a little guessing game

Guess who??????

- has skin too sensitive for Baby Magic lotion, has icky baby acne and is sooooooo snuggly?

- puts the baby magic onto her baby's clothes instead of her sensitive skin cause she NEEDS to smell it and who cooked a real meal for the first time in 5.5 weeks today?

- has a cold and only wants to snuggle and hug today, oh and fight with her big brother?

- has the same cold but REFUSED to miss school and who is reading SO great and who is very excited/nervous for her first school music program on Thursday night?

- really wants to play 'winter wipeout' and has been staring out the window today wishing the snow would fall and who apparently has a crush on a certain Melissa and a certain Lucy in his class?

- aced her social studies and math tests this week and who is SO excited for Rosanna's wedding next weekend that she keeps walking around the house 'practicing'?

- had to go back to work today after a long Thanksgiving break and almost had his wife ask him to quit his job so he could just stay home full time with us and who is FINALLY feeling almost back to normal after some complications from his 'procedure' a couple weeks ago?

Answers in order: Torrance, me, Tess, Avery, Sullivan, Lauren, Jordan

And for some reason...that was really fun for me.

Big sis

As Torrance becomes more alert and aware of her surroundings her siblings are

becoming more competitive about getting her attention.

After school today Avery won the coveted prize...

Torrance was just staring away at her as Avery talked to her.

Bedtime

Contessa is so in love with the Christmas tree that she decided to make her bed under it.

Goodness...

...she's precious!

Christmas kick-off

Tonight was our tree decorating night!

Is anything more exciting to a kid?

They loved every moment - looking through their ornaments, listening to Christmas carols and drinking hot chocolate.

For me it seems that I become more sappy with each passing year.

I was in tears many times throughout the evening - for many different reasons.

For one reason just being overwhelmed by the star in the sky some 2000 years ago that pointed to my Savior. Whose love for me went all the way to the cross.

Then it didnt seem to stop.

It kept going and blessed me with five...

Five sets of hands to make ornaments for my tree...

Five sets of smiles and hugs to fill my heart.

And our newest helper...who like her siblings is going to grow to quickly...I cry because I know that someday in the future they will have to be begged to stay and decorate the tree with us!

And lastly I cry because I finally admitted this year that Christmas will never again come without some pain & tears as I miss my dad.

Christmas lights remind me of him and the memories come rushing back. Memories of my awesome childhood that just feel a little bit more painful this time of year.

But my blessings are abundant and Christmas is here.

Welcome Christmas...tears and all!

two stomachs

Sully came to tell me that he was full of his thanksgiving dinner, asking if he could be excused from the table.

I said, well I guess you are too full for dessert.

He looked a little perplexed and responded, well, you know I have two circle stomachs in my bones. One for regular food and one for dessert. The dessert circle is empty still.

I busted out laughing. Its hard to argue with that logic.

Especially since I seem to have the same two stomachs.

Smile Baby!

Torrance has been flashing us some adorable smiles lately!

Her siblings will try anything to receive one of these smiles.

She is definetly not lacking for attention!

confession

The smell of this lotion....may be one of the reasons why I've had so many babies.

mmmmm, I love it.

Thankful

This may only make sense in my tired brain but I wanted to get it down...I was feeling a little overwhelmed the other day and I had some encouragement in my inbox - again!

And again, I have great friends. Who seem to just know when to send something my way.

This verse spoke to me...

I Cor. 15:9-11 'For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain.'

Paul is saying that he was not worthy to be a follower of God. He was a horrible sinner.

Guess what...just like me! But Paul was able to recognize that God's grace toward him was not in vain.

Which made me think that even on the days that I feel overwhelmed...I am working for His glory and His grace for me on the cross was not in vain. I wont give up! And He wont let me. He saved me for a purpose.

And that made me realize that I can be thankful even for the opportunity to be overwhelmed! God gave me so much...even more grace to me! And He gave me the responsibility to do my work while giving Him the glory. Overwhelmed or not!

And that made me feel less overwhelmed and more thankful!

How's it going with FIVE?

How is it going? Well, Torrance is 1 month old today and I've been asked by a lot of people, 'how is it going? are we finding a groove? getting back to normal?'

I would have to say that its going quite well. Some days, hours, minutes are a struggle, I wont lie. The first 3 weeks were killer...I was dealing with pregnancy hormones and was just weepy way more than I would have cared to be. Also raising my voice way more than anyone would have liked.

But we are getting there. Torrance is really being a great baby. She naps well, and some nights sleeps in 4-6 hour stretches and is pretty content and easy to console. She loves to hear our voices and to be snuggled close. She is starting to like to stare around the room and I think she might just be trying to put faces with these crazy voices she has been hearing for the past months inuetero!

Tess is adjusting. She still has her moments where she panics and thinks I have left. Dropping her off for church nursery and my playgroup nursery is not fun. She has never cared if I left her before. She has loved nursery and other kids. But now she is terrified and screams, 'Mommy, I need you, I want you.' I wont lie that is probably the hardest thing I am trying to deal with!

Mornings are another struggle. Its just a lot. I'm usually groggy after a night of less than great sleep, I need to get Lauren and Avery fed and off to school and I know that any minute I'm going to be dealing with the needs of the 4 year old, 2 year old and infant.

I am learning (AGAIN) that I need to let some things go. Seriously, if you saw my house right now you would probably say that yeah...I have let some things go! God is teaching me (AGAIN) that my job is not to keep the house picked up and the laundry done...my job is to raise these FIVE children for Him. To train them daily through my attitudes and actions!

Evenings are going much better and we are enjoying our time to stare at our precious Torrance and the kids truly do just adore her.

Again, Lauren is a huge help and most afternoons I am really not sure what I would do without her.

The thing that struck me recently, which you'd think would be obvious, is that there are now FIVE kids with needs. FIVE sets of clothes for each day, FIVE kids to bundle, FIVE kids to pay attention to and FIVE to listen to intently and FIVE sets of eyes to be sure I stare into daily and FIVE kids to fight amoungst themselves!

But I'm also reminded that I now have FIVE sets of arms that wrap around my neck each day, FIVE mouths that say, 'I love you mommy' quite frequently, FIVE warm bodies lined up on the couch during movie night and FIVE hearts that I get to fill with love each day.

We are blessed - there is no doubt. We have FIVE healthy, happy kids to enjoy and love. And with each addition to our family the love has multiplied. Watching them together fills me up.

So is it crazy here right now? Yes. Are there days I want to be 12 and back home in my mom's house where she will take care of me and protect me from these FIVE? yep.

Are there nights when I would give anything to have it just be me and Jordan on the couch together for a few hours? Uh, yeah.

But this is a very short season with a newborn and her young siblings...and I dont want to miss these moments so I am focusing on the blessings of my FIVE and taking day by day.

Sometimes minute by minute!

Thanksgiving Party!

Grandma Cindy had a thanksgiving party for the kids today.

There were lots of activities but the food was a huge hit.

All 10 of her grand kids!

More highlights from the party later this week!

Baby Shower

Jordan's aunts on his dad's side have given us a baby shower for every one of our kids.

How generous!

Yesterday was Torrance and Adrian's shower.

Here are three of the great aunts...one is missing.

And here is Torrance with her great-great Aunt Marie!

Marie has made a stocking for every single member of the family.

They are the most detailed stockings you will ever see and truly beautiful.

Thank you everyone for the shower and all the great baby gifts!

Lauren's 'Beauty Day' Party!

Yesterday we had Lauren's 'friend' birthday party.

Long about September I realized that I would have a newborn at the time of Lauren's birthday...I started racking my brain because I wanted to do something fun to celebrate this awesome kid but I knew it needed to be relatively work free for me!

And so I begged my beautician to do this for us.

Ok, I didn't beg, she agreed right away and was excited to do it.

Lauren didn't know I'd decorated the beauty shop.

She walked in and saw this along the check out counter and was SO thrilled.

She said, 'Oh I love it Mommy! Thank you!'

And then she looked at the signs and said, 'Now those look like Grandma Cindy!'

I confessed, yes, Grandma did make the signs!

Each of the girls got their hair & nails done.

Sisters!

Lauren even invited Avery.

Lauren all done!

nail time!

Avery was terrified of the curling iron!

I think she is actually praying for protection in this picture.

Nail time was much less stressful for her.

This was a really fun group of girls.

And SO adorable.

After the beauty shop we went back to our house for cake and ice cream.

Lauren was just so happy!

Blowing out the candles on her 9th birthday!

full

Fun filled, very FULL weekend.

Lots of fun pictures to post.

But for now its Narnia and my family of seven curled up on the sectional in pjs and blankets.

Feeling so thankful as next Thursday approaches!

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

Psalm 107:8-9

Cassie visits!

Some friends you can go months without seeing...

Then when you get the chance to see each other they walk into your house like you see each other everyday, grab your newborn out of your arms, hold her the entire time and provide awesome conversation and laughter.

Then when they leave the house seems empty and you realize just how much you'd been missing them.

That's my Cassie!

Thank you for a great visit today - it was not nearly long enough!

And sorry that I only offered you a cheese stick and water while you were here!

I did not remember that

Last night I was browsing through old blog posts of mine.

I came across one from when Avery was about 2.5.

I did not remember that when she was that age and you told her that you loved her she would respond, 'I love you too and I love you back.'

Every. single. time.

Also, instead of 'hi' she would say, 'aye'. Like a pirate.

I totally forgot about both those sayings of hers and now she is 6.

6.

And I'm so happy I have this blog so I never have to forget her at 2.5.

Strange Phenomenon

Pregnancy is so odd.

While pregnant with Torrance I craved three things.

- baby carrots

- sunflower seeds

- ice

Like craved them like I'd dream about them and when they'd come into my head if I didn't get them immediately I'd about foam at the mouth.

I swear the second Torrance was out of my body the cravings vanished.

I have no need for any of the above three.

In fact, I tried to eat some sunflower seeds last night and I don't even really like the taste.

A month ago I could have eaten an entire bag in 10 minutes.

Just found that weird...

Him

I love this man.

Like so much it makes my breath catch in my chest at times.

My new motto

"Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory."

William Barclay

Thank you Courtney!

fun facts about Lauren

Just a few things about Lauren as she turns 9.

she loves green peppers and strawberries

the only foods I've ever seen her turn down are crab legs and tomatoes

her favorite subjects are PE and art

she says she is going to be a PE teacher when she grows up

she loves to read

she loves to write stories

she loves to go running with Jordan

she loves to spend time with her friends but hates that Avery gets left out when she leaves

when asked who her best friend is...she says Avery (um, TEARS!)

she has tons of friends at school - when I ask who she played with at recess it always varies...I love that...they have the greatest class...one big happy group...its very rare

she is a scaredy cat - there are still parts of Aladdin that she cannot watch!

she will literally attack Jordan if he mentions putting on the movies - The Princess Bride, Narnia or Star Wars - she is SO afraid of them

she loves to spend one on one time with Jordan and I or her grandmas.

her love language is quality time

she loves to give gifts that mean something - that the receiver will treasure

she is tall for her age but she has small feet

she loves the Spartans!

she adores her teachers...every one...she loves that they wear funky jewelry and fun clothes!

she can memorize like a whiz...she excels in AWANA

she loves schedules and to do lists (like her mommy!)

she rarely has meltdowns but if she does it is likely because we threw something at her that wasn't in 'the plan' (again, like her mommy!)

she is a hoarder and a pack rat (like her daddy!)

she loves to dress 'pretty' but even more so loves to be comfy!

she is very social and loves to have many people around her

she loves nature and picking out beautiful things around her

she loves being extra silly with all her uncles - I think she laughs the hardest around them

she loves animals - cats stand no chance around here - they will cuddle with her!

Happy 9th Birthday, Lauren Elaine!

Dear Lauren,

I remember Thursday, November 15, 2001 like it was yesterday and at the same time like it really was NINE full years ago.

I was so excited for that moment. I felt that I had waited my whole life for it in fact. Becoming a mommy!

However the second they laid your perfect body in my arms I realized I had been wrong about a couple of things...for one, I did not in fact know ANYTHING about babies...and two, I was in no way equipped to raise you!

Your early weeks I was so scared. I truly did not know what I was doing. If your dad had not been there I wonder if you would have made it through! :)

What I also learned in those early weeks was about a love that was so strong and unconditional and an instinct so real that I wanted to be better for you. I fought to learn how to be the mommy you needed and to soothe your cries and bring a smile to the corners of that beautiful face.

Lauren looking back over the past nine years I realize that not a whole lot has changed. You still bring out a desire in me to be a better mommy, a better person in fact.

Lauren you are beautiful inside and out. Your first thought is of others. I am not sure that you have a selfish bone in your body. You are always asking to serve, to help to be involved. You love to make the way easier for others.

Even at the age of 9 we see the Lord bringing those wonderful things about you out for everyone to see and witness His work in you.

You are an amazing girl...young lady in fact. Wise beyond your years and mature beyond belief. I am often reminded that I dont know how 9 year olds act...because my nine year old has always acted a few years older than she really is!

While you have this side to you we also love your silly side. There is nothing like a Lauren belly laugh to get our family going. It is contagious and goofy and we love it! We love how you love to have fun as a family and to play games and make memories. We love to watch you with your friends and to see you just being the little girl that you still are! Dont try to grow up too fast sweet girl...it will come soon enough.

Lauren you have a big job...the oldest of 5 children. They will look to you in life to lead them, they already do and you have not failed in anyway. Your instincts with your baby sister have been a true mystery and blessing to me. Your love in fact for all your siblings seems almost too good to believe at times!

I do not know why I was blessed so greatly to have you as my first born. But Lauren what your dad and I do know is that we thank God every day that he did send you to live in our house. That he gave us a daughter who makes us want to stretch and grow and become more than who we are. You teach us so much and cause our hearts to love and be filled with pride in ways you will never understand.

Thank you sweet Lauren for letting us learn to be parents on you...and never forget that we are here praying for you, loving you and raising you up to your Heavenly Father.

You are our 'Bo-bo' and for that I am eternally grateful.

Love from the very bottoms of our hearts,

Mom and Dad

Adding Value to Survival

We have wonderful friends.

Truly, amazing, giving, loving friends.

We are blessed.

It seemed that about the minute I started showing with this last pregnancy I had friends asking, 'what do you need? can I take the other kids for you so you can get a nap? can I carry that for you?'

And then when lovely Torrance came into the world the love continued to be showered upon us...in the form of phone calls, emails, texts, notes and hugs.

And...food!

Torrance is over 3 weeks old.

I have yet to cook.

Our friends keep bringing in meals and when they stop - our basement freezer is stocked with freezer meals from our Sunday School friends.

Jordan and I have marveled at all the people who have brought us food and gifts.

We are truly blessed by such acts of service!

Truly, we are so grateful and so humbled.

And today I saw this quote and it seemed the perfect expression of what all these friends mean to us.

"Friendship is unnecessary, like art...It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival."

C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

So thankful, all of you, for adding a great deal of value to our 'survival'!

We feel so loved!

He did it...

He's doing great.

And he loves these...

Daddy's girls

This man has his work cut out for him no doubt.

(Seriously, we have 4 GIRLS! I didn't see that one coming!)

Torrance's Early Days

These early days are just so sweet.

His will

I read this on a friend's blog today and it spoke right to me.

This verse seemed to be screaming, 'Becky! I wrote this one for you!'

How often do I pray and in the back of my mind I'm thinking, 'God please, just DO WHAT MY HEART WANTS!' Instead of, 'God please, CHANGE MY HEART!'

And how often do I take His answers and think...'I did what you asked...why didn't things get easier?'

Sometimes God's way isn't the easy way, or the fun way or the way that we see as 'good' and 'right'.

Sometimes God's way is difficult and sticky and messy and full of heart ache.

Because He is concerned with changing our hearts...not with making our way EASY!

'In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.' Proverbs 16:9

My friend also posted this prayer with the verse - which she got from here.

Again, its like the author was reading my heart as he wrote. My fickle, weak heart.

Sovereign Father, this promise brings me immeasurable peace, humility, and joy. You’re vitally engaged in determining and directing every one of our steps. You’re working all things together after the counsel of your will. You’re working in all things for your glory and for our good. You open doors no man can shut and you shut doors no man can open. Indeed, you’re no mere life coach, you’re the Lord of all things… including me.

Many years I labored under the arrogance and anxiety of assuming that if I prayed hard enough and long enough… that if I was really filled with and “tuned” into the Holy Spirit, I could know the specifics of your will for my life… well in advance of any decision that needed to be made. Of course, my assumption was that if I was in your will, life would be enjoyable, pleasant and hassle-free.

If I bought the right car, it would never break down…If I bought the right house, the roof would never leak… If I married the right person, we would never disagree… If I went to the right college I’d get the right job and life would beall-right... If I sent my kids to the right school, they would never act out and would end up on the mission field. If all of this was true, I wouldn’t really need you.

Father, you’re certainly honored when we work hard to make good plans, in keeping with our understanding of the Scriptures. It’s important for us to seek and heed, wise prayerful counsel of good and godly friends. But help us to live with more confidence that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not a consulting partner… a very present Lord, not an absentee landlord… the reigning King, not an impotent bystander. Because of Jesus, I’m confident your will is being done… on earth as it is in heaven.

Free us to accept that many times your will leads to great suffering and pain. It’s called the cross. But the cross and resurrection go together. Hallelujah! What a most glorious and gracious Father you are. So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and very present name.

happy

How can this not make you happy?

She's giggling...in her sleep!

Isabel

I know there are a lot of people who wont understand this.

Perhaps people who have never had the joy of having an animal become a part of your family...I believe that God gave us animals as part of the expression of his love for us. They offer comfort and rest at the end of a hard day. They offer play time and laughter when words are the last thing we want to deal with. A look in their eyes can show an understanding and acceptance that humans don't always give! I believe pets feel and give love. I don't believe they have souls...but hearts, oh yes, they have big hearts.

I've had a couple of feline friends in my life who have been there for me and snuggled with me and given me unconditional love and laughter.

And one of those was my Isabel.

My dad surprised me with her the week after I got engaged to Jordan. In all honesty I think he did it to show he still had some claim over me even though he loved Jordan and was very happy that we were getting married. I was his little girl and he was going to prove it!

Cute.

She was mine right from the start. Cats pick their owner. Its not the other way. And Izzy loved me. She was mine.

Today Jordan and I had to take Izzy to be put to sleep.

12 years was all her body could take and it was time.

Jordan tried to talk me out of going with him but I could not do that. I would never be at peace with it if I did. And I couldn't put her through that with out my hands around her.

It was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do and I don't care if that sounds stupid.

I feel that I had to let go of one last small tangible piece of my dad.

She wasn't just a cat. She was my cat.

And now I'm just really, really sad. And I miss my Izzy.

And I really miss my dad.

11 years ago right now - 4:30 pm!

I was walking down the aisle to marry my prince.

I love him infinitely more than I did that day and on that day I never would have thought that was possible.

It makes me wonder how much our love will grow over the next 11 years.

I cant wait to find out.

I love you Jordan...with all that I am!

I am so happy that God gave me - you!

2 weeks

Torrance is 2 weeks old!

There is a lot of this going on.

She is a snuggle bug that's for sure!

And this one...oh my...she is struggling.

She threw 3 major fits this week. All because she either couldn't find me or

thought I had left her somewhere.

She is pretty much attached to my side.

It breaks my heart.

We are trying to be patient and reassure her that we could not love her more!

Sweet sweet girl, if only I could reach into that 2 year old brain of yours and explain it to you.

That time of year!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas?!

The toy magazines are arriving and the kids are marking them up.

I dont think Contessa really knows what she is doing...but she's having fun!

little mommy

She just amazes me.

Mothering might come more naturally to her than anyone else I know.

She is so selfless.

I have much to learn from my beautiful almost 9 year old.

what i love...what i hate

what i love:

that the sound of my voice alone can calm Torrance

that last night at 4:30 am she smiled at me. And if you think thats impossible - well, you are wrong.

what i hate:

setting the clocks back - in high school & college i thought it was SO cool - gaining an hour! Now I understand it is a cruel joke on parents of young children!

Due date! And my story...

Today is my due date!

I've never made it to my due date. The closest I've gotten was one week out - with Tess.

I'll say that I cannot imagine still being pregnant right now! I am very thankful to not be pregnant!

I thought I'd take this opportunity to recount my version of Torrance's birth. Before I forget!

I had a dr.'s appointment on Thursday the 21st. I didn't feel great. Mostly a headache. I came home and went to bed afterwards.

I went to bed early that night but woke up at 1 am and was up for good. The headache was bad. Like the kind where you cant even lay your head on your pillow because it hurts so badly.

At 8 sharp I called the dr. to tell them they had to help this headache! The receptionist told me that my dr. was in surgery but that I should see if I could get my blood pressure taken. So I started on that and about 45 minutes later the office called back and said that my dr. was worried because my blood pressure was high at my appointment the day before and I should just come on over to labor and delivery.

This news started a mild emotional breakdown for me! Suddenly I wasn't ready! I wanted one more weekend with the kids and I wanted to get a million things done! I called Jordan panicking at work. He calmed me down, mom took the kids and off we went.

They monitored me for awhile and my blood pressure was quite high and my dr. said he could not send me home...instead I'd be having a baby that day!

He induced me with 'the goo' as Jordan likes to call it around 1 pm. By 1:30 my contractions were strong and very not fun!

Jordan did great. He really is a wonderful coach. After 5 times he knows when to encourage me and when to just keep quiet and let me squeeze his hand. I cant imagine going through all that without him.

At 3 I got my epidural. And given my history of very fast deliveries the dr. gave me a 'jump start' in my epidural. Well, long story short on that one - you could have driven a knife into my leg and I would not have been able to feel it!

Somehow I was able to push. Jordan saw the head first and said, Becky, there's lots of hair!

That gave me a lot of motivation!

Another push and Torrance Reagan was born.

When they announced that she was a girl I was shocked. I was SURE we were having a boy. Just sure.

I heard her crying and I looked at Jordan and said, 'I didnt know how much we needed her to be a girl!' And Jordan whispered, 'That's what I've been telling you!' And we were both crying. That was my favorite moment. And also the moment when my heart felt complete.

2 girls, 1 boy, 2 girls. Our family. Complete. The family we have always dreamed of and prayed about.

I would have been thrilled to give Sully a brother. But I realized at that moment that I would not have felt complete. Somehow this fit. And I guess that's one of the beauties of God's plan. It is perfect. And He lets us know it. And I am so excited to see the relationship that Jordan and Sullivan will have in the midst of all these girls! I know it will be amazing for me to watch. And as Jordan says - we have your family Becky - just a little smaller and the opposite! Instead of 3 boys, 1 girl, 3 boys we have 2 girls, 1 boy, 2 girls!

After delivery I just wanted to savor every moment. Not forget anything. Hold on to all the memories.

We had the sweetest time in the hospital over the next few days. Just the three of us mostly. And I loved it. Our nurses were amazing. They treated us like royalty I swear. And I never wanted to leave. I actually did cry leaving the OB floor. Knowing I wouldnt be going back. Knowing that a chapter was closing. And its a good thing. And I know that. But still hard and bittersweet!

Now her name. Torrance Reagan was a name on our list ever since we were pregnant with Avery. But it never fit. This time it fit. Torrance is different, we know. We will call her Tori some. Reagan is after one of favorite presidents...and I think my dad would have really liked that!

Now that we've had Torrance for almost 2 weeks I dont remember life without her. How does that happen so quickly? Life is crazy, I wont lie. It feels like a huge whirlwind. But I wouldnt change it.

And my prayer as I start each morning is for God to help me to savor every single moment of these early weeks with her. To cherish it and hold on tight. Because I'm going to blink and she will be 6 months old. Or worse...10 years old.

These days are so very very short. And I have so very very much to be thankful for while I am living in them!

As promised!

She's 1.5 weeks old and she's starting to open her eyes!

She's SO sweet!

Spoken for me

These words seemed to be spoken just for me. Our Pastor brought them to us as part of this week's sermon

Phillipians 2:4-5

Look not every man onto his own things, but every man on the things of others.

Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus.

Translation - Its not about me. When I'm 'burdened' by the needs of my children I need to remember that I am called to meet their needs. Christ set aside His own needs for mine. He sacrificed the ultimate for me. The least I can do is joyful serve my children as they spill juice, wipe messy hands on furniture, and leave messes in every corner. I'm called to respond with grace and love and help them correct the 'messes'...not scold them and talk to them unlovingly.

Yeah, that part of the message was just for me this week.

Halloween 2010!

The kids had a total blast last night.

Jordan seems to have picked up his dad's tradition of going to as many houses as humanly possible in one night! And like his dad, he knows all the really great houses to hit!

We had The Hulk, a graduate, WonderWoman and 'Pincess Rella'

I didnt like Lauren's costume.

Can you guess why?

And no, its not because the hat says 'Dad'.

ha.

Jordan and Jason and their boys.

Just like the real Princess Cinderella, this one lost her slippers.

And had to work really hard to put them back on!

Lauren asked what Torrance was for Halloween and I said she was dressed up like a 1 month old! :)

Pictures of the baby tomorrow!