I was out of church a few weeks ago because I was feeling ill.  Somebody asked my husband if perhaps a new baby might be involved.  He shrugged his shoulders and said it was possible.

Men just don’t get it, do they.

When he didn’t deny it, he started a rumor.  A rumor I now feel I must set straight.

As acceptable as #8 would be at this point, I am not having any pregnancy symptoms.  I doubt I’m in the family way.

However, the vibe I’m feeling from those asking me the question is one of delight – and I’m pleased to know there will be great rejoicing in my community of friends when the day comes.

And God willing, that day will be sooner rather than later.

Yes, you read that one right.

Jesse crawls now – has been for a few weeks.  It’s completely adorable, especially when he gets to going fast – his legs and arms go faster but he really doesn’t get anywhere any quicker.

I giggle.

This week he started to pull himself up on things.  He can’t get all the way up on both feet yet, but it’s not for lack of trying.

And he’s SOBIG 
At 10 months he’s closing in on 28 lbs.  That is nearly what Sam weighs at 2 1/2. 

He calls me.  “Mama!” 

My heart melts one more time.

He’s been attempting more words and tries to say things when we ask him to.  We said, “say thank you.” and he said, “dank” or something like that.  He tries so hard.

His tiny heart beats.  And with every little beat another precious baby moment is gone.

Slow down little guy.  You have plenty of time to grow into a big boy.   

Just slow down.

I sneeze loud.  Really loud.  I don’t do it on purpose.  It’s just one of those things.  If I try to sneeze quietly, like in church or something, it feels like my eyeballs might come flying out of my head.

So, unless I’m in church I sneeze really loud.

The baby and I have had a cold for not quite a week.  Nothing serious, just enough to keep us tired.  Yesterday two more woke up not feeling their best.  This morning, 3 more.

That puts the total at 7 out of 9 who are sick and so far it has lasted 5 days for the two of us who got it first, today being the worst.  It’s gonna be a long week, I’m thinking.

But I’m finding that I’m not hating this day.  Although I’d love for us to all just feel better already, today hasn’t been all that horrible.  The kids are happily camped out in the living room in front of movies and games.  I’ve been napping on and off during Jesse’s naps.  And Ryan is reading.
Being sick has never been so relaxing.

And I’m ever so thankful it’s not the flu.  Ever so thankful.  Though I’m sure Ryan would be happy if I never sneezed again.

…it is cold.

My husband and I went on a yard sale date in the unexpected chill of this Florida October morning.  We found a whistling tea kettle – I’ve wanted one for a long time but am too cheap to pay full price.  I got mine for $1 this morning and it is just like new.

And I was happy.

I found a blanket for Sam.  He is still using the crib blanket but now that Jesse is in the crib I kind of want to have the matching set back together.  The $5 blanket I found today is large, really soft, and came with a matching pillowcase.  I brought it home, laid it on the floor to get a good look at it, and decided to keep it for myself just as Sam came running in asking if that was his new bed.  I told him yes, it was for him, but I’d have to wash it first.

And he was happy.

I found a pair of Converse for Kait for $1.  I thought they might be too small, but bought them anyway and they weren’t. 

And she was happy.

The thing is, we were happy anyway.  Before my husband and I ever left the house this morning there were laughs.  Yes, sometimes an unexpected find will bring an extra smile to my face, but it isn’t that little treasure that I am really treasuring.

I am not happy simply because I have a new tea kettle.  It’s because my husband loves me, my kids are silly, and my God is doing miraculous works in our lives.

And that makes me happy.

Posted by Kait

The Graham Crackers are here. Again. They decided Friday that they would come and visit, and they did. They were here two weeks ago. And here they are. Back at our house. With their 5 kids, 2 cats, and dog. My dog likes cats. Really likes cats. Their dog is big. Really big. This is fun. Way, fun.

Yup. We went to see them Labor day weekend. They came to see us 3 weeks afterwards because Mr. Graham Cracker was out to sea and they wanted the time to pass quickly. I think Mr. Graham got jealous. So, now they are here again. At least they’re awesome. And we like them. 
It’s crowded. But totally awesome.  We’ve been staying up until like 12 every night. Oh yeah, it’s fun.

They said they’d stay a “few” days. They’ve been here for almost a week. I think their pets think this is like their second home, and the kids think we’re one big family. We call them “Papa Cracker” and ”Mama Cracker”. My mom and dad are “Mama Culbertson” and “Daddy Culbertson”.  I’m “Ms. Tait(Kait)”. How strange.

We are having a lot of fun. You can’t not see a kid somewhere; they’re E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.  Literally. It’s pretty cool. So this is what it’s like for the Duggers…

Four bedroom house, 6 pets, 11 kids, 4 adults, 1 teenager. It awesome. Totally

I have a friend whose family has been sick off and on for the last 3 weeks. I know what it’s like to get all of your many kids through one bug just to be hit with another a few days later. So, I decided that I’d take her some chicken soup tonight.

I made my intentions known early in the day and was given a firm, “No”. I wasn’t swayed so easily, however, and got to work cooking up a simple chicken noodle soup and a loaf of bread. And when the cookin’ was done we let them know we were on our way.

We were greeted with big smiles and a bunch of kids.

And a pasta dish?

They gave us food. I took them chicken noodle soup and they gave me a large dish of some of the most delicious pasta I’ve ever tasted.

They also asked us to stay for dinner! Though we couldn’t stay, as we already had plans, we sure did feel welcome!

I thought I was the one doing the serving tonight when instead it was me who got served.

Extraordinary.

Boy with a capital B and that rhymes with P and that stands for Poop…

I’ve had a boy toddler in my house for the last 10 years. 

That’s all I have to say about that.

My friend, her husband, her 5 kids, and all her stuff came back!  It was very impromptu and totally awesome!

And she brought some more White Chocolate Wonderful.

It’ll be a good weekend.

“Is a tomato a food or a vegetable?”

This was the question I was asked by one of my yungins last night.  I guess he doesn’t see vegetables as being fit for the ‘food’ category. 

He also doesn’t get why his question was funny.

And that’s funny.

…a 9 month old baby boy happily clutched his mama’s skirt. 

My heart melts. again.

Why didn’t anybody tell me? 

My whole life I’ve worn pants, and it wasn’t until early this year that long skirts became the main staple in my wardrobe.  I’ve worn more skirts in the last few months than I’ve worn in my entire life up until now.

And I’m feeling a little sad to look back on my first 6 children’s babyhoods and realize I missed out on this sweet little experience.  Something so simple…
I couldn’t have imagined that it would tug on my heart to have my 9 month old tugging on my skirt.  Everytime I walk past him, when I’m sitting and he crawls over to be closer, when I’m doing the dishes…

It’s a wordless joy.