God provides

Fret and worry...fret and worry

So much wasted energy.

Just when you think things might be tough..

God provides you with whatever you need.

That may be faith, patience, wisdom, and

at times tough situations just to work themselves out!

Today is one of those days that I say thank you to that higher power

that always seems to look over us.  We are blessed..we are happy...and 

we like the simple life.  It may be busy but its foundation is strong and simple.

This is what I look at to remind me what a simple sleeping baby girl can tell us ..she can tell us

what really matters...peace and stillness and taking time to be

thankful...because no matter what God will provide!

Bubbles and Brothers!

     Grant and Marcus....loving bath time!!  They are pals and stick together pretty much all day!!  They are 4 and 3 years old...they look out for each other...they even at times argue with each other.  But at the end of the day hugs are given and "love you's" are said.  These two I hope will forever be pals.  

Blessings!

Grandma and Grandpa

This is my mom and dad on Delaney's baptism back in December!  It was a special day.  My dad who has been working hard this last year to beat Multpile Myeloma, had an emotional day that day.  Made this day emotional for us all.  Its always hard when you see your strong father cry.  He cried all morning.   He cried for the time he hopes he has, he cried for the blessing that Delaney is, and he cried for his family!  

Life is precious and each day is a blessing.  How do we make sure we make every second count?  I haven't figured that out quite yet.  The only thing is that i find I need to SLOW DOWN!!  

H

How does one slow down?  I wonder if my parents thought that life would go by this fast?  They are 80 years old now.  They have faced much sadness through out their years along with many blessings.  I think about my Dad that day and his tears that flowed so easily down his cheek.  He was proud and happy yet te tears flowed.    

So this other picture is on Julia's confirmation..  Another day of tears for my dady.  Julia has grown up so much that her time with them is minimal.  My mom and dad are our support, our wisdom and the love they have shown us is a blessing.  A blessing we need to think about daily.  We never know how many days we have .  So we need to make each one count.

Missing out..

I don't get out much

I don't have too many what I consider "close" friends

I tend to isolate myself to home

I only work part time outside the home that is.

I move from the minute my feet hit the ground til I go to bed

I rarely travel to visit anyone

So there are days I ask myself if I am missing out on life?

I sit back and listen and watch people do all these "things" 

I don't have time to do those things.

My life is filled with housework, running errands,

and most important caring for our 7 children!

I have to say at times I feel "left out" 

but then I look around and see that it is the 8

people that I surround myself with everyday that IS my life!

Don't get me wrong...there are days I wish I could do 

some of the things others do or have a girl get away

but I find that my heart and body are the most

relaxed in my home with my family.

I wonder if anyone else ever feels this way?

Life seems to go by faster and faster and I hope that I don't 

"miss out" on anything.

Day one....and counting!

     Well....its 1130 and we are now washing 8 chickens, well I am not, but the kids are.  We got the rest of the animals there okay.  Lots of directing..re-directing and counting heads to see if all are accounted for and if we have enough spots in the vehicle to who ever is taking who.  That is one joy of having a large family...CONSTANTLY counting heads!! 
     We had our first fair malts...yummy...and then finally at 8pm I brought the little ones home..pulled in the driveway and all 3 were sleeping.  Well you know what that means.  It means melt down city when you have to wake them up and get them in the house.  Both Grant and Marcus cried...cried...and did more crying.  Finally pj's and some spongebob settled them down.  Delaney just goes with the flow.  Ate, nursed and off to bed she went with no crying at all. 

     I can say that if it wasn't for my sister n law Pam...I would not be able to do this.  It is constant talking, telling what to do, and asking if it is done during this week.  Kids are busy and at times want the easy way out but we keep them moving.  Pam has the most patience and it is only her that could tolerate this kind of chaos for a few days.  Everyone else in our family would think we are TOTALLLY nuts to have this many kids and this much going on.  I have never heard so many thoughts, directions, names etc come out of Doug's mind.  He must be traveling at light speed inside that head.  No sailor words with the pig loading so that is good!!  It has taken us a few years to get it down but we got it now!!

     I think its time to call it a day..another day tomorrow with both the pig and the chicken show!!    Will update again tomorrow!

Get ready get set....GOOOOOO!!!

Well its County fair week....hang on for the ride that is what I always say!!  Its always good and things are busy and constantly coming and going but its things to keep the kids occupied..which is good this time of the summer..because boredom has start to set it!  Luckily my sister n law Pam and her 12 year old dtr always come to enjoy our chaos..only Pam could handle it!!  She is one of the biggest blessings in my life.  She gets me...gets my life...and praises me for it vs gives me grief!!

So I will update as the fair week goes!!!  Maybe post some pics!!  julia is taking a 1400 pound steer...the daddy is a bit worried...but I have faith!!  She loves it!!  

Mr Grant Michael Holen

Grant Michael is 3 today!!  It was 3 year ago today that I was at Lake Region Healthcare being induced.  I had lots of problems with that pregnancy.  Pre term labor...bedrest...polyhydramnios...but at 3:02pm he arrived with a tight nuchal chord and 2 more times around his neck.  Knowing what i know now as a Labor RN that is a scary thing to have...but he came out a crying and yep...we said "another boy" !!

He has become our "G"  

He has the bluest of blue eyes..

He starts and ends each day with a smile

He loves tractors 

He loves his brothers and baby sister too!!

He likes long afternoon naps.

He love to quietly come up to you and hug your leg everyday..many times each day.

He can be stubborn

He has learned to stand his ground with his siblings.

We love him so and he adds so very much to this large family.

His pregnancy was a long one but I journaled a lot while on bedrest and actually got to really enjoy the last month or so of pregnancy focusing on him.  I spent many nights contracting away wondering if it was it or not but after it all we were induced at 38 weeks and 5 days!!

Happy Birthday Grant....We love you!!

Wednesday words...

     Everyday I have a million thoughts go through my head and here I am trying to post something and can't come up with a thing to say.

Maybe I will just recap my day:

first woke up to no power and had non til almost noon.  By that time I had declared it jammy day...but apparently it was only me that stayed in my jammies...=)

Breakfast for all the kiddos...vacuumed so Miss Delaney doesn't choke on anything.  Laundry...hmm lets see I think it was 3 loads today.  Still not folded but at least done.

Refereed many disagreements with the boys....boy does that challenge my patience.  I think I lost it after disagreement number 25.

Actually snuck in an hour nap with Miss Delaney..now that is an oddity but I enjoyed it.  My eyes were just a bit tired today.

supper for all...spaghetti...garlic bread...always a hit.
Cleaned up the house and kitchen ...showered and lotioned 3 boys and 1 baby girl.  Love that smell at the end of the day.  Set up the kids to watch a movie...that is what is allowing me to do this post although Marcus has found me and is doing his non-stop chatter.   Soon he will quit talking and then be asleep.  One of the sweetest things about him.

I know I have missed a million things...oh yeah...hung up clothes in boys room and Delaneys room that had been folded and waiting for many days.  

I love being home.   I have times of being overwhelmed but no that it truly is a blessing.  I just need to stop and see them.  Its easy to count 7 blessings and add another for my husband in my world.  I even got to listen to some Josh Groban as I typed this.   Another peaceful and gift for the end of my day.

What was your end of the day gift? 

Expectations???

Okay so here we are the 4th of July weekend...Gma and Gpa came and took 3 of the kiddos up to the cabin...now do I go to or stay home?  The other kids want to go soo badly...gives them time by the water and with cousins and gets us out of our home for a bit but I struggle leaving home knowing that it seems twice as hard to take care of the kids far away.  i shouldn't want to take the easy way out.  I love it up there too...wide open space...beautiful shore and scenery...nice dock to sit on but I always...always worry my kids are too much.  Where has this stemmed from?  I don't know...perhaps way back when I had only 3 kids I remember being told by a family member to "split them up cuz they are a bit much"  Ouch....that one I needed a band aid for and took me many years to get over that one.  But now I sit with 7 and love every one of them but yes it is work...and believe me I have days I am not the best mom I can be but I try.

Sooo...do we go or stay put?  I need to work on this part of my parenting.  loving my kids even when they are "busy" and not expect them to be perfect all the time.  I think I am just tired.  Perhaps the cabin could refresh me...reset me.  I know I need it.  I need to change something within me cuz this momma is tired and has lost her positive outlook.  I sure can put on a good show though.   I should get an award for that huh???   

Kids are blessings...my life is blessed...I just need to slow down and feel it and enjoy it!!