Our "Forever Ours" day!

More to come about our "Forever Ours" day in the near future!  I just had to share this one picture to those who have been requesting one.  A very memorable day indeed!

Family Ties!

Last Sunday we had the honor of meeting some really sweet people....Uncle Randy and Aunt Billie Ray! (Birth family to some of the kiddos!) I'm so glad they came down to visit.  The kids had so much fun hearing many stories and lots of interesting tidbits from the past!  There was much laughter!  

Tim and Max our grill team made us some wonderful hamburgers and hotdogs!  Holly made us a wonderful batch of cole slaw...with a wee bit of help.  Everyone chipped in and dinner turned out wonderful.  Josalynd even got me to make a homemade batch of strawberry lemonade which was so yummy and we haven't had it in a long time!  Uncle Randy/Aunt Billie Ray brought all the fixins for ice cream cones including sprinkles which the kids thoroughly enjoyed! 

I'm so grateful that they took the time to come down and visit everyone.  It was a very special day which will be warmly remembered!

Wordless Wednesday !

(Okay...I can't resist...HE IS SO STINKIN' CUTE!!!!!)

Homemade Is Always Better!

Today we made Sausage Egg McMuffins!  It was fun and oh my goodness...slap your neighbor yummy!  I don't really like McDonald's McMuffins...but the kids do so I thought we could try our hand at making our own.  Everyone loved them!  

Mister 10 cooked the sausage patties, Mister 9 toasted the muffin, Miss 15 cooked the cheese egg muffins and Miss 11 assembled the sandwiches.  It wasn't a long process and the kids are always asking to cook so this was a great opportunity to spend time in the kitchen together.  

This is the recipe for our crew:

18 english muffins

18 eggs

18 sausage patties

Cheddar Cheese (18 slices or shredded)

Mayo (for those who want it)

1. Cook up the Sausage (or bacon/ham)

2. Toast English Muffins

3. Take muffin pan...grease each cup...crack one egg in each cup...set oven at 400' and bake for 10 minutes or until cooked almost all the way.

4. Pull out of the oven...add cheese on top of the eggs and put back in the oven until melted.

5. Assemble sandwiches: Bun, egg/cheese, sausage pattie, bun!

6. ENJOY!

This will probably be a weekly breakfast this fall/winter season at the Jeffries.  This ones a keeper folks!

Life Means So Much

Every day is a journal page
Every man holds a quill and ink
And there's plenty of room for writing in
All we do is believe and think
So will you compose a curse
Or will today bring the blessing
Fill the page with rhyming verse
Or some random sketching

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Every day is a bank account
And time is our currency
So nobody's rich, nobody's poor
We get 24 hours each
So how are you gonna spend
Will you invest, or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who's under

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Has anybody ever lived who knew the value of a life
And don't you think giving is all
What proves the worth of yours and mine

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much

Every day is a gift you've been given
Make the most of the time every minute you're living

A Labor of Love Outreach!

This morning we got the privelege to volunteer at A Labor of Love Outreach!  We worked beside a group of amazing people and were so blessed to just reach out...to help so many people.  I heard over 900 people came through the church parking lot where the outreach was held today and that there were 90 volunteers.  

  The littlest of our party played in the playground during the event!

Mr. Magoo chillin' in the play tunnel!

Mo and Hannah made 100's of snowcones for the kiddos!  They were stained from all the flavoring!

The youngest five of our household waiting in line to get a snowcone!

Love!

Tim helping with the food distribution!  What a blessing to be able to help so many people in need of food.  Misters 17 and 13 helped with the food as well.  They helped those that couldn't carry stuff by walking their food to their cars for them.  

Tinkerbell took this picture of Little Miss and I just love it!

I was helping hand out prepared hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and drinks to everyone.  It was so much fun seeing so many smiling faces!  They gave out new clothing, used clothing and furniture, bags of food and feed everyone that came through!  I was honored to work beside my family and to watch them serve others.  What a blessed morning it was!

The day did not end there though.  Tim took a van load of teenagers down to the Freedom Concert!  He was such a good sport taking 14 teens to the event!  The kids had a fabulous time.  Mo and Hannah got tatoos!  They are fantabulous...Mo got music notes etc around her ankle.  They also had someone walk up to them while they were walking around and hand them four free VIP passes to meet Switchfoot after the concert!!!!  Stinkin' Awesome!  They didn't get to stay for the fireworks, but plan to do so next time.  

All in all...a wonderfully blessed and fun filled day!!!

Homeschool Connection Kick Off Party 2011!

We have been looking forward to tonight!  Free Chapel's annual homeschool kick off party!  I was looking forward to seeing some of my bestest friends and I know the kids were looking forward to seeing their friends.  We've been so busy this year that we've not been able to hang out as mom/kids like we did last year.  God has opened new doors for each of us mom's and families.  It was nice for us to have a chance to reconnect at the party!

Ambered Stripes played for us and it was AWESOME!  Great praise and worship time!

Two of my besties and cutie patootie Micah!

Becca and Jameson giving our Rachel some love!

Best of friends...Mr. 7 giving his beautiful smile while Mr. 6 gives me his "Cool" face!

Mr...um...we won't put his age in there...Tim with Misters 7 and 6.  What's with all the superhero poses Jameson?

Miss 5 was coloring at her table with her friends!  Beautiful little missy!

 

Me and two of my lovies!

We praised, we ate, we laughed, we talked...we met new people and visted with old friends.  It was a great night.  I look forward to all we get to do this year with our Free Chapel homeschooling buddies!

Sick Happens!

We've been very blessed these past 5 months with having no real sickness of any kind in the house at all.  I'm so thankful.  It has allowed us to have a really busy and active Spring/Summer season.  We had a slight upset to our healthy streak by having two precious littles wake up with slight fevers and upset stomachs.  No other major symptoms so we didn't rush to the doctors office...but we did put them in the Sick VIP section!!!  Johnston asked if he could be in charge of the patients and knowing Johnston was in charge means those two kiddos would be treated like royalty!   He fixed them up an area on Becca's bed.

 (Holland couldn't help but smile brightly/Jensen was giving us his sad sick face!)

Then he asked his awesome big brother Justice to carry the tv that is in my bedroom into the girls room so he could put on a movie for them.  They thought this was great fun and enjoyed a whole day of movies, coloring, stories read to them, and whatever Johnston could think of to do for/with them.  They were right as rain by bedtime so only got to enjoy one day of pampering, but they had a great day! 

Thank you Johnston....you blessed them so much today.  I am so thankful for your servants heart!

Family Time!

Wednesday we got out of court and grabbed some pizza and went home to hang with the kiddos.  We got in our pjs, grabbed a slice of pizza and watched a couple episodes of Andy Griffith.  We absolutely love Andy and equally love Netflix for having all the seasons on instant watch! 

It was nice snuggin' and chillaxin with the crew!  Sweetness!!!

Matters of the Heart!

 

When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” - Catherine Ponder

Interview with a 5 year old!

I like to sit down and "interview" my kiddos every once in a while.  When they are so little their answers can be so precious and funny!  So today I was cleaning up the kitchen when little Miss Holly came in and grabbed my hand.  She said she had a surprise for me and asked me to come with her.  She sat me on the couch and proceeded to dance to Steven Curtis Chapman's Cinderella song.  Her white dress twirled around as she was lost in her dance.  It brought tears to my eyes...it was beautiful!  So...after her dance she jumped up beside me on the couch and I decided to have an impromptu interview with her.

Me: Holland, what is your favorite food to eat?  

Holland: Hamburgers!!!!  With EVERYTHING on them! *licking lips*

Me:Who is your favorite cartoon character:

Holland: TWEETIE BIRD!!!!

Me:  What is your favorite color in the entire planet?

Holland: Bright Pink...not light pink or pale pink...BRIGHT pink!

Me: What is your favorite animal?

Holland:  Kittens!  

Me: What is your favorite thing to wear?

Holland:  My pink tutus...with the skirts that go all twirly when I dance!

Me:What is your favorite thing to do?

Holland: Dance Dance Dance!

Me: What is your favorite song?

Holland: Cinderella (Steven Curtis Chapman)

Me: What class at school do you look forward to the most?

Holland:  Gym!  

Me: Why gym?

Holland:  I like to run around and play games...it's fun!

Me: What is your favorite letter in the alphabet?

Holland: H

Me: Why the letter H?

Holland: Because my name starts with H and I love my name!

Me: Do you have a favorite toy?

Holland: My dollies.

Me:  What are their names?

Holland: Rosie, Hannah Banana, Gabriella, and Gabe.

BEE-U-TEE-FULL HOLLAND!

Holland: (After interview was concluded) Mommy, can we have a tea party?

Me: Of course HollyMolly!

Holland: *giggling* Your funny!

Me: I know.

*Came back tonight to just let you know...we had an awesome tea party!  Lemonade and cupcakes! Yum!

Gearing up for more new experiences!!!!

What a day!  Seems like it went so fast and yet we accomplished so much!  Lovely!   Becca and Holland had their yearly checkups today.  Becca has grown 2 inches and Holland has grown 3.5 inches in one year!  Both girls are tall for their age and right on target in everyway.  The only hitch we found was both girls might possibly have asthma.  The doctor is pretty sure it is asthma, the girls are going to try meds for a couple weeks and then they will take a breathing test to make sure.   We knew it was probably going to be something we would be dealing with, and now it is here.  Jos and Morg both have it.  Now Becca and Holly are joining the ranks.  Our doctor has her thoughts on where the girls asthma originated and because of her theory there might not be anything that can ever be done outside of medication.  I am looking into other things  to try out in conjunction with the meds, but I'm glad we are able to get this dealt with correctly.  We also started the girls on their vacs today.  Lots of prayer and research and thought went into our decisions today.  I love that we have a doctor who listens to us and is willing to talk to us and help us make the choices that we want to make with no pressure what so ever.

The girls and I grabbed dinner then went to Walmart to purchase what they needed for tomorrow.  What might they be doing tomorrow for the first time ever?  Ballet!  Oh, they are so excited about ballet!

Becca was fluttering around the house all night.  I still have to take her this weekend to buy her real ballet shoes, but she is so excited about her first lesson.  She is the oldest in her class, but her teacher says she think Becca will progress quickly.  

Holland loves her outfit!  Look at this pose....hand on hip with those twinkling eyes!  She is loving this...oh so loving it!

This young man wants to do ballet as well so I am actually going to talk with the teacher tomorrow and see what she thinks.  Hmmm...Jameson doing ballet....that would be fun to watch!  They danced so beautifully around and around, giggling and laughing together.  They are a hoot!  Never a dull moment in our home I tell you...truly always hopping around here.

Wordless Wednesday!

First Day of School 2011!

Today we started school!  The kids had their backpacks packed, their clothes picked out, lunches packed, everything was ready to go!!!!  The excitement was contagious.  We had a good time gearing up for this day.  A couple months ago when Tim and I were praying about school (public, private, homeschooling, etc) for this coming year and what God wanted us to do, it became crystal clear the path we were supposed to take.  So we buckled down and jumped on board!  The kids were excited about the new opportunities and we are so glad we did this.

Morgan on her first day of 9th grade!  Woot Woot!  She is so excited about all the classes she's going to take this year, the new friends, new experiences...it's going to be a great year!

My picture of Max didn't turn out today so I told him we can just take another and post it later!  He had a great day today though and talked our ears off at dinner time!

Becca Jean Jelly Bean!!!!  She had a good day.  She didn't meet any new friends, but that's Becca.  She is picky in making friends.  She desires "true friends of Godly quality" she tells me.  She has a really good group of friends who are just that and she just will not settle.  She had a great time otherwise though.  She liked her classes, enjoyed her teachers, and was the first to tell me what she did not enjoy about a certain class she is taking.

Johnston was really excited about trying this new adventure out!  He makes friends so easily.  One kid gave him a Star Wars Wii game.  Now that's a great first day!  I told him he could borrow the game, but he has to give it back to him after the month is up.  He gave school two thumbs up!

Davidson was so excited to pack his backpack with all his new school loot!  He absolutely loved his camo backpack!  He enjoyed his classes very much.  He didn't make any new friends, but Johnston (they are best friends)  told him to hang with him and the kids he met so it worked out really well.  He will make friends, it just takes time to find the right friend for you.

Jensen on his first day of 1st grade!  He had so much fun!  He had so much to tell us at dinner tonight.  We had to make everyone take turns because everyone was talking at once.  LOL!

Holland and Jameson starting school today!  They enjoyed packing their stuff up and organizing their crayons, color pencils, notebooks, etc.  They made new friends, played lots, and came home with lots of new stories to tell at the dinner table!

Tim made dinner tonight in celebration of the first day of school!  Kraft Macaroni w/ Hamburger (a first for the kids and myself) and a beautiful green salad!  It was a great dinner...lots of talking, stories, and laughing! (and homework!)  After dinner I snugged in bed to read our nightly bedtime stories.  Right now we are half way through a Fairytale book that was mine when I was a little girl.  I love the art in it.  It's beautiful.  I have enjoyed our nightly readings greatly.  After the three littles were tucked in I got to work on some paperwork that I need to finish while Tim, Davidson and Johnston settled on the couch to watch Clone Wars.  

They were very excited to finally get to watch this with Daddy!

All is quiet now.  Everyone has gone to bed except for my Morgie and me.  I on my laptop and she on Tim's.  Sometimes it's so nice to just sit in the company of someone awesome like Morgan, yet not have to talk.  We can sit here and just hang doing our own thing together.  It's kinda cool!  She's on Facebook, I'm on Blogger.  Music is playing.  Laundry is going.  It's a good life!

Armoring!

Tim took the boys to work on their SCA armor this past Saturday.  He's been taking a couple boys at a time to have some quality time with them.  They've been oh so very excited to finally get their armor started.  They are itching to get their armor finished so they can actually suit up and FIGHT!!!!  Oh to be a boy!  My boys are constantly having battles.  Every day there is some sort of battle scene being played out in my house wether it be a Star Wars battle scene to a Civil War battle scene.  There are even days when we cross many different genres in the course of a few hours!  I just love it!  My boys are smashingly awesome kids and I love their imaginations that just overflow with creative ideas!

Max loves working anywhere that is outside!  Cars, wood, metal...doesn't matter...it's all good!

Johnston has really enjoyed making his own helm!  This is such a great experience for the boys!

Max and Johnston didn't mind that it was really hot outside!  At least they were in the shade.  Armoring is not the easiest of work!

Work, work, work!

Johnston got his turn at punching holes in his metal piece to his helm.

Then they switched!

Max got his turn at the equipment...thingy...whatever it is!

So blessed I am!  A wonderful husband and father, two wonderful boys, a day off and time spent together doing something exciting.  What a blessing!

Last Saturday of Summer!

Today was our last Saturday of the summer.  Tuesday we start school so we enjoyed our last Saturday with a fun breakfast and some LooneyTunes.  Justice and Morgan celebrated by sleeping in until noon!  Tim took Max and Johnston to work on their armor and I got to enjoy a nice relaxing morning with my kiddos!

This is how Holland came out of her room this morning.  She said she was in a princess gown with a cloak!  She loves dressing up and is counting the days until she starts BALLET!!!  I'm so excited for her...it's a little dream come true!

Little miss loves to do a pouty face when we take her picture, BUT without fail the second picture is awesome cause she can't help but smile!

Just like this smile right here!!!!  LOL!

We spent a little time playing with these three cuties!  (Jedi (left), Bright Eyes, and Mr. Chubb Chubbs)  They are so much fun!  Morgan and I looked at the pictures of these sweeties when they were only a couple weeks old just last night.  I can hardly believe they fit in the palm of our hands just a little while ago.  A few more weeks and we will be seperating them from their momma!  Not looking forward to that day...but until then we are enjoying our time with them and loving on them as much as we can!  They are so much fun to play with!!!!

I was reading a book to Jameson and looked over at little miss who was having this serious conversation with someone on the phone.  It was hilarious!  She was going to town on whomever was on the line.  She only paused for a second in her conversation for this fabulous picture!!!

Jameson wanted me to read some books with him but he had to go get his Spiderman shirt on for it!  Then he wanted to pose for me!  LOL!  I love this little man so much!

Tim and the boys got home and we all just chilled for awhile before getting ready to go to a youth rally some friends envited us to.  The kids were really excited and I'm so glad we went.  We met some really sweet people tonight and I look forward to visiting them again.

Beautiful girl wanted her picture taken!  She has gotten so tall this summer.  She's just blossomed!

Little miss wanted her picture taken as well!  LOL!  She brightens everyday!

So after we had pizza and cookies at church tonight we went and got our seats.  We had a bit of time before the service started.  The teenies hung out and did stuff with the other teenies.  Tim and all the kids entertained me in our seats while we waited.

Tim just couldn't stay away poor guy...he was just so tired!  NOT!  He was just being a stinker!!!

Holly thought he was rather funny.  Every time I went to take a picture he went to sleep.  Stinker I tell ya!

He was definitely not asleep for this one!  Oh my goose I love this man!!!!

Becca wasn't feeling the best tonight so she wasn't very animated, but Jensen was doing his usual thing.  Whistling!  He learned a week ago and that is all he does now.  Whistle, whistle, whistle...all day long!  LOL!  Davidson was watching a few people that came into the sanctuary.  I'm not sure if he was counting the peircings or tatoos...but it caught his attention!  LOL!

Johnston and Jameson were pretending to be asleep also.  Cuddled up!

I love my family so much!  I've had a great summer with them.  We've had lots of memory making and bonding and late night talks over triple berry smoothies!  We've laughed, we've cried, we've talked, but most of all we've prayed.  We've learned how to pray for each other, for those we love, and for God's will each and every day to be established in our lives.  We've learned how to take each day as a gift and to walk in His grace and mercy the best we can.  We've stumbled at times, but together we've gotten back up.  It's made us even stronger individually and as a family.