Teething is Tough!

Ty is chewing on EVERYTHING! He is trying really hard to cut new teeth. All three of the lower drawer pulls were tested this afternoon as he worked his way into a standing position to check out the next one.

We call him Captain Messmaker

Ty is a busy guy these days....always into something. He smiles and giggles as he's removed from all the "no-no's". At least he is pleasant as he exhausts us. The rocking chair used in the photo was my Aunt Brenda's, handed down to me as a baby. I've had it for all the kids but Kate is claiming it for her own. Ty will be using the primary colored plastic one we purchased for Lauren's first birthday. At one time I thought I'd provide a chair for each of them. Five chairs are a few too many to store so we continue sharing the two originals.

Family Craft Project

We all painted plaster eggs together today. It was a fun project and a riot to see Greg's OCD side. He was so specific with his plans that he used a razor and masking tape to create his design! If there was an award for using the most paint, Kate would win. Lauren used all of her favorite team colors on hers. Makenna's famous peace signs were incorporated into her design. It was a pleasant project while Ty napped. As the kids have gotten older we've found it more challenging to find mutual interests for family time. Games are getting more difficult too. There are too many ages represented in our family. It's a challenge I am determined to over come so any ideas you may have for us, please share! On a funny note, we played Life today and Greg pointed out the "Share the Wealth" card and called it the "Obama card"! Makenna encouraged Kate to be a doctor so she could make a lot of money and I laughed. Her puzzled expression only got the "this game was created before Obama care" explanation. Life....it has a way of changing dramatically at times.

Lordy Lordy, Greg is 40!!!

After a rough couple of days dealing with ceramic tile, Greg opted for a quiet birthday celebration. He and I took Ty to lunch and then ran a few errands before taking a leisurely walk to further enjoy this gorgeous day. The girls had a great day to play outside and relax as well. We've ended up taking a Spring Break with the local school even though I hadn't intended to. We'll be making up for that next week but the break has been wonderful.

Happy 15th Erin!

It is so hard to believe we celebrated such a large number today! 15? How is that possible already? Erin had some friends over on Friday to play with her rather silly birthday gifts. She requested a hula hoop, skip it, sidewalk chalk, big bouncy ball and headbands and got them all. Today, she asked me to take her to Cheesecake Factory for lettuce wraps and cheesecake. We had a great day walking the mall afteward. She spent quite a bit of her birthday money shopping the clearance racks. Tonight we were all invited to the girls' bible study for cupcakes and ice cream. All in all, she had a great day. In all honesty, we enjoy being her parents. She is such a lovely young lady both inside and out.

Happy 3rd Birthday Mason!

The kids and I enjoyed a beautiful day at Theresa's on Saturday to celebrate Mason's third birthday. He seemed to enjoy his "rock and roll guitar" themed day as well. Ty came home with more hand me downs. We hope his growth slows down so he can use them!

He made it!

Ty's been trying to climb the stairs for a few days....he made it all the way up with close supervision tonight. He was clearly quite proud of himself. Yesterday he let his belly lead the way and he made one clumsy step from me to the couch.

Amused

I'm not sure that should be the title of this entry, but I am amused.....isn't always something? I suppose it will be that way until the end of time on earth as we know it, but boy oh boy, what does God want me to learn now? I suppose the ongoing need to learn patience will continue since I am apparently a slow learner! Our fridge started acting up a few weeks ago. It would get warm and then cool back down again. We did this 4 times in three weeks when I ever so sweetly arm wrestled my husband into calling someone! We have been blessed to have an honest repair man who has had to make so many trips to my house the neighbors are likely talking! (Yes it is THAT kind of neighborhood!) Anyway, poor Jeff has to say, "I've got some bad news" every time he's here! Of course you do Jeff! That is the way we do things around here! Remember the Emperor's Golden touch? Everything he touched turned to gold. Well, I've decided we've got the "Baughman Broken Touch".....you get the picture! I am grateful for all the things we can break....really I am. I recently read The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns and was so convicted of my self centeredness. Just living in a nation where we can freely complain about our government and load up our grocery carts in our old but reliable mini vans and keep fresh food in our sometimes functioning refrigerators has us among the richest in the world. Thank you Lord for the gentle reminder and for Jeff who is probably perplexed that I keep laughing when he says he has bad news!

8 Months Old Today

Ty's 8 month milestone included his first tooth! I discovered it when he was teething on my chin today. He seems pleased that everyone else is so excited.

He's stuck in a fish bowl!

Just kidding! Ty was introduced to bubbles today. It was a gorgeous 70 degree day so we are spending the afternoon outside. I was hit with a nasty stomach bug yesterday afternoon and am glad to just be achy and worn out today....this weather makes everything better!

Integrity

Integrity is defined as 1. Moral uprightness; honesty. 2. Wholeness; soundness

I was told to watch the local news last night for coverage of the school board meeting. I won't typically watch local news because I don't think most of the coverage is newsworthy. That said, I did watch the first few minutes last night to catch this particular story. I was so sad. I wish I had gone to the meeting so I could have spoken up. This is the third time I have watched local politics at work and left shaking my head. This community is self proclaimed to be "good Christians" and yet, every time they are faced with a conflict or feel they are being slighted in some way, they publicly crucify those who are trying to lead. We are so blessed to live in one of the best school districts in the state. Our kids have the best resources available to them. The government changed the way our schools are funded which is changing the budget in a HUGE way. The leadership who has thus far, provided an amazing education to our kids is now facing an enormous challenge. Rather than coming along side them and asking how we as a community can support them, local parents were screaming, condemning and accusing this team of horrendous and outrageous lies. I continue to be amazed by the local people who live for the show of being Christian yet will stop at nothing to gain what they want. I suppose that since I moved here from Ohio where school funding issues are always in the news, I just cannot see how people can treat others like this, especially since they are not responsible for the situation. Locals just don't know how blessed they are.....I removed my children from public school in early elementary school in Ohio because of all the funding cuts that prevented them from helping my daughter who has learning delays and because it was a very liberal school system with ideals that were contradictory to our Christian values. Erin's freshman year has shown us that this school system is truly looking out for the best interest of their students. That isn't to say that we haven't had discussions at home to work through minor conflicts, but overall, this experience has been positive. I wish I had been there to say this publicly, but I wasn't. Facebook and my blog will have to serve as that voice for now.

Speaking of integrity, I have been blessed by true friendship. Kristin, Cherie and Jill have been friends of mine since High School or in Jill's case, since 1994 when I met my High School sweetheart's girlfriend and deemed her "Perfect" for him! At no point have we questioned each others concern for each other. We have never had to think about their motivations. We know we are loved and cared about. Enough said. If we feel there is something out of place in someone's life, we address it in love. We are honest with each other and there aren't any worries about who's saying what when the other isn't there.....The funny thing is that we all have different religious beliefs and philosophies about life in general. I love each of these ladies like my sister, who is also rather wonderful. Thank you Lord for showing me that I am so blessed to be supported and loved by some awesome ladies.

Simple Pleasures!

It was a gorgeous weekend! Sunshine and 60's...we saw our first signs of spring on a walk this afternoon. A neighbor has crocus plants blooming. Kate asked for watermelon and corn on the cob....it just felt that wonderful. Of course we have to wait on the cookout with our favorite summer foods but it was nice to have them requested in anticipation of it arriving. Lauren had five friends visit all afternoon (three of them were boys...YIKES!) Makenna also had a friend over for the afternoon. So it was really great to have them outside!We had two little guests yesterday and will have them again tomorrow. Sarah is 4 and Miley is 18 months. Their little brother Matthew has been hospitalized again for growth issues. That poor family needs lifted in prayer! Anyway, we've enjoyed having the girls. They just fit in around here where we always seem to have extra places set at our table. I love having a house full of kids. I was teased at church and called Michelle Duggar. I wish I were as laid back as that special mom of 19! After such a long and cold winter, being outside breathing fresh air and planning the spring yard work felt refreshing.

Photo updates since the computer crashed