Way To Go Girl!

You will have to click on the picture to make it bigger. Hopefully you can read it. If not, here's what she wrote (I corrected the spelling so you can read it!):

1. I was: "hitting him Austin"

2. I wanted: "for him to stop spitting on me"

3. I will: "tell him to stop or tell a teacher"

Now I was more than a little bothered with this situation. This little boy did not have to fill out a "Refocus Form". Why not????

Vanessa has 3 older brothers who live up to the role of "older brother". They love to wrestle, tease, yell, rough-house, etc. They are boys and to be honest, I don't try to turn them into anything else. I believe boys and girls are very different. They can be soft and gentle at times but they enjoy physical contact!! We have always taught them that they can be rough and crazy with each other but under no circumstances are they ever to mistreat a girl (and yes, that includes your sisters). They haven't always thought this rule was fair but we have never changed our position.

Vanessa has also been taught that she is never to allow a boy to mistreat her, in any way. Period. I have seen women battered by the men who "love them" and it is something I have never been able to understand. But one thing I know for sure is that I want our daughters to understand that it's never ok to be hit or knocked around. Ever.

So I have to be honest. After hearing the details of this situation, I high-fived Vanessa and told her, "Good job!! I'm proud of you for not letting him spit on you!!" Her dad then told her maybe next time that happens, take the boy by the ear and haul him over to the teacher and let her know what he's doing and that you would like him to stop!!! Another excellent idea.

Vanessa is one tough cookie. I asked if she really hit the boy and she said she "just bopped him on the head". Hopefully he is smart and that will be the end of that!!

"It's Packed!!"

Those words are heard constantly around our house right now. "Mom, where's my______?" "It's packed!"

I have tried to leave the 4 youngest ones toys untouched. Those will be the last things that get put in a box. Even then, I have been amazed at what the they are playing with. Now granted, the entire house is in upheaval but their toys are still there. Instead of playing with them, they have been getting into mischief with things that they have never played with!

For example: things that belong to older brothers or sisters, tools from Scott's shop, food from the pantry, etc.

Thomas came in the house the other day, yelling that his helmet was gone and "it was not where it was supposed to be!!" A quick look in the backyard and we spotted his helmet.....holding a baby. Who knew they made such handy carriers for baby dolls????

There she is.......

"Please can I play with your helmet Thomas?"

Look at that sweet baby in her "carrier".

I'm counting down the days until "moving day". It can't come fast enough for me!

Life Is Hectic!

Have you wondered where I have been lately??? Me too! No, not really. I know where I have been: packing boxes and then packing some more! It's been a crazy month so far. The ups and downs of selling a home have kept us on the emotional roller coaster. We are selling our 12th home and buying our 13th!

We found a great home just two streets to the North of us that is bigger, still on a half acre AND has an in-ground, heated pool with a slide!!! The real bonus is that is costs considerably less than the one we're in!

We love our home. It has everything I ever wanted in a home. Over the last 4 years of living here, I can't even count how many times I have said, "I LOVE my home!!!" That's weird. Who says that? But what I haven't loved is the mortgage. It's do-able for us but now that home prices have fallen so low, it's frustrating to see bigger homes for so low. We bought our current home 4 years ago when the prices were sky-rocketing. But we loved it and didn't even think at the time that the economy was going to fall so hard.

We're taking a huge loss on our home. All the equity that we have rolled along the previous 10 homes is almost completely wiped out. It's strange to be in that position. But we feel so strongly about lowering our debt that we know we will be blessed, as we have in the past.

The kids are excited. Nothing changes for them as far as church, schools, friends are concerned. It's a win-win for them! We are blessed to have such resilient children who look forward to change.

We should be backing up the moving van in the driveway next Tuesday. Should be quite the adventure! Stay tuned!

These Boots Were Made For Walking!

Isaiah was wearing a pair of my boots yesterday and it was the funniest thing ever. We sat there and watched him teeter around the room for quite awhile. He was having a great time!!!

We really should have been packing boxes but he was more fun to watch!!

Back to packing.....

Back To School~Day 2!!

Talisha!!!!

Sabrina!!

Samantha!!

Today was the first day of school for Sam, Sabrina and Talisha!

Talisha was the most excited. She had her clothes laid out last night and would come back and check on them every few minutes to make sure they were still there.......??? Not sure if she thought they were going to walk away or what!

Well, I really need to go pack a box or 20.......more later!!!

Back To School!

Levi and his buddies!!

Watch out Middle School, here they come!!

Tanner, Thomas and Vanessa!

It's finally happened.....the first day of school has arrived at last!!

Today is the first day of school for Levi at the Middle school and the first day for Tanner, Thomas and Vanessa at their school.

Tomorrow Samantha and Sabrina go back to school and Talisha will have her first day of pre-school!

Busy times here!!!

Love This Kid!!!!!

Who Is He????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIoSTbPt_PI

Ok, I can't remember how to get the video to post on my blog. But click on the link to watch this kid. He's good!