Getting Excited!!!!

 Look at her face!!!  I mean doesn't it scream - EAT ME I AM GORGEOUS?  I am a bit biased....maybe...

 I think she could sport any outfit and it would still be ADORABLE!

 Yes, this is Jonathan in his pj bottoms (no idea where his top is)  and of course a Batman mask making a face at you :)

 These girls just beam with LOVE!!!!!

 Who is Joanna talking to? 

 This was her response when I asked....guess it was a private conversation....he he he

 OH SHOUT OUT TO MY MOM IN LOVE!!!!!  I unpacked THE BOW!!!!  (this bow may be a post all on it's own!  Some day when I am caught up on blogging.....which I am clearly NOT!)

 Ummm...yeah.....still want to kiss her all the time....oh yeah....I do!!!!!! 

 So one reason to be excited....

 NO- NOT THIS!  This is as old as me!!!!!  Look at the dials- YIKES!  This is the oven that was left here for us....ummm........Thank you tax refund.....

 This is the oven we have now!!!!  A DREAM OVEN!!!!  Dual convection ovens or one big convection oven, with a warming drawer, and touch pad- all done with sensors.  OH MY IT WORKS SOOO GREAT!!!!!  Thank you to my honey who hauled it into the house last night when I was out doing a coupon shop- and he did it BY HIMSELF!!!  No idea how, but he is AMAZING!!!

OOOOOOOOhhhhhh, AAAAWWwwwwwww.....

OK so the real thing I am EXCITED ABOUT- besides my children, and the new oven, and my new laminator (and yes I totally played with the oven and the laminator today)!!!  AND I LOVED IT!!  Those are mommy's toys thanks!

I am EXCITED because our home is starting to feel like HOME!  You know the difference.  One is a place to be....one is where you fit- you belong- you make memories- you want to be there- you love it- you feel relaxed there.........We haven't put up a whole lot of pictures yet, my homeschool isn't quite ready (although I worked all day on it today), there are still things to fix, repair, learn about, tweek.....BUT THIS- THIS IS HOME!

It feels nice to look around see all our things- our memories, our furniture, our belongings here.  It's not a matter of the stuff, but a matter of memories.  It is hard to explain, but when you look at the couch and you remember snuggling with your babes watching a movie, or reading many, many, many, many books to your kiddos on that couch.  Or you look at your dining table and think of the 1,000's of meals you have eaten together at that table.  Or you look at your computer and think of the many hours reading blogs, posting blogs, and surfing the net for the perfect homeschool curriculum :), or your dressers- you remember putting them together and seeing them day after day in your room.  I am sooo VERY THANKFUL!  For all our memories.

Even the hard ones.  I think that is something this latest journey to be in our now HOME has taught me.  The hard memories....the ones sometimes you wished to forget- they are important too, because it is a part of you.  They are a part of your core.  The endless hours of waiting by the phone for it to ring- for your referral of a child.  The many many many hours working on your homestudy, the cleaning for the social worker.  The months that you waited for your wedding day.  The hard times when you were told- No to something sooo important to you- a child, a husband, a home, a court date, whatever it is.  The times when you remember soo vividly the loss of a child, mom, dad, uncle, close friend, spouse......those times make us alive.  They also keep us moving forward just like the good times.

I pray we have many GREAT TIMES in our new HOME!  We have already started :).  But I know there will be harder times too.  It is the memories that really form us, shape us, and make us who we are.  They become your testimony.  How do your memories shape you?  What are some of those tough  times that transformed you?  Look at the stuff around you.....what memories do you have of them? 

Yep, I am soo behind and I know I haven't done my parenting post....it will come....sometime....a little later :)

Our official first week in our HOME!

Here is what has happened this week at the Wright home- as well as 4 dentist appointments, Abigail's follow up apt, and the pool people coming to help me learn about our pool.  As you notice you can actually see our countertops!!!  YEAH!!!  And Tuesday we get our new oven :)  Pics when it gets here...

 And see I didn't just shove stuff from the other side either....of course notice my cleaners all lining the window ledge.  They haven't found a home yet, but they will soon in the garage. 

 This is my grocery pantry.  Yep!  Hey, we go through a lot!!!

 Look at our dining table (yes that is the changing pad on our table sorry if this grosses you out- but it is my life.  Now that my changing table busted.......ooppss).  But more importantly look at our huge dining area which was a huge bonus of this home!  WAHOOOO!!!!! 

 The white cabinet is permanent.  It used to hold our tv, but not since the tv was broken (don't worry we got another one).  Now we have all our bowls etc. here instead as well as table clothes, cooking books, etc.  (the brown shelf thing is not permanent.....it needs to go to the toy room....which is a disaster area- one of this upcoming week's projects). 

 Make way for the huge IKEA bookshelf for homeschool stuff! 

 Tada!!!  NO it is NOT organized yet, but it is up, and holding our books!  That is all I can manage for now :)

 These are the kids reading books and will eventually be in more shelving that hasn't been bought yet.....   :)

 Hey, and our downstairs closet.  Not too bad huh?  I have stored our pictures and picture books in this closet.  And a random bed topper we use for our fold out bed.  For those who are crazy enough to come visit that is!  :)

 The boys bedroom.....but as of today- They all have bunk beds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The girls too!!!!  That is 4 bunk beds put together in one day folks!!!!  Whew, and we went to church too!!!  :)  By the way church is AMAZING!!!!  Want to be inspired - GO HERE and listen :)

 My children have been playing outside, swimming, and doing lego therapy while I have been sooo busy...and of course daddy too when he gets home in the evenings!  This is Andrew's creation look they are saving someone from the water...

 Oh, and that thing to the left that is supposed to be a shark.  I think they are catching it? 

 Here is Abigail's creation.  The knight is obviously guarding, the king and his servant,

and the guys off to the right- they are playing checkers.....yeah :)  he he he he

So have to share my daughter's quote with you because it totally made me tear up!!!  
Sarah says "thank you for giving me grace....I know I don't deserve it." I said "none of us deserve it sweetie, but God gives it to us anyway."
Oh BOY IS THAT TRUE!!!  

Surviving a Move......

OK so day 4 of moving......

 So how was the closing day...and first day of moving you ask?  Closing was smooth as silk!  Seriously :)  Of course we had loaded everything up THANKS TO HEIDI & MARK DIXSON, RYAN GEER for helping us move.  AND TO MY AMAZING AUNT JANE who watched our littles & Abigail (who helped).

Of course as we came home we saw huge nasty looking clouds!!!  And one of the trucks Mark drove over to help us move was a huge open flatbed type truck :) YIKES!!!  Thank the Lord we got the stuff off the truck just as it started POURING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Then we had to unload everything else in the down pour, but we backed up to the garage and that was helpful.  Never had a garage before- so that is pretty cool!

 Joanna has mastered the stairs.....little squirt!

 Don't know why she is serious in this picture??? 

 So this is the mess......BEING REAL HERE!!  ;)

 Oh yeah....our reality.....

 It's great!

 Our garage that we can't use.....yet......not even sure our 15 passenger can even fit in it?  Built in 1972?  So we will see....

Hey, at least our kids have played in the pool & Jason....I was madly determined to get the kitchen UNPACKED!

So day one- just got the stuff from storage in the house......
Day 2- CLEANED all bathrooms top to bottom- all 3 of them, and the kitchen :)  Unpacked a little...
Day 3- Unpacked huge amount of boxes.....all on my own now Jason's back to work....
Day 4- Had dentists appointments for 2 of the kids- TOOK 3 HOURS!!!  UGH!!!!!!
Then came home and unpacked after a NAP!  Got a lot done!!  As I type this Jason and Mark (came back) to move the other couches.

Stats so far.......
Broken items- 1 Glass, and one plastic Busch Gardens cup.  That is AMAZING!!!  We do have some dressers that will need some putting back together a bit.  But I think that will be a fun challenge....for LATER!  We packed all our stuff mostly with clothing from the kids that we aren't using presently.  So that was cheap!!!  We did use some other things like some paper towels, plastic bags, blankets we have, etc.  But  mostly clothes- great recycling!!!

Injuries- aside from the obvious- pains in places you didn't remember having.....Jason got stabbed in the thumb- left a blood blister.  I on the other hand sliced my pinky fingers on the knuckle while carrying a box that had wood shelving pieces in it.  YIKES- Yes it hurt....and still does.

First things set up- Our bed (thanks Jason), and our dining room table!!!  The most important things right?   :)

Other randomness.....tonight as I opened our storage closet in the lower level....I saw what looked like thick string in the corner.  Yeah....except it moved!  Ity bitty snake was there and Jason killed it.  Now for all who know our family- usually I am the Queen of snake killing.  We had water moccasins at the camp and unless our summer staff was there- it was one of my duties.  YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!! 

Oh yeah, and this morning getting ready for an appointments when we don't even know where most of our clothes are, had to do all the girls hair, couldn't find my keys or my wallet- CRAZY STUFF!!!  Of course making me stress out big time....remember duck in row person here!

Will be glad when we feel a little more settled, a little more unpacked!  Although I have to say it is feeling more and more like home!  So there are my updates....whew......only 3 more appointments this week to go and putting together bunks, cleaning out our rental- still have a few bits left there, set up shelving, actually finding most of my clothes :).  Other than that kicking back and resting- ;) right?

Alive....

As you can tell......not posting tonight (I don't count a few sentences as a post).....but will try again tomorrow :)  We are alive, and doing well, but that big hole of boxes I have unpacked has been taken over by the new load of boxes we brought back from our rental :)  And tomorrow we have 2 dentist apts.  YEAH!  ;)  Praying for strength :)

Will try to take a few pics.....but someone?  Oh yeah me.....forgot to buy the right rechargables for the camera.  Have been waiting all day for those to charge.  Ooopppsss :)

Absence....

 So I guess I may be a big slow.....but I put my girls hair in twists, puffs, pony's, natural, etc.  But I have never thought of the fact that when the twists have come out a bit and it is time to do the hair again....leaving the twists. 

 What I mean is.....I had both Elizabeth and Abigail's hair in sectioned twists, and as I was lotioning up the hair it hit me.....why not leave the twists and pull them back in a bunch- or in Elizabeth's case a couple of bunches. 

 It looked really CUTE!!!  Of course I am a little biased, but look at the face below- I have reason :)

 Look at Joanna's face....she loves all her siblings....but Jonathan can make her laugh for seriously NO REASON.  It is soo cute!

 See here - Jonathan walked away for a minute and Joshua is giving her a snack.  Boring she says.....

 Then Jonathan comes running back up to her and instantly she starts laughing again.....

She seriously turns hysterical :)  Awwww......makes life worth EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!

OK so TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Tomorrow I love you tomorrow you're ONLY a DAY AWAY!!!!  That's right....our big move will be happening.  NOW, as most of you know from my previous admissions that I am a duck in a row kind of person......and let's say that I could have a melt down at any moment if something were to go sideways....PRAYING for no sideways MOTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)

Our family is helping with the move :)  YEAH for the Dixson's and the Geer's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They are AMAZING :)  The final walk through is in the morning, the signing and moving to follow!!!  And right now my heart is hoping no details were missed....because yeah duck in row......

The other things is my absence- I will be able to have facebook and limited message reading on emails, but that is it......YIKES WHATEVER SHALL I DO UNTIL MONDAY??????????????  Oh yeah, I guess I will spend all my time then moving, packing, unpacking, cleaning, unpacking, moving, giving my kids love, unpacking, cleaning, running to the store for something I am sure, hey may do some swimming or enjoy a little hot tub time- you can't work ALL the time!!!!!  So if you happen to think abut me....say a prayer for my sanity and with any luck you will hear from me on Monday....hopefully :)  when our internet gets hooked up!

UNTIL then- leave me more parenting tips- It can be about anything- lying, cheating, fighting, LOVING, hitting, biting (we need some help with that one right now....Joanna), ANYTHING :)  
 THANKS!!!!!!!!!  Oh yeah.....that will also explain why I can't reed your blogs until then too.....I will miss you all :)

FO' REALZ!

So my bloggy friend Courtney is doing this fun series of FOR REALZ!  It is where you have to BE REAL!!  She is great at it.  I sometimes am.....like when I wrote about throwing a fit.  That was real- it may not have been the most mature, but hey, it was real.

For REALZ!  Sometimes our child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (or a child that simply is healing from traumatic things that have happened to them) child will scream for over an hour.....and I will send her outside to cry and scream so I don't lose it!  SERIOUSLY.....screaming is one of the things that can send me over the edge!  Don't know why our house is always filled with lots of noise.  But screaming can do me in.  So for the safety of my child and myself I have to do something.

Oh yeah, I also send the other kids to spy on them if and when they stop screaming.  :)  That way I make sure they don't get into things they shouldn't before I go talk with them myself.

So there you have it.  It's true........

So what about you.....do you have any FOR REALZ????

OH and don't forget to give me any parenting tips....if you have one on helping your child calm down that would be GREAT!!!!  It can be about anything....books, something you heard on a parenting series, quotes from books, DVD series, anything you can help share....and there will be some tips coming to this blog for everyone soon.......

2 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until we move into our home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Just a tad excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH yeah.....FOR REALZ- Crack happens at our home...if you read my last post you would see that Joanna's new skillz are to pull down her diaper...and this is what we get to see....  :)  he he he he

A Miracle, Throwing a Fit, and Joanna update

You can skip my fit throwing and go to the bottom of the blog to see what Joanna is up to....BECAUSE WE GOT A MIRACLE AND CAN MOVE AS PLANNED FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)  PRAISE GOD!!

So last night I started THROWING A FIT!!!!  Why you ask.......because we were told that we may not be able to move into our new home until Friday......NIGHT which really means Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Now I realize that is only 1 day!  So don't go saying that to me, because right now I am still throwing a fit!!!  I have arranged things for this day- Jason has a day off, moving truck is ready, people to watch the kids, people to help, utilities called....etc.  NOW I get to "for fun" change everything......because I have nothing better to do with my time.  

Also keep in mind we were told this - last night after 7pm!!!!!  Literally a few days before the MOVE!  And we have been anticipating this move for over 40 days already and that is when they accepted the contract.  And I just feel my strength draining......after all the moves, the many thousands lost on this move- see past posts about having to move out of rentals for safety reasons and then to be closer to Jason's work, being cooped up in this 1,100 square foot house for now 4 months with NO YARD, and feeling like this place must have shrunk or I am just losing my mind!  Losing my mind is totally possible!!!!  

Really - I am whining because I feel like we have WAITED SOO LOOONNNGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!  Seriously feels like more than I can take!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  So I am trying to pull up my big girl pants and get over it, but .....that is never as easy as it seems..........

So instead I will try to focus on My baby girl Joanna......in the first picture you will see the sheer joy on Joanna and Elizabeth's face......then notice the pic just above this- Look at Joshua's face :)  LOVE THIS!!!!  He is thrilled to be pulling them around.  Kept stopping and saying everyone needs to exit to the right please.  And please buckle your safety belt- Thank You.  TOO CUTE!!!  Then there is Andrew reading!!  I LOVE THAT MY KIDS LOVE READING :)

And Joanna has some new skills:  

1) She can now climb chairs and sofas....and then proceed to stand on them scaring me to death every time.   

2)  She now has this wonderful death defying squeal......that pierces everything....including my sanity- and I only have very little left......  :)

3)  She plays this cute "blinking game" where she looks at me and blinks a few times to see if I will blink back- very adorable!!!!!!!

4)  She loves to pull down her diaper so we see her little bum crack....oh dear???

5)  She loves certain items that she shouldn't have, but takes anyway- like the cell phones of course, my alarm clock (she already broke one), daddy's electric shaver- she likes to pretend she is shaving, things from the trash of course, and pretty much anything her hand can reach.  This has expanded and anything on the countertops within 4-6 inches from the edge is NOT SAFE!  In fact she recently took a pack of sour patch kids, opened the bag, ate some, and had a very mischievous smile as she walked out in the living room with the bag. 

6)  She loves to flush the toilet!!!  

7)  She loves to play - splash fun time in the toilet :(

8)  She loves to give you zurberts!  She will seriously lift your shirt and give you a zurbert...awww....

9)  She loves to play with the computer mouse- and keyboard!!!!!!!!!!!  Sometimes shutting things down or opening things I have never seen before......OYE!!!  

10)  She now says words like mama, dadda, kitty, meow, woof woof, doggy, her siblings names,  these are my favorites....the others are more mimicking what you just said, but equally cute!

11)  She sings....as in humming and saying her baby words....soo cute!!!

12)  If you are blessed enough to able to get her to go to you - she gives the BEST HUGS and CUDDLES EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Snuggles right into you, puts her arms around you, and taps you on the back with her cute hands.......MELTS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE ME YOUR BEST PARENTING TIPS!!!!  Books, dvd series, general ideas, anything you want!!!!  I will be combining them together next week and doing a post- have gotten some great tips already!!  Remember......this is to help others with something....it can be potty training, how to help them not throw fits in public, teaching them skills, not going insane, ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!  So put your thinking caps on and give me a shout out!!  :)  THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hating Children part 4

2 Chronicles 30:9
If you return to the LORD, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”

Nehemiah 9:23
You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their parents to enter and possess.

Job 5:25
You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.

 Job 21:8
They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes.

Job 21:11
They send forth their children as a flock; their little ones dance about.

Job 42:16
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.

Psalm 8:2
Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Psalm 34:11
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Psalm 37:26
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

Psalm 72:4
May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.

Psalm 78:6
so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

Psalm 103:13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

Psalm 103:17
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—

Psalm 112:2
Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.

 Psalm 127:4
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.

Psalm 128:3
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

Psalm 128:6
May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.

Proverbs 13:24
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Proverbs 14:26
Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.

Proverbs 17:6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Proverbs 20:7
The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

Proverbs 20:11
Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?

Proverbs 22:6
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 29:17
Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.

Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

 So today's pictures.....are just my cute girlies in the tub- adorable of course :)

Then a silly picture of our cat....do you see his paw on his face as he is sleeping....hilarious.

And then there is Joanna.....you see this series of pics....yeah that is her.....moving soo quickly I can't keep up with her!!!  Trying to get a good pic is like...um.......let's see......banging my head against a wall.  Good thing she is soo cute it doesn't matter what angle the picture is taken from.  :)  Not that I am biased in any way. 

 So......Hating children....if you haven't read my blog post series just click back to read parts 1-3.  It is all based on the fact that there are public places and airlines banning children.  One of the comments that I do agree with is that maybe people are just tired of people who do not discipline their children.  TRUE I agree it is hard when you see families where there is no discipline AT ALL.  

 And if you are reading the scriptures.....you will note that there are many many many references to discipline in regards to children.  But I also want to point out a flaw.......on our side.  You see I think there are flaws that we need to look in the mirror to see too.  YEP ME!!!  Looking at me.....I see someone who judges a lot when I see children that need to be disciplined....it happens.  I AM SOO NOT PERFECT IN THIS AREA.  I guess it comes from thinking I have my children "under control" right?  He he he he he he.....and then well something hits me and I am not talking about the sippy cup my youngest threw at me- although maybe it is. 

What hits me is that we as a CHURCH- the BODY OF CHRIST (not talking about a denomination here folks we will someday all be in Heaven together).  We have NOT done our job.  One of which is to help train younger parents.  We are each to help train younger Christians in Faith, and instruction in a lot of different areas!  Raising children is ONE OF THOSE AREAS!!  As well as SUPPORT each other in parenting which is also sometimes a weak point for us.  I guess we are too worried what our friends will think if we bring up the Discipline word???

I also have seen and felt a strong compassion for those that are burdened.....that lack energy to even discipline because they are working soo many hours, trying to go to the grocery store before they get home.....waayyy too late as it is.  For those who just don't know HOW to discipline.  For those that have to share discipline with the ex husband or wife, and with grandma, and with day care or school, and with all the others in the child's life- wow would that be confusing as a child or what?  Then there are those that are harder to discipline- you know what I am talking about the child that has a STRONG WILL.  And if you do not have a strong willed child- BLESS YOU!!!!  But for those of us who do, as well as children that are from hurting places, let's just say that is tough stuff!!!  And sometimes with my children things come at you from NO WHERE - even out in public and there is not a thing you can do about it.  Just 2 minutes ago they were fine but something triggered them and wahooo you are in for it! 

Maybe that is why in more recent years I have realized that sometimes how your children act in public isn't always a realistic view on how the parents discipline.  I have started to have a lot more of a real view.  At the end of the day I know it is irritating when you are trying to relax or get something done.  I get it.  BUT do we really think banning children from public places is a good thing?  

So here is where you all come in - HELP!!!  I would like to write down some helpful parenting tips.  They can be about ANYTHING!!!!!!  Helpful books too- or DVD series.  Anything you can think of.  I will be collecting these for a week or so....and then doing some blogging about all of the tips, books, etc.  

You never know!!!  Maybe there is a momma out there at the end of her rope NEEDING HELP!!!  AND we could all use some tips, ideas, and in general support :)  So let me hear your greatest tip!!!!  Come on now don't be shy.....I know I have a LOT OF READERS LURKING....HIDING.....  :) 

OH AND IT IS ONLY ONE WEEK FROM TODAY WE WILL BE MOVING INTO OUR NEW HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)  Abigail is feeling much better thank you for all your prayers :) !!!!!!!  Hope everyone's weekend is GREAT!!!