A Thorn Among Roses

There are times when I think Paige is all grown up and I can never look back on her childhood years. Then, we go to a park and I get a mere glimpse of little 4 year old Paige.  And, I remember how sweet and fun she was.   And, I think now, how big and fun she still is.

Family pictures use to be so easy for me.  Now, there are just too many of us to get together before the timer goes off. It pains me...but we may have to actually pay someone to do our pics.  Grrrr... At first, it was lighting. Then, we weren't aligned right. Then I discovered that Jada forgot how to smile and looked constipated in every picture that we thought was good. Then, Jada smiled.  Brooke was jumping. You get the picture. At the end, this is what I settled for.  I look fat...even pregnant because of my location.  You can hardly see me.  Ryan's head is in a funky position.  Sofie is looking at Paige.  Jada has her mouth wide open... ...but, I guess this reflects us well.  We are a ever changing and crazy family.  Bad pictures maybe, but a good family, nonetheless.

Brooke has an obsession with worms right now.  I love that she isn't scared, although I'm not sure she's the best worm friend to have. This little guy started the day in good health...his name, by the way: Mr. Worm.   Not sure that you can see, but Mr. Worm didn't fare well by the time this picture was taken.  He's only half alive...although the last part of his life was full of fun that other worms could only dream about... There were the numerous rides on the slide.  The swinging.  The running.  Riding bikes.   At the end of the day, Mr. Worm was released to be with his friends again.  I'm hopeful he made it through the night. Oh, in case you were wondering, Jada thinks she likes worms, but when they get close, she freaks out.  You can see her strained smile as she had to stand close to Mr. Worm.

Only a Dad would stand around while a snake was hissing and flaring up to let the girls get a good look. Brooke thought the snake was cute... Jada thought the snake wanted to play... Paige, well, she took this picture from the van. I was glad I was in the van...

When asked what she was doing, Jada simply responded, "I am nursing my baby.  She is very hungry."

The 5 year old daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman, Maria, was tragically killed in a car accident in the family driveway this week. The Ehaus clan met and helped host SCC when he came to promote Shoahannah's Hope a few years ago. Although we only spent a few hours with him, his sincere love for God, his family and for serving and helping the orphans of the world were eminent. SCC performing Cinderella... The lyrics: She spins and she sways to whatever song plays, Without a care in the world. And I’m sittin’ here wearin’ the weight of the world on my shoulders. It’s been a long day and there’s still work to do, She’s pulling at me saying “Dad I need you! There’s a ball at the castle and I’ve been invited and I need to practice my dancin’ “Oh please, daddy, please!” So I will dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms ‘Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh I will dance with Cinderella I don’t wanna miss even one song, Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnig...

I love my family...and it's so awesome to have 2 other generations spoiling and loving them too! So, for all the fun and love and hugs and support...thanks to Nana and Papa and Grandpa Ralph and Grandma Bev and Grandma E and Grandma O and GG and Pop McMahon! Family love is awesome... Papa gives his girls lots of love...and lets them get away with way more than Mom and Dad! And always has candy in his front pocket and diet coke in his cup to drink. :) Grandpa Ralph and Grandma Bev always bring food...the way to a kids heart! And Grandma E loves her "dollies" and can calm a baby better than anyone I've ever seen. What a woman. Nana loves to feed her grandbabies and spoil them beyond compare!

B and JK have and obsession with dogs right now.   They want to walk the dog.   Play with the dog.  Even BE the dog. Brooke has gone so far as to eat the dog food...and in case you are wondering, my cooking is not bad. Yesterday, I hear JK barking and Brooke shouting out doggie commands like "sit. roll over. stay.".   And, sure thing, BEING the dog is good old fashioned fun.  Why do we buy Polly Pockets and Barbie?  Give them the dog leash...dog-gone fun. (corny, I know.) I love that Brooke is in her all out party dress, pearl purse and bobbie socks. :)

Maybe it's because I have 4 kids. Maybe it's because I haven't had an uninterrupted night of sleep in about a year. Maybe it's the taste. Maybe it's the cute mugs. Maybe it's the smell of the fresh ground beans. Or maybe I am just addicted...but nonetheless, I love my morning coffee...and I drink 3/4 of a pot of fresh brew every day. Sad, but true.

I was talking to Brooke's bus driver, Carolyn, a few weeks ago.  She said she had to share this story about Brooke.  One of the kiddos didn't ride the bus one afternoon to preschool.  Brooke asked, "Carolyn, where is Nathan today? Why didn't he ride the bus?" Carolyn said, "Brooke, maybe he had a doctors appointment or his Mommy decided to take him to school instead." Brooke replies, "Or maybe he got a tattoo."

I was greasing Jada's hair this morning wile Sofie was sleeping.  I had all the stuff laid out...detangler, grease, rubber bands and bubbles.   I was combing through  Jada's hair and she says, "Mommy. I am not touching the grease." I said, "Good job, Jada.  I am so glad you are making good choices." "If I touch the grease, it will get on my hands and then it will hurt me and then I will go to the hospital and get shots and then, I will die." she says. This is yet another one of those times where my words come out of my kids mouths...obviously not in the same circumstance...and it just seems wrong. When she bolted into the street I gave her the hospital lecture and that she could die... I guess I'll just take joy in the fact that she listened and remembered at least a few of my words.

Paige has grown into this amazing and beautiful girl, but I'm so glad to say that she's so much more than that.  She has a passion for Jesus, friends...and sports.  Softball season just ended and she showed her colors...a true all-star, and not just in Mom's eyes. Taking out a runner on a steal at third... oh yeah... And, not to be just a good defender, she steals home... ...and she's safe!!! And man, can she lay down a bunt... But she's my baby...13 years old and still my baby.  The one who made me a Mommy first... She can steal home, but she always steals my heart.

Finn is one of my boys (Jack is too) This is my big boy Finn...who is more than double Sofie's size, but they are only 10 days apart in age.   Finn is the sweet, loving and smiling baby...I love him so very much!   He's so handsome...

sweet little babies... ...totally different in size and, well, shape. :) But, both are amazingly beautiful and dearly loved! Finn and Sofie... ...cousins

...fight constantly ...steal each others clothes (no matter how young or old) ...play dress up ...tattle (way too much) ...give hugs when there are tears ...stick up for each other ...stick together ...fight about who can sing the first verse of Old McDonald's Farm ...love each other to the very end.

It's so much fun to have aunt's...and we don't get a chance to see them too often, but when we do, there's lots of spoiling to go around. Aunt Meg is Sofie's most favorite Aunt...

Daisy...not just a pretty flower, but a few pretty ladies. Grandma Daisy E. loves her dollies and Sofie is the littlest (by far) and the newest, by only 10 days. She loves her dollies, no matter how young or how old...Paige, Brooke, Jack, Jada, Finn and Sofie.

A big sister is invaluable...Brooke never misses a beat. Yesterday, I had gotten Sofie to calm down and take a nap, which was a feat since she's battling a cold and just isn't resting well.  I gave the girls a lecture about not being too loud and "no screaming or yelling".  Not 2 minutes later, our neighbor is outside yelling for her cat (yes, cat...that is another blog altogether).  You hear repeatedly, "Greystoke" and it gets louder and louder.   I growled a little under my breath, then looked up to see Brooke at the back screen door yelling, "Sue.  Sue.  You...".   Realizing she's going to tell Sue there is no yelling right now, I stop her and tell her to be respectful of adults....etc.  Okay.  Done.  But no...it's Brooke.  She shows up in her coat and shoes and asks (politely, I might add), "Mom, may I go outside?". "Why do you need to go right now, Brooke?" "I'm going to help Sue find that darn cat so she...