The Brady Bunch

The Magnolia Tree

2012-01-09T11:08:00.010-07:00

When Brady and I lived in Temple, TX he was in his third year of Medical School. We were blessed to have a very low monthly rent by living in the student housing on the campus of the VA hospital. Complete with charming post traumatic stress disorder patients wandering around our door. I could go on but, the point of the story is I would drive through neighborhoods in Temple dreaming of a day when I too could have a yard of my own complete with a big beautiful Magnolia tree.

Fast forward a few years, give or take a state and a residency, and we find ourselves living in Galveston, Texas with, you know it, a big beautiful Magnolia tree front left of our yard!!! There is something an inexperienced home dweller like myself found out, along with that yard came yard work! That Magnolia tree dropped its very lush large leaves 365 days a year. Which meant much raking and raking and raking. (No, we couldn't afford a leaf blower, still just living on love. Residency #2 and Baby #4) During one of those many hours of raking and scooping and bagging a very good lesson occurred to me... If you want something beautiful in your life you must be willing to work for it! Anything truly worth while requires some sacrifice, some inconvenience and even a little sweat. If you want a beautiful marriage, a beautiful relationship with your children, a beautiful (fill in the blank), a beautiful Magnolia tree gracing your front lawn it requires 365 days of attentiveness. I miss that Magnolia tree.

Tough Mudder 2011!

2011-09-22T23:33:00.014-06:00

Beaver Creek, Co Tough Mudder June 2011. Brady and I met Jason and Mary our dear Texan friends from Medical school and residency to participate in this extreme competition. Jason had our t-shirts made with Psalm 119:32, "I run the path of Your commands for You have set my heart free" on the back of our shirts. Two Brudderz and Two Mudderz was our team name!Running through water over hay bales through dangling wires charged with 10,000 volts of electricity! I can proudly boast no one in our team uttered one profane word!!
Brady and I's calves flexing before the 10 mile, 4000 ft elevation change British Special Force designed obstacle course. BTW, when I agreed to join their team the race was only going to be seven miles and I can say those last three miles were TOUGH!!

This is one of our favorite pictures from the whole trip. Check out the guy in the back on the left. There were some fanatics all dressed up and barely dressed. However the point of this picture is a salute to Mary. She has inspired me in so many ways... to be a better mother, wife, friend and to start running! Over the years she has said many wise things to me but, I think my favorite is... "everyone should just scrub their own toilette". So thankful for this sweet friend!

These two wild stallions can't be tamed! They are officially the President of each others fan clubs!!

Homecoming 2011 Middle of Nowhere, MT

2011-09-22T23:04:00.005-06:00

Snake Dance Parade from the High School to the Football Field!

Sweet friends!
Please forgive me! I haven't posted in so long that I didn't now if I should go back in time or just pretend that the last 6 months didn't happen. I think I will just post as the mood strikes and tonight Homecoming is striking me.

I had a very proud mom moment as Riley was nominated for Homecoming Queen this year. The highlight for me personally was getting to take Riley to Bozeman for the weekend to look for a dress and to look at the University.

Prom Night

2011-03-28T18:20:00.003-06:00

Riley was asked by a Senior to Prom her Sophomore year. Charlie and Sir Isaac Newton were not okay with that.
Brady was so sweet about Riley going to Prom. He had picked out his shirt to match her dress. He had just run to the store for me and was a bit late getting back in time to get a pic with Riley before she left for the big night. His "transisitions" glasses had not had time to transition to the proper look for this picture so he look a little scary. (Kinda Mofiaish) Maybe that was the look he was going for to intimidate her date. Anyways, this pic was not deemed face-book worthy but, I wanted to document it for posterity's sake.
To Brady and I's chagrin, there was a boy involved in the evening's festivities. He was very nice and she was home by 1o:55 p.m. and that is all I'm gonna say about that.
I'm sorry, but there will never be anyone good enough for my girls or my boys.
I will say Prom Night for a parent is scarier than the old Prom Night Movies!

Happy 10th Birthday Bailee!

2011-02-15T12:21:00.004-07:00

A few highlights from your 9th year!
Bailee is usually the first smiling face I see in the mornings. She is the first one ready for school and after she downs her glass of OJ she sweetly goes out to Riley's car and warms it up.
Not only is today Bailee's 10th Birthday but, yesterday Bailee received a Citizenship Award. Her sweet teacher nominated her with the nicest letter... "Bailee adds to the support and learning in our classroom every day. She demonstrates careful listening, accurate work, and active participation. She takes ownership of her own learning and strives to produce quality work on all assignments.
She works well in groups or with a partner, planning and carrying out activities and projects. Her caring attitude and respectful manners are present at all times. She is a model citizen of fourth grade!" Please excuse me while I have a proud Mama moment!!
When she and Riley and Hallie get bored in the summer they love to have photo-shoots!
She caught a Catfish and several Skip-jacks that day!
She has her green belt in Tae Kwon Do now!Bailee Grace Banta, Daddy and I love you so very much and are extremely proud of your accomplishments!

Another Favorite Devo

2011-02-04T11:46:00.006-07:00

OBEY Devo

This is one of my personal favorite Devotionals because it gets the kids to clean up while we are having Devo and they are having fun at the same time! This is how it usually goes... before bedtime Brady and I come into the living room or go down to the basement whichever was the messier room. Brady and I plop ourselves down in the middle of the room and call out "devo time" whichever kids weren't already in the room would come running. Have them sit down and happily tell them we are going to talk about how important it is to obey.

Scriptures we like to read:

Ephesians 6:1 Children obey your parents in everything for this is right.

Col. 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord.

Deuteronomy 4:16 Honor your mother and father, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. ( It is the only one of the ten commandments that contains a promise.)

Then we play our "obey game" have them individually obey a quick little command. For some reason they really love doing this, maybe because they have an audience. "Charlie show us you know how to obey by putting three of the toys into the toy box. Jay can you show us you know how to obey? Please put the pillows back on the couch. Bailee will you please put all the wii games and equipment away!" ect. We praise them and thank them for quickly obeying. Close out Devo time with a prayer asking God to help all of us to always obey, even Mommy and Daddy!

Then the next day or the next week, when it is time for them to get out of the bath tub or time to go to bed and they are less than eager to obey, I remind them of our Obey game and how pleased the Lord is when they quickly obey. It is so frustrating and humiliating to have a disobedient child out in public, speaking from much experience here. Again, I think the audience comes into play when it turns into a power struggle. This has been the most effective way to positively teach obedience as opposed to discipline for disobedience. Although, discipline for disobedience works too!

The reason why we believe it is so important for our children to obey us is because we ultimately want them to obey God. We want them to follow the commands God so lovingly designed for us to follow so that they will love life and see good days. We also want them to quickly obey what their heavenly Father asks them to do when they are making their own life decisions.

L-O-V-E

2011-01-25T08:52:00.006-07:00

When I was younger, umm actually I still do this... I cover up my written mistakes with a heart. Like when I was writing a note and I would misspell something which is quite often I would just turn that into a cute heart. (BTW, I must thank you kids for so faithfully correcting my grocery lists. Of course, I L-O-V-E and depend heavily on spell check!) Anyway, Bailee has been working on a time-line of her life thus far. She has been putting plenty of time and energy into this important 4th grade project and unfortunately last night she misspelled February with a Sharpie. (I always thought February was a tricky one.) Panic almost set in until she remembered the little trick I taught her. A darling little heart fit right on top of that mistake. Especially since she was born the day after Valentine's Day. Last night when she came up to kiss me we were talking about it and the Holy Spirit reminded me of a scripture hidden in my heart. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Thank you Jesus that your sacrificial act of the deepest love covers my sins.

Christmas Day 2010

2010-12-27T14:42:00.007-07:00

We started off Christmas Day with Cupcakes for Jesus' Birthday! We sing "Happy Birthday" to HIM and yes, we ate cupcakes for breakfast! YUM! And yes, it was still dark outside!The kids going through their stockings!
The day was so beautiful, everything was frosted!
The high was about 20 degrees.
The kids got sleds, so of course, that afternoon we had to try them out. Brady and I even jumped on them a few times. Hallie and I's favorite "run" was the snow-stuffer. She appropriately named it because your coat gets stuffed with snow!!Bailee's, Jay's and Daddy's favorite run had a nice jump in the middle.
Mimi kept saying these kids are fearless!Brady made an amazing smoked Elk roast for Christmas dinner.
Christmas 2010 for our Brady Bunch was fun. Even though, we still miss all of our southern friends and family. Each year I keep waiting for it to get easier to be so far away.

Christmas 2010 Slideshow

2010-12-19T10:41:00.004-07:00

December in Montana

2010-12-08T00:32:00.004-07:00

I took these pictures just outside the front door (because it was about 2 degrees outside). When a fog settles on the trees it makes our whole town look like Narnia. It comes about once or twice a year but, usually only stays for about a morning and then it blows off the trees or melts. This fantastic frosty freeze stayed about four days. We've already had two big snows and it isn't even Christmas. I, like most, absolutely love the snow in December. I love to go ice skating with the kids and Brady takes them sledding. We just aren't as enchanted when it is still coming in April and sometimes May.

We've been in Montana for four and a half years now. I'm still trying to get acclimated to the below zero temperatures. I've been told it takes five years to feel at home where we live and I definitely need six more months.

Elk Hunting Trip

2010-12-07T23:37:00.006-07:00

The boys and I invited ourselves to go on Brady's Elk hunting trip. We didn't want him to get too lonely on his week long visit with his Uncle Greg and Aunt Maria in Ridgeway, CO. However, things didn't go quite as we had expected. This is a picture of Brady staring at his stuck truck on the first day. Not to worry, in a matter of minutes a one armed smiling angel came to our rescue and pulled us out. Needless to say, that was the only day the boys and I actually went "hunting" with him. We kept ourselves busy by swimming in the hot springs at Ouray, a day in Telluride and a day in Ridgeway, of course. I'm just sayin' don't feel too bad.
The boys did find time for a snowball fight that day.

Nice one Jay!
Charlie has a great arm, too!
I LOVE Maria and Pearl! Two of the nicest girls you will ever meet! While we were there Maria and Greg insisted we stay one night at The Historic Weisbaden Lodge. It is in Ouray, Co. and has a flowing natural hot springs vapor cave. God's version of a steam-room. It was amazing!
Did I mention this is Ralph Lauren's Ranch, the RRL Ranch.
Brady's Uncle Greg took him to the best spots on the ranch to hunt.
After five days of hard hunting Brady did get an Elk. I am beginning to figure out why they are called trophies.

Love is Blind!

2010-11-05T19:39:00.006-06:00

Currently, we now have as many pets as kids! One thing leads to another around here. It all started with Molly, then Brady "needed" a hunting dog PoGo our Springer Spaniel, next we inherited Newton another Yorkie. PoGo was allowed to run free around our property since she was booted out of the house for bad behavior. Run free she did, and she was quite popular around the neighborhood with many suitors. We were blessed with eight panting puppies on the first day of summer. Thankfully, we found homes for seven of the puppies. One of the puppies is in heaven because of me and I don't want to talk about it. So don't ask! This brings us to our fourth pet, Camille. Did I mention one of the homes for a puppy was ours. We now have PoGo and Camille in a pen.

The last two winters we have had some unwanted guests. Thankfully, not Galveston rats, but rodents none the less. I was blaming them on Newton, one of our Yorkies, claiming he was making friends with the mice even though it was his dog food they were eating. (Side note... Yorkies were bred by the working men of North England, who developed the breed for catching the terrible mice and rats that infested clothing mills and mine shafts. Evidently, Molly and Newton didn't get the memo.) I have set traps, put the dog food in plastic storage containers, consulted neighbors for their mice advice, ect. The consensus was we needed a cat. The road we live on has several wild cats living in the ditches, so I told Brady I should just go pick up one and bring it home. His response was, " if you do that please tell me when and I will grab the camera and film it." From that, I deduced that was not a good idea and would not go well. I didn't want to be uploaded to YouTube wrangling a wild cat.

I know at this point you are thinking "woman, just call an exterminator". Turns out we don't have one in our town. Surprise! Surprise! I did get a number for one that lives in another town and have been calling him for many months. He almost came by one evening two months ago but canceled at the last minute, sigh.

Our fifth and "final" pet is a kitty, Ginger. One of our sweet friends from church gave us one of her barn cat's kittens. She is quite friendly, I have noticed more cats hanging around our house and even a goose in the garage (a story for another day). Then it occurred to me that maybe when Pogo was running around our house the wild cats were staying away and that is why we have had mice for the last two winters (exactly how long PoGo has been running around!) Anyway, it is too late to get rid of Ginger as we have all fallen in love. I have a soft spot for her because I don't think she can see very well so, I thought we should change her name to Love. No, really, she is blind as a cat, I mean bat! Oh yeah, we have those too!

Beauty Tips for my Daughters

2010-10-26T17:50:00.013-06:00

Pretty is as pretty does.
Eat raw fruits and vegetables (and sprouted flax seed) everyday. If God made it, it is good for you to eat.
Smile! Don't take yourself too seriously. Laugh at yourself.
Sweat a little or alot everyday. Drink your water, especially my little desert mouse.
Don't say anything about someone that you wouldn't want said about yourself.
Read your Bible and pray everyday. HIM shining through you is very beautiful!
Compliment and encourage others.
Use sunscreen! (When you are old like me :) Don't buy expensive age defying junk! Use "retin a" and a cheap nighttime moisturizer.
Clothe yourself with dignity and humility.
Don't compare yourself to others. You are a beautiful unique snowflake!

The Summer of Charlie

2010-09-29T12:44:00.003-06:00

July 22nd Charlie turned 4. That week Riley had been watching Cupcake Wars, I think, and was inspired to make Charlie's Birthday cake and cupcakes per his request of Transformers. His birthday wish which he said aloud was for "a real live grandmother." Who was sitting right next to him. When he opened his eyes I said pointing to Mimi "look Charlie your wish came true!"

Charlie loves swimming! This summer he learned to swim without floaties and was brave enough to jump off the diving board and go down the slide! He started pre-school this year and loves it. He goes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 11:00. He wishes it were everyday!
When we went to Colorado this summer he did really great hiking. I think next year he will be ready for the big Mohawk hike! He also loves to "go on adventures" with Bailee when she takes him exploring outside.
Of course he and Jay love to go bird hunting and prairie dog shooting with daddy. I must also take this opportunity to share the new way Charlie has shown me to view each day. One morning when we were getting ready for school he asked me if I wanted to suck seed? What? Ohhhh, succeed! Yes, today I want to succeed and NOT suck seed! If you do have to suck seed some days may they be sunflowers!!!

One of the other funny things Charlie did this summer was cut his own hair. I thought I had almost made it through five kids without a haircut story. One night we all sat down to dinner, prayed and I look over at Charlie's adorable face and notice something is not quite right. "Charlie did you cut your hair?" "Yes." Knowing I had a mess to clean up somewhere in the house, "Where did you cut your hair?" pointing to the top of his head Charlie said "here and here" as if I hadn't notice. We could not stop laughing all through dinner. Charlie immediately stopped laughing when Brady whipped out the clippers! He cried for a little bit because he was worried he wouldn't be handsome. I still think he's handsome with his buzz but, I don't think he will be cutting his own hair for awhile.

Hallie is 11

2010-09-15T11:27:00.004-06:00

I am very behind on The Brady Bunch current events. I feel like my kids have felt this past week as their teachers have asked them to write about their summer. I shall begin with Hallie's birthday...

We made her favorite cake, Strawberry with Strawberry Icing, she helped decorate it of course. She loves to be in the kitchen and is always there to help me with dinner. She makes fabulous guacamole!
I asked her if she wanted to have a BIG short swim party with lots of friends or a smaller slumber party?

She chose the smaller slumber party with her closest friends!I love these girls! She played softball with all of them this summer and just started dance class with them, too!
Her favorite color right now is purple. She collects rings, the bigger the better. She is also playing the drums again this year. She also loves to read, I think she has read The Percy Jackson series three times!Also this summer PoGo had eight puppies!!! All but one are gone and Hallie is so glad that there was one left. It just happens to be one of her favorites, Camille. Hallie has been so good about taking care of them feeding, bathing, training and even cleaning out their pen! As a reward for cleaning out their pen Hallie got to drive the "arctic cat" around the house. She might be a little bit like her mom because she likes to drive fast! I am very proud of this young lady if you couldn't already tell!

Daily Dethroning

2010-09-02T13:10:00.003-06:00

When Brady and I lived in North Carolina we went to Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. Our Pulpit preacher was having health issues so Dr. Gary Chapman the marriage and family minister at the time stepped up as interim pastor. The very same Gary Chapman who wrote The Five Love Languages. That man doesn't know me from Adam or Eve, but I love him and learned so much from him for the year he took over.

The sermon I remember the most and still try to implement into my life even today was about the throne we have in our lives. Dr. Chapman was explaining the difference between an effective fruit bearing Christian and a defeated non-fruit bearing Christian. He is an extremely practical and bottom line kinda person so, this concept is easy to understand. Either God is on "The Throne" in your life or you are on "The Throne." If God is on the throne you are His to use, to bless and to be a blessing to others. If I am on the throne I am serving my own interests and desires. It is very difficult to serve others when you are on a throne! The other difficult thing to do when you are on a throne is to dethrone yourself. Has there ever been a King or Queen in all of history who chose to depose themselves? However, it can be done! It needs to be done daily!

Not long after I heard this sermon and after it had laid heavy on my heart I made up this dorky little poem that I would say in the mornings or whenever I've noticed that I'd plopped my hiney down on the throne again. "You be on the throne today in all I do and all I say!"

A field trip

2010-08-18T08:13:00.006-06:00

I think this is the lower Mohawk lake. Note the snow behind us in August!
The guys went even higher and had so much fun fishing they forgot to stop catching long enough to drink water!
Mary and I, so thankful she introduced me to Colorado in the summer.

Last week we went to Colorado with our good family friends, The Suit's, second year in a row. So fun, we rode bikes several days and hiked several days and one day we... wait for it... biked and hiked! One day, same as last year, we went on a particularly long hike up to Mohawk lake. It was beautiful but, hard, my heart is starting to pound in my chest just thinking about it. I'm sure it was just the elevation making it difficult :0

As we began our ascend Riley and I and others, who shall remain nameless, but especially Riley and I began stumbling and tripping over the rocks all the while mocking ourselves and trying not to feel shame. By our TRIP down the mountain we had stopped trying to come up with clever remarks to ease our embarrassment. I even banged my knee pretty hard on a rock and earned a beautiful bruise of bravery. I will add we were moving pretty fast up the mountain because the Daddies wanted to spend the night camping at the top so they were moving us at a rapid rate. Our hurry down was to get into Breckenridge to have cupcakes and crepes before dinner. There I said it, we aren't as healthy as you thought!

Even as I was putting my little backpack in the back of my car I tripped one more time over a stumbling stone just before my hand was safely on the driver's door! I just laughed (or was it the little rock laughing at me?), "they" just had to trip me up one more time!

The next morning I opened my Bible and continued my current study on faith. Amongst the scriptures on faith I read Romans 9:30-33

30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." 33 As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

I can't tell you how many times when I am faithful to do my Bible study He will use His living word to speak to me in a way that even little 'ol me can understand! I love HIM so much for that! You see, I have struggled with working my way into heaven all my life! I have stumbled over this more than I'd like to admit. Jesus is the cornerstone, the one we trip over and fall to our bruised knees. His plan for our salvation is simple, why do we make Christianity so complicated?

I have taught many a Sunday School class, hosted Bible studies, kept nursery, blah, blah, blah, in hopes of earning my way into heaven. In other words, I am pursuing righteousness based on the law. When I do these things in my own feeble strength, I get frustrated, tired, annoyed and unlovely like a clanging cymbal. If I will serve Him out of my passionate love for Him it becomes easy and a pleasure and a wait for it... JOY! Ohhh that I would pursue righteousness through faith. Ohhh that I would just simply believe in HIM and not be put to shame!

Last Night's Devo

2010-07-29T18:26:00.003-06:00

I started off by saying "this is probably the most important thing I will ever tell you!! (They have heard this schpeel before but I wanted to get their attention!)

Me: A flower needs what to grow?
Them: Sunshine and rain (Riley: Air, soil, nutrients.... Me: Okay, little missy)
Me: Yes, sunshine and rain.
Me: A Christian needs what two things to grow?
Them: praying and reading the bible
Me: Yes, every six months? every week? every day?
Them: every day!

We do this devo over and over again because mommy needs the reminder to read her bible and pray everyday so... I know my little cuties need this reminder too.

This very year HE showed me the importance of both aspects of spending time with HIM, if I truly want to grow as a Christian. If I want to become more like HIM and display the fruits of the spirit(love joy peace patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control) on a daily basis. And believe me a mother of five needs to display love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self control daily!!!

There have been times in my Christian walk where I would just pray or I'd just do my bible study. Then He showed me doing only one or the other was like having a one way conversation. If I just prayed it was like I was doing all the talking during our time together. If I just read my bible (and marked it off my check list) it was like He was just talking to me. And as crazy as it sounds HE, the creator of the universe wants to "hear" from us as we pray to Him.

As a side note, there have also been many days, months, years when I wasn't doing either, praying or reading. I can honestly say they were difficult times when I was foolish, selfish and or depressed. I think reading your bible and praying everyday is the next important step after asking Jesus to be your saviour. My girls have asked HIM to be their savior but there is more to it for them if they want to "walk" with HIM!

As we finished our devo time we sang a song we have sung since the girls were tiny. It seemed to make perfect sense to this 37 year old girl who is still growing!

Read your Bible, Pray everyday, Pray everyday, Pray everyday
Read your Bible, Pray everyday,
And you'll grow, grow, grow!!!

2010-07-20T05:19:00.004-06:00

When the girls were younger for about six or seven years almost every night before bed we would have family devotional time. We would have them where ever we were, many times we had them in the car on the way home after a busy day. Regrettably, in the last three years those "devos" have become fewer and father between almost nonexistent. This past weekend we went to Rapid City, SD for Hills Alive, a Christian music festival. I was convicted of my lack of convictions to keep those nightly devos a priority. Yes, it is hard to keep all of their attention when the age gap is 11 years. Yes, the boys don't want to sit down for more than two seconds. However, the kids LOVE it when we do them. When we say "Devo Time" they all come running. (Please Lord help me make this a priority. It is as important as feeding them physically, I must feed them spiritually!)

Most of the time our devos are different every night. However, we have a few Banta family devos that we do at least once a year. I am going to post some of those for the kids to read for when they have their families.

One of our very favorites is called "TRUST." It is the one they ask for by name and the easiest one to keep them all interested. We read Proverb 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Didn't have to look that one up because we have done this devo soooo many times! Each one of them repeats that scripture back to us.

Then all the kids line up and fall into daddies arms backwards. Through this I have learned that my heavenly Father will be there to catch me, even when I can't see Him and usually at the very last second, but He is always there.

2010-07-01T10:13:00.004-06:00

May 1 Riley turned 15! 15 is hard to believe but, even more difficult for her daddy and I is that in Montana they are allowed to get their DRIVER'S LICENSE!! Yes, I know we live in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Yes, I know it only takes five minutes to get anywhere. There is no rush hour, there are no traffic jams and she never even has to get on the highway. Now I am glad we live here!! :)
Here is Riley with her Dance Team friends on her actual birthday. Her busy school schedule is one reason I am excited about her new found freedom! Brady and I had to get up many mornings last year around 5:00/6:00 so she could squeeze all her Cheer-leading and Dance Team practices/Driver's Ed into her day. I will be ever so grateful to have her in charge of her comings and goings next year! :) Although, I will miss her being my DJ and finding out what her favorite song of the day is and her great ideas to go through the drive-through to get a drink because she was literally dying of thirst, my little desert mouse!!
This is her cousin and life-long friend Hannah. They came to see us last week, more to come on that story as I am extremely far behind on my blogging posts.
To fill Riley's long days of summer she has gotten into painting, jewelry making, still doing photography and she has even started a blog as well, called OH SNAP

If, right now, you are staring at the computer screen trying to figure out what you will click on next will you please pause for a moment and send up a prayer for her daddy and I as we are stumbling our way through these teen years with her. It is sooo difficult watching our oldest start to frustatingly fidget as she stretches her wondrous wings. She will be leaving the nest in just three VERY SHORT YEARS! I want her to fly finding her confidence in Christ alone.

In Him

2010-04-28T16:16:00.002-06:00

For the longest time, I think since college, I close a letter, email, and sometimes a text with...
In Him, Vicki

Since no one seems to read blogs anymore this has turned into my way of scrapbooking and journaling for my children. It popped into my head today that I wanted my kids to know why I write "In Him." It is because of Acts 17:28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' If it wasn't for HIM I would be nothing. I said that the other day to your daddy and then I stopped myself because I almost wish I could just be nothing. At least nothing is neutral. Without HIM I am worse than nothing.

So, it is In Him I live and move and have my being.

In Him, Vicki

Sir Isaac Newton

2010-03-31T09:25:00.005-06:00

We adopted Sir Isaac Newton into our family back in the fall for Hallie and Bailee. He was born in North Carolina, Bailee loves that about him! He is a wanderlust at heart, PoGo loves THAT about him. Thankfully, he always comes home! Riley gets cracked up by his ears and by the whites of his eyes always staring at us.
What I love about him is whenever I pray he comes over to me and nudges my hand with his nose so I will rub him while I am praying. No sense in my hands just sitting there doing nothing right? The girls say he wants his "prayer rub." When I read to the boys at nap time he squeezes in between them to hear the story too and look at the pages.

Awhile back we had the youth group over and played T.P. games of course Hallie included the puppies! I love that Newton and Molly's coloring are the very same so they look like brother and sister! Hallie reminded me I had forgotten to do a blog post about him. He is very sensitive and would be crushed if he knew I hadn't blogged about him.
But, the very best thing about Cutie Patutie Newtie is that he helped potty train Molly!

Miracle Grow

2010-03-24T09:02:00.005-06:00

Miss Riley behind the scenes. She loves the creative and complicated and hates the ordinary easy stuff! ie... making crepes vs. cleaning her room, designing jewelry vs. giving Molly a bath! She spent a whole day taking beautiful pictures of her sibs. She has such a sweet love for each one of them and they for her.
Hallie is working on her science fair project these days. She is researching hydroponics and the effects "Miracle Grow" has on plants. She has been diligently weighing her plants and recording info bright and early every morning! She volunteers in the Library and helps her teacher with tutoring. Hallie knows how to use everyday to the fullest!I realize I recently gushed over Bailee on her birthday but, she is keeping herself busy these days honing her social skills, mastering consecutive kart-wheels and spinning like a top on the play-ground. We prayed for their husbands and his parents the other night. We prayed that God would be protecting those boys, teaching those boys and making them into HIS mighty men! (Bailee was confused and giggling when it was over) Notice her locket!
These girls are growing up so fast! They have me confused, giggling and spinning like a top! I either want time to slow down or Jesus to hurry up! If neither of those things happen... I know HE will accomplish the creative and complicated miracle grow of these girls for HIS glory.

Pippy the Pickle Fish

2010-03-11T13:21:00.005-07:00

With Jay being my fourth cutie to go through kindergarten I am getting a little desperate for new and exciting "show and tell" ideas! We were watching the Mr. Men cartoon the other day and Mr. Scatterbrain was talking about his pickle fish. Jay decided that would be a cool "show and tell." Evidently, he was the hit of his class today because everyone wanted to go home and make their own pickle fish! I hope daddy will forgive us for wasting some of his sweet baby gherkins pickles. Of course, Charlie needed his own pickle fish!

A Beautiful Bride!

2010-02-21T08:27:00.004-07:00

Soldiers of Christ arise and put your armor on.... As time continues to march on, the days seem to be growing darker. Our little town alone has suffered some tough blows this past week on the heels of Haiti's own crisis. We "Onward Christian Soldiers" need some encouragement as we are waiting for Jesus' return. I know HIS hand is upon us, the Lord watches over us. When I think about the big picture of this church age we are living in, I can't help but be encouraged. I see some ways in which His church (aka His bride) is being prepared. In the last five to ten years we are seeing man-made denominational lines being dissolved within HIS church. His followers are looking to the scriptures to figure out exactly what they believe, not just allowing a church to dictate what they are called to do as a Christ follower. We are seeing churches being purified of legalism, YAY! Christians are being called to become authentic, not just go to church or go through the motions. The gray areas in our culture are becoming more black and white. Christians are having to identify themselves as such. In as much as, putting "Merry Christmas" on your Christmas Card! I love that!

As Satan's days are growing short, He is growing more desperate and active. However, so is The Holy Trinity at work!! For one, the Christian music industry is by far at its finest and far reaching. Brady and I were watching some "old" Christian videos just the other night and laughing, partly because of their hair and partly because it was just bad! I was instantly reminded why I didn't like Christian music that was on the radio in the 80's and early 90's. I love how Catholics, Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, C of C's (you know who you are), all worship Him together with amazing Christian music that connects us all as we worship HIM. Who alone but Christ could accomplish this kind of "harmony" amongst His prideful, hair splitting followers. Also, Biblical teachers and preachers are speaking to the masses who all sit on different pews on Sunday mornings. Another major source of encouragement for me personally, are the Christian book stores in every town (even mine) filled with shelves of wonderful Christian books by wonderful Christian authors. So, for the bombardment of Satan's hourly attacks on our joy and ultimately our very soul. God has supplied the necessary encouragement we so desperately need. Just turn on your radio/TV/Computer/MP3/Phone (whatever your source) and listen to some amazing Christian encouragement or better still, open your Bible or pull up your Bible App. Let us weary soldiers not forget, HE is also readily available to hear our prayers 24/7!!! We have not been forsaken or forgotten!!! The invitations have been sent and this will be THE wedding I don't want to miss!!

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
REVELATION 19:7

Happy Birthday Bailee Boo!

2010-02-15T08:45:00.004-07:00

Yesterday Riley took Bailee out in the freezing weather and took pictures of my "Winter Baby." I love this first picture of her, it looks like she is an angel with a halo!!
We call her our "Winter Baby" for several reasons. One, because she was born in February when there was snow on the ground in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Also, because she LOVES to be outside in the winter sledding and ice skating. I really want to get her on the ski-slopes because I know she is going to be fearless!
She and Hallie just started taking Taekwondo lessons. (They had been begging me for a couple of years.) She loves to read and has a great sense of comedic timing that keeps our whole family laughing!! She has played the violin for the last two years but, decided to take a break this year. I really hope she wants to pick it up again next year! She is a pretty good little soccer player, too!

Just so you don't think she is a perfect angel! I thought I'd throw in one of my personal favorite pictures of her when she was hot and tired! Bailee, like Charlie is a child of extremes. They are either really happy or really not happy!!! I love their intensity! I can't believe she has been with us for nine full years!!! For her birthday she asked for a heart-shaped locket with a picture of Brady and I in it!! AWWW SO SWEET!!! I KNOW!!! I can't believe God has given me such amazing children! HE is already doing such great things with her! She is fearfully and wonderfully made! (Again a reminder of her normalcy ...she also asked for a cell phone which she did not get!)

I am grounded.

2010-01-12T14:07:00.005-07:00

Some of you may have noticed I am no longer on facebook. I am grounding myself temporarily and this is why... Since I moved to Montana my personal time praying and reading my Bible has been few and far between. At first, I blamed it on having that fifth baby. Then, I recently realized Charlie was three and a half and I was still finding excuses quite easily. YIKES!

I learned the importance of having time "with Him" when Bailee my third baby girl was born. I got to the very end of myself and realized how very much I needed to spend time with HIM daily. I desperately needed HIM to help me through each and everyday. I protected my quiet time with HIM fiercely and made it a major priority in my daily routine. I did this for about five years and HE carried me through homeschooling and having yet another baby and our big move to Montana and yes one more baby!!

Unfortunately, I have allowed too many things to eat up my time. I mean come on, there have been days when I spend more time plucking my eyebrows than on my knees. That is painful for me to admit! So, I have grounded myself from a few things and facebook is one of 'em. Don't get me wrong, I think facebook is sooo cool. I loved getting in touch with long lost friends, keeping up with my family down south and even getting to be bold about my beliefs! I don't think facebook is a bad thing but, I just need to re-prioritize my time and break some of my bad habits. I won't get back on until HE gets a tithing of my time. Keep me in YOUR prayers!

What If

2010-01-08T07:05:00.003-07:00

What if I climbed that mountain, what if I swam to that shore
What if every battle was victorious then would you love me more

What if I were everyone's first choice, what if I went farther than before
What if I stood high above the rest than would you love me more

You say I belong to you apart from the things I do
You say I belong to you I'm in awe of why you do

What if I ignored the hand that fed me, what if I forgot to confess
What if I stumbled down that mountain then would you love me less
Lord would you love me less

What if I were everyone's last choice what if I mixed in with the rest
What if I failed what I passed before then would you love me less

You say I belong to you apart from the things I do
You say I belong to you I'm in awe of why you do

What have I done to deserve your son sent to die for me
What can I give I want to live give me eyes to see
In a world that keeps changin' there's one thing that I know is true
Your love is stayin' there's nothing else I'll hold onto

You say I belong to you apart from the things I do
You say I belong to you I'm in awe of why you do
Why you do

Song by Jason Lavik and my heart's cry this day.

Mama always says...

2010-01-02T09:12:00.007-07:00

You get what you get and you don't throw a fit!
Careful, it's HOT!
Pretty is as pretty does.
Keep your expectations low and then you will be pleasantly surprised.
Clean as you go!
We all need Jesus.
Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!
Whatever doesn't kills us will only make us stronger!
BE SWEET!
Don't say anything you wouldn't want said about yourself.
Be a peacemaker!
Pray about it.
Keep looking, it is around here somewhere.
Treat others the way you want to be treated. (the golden rule)
Get a Kleenex!
Wash your hands!
Wear socks or your feet will stink!
Maybe for Christmas or your birthday.
We give, don't take.
Time for a ten-minute tidy.
Thank you Lord!
Did you brush your teeth?
Is everyone buckled?
Did you know Jesus' first miracle was water into wine.
Let's Pray...

Bailee as Clara in the Nutcracker

2009-12-31T08:27:00.005-07:00

She had the most lines to memorize and had them memorized in no time! She gets that from her daddy!

The Mouse Army, aren't they cute!
Phoebe and the Penny Whistlers.
Mouse King, The Aunt, Sugarplum Princess,Clara, Fritz (Clara's little bother)
*Side note about "Fritz:" Apparently one day on the playground there was a heated debate about Bailee's mama being fat!!! "Fritz" ended the debate by standing up for Bailee and said "She's actually skinny." I love that boy!!
ONSTAGE for the Curtain Call!

Daddy and I were very proud of our little 3rd grade Bailee. She really loves to be on stage (she gets that from her mommy). Last year in the school Christmas program she had a pretty big part singing and dancing as the gingerbread man. I told her not to count on getting Clara this year because it was someone else's turn to be in the spotlight. Needless to say she prayed about it!!! Love that little girl, too!!!

Stanley The Snowman!

2009-12-26T09:40:00.003-07:00

The first two Decembers we were here in Montana I think God was taking it easy on us. We didn't even have a White Christmas! However, these past two Decembers have been more of what were expecting, temperatures in the negatives and wind chills down to -30s!!! When it is too cold the snow won't stick together to make a snowman or even a snowball!! So, when it warmed up to 30 degrees we all headed outside to play! I took Hallie, Bailee and Jay ice skating at our beautiful outdoor skating rink. When we got back we found Charlie and daddy rolling a big ball of snow around the yard. Once we got him dressed in his snowman kit that my sweet southern friend Mary sent us, Riley decided he looked like a Stanley. So, Stanley will probably be with us until March! Thankfully, our protective and not so bright Yorkies have stopped barking at him!!

Winter Formal

2009-12-12T17:20:00.006-07:00

Corsages!

Dinner at our house.

Braving the cold! It was about zero! Tanner rented a car that matched Riley's dress. How cool!!?? In our town at Winter Formal and Prom the guy's only ask friends, even if they have a girlfriend they take a friend. I kinda like this strange tradition. So, this was Riley's first date!!! Knowing everyone was going as friends made it so much easier!

Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire...

2009-12-07T08:40:00.004-07:00

One night when Hallie was four Brady was playing with her on the floor in the living room. He lifted her up like an airplane overhead for one of his strong daddy tricks. His hands must have been gripping her a little too tightly around her ribcage so as not to drop her on her pretty little head! Because she, in her adorable tiny tot voice, said "daddy you are hurting my chestnuts." Needless to say we giggled about that one for awhile. Until it turned cold (which in Galveston meant in the 60's) and Bing started crooning his Christmas songs. It was then that our families giggles turned into hysteria. I mean come on... "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...." "at the fireplace where we'll watch the chestnuts pop, pop, pop, pop." You couldn't contain the laughter that instantly filled our car the first time we heard those songs after Hallie coined our new nickname for that particular part of a girls anatomy. I'm sorry to say that those songs will never be the same for us. I just hope I haven't ruined them for you by letting you in on one of our Banta Family Secrets. Let me tell you, we have some good ones that we will never share!!!!

Giving Thanks for Kari!

2009-11-16T14:24:00.005-07:00

I lost a sweet friend today but heaven gained a beautiful soul. Kari was in a Beth Moore Bible study that I was trying to lead in 07-08. That is how I met her. She has one of those beautiful memorable smiles, a great laugh and always sweet positive things to say. What drew us closer was her prayer request towards the end of our "Daniel" study . She and Tom, her husband, had been married for a few years and wanted children. "Tom and I have decided to go through the adoption process and we need your prayers." As the months passed and they jumped through the adoption hoops and filled out countless forms and were interviewed they finally got to start the waiting part. While she patiently waited Kari decided to help put together a calendar entitled the Naked Truth. She was the photographer taking modestly and creatively covered naked cancer survivors in our community. It was sold all over town and an article appeared in our paper showcasing the calendar the very week she was diagnosed with Leukemia. I talked to her on the phone and she told me she was hopeful about her treatment because it could possible cure her lupus as well. HER LUPUS!!!??? You mean I was in a Bible study with her for over a year, went to church with her, ate her husbands delicious oyster stew on Christmas Day and she never complained about having lupus once?!

Kari bought a ticket to go see Beth Moore with our Bible Study group of girls that fall. However, she was stuck in a hospital room on the oncology floor while we took turns going to see her smile after we'd been to the conference. (Beth Moore wrote her a beautiful letter wishing she could have seen Kari while she was in Billings. ) Her husband Tom was at her side every time Brady and I went to visit her. The strangest thing would happen when Brady and I would leave their room. We were there trying to encourage them and without fail, they would spiritualy encourage us!!! How is that possible except through Christ alone?

Tom and Kari kept a Caringbridge website to let people follow her long road. From the first entry on Oct. 16th, 2008 until the last entry this morning it has been a beautiful testimony of faith and perseverance. Most days giving me a scripture I needed and a hysterical little idiom to make you laugh. Tucked in those journal entries were Kari's accounts of the day with never a complaint. No drama, no exaggerations, and most of the time her plight was undershot. I can't even begin to imagine what she and Tom endured. Scary fevers, being poked and prodded thousands of times, bone marrow biopsies, nausea, vomiting, insensitive medical staff, isolation, seemingly unanswered prayers. And yet I never heard a complaint or a grumble. I have learned something very important from Kari as she lived and through her death. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:14-15 In my world Kari shown like the North Star. If only I could apply this scripture to my very easy life as she did in the face of many difficult trials. If only I will count my blessings. Lord, please help me live this life bringing you glory and not bringing you complaints!

10-31-09

2009-11-10T13:45:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday Dear Brady, Happy 36th Birthday to you! Brady wanted me to go hunting with him as one of his presents. So, Jay and I spent the day with daddy looking for Antelope and "The big buck." We didn't "get" anything but some exercise, fresh air and fun memories.
His mom came over to join the party for brisket and birthday cake. PoGo even got to come in the house for the evening to help him celebrate!
Then over to some friends house for trick or treating with a little Bumble Bee, a Leopard and Tiger Lily!
Charlie was determined to be Zorro, even though there wasn't a Zorro costume to be found in any store. Daddy, Riley and I all worked to make his costume idea a reality.
Jay in the parade around the school as THE GOOD KNIGHT.
Bailee was a Leopard. Shockingly, she was the only one in the whole school, even though I got it at Target. Living in the middle of nowhere does have its advantages.

PoGo Ate...

2009-11-02T08:05:00.008-07:00

PoGo Ate by Riley, Hallie, Bailee and Vicki

PoGo ate Bailee's Friendship Bread and
PoGo ate her first bed!
I feel I should go check on that darling louse
I think I hear her chewing on the house!
PoGo ate some one's Christmas lights,
A mouse and some birds she finally got her snacking right!
PoGo ate my cutest sandals (brown and black),
I nearly had a heart-attack!
PoGo ate tons of our pool toys
but, she wouldn't eat those goose decoys.
PoGo ate my flower pot made of clay.
Oh well, I never liked it anyway.
Pogo ate one of our Sprinkler heads
Whatever she gets a hold of she quickly turns into shreds!
PoGo ate the contents of my purse
just when I thought it couldn't get any worse!
My lipstick and journal gnawed on in the grass,
I think I'm gonna spank her.... hiney!
PoGo ate some snow boots and Jay's soccer ball.
PoGo actually ate a hole in the wall.

Oh the fun has just begun,
this all happened in year one!
We love that puppy, yes we do!
I wonder what she will consume in year two?

Oatmeal

2009-10-30T16:19:00.003-06:00

Christmas 2004

Texas Bluebonnets 2005

When we lived in Galveston and the girls were little, they would complain about whatever I made for dinner. Too much whine with dinner, if you know what I mean. I didn't want to make two dinners every night so they ate some portion of what Brady and I were eating. There were several evenings they survived on rice or bread. Oh well, they survived! Anyway, I still didn't like hearing the complaints! So, when Brady had to do an away rotation in Washington, D.C. I thought I'd cut them some slack and fix them "kid-friendly" meals for seven straight nights! I was so excited to finally get a break from the bad reviews I was receiving from my food critics in training. The first night I proudly placed tacos on the table. Guess what? They complained, deep breath, okay! The next night I made hot dogs! Guess what? They complained, Grrrr! The next night I let them help me make pizzas. You guessed it, they complained, here come the water works! I called Brady, sniff, sob, sniff, they are still complaining about dinner. He said "okay, here's what you do... make them one more meal they should like and WHEN they complain make them oatmeal for dinner the next night. Keep making them oatmeal for dinner until they learn to quit complaining!" I was like... this is genius! Plus, I won't have to plan dinners for awhile!

On the fourth night I made pigs in a blanket and mac-n-cheese, no-fail-meal, right? Wrong, THEY COMPLAINED, how could they? As soon as the first complaint left their perfectly proportioned pouty lips, I said "TOMORROW NIGHT YOU WILL HAVE OATMEAL FOR DINNER!" In one perfect harmonious chime my three little darling girls yelled " YAY"!! So, as planned, I made oatmeal for dinner the next night and all I heard was yum and mom this is so good! UGH! What's a mom to do? As a last resort I prayed for wisdom on how to handle my serious whine with dinner problem. As a result of my prayers, I told the girls this whole story from beginning to end and how their whining made me feel and they laughed and laughed. We all laughed!

I haven't heard a complaint about dinner in years. Maybe I just tune it out now!? I just try to focus on the "thanks mom," or the "this is good" I hear every now and then. However, one Saturday about a year ago Riley complained about lunch. My retort was, "I'm sorry you don't like lunch, what are you going to make for dinner?". She got on the computer and looked up the recipe for Asian Chicken, we went to the store and bought her ingredients. She cooked it all by herself. It was delicious and she hasn't complained since!

2009-10-26T08:03:00.001-06:00

Colorado in the Summer

2009-08-31T11:04:00.010-06:00

Brady and I took Hallie, Bailee and Jay to Colorado for a fun vacation the week before school started. Unfortunately, Riley had to stay in town for dance team and cheerleading practices. Charlie was happy to stay with his Mimi! Even though we missed them terribly, it was a blessing to spend some more focused time on our middle little ones! We went to Frisco, Co to see our friends Jason and Mary. Brady and Jason spent four days on lakes and rivers fly fishing. Mary and I took the kids hiking one day, we found a little time to do some back to school shopping and we even took them through a museum! I felt like such the academic momma!
Jason and Mary, they are too cute!
Here are our wilderness trekkers! The girls had so much fun together communicating with their walkie-talkies! Sweet Andrew tolerated little Jay . Jay admired Andrew with good reason... he skates at a real skate park and can hop on a pogo stick like no one he's ever seen!

On our last day with them we went to Breckenridge and rode the Alpine slides. SO FUN! Jay loved it, I'm afraid he is going to be an adrenaline junkie like his daddy.
Jay and I - Hallie and Kate - on the ski lifts up to the slides.For the second half of our Colorado vacay we went to see Brady's Uncle and Aunt who live in Ridgeway, Co on Ralph Lauren's Ranch. They live in a beautiful log cabin tucked away where only the bears could find ya. We had such a wonderful time seeing them!

They even gave us a tour of Ralph Lauren's beautiful ranch! Here we are in his saloon wearing some of his decorations!

This was taken in Ralph's theater room. My poor children they are just so shy! We even watched a little of "The Office."

I've always been the kind of girl who thinks it is not a vacation unless I've been to the beach. However, this trip changed my mind. I totally get why people go to the mountains to get away from it all! It was amazing hiking up a mountain for two miles and encouraging myself, I mean, my kids all the while. The views of God's creation was magnificent. We even went home with a couple of healthier cookbooks and some agave nectar for my coffee!

Texas and Oklahoma Trip Summer '09

2009-08-27T11:27:00.003-06:00

This post is a little over due but, better late than never. With four of my five kiddos at school this morning I found a moment to fill you in on our trip down south.
(The house cleaning will have to wait,
I'm working on getting my priorities straight.)

The second and third week of summer we drove to Texas and Oklahoma to see friends and family we hadn't seen in two years! We spent the first night in Cheyenne, WY. Then we went to Brownfield, TX for a couple of days to see Brady's grandparents and his dad! (Sorry, no pics of this part of the trip because the camera battery was dead grrrrr.)

Next stop Abilene, TX to see Brady's sister and her husband and their two adorable girlies. I also got to see my sweet, beautiful cousin, Erika, who is about to get married and graduate from ACU. Contrary to popular belief, you don't get a husband included with your diploma! She showed us around the campus so our kids could see what it was like. It will be four short years of high school and then Riley will be "on campus."

With Abilene in our rear view mirror we headed to Ft. Worth to spend one night with our college friends Clay and Anita. We had too much fun! No really, we did! Thank goodness no one took any photos!

Dallas was our longest furlough. Three days and three nights of warm weather, swimming, great food, and even better company. My sweet aunt Penny from Houston drove up to see all of us for a couple of days.

Brady and Jean Ann had to head back to Montana for work so they dropped the kids and I off in Oklahoma. I got to meet my niece Bianca for the first time and we think she's going to be a lefty! My mom and Jim got to have all seven of their grand kids under one roof and in one swimming pool! And of course, we went out to my dad and Vickie's farm. So fun!

The last leg of our trip was me driving all five kids home (two ten-hour days of driving, much road construction in the summer). My philosophy for road-trips is expect the worst and hope for the best. So, I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun we had! We stayed the night in Denver...Starbucks for breakfast, Sonic for lunch, and Jim Gaffigan keeping us laughing. The Lord blessed us with safe travels and healthy kids. I only made one wrong turn (which Riley quickly pointed out)!

Family Fun

2009-07-30T13:59:00.003-06:00

My dad (whom Charlie is named after) came all the way from Oklahoma to see us again this summer.
He took the kids fishing and made his famous fried fish!!
My step-mom, Vickie (whom I am not named after) patiently taught the girls to make pillows.
We planted trees, swam, shopped and of course ate great food!
It was a wonderful week with my Dad and Vickie, filled with sweet memories we tucked into hearts.

Met Me in Montana

2009-07-14T13:36:00.008-06:00

A couple of weeks ago the kids and I met my sweet friend from Texas/North Carolina (Medical School/Residency) in Rapid City, SD. Which happens to be the closest Sonic (YAY!) Oh and Mt. Rushmore!I am so thankful God made Jason and Mary our neighbors eleven years ago! She has always been such an encouragement to me through the years. She loves her husband, loves being a mom, loves to cook and just loves life! She doesn't know this but, she is inspiring me to love running. I really want to run a marathon!

After South Dakota she and her kids followed us home and spent a couple of nights. We took a tour of our local winery, yes I said winery. A wonderful retired preacher and his wife are growing a beautiful vineyard. With God all things are possible (even a vineyard in Montana!)

Riley and Mary's oldest, Andrew, were toddler friends. Mary and I were pregnant at the same time with our younger girls!Baby friends grown up!
Kate and Meg loved Molly!
Had to stop for a snow cone, one of the big attractions in our little town! Thank you Mary for coming to see us! We had a great time! You are such a blessing to me!

Hallie is a decade old!

2009-07-10T10:00:00.003-06:00

For Hallie's 10th we had a Luau Sleepover. It included swimming, homemade pizzas, Church, not much sleep, more swimming! Very fun! I LOVE MY SWEET HALLIE! These days she's into cooking, photography, anything purple, softball, sewing and she still loves playing the piano. She also loves to go hunting and fishing with her daddy! So far this summer she has caught four fish!!! When Hallie grows up she wants to be a preacher's wife - LOVE HER!

Hallie Brittany and Raquel - her Best Friends in the whole wide world. I just love these cuties!
Hallie and Jay at the waterpark!
On her official b-day we drove to Rapid City, SD to meet some sweet Texas friends (more to come in next post.) Ate at Chili's, went shopping and played at a waterpark. Does it get any better? Life is Good! HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!!

Joyfully Submitting

2009-06-01T10:02:00.014-06:00

Riley took a pic, so y'all could see it!

Brady and I went to the hospital fundraiser Saturday night. Every year one of the fundraising activities is a game called "heads or tails." The husbands purchase a $50.00 feather boa for their wives to play. All the female contestants stand in the middle of the dance floor and put their hands on either their head or their tale and the owners of the jewelry store, donating the ring, flip a coin. If your hands are on your head and he yells heads you get to stay for another round. I've played this game two times before and been out on the first flip both times. This time I told Brady I would look to him to tell me heads or tails. The gold coin was tossed at least six times and Brady was right every time!! I won the diamond ring!!!

This story needs a little background info to fully appreciate how every good and perfect gift is from above. My original wedding ring was stolen/confiscated in customs when we went to Cabo (a story for another day). I have been wearing a silver band. For the past few years I have been hinting to Brady that I would LOVE a new wedding ring. We didn't want it until we could pay for it debt free! We still have my ACU loans and his Medical School loans, yada, yada, yada. So for $50.00 Brady gave me a beautiful diamond ring! He even slipped it on my finger on bended knee in front of the whole gala! He said into the micro phone "Vicki, will you please stay married to me?" I have been so excited, feeling like I just got engaged!

Not only did I win the ring but more valuable than the ring was a God lesson! I heard Beth Moore speak in Houston several times when we lived in Galveston. One of the times she spoke she mentioned joyfully submitting to her husband. I proudly came home and told Brady I really do joyfully submit to you! The funny thing was, I thought I did. However, when Brady let me know we were moving to Montana after residency... pencils ready... the "Joyfully Submitting" test will now begin.

These past few years in Montana have shown me my conditional surrender to Brady and even my Lord. Unfortunately, the Eve and the Sarah of my personality have been rather flamboyant. Let's just say I wasn't exactly joyfully submitting to anyone. I was trying to take matters into my own incapable hands, manipulating and even resorting to pouting, can you believe? All because I haven't wanted to be away from family, friends, and familiarity. I haven't wanted what God wanted for me even though it is better for me.

Brady is the spiritual leader of our family. He looks to God for the whens, the wheres and the hows of our lives. After I pondered this fact, somewhere along the way I quit being mad at Brady and took it up with God. I knew Brady wouldn't change his mind until God told him to. After many long unsuccessful prayer requests to change our circumstances, I submitted but not joyfully. Resulting in one self-centered ineffective Christian. I'm so thankful God knows us better than we know ourselves. I'm so thankful He hasn't given up on me. He delights in getting us to where we want to be spiritually speaking, one way or another! I'm glad He is allowing me to retake this test.

He has romanced my heart yet again and now I am finally at a place where I can ask Him to help me be joyful where He has me. So I can sweetly draw people to Him and sweetly serve Him. The God lesson here for me is to look to God at every "coin toss," trusting that He has good things planned for our family. This Prodigal Daughter has returned "Home" and He put a ring on my finger! How extravagant is my heavenly father?

Spring Time in Montana

2009-05-27T21:33:00.006-06:00

I wanted to document one of the things I love about Montana. The Winter's are quite hard here and seem to last so long! So, when the Winter finally surrenders to Spring, it is so welcome and beautiful and appreciated. What I have grown to look forward to the most are the blossoms on our lilac bushes. The fragrance is absolutely intoxicating, I wish it lasted for more than two weeks. So, tonight I allowed the boys to pick some and Jay started throwing them at my feet so I could pretend I was a princess. I said to Jay "thank you honey." He said "thank you for calling me that, mommy." (insert melted heart here) A moment later Charlie wanted to put some flowers in my hat. I told Charlie "thank you honey," he said, "DON'T CALL ME THAT!" (insert reality check)
My Tulips finally came up! Three to be exact! I put down bonemeal and all! I really don't know why they are decreasing in number every year? I thought they were suppose to increase each year? I don't know what these are called but they are doing quite well in our rock filled flower beds.
Riley took these pics of our dandelions that are a plenty in our fields. I think she made them look almost pretty!
We have two Crabapple trees in our backyard and they are blooming now and are so pretty!
This is a picture of our wild Asparagus that we LOVE SO MUCH! It only grows for about four weeks out of the year and it puts "Stuff-marts" Asparagus to shame!! All the kids love it! Jay and Charlie eat it raw! I like it cooked in butter or EVOO or if I'm feeling naughty Bacon juice with a little garlic salt. There is not much better on a plate!
These are our honeysuckle bushes that are growing wild. Love them and they smell so wonderful!

"Our Bedtime Song"

2009-05-20T19:20:00.006-06:00

Hallie at four and Bailee at three
I don't feel like blogging has the same purpose for me as it once did. I have decided to make it more of a family journal/scrapbook and have it printed out for our kids. Also, for me so I don't confuse details and children in my old age. I'll still keep it public for those of you who care. But, besides current events I want to journal some of our old stories that are worth writing down. The first one that came to my mind was our family bedtime song...

One of the million reasons I love my babies daddy so much is... when we lived in North Carolina and the girls were little he made up this bedtime song:

Brush your teeth and potty
Make them squeaky clean
Evacuate your system
So you can sweetly dream

Now that we are potty-training Charlie, I'm sure we will start singing it again!

Another year

2009-05-18T09:24:00.007-06:00

Hallie and Bailee had their music recital and guess what Mrs. Larson chose for them to play as a duet? If you guessed "Ode to Joy" you are correct! I just smiled and said that is one of our family favorites.

Hallie also played "Fur Elise" by Bach. Mrs. Larson thought she was ready for "Moonlight Sonata" however, Hallie's ability was bigger than her fingers. Her fingers aren't long enough to reach the necessary keys. Maybe next year?
Bailee's solo was "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," she did great! I was so proud of her practicing and playing "Ode to Joy" with Hallie. She didn't think she would be able to do it but she surprised herself and Mrs. Larson!! I loved it!! To God be the Glory!!

I also must thank God for helping me through another year of raising these precious gifts. Most days I know I am running on pure Holy Spirit Power. Usually, it was Tuesdays and Thursdays now that it is over I want to write down what my Tuesday/Thursday pick-up routine was just for grins and giggles...

3:00 Pick up Jay from Pre-school
3:05 Pick up Riley from Washington Jr. High
3:10 Pick-up Hallie from Lincoln Middle school
3:15 Pick up Bailee from Highland Park Elementary
3:30 Drop off Hallie and Bailee at Piano and Violin Lessons

All with Charlie in tow... I'm so thankful he loves riding in the car!!

Lambing '09

2009-05-10T22:16:00.002-06:00

I'm having frustrations with my photoshow so, if you want to see pics click:
Lambing '09

Last weekend we (meaning all my cuties and I) went to one of Jay's best friends' grandparents sheep-farm. We did this last year as well, thankfully this year wasn't quite as eventful! This year we just had a little sex-ed (Adrian, the dogs were "hunking") and the miracle of birth! "OH MY THAT IS SOOO GROSS!" and I'm quoting here. I knew it was time to go when Jay and Jacob were mud wrestling and my knees were covered in sheep poop. In spite of all that, we all had a great time cuddling those sweet little lambs.

Hooray for Clay!!

2009-05-04T10:40:00.004-06:00

This post is for our male readers! Clay, Brady's best friend since college, came to see us again this year! As soon as he got here he and Brady started on my "honey-do" list! It was wonderful!! For some strange reason Brady seems to think doing my list is more fun with Clay? Clay was amazing he got the previously mentioned marker stains out of the couch, he fixed the ice maker, fixed some trim about the house and the girls bunkbeds. I could go on and on... They did manage to squeeze in a couple afternoons of prairie-dog slaughtering, I mean hunting! Most of the pictures they took were too graphic for my younger readers! We had so much fun, thank you soooo much for coming to see us "Uncle Tommy." The kids LOVE the wii game! We LOVE you, you're the best! Next time bring Anita and your cuties!!

Short stick, belly fat, Mr. 5 wears a hat!

2009-04-28T11:11:00.005-06:00

I haven't written a humorous post in quite sometime. If I don't laugh about this one, I'll cry...

"Short stick, belly fat, Mr. five wears a hat." That is how I have taught four out of our five cuties how to draw a "5." Little did I know Jay was going to be practicing this technique by scratching his fives on to the leather couch! They actually compliment the dry erase marks Charlie added at Easter. Three separate but equal cushions. You can't really notice it, if the lights are off and it's night time or if you are blind and I bet you couldn't see it from Google Map's Satellite. Charlie made a "V" on one cushion, an "O" on another and a "snake" with three polka dots. I am seriously considering giving all the kids a black marker and letting them try to turn it into a work of art? If this happens I will post pics!

Friends! Food! Fun!

2009-04-25T13:35:00.010-06:00

The Hospital has a fundraiser every Spring and for the past two years Brady has bought a Cooking class. It is so fun having a party and not cooking a thing until the guests arrive! This year Brady invited his great friend Jon.
My sweet friend Esther, she and her husband are moving this summer. We are so sad. Anyone know an Internist who wants to move to our town?
We had Cheesecake stuffed Strawberries, YUMMM. Brady Joe, I LOVE cooking with you! Did I mention, ALL the kids spent the night with Mimi, thank you Mimi!
Jon and Adrian enjoy eating as much as we do. No wonder we are such good friends!
Our Apron Picture, Riley made the one I was wearing!
Thank you Dave and Deb Schwarz! The food was fabulous, we loved all your recipes!
Here is what we helped them make.....

Pinot Gris - Prickly Pear Sorbet
Crab Cakes with a Remoulade Sauce
Ribs with Black Vinegar Sauce
Thai Curry Chicken Salad in Phyllo Cups
Asparagus with Lemon-Tarragon Dipping Sauce (can't wait to try this with our wild Asparagus)
Marinated Shrimp
Cucumbers with Salmon Mousse
Ham, Gruyre, and Dijon Palmiers

Playgroup Birthday Party!

2009-04-09T17:26:00.005-06:00

I think I'm getting lazy in my old age, at least I'm not the only one. My playgroup decided to have a "Spring" birthday party for our four four-year-old boys turning five. We all had a great time! One set of cupcakes, one set of hats, one party, four birthdays - DONE!
This is the best picture our playgroup has ever taken!! Don't worry I had a hair appointment that afternoon and got bangs! For some reason this group of moms cannot take a cute picture! Maybe it is because the photographer is four!

Here is a small part of the big whole! Collectively, we have fifteen kids and two more on the way!

Frayed!

2009-04-01T18:45:00.008-06:00

I have been listening to The Fray's new CD "The Fray" lately. I think it defines how I am feeling right now. Frayed! Things feel as if they are unraveling. I know that God has a plan for me and my family and our future. I know He has carried me through the past 36 and a half years. But, I can't help but feel like times are a changin.' Will my eyes see what my grandparents eyes saw? "The Depression" I'm not sure when the turning point came. Maybe it was when we started paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee, maybe it was when we started watching reality TV. Maybe it was when we started watching TV?!? Have we become such a spoiled, self-indulgent nation that God will eventually say - ENOUGH!!!!

I am not afrayed, just frayed. The small things are getting to me but, there have been some big things as well. Yesterday we found out that one of Riley's classmates was killed in a suicidal car wreck. At the beginning of this year another one of her classmates shot herself. It has been extremely difficult trying to explain these things when I don't fully understand them myself. Please keep this eighth grade class in your prayers. I prayed with Riley last night that they would know their value. That they would stop believing the lies the enemy tells them. I also pray that God would do a mighty work in the lives of this class, bringing many more to a saving faith because of these attacks.

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8 and 9

Valentines from God

2009-03-17T08:49:00.007-06:00

I believe God sends me Valentines all year long! Yes, they come in the shape of a heart but, HE is extremely creative! He uses the most unusual mediums. The first Valentine I received from HIM and realized was from HIM was made out of a snow covered plateau in the fly-over region somewhere between Nevada and Montana. I was sitting in my window seat, Brady on my left, flying to Montana. I looked out my window and there it was a perfectly obvious white heart that appeared to be in 3-D because it was atop a plateau. My own heart quickened as I realized just exactly what it was. It was... my creator taking a moment of HIS time to tell me HE loves me. I couldn't take my eyes off of it because I didn't want it to go away. It happened to be a few days before Valentine's Day so I had already been thinking about hearts and love. HIS timing couldn't have been better for a very simple girl to "get it." To understand what HE was trying to tell me. What HE so desperately wants us all to know! HE LOVES us.

Since that first most memorable Valentine the girls and I get them from Him often. HE sent one to Riley in the form of a 20 foot fully grown green (her favorite color is green) heart-shaped tree. It shades a yard we pass everyday en route to pick up Hallie and Bailee after school. It was like HE was telling her HE loves her at the end of every Junior High day. Which, we all know how difficult those days can be.

I hesitated to share this secret at first because, I felt that it was just something between God and me (plus I thought people might think I was crazy.) Then, Hallie showed me a heart-shaped rock she found, I knew it was time to share this precious secret with my children. And now I share it with you because I know HE is sending them to you, too. You might not have noticed them yet or knew they were from HIM. But you need to know HE loves you sooo much everyday! Not just on Valentine's Day or Sundays when you go to church. HE loves us on our worst days when we fail HIM and fail others and when we fail ourselves. He loves us with a perfect love.

God is LOVE! What is LOVE? We live in a world where we have distorted it, tainted it, abused it, commercialized it and sensationalized it. We have made it conditional and temporary and convenient. We have sold it and bought it and tried to return it. It is easy to be confused on what LOVE really means. "LOVE is patient, LOVE is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." I Corinthians 13:4-7

Knowing that HE loves me this way makes me want to please HIM. He doesn't love us how we define love or how we love or by how we've been loved. HIS love is forgiving and flawless and forever. "For God so LOVED the world that HE gave his one and only SON, that whosoever believes in HIM will not perish but have eternal life!" John 3:16 That is why I am a Christian. I want to follow HIS LOVING ways. I hope you will let me know when you get a Valentine from HIM.

Winter Break

2009-03-03T08:33:00.003-07:00

Up here they don't take a Spring Break! However, this year we did get a four day weekend called Winter Break. The snow fell right on time!
We had a big sleep over, the girls each invited a sweet friend. Our day included making snow ice cream.
So the boys wouldn't feel too left out, they got turned into robots!
Hallie and Brittany
Bailee and Ellie
Savannah and Riley - They got to go snowboarding/skiing with our youth group!

I can't leave out Molly! She had her first birthday last week. I'm just glad someone is wearing our Birthday Princess Hat! I drug it out for the girl's birthdays this past year and they wouldn't wear it! Sunrise, Sunset, Where is the little girl.....

Give Me A "R"! Give Me An "I"! ....

2009-02-24T13:19:00.005-07:00

This picture has nothing to do with this post other than they were the half time entertainment, too. I thought you might enjoy this pic, I did.

When I started this blog I shared what all the kids were into and I haven't really updated the info since. These days, Riley is an 8th grade Cheerleader at Washington Middle School. She is also taking a competitive cheerleading class at our local dance school.
This week they got to perform at a couple of the Jr. College's Basketball games.

Some of the other things she does with her time is playing the bass guitar at church, and she is also on her school's academic olympic team. If you didn't already know, I am a proud Mama! She is a sweet, darling, humble, Jesus loving, about to be 14 year old! And yes, I do believe cheerleading is valuable experience for life. I am one of my kids loudest cheerleaders!

Happy Valentine's/Birthday To Bailee

2009-02-16T08:52:00.010-07:00

Sunday, Feb. 15th was Bailee's 8th Birthday! Happy Birthday my Beautiful Bouncy Bailee!
Saturday, Feb. 14th we went to a fundraiser for our town to build a swimming pool. Bailee got to pick out her swimming pool cake at the dessert auction.
Riley got to be a "Vanna White" for the evening as she helped display and deliver the desserts to the winners! To her dismay, she didn't get to wear an evening gown. She had to wear her dance school's t-shirt.
I am trying to keep the boys out of Bailee's cake until we can sing to her! We had to light her candles twice due to Charlie's preemptive blow!
MiMi and Charlie at the Valentine Barndance Swimming Pool Fundraiser.
We had a great Valentine's Day, we hope you did too!

Why Is It?

2009-02-10T19:10:00.006-07:00

Why is it that they want the one toy you can't find and the only thing that will console them is the toy in the other one's hand? Which will only make that one cry!!!

Why is it when you say "We don't say butt" they respond with "BUT why?"

Why is it that they always seem to have that dirty diaper right before your about to be really late?

Why is it when you work so hard at getting them so clean and so cute they get so dirty and so uncute with almost no effort at all?

Why is it that you count the minutes until bedtime and then the moment they fall asleep you wish they were awake?

Why is it that when they complain about dinner and you threaten to make oatmeal for the next week they say "YAY"?

Why is it that the moment you get on the phone there is a bloody crisis?

Why is it when you feel like a hideously ugly mess they say "you so pretty mommy"?

Why is it in all of the 24 hours of the day the only time you don't have to remind them to brush their teeth is AFTER bedtime?

Why is it you plan all year long for your one freakin' get away and the very instant you get on the road your heart throbs with a rhythm of missing them that doesn't stop until you are home again with them in your arms!

Why is it I'm out of milk AGAIN and I hate milk?!?!

Parenthood the toughest job you'll ever love!!

Answered Prayer!

2009-02-03T20:57:00.003-07:00

Brady and I took our Riley, one of her friends and our Hallie to a Christian concert Friday night in Billings. There were four bands playing Anberlin, Madina Lake, Goodnight Sunrise, Between The Trees. They were selling panties at the concert and alcohol, yes, I said this was a Christian Concert! Even still, it was a blessing in so many different ways. My first instinct was to drive home as fast as I could (cause I like to drive fast) and lock all of our girls in the gun-safe for SEVERAL YEARS. But seriously, it did make me step up my prayers for them this week.

Another blessing was one of the songs that has been ringing in my ears is called "Unwinding Cable Car." One of the lines in that song is....

"So self-absorbed, you've seemed to ignore the prayers that have already come about."

In an effort to avoid this travesty in my own spiritual walk. I must share an answered prayer. When we moved to Montana we left a big community church with an amazing worship music ministry. Montana has left us with... lets just say room for improvement. We haven't known most of the songs they sing here. Worship isn't a verb for them yet. Their songs are horizontal, not vertical. There is a really great church in Billings we have visited occasionally. I have been moved to tears on more than one occasion simply because I miss true corporate worship. Long story short, after months of prayers and times of fasting I have seen answers to not only my prayers but the prayers of others who have lived here longer than I.

The past four Sundays at our small church we have corporately worshiped. The coolest part for me personally is my husband and daughter have been instrumental (pun intended) to accomplish this task. Our church now has a cowboy early service and a contemporary service. Hallelujah! Brady is directing the contemporary worship and playing the guitar (which he learned in less than a year) and Riley is playing the bass guitar which she started less than a year ago as well! One of our best friends, John, is leading the singing.

I never thought in a million years God would use my husband and my daughter to fulfill my heart's desire to worship HIM here in Montana. He does far more than we ask or imagine!

Meet PoGo!

2009-01-27T10:50:00.005-07:00

AWWWW! This is our precious little sleeping puppy, PoGo. Charm is deceptive and cuteness is fleeting, but a puppy who fears her master is to be praised.
A boy and his dog. If Jay looks a little scared, he should be. He should be! PoGo is actually Brady's English Springer Spaniel. We are hoping she will one day be an amazing gun dog like her sister, Gypsy.
PoGo's attack! No toes are safe!
Did I mention she chews on everything? The basket is just the appetizer, she's picking out a magazine for lunch.

She even chews on Molly. The girls and I have been trying for a week now to get an adorable picture of our two puppies together and this was the best I could do. We are all adjusting to each other. I'm glad to announce Molly has stopped foaming at the mouth due to stress. And Bailee's arm is healing nicely. I just have a tiny scar, barely noticeable. Well, I better go take the puppies outside to pee or poo hopefully both. Glad it's warmer today, a big 6 degrees (wind-chill factor -11)!

Stronger

2009-01-19T08:21:00.007-07:00

We've got a heat wave going on up here! Highs in the forties for the next few days! Yays! We finally have some grass showing after being covered since early December. This has been an unusually cold winter for Montana. Did you know that the kids have recess, P.E. and wait outside in the mornings for the bell to ring if it is above zero, that is Fahrenheit not Celsius! This is especially shocking to me because when I taught P.E. we didn't go outside if it was below 40! Thankfully, if it is in the negatives they have mercy on our little lamb chops and let them stay in. They never cancel school because of snow - never!

When we moved here I needed a little schooling myself on the way to dress my lamb chops so they don't become Popsicles. They wear their warm school clothes under their snowsuits including snow-boots to school. Then, they put their school shoes in their backpacks for quick changes in the day. A native Montana mother sweetly explained all this to me. I had to repeat it back to her so I knew I understood her correctly. She laughed at me, unashamedly. I have no idea why, this all seemed CRAZY to me! This is our third winter here and now I've joined the crazies because this all seems perfectly normal!

Another big difference up here is the changing of the sunrise and sunset throughout the year. On the shortest day of the year the sunsets around 4:30 in the afternoon. It does take some adjusting to... like taking some extra vitamin D or whatever else gets ya through the day. However, as the summer approaches the days lengthen and the sun sets around 10:00. On the forth of July we have to wait an extra hour to shoot our fireworks. On the summer mornings when we should get to sleep in, the sun comes screaming, I mean streaming, uh beaming in our windows at an insanely early hour, around 4:30 (aka "the middle of the night".) I keep telling myself whatever doesn't kill us, or give us frostbite, or deprive us of sleep only makes us stronger!

Figure 8

2009-01-02T20:05:00.005-07:00

Raquel and Hallie Sledding.
Riley skating she was a nut! She skated down the sledding hill!
Mikenna in pink and Bailee in blue. It was a balmy 30 degrees -no jackets required!
Raquel and Hallie Skating!
Bailee and Mikenna sledding.
The 8 of us had a wonderful winter day. Go figure 8!

Happy New Year! 2009

2009-01-01T13:42:00.001-07:00

I hate to say this but....

2008-12-23T11:30:00.006-07:00

As the wife of a Radiologist you might be a bit surprised to "hear" me say this but.... The Susan G. Komen Foundation has received so much money that they don't know what to do with it. Evidently they felt the need to give thousands of dollars to planned parenthood agencies every year. I, myself, am a supporter of pro-life. One of the ironies of this foundation donating funds is that there has been proven research that having an abortion increases the risk of having breast-cancer. I just needed to get that off my breast (pun-intended). If you feel the need to support the breast-cancer research coalition there are a few strictly research based foundations. I would recommend doing your homework. Personally, I avoid that pink little ribbon.

Posted on Monday, December 01, 2008 3:44:07 PM by SErtelt

Los Angeles, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A Susan G. Komen Foundation affiliate in California is the latest to send hundreds of thousands of dollars to the nation's largest abortion business. The money is going to Planned Parenthood even though research confirms abortion increases a woman's risk of contracting breast cancer.

(Excerpt) Read more at LifeNews.com ...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141067/posts
http://www.lifeissues.org/AbortionBreastcancer/komen/fact_sheet.pdf

Laughter is the best medicine.

2008-12-15T20:17:00.004-07:00

As you know per an earlier post I have been experiencing a little "Joylessness." One of my new friends here in town told me she tells herself "it is a great day to be me," to cheer herself up! Bailee had a hard day at school this past Monday. Tuesday I took the kids to school, she is the last drop- off and I thought I'd start her day off right and hand-down a bit of that advice I'd received. As she was stepping out the car door, I said "IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE BAILEE!!!" No sooner had those words left my mouth and my sweet second grader was on her bum under the car. She had slipped on the ice. Her response after she crawled out from under the car.... "yeah right mom" and slammed the door! It didn't ruin her day. As she walked away I saw a tiny curl of her lips as she thought about the irony of it all.

I have another friend in town who has introduced our family to the hilarious clean comedy of Brian Regan. They let us borrow his DVD and he is sooo funny! Riley had been watching some of his clips on youtube even before we watched it. If you are looking for some clean family entertainment this holiday season I highly recommend it. I was also curious about what your favorite funny movies are. Do tell...

Girls Just Want To Have Fun!

2008-12-08T09:21:00.003-07:00

This past Saturday I went to the Republican Women's Christmas Tea. I had no idea it would be such fun! The more established, experienced women had a meeting first then we had tea and coffee and finger sandwiches. We even used real plates and silverware, not plastic! The less established, less experienced women stayed late to have a clean-up "party". And party we did! We even got to play in the hostess' closet and try on her furs!! We decided that if you live in Montana each woman should be issued at least one!!! Maybe that will be on next month's business agenda? Probably not!!!

Ode To Joy!

2008-11-27T13:14:00.003-07:00

Every now and again I am prone to bouts of "Joylessness." However, most people would never know it because... I am a true southerner flashing a big 'ol smile and throwing out a "how are y'all," "Oh I'm great." God in His infinite wisdom knows this about me. He knows the condition of my heart. He knew along time ago I would need a song, a tune to remind me to be joyful! To be rather than to seem. In 1824 when Beethoven composed "Ode to Joy" he didn't know it would become our family's anthem. Reminding us that no matter where we are or what we are going through that GOD loves us and that makes everything okay. When Brady and I were walking out of the chapel after saying our vows we exited to "Ode to Joy." Riley and Hallie played it for their first piano recitals, four years apart and with different teachers. Thankfully, Hallie continues to play it daily. I've been needing a daily, sometimes hourly, reminder to be joyful. And most recently I smiled, as I heard it as the credits rolled on one of the Wall-E cartoons. In "The Great Songs of the Church" Hymn book it is good ol' number 55. And I am thankful for the sweet words penned by Henry Van Dyke in 1907.

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

Joyful Joyful we adore the, God of Glory, Lord of Love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

The other verses are just as beautiful and serve as a prayer for when I am feeling JOYLESS.

HAVE A JOYFUL THANKSGIVING!

Have A Crepey Day!

2008-11-22T11:51:00.003-07:00

Do you like our decorative "Dixie" plates?

We had a sleep over last night with three extra girls (Jay was in heaven)! Brady and I took them all to see Bolt. Then, this morning Riley and her sweet friend Olivia made us crepes. Whenever you want a Jr. Higher to do something just tell them it is too hard! Brady and I told Riley that making crepes was difficult and that we didn't know if she would be able to do it by herself. She looked up the recipe on the Internet and sweetly proved us wrong! She has done this two weeks in a row! I'm ready to adopt it as a new Saturday morning tradition! Maybe one day she can open her own restaurant and call it "Have a Crepey Day"!

Happy Birthday Dear Brady

2008-11-01T23:08:00.001-06:00

Brady's Birthday happens to fall on October 31st. Instead of trick-or-treating, we invited our friends over to help us celebrate. I dressed as Sacajawea and Brady dressed as Lewis or Clark, complete with coon-skin hat. Riley did a little Internet research to find out who had a "thing" for Sacajawea. Evidently, it was "Clark." He offered to help raise Sacajawea's baby Pomp. There's a little something you may not have learned in American History. Since Brady has learned to play the guitar this year, his mom got him a guitar cake! We had a wonderful time with our friends and about a million kids.

Grass is Grass

2008-10-28T20:59:00.002-06:00

Since my friend Mary was here recently, I was reminded of a nugget of marital advice she once gave me. I'm sure you are familiar with the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side." Let's see how can I put this delicately? When considering having an affair or even getting a divorce you are still going to end up with grass! We are all imperfect creatures. So, we may as well stay married to our babies daddies and our babies mommies and make the most of our promises to each other. I just wonder how many people have remarried and woke up to the disappointing, "same song second verse" realization.

I know this notion must not sound very romantic. I am a rather practical person. However, I do think being married to the same person till death do us part is very romantic (This crush ain't going away, honey) Bottom line... Stay Faithful, Stay Married!!! To put it in a way my teenager would understand... "Keep your Love Locked Down."

(I had even thought about making bumper stickers that say "grass is grass" but changed my mind once it was pointed out that there is room for misinterpretation.)

Will You be having Soup or Salvation?

2008-10-23T21:10:00.007-06:00

One of my favorite Bible Stories is found in Genesis 25, the story of Jacob and Esau, they were twins. Competitive from the time they exited the womb. One was hairy and one was smooth; one was a skillful hunter and the other a mama's boy. Esau was the first born and was given the birthright, the inheritance (ya know when daddy dies he gets everything and doesn't have to split a pea soup.)

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob quick let me have that stew! I'm famished! Jacob replied (as any man would with his eye on the prize) "First sell me your birthright." "Look I am about to die," Esau said "what good is my birthright to me?".... He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So, for a bowl of soup Esau forfeited his inheritance!

That story always infuriated me. I mean who would give up their future security for a bowl of soup! Then it hit me, I was doing the very same thing. I realized this life is but a vapor, likened to a bowl of soup. Am I going to forfeit my eternal inheritance for this bowl of soup we call life. I want to live here on earth satisfied with the delayed gratification of heaven, an eternal satiation.

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
Matt 16:26

"Meet Me in Montana"

2008-10-21T22:10:00.005-06:00

Jason and Mary and their sweet dog Charlotte.
This past weekend some of our dear friends came all the way from TEXAS to see us. We go way back, all the way back to when I had just one little girl. We were neighbors in the student housing provided for medical school students. We carried our laundry to the washers and dryers together. (Brady would say if we had a really big house we'd have to carry our laundry that far anyway!) We would take turns cooking for each other's families. And of course babysit for each other as the subsequent babies came along. Then, after medical school they moved to North Carolina for residency and so did we (for a couple of years.) We celebrated many holidays together as friends become family when you are far from "home." Needless to say, they are very precious to us.

We had a wonderful time. The husbands and Charlotte hit some hard hunting three days in a row. They came home exhausted and content. Mary and I just hung around the house and caught up on the last six years we haven't been "neighbors." She is just as humble and sweet as she was the first day I met her. She is still encouraging me to be a better mother and wife. She and Jason loved on our kids and our kids loved on them. They even cooked for us, TWICE! If this sounded like a fun trip, Brady and I would like to extend the invitation to any of you dear sweet friends who would like to "Meet me in Montana." Don't worry we won't make you cook.

Is Blogging a thing of the past????

2008-10-13T18:43:00.002-06:00

Okay, I've been debating for at least a few months (which in computer time is at least a decade) on whether or not I would join facebook. Why the big debate, you say? Well, I only have a little bit of computer time I knew my blog would suffer if I started spending time on facebook. Also, I am a little confused on the purpose of facebook. Is it just so you can see that all your old friends have become "old" friends? Or is it to see their adorable kids?

So, I did a little research on blogging vs. facebook. Blogging started in 1999 however, you could only add pictures in 2004. Alas...facebook began in 2004. It does seem to reason that facebook has replaced blogging. Brady thinks it is the lazy person's blog. If anyone is still out there in blog-land please feel free to leave your opinion.

If you are not out there then I shall find you on facebook, because I joined today!!!

Last Week on The Brady Bunch

2008-10-07T22:21:00.002-06:00

Riley is The Academic Athlete at Washington Middle School.
Hallie was a Gnome in "Rumpelstiltskin"
Bailee was a Bee. In this play Rumpelstiltskin wanted Clara's Honey Bee Farm instead of her baby. I liked this version much better!
Jay gave me flowers! Riley took this pic and cut off the big dirty roots that were still attached. I loved those flowers!
Charlie played outside! It is hard to keep him in and even harder to get him to look at the camera! Our camera is fixed, Yea!!

Anger Management

2008-10-02T10:13:00.006-06:00

Lately, I have been thinking about how we as humans deal with our anger. Since my boys are out into the world more and more I am beginning to see the need to help them learn how to appropriately deal with those frustrated and overwhelmed feelings that come out as anger.

Do we grow out of our temper tantrums or do we just change how they look? Do we become passive aggressive, calculating revenge, manipulating? Or do we stuff them down trying to ignore those feelings because they aren't Christ-like? In vain of course, because in the flesh it eventually finds a way out. Usually, when you really don't want it to and usually on the people you love the most. In an effort to avoid our adult temper tantrums people medicate their anger, try to drown it, or they might just eat it and everything else. In some of us anger fades into depression. Satan offers so many tempting choices for us to inappropriately deal with our anger. In your anger do not sin (Psalm 4:4 and Ephesians 4:26). Anger in itself is not a sin. We just need to deal with those God-given emotions in a God-glorifying manner.

I was thinking about my own anger issues and asked myself "What really gets me going?" "When do I loose my cool and why?" "Why do I get depressed?" Most of the time, it is when I feel controlled or when I can't control a situation. Simply put, things didn't go MY WAY. Which, go figure, are quite the same triggers for my boys. We want what we want. In the flesh, we are looking to please ourselves. The world sets us up to think we CAN have it our way. I don't want my children to fall into this trap. I so desire them to live a surrendered life. I know they have to see it in me first so, they will follow this blue print we are laying down in their little brains. It is a daily dying of self to accomplish this attainable goal.

The "good news" is... once I enter into a place where I realize I am not in control, ever! When I am reminded I am a servant of a sovereign God, a peace washes over me. His ways are not "my way," His ways are higher than mine. And I am glad I am not in control. I just need to ask Him to help me see things the way He see's them.

I hesitate to talk about our more personal struggles because I want to be a source of encouragement. Honestly, I think y'all probably get tired of hearing how great everything is. Everything isn't perfect it is just that I only seem to blog about the good, not the bad and the ugly. I feel like those of you checking in on us don't get the full picture. Just the carefully chosen cropped one.

TEN THINGS TUESDAY

2008-09-30T14:35:00.002-06:00

1. I am thankful today because I am not loved because of my goodness (or lack there of) but because of His Goodness.

2. I am thankful today because of an intense prayer time with a fellow sojourner.

3. I am thankful today because what God finds lovely is NOT what the world finds lovely!

4. I am thankful today because I had time to sit down and be thankful!

5. I am thankful today because it is going to be in the 80's this week! (I'm holding on to summer as long as I can.)

6. I am thankful for gas in the tank and six kids to drive around. Yes, I said six and no I'm not pregnant, Bailee's best friend is staying with us this week!

7. I am thankful for Charlie saying "Princess" when I have on a dress!

8. I am thankful for Hallie's Praying Mantis Short Story. Here is an excerpt... "Hi! My name is Cookie, and I'm a Praying Mantis. I live in a lush garden with beautiful flowers. My hobbies are praying and going to bug-church and going to Bugopolis!"

9. I am thankful for the laugh I got when Jay called Barnes and Noble, The Noble Bookstore!

10. I am so thankful for my husband being my best-friend!

More Beth Moore

2008-09-28T21:05:00.006-06:00

Y'all know my camera has been broken so my sweet friend Adrian(extreme right) and her sweet honey John (to Brady and I, they have been our closest friends, prayer partners, bible study companions, babysitters, entertainment ect, ect. let's just say HUGE blessing) emailed me some pics from our Beth Moore Weekend. When I found out that sweet Bible Teacher from the South was coming all the way up here I grabbed 24 tickets and 6 hotel rooms and lots of my favorite girls. We have studied Patriarchs, Daniel, and now we are studying "Stepping Up" together. Stacy(extreme left) is my favorite new friend she and her husband and three boys have started coming to our church and they are a huge blessing to both Brady and I!!

The above left pictured is a precious friend to me, Anna! She was one of Bailee's teachers last year and her great husband is our Dentist! They are about to have their first baby in December!!!
Here are some of us at the previously mentioned "chain restaurant"...The Olive Garden, there is no Italian restaurant in the Middle of Nowhere, unless you count Pizza Hut's new pasta menu.
Here I am with Bailee's soccer coach, Heather and my labor and deliver nurse for Charlie and prayer partner, deAmbra and the cute blond is Esther a mother of four girls, her husband is THE Internal Medicine Doc. and precious christian friend to me.

Here is the woman herself! It was so wonderful to hear her southern draw talk about what Houston and Galveston went through during and following IKE. I felt like I needed a first hand update and she did it beautifully and through God's eyes. We cried and laughed all weekend here's one thing I found quite humorous...Beth Moore was saying she enjoyed coming to the middle of nowhere (meaning Billings, MT) and we girls just laughed and laughed because we drove two hours to the "big city" to see her!

Beth Moore came to the Middle of Nowhere

2008-09-21T21:02:00.004-06:00

Our Bible Study group of girls went to see Beth Moore this weekend. We had soooo much fun! We got to go to the "big city," thanks to our amazing husbands watching lots of kids. Mine even threw a party!

Here are some external blessings...
We ate at a chain restaurant!
Starbuck's for breakfast!!!
Went to a mall!
I heard someone else say y'all!

Here are some Eternal blessings...
Amazing worship!!
Sweet prayer time!!
Visiting Kari (One of the girls in our Bible study has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia and has been in the hospital in Billings for the last six weeks)

Things that I learned from God through Beth...

Memory Verse:But the Noble man makes Noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands. Isaiah 32:8 The noble plan is to show God to your fellow man!

Don't just be good, do good!

If it ain't one thing it's two!

She challenged us to be a willing volunteer in the Army of Jesus Christ. That I might not know victory but, I won't know defeat either.

Let my secret be my secret relationship with Jesus. Encouraged me to run to my hiding place with Him.

The last time I heard Beth Moore I was encouraged to Be still (Stacy do you remember that prayer?). This time I was told to get busy and be a benefit. Well, gotta go get going!!

Ridiculously Long Silence

2008-09-15T07:57:00.004-06:00

This was a ridiculously long silence, I know! There are a couple of extenuating circumstances... 1. My camera lens has been broken for quite sometime. (I don't know if it was from going on Brady's Elk hunt last year or from Jay dropping it gently at the Christmas program, maybe both.)
So, it has been in the shop for quite sometime. 2. I really was busy this summer! Here's what you and my camera missed....

Hallie turning 9
Charlie turning 2
A trip to Dallas for my college roommate girl weekend.
I turned 36, HOLY GRAPES! (I stole that from Jay)
Cleaned out the garage
Had lots of swim parties
Brady and I in Seattle
Family vacation to Sioux Falls, SD (TONZ of Christian concerts and a waterpark)
The changing of summer to winter clothes.

Now that the girls are back in school I might have a little more time to blog. I'll just have to wait on pictures till my camera is fixed. I've missed y'all!

BEWARE OF CUTE LITTLE DOG!!

2008-08-08T21:25:00.009-06:00

Hey y'all, it's me, Riley! My mom has been very very busy this summer so I thought I'd take this time to do my own post. As you may have guessed, I'll be talking about my precious miniature yorkie Molly! She is pretty protective of her belongings. (that includes our family, our house, MY fuzzy socks, and everything that has been in her mouth!) Which means that if those evil moths outside even THINK about coming to attack our sweaters, she'll bark ferociously (as ferocious as a 2.3 lb. puppy can) until I hop out of bed and turn the lights off outside.

She does all these crazy things that are soo soo cute!! For starters she sits under our table at dinner and stares at me until I throw her a piece of steak when mom's not looking! (sorry mom!!) She also runs away with Charlie's favorite toy until practically the whole household is chasing after her! Molly is very photogenic, so if she sees me with a camera she just sits looking up at me and smiles. (you know, that silly little dog grin?)But she doesn't love everything in life, like, she loathes it when I try to clip her bangs up with a barrette, or when I make her wait for dinner. Oh, and she hates baths even though she smells so good after it's all over with. Her most favorite thing to do is sit on my lap, curled up in a ball watching "So You Think You Can Dance," it's her favorite show (and mine too)! She is STILL sad that the season is over, haha! Anyways, she is the perfect little puppy for me and I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Daddy's Girl

2008-07-29T09:23:00.002-06:00

My Dad had two little girls of his own and then three little granddaughters and finally two grandsons! Let's just say he's waited a long time for these hunting and fishing buddies!
Week before last my dad came from Oklahoma to visit us. We had a great time with him. He was a huge help to me. Brady had to be out of town for a couple of days that week and my Dad stepped up to the plate!! We even took the kids to a Petting Zoo (twice)!

My Dad had so much fun with the girls and they completely adore him!

Ten Things Tuesday!

2008-07-08T08:24:00.005-06:00

1. I am Thankful for my amazing husband, a glass of wine and sleeping kids!

2. I am Thankful for sweet CHRISTIAN friends, good food and birthdays!

3. I am Thankful for energetic kids, a bottle of sunscreen and a swimming pool!

4. I am Thankful for a Mission Team from Tennessee that came to our town last week and served our church in so many beautiful ways!

5. I am Thankful for church camp. It was a huge blessing to me as I grew up and now my girls are getting to experience the fun!

6. I am Thankful for a "sweet CHRISTIAN friend" encouraging me to read "No Other Gods" by kelly minter, this summer.

7. I am Thankful for my Pastor and his family and ALL they do to further the kingdom of God in the middle of nowhere, Montana!

8. I am still Thankful for Brady's sisters and our nieces and nephew coming to see us. It was a huge blessing!

9. I am Thankful my Dad is coming next week to see us! This is the first time!

10. I am thankful for giggles!

If you would like to look at other Thankful lists or create your own click here.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

2008-06-08T22:59:00.002-06:00

I just thought I'd let you know with all the kids home for summer, I'll not be having much free time/blog time. They are tucked in bed and I'll be soon. Still hoping a picture is worth a thousand words. We've had our first official week of summer and this is what we did...

Toilet Humor

2008-05-23T12:00:00.004-06:00

I've never been a big proponent of toilette humor, however, today it struck me twice as quite funny. Maybe since my boys are getting older they are forcing me over to the dark side? Please let me know if I'm slowly becoming uncouth.

So, this morning Charlie (20 months today!) has decided independently that the floors must be dirty (they are not! because they were swept and mopped yesterday!). Anyway, he creatively and resourcefully began dumping cups of toilet water (and I'm not talking about the French kind "eau de toilette") all over the house... beginning in Riley's room and continuing throughout the kitchen. Do I just surrender to thinking I can ever win the battle to have a germ less or even a germ-reduced house. I must be relaxing a little because I did find the humor in it rather quickly. In my younger years it would have taken me at least year before I thought that was funny.

The other off-humor thought is my own fault. Some of us may be getting an economic stimulus refund check. Is it me or is this whole idea of giving Americans money to spend on what-ever their little hearts desire instead of being encouraged to paying off our own current debt ridiculous or what? I don't have a degree in Economics but, even just encouraging Americans to use it more wisely like at the gas pumps seems more logical. I think it should have been called a "gas relief" refund check!

THANKFUL

2008-05-13T08:31:00.007-06:00

1. I planted some tulip bulbs last fall and I am thankful they are starting to bloom!

2. I am thankful we have wild asparagus growing on our property and we gathered it and ate our first batch on Mother's Day.

3. I am thankful for my homemade Mother's Day cards... "You're as young as you look!"

4. I am thankful the sun is shining today and everything is turning my favorite color.

5. I am thankful there was a lonely, left-over piece of chocolate cake this morning when I woke up. BREAKFAST!

6. I am thankful for Brady and Jean Ann (his mom) letting me get away for a couple of days. Now, I'm just two-pages away from finishing Charlie's babybook!

7. Spring Soccer is over. I am thankful the girls LOVED playing and the boys played outside while we watched the games. I'm also thankful we're not running around looking for soccer shirts and shin guards, too.

8. I am thankful for medicine and Doctors (especially my Doctor, he made blueberry pancakes, bacon and fried eggs on Mother's Day).

9. I am thankful for Jesus, He is my daily strength.

10. I am thankful for the hope and promise of Heaven.

If you'd like to look at other thankful lists or make your own see here.

An Irreplaceable Role

2008-05-05T21:01:00.003-06:00

Happy Mother's Day. I am a stay-at-home-mom. I was a go-to-work-mom for three years + pregnancy. I respect you mama's who have to leave your babies daily to work. I felt torn like I wasn't doing a good job at work or at home. However, since I am currently a stay-at-home-mom the following excerpt was a great encouragement to me (I came upon it last week in Captivating). I thought I'd share the blessing.

To be Queen Elizabeth ... deciding sales, banquets, labors, and holidays; To be Whitley... providing toys, boots, cakes, books; to be Aristotle... teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but cannot imagine how it could narrow it. How can it be a larger career to tell other people's children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one's own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone and narrow to be everything to someone? No, a woman's (mother's) function is laborious, but it is gigantic, not because it is minute. (What's Wrong with the World by G.K. Chesterton)

These are a few of my favorite things...about Jay

2008-05-03T21:32:00.007-06:00

He thanked God for his Birthday cake in his prayers all year long!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
4, 3, 2, 1 BLAST OFF

"Scuse you to move, please."

"Yes Sir, Mommy!" I hear that at least once a day.

His four year 'blow out the candles' birthday wish was "I wish for mommy and daddy to go to God's place."

Jay's first time in Big Church... it was time for the offering, I gave him a dollar and whispered to him "put it in the plate". He said NOT whispering "why?" I whispered "we are giving it to God." He stared real hard at the sweet man passing the plate around the church and turned back to me and said not whispering "is that GOD?"

Last Sunday was a hard Sunday. You know the one where you are smiling and waving goodbye at everyone as you are running to your car to get them home and in bed, no lunch, just bed! It was way past meltdown for both the boys and the girls were starting to cave as well. I tried to encourage everyone to keep it together because Satan just wanted to ruin our nice morning at church. A moment later as we were exiting the car Jay stepped on Hallie's Bible Class pictures. Exasperated she said "Satan is just trying to ruin my day". Jay immediately rebutted "I'm not Satan!" We all broke out in laughter-it was just what we needed to turn us around!

Yesterday, Jay said he wished he could climb a ladder to the sky and slide down to see his grandparents in Oklahoma.

At this age Jay has been very curious as to who his "honey" is going to be when he grows up. He is convinced she lives in Oklahoma!

We have another BABY!

2008-04-28T10:55:00.006-06:00

Brady and Clay watching prairie dog hunting clips.

MOLLY SUE BANTA

Brady's best friend since college came to visit us this weekend. I didn't get that many pictures because they were so busy working on my "Honey-do" List! Clay even brought Riley's 13th B-day present with him! Molly Sue is the newest addition to the Brady Bunch. She is an eight week old Yorkie weighing in at almost two lbs. She is sooo adorable and the kids can't get enough of her. Bailee took her for show and tell this morning. I can't think of anything cuter than a puppy and a class full of first graders oohhing and aahhing.

We had such a great time with Clay. (Although, we did miss Anita, Nathan and Abby.) Anita, I'm going to have to send Brady down there to help Clay with your honey-do list. They even fixed the garage door I wrecked last week! Brady and Clay did manage to squeeze in some prairie dog hunting of their own! When we count our blessings The Johnsons' are at the top of the list!

This week on the Brady Bunch....

2008-04-25T16:01:00.004-06:00

I took the boys out to one of my friend's (Misty) sheep farm. They are lambing now and we got to hold some 24-48 hour old lambs. So precious! We went inside the barn to get a closer look at the mamas and babies and Charlie snuck/snook out of the barn's gate. I ran out to get him. Here's where it gets interesting... swung down to pick him up and my back went out on me! I am sooo old! All my friends and Jay were still in the barn. I couldn't pick up Charlie, so I opened my car and let him crawl in (I couldn't even pick him up to strap him in the car-seat) so I just closed the door.

I had to go back into the barn to get Jay and tell my friends goodbye. I hobbled into the barn and immediately Misty (a nurse) had me lay down on a bale of hay. With my legs in the air and a dog licking my face! I told them I just wanted to get Jay in the car and go home. So we head to the car and are surprised to see Charlie holding my car keys pressing the lock button over and over again. We proceed in playing his game, happily trying to get him to press the unlock to no avail. He's smiling having a great time! Let's call On Star! Great idea, where's my phone? In the car! While we are finding a phone that has cell service (remember we really are in the middle of nowhere). I get to lay down with my feet in the air again, in the back of Misty's car! I am in the strange place of laughing so hard but on the verge of tears! How did I get this old? I have been exercising lately, this isn't suppose to happen.

So, now I'm home and bent (for lack of a better word) trying to "rest"! How do you "rest" with five kids? The girls have been so funny they started walking around like hunchbacks to make me feel better. Definitely sit-com material!!! It is a good thing we took pictures right when we got there or I would have been taking pictures of everyone's feet!

You know you have a toddler in the house when....

2008-04-21T20:49:00.006-06:00

you find dryer sheets in the toilet!

you get squirted by a water gun on a daily basis.

you celebrate things like throwing trash away or putting tiny dirty jeans in the laundry basket.

you'll sing a whole song just to get them to eat one more bite!

you pick up the same toy six times and put it away.

your foot is injured requiring you to limp for awhile because you stepped on that SAME toy.

you scream expletives like... "SCOOBY DOO!" or "ICE CREAM!" when you step on that SAME toy!

you give them too many cookies because you love to hear them say "cookie."

you lose your keys, your phone, your sunglasses, and your mind!!!

you find out you LOVE to play trains and read the same book over and over again just to hear them laugh at the same part every time.

I got tagged!

2008-04-16T20:08:00.005-06:00

My long lost friend that I love dearly tagged me. I am carefully and cautiously joining this tag because I don't follow astrology anymore! Because I know that like me, my God is jealous. Please leave lots of praises or I might get angry or I might get my feelings hurt because I'm sensitive! I'm sorry, I lost my train of thought because I was day-dreaming!! Now where was I? Oh yes, did I mention I am leading a ladies Bible study on "Captivating" I love leading but, it would be nice if someone else leads next time! "Captivating" is sooo romantic in a nontraditional way. And it is helping me learn to relax!

Riley has been cracking me up lately with some blonde jokes. If you are blonde please don't take offense because I love and care for you and relate to these jokes completely. I just love jokes have you heard this one? A blonde has just gotten a new sports car. She cuts out in front of a semi, and almost causes it to drive over a cliff. The driver furiously motions for her to pull over, and she does. The driver gets out and draws a circle and tells her to stand in it. Then he gets out his knife and cuts up her leather seats. He turns around and sees she's smiling. So he goes to his truck, takes out a baseball bat, and starts busting her windows and beating her car. He looks back to see that she's laughing. He's really mad now, so he takes his knife and slices her tires. He turns around and she's laughing so hard, she's about to fall down. He demands, "What's so funny?" She says, "Every time you weren't looking, I stepped out of the circle!"

I must go now because I'm starting to get ill and I need to console one of my children!

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

TAGGING RULES:

1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months (see below).
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving them a comment.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when yours is up!

And now I'm tagging...

Adrian and Tara

The Twelve Months

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care of what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

Too Busy to Blog!

2008-04-14T08:49:00.003-06:00

I was soooo busy this weeknd. So busy in fact that I didn't have time to wait for the garage door to open completely before I decided to back out. Oh No She Didn't! Oh Yes She Did! Right in front of Brady and thankfully another witness. I was in such a hurry I jumped out looked at the back top of my car. I thought to myself, "Yep, I can still drive it. Hopped back in and picked up Riley from a sleep over, drove Bailee to her soccer game and swung by the church garage sale. Sorry Honey no time to fight about the "wreck" and the broken garage door. Brady has been calling it my hit and run!

I was also very busy throwing down the wrong kind of fertilizer (in the dark)! All I know is that there is no way we are going to have crab grass, according to Brady we never had any to begin with. Sorry honey! I know we had crab grass somewhere we used to live and we didn't like it! 45 bucks on a bag of fertilizer and it was the wrong kind. Grrrrrrrr! Wondering why I was in the dark? Well according to the weather channel we were going to have rain showers through the night. They don't happen that often here in Eastern Montana. I got all excited ran out to the garage because I knew we already had some fertilizer. This would be quick and easy (still light outside). I realize it was our heat of the summer fertilizer. Aww Man! Jump on the internet to Scotts.com to look up the right kind and I'm off to stuffmart, grab the $45 fertilizer and a few other necessities. Do you think I ever go into stuffmart without a basket full? I did stay under the 20 item or less limit! The lady behind me made a crack about my $45 fertilizer, she said I guess your seven children won't eat this week. I was never so glad I could sweetly tell her I have five! By the time I get home and fill the spreader it was dark! Aww Man! So I'm running around like a crazy woman throwing down the wrong fertilizer and it on top of all that do you think it rained one drop? Oh well, dandelions look like grass from a distance, the kids love them and I've heard they make a great salad!!

About now most of you are saying to yourself she needs to read Psalm 46:10. I think that is just what I'll do!

Ten Things Tuesday

2008-04-08T21:40:00.004-06:00

1. I am so thankful for my amazing husband. So glad God didn't give me what I deserve. He is cool and smart and forgiving and kind and fun and funny and he works so hard! I respect him immensely.

2. I am thankful that Riley has braces! This affords us four hours in the car alone driving to the orthodontist every six weeks. It is such a blessing to me to have that time with her! We also eat out and do a little shopping! (The above mentioned amazing husband works at home on this day and watches the other four.)

3. I am so thankful it is starting to warm up. Jay and Charlie played outside without a coat today.

4. I am thankful for the men and women who leave their families to protect and serve our country!

5. I am thankful for my group of women with whom I get to study the Bible.

6. I am thankful for the AWANA program at our church and the spiritual growth I've seen in my children. Tomorrow is the last night and I'm thankful for that, too!

7. I am thankful for bath time because...tonight Hallie and Bailee were discussing heaven and how they think we won't pee or poo in heaven and there won't be toilets to clean in heaven and that there will be cleaning angels to help us keep heaven looking nice!

8. I am thankful for Metabolic-Frolic Mango Tea.

9. I am thankful for last Wednesday night's American Idol episode. I had to stay home from church with a sick kiddo and watched TV. I was never so glad I watched TV! Jesus was all over the place. Dolly Pardon sang "Jesus and Gravity" and the Clark Brothers sang "This Little Light of Mine" and said Jesus' Name in it! It was so spiritually encouraging! I loved knowing all those people were hearing HIM get due praise!

10. I am thankful for sleeping children.

The Real Housewives of Montana

2008-04-05T12:57:00.005-06:00

Brady bought some cooking lessons at a fund raising auction for me and eight friends. After Thirteen and a half years of marriage, I'm not offended! It was soo much fun!
It was a great group of moms, most of us new to the area, bonding over our lack of a Target and eating good food. We got a little break from our sweet kiddos. And we chose to spend the evening in the kitchen - are we dedicated or what?
I didn't even mind doing a few dishes.
The Flaming Orange - Grand Finale!

Thank you Deb and Dave we had a wonderful time and the food was amazing! We prepared Brie, Walleye Fingers, Grilled Halibut, Rack of Lamb, Supreme De Volaille Aux Champignon, Creme Brulee and more. They even put together cookbooks for each of us to recreate the dishes.

2008-04-01T20:14:00.002-06:00

Brady and Riley have started taking guitar lessons. Riley's learning the Bass and Brady had an excuse to buy a pretty new Gibson acoustic/electric. This was all inspired to play in our church for worship! So far they've learned... Come Thou Fount, Ode To Joy, Humble Yourself in the Sight of the Lord, Amazing Grace, Yankee Doodle, Let It Be (John Lennon). With Hallie on the keyboard and Bailee on the Violin , I think they need a drummer. Can you picture me behind a drum set?

If anyone prayed?

2008-03-30T21:20:00.002-06:00

Our neighbors who's house burned to the ground not too long ago sent a letter to the editor of our local paper. It brought a smile to my face, knowing HE hears our prayers. Here are a few of my favorite quotes....

Family Found More Than It Lost In Their House Fire (that was the title of the article)

In a tragic way it was worth it to lose our possessions to find our friends.

So many of you have helped us through the worst thing we have ever experienced. I don't know how to thank you but, I thank God that I have gotten to meet you!

"But mom, a lot of people have to go through things like this and they aren't lucky enough to have all these people helping them like we do." It's not often that an 11-year-old girl whose home just burned to the ground feels lucky. I thank you for that most of all.

We who prayed for them know luck didn't have anything to do with their blessings.

Easter Complete With...

2008-03-25T23:07:00.001-06:00

How Random?

2008-03-18T08:17:00.004-06:00

I was tagged by my friend Etta awhile back. I was also emailed a list of questions from Adrian. So, in an effort to save time and honor those requests here is my list of seven random things about myself from a list of questions. How's that for time management?

1. Do I like my handwriting? Absolutely not! It is horrendous! I'm left handed so I've always blamed it on that but, the truth of the matter is... I'm just in a hurry. I don't slow down and try to make it look nice.

2. Do I still have my tonsils? No, I had them removed when I was three. I didn't mind because I got to eat ice cream and Twinkies for a couple of days!

3. What is my favorite smell? I love the smell of plastic swim toys and shower curtains. It reminds me of the summer!

4. If I was another person would I be friends with myself? Yes, and I would come over everyday and help me! Because I need alot of help! I would babysit for myself and read to my kids and I would feed them healthier foods and I would run to the store for myself! I would also let me go get my hair cut and colored because as my husband sweetly puts it "my highlights are showing"!!

5. What is my favorite ice cream? Cold Stone Creamery Coconut Ice Cream covered with hot fudge!

6. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes! But, the more random fact about how I deal with my shoes is... I am a sock shoe sock shoe person. I think most people are sock sock shoe shoe.

7. What is my least favorite thing about me? Well, today it is the revelation that I only do things that are easy for me. I give up when it starts to hurt or I am called to truly sacrifice. I only "give" out of excess. This is starting to get uncomfortable, so I'm going to resist the urge to stop. When I truly begin to sacrifice and surrender I immediately start to complain and feel sorry for myself. Or I get irritated at the people or person I began to do something nice for! It is painful to realize this about myself. I am ready to move to the next level of maturity, I think I've been here far too long!

Please Pray....

2008-03-16T22:49:00.003-06:00

I was reading to Jay in the afternoon. I heard a loud boom. Looked out my window and saw smoke coming from our neighbor's house. Brady was home so I ran to tell him, he hopped in his truck and drove over. He called me and told me to call 911. We live outside the city limits. So, they contact the county fire dept. (aka volunteers) who have to be reached at work. Then, they fill up the water truck and "hurry" to the fire. In less than two hours our neighbor's home was completely destroyed. They lost everything, except each other . They just moved here before school started with their two daughters a high schooler and a sixth grader. Please join me in praying that they will experience Christ at this time in their lives. That even though our God gives and takes away. He wants to give them a better life, an eternal life, one that can't be destroyed. Sometimes He must take away what we value most to get our attention.

Yes, I went and bought three fire extinguisher's.

2008-03-11T15:03:00.004-06:00

"Show us your muscles"
We have 15 kiddos between us!
The two Charlies'

On Tuesdays this winter I've been getting together with some sweet moms and their kiddos. Not counting the ones at school, there is one baby girl and one big girl and seven boys! You tend to get a little stir crazy when the weather is so cold and you can't send your boys outside. It's funny how getting together with friends makes it all better. If you are three, five, or thirty-five!