How We Shop...

...but why we shop (or attempt to) like this is probably baffling to most:)They were really good today if we do say so.....even Eloise.....and...aren't they just adorable??!!

This One's For You Julie!! :)

"OK Mom..I now officially can say I feel like white trash"....said Julie in the Wal-mart entrance watching her grandma learn to drive a motorized scooter for the first time (she was actually doing laps of circles...frontwards and backwards!! In addition to me having to jump in to avoid a few collisions with unsuspecting shoppers:) )while little sisters circled too, amist our carts loaded with toilet paper, bananas, water, and other princess necessities:)...Today, our oldest daughter is preparing to fly to the D.C. area tomorrow to attend Sovereign Grace's Worship Conference for the rest of the week. Needless to say, she's very excited! So....today we trekked to our local Wal-mart Super Center to get a few items she needed and were we going to get them for her??!! No way...we made her hop in the back of the van and join the always-fun-taking-3-kids-plus shopping! Mom Jo has been wanting to try a scooter out (sometimes she has trouble walking) and thought this was a most opportune time. So did I. Especially when I saw Julie's face. Priceless. We're still laughing....but is Julie??!! Embarrassing our children is a VanLue specality:)

Dare We Mention...

...that's it's hot here in Fl.??!! Definitely the dog days of summer! Here's "no words needed" to caption these photo's of our recent Sea World day for the P.C. (Princess Collection:))! Oh yea...IT'S HOT!! (photos by Daddy of the P.C.)

Happy Anniversary to Us!

These were waiting for me on Wednesday morning. Yep....this week we're celebrating 25 years as a married couple! I remember in my early years thinking anyone married that long must be really old....I no longer think that..heh.. heh.. :) We're celebrating tonight actually...with a much needed night out to talk about and recollect all God has done for us this last quarter of a century!! We're very, very grateful for God's provision and care over us as we recount all our many blessings!

Bible School, Heat and a New Reading List

Last week we were at Bible School all week. This mommy volunteered to help considering I had 3 kiddos there and by the time I got home to do anything, it would be time to go back and get them. Plus...I like being involved and being a part of all they do. Well...I volunteered, and was drafted to be the craft teacher in Leni's kindergarten class. I was overwhelmed at the thought because.....although I love, love crafts....this mommy just doesn't have the time these days be crafty...much less get a full nights sleep. I needn't have worried!! It was an absolute blast and we were so sad to see the week come to an end! There were 16 kids in my class and they were delightful! I'd do it again in a heartbeat...and then some! Eloise took advantage of the teen helper in her class...and proceeded to manipulate the girl into thinking our Eloise was totally helpless and needed undivided attention. Everytime I passed E in the hall/playground/craft area...she was being carried like a queen (well, isn't she one??!!) by the teen helper..E was pretending to 'need' things she would normally do herself....and relishing in the attention. Geez. We put an end to that v-e-r-y quickly when the week was over. That attitude doesn't work when you're one of five kids!! Enjoy the pics from our week. Then.....when we came home from Church Sunday...our house was 87 degrees inside. Yep. You guessed it. Broken air. Bummer. It was over 90 in the girls room...so we sent some packing to grandma's house....and for the next couple of days endured gruelling indoor heat. Reminds me of no power during the hurricanes a few years back :) All is restored to normal now....no more indoor sweating for the Oreo's!! Last but not least... here's a sampling of some of the books we've been reading.... just FYI
1. Anything by Elyse Fitzpatrick...I started reading her books beginning with "A Steadfast Heart" last summer...and have continued progressing thru her works. She's very direct and forthright in her manner and gives an unwatered down biblical perspective. She has a book on "Overcoming Worry, Fear, and Anxiety" that is a must read for the mid-lifer female mind :)
2. Humility by C.J. Mahaney- this is a re-read...and worthy of re-reading a few times a year
3. Signs of the Spirit by Sam Storms- this is a rewrite of Jonathan Edwards 'Religious Affections". This really makes you think about where your heart lies and what you revere here on this earth. What captures your affections?? I'm asking this to myself daily now.
4. The Chronicles of Narnia--again....just for fun
5. Scott's pick--The Divine Body by Thomas Watson
6. All things for Good-By Thomas Watson

We'd love to hear what you're reading as well....fill us in!! Oh yea...note the picture of the little Asian child that wandered into the Kindergarten Music class. Katie had gotten 'knocked' over in her room (next door) and came into music for a little TLC. Leni was very sweet and tried to teach her the songs w/hand motions. It was hysterical!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Yes, our Daddy is a year older and hopefully wiser (we think so!!). We celebrated Friday night at home with take out from Carrabbas and lots of 'love' from friends and family. The Easthams came to help celebrate and challenge the X-box fanatics...in addition to the usual crowd of kids and grandmas/grandpas.....and lots of fun was had by everyone. We're very grateful that our Daddy has made it thru his post-accident weeks and has recovered well beyond what we had thought. We're so blessed by all he does for this family!! Happy Birthday Daddy!! (P.S. My camera is misbehaving...maybe I should actually read the manual or something...but all my pics of Hope came out blurry and others not at all. I'm bummed. Working on it though:))

Awesome Friends~

Our daddy has had a rough week. Sunday thru Wednesday the poor guy had a 103 fever in addition to well, to put it nicely...*the stomach flu*. Now realize, he's still recovering from his accident and other body parts still hurt as well (although he never, ever complains. I can tell by body language his level of pain at the present:)) Anyway, yesterday after VBS, my friend Bev showed up at our house...brought us dinner!!...and she along with her 4 wonderful children cleaned our house from top to bottom. After that they even played dress up and rode bikes with the girls. Then they just HAD to stay for dinner and a little X-box! This is the church being lived out in real life. We are so grateful for the relationships God has given us and are so very blessed that our daddy has made almost a complete recovery. By the way. He turns *39* tomorrow!!!! We wish him an early Happy Birthday!! (and we have a clean house to celebrate!!) Thank you Rejonis Family!! You're awesome!!

~Teach Me Attitude~

So, we're at VBS all week and the theme is Beach Party Summer. It's really, really cute. So my little blond oh-so-cute did a funny today. One of the songs they've taught the kids is called "Beach Be-Attitudes". Today's 'be-attitude' was Be- Kind. Yesterday's was Be- Obedient. Each day builds on the former, with lots of repetition in the fruits of the Spirit. Understand? So today I hear my little Eloise at the tippy-top-pitch of little girl voice belting out the WRONG words to the song.... K was singing..."Teach me attitude!!" (uh..should have been..BEACH BE-ATTITUDES).. Along with the correct hand motions...but wrong words...this little arrow in our quiver hasn't seemed to put to heart the fruits of the Spirit from memory.....and definitely, definitely doesn't need to be taught any more attitude. Funny none-the-less. Please notice today's craft of a bead sunglass holder lanyard for those oh-so-sunny-beach-attitude-teaching days!

Yea...that's right...I'm all that!

I may have my issues but I got this potty thing down! Not one accident from me in 2 weeks! That would be zero. Nada. I do not like to be messy. Nope not one bit..but I did dress myself. Remember, it's very, very important to accessorize. That's what marks you as a fashion icon. Especially shoes. Shoes make the outfit...the sparklier, gaudier, and higher...the better. Write that down. So.... What's everyone think?!

Summer Beach Party....!

Is the name of the P.C.'s Bible School they're all in this week. And guess what?!! This mommy is the K- Craft teacher.:)(go ahead...snicker, snicker, snort!) Busy days this week...and Leni got to be in mommy's class. All three are having an absolute blast including me! Pics coming soon!!

Cousin Cathy Comes to Town....

Scott is the oldest of 3 boys... and his first cousin Cathy was like a sister to them growing up ....Today she paid us a visit ..the first in a few years! She's an attorney living in Indianapolis, and also trains Olympic caliber horses from a second home in Ocala. In between cities today.. she paid the Oreo sisters and Cade a visit ...and we had a great time! This was also the first time she had seen Scott since his accident so he got to show off his battle wounds....We all wished Cathy lived nearby permanently!! She is very, very special to us!! Grandma always has arts and crafts ready for interested little girls...and there's got to be the romp around the golf course...of course! (Julie was singing today...and Jay and Mel were house hunting:) so they do not appear in photos but are doing well:)

Halfway thru the year Princess Update :)

Well, we're weighed in and measured and growing! Here's the current stats!

Leni: Age 6!
Ht. 50"
Wt. 56 lbs.
Shoe 1 1/2
90th-96% (can you say volleyball??!!)

Kristin: Age 5!
Ht. 44 1/4 "
Wt. 44 lbs. (she's square:))
Shoe 12 1/2 (big foot)
90th % Height....75th% weight






Katie- Freshly 3!
Ht. 35 3/4 " (same as Cade)
wt. 28 lbs.
shoe 7 1/2
20-25th % in height and weight

Here they are today showing Julie (who is behind the counter taking orders from her sisters in the proper prep of a frappachino w/choc. whipped cream and choc syrup on top!) Now.....I just want it documented that Katie has been in big girl pants for a week now...and has never had an accident. She's a little (ok, alot...)OCD... with the whole thing, and washes her hands constantly....but I'll take that any day over constant 'accidents'. I have in 5 kids..never, ever had a kid potty train this easy. I'm stunned I tell you. Stunned. She's amazing!! And those shorts you see on her are size 18 months. :) He..He..He....on we go!

What We Did the Month of June:)

Ahhhh...the month of June:) After Miss E's recital, this group headed out for the rest of the month to our friends Disney townhouse. Our daddy still had to work, so he commuted, as did Julie....and the rest of us parked ourselves there. Sad to say, the first weekend we came back for my friend Robbie's funeral. Some of you may remember me mentioning her...she was 36 years old and had battled Hodgkin's lymphoma the last 1 1/2 years...finally losing the earthly battle...but winning the heavenly one! Julie sang 2 songs at the funeral..."God Reigns in the Storm" by friends Steve and Vikki Cook, and "Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer"..as sung by Kristyn Getty. I know how hard it was for Julie to do what she did....but how it honored our savior as HIS name was proclaimed to the congregation! We returned to Disney with Mom Jo in tow...and spent the week touring Disney property...gotta love those hotels and the Marketplace...seeing movies and relaxing. I was able to spend some time with my current favorite authors, Elyse Fitzpatrick, the unabridged writings of Amy Carmichael, J.I. Packer, Linda Dillow and John Piper. I also snuck in a little Jane Austen :) My reading time is limited as our family has expanded...but it's still my favorite way to spend any quiet moment. The second weekend, we welcomed our friends the Crokers (from Maryland) and the Seltzers (from Tampa) for our China Girls reunion celebrating their 3rd birthdays. We love these families and so appreciate the effort everyone makes to continue these girls relationships as they grow. Julie actually gets to stay with the Crokers next month when she attends Sovereign Grace's worship conference.....We had visits from Mel, Jason and Cade and Julie for Father's Day....this was a special Father's Day for us this year...as our daddy is recovering from a pretty severe accident.:) We're very grateful for him and all he does for us!! Later in the week, Medana and her kiddos came for a couple of days (always a fun, fun time!!) This year new baby Sadie was initiated into the craziness! The Eastham family moved in for the final week--it was a blast! Baby Hope had her first adventures in the pool and our kids ran themselves ragged. We had trips to Animal Kingdom Lodge, Ft. Wilderness, Marketplace, in addition to our park, pool and a trip to one of those Florida Souvenir shops! We definitely made some memories!! A great day as well was visits from Kathy P., Medana, Mel, and Megan with kids in tow. We had 13 kids there that day!! Now you know why my happy place was was so important to me. Everyone needs time to pull-away from the everyday stress of life and enjoy each other and the relationships God gives. We definitely did that....and need to find another 'Happy-Place' fast!! Let the fun continue!!

Red, White, and P**! (rhymes with Blue!!)

Katie....is brilliant. Three days of potty training....not one accident....(she is a control freak and once she sets her mind to something...that's that.)Of all 5 kids...definitely the easiest to potty train. I will not disclose who was the hardest...but you know who you are:) Today she mastered you-know-what (hence the title of this post) and we even went to the mall in big girl panties. She is wearing size 18 month shorts because ...she has no meat back there.:) Mom Jo suggested we buy panties at Build-A-Bear for her!!:) We can't find any small enough that aren't ridiculously priced. Anyway, low-key day because potty-dom took precedence....enjoy the princess collection doing their "Bibbity-bobbity-boo" impressions with their fireworks. We tried NOT to set 'Hoe-white' on fire. Leni lit a patch of leaves...and an earthworm..but not herself.:) A good day.:)

Redirection of Indoor Plumbing to Faciliate Cost Efficiency! **UPDATE**

Let's see...gas is $4.OO a gallon....milk is close to that....food prices are out of control....energy costs are sky-rocketing...yada, yada, yada. So...we are doing our part to reduce costs and lower input into landfills. I've told Katie that when we go home....no more diapers.(heh..heh...) At first she said..."No! Want pull-up on!!" Then I said " you get an M (m&m) every time you go in the potty:)" To which she responded "O-tay!" She's very, very resistent because she loves habit and the same routine. Yall pray for me:)!! BIG incentive with the 'hoe-man' panties I found last Christmas in a size 1!!!AND they're still a little big!! This child is teeny-weeny and they just don't make 'unnerwear' in little sizes anymore! (that's another problem we've had!) We're jumping in!!!! (hopefully I will have time to do a vacay slide show too:))OK.......'back to business'!!

**UPDATE**-Yesterday was our first day home. I took on alot and there's still alot of unpacking and reorganizing to do....but would you believe that after an initial "fear" of the potty (we had talked alot about being a big girl...but never attempted any kind of training as of yet) that this child stayed dry all day....and went on command.....and never had an accident??!! Kristin and Leni were awesome helpers...and Kristin even stayed with Katie in the 'room' and sang songs of encouragement to her...with her microphone of course at concert sound level:) Whatever we did...it worked. I think 99% of it was the m&m's! In between Leni was stung by a wasp and had some head 'trauma' when she slipped on the neighbors pool deck. Just another day here! We'll see what today brings! Hopefully yesterday wasn't just beginners luck!! (and no...I will not potty train your children for you!:) This is God's grace because I have dreaded this for a loooooonnnnnggggg time!!) Thank you everyone for all your comments! Hi Donna! Thanks for the link and when I come up for air I will contact everyone!!

Our Swan Dive-I-Mean-Song...

While I don't expect any of you readers to feel sorry for me.....I'm sad. After being gone for 24 days....we're home..... But that's not why I'm sad. For the last couple of years, my friend has graciously given our family use of their Disney vacation home (3br./3bath with it's own pool in addition to many, many amenities!!) whenever it wasn't rented. And this family....graciously took advantage of it. We've had an absolute blast and are so very grateful for the memories we've made there...both as a family and sharing it with others. I just got word that it's been sold. That's why I'm sad....very, very sad. And did I mention I was sad, too???:)I will miss my 'happy-place' which this family has grown to love....but will treasure each and every memory we made. So....I know all of you are playing your violins for me...but SOMEBODY out there can be sad with me, ok?? More pics to follow.... but only after I get some sympathy or someone comes up with a new happy place for this group of princesses :)(kidding ...kidding) Enjoy this pic of Eloise doing her last Swan Dive in the amazing zero edge pool they have there. She sure doesn't look 5 does she?? What's funny is this last week she taught Katie to jump in the same way. Now that's funny!!