Happy 7th (Wow) Birthday Ethan!!

Seven years old. That magic age...the age of reason. It's where they aren't young enough to be your baby anymore, and they still aren't old enough to be away from you for too long. We can't believe we have a 7 year old!

Ethan, you have become an amazing person to us. Your ability to love beyond all reason, to accept so much on faith, and take everything in stride is a gift. We can't imagine you any other way. Sure, you've had your ups and downs...some of those downs have been quite difficult. But, the ups...well those have simply been delightful. We love you more and more each day...and after 7 years of loving you we look forward to the next 7 knowing full well how much more our love for you will grow. We love you with all of our heart and soul my love, and hope you had a splendid birthday this year!

Ethan decided he wanted to try his hand at bowling this year for his birthday! We went up the street to King's Bowling Lanes because it has candle pin bowling. Ethan, Joshua, Rebekah and Jack had a blast rolling those balls down the alley! What a sight to see. Ethan was beside himself with excitement and enjoyment!

Santa Picture

It only took a couple of bribes to get everyone to look up. It took many more bribes to get Joshua to even show his face!

Just A Few Minutes...

...is all it takes to get this!

I Know...

I promised pictures, updates etc...and I haven't really done it. In my defense...to say I'm busy would be a serious understatement! It would take me several moments to type up the list of things I've been responsible for lately...and I really don't have the time. So, at the very least...I attempted to make some changes to the blog and have at least updated some pictures. I'm not even sure I have that many followers anymore. I know it's been tough for me to follow my list of blogs...and I used to be quite the "blog stalker". So, to those of you who have been checking in to see if there are any new updates, I'm sorry to disappoint. For those of you who are gluten free and have been looking for new information...I have included a widget for a gluten free search engine down on the right hand side of the blog. You can type in any kind of product and it will pull up a list of gluten free choices for you. It's pretty handy for just about anyone...even those of us who have been doing this for awhile now!

So, please check back again. I don't know when I'll be able to update with more pictures, but I will do my best! If I don't get on again soon...have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Does a Heart Good

We do a monthly trip to Trader Joes in Tyngsboro once a month to stalk up on many non perishables as well as fruits and vegetables. Feeding nine people, five of them children, can cost a lot of money, but with their prices we usually manage to walk out of there with lots of food to last about a month, for little money...(when I say little I mean anywhere between $300-$400).

On this trip, my parents followed me and my crew done to Tyngsboro. All of the kiddos were asleep except for Ethan, so my Dad stayed in the van with them while Ethan, my Mom and myself went in to do the shopping. Ethan, as some of you know, can be quite chatty. Most of the people we come in contact with end up learning more about our family than necessary. In any case, the employees loved him and thought he was very smart, funny and cute. While we were checking out, (our two overloaded carriages), Ethan was talking about all of the people that live in our house. When the cashier was done ringing everything up he excused himself and said he would be back in a moment so Ethan continued talking to the gentleman who was bagging our food. The cashier came back with a bouquet of flowers for me telling me lots of nice things that made me feel all warm and fuzzy, and Ethan was very excited about the flowers. So, I asked him what we should do with them when we got home, and here is how the conversation went:

Ethan: We need to put them in a vase because flowers like to eat water and soil.
Me: Well, once they are cut they only need water. When they are growing, then they need both water and soil.
Ethan: Okay Mommy. Will they last forever?
Me: Honey, does anything last forever?
Ethan: No Mommy.......Well, except for God's love!

How great is that?? My heart just about exploded out of my chest. I was so proud of him and told him so. The cashier and bagger were speechless with eyes and mouths wide open. Then the bagger leaned down and said to Ethan, "We could all learn a lesson from you!" Ethan just smiled. What a great moment!

John Deere Expo Pix

These pictures were from the John Deere Expo in Kensington NH. It is held every year in August, and we have made it there the past 3 years. The kids LOVE it. They don't have a ton of stuff to do, but what they do have is just enough for our kids!

The twins had a great time riding around in the double stroller!

Yes, I color coordinated for the occasion.

He looks comfy doesn't he? It's been taken under consideration as a new bed for him!

She is just so darn cute and little!

This was by far their favorite part. Yes, that is Bekah driving! She did an incredible job, and Josh was nice enough to give her a turn. They switched off and on. Ethan on the other hand, was perfectly happy doing his own thing!

We Are Still Here!

So, it's been about a month since I last posted. A lot has happened that has not only kept me away from the blog, but just kept me so busy, that finding the time to type something out is near impossible.

Here are some of the things that have kept us so busy: a John Deere Expo, a gluten free BBQ with our ROCK support group, my parents moving in, a birthday party for the twins, apple picking, the Deerfield Fair, day trips up north to see the foliage, plus many hours of driving to and from various therapies and doctors appointments for Ethan and Joshua, as well as teaching Ethan first grade! Yup, we've been busy. With the volumes of pictures I have it would be impossible for me to pick out a few to post here to show you where we've been and what we've done. That and the fact that I just don't have time to wait around for blogger to download the darn things!! :)

When I can, I promise to post some pictures...hey maybe tonight...we'll see. In any case, we are still here and going...just busier than ever.

Haircuts

Well, my babies will be turning one in just a few days...time has certainly gone by way too fast. I suppose it was bound to happen, it's just one of those things. But, unlike my other children, I've been having a tough time with some of the milestones the twins have been hitting. One of which is the infamous haircut. My oldest two boys had a lot of hair, especially Joshua. He needed a haircut at 9 mos. because it was getting into his eyes! Poor Rebekah still doesn't have enough hair to truly cut, but even she has now had two haircuts. So, it was only a matter of time before the twins would be receiving their very first as well.

I think I've put it off because I knew that once they had those little baby hairs clipped, they would look like "big boys" or toddlers and I wasn't sure I was ready to let go of my "babies" just yet. But, they are growing up, and I can't resist those cute little boy faces anymore than the cute little baby faces...so clip-clip!

I am very fortunate to have such an awesome hairstylist. Donna has been cutting my hair since my wedding day! I say fortunate, because she was willing to come to my house yesterday to cut my hair, so that's why we figured we'd take advantage and have her do the twins and Bekah as well.

Caleb before his trim...

Caleb after his trim...he wasn't too happy with the whole experience. I think he wanted to be the one using the scissors!!

Elijah before his trim...

Elijah after his trim...very happy little guy. He had no problem with the haircut. As a matter of fact he continued to eat his veggie bootie during the whole process!