Happy Easter!

My kids all got big baskets for Easter....the kind that they can sit in all Spring and summer:) Chairs and a chocolate bunny! We wear out chairs every year. All my bunch is growing so quickly that they have outgrown the old chairs....now everyone is ready for our busy Spring!

We took pictures after church...








The little girls down the road joined us...

These little girls are so precious. This morning the little girl on the left leaned over at church and said, "I didn't eat breakfast this morning, I'm hungry. I can't wait to get to your house to eat. How much longer until it's over?" This is the same sweet little girl who helped set the table, ate and ate and then asked could she help clean up? Hard to feel very sorry for such a sweet spirit!

We hunted eggs, hidden by Joseph and Tatia:) Thank you!


My kiddos got home from the youth retreat and Scott took Carlton back to the ranch. The day was simply beautiful and we all enjoyed it! It looks like spring is here and I could not be happier!

Caleb's on his way....

I have over the last few weeks talked to Caleb nearly everyday. That neato phone plan came in very handy! It was a blessing to me. As I talked to him yesterday sharing Samisms(which make Caleb laugh...the whole reason I shared), Caleb said, "Mom, I had rather be where I am than were you are." I quickly reminded him of his impending change in location and he still said, "Seriously, you are a great mom! But I had rather be headed to Afghanistan that dealing with Sam." I think he was serious. I would be hard pressed to argue very long. Sam is a mess. But, thankfully Sam's situation is going to work out and now I can focus my prayers on my Caleb.

I have people say all day long, "God will keep him safe Amanda!" You know, God will be with Caleb. God does have a plan, God knows the future, and it is my place in this life to abide by His will. The unknown is always before us. I am content and I am at peace knowing that Caleb will be fine, for God is with him where-ever he may travel.

Today is already way past bedtime in Afghanistan. Caleb is there and likely in bed. I spoke to him last night about 11:30 pm (it was already morning in Germany and he was getting ready to take a bus to the airport).Caleb is in a new world, far removed from all he has known yet nothing he has not been trained to know and endure. May God bless Caleb and speed the time until I see him again!

Long weekends:)

Long weekend are really not that long, but they are enjoyable. That extra day is super nice!

Having both Carlton and Sam home is unusual. Carlton left Friday afternoon with my five other kids to go on the church youth retreat, Country Place.

Although you can't tell it in this picture very well, Tori had an allergic reaction to the sunscreen I put on her at the zoo. Benedryled she did this on the couch much of the day yesterday. She looks much better today!


I laughed and took about 50 pictures of Michael and Seth's "dunks". They love the old nearly broken down basketball goal...and now you see why:) Visions of great height and super stardom dance in their heads!.

I took this picture of Daniel, at his request. It is apparently very impressive to be able to touch the ground while on this board:)

I caught Jacob on camera as he washed the truck. He is a hard guy to catch up with. Always workings and on the go!

Our sweet friend Ms. Gail came by and took my 4 amigos fishing. I think her hands were busy the whole time!

Our Saturday is coming to a close and I'm looking forward to Sarah and Paden getting here:) I think we are all going to play Spades. I love playing cards and Scott has agreed to join in, which means Sarah and Paden are likely going to loose. lol:)

GOOD FRIDAY!!!

It is a very Good Friday indeed! One of the RTC's we were looking at in East TN has approved Sam's treatment(insurance and all have gone through). We are so very thankful! We will be traveling next Tuesday. The new treatment will double our travel time each way and it's a bit tricky thinking about making regular visits, but that is all minor.

I interrupt this blogging ....

I was interrupted in the middle of blogging. Carlton needed a bag from Samuel's room and the alarm was already turned on. Sam had gone to bed, or so I thought. I flipped off the alarm and opened the door to see Sam and his foot. Blood dripping. Sam had pulled off a toe nail. Gross Gross Gross! As I doctored it and put a band aid on I asked what happened. Who knows?! He didn't apparently.

After putting him to bed for teh second time I called Scott and said, "In all my safety planning there is nothing that tells me how to protect Sam's fingernails and toenails!!!" Truly a Good Grief moment!

We are the CHAMPIONS!!

Tonight Doug and Stuart's basketball team (Xi Chi Delta) played in the Championship game. I met Scott and we (along with our crew) cheered our neat guys to a win! How very fun to be able to be part of great days!

One of the neatest part about my kiddos being at a Christian University is the one below.....before the game began both teams huddled together and shared prayer! I love that!!

The guys did so great!!






And this? If a picture says a thousand words then this one says it all (well it at very least says the 7 words to describe how I feel when I see it).....This is why I LOVE big brothers:)

Put me in the Zoo:)

I always loved that book. haha...good thing! We packed up our picnic lunch and headed to the Zoo in Memphis. It was such a beautiful day!! I am just being lazy and I will do a picture diary. We were there for more than 4 hours (that's just slightly less that an eternity with that many kids...lol). After the Zoo I sent girls (except Bella) with Sarah and Paden and took the boys (and Bella) with me. They headed toward home and I went North to pick-up Carlton in Millington. I made a loop and met Scott and the girls (who had switched cars with Sarah) in Henderson. Just a very long day...but a wonderful one!