Family Pictures

Here are some family pictures that were taken back in January. It had rained all day that day ... but we still gave it a shot. :)

Thank you Daniel for taking the pictures its definitely not an easy task with 15 people. You did a great job! xanga.com/dannyreagan

The Mud Fight!

Remember that saying "When the cats away the mice play"? That is exactly what the kids and I did today. We had a MUD FIGHT! When do kids really get to enjoy a real mud fight? Never, normally there is always too much to do or quite honesty we don't want to clean up the kids after the mess! Today was a special day though. I let the kids get as dirty as they could possibly get. I figured it was the last evening alone together so what better way to make some awesome memories! Here are some pictures to show you, what great fun you missed out on. :)

WhAt a FuN WeEk!

What a week this has been! Dad, Mom, Brandon, Jonathan, and Justin went to Alabama last Sunday to do some projects for my Uncle Bob and Aunt Wendy. Nikkae is doing school so we don't see much of her either. So, that has left me to "hold down" the fort with Anthony. I must admit life has been rather ... FUN! It has been interesting to be a mother of 5. To my regret I haven't done too well at taking pictures though... I am sorry! Here are some of the "highlights" of this week as orphans. :)


SUNDAY NIGHT:
We had fun playing Candyland and Chutes and Ladders together. Of course I didn't do too well... I never even won a game!

MONDAY:
I am so glad Anthony is here to take care of the animals. That has been my biggest "praise note"! The kids have been a great help with the animals as well. since Jonathan and Brandon have been gone.
Kristalyn made her FIRST Quiche ... it turned out really yummy!

TUESDAY:
We did school for the only day this week. We also practiced our instruments since we had lessons the next day. Okay, so it was a "normal" day. :)


WEDNESDAY:
What a day! We had civics class in the morning. After civics class we headed to the bookstore for about an hour, and then we dropped Anthony off at his piano lesson. Hot and tired we all were, but we weren't even close to calling it a day! We all jumped back in the van and headed across town for Kristalyn and my harp lessons. The poor kids had to sit outside in 100 degree weather for about an hour and a half. By that time we were all ... tired, hungry, hot, and had very little patience. We were still smiling though as we headed towards home. :) We made it home just in time for bed. I believe we have recovered by now, or at least I hope so. Yeah! ... we get to do it all again on Wednesday! :)


THURSDAY:
We slept in ... we had to recover from the day before! We went to the Leiningers to play some volleyball and basketball with Josh and some friends. The kids and I had fun playing on the "playground" as well as having a picnic supper. I can't believe how easy it is for them to catch me now. Okay, I can't move very fast when I'm trying to fit through the slides and tunnels. It was un-fair ... but they had fun!They were even able to play some volleyball too. :) Thank you Leiningers for having us over. What a fun night we had! When we returned home there was a poisonous snake right by the door waiting to welcome us home. The bad part was, by the time Anthony got the gun, the snake had already gone down his hole. That was a story we should have kept from Mom. :)







Friday:
The boys killed a skunk that was under our shed. All three of them crawled under there to get it. Thankfully no one was sprayed. We have been swimming alot since its been in the upper nineties this past week!



SATURDAY:
We had the pleasure of attending David Voeller and Jackie Orena's wedding. What a beautiful wedding it was. We were thrilled to be a part of their happy day!
Congratulations David and Jackie. We are so happy for you!


SUNDAY:
We spent the day with our church family. The kids pulled out Monopoly and Risk to play with Anthony. I went up with the little ones to take a nap ... YEAH!

MONDAY: - Today!
Kristalyn made breakfast all by herself. Pancakes, eggs, and fruit were on the menu. Everything tasted very good. I think I'm going to give her my place in the kitchen. The house is a wreck and the kids are wet and dirty, but who cares we are playing! We are enjoying each other and not worrying ourselves with "normal" life. Ha, ha ... it is fun for a season.








Only two more days until they come home!

Our Precious Gift

Thank you Mother for all the years you have invested in each one of our lives. We are blessed beyond measure, for the selfless life you live for us each and everyday! I pray that we will never take for granted the wonderful gift that the Lord has given to us. Praise be to God!






Our Miracle Mother

Mom, we look at you
and see a walking miracle.
Your unfailing love without limit,
your ability to soothe our every hurt,
the way you are on duty, unselfishly,
every hour, every day,
makes us so grateful
that we are yours, and you are ours.
With open arms and open heart,
with enduring patience and inner strength,
you gave so much to us,
sometimes at your expense.
You have been our teacher, comforter,
encourager, appreciating all, forgiving all.
we know that everything we are today
relates to you and your loving care.
we gaze in wonder
as we watch you being you—
Our miracle, our mother.
~ J. Fuchs


WE LOVE YOU MOM!

A day at the Rodeo!

I (Katherine) was going through our "old" drafts tonight and found a post that never made it our blog. The event took place back on a February day when we enjoyed some time at the Rodeo in San Antonio. Thank you Howells for taking all of us ... what a fun day we had!







































After looking at the pictures you might be wondering where are all the horses, cows, and rodeo clowns! Lets just say those of us who take the pictures would rather take them of the REALLY important things. :)