Bailey Is Growing Up!

Bailey has been asking to have her ears pierced for a while now. When she first asked, I told her that it hurt, and she stopped asking for a while. A couple of months ago, she decided she still wanted to do it, even if it hurt a little. I decided she was really ready. I took her while we were visiting my parents a couple of weeks ago. Having a mall nearby is a luxury right now, so we decided to take advantage of it.

Bailey was very excited, and she hardly flinched when the big moment came. The lady instructed us to clean them three times a day. I had some doubts as to how that would go, but Bailey has taken care of it on her own. She remembers so much better than I do (I should put her in charge of dispensing antibiotics!). Our sweet girl is growing up!

Toddler Training

It is amazing how much I have forgotten about childhood stages between each child. Eli has reached a particularly "challenging" stage, and Mark and I often ask each other, "Were the others like this???" You would think that by the time we arrived at our fifth child, we would have this toddler training thing down pat! There are days when I am worn out by the time Mark gets home. I can totally understand the temptation to give up being consistent and just give him what he wants, but we continue to try "fight the good fight" and try to teach him to obey. Sometimes it feels like the main goal of this stage is just to keep them safe!

A Few of Eli's Favorite Hobbies--
--Eating toothpaste -- Eli can sniff out a tube a toothpaste a mile away. No fluoride deficiency here! Deodorant is also quite a prize too, although thankfully he has not eaten any yet!

--Playing in the toilet -- "Close the bathroom door!" is heard constantly at our house.

--Pulling things off the counter-- Eli is tall for his age, and he uses his height advantage to reach further up on the counter. Cups full of liquid are his favorite, although he has snagged a knife and a pizza cutter. Thankfully he has four older siblings to help us keep him safe!

--Eating his sibling's food -- My other children have learned that any time they leave food on the table, it is fair game. Eli has the philosophy that the food is always tastier on someone else's plate!

--Throwing a fit -- Eli hates to be told "no" or have something taken away from him. He usually throws himself to the ground. He has at least learned to hold his head up when he hits the ground -- tantrums hurt much less that way!

--Running the opposite direction from wherever you want him to go!

Thankfully, the Lord gave toddlers the ability to be completely precious at times to balance out the exhausting moments. Despite the challenges, I would not trade being a Mamma for any job in the world!

Anna Grace

Anna Grace received a dress up outfit for her birthday that included a headband with a big pink flower. She wore that lovely blossom everywhere we went for several weeks. She is definitely a cutie pie from her pink bow to her pink cheeks to her pink tennis shoes! Children are most certainly a blessing from the Lord!

Family Night in the "Country"

Eli is holding his miniature tractor in his hands.

Eli's first ''hobby" is sitting on Mark's riding lawn mower. He calls it a tractor (his first two syllable word). He brings me his shoes at least once a day and says "tractor". He loves to go into the garage and spend time sitting on the lawn mower.

Friday nights are family nights, and this past week, Mark decided to take Eli on a "tractor" ride around the yard. The other children joined in. We sure know how to live it up on a Friday night!

The Germ Family

We have been bombarded with sickness the last three months (doesn't that sound like a Mark statement?!). We have had two stomach viruses (one lasting almost two weeks), two earaches, Strep Throat, and now Anna Grace has some type of a fever virus. Last week marked the first time that all five children have been on an antibiotic at the same time. Praise God for insurance! I think that it is starting to drive us all a little crazy! The children have missed lots of time with friends (and so has their Mama!). I am thankful that all of our sicknesses have been very minor, and I am praying that healthy time is coming soon!

Dog Update!

I wanted to give a quick update on our dog situation. Our neighbor's grandson really wanted the dog. His dad finally said yes, and the dog was gone! I think that Mark and I had more of a twinge of sadness than the children did. I am very thankful for the way it turned out -- God answered my prayers!

A Dog????

I am not a dog person. I know many people who are dog people, and I am fine with that. I am not a dog hater, I just don't feel very comfortable around them. I have grown to like dogs a little more since moving here. Our neighbors have dogs that think they belong to us during the day while their owners are at work. They have been really good for our children, who have learned a lot about interacting with dogs. Our children have overcome their fear of dogs, and they are enjoying being around them. In fact, it has been like having the best of both worlds -- the children can play with the dogs, and I do not have to take care of them. I have heard some people say something similar about being grandparents!

Well, in the last day or so, another dog has adopted our family. We do not know where it came from, but it thinks it lives here. We think that it might have been abandoned, which apparently happens quite often around here. It is hungry, and it keeps scratching to get in. So, now what do we do?

To Be Continued....