MAKING A WAY IN THE WILDERNESS

It's been too long!

My oldest friend Crystal had yet to meet Kai in December! So we planned a trip to Lubbock. We took the kids bowling. What kind of people don't know about bumpers? And who knew that would be such a chore teaching everyone to play. And Crystal smoked us all like she's on a league. It must be her new hobby. We can't even talk about having to wear someone else's shoes. Really it was lots of fun! But be prepared they are kids 😜. After we grabbed dinner and jammies to head to the Polar Express! The kids enjoyed hot chocolate and a visit from Santa who Gunnar decided was just the conductor in different clothes. It was blowing 90mph with dirt so west Texas did not disappoint in that department. Our navigation just led us astray twice. But it was lots of fun. Time passed too fast as it usually does. But Crystal is priceless. She has loved me at my worst. She's a gem. And watching her love my babies leaves my heart full!

Thanksgiving

Kai enjoyed her first Thanksgiving. As a family we went to serve Thanksgiving dinner at Faith City. We are trying to step out and find other ways we can serve as a family and it was a treat for us all. We want to expose our kiddos, but I think it's Derek and I who learn the most. Thanksgiving was a fun day with family and friends...7 kids running wild is always lots of fun. I always forget to take family pics...but had to snap this one after Kai had bathed herself in cranberry and coke salad. I brought out my Granny's china because it's just wasting away in the hutch. We all ate too much and had food to spare. Always cooking for the Kiwadis. We have so much to be thankful for. It's so special to watch Kai and all her first. We missed her so much during the holidays last year, we are so overjoyed to have her home with us now...give thanks to the Lord for His love endures forever...Yes it does!

Our New Addition

We adopted a new friend. The kids have been thrilled and love Ranger so much! He's 5, and potty trained! Woohoo. Mom is not a fan of smelly dog or dog hair, but who am I kidding. I love him too. And my house will be clean one day...probably later than sooner at this rate.

Road Trip

The longest goodbye finished with a road trip transporting a trailer for friends to Kentucky. Why in the world? With our littles. Our sanity is usually in question. Well, for good friends of course. My pastor growing up said if you have as many friends as you have fingers on one hand then you are blessed. Good friends are hard to come by. Derek and I have been blessed in so many seasons of our lives and we have a wide stretch of friends, near and far, old and new. We treasure all of them. But these friends are something...mostly they've taught us so much about life... to be faithful and constant. How to be ever prayerful and steadfast in walking with the Lord. How to be a good friends. How to enjoy each day. I hope one day I can be a friend as they have been. They've been iron for us and watched as we've been chiseled and changed. It's been a sweet journey together. The tears home weren't fun, but all the miles and laughs were worth it in the end. We are praying now for new peeps in their lives. Someone needs to enjoy the Kentucky Fudge with them. Yum! And we know that whoever they are they are in for a real treat!

1100 miles from door to door.

Awesome scary bridge!

Road trips are exhausting.

Blue Grass country...

The long road home.

St. Louis arch and a drive by the Jones head office.

It's always a welcome site that welcome to Texas sign!

My Fabulous 4!

Kai, Super spellers and the cutest scarecrow ever!

October...

October was full of pumpkins and sweets as it should be.

A lost tooth.

A Balloon release.

A slumber party in the safe room.

A mom and daughter date.

Halloween fun.

A farewell dinner we had been dreading for months.

Kai's 7th month full.

And a day sewing with my Mom.

Harper worked on this tooth for a month. I'm thinking Mrs. Starks suggested the ol' apple trick because when she came home from school she was determined to lose this tooth. It was a success. She was so excited and brave.

The kiddos were not unnerved about the tornado sirens...mom on the other hand is not a fan of severe weather. Kai slept through the whole thing.

Nana came and enjoyed the pumpkin patch with me and Harpie.

Gunnar was sick on his field trip day so dad made up for it with a visit to the patch on the last day of the season.

Miss Tin posing with Nancy Drew. A date with my oldest was a treat. It doesn't happen often enough but we enjoyed every minute. Who is this girl? They grow up way too fast.

Kai cheesing for her 7month pic!

A little more football...too hot for October.

I just love this pic of mr. Elf with the China dolls

Big brother needed to pose too.

Our Super pastor and his wife, King Candy And the Queen. A fun little treating spot.

My finished project from working with mom. Learned a few things from her and taught her a few too.

Farewell Ferris/Brown Dinner...it was so good...I think I can still taste dessert.

October is Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness month. What a downer I say. A friend reminded me that their ectopic baby had never been celebrated. I of course had not thought of it this way. So Derek came home with 20 balloons and we sat and celebrated each baby waiting for us in glory. It has touched too many of our friends and family but the Word reminds us that, This hope will not disappoint us, because Gods love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us Romans 5:5. We do have hope and for that I'm grateful. This part of October reminded me that it could be a lot quieter at my house, less chaotic and hectic on a day to day basis. But my busy is a reminder of how very blessed I am. Our lives are FULL of love, noise, hurt, sadness, joy, learning and growing. It's a good good thing!