His works in progress: January 2014

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DH/SM
Dear Husband/Solution Man - ever ready to offer a solution to the current dilemma, conundrum or quandry. One heck of a smart guy who is right 99% of the time. Newspaper, blackberry and Drudge junkie. Rather old fashioned about things, in a positive sense. Love of my life. Makes me laugh every day. Now a member of the sacred fraternity of fathers who have lost a child. A rock. And the Jasper visionary. So handsome.
CJS
The eldest, ring-leader of The Gang, age 16. Occasionally longsuffering and mostly even-tempered. A very fine fellow. Sleeps with his long frame hanging off the end of his twin bed. Lego enthusiast. No, Lego fanatic. Like Fan Boy Fanatic. When he's not fighting with his middle sister.
HSS
Princess #1/Bunny Ballerina - our oldest girl, 14 years old, the little mother of The Gang, incredibly precious dancing girl. The first of our progeny to inherit what DH calls my "Bottle Nosed Dolphin forehead." Also, a mini-me.
AMS - Reepicheep
Princess #2, 12 1/2. A tightly wound Titanium Spring. bounces and bounds everywhere. Full of energy and passionate about most everything; occasionally angry. We call her Reepicheep, after the mighty mouse of Narnia. The best prayer warrior I've ever heard. She really gets it. When she's not fighting with her brother.
LCS
Princess #3 - age 11. Gives the world's best hugs. A very earnest soul, sorrows at injustices (esp. towards her) and arts/crafts and Lego enthusiast. A very clever kitten.
DDS
Princess #4 - 9 1/2. Petite sprite who likes to be where the action is. A strong carrier of my Bottle Nosed Dolphin forehead. Chatty Cathy.
ATP
The Answer to My Prayer - my precious mother's helper, babysitter and friend, who came to us at the tender age of 8 when I was knee deep in diapers and toddlers and was exactly what God knew I needed - when I was sure I needed a maid or a nanny, He sent this wonderful soul who is a part of our family and loves to play with my loud, rowdy kids and works all around the house with a servant's heart. She won't take any payment, aside from the occasional Target run and Swedish Fish. Speaks "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" with me. Everybody needs one of these. But you can't have mine!
YT/WIP
Yours truly, a work in progress in the hands of our great God who clearly has a sense of humor and lots for me to learn in this holy vocation (i.e. being me). Most recently, I have joined the sacred sorority of mothers who have lost a child. Which is why I started blogging again after a year hiatus. So much to share.
Kitty cat
When we got the dog at the shelter they told us under no circumstances should we try and keep any small critters or cats as pets. So we got a cat this Christmas. Going out, I felt, on a bit of a theological limb, I told the kids to pray that Buster would not eat her when we brought her home and, further, that they might even learn to live together in peace and harmony. Aside from her trying to chase his tail and eat his food, they do so. Now I can see what it will be like one day when the lion lies down with the lamb. P.S. She's really cute, too!
Bob-o
A breathtakingly beautiful baby boy. Our 6th full term child, a crazy idea hatched last Christmas. Robert Bowling Stephens, born still and silent on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 11:46 p.m. in Labor/Delivery Room 12 of Arlington Hospital - 3 days from his due date. Full term and perfectly healthy otherwise, weighing in at 8 lbs 1 oz and 20.5 inches. Turns out the cord that had been his lifeline was actually too long and became entangled around his right leg some 5 times. It seems clear that when he made his move to come to us, the cord was constricted causing his little heart to stop beating and he went to the arms of Jesus the day before I delivered him, joining his two miscarried siblings, who I also can't wait to meet. We planned for him. Desperately wanted him. His siblings talked to him everyday and took rapturous delight in rubbing my big baby belly and exclaiming "look at your Bob-o!" He changed my life. Our lives. Forever. And I miss him so.

January 12, 2014

2013 - A Year in Pictures!

Ok, so these first few are from the end of 2012 but it's a pretty precious chronology nonetheless...

And here's some other shots of our Gang in action:

before they both got their braces off!

the beverly hillbillies transport a mattress back from snow hill

1st trip down south through Columbia, SC - C/H still have their braces, Dixie still has long hair! (spring 2013)

longboat key, florida

daddy dessimates another turkey leg at disney world!

that's my man

waiting in line for the log ride!

Experiencing the Holy Land...Experience!

Animal Control...now THERE'S an idea...

the ritual Mr Whippy Growth Chart photo (Chincoteague)

girls still wanna dress uh-up

Hazel's spring recital

sweet snuggles

photo shoot with Gram!

travels with Daddy

brudders...at da pool

another photo shoot with Gram

Charity gamely accompanied Chaz at the Brickfair

one day me and dis Jabs went for a walk, I took this shot, texted it to Daddy and said "thanks for this picture"

and this one... Nats game

Dixie (doodle hopper) after her Locks of Love haircut

those are some good lookin' kids (The Spa at Round Hill, Greenwich :)

Charity-Barity

you shoulda heard us squeal when we pulled into the parking lot!

Chaz in his western wear

boy were the good folks at Cavendar's Boot City glad to see us coming!

great fun at Galveston with Uncle John and Aunt Margaret

nothing like a day at the beach

this boy's life

thanks John and Margaret!

Such a special boy, that Charlie

I love how Dixie and Lacy photo bomb this one. Such a perfect snapshot of our everyday life!

such an elvish imp

New Braunfels, TX

Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas...

with Dennis (and Hazel,Mary, Lacy, Dixie) and the boys!

Carie is officially a UT fan! Awesome time at the season opener with Al and Linda Lanctot in Austin

Grabbed this souvenir shirt and had it on him before I realized it was a Bob-o smile. Jasper is our 7th kid counting him...

We missed seeing him on the way down, so on the way back up, we re-routed just a bit to have a meet and greet with the beard-less Robertson brother at Duck Commander

some more fun at Nats stadium

dat's my boy! (his 10th grade class color is yellow...)

what happens to the red pick up truck of a dad with 4 daughters

si-fer lace

oh my gosh - be still my heart. Two brudders. Sound, sound asleep.

Charlie's caption for this one: "Hi there. I'm Jasper and I'm here to talk to you today about life insurance." (snapped through Bob-o's magnolia in our front yard)

rainy day on Bob-o's second birthday. A little visit to the cemetery.

such glee!

rockin' it...home school style

super fun annual halloween party at dad's office (can you guess their costumes??)

matchine shirts at church

and the after (late summer trip south through Columbia - no braces, shorn Dixie!)

making sure Jab's 1st birthday present is safe...Yes. It's good to go.

and now you've seen it all. This is photo worthy because for one moment in time, all of the tweezers and clippers that belong in my bathroom cabinet dwelt there. For one sweet moment...

and all of the hairbrushes we own are in one place.

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His works in progress

A Christian mom of 9 (raising 6, waiting to meet 3 in heaven) reflects on her family's journey through God's grace, including homeschooling, love and loss, good days, bad days and everything in between. When she remembers. And then has the time. And the energy.

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January 2014

January 12, 2014

2013 - A Year in Pictures!