thank you forever. If one of her friends gets a gift, instead of feeling envious, she says, "OH, I love it! It is so beautiful! Aren't you so happy you got that?"

I also know that girl's parents pretty well and while they are grateful people, they are not demonstrative people. They will say, "Thank you," or buy you a microwave when they come to stay with you for a week...that kind of gratitude, but they aren't very gushy...actually not at all, so it isn't something they have taught her. Yet, she is the most grateful child I have ever met. It is a gift from God, truly.

So, as we analyze our failures as parents when 2 of our kids cry as we leave Silver Dollar City, one lets the door slam on a sister because he didn't get footie pajamas at JC Penneys, and another complains that since she is getting older she is getting fewer gifts on her birthday because what she wants is more expensive, we have to find a way to instill gratitude in these children even if they weren't gifted with it from the beginning.  How? That is the burning question. We sponsor a child from Guatemala, Abner is his name. I decided we are going to learn everything we can about Guatemala and what life is like for Abner in hopes of planting seeds of compassion as well as gratitude in my children's hearts. We went to the library and got books about Guatemala including a fictional book about a girl growing up in one of the city dumps. This week, we've been frequenting www.aholyexperience.com and reading about Ann Voskamp's experiences in Guatemala with the child she sponsors through Compassion International. Shelby and I have wept over and over as we have read her words...seen her pictures...imagined Abner there. Yet, she can still turn around and yell at her brother for watching Spooky Buddies in the car without her on his trip to Wichita with Dad and get mad when she gets a picture in the mail that a friend drew her who is a very advanced artist...her first emotion was envy when she saw the drawing, not gratitude for the gift or for her friend being so blessed with this talent. And, Shelby is a truly amazing girl with a huge heart and 90% of her moments are positive, but this gratitude thing...It is something we all struggle with. But as parents, can't we help our kids to struggle less? Is that too much to ask?

It's gonna be a God thing, because I can't physically cut them open and force their hearts to be grateful. We can practice it, though, through being aware of what most of the children and families in the world really live like and through keeping gratitude journals and choosing to point out our blessings each day. Gratitude, I have come to believe is a discipline, so it only makes sense that it has to be practiced. May I practice it so much and so well that it rubs off at least a smidge on my littles...May the Lord open their eyes to the wonderful blessings all around them so that they will not always be trying to fill that God sized hole in their hearts with material possessions or other pleasures of this world. 

Here are Shelby and Preslie watching Shaun Groves and Ann Voskamp on her blog...links below.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/02/what-really-happens-when-you-give-to-the-poor/

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/10/what-is-radical-faith-video/

p.s. after I wrote this but before I posted it, my friend Jenn showed me her amazing family pics taken by our incredible photog friend Allyson {here they are} and my response was, "UGH these are so amazing, I hate you! I am so jealous." Of course I was totally kidding about the hate thing, but not the jealous thing.  I did exactly the same thing my daughter did.  Our hearts...they need help.

The good old days...

The only bikini pic of me you will ever see. ; )

Me looking just like Miss P on my second birthday party...

Jay and me (looking like Lulu bee), ready for a sleepover...

Me and Jay and Grandpa Gene (my first namesake my middle name Dawn was after my biological dad, Don and my other Grandpa Don. Jay's middle name is Don too.)...I would totally rock those curtains if I had them today. Their decor was amazing. Red velvet couches, curtains with balls, red shag carpet. Drool...Wonder where it all went!

More of me and Jay...

Preslie said this was here when she saw it.

Me and my stunningly beautiful young Momma...

I found this album today and was blown away by how much I looked like Preslie in most of the pictures, Lucy in a few and Shelby in others. I didn't really think Preslie resembled me at all, but she certainly does. I love the pictures of me and my cousin Jay. He was like a brother to me because my Grandma Shelby watched us both while our Moms worked. We were always together. I love him so much.

My Momma is 21 in these pictures...as beautiful as she still is today. It was just me and her for the first 9 years of my life after she and my biological dad divorced when I was just a few months old. She says I saved her. I say we saved one another and continue to do so in one way or another always leading each other in the right direction closer to God...together. She was so brave and so strong to be able to parent me on her own at such a young age. Such an inspiration! Her story is amazing. She really needs to write a book. If she does, it will be a Christian self-help one, though, because she is a lot more private of a person than I am.  Too bad, because I think a lot of women would be totally blessed and inspired to read about her life...maybe one day I will convince her. I love my Momma!

WeLcOmE Fall...

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much pumpkin picking
And hearts will be ticking
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year 

 

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And frolicking out in the leaves
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Past times so hard to believe

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much turkey eating
And hearts will be beating
When love ones are near  

 

It's the most wonderful time
  It's the most wonderful time  

 

It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time of the year

{Hey, I never said I was a poet or a song writer, but at least I tried! HA! & Fall is our very favorite time of year because James, 3 of our kiddos, Jessica, Matt, Janell, both Grandpas, Uncle John, & others I am probably forgetting all celebrate their birthdays in October or November. We also love fall colors, weather, food and festivities. The changing of the leaves is heavenly! Welcome Fall, we missed you so much when we were in Arizona!}

Daddy benchpressing littles and other antics...

James is going to kill me for posting this, but I just have to...for the family. It is too cute. Reality at its finest {funniest}! Jesse banging on the piano, Francie attacking James' face, James bench pressing the littles and everything in between. Life in a "big" family...love it, especially in times like these!

There really is never a dull moment around here.

And here is just moments before that...Preslie dragging Francie around by the blanket and my text tone interrupting the madness. Sweet.

Milestone Birthday for Shelby...

Last night, Shelby and I spent the night at a hotel together to celebrate her upcoming 9th birthday.

Her special gift was a Baby Be Blessed Doll specially personalized, hand-crafted and prayed over just for her.  It may seem like a juvenile gift for an almost tween, but I had my reasons.

On this special 9th birthday, I wanted her to know all about how she is growing up to be a young woman, but that she'd always be my baby and God's child and that my prayer is that when she sees her doll she will remember that she is pure and innocent no matter what the world throws at her.

I chose this particular scripture for a few reasons. 1) the name Shelby means "little rock" and she is a rock. She is a strong girl with a confident personality, but I want her to remember who her strength comes from, The Rock. 2) It is one of our favorite scriptures to sing together from our Seeds of Courage CD 3) I want her to come to know Him as her Fortress, and Protector that she'd never fear for her future and know that since she is His, she is always safe...eternally safe. I also included the 2011 date because she was baptized this year, pledging to live her life for Jesus. She is a new creation.

She loves her doll and has affectionately named her "Shelbelle."  We had such a great night. Dinner at Applebees, Ben & Jerry's with plastic spoons in our pjs while we talked girl talk, and then toe nail polishing, of course, before watching Food Network together and falling asleep around 10.

We've decided on important milestone birthdays for our kids and they are 9, 13, 16, and 18. We chose 9 for the first one because it is at this age that schools start health education highlighting the upcoming changes with puberty and more depending on the schools. Girls are starting puberty earlier and earlier and many girls are starting their periods as young as 9, with the average age being 11. Because of these two things, even though we still homeschool, our kids are starting to hear from their other 8 and 9 year old friends all kinds of ideas about body changes, boy and girl relationships and where babies come from. We want them to get the correct information first, to hear God's plan for our bodies and our relationships and we desire to be the ones who share it with them first, if possible. I actually shared the "God's Design for Sex Book 2" with her last night which was written for 5-8 year olds because I think it gives more than enough information for her little mind to grasp for now. 

I was so surprised how informative and descriptive this book was without being too technical or too blunt like some I have seen. I'd highly recommend it. We had a great discussion after reading it together and I was thankful to know that she had heard some things from her friends, but not everything before I had a chance to have this important discussion. She was a little surprised to hear the intimate details about how babies are made, but not shocked or frightened by it. I know it is a topic that can be shocking or frightening if presented in the wrong way, at the wrong time, or by the wrong person. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to be the one to share God's design for marriage with my daughter. This night will go down as one of my all-time favorites.

Francie Lou and Preslie too...

Jesse decided to use my Canon Rebel yesterday whilst I was busy preparing for bible study and unaware of their mischief. He actually got some pretty good shots!

Francie has stolen our hearts (and our sleep.) Lucy got to bring her for show and tell at preschool today. Can you say, "walking on air?" She was on cloud nine sharing her puppy with her friends.



She is a sweet puppy and training very nicely after a few rough days at first with the potty and kennel issues. She actually slept through the night last night in the kennel without crying! woot!



These are Jesse's artistic shots of Miss P.  Love them. ; )

Branson Vacay...and Francie Lou

My favorites...

Where we stayed, it was beautiful. This was the view from the balcony of the tiny A frame cottage we stayed in one morning where I sat and simultaneously drank my coffee, did a little of my bible study, and tried to keep Preslie from falling 100 feet to her death because there were no slats between the rails. The scene was serene, the moment was not completely. I wish our vacay would have been a little longer, but it was so nice to get away. Silver Dollar City was a blast. We opened and closed the park. It was homeschool weekend, so we got to see lots of long denim skirted families...one day I will have to ask the philosophy behind the denim skirt thing. We never have quite fit the stereo-typical homeschooling family...Most don't actually, but at SDC many did. We were so hoping to see the Duggars like we did last time we went, but we didn't. Something even better happened, though. On our way in, a couple with season passes and four $20 off coupons stopped us and offered them to us because they were so impressed with our well-behaved children on the tram. It's a good thing they didn't see them on the way out of the park, or we'd have had to pay them back. ; ) $80 they saved us! Such a blessing! 

If I were a betting gal, I'd bet that this here little pup was the kids favorite part of the vacay. Jenn and her girls met us in Fort Scott to deliver Francie Lou into our very anxiously awaiting hands. I can't believe the things she does for us. She is so amazing!  Francie is a cutie pie...no one can deny it, but I haven't slept in two nights and for that I am not a shiny happy person. I haven't had a real puppy in about 16 years, and I had forgotten that they are basically harder at first than a newborn baby. She is worth it, though, right?  So adorable...