Field Trip Fun

We were very blessed to take a homeschool field trip to the beach with 3 other families.  We had a total of 11 kids and 8 adults. We had a wonderful weekend full of exploration and relaxation.  We couldn't have asked for better weather or better behaved children! Here are a few shots of our time!

The whole crew on the beach.

Of course we needed a beach pyramid!

We had a few first time surfers with Camron and Caden! Unfortunately I only got Camron on camera! They both mastered boogie boarding as well!

We also had first time friends who created a bond that made my mama heart happy!

We explored the sound and found all sorts of creatures! Some fun to touch, others not so much ;).

And finally, we got to see those beautiful beach skies at sunset. 

We look forward to our next weekend field trip!

Oh Happy Day!

Today has been a rather good day!  First of all, while I have been thankful to wear this aggravating wonderful heart monitor, I am glad to see it go!  I wore it for 21 days and thank the Lord, I didn't have anymore crazy issues!  Now, I'm just praying I don't ever again!  I am curious to see what the Dr says at my follow up...in December.  Why is it so far off??  I haven't the slightest idea!

Secondly, I got a phone call today that made my day!  Let's have a little recap for those who may need one.  Plus, I just love reminding people what an awesome God we serve!  Remember my polymyositis has been giving me a fit.  It's been "flaring" if you will.  It all began back at the end of August when I got really sick with shingles.  My levels went from normal to over 1,200!  As of about 2 weeks ago they were still over 1,000.  Soooo, after praying about what to do, Chris and I decided we would go ahead with an infusion suggested by my rheumatologist.  I didn't necessarily think it would work but I also knew it wouldn't hurt me.  We, as a family, as well as many others, have been praying that God would lay a healing hand over this.  Trusting Him fully to do so.  Well, Yesterday, I went in for my first of 2 infusions.  These take about 2 weeks to start working.  I asked to have my levels checked while I was there because I like to know where we are before the infusion.  I will be honest, I prayed specifically that my levels would be lower than 800, "lower than 500 would be great, but lower than 800".  Angela, the awesome nurse at the rheumatologist office (who has listened to me cry many times over the years) called me today with my levels.  I can always tell by her voice if they are "good" or "bad". They were  398!!!  I was beyond ecstatic!!  I told the boys and they all started dancing and whooping and hollering, "God answered our prayers, Mommy!".  What an awesome feeling!  He is an on time God, that is for sure!  Of course, my levels could stand to be a little lower but that is pretty close to normal for me!  

It's Turtle Time.....

We had our 7th and 9th annual Duke Boy Birthday Bash this weekend.  We decided to tone it down this year and not invite quite so many people due to our special guests.  We just so happened to find a turtle man who lives at the beach!  We didn't tell the boys about their special guests until they were here.  And for the record, they are tortoises, not turtles ;).  Mr. Randy brought his African Sulcata tortoises, Franklin, Ben, Jerry, and more for the kids to pet, ride, watch eat, water, play.....and so on!  It was a blast!  The largest was about 300 pounds and 60 years old.  The smallest was about 15 pounds and 6 years old.  They can live to be over 100!  Needless to say there are some boys in this house who want one as a pet.  As much grass as they eat, Daddy-O probably does too!  I have to say they were pretty cute.  Joss may be the only one who would object!

Here's Jerry having a snack!  And taking a break from giving rides.

We all posed for a picture.  Joss wasn't having it!

Cam-Cam taking a ride while Jonesie observed.

Jaxon REALLY wanted to keep this one.  Too bad he doesn't have $500 laying around!

Miss Priss was happy with her bubbies!

The awesome turtle cake made by Jojo's Sweet Treats!

Caden blowing out his candle!

The birthday boys!

The tortoises were all loaded up and ready to head back home!  I bet they slept all the way home!

It was a beautiful day for a party.  We all had a wonderful time!  We may just have to look Mr. Randy and his tortoises up on our next beach trip.....I just realized I didn't get to take a ride....

7 already??

I can't believe that 7 years ago today, yes just barely after Jaxon's 2nd birthday was coming to a close, Camron and Caden made their grand entrance over 11 weeks before we expected! It's hard to believe they once weighed under 5 pounds put together! I can't tell you how many times we've heard "double trouble"....but we've always thought more along the lines of the doublemint commercial...double the pleasure, double the fun! We are truly blessed to have been given 2 sweet boys at once! We thank God for the miracles they are! They sure defeated so many "odds". 

They are both such great friends. I love the bond they share.  They look up to Jaxon and are wonderful with Jossalyn. 

Caden has a sensitive side but is as feisty as they come.  Camron is sensitive as well and super silly! These boys keep me on my toes that's for sure!

Happy birthday my snicker-doodles! We love you all the way to the moon and back (back, back, back, back....;))!

My baby is 9!!

It is so hard to believe that 9 years ago today, Daddy-O and I entered the wonderful world of parenthood for the first time.  Jaxon was the one who made us Mommy and Daddy.  He is such a special kid.  As a matter of fact, I personally think God thinks we are pretty special to have blessed us with a son like Jaxon.  Even though he can aggravate his brothers to no end, he is the best big brother to all of his siblings.  He willingly helps them when they are upset, consoles them when they are hurt or sad, and he even changes a diaper now and then.  His love for people, animals, and nature amaze me.  He has such a big heart.  He may just give someone the shirt off his back if I don't stop him ;).  He's definitely a people pleaser!  I just pray this doesn't get his feelings hurt some day!

I am just so thankful to have such a wonderful son.  He loves his family, his friends and most importantly God.  All of which are evident in his daily life!  Happy Birthday snuggle puppy of mine!  We love you....MORE ;)!

Talking 'bout my girl!

The princess has just blossomed lately.  We look at her in awe wondering just how she got so sweet.  We don't question the spoiled factor...that's a given!  She talks better than most...but only when she wants to of course.  She loves her family and friends and she lets them know!  We hear the names of her loved ones many times daily...and even the ones she acts like she's not too fond of to their face (ahem...."Yuke").  She loves to play with ALL of her Bubbies things.  But she loves her babies too.  They get diaper changes and bottles.  She likes to cook and serve and make everyone "EAT!" in her kitchen.  Most of all she likes snuggles.  We don't mind!  We like them too!  When we are doing school, she's pretty sneaky when it comes to drawing on all the boys' papers!  I'm fairly certain they don't have one page that's been kept "clean".  They don't mind.  They do their work, read their books, etc with her in their laps or climbing all over them.  She likes to sing "Jesus Loves Me" and her "ABC's".  She follows Jaxon around with her My First Bible every day asking him to "read Jesus".  And he does, over and over!  I swear she has better manners than the boys with her pleases, thank yous, and bless yous when someone sneezes.  Ok, please excuse the bragging on my baby girl!  She's just such a joy and we are so thankful to God for blessing us with her!  

The Things Above

A common theme in my life lately has been based on the verse in Colossians, "set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."(Col. 3:2)  How hard is that?  I mean really.  I began this month in a fast.  A fast I intended to last 21 days.  On day 8, it was clear I needed to stop but I considered continuing, just to "finish".  How often do we miss God's voice because we are so focused on the things of this world.  So on day 8, the day of a new beginning, the fast ended.  I learned so much during that time.  I was reminded of how often we put too much weight on worldly things.
Ironically during one of our bible lessons this week we were discussing what was important in life.  Answers that I got from my boys were,
*to help other people
*to tell people about Jesus
*...so they spend eternity in Heaven with Him just like we will
Wouldn't it be great if we all really put things like this first.  I mean really.  You have to be intentional, that's for sure.  We are making that a goal 'round these parts.  Wanna join us?