Sarah's hard hard work!!

While I was sleeping (aka ....ill, goodness seems like I was gone a long time) Sarah not only watched the kids she also painted and created the neatest guest room (also called Caleb's room)!! These are some pictures of her effort:) Looking at the pictures I wish I had "before" pictures. This room was rough and she truly worked wonders! Very talented my daughter is!! lol...and I know that isn't a proper sentence, I just like how it sounds:)

Some neat birthday presents that now have a home:)




Now we have beds for company that are always made and ready:


These are each of the beds:


This picture is the wall opposite the beds, although not completed. Still have the TV to put in the cabinet and to hide the Ethernet cable in that pile beside the cabinet:)


Last but by no means least is a super neat matted print done by a friend of Scott's. Her name is Pam Gale and she is a very talented artist. It is incredible and now has a wonderful home as well!


PS. I do not mean to imply Sarah did not have help....she did:) Jacob and his really neat friend Howard spent two hours dismantling the beds at the other end of the house and moving them to a new home. I think they will have to be buried here or I will have to wait until I have another handy dandy son who is mechanically inclined to move them again! I think this was Jake's third move and he didn't even complain. Doug helped hang the curtains, thank you Doug. John helped move the big furniture around, thank you John. And the little kids all (well, all six at home) helped relocate and throw away all the articles that resided in my former storage room, thank you ALL:)

My SOLDIER:)

In news that makes me way to anxious...my son Caleb is on his way home for a two week leave!! His facebook status this afternoon was "Kuwait for one night. Then the land of the free and the home of the brave." He's getting closer:) Hopefully in the next 24-48 we will be in Nashville at the airport welcoming him home!!

My campers return!

My campers returned from Taylor with Chelsea and Bo so excited! They LOVED camp! Mercedez actually said, "It was better than Mid South, really!" BIG words from my camp loving teenager. All the kids had so much fun with the sports, ropes swinging into the creek, singing and playing and learning from some wonderful Christians! The Bible is so strong when lived and taught by those who are on fire for God! I am so thankful for the opportunity for my 4 kiddos to be there this week:)

I did receive an email early in the week that said "Volleyball accident". My first thoughts were "Oh no, one of the kids are hurt!". I opened it to see this picture:

BO!! In the middle of a very exciting and apparently aggressive counselor volleyball game Bo caught an elbow to the lip! An ER trip and 5 stitches later he was back at camp and said, "at least it wasn't one of my kids"! Bless his heart, or lip! He and Chelsea are flying to San Antonio this weekend for Bo to officiate the wedding of his good friend, sure hope he is feeling better by then!

Who would have dreamed?

I have had a small household this week, only 6 "little" people here. While I was sleeping(sick), I had a very unlikely duo team up to do incredible things!!! Isabella and Daniel are both workers, no doubt about that! But they are neither very big with "team" activities. A serious issue in my mind. I am not worried about their "work ethic" but I do worry about their "life"...we all need to be able to work with others. In a family, in the church, in school, on teams, WHERE-EVER they go in life it is a must to be able to work successfully with others!

Well, these two found the value of one another, teamed up and did incredible things in the kitchen. They not only kept it clean all week, they cleaned and organized cabinets, both pantries and all 3 fridges! Sarah said, "Well, the bad news is you have no spices left (they "cleaned everything out they felt was "old"), but the good news is that if the health dept. came you would be good to go!" And I am:)

I am especially proud of them for helping and for working together! I think pigs flew:)

Whitworth family reunion!

Always a joy to be with family! The last Friday of every July has always hosted the Whitworth family reunion. Although it will change next year, moving back to accommodate school schedules. Scott always enjoys being with those family "greats" and being able to enjoy them while we still can!!

I did smile and had to really think when I wished Aunt Sandy a happy birthday. She celebrated just yesterday. I made the statement that I have thoughtlessly made for years "it's better than the alternative" always meaning I am glad for another year. But this time Sandy said "I hope not!" I was caught off guard slightly until I stopped and thought, humm! TRUE! Heaven IS better than here! I suppose the only time that is true is should heaven not be in your future!! I can say today that I shall no longer be using that glib statement!

I think part of family reunions that always make me smile is the young people...the future....so so important! Here is Sweet Hannah, (her friend) Lauren, Mercedez and Isabella:)

And it's always fun to see the surprises!! Scott's sister Julie surprised all by sneaking in with the girls to enjoy the time with us too!! Above is Julie and Scott's mom Nancy:)

Birthday Girl Sarah:)

I have had a yucky week. I am so far behind on my blogging. I had oral surgery this week (unplanned and thankfully quick)! I seemed to loose a whole week in the process. But now am better and very far behind! These are Sarah's birthday pictures:) A great day and bless her heart for being "momma" and not having any "special treatment" on her day! I will be making it up to her:) Sarah got her "dream" a new sewing machine! Thank goodness momma planned ahead on that!


Paden covered her other love...cameras and bought her just what she wanted! A very nice boyfriend!

A Beautiful Day!

Today is a wonderful day, it is the day my Sarah turns 21! Scott reminded me this morning that 21 years ago a lot of "7's" happened. Sarah was born in the 7th month on the 27th day at 7:07am:) It was a beautiful day and today is equally as beautiful as we celebrate the day with Sarah!

I actually owe Sarah another special day, today I have been super sick with an abscessed tooth(which will be extracted tomorrow) and Sarah has "run the show". Scott is traveling and very missed today! We will be celebrating again this weekend with Caleb, I should be better by then!

But I could not help but post this picture of my sweet little girl...we are about 17 years forward from this picture but this is how I think of her:)



Happy Birthday Sarah!!

What next?

Who would have thought receipts would be dangerous? I mean, perhaps the bad news they bear might be, but the actual paper? Read this article...

Oh Brother!

Saturday night Jacob was pulling into the driveway, after most of my kiddos bedtime, and noticed feet under a tree in the yard. You can see the tree in the background of this picture of Jake. He backed up to shine his lights under the tree, getting out of his vehicle and leaving his vehicle running. As he walked toward the tree he thought someone might be trying to steal his lawnmower. As he got close a person ran from the tree into the back field. Jacob yelled "STOP!" and they did. When he got close he realized it was a "kid". Funny to hear my "baby" say that, although my baby is 18 and 6'1" so I suppose the boy, who barely came up to his chest, did look like a kid. When he stopped in front of the boy the boy began back pedalling thinking that the explanation of "I was just trying to talk to Mercedez cause she wont answer my calls" would get him some understanding. It didn't. Jacob smiled in the retelling, although NOT at the moment when he grabbed the boy up by the collar and told him he better never catch him in our yard again. John pulled into the driveway just minutes later, missing the action. They woke Mercedez to demand answers. Another funny of having these "big brothers" fall in the middle of our ages is that they know everyone, and if they don't they can figure them out in about 15 minutes with a couple of well=placed calls. They know the boy, his family, his brother, his middle name and GPA:) Well, maybe not he last two, but they do know all the others...

I get tickled just thinking about my little (middle) girls. Our oldest girls never had big brothers to intervene. They might be thankful for that? I am thankful to have big boys, I am thankful my girls have big brothers. I am thankful for the love and respect they demand. They sure are good guys!

I did take time at Sunday lunch to go over(with everyone) the consequences of talking from windows, letting people in the house, or leaving the house without permission. Mercedez was not actively part of this situation, but it still had to be addressed. This is one thing we will not give second chances on! Years ago we had this happen by my trio and they remained in rooms with no windows and door alarms until they left our home. Those rooms are sitting empty and ready to be "filled" by any how think they might skirt that issue. But, I guess we have that consequence all settled:)

Thank you Jacob:) I love you!

Taylor Christian Camp

I took Mercedez, Tasha, Lita and Michael to meet Chelsea and Bo at Taylor Christian Camp in Kentucky. A HUGE privilege! For those who wondered, obviously Tasha pulled herself together. It was such a beautiful camp. I loved it! I know everyone will have a great week:)

HOT days of summer!

Scott and Daniel spend most mornings outside together. This morning I snapped them working on the driveway trim. But, most mornings they are all over the yard...watering plants, weeding, trimming, moving things around...ya know "men's work".

Mercedez spent a large part of the day painting the picnic tables. Michael sanded them all dwown and helped with the painting too. Scott built a makeshift tent to cover the picnic table(which has to be in the shade to be painted). Scott laughed at it...but it works:) Very neat!



We spent the afternoon playing at the pool (just perfect for hot days!). This picture is what I would call "outnumbered" but he still can't be sunk:)

I have some great flippers in my family! It is amazing to me, crazy to watch my fearless and wonderful crew enjoy the pool! Surprisingly, of all the following pictures....ALL ended in upright and feet first into the water!




Making his flipping debut...Seth who chose a style all his own and had it down pat from the first try!

Making a splash where ever she goes...

Maybe ...Maybe Not. I am in the middle of weighing the decision of sending one of my three girls to camp with Chelsea and Bo. Tasha is on a roll right now with her mouth. I can see that it will always be a struggle for her. One of the reasons whey we have so many verses in the Bible that talk about guarding our tongues. Tasha needs to commit them all to heart, and mind. One of the greatest tools we have and at the same time one of the greatest weaknesses.

She is one of my "SO MUCH POTENTIAL" kiddos! But, either way, today will tell the tale....to go or not to go...

The hardest part?

Someone asked me the other day "what's the hardest part" of adopting and parenting? A new question for me. Usually people assume the hardest parts are laundry, cooking or cleaning. Occasionally someone thinks the busy schedule would be hardest to keep up with. But, truthfully, it's none of the above.

The hardest part is failure. Failure to bring about change in attitudes, in behaviors and in very life my children will live. I have a trio of boys I cannot "change". A birth mom made choices that will impact and perhaps even destroy the opportunities in their future. That's hard to deal with! I have some children with behaviors and attitudes that are just ugly. I know those same behaviors and attitudes will impact their tomorrows...and not in a good way.

The hard part is usually the part, as mom's, we try to change that is not truly within our control. Attitudes, Behaviors, Choices are mine to critique, mine to react to, mine to talk about, mine to try to correct. The hard part is that there does come a day, there is a time when the choice is not mine. The choices lay in the hand of children (young adults, old adults, aka...PEOPLE) who will in turn choose for themselves. I still think often of the time John went to Scott searching for an "out" to working for a friend at church who needed some help. John's words were "mom always punishes me if I make the wrong choice!". To this day those words make me smile. John knew exactly what was "right". It is not my job to always choose for my children, but the response as a mother is very significant. My choices matter, even when the wrong choice is made.

Scott and sat with Sam yesterday who admittedly says, "I just choose to do the wrong thing". After so many years of counseling, after having his tell us exactly what "should" happen in any given situation and yet he still chooses poorly? THAT is hard.

The hardest part of my life? Dealing with all the things I am not in control of! It will always be hard to see my children fail and to know that my influence was not enough. I really don't see this answer changing throughout my lifetime.

I do know, as I parent, as I struggle with the "hardest parts" that my struggle is much like my Lord's. Freewill gives us all the freedom to succeed and to fail. I imagine God wishes everyone would listen to Him too!

BIG Green Monster and more...

I have been MIA...truly missing but in serious action:) Our church had VBS this week. We averaged 400 a day...that's really a whole bunch of kids! In the middle of VBS Scott and Doug (along with some little boy help) revamped our ball field and built a big green monster (much like and much not like Boston's). Lastly, Scott and I traveled Wednesday afternoon to Murfreesboro. We were able to have dinner with Scott's parents and his little sister Janet:) I really don't know when we have done that without kids...maybe never? It was nice sitting in Scott's parents sun room and visiting peacefully. We went to bed early. Scott declaring he got more sleep than he can remember in one night:) We were up early and enjoyed a breakfast of the best fritters (Scott's) and maple roll (mine) in the whole world....thanks to Pa!

We arrived at Sam's RTC to find out he was on the unit (for serious problems meaning he was no longer "outside" and doing alright). He through a maul after getting mad at peer he was working with. It was a hard session. Hard to know what to say, what to encourage, what will make a difference? At one point the worker asked Scott and I, "Have your sessions always been like this?" Meaning us talking to Sam about his choices, about how to ignore negativity, how to be successful....our answer was "yes". For the last 4 years we have been in treatment and setting where the prime objective is the same as today...choices....GOOD choices. Kinda like a bad dream you relive, only we are now desynthesized to so much of it. We can very diplomatically sit and talk about the issues and they do not carry us away emotionally. In a way that is extremely sad. In another it's simply a life skill we have learned.

Happily we were able to talk to Stuart and he met us for lunch and the afternoon. What a joy! What a huge afternoon of polar opposites: Sam at one end and Stuart at the other. Surprisingly (because Stuart is so neat) the afternoon went really well. Another unusual day, rarely do Scott and i both get to be together on visits. We generally have to tag team. Thanks to my sweet and very capable Sarah we were able to be way together. Sarah also had brother support with John, Jake and Doug:) Once again having me say "I love my big kids!!" Scott and I rolled home bout 10 pm, Sarah had movie night rolling so I sat down to watch the end of Elf (a funny to watch in the middle so summer movie...but still cute). My house was asleep but 11:30 and are all still laying in bed this morning:)

The end of our long week coming to a close. This weekend looks busy too, but good busy. Mercedez, Tahsa,Lita and Michael are all going to church camp with Chelsea and Bo. A BIG privilege and very exciting for those who earned it! More of that later!

Juggling

Jacob stood in the kitchen juggling today. Tasha and Daniel stood with him, although they were not juggling nearly as much as they were simply bruising my apples!

Jacob sat on a barstool visiting with me through lunch. He is a funny guy. He said, "It's really great sleeping until 10". I smiled and said, "I wouldn't know." Jacob said (tickling me more), "I know, I'd never done it either, but it's awesome!" He went on to say, "Now I know why I'm the only one ready for bed at 9pm". Jacob is a worker, waking early and always busy. I would worry that he's turning into a lazy bum....haha....but then I listened to him tell me that he just bought a clutch for his sidekick and he needed to change it before work on Monday:) Always busy! I am glad he enjoyed his first morning sleeping in:) After 18 years I would say he was due that!

Clothing...

There are some things that are just NOT appropriate to wear. I am not a buyer of shirts that say "ugly" things or condone behaviors or attitudes I deem wrong. I did buy this one for Chelsea and Sarah this week:

Proceeds going to a save the coast charity. I like neat shirts.

We also bought these shirts(proceeds going to a fund) to support our friend Aaron Bell in his battle with cancer:



Last weekend we had a family get together and my sister wore a shirt that is NOT appropriate. She knows this (because she thanked me for painting out the "Bud Light" part). IF you know you shouldn't wear a shirt to a family reunion, you likely should not wear it anywhere!! Sadly to me, this sister knows better but what she doesn't likely "get" is the impact it had on all my kids, family and others who saw it. My kids will still love her, but they will not trust her judgement. Frustrating, but the reality of the choices a person makes.

Clothes do not "make" the person, but some clothing sure can define the person. Like fruits of the spirit they are an outward sign of inward attitudes. Choose well!