Ben and Skylar

Ben was asked to participate in the Talent Show at his school and they had their performance last night. We are so PROUD of Ben. He practiced for several weeks and was partnered with his "friend" Skylar. She's a sweet, beautiful, girl and Ben is rather enamored with her. Yesterday was her birthday and he even made her something special, which I quietly slipped to her mother at the after party. Needless to say her mother thinks Ben is rather special too.

Talent Show 2010

This is the performance of Ben's fifth grade group at the Talent Show. Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the blog to pause the music that you normally hear in the background before you push play on the video. Ben did a SUPER job and we all had such a great time watching his group and all the other talented kids at his school! Such a fun evening. We all celebrated at Fuddrucker's afterward.

Day Two

My hopes for a less eventful post were really quite close to being a reality. I got everyone up and ready for school and we were doing great! A wonderful friend from church, Lynn, showed up at the store yesterday and kept Mark Thomas preoccupied while I finished some important printing for a store event later in the month. She was an absolute angel and even took MT to get some lunch when I had a bride and her mother come in without an appointment to order some invitations. Then Lynn said, "let me just go get the other two from school and then bring them back to you at home." Could not have asked for a sweeter friend at the moment.

She then called last night and asked if she could pick up the three younger ones from school and take them to her house. Max has been getting a ride from another mom since he's at a different school. So Lynn got the other three today and I actually had enough time to sit down and pay a few bills online and chat with Max before she brought them home. Lynn and her husband have raised three sons of their own and she's been a wonderful source of encouragement for me and I frequently lean on her for advice when I just feel like I'm at the end of my rope with the children. She's the best.

So Lynn brought them home and we left about 15 minutes later to take the Bens to basketball practice again. I was pulling out of the driveway with my Ben on the way to get the other Ben and I hit a trash can at the end of our driveway. It's just a large, plastic city trash can but it hit my rear window on the suburban just right and I instantly heard it shatter. I just felt the tears welling up within my eyes but didn't want to lose it in front of Ben because I'd done that yesterday with the stitches.

I called my Dad in tears and he did what he always does, just listens and then solves my problems for me. I love you so much Dad. He told me who to call and what questions to ask.

I found someone to fix it for far less than my deductible; which I about died when I heard how much that was when I called our insurance agency. I'm up to my eye balls with medical deductibles right now and I just knew my hole was getting larger and larger. So I called Safelite and they're going to come on Saturday and fix it for a great price. I was willing to wait that long just to have it be less than my deductible.

Next issue, what to do without a car until Saturday? I called another dear friend of mine, Nancy. She and her husband are like parents to me as well. I have lunch with Nancy regularly and she's been a wonderful confidant for me. I treasure our friendship. They have three cars so they were the first people I called and they brought over a car for me to use within 10 minutes.

Even amidst all my crazy emotions I had another friend come over to pick me up to get the Bens and she listened to me sob all the way to the gym. God is good to have provided so many gracious people yesterday and today and even though I'd gladly give back the stitches and the broken glass I'm still thankful for God's provisions in my friends.

Let's really hope I have nothing exciting to post tomorrow.

Day One

I thought maybe I'd TRY to update the blog daily while Mark is gone so that he doesn't feel like he's missing us too much. I hope and pray that everyday I'm not posting as much news as I'm about to because he may arrive home to find me in a catatonic state.

The morning started off great. I got the kids in bed early knowing I'd have to wake them early to get Max to school on time. I had everything set out to make lunches, clothes picked out and my alarm set. Bear wakes up at 4 am most days so I even had my jammy bottoms and my crocs sitting right by my bed to escort her outside. Mark has been doing this full time so it was about time I shared the duty. She did her "duty" and then went right back into her crate. The alarm went off at 6 am and I hopped in the shower, determined not to yell or lose my mind. We were doing great, really great...everyone was moving along well and nobody complained when I woke them up. I was beginning to think that I could definitely get this done, alone without my hubs.

Within the next half hour all things fell apart. I heard two boys squabbling in the living room and just as I rounded the corner to break it up, and I do mean break it up because these two boys go to blows very quickly lately, I saw Ben shove Mark Thomas' head into the door frame of the dining room. Mad as heck, I heard MT cry but wasn't going to show too much sympathy to do what every good Mom does and say, "I told you two to quit it". Well that worked until I heard Max yell, "MT, you're bleeding" only to have MT remove his hand from his head and find it literally covered in blood. Minor Med here we come.

I dropped Max off at school and then drove to the clinic. We were still in the computer sysytem from our last visit with T in September. And it was much better than our last 8.5 hour trip to the ER and we were out of there with 4 stitches. My only consolation was that Ben had to watch MT squirm on the table in discomfort and hopefully will keep that memory in his mind next time he decides to take a fight to the level he did this morning.

After school, homework and dinner. I dropped Max off at his basketball game. Then picked up Ben's friend, Ben and took them both to their basketball practice. I then went back to Max's game and cheered him on. They played against a local rival and WON. The second time in a row. I think I'm doomed to bad shots this year with my new camera. These gyms are just so poorly lit. But Max did great and we all had a great time cheering him on. Then I drove back to get the Bens and dropped Ben off at his house and then came home with my crew. Whew....

Lets hope tomorrow is a little slower paced than today. And please God let there be no blood shed.

Joy and Sorrow

So much on my mind tonight. We've had lots of joy over the past few weeks and it's been mixed with some sorrow too. Not sure how eloquently my words will flow tonight. I'm just going to try and keep it real.

Mark and I have for years felt trapped in a burden of debt. It just seems to hang around like an albatross. We knew when we followed God's call to seminary that life would change; and it has so much. In ways more wonderful than we ever could have imagined. We have been to several places we'd never thought we'd go, starting with Iowa. We met friends we'll have for a lifetime there. Struggles were not absent but I'd go back there tomorrow again just to get my Ella Clare. From there we moved to New York, one of the most beautiful states in our union. I long to be back there most days, just soaking up the beauty I'm sure I took for granted while I lived there. Mark has traveled to Israel, South Korea and taken numerous other trips to study and learn more about our Savior and to proclaim the Gospel. The kids have grown immensely in their faith, especially since being here in Beaumont where the children's programming is so strong at our church. And I have been pressed to grow in areas I honestly did not know existed.

But our time in seminary left us with debt and it has seemed to dangle it's ugly face in our lives for years to follow. We're about to embark on the Dave Ramsey program Financial Peace University at our church and I'm hopeful that we can once and for all shake this nasty plague. We long to be able to do more with our money to help others in ways they've helped us. The amount of times people have given selflessly of themselves to support our family over the years are too numerable to even recount here. Both Mark and I are blessed with parents that love us all so much and are always there to lend support when we need it; both spiritually and financially. Those blessings are not lost on us.

Since the children from Uganda stayed in our home nearly 2 and a half years ago my heart has really not been the same. I think of Allan almost daily and wonder what he's doing and pray for his health. I wish so much that he could have been able to come and live with us. I still feel very motherly towards him even though we've not seen or spoken to him since he left the states. I just had this connection with him that made me feel as if he was one of my sons and I hope and pray that someday we might be able to see him again. As Mark, the children and I have watched the news this week and seen the tragedy that's unfolded in Haiti it just brings all those feelings back. I cannot as a mother even begin to imagine the depth of sorrow that exists in Haiti right now. Such an impoverished place in our world and it's been devastated again by a catastrophic event.

I read today that the average person in Haiti exists on around $525 a year. That's less than I make in one week and certainly far less than Mark brings home from his salaried job. It's mind boggling to even begin to pretend how we as Americans could exist on so little. I paid our bills this morning and came up drastically short this month due to an unexpected car repair that totaled much more than Mark and I were prepared to have to spend but it was non-negotiable. After I paid what I could I sat down with Mark to explain what we needed for the rest of the month and I just felt so guilty even being concerned with such frivolity when people not that far away were struggling just to get fresh food and water. Jesus commands us in Matthew 6 not to worry about where our provisions will come from. That he's aware of our needs and just as he tends to the flowers in the field and the birds in the air so he will provide for us.

I want to be free of the worry that money brings. I want to be free to send funds to people who need things so much more than I need a new pair of brown boots right now. I want to be able to continue to provide things for my children the way my parents did for me and my sisters. I want to be able to know that Mark and I can retire one day and spend the rest of our days bringing Glory to our God working side by side in ministry.

These are the thoughts on my mind tonight as I approach the next two weeks ahead of me. I have a birthday coming up, not one I'm excited to celebrate but I'm thankful for another year here on this earth to be with my family and thankful for the blessings God has seen fit to bestow upon me. Mark leaves for Austin on Monday and will be gone for two weeks to continue to work on his doctorate. It's a time he both looks forward to and dreads. It feeds his mind and gets him back in the classroom which he loves and really, who wouldn't love Austin. So much to do there. But it also takes him away from us and that he really dislikes. He'll be calling within a few days wanting to come back home and I'll have to talk him into staying telling him we're just fine without him; which in fact will not be totally accurate. I depend on him in so many ways and it's hard when he's gone but I put on a brave face and am thankful for the cavalry when they arrive. This time it'll be my parents. They'll come for a few days and it'll be great to have them here I know.

Enough of my ramblings and on with some photos...

Alabama beats Texas in the BCS National Championship

We had our own little family party. Didn't want any of those stinky Texas fans in my house to watch the game. I ordered Bama plates, cups and napkins several weeks ago to surprise Mark and the kids and we cooked up our game favorites. We had a great time watching the game with our new family addition, Bear. She wore her crimson and rooted on the Tide to a victory! We knew Alabama was #1 all season long and now the nation knew it too! Way to go boys!!!

Mark Thomas did a bunch of drawing during the

game and plastered the fridge in Bama signs.

Just Bear laying in Ella's cradle.

Won't be long and she won't fit in there.

And today Little Dribblers started for Mark Thomas and Ben. So much fun to see them both trying out a new sport. They did great! Both of their teams won and they each contributed to the point tally. We won't have many shots to share from these upcoming games though. The lighting was terrible in both gyms and I really only got a few good shots at Ben's game because a friend of mine let me borrow his VERY expensive flash. A purchase I won't be making any time soon. MT is #4 and Ben is #12. Max has played basketball at St. Anne's this year too. He's learned a lot but is still a baseball lover at heart. Sign ups for baseball are next weekend so we'll be back at the ball fields before we know it.

What happens in our house on a rainy day. I can't actually remain in the room because the disorder makes me a little batty. Mark is being a great Dad right now and helping to clean it all up. Ella printed out passes to allow entrance into her fort and a sign that said she was the front desk clerk.

Bear sacked out on the chair in the living room.

This could be a problem when she's much

bigger but for now it sure is cute.

Sheesh, you're probably asleep by now just like Bear after reading all my ramblings.

Trip to San Angelo and Enchanted Rock

Mark Thomas getting silly before we even leave the cul-de-sac.

Ben playing cowboy in my Uncle Robbie's hat.

Ella ready to nap in her beauty mask.

She wears this thing all the time!

We stopped in Fredericksburg on our way to San Angelo. It's a beautiful little town that I can't wait to revisit with Mark sans children and hopefully some cash in my wallet. We stopped and walked around downtown and this quaint little park.

Ella found her name on a brick in the park.

Ben after climbing up a little embankment.

My T Tom.

Ella Clare

We also stopped at Enchanted Rock on our way home from San Angelo. Mark has restarted a local boy scout troop at our church and he had wanted to plan a trip here in January so the boys could earn their merit badge for rock climbing. Of course it was essential as a Scout Master to survey the local surroundings first! The boys had a great time climbing but Ella and I didn't have our climbing attire on so we just enjoyed the scenery.

Mark and I combined our Christmas money this year from our parents and splurged on a new camera. It's so great and I've already enjoyed the ability to shoot things I simply could not with my little point and shoot digital camera. I will not be starting my own photography business as it seems so many people are these days but I certainly could with the quality of photos the camera takes. I am anxious to take it to all the baseball games and to the pool when swim season starts to capture the kids in all their action.

But as you can see from below, my telephoto lens allows me to shoot things that are crazy far away. The boys climbed to the top of the easiest portion to scale and within 45 minutes went from bottom to top and back down again. This was my first time to use the lens and I was shocked at how far away I could still make out my 4 boys at the top. Enchanted Rock is 425 feet and Ella and I felt so far away from them but with this lens we could clearly see where they were in their descent. Can you see them??

This was their first litle climb along the journey to the top.

Racing to see who could get their first.

Ben is in the lead so far.

Yep, he got there first. He's been called our little monkey

since he was a toddler. Climbs everything.

They all made it!!

Ok, I know most of you are blown away that I've posted two days in a row since my track record had become so poor. I'm not promising posts everyday but I'd sure be thrilled to hit once a week. Especially with all the photos we've been taking lately with our fancy new camera.

New Year, New Rules

Our Sweet Little Bear

The boys are in love!

Crimson bed


Sound asleep, the kids wear her out.

My cousin, Cymber's wedding. Ella, Reese and Molly were flower girls and Macie was an acolyte.

Mark was the officiating minister at Cymber and Kyle's wedding and did a GREAT job!

Handsome crew of ours

I sincerely doubt I have anyone that checks in on our blog anymore. It's been since September that I've added anything. I really cannot believe that. I say it all the time to Mark, "I don't know where the time goes." I honestly do not feel like I have time to do much of anything that doesn't revolve around the kids and while that is usually quite fulfilling, the days just seem to blend one right into the other.

So in this New Year that begins today, I hope to update our blog much more frequently and have the ability to document our lives and those of our children. They have changed a ton since September.

Let's see since September, we've had a few things happen in our household. Max started school at Marshall and after the first week we decided to move him to St. Anne's Catholic School. It was the right decision and we're thrilled they had an opening for him. He did not feel such a huge pang of anxiety because he knew lots of kids there already from playing in the local baseball league and swimming. He fit in right away and has done really well in the classroom too.

October we played baseball a lot! Having the ability to play Fall ball here is just so much fun for the whole family. Since we had three boys playing we pretty much lived out at the ball fields. Max moved up to the junior field this Fall so we all adjusted to that. It's a major league field except for the distance to the home run fence. Max pitched a few times and got a few nice hits but as usual he wasn't pleased with his performance. Ever the perfectionist he wanted to do better. We continued to emphasize the adjustment to the new field and hopefully some of what we said sunk in.

Ben learned a lot on the field this fall too. He stepped in as a relief pitcher and his little face just lit up when he came through in the clinch. He was put in the GT class this year at school and has surpassed all of our expectations. We knew he was exceptionally bright, of course, but he does what he wants to do in his own time so we didn't know how he'd adjust to the pace. Well on his last report card he had all A's and one B. He's also gotten pretty preoccupied with his appearance as of late if you know what I mean. We try to be patient and encourage his attention to detail but when we're trying to get out the door it can often pose a problem. He's a little charmer though.

Mark Thomas had an excellent season on the ball field. Their team was undefeated and he pitched as well. Having three sons on the mound is not something I really would have wanted especially with the intensity of our local league but it can be really thrilling when there's an awesome victory. So we pray for those kinds of games. His hand healed up just great and we're now paying the bills.

Short little side note there just because it blows my mind. We spent 8 hours in the ER that night and never, I repeat NEVER saw a physician. We required no other supplies except for the small little package they opened at the time of suturing and one little package of gauze and some tape. Well the bills finally arrived a few weeks ago and the total for seven little stitches came to $2545!!!! We had not yet met our deductible for the year because thankfully we have really healthy children and we really don't ever go to the doctor so we're paying $765 in addition to the $100 I paid in the ER that night. I will not get into an insurance discussion here but needless to say my thoughts on insurance are the way we're billed for things continues to be an issue of discussion in our own home.

Ok, back to MT. He's still a pistol and if anyone is reading this blog anymore we'd appreciate prayers for him. We just want to continue to emphasize all the wonderful things we see in him and know that God has such great things in store for his future; so we try to focus on the positive. He can just downright rule the roost at times and that's not always a good thing.

Ella has totally adjusted to the classroom. After her first six weeks we had a conference with her teacher and she was supposed to be reading around 50 words a minute by the end of the school year I believe and she was already reading nearly 80 words a minute. Her teacher told us she scored nearly a 100% on all her subjects and then laughed and looked at me and said, "you know, she really could be doing better." She got an American Girl doll for Christmas last week and is just head over heels for "Bella". Mark thought she'd like it but not near as much as I knew she would. She kept saying all day on Christmas, "I just never knew I'd love her so much." Ever the girl we're thankful for her presence in a house full of boys!

And lastly our new addition. Bear. The boys have been wanting a dog for months since we had to find a new home for Shiloh. I had been the lone hold out. I began looking online months ago but still just couldn't bring myself to give in to their request. So I finally settled on a boxer and found a local litter on a website I had looked at and we went to pick up our new little pup yesterday. She's just precious! We decided to name her Bear in honor of Alabama's BCS appearance this year. I had wanted to name her Bama but Mark said no so I told him it had to be Bear then. After the famed Bear Bryant of course. We'll be very excited to have her in attendance next week when Alabama kicks the butts of the Longhorns. Nothing more to say there....enough said.

Above are pics from the last few months. Enjoy and please check back again. I promise to update more often.