I can see how you can lose yourself!

I can see how you can lose yourself. My life is not dull, it is very busy with 4 kids. But I can see how a person can get so absorbed in the lives of their children that they could forget who they are.

I can not remember the last time I went out with friends. I haven't been out with my husband since Brian Harmon's wedding at the end of August. I only got to go to do the first 3 weeks out of 10 weeks of my Beth Moore bible study.

I am not writing this for people to feel sorry for me. Not to pity me. And I am not writing this for those people who say I had 4 children and this is your life. I know it is! I love my children and am very grateful for them. They are my responsibility and my joy, and I try to ask for help with them(aka from the Grandparents) as few times as possible. It is hard work, constant work, watching them all, and I don't want to burden anyone with that. Maybe burden is not that right word but you know what I mean.

I just feel like I haven't talked to close dear friends in forever. Few attempts have been made on either side. And am longing to confide in someone other then the Almighty God.

Thanksgiving Pics

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch at Gran's House! Amy and Lee were gone on a mission trip to Belize, we missed them, but Rocky and Gracie were there. Then headed up to Landrum to se my side of the family! We had a great time! And were really worn out! I went to bed right after the kids at 8 pm. Woke up at 3:15 and was at Kohl's at 4am. I was finished shopping at 6:36am. I only went to 3 stores and avoided the mall.

Here are some pics at Gran's House:
the kids had fun painting bird houses before lunch
















Here are some pics at Memas:
redneck pics on 4 wheelers!






I asked Jon to take a picture of me because I haven't had one of me this Thanksgiving, because I usually take all the pics. And he took this pic? Is it of my gut?

daredevil. backwards rider







I am a wuss when it comes to 4 Wheelers. I think they are dangerous and I always hear about bad accidents happening. But I finally rode one. I fussed the whole time, I hated not being in control and knowing what was coming. I should have loosened up and had a better time! But that's me! I have to warm up to some things.

Thank You

I just wanted to write a quick Thank you to my parents, Roxann and Rick, and my in-laws, Gary and Suzanne.

Marley has strep throat again, and soon we will probably pass it around to all of the kids. And I have been dealing with an ovarian cyst again.

So Thank-You, Gran and Pop-Pop, for taking Carpenter to school and picking him up on Monday and Tuesday. Thank-You, mom and dad, for coming over last night and watching the kids and making supper, while I sat on the couch!

We are truly lucky to have wonderful parents so close. Sometimes, I don't know how I would do it without you all!

Background Change

I know it is a little early for a Christmas background, but I needed to do it while I had the time. I wanted to find a background more Jesus and less Santa. But I haven't found one I liked yet!

I thought it would be okay to change it now! 3 of my neighbors put up there Christmas tree right after Halloween! Can you believe it? I mean I love Christmas as much as anyone but after Halloween?

Volleyball 08

This was the first year Marley played Volleyball! It was really alot of fun! I didn't have to worry about her, like I do in Softball, if she missed a catch and got knocked upside the head! Most of all, I think that Marley really enjoyed herslef and got so excited out on the court! We can't wait until next season!

Prude Note:
In the next level up in VB, these young girls wear these tight little black VB shorts. Marley will never wear them. She can play just as well in regular shorts or pants!

Marley got into the Championships! Team Korea(I guess you can't be the USA) won the first game and lost the second and third game! They got a medal for placing second. I can't get those pics right now! But will upload them as soon as possible!

Special Thank-You to the grandparents! Gran, Pop-Pop, Meme, and Papa we could have not survived the season without you! We are so very grateful for your help!!!
Pictures:

Favorite Books

I love reading every one's blog and see what they read to their children. I do look for these books! And even buy some. Here are some of our favorites:

Marley's Favorite Book:
The Pink House by Kate Salley Palmer


I have read this book hundreds of times. Kate Salley Palmer came to FIE one time and Suzanne(Gran), got her to sign two books one for Marley and Bailey. Little did I know that it would be one of our favorite books of all time! I almost know the book by heart! I love the beautiful colored pencil illustrations and the wonderful family story!

"Every summer, all the aunts, all the uncles, and even Grandma gather at the Pink House at Edisto Beach.
We gather there, too! We are cousins! There are six of us -- three little cousins, two big cousins, and one new baby cousin!"

Doesn't it describe our family perfectly? We all look forward to our yearly beach trip! I love this book! I love that Kate Salley Palmer, is a local writer, and that we can support her work!

Carpenter's Favorite Book:
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen

Carpenter loves this book, you can often seem him reading it by himself! All the little kids love it! It makes us laugh when we act out the parts! It is a fun book!

A new favorite:
Gallop!: A Scanimation Picture Book by Rufus Butler Seder

This book is truly awesome and cutting edge technique that fully engulfs a child. It really looks like the animals are moving! We love it! But I let the kids take it to read in the van, and I can not find it! Yes, I have searched and cleaned the van many times but can not find it! So I am going to put it on their list for Christmas! This would be an awesome Christmas present!

My latest favorite book:
Persuasion by Jane Austen

I am on a Jane Austen kick because of Masterpiece Theatre(which Jonathan hates, but certainly there bust be some MT lovers out there, or why would it be on TV?). I read "Persuasion" through google books online. I finished it in like two days in between the kids naps and bed times! I am a romantic by heart. I love "love" stories, about love that is yearned for, never dying, never broken! I do not like affairs. I do want happy endings. I guess I am sappy that way. Tales that end up broken bother me forever. I guess I am not an astute literary critic.

Please leave comments on your favorite books, that way I can get them too!