RIP CITY

Friday November 27th . . . Grandpa Ricky & Grandma Kris were not going to be picking Darla & Elijah up until 4pm but the kids were up & dressed in their Blazer gear by 8:30am. It was one looooooong day of waiting for these to basketball fans!

Grandparents Day

Tuesday November 24th . . . they traveled over the river & thru the woods to grandchildrens house.


We love you Grandma Vickie & Grandpa Bob!!!!

Random Recollections 1

Something new lately is Elijah coming home with love notes from all sorts of girls, and stories about how so&so wont quit chasing him on recess when he just wants to play basketball, etc. Big sister Darla has been trying to run interference for him. Oh the drama! So today Elijah's on the phone w/ his friend "joe" who offered Elijah advice to make this problem go away:
"Joe": Elijah I have a trick to make the girls not like you. Ive tried it & it really really works good! Ive done it. This trick works!
Elijah: Really? What is the trick? (his face is happy & serious with big curious eyes)
"joe": I just started coloring really really bad.
Elijah: Are you serious? They leave you alone because you color bad?
"joe": Yes the girls dont like me anymore now.
Elijah: That's awesome!

Darla was wearing a bracelet made out of linking paperclips. Weird. Totally forgot about that till I saw it on her wrist. I did the same thing as a child. Then she was singing this song to the exact same tune as "Im a barbie girl - in a barbie world - Im fantastic . . . " Well all thru-out the day Alan kept slipping up singing the new version. And then when he would catch himself jokingly hollar "Darla!!!!" And she would laugh & say "Told ya! It gets stuck in your head, doesnt it pa?"

Darla & I finish having this deep discussion about mother-daughter relationships (another future post) & I realize "Wow Darla, your 9! Half your childhood is over?" (I seriously realized it as Im saying it.) Double check my math, ya 18 you are considered an adult I explain. Darla & I both sit stunned a bit. I get a teary eye & explain "Boy I better start teaching you more things, like how to cook!" and chuckle. Darla's face gets really serious & glossy eyed.... I semi-panic, oh no, maybe that was not parenting 101 of me to say to her?! ..... And I ask her "Honey what is wrong?" . . .
Darla: "I dont want to grow up! (pause) It will be too stressful with 4 kids!"
I remind her at 18 what her life options could be etc., & no at 18 its not "Poof-out of the house & suprise 4 kids waiting for you in your new home!" Once she understood... she was laughing & wanted me to tell papa the funny thing she said.

By the way I hope I never forget the way Elijah says "Peanut butter & jelly" (emphasis on the extreme pronounciation of the word jelly). When he was younger he always called it peanut butter jelly and sandwich.

Darla called catsup K-PATCH for years . . . . and lovingly referred to her big brother as Pay-Pay. Nowadays its Payt, unless she's upset or dissapointed its Pay-TUN!!!

Will add Random Recollections 2 for our book end children Payton & Nolan soon.

Our kids have Grandparents in 4 States!

The two sets in Oregon are joining our kids this Tuesday November 24th for the Annual Grandparents Day. An extra special treat beyond the breakfast & fun will be watching their grandson Elijah play a lead role as "The King" in the Thanksgiving Play! The Director for the play explained it requires a very brave child to play the role & the kids voted for Elijah. It is hilarious watching him rehearse his lines . . . he tries to talk so mean & bossy to all the pilgrims but as his mama I clearly see his dimples sneaking out in his cheeks & that little giggling smirk. Hope to find a way to record the production.

GRANDPARENTS & GRANDCHILDREN
Grandparents and grandchildren,
Together they create a chain of love
Linking the past,
With the future.
The chain may lengthen,
But it will never part.

In The Stands...... Sit Darla's Fans!

Go Darla!!! Team Razmatazz!!!

Poor Grandpa Ricky was still recuperating from being sick with the flu but what a sport they were to make the drive out to support their grandDarla!

The 3 amigos above (friend Tanner & our Elijah & Nolan) sit semi-patiently thru the girls game . . . dying for those 20 second timeouts to go shoot a quick hoop. Half time they go wild!

Elijah's Eye

If you can believe it . . . this is actually a gummy eyeball; a candy; something you eat. Given to him by his teacher as a funny prize. Funny it was & gross!

Made To Worship

This past weekend our family enjoyed attending a multi-church choir performance "Made To Worship". Our Darla was selected to sing the solo of the title song, and her papa was also a part of the choir & enjoyed singing a solo as well.
Grandpa Ricky & Grandma Kris joined us Friday night, and it even snowed! Saturday night Grandpa Bob & Grandma Vickie made the long drive & joined us. After the show we got to enjoy several hours of fellowship with our friends Jeremy, Debbie, Keith, Kimi . . . . and the combined 13 kids we all share also enjoyed themselves. Not one of us missed church the next morning either. Bonus!

In Remembrance. . .

. . . of the 4,729 U.S. troops who have given their life for the war in Iraq thus far. Please God bring the rest home to us safe! Thank you to all service men & women who sign up to pay the ultimate sacrifice so we all can enjoy our freedoms & safety. Happy Veterans Day!

9 years ago . . . November 8, 2000

Darla Diane was born. A sister to proud big brother Payton, and a loving daughter to beaming mama & papa. She is the sunshine in our lives! Happy Birthday beautiful girl that we love more than any other girl on this planet!

Western Day in 10 short minutes!

10 minutes before school bus arrives - DD bf calls to remind her its "Western Day". Elijah protests - wants to be camo guy, compromised by adding a black bandana to his ensemble. Darla outgrew her cowboy boots this summer ....but I thought we threw together a decent diddy in the 10 minutes.

Happy Basketball - I mean Birthday!!

Today (Nov 1st) is Elijah's 7th birthday & 1 week from today Darla turns 9. To celebrate the two kids agreed on a Basketball theme (thank u Darla) & we held a joint bday party this year. At 2pm the kids started arriving . . . once all 18 were here we started the festivities.

We would like to thank Tierra, Jeremiah, Jack, Samantha, Tanner, Kyra, Keturah, McKenna, Noah, Omar, Caeser, Elayna, Emily, Savannah, Kennedy, Nolan, Darla & Elijah for all being wonderfully behaved & a bundle of joy to spend 3 hours with today! Special thanks to friends Debbie & Jeremy for helping run the party with us. Big brother Payton helped setup the Crombie Court - complete w/ chalk lines etc.,

For pics:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30892&id=1639255198&l=60b1966000

Halloween 2009

Our tradition. . . . Payton stays & hands out candy to the bazillion trick or treaters in our small neighborhood. . . .only this year so many homes are either vacationers or in the process of being moved out of or moved in . . . . noone had their porch lights on on our side of the loop so we kept our light off as well. Saving kids from having to walk our whole block or two for 1 house w/ candy.

Grandpa Ricky & Grandma Kris came up for our traditional homemade stew & hot from the oven breadsticks for dinner at 5:30.

At 6:30 we headed to "Spook Alley" the shopping center a country block from our home. The kids play carnival games in the outdoor plaza area & win treats. Then beginning at 7pm the fire dept holds the annual costume contest.

1st up was age bracket 4-7 yr olds. So Nolan, our robot, & Elijah, the basketball & hoop, were competing against one another this year. I will be honest I chose not to embellish Nolan's robot costume for fear he would win 1st place again.

Elijah is our only kiddo who has never won. Well the judges announced 3rd place a dragon, 2nd place our Nolan the robot (I held my breath in fear), .... long pause . . . . and 1st place. . . . . Elijah the basketball hoop!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I would feel so bad for our middle son if he walked away in defeat again. So both sons won this year.

Darla was in the older age bracket this year 8-12yr olds. She had fierce competition & I didnt expect her to even place this year. They announced 3rd place an adorable 80's style rocker, 2nd place the old lady costume, & 1st place (my dad gave me a signal like ITS DARLA & I shook my head No it isnt) . . . . 1st place ... the pirate . . . Darla!!! Amazed. I actually had to laugh & smack myself in the forehead. Im sure I looked like a total dork.

Then on to a little trick or treating . . .

the kids each came home from the eve with a total of 54 pieces of candy . . . which will be stretched our for weeks to come.

2009 Harvest Parade @ School

Bet you cant guess which one Elijah Alan is:

If you're still confused. . . . Elijah, the boy who eats, sleeps, breathes basketball is the basketball, & hoop.

Pirate Darla . . . . without her Parrot. . . .

Tale of Teeth

Resting in peace on this purple piece of paper are Elijah's top 4 baby teeth that the Tooth Fairy took away last night . . . .


Elijah had always named them . . . so we documented, lest we forget.

And our handsome man with his big boy teeth growing in:

The Tea Luncheon

The Welches Girls Kimmy, Debbie & I brought with us to the Tea Luncheon at Living Water Fellowship in Gresham (this was when we arrived . . . the girls posing w/ the rear end of our 3 red cars as the back drop):


Darla & her friends Ashlin & Samantha:


DD's (Darla Diane & Tierra who's nickname is also DD):


The girls learning a new song of worship from Kimmy:


The girls enjoying tea with friends & their mamas:


Princess McKenna & Princess Samantha enjoying their tea:


The girls when we were leaving (I took 40 some photos - so had to pick only a few for the blog):


The girls learned about being "Maidens of Virtue" and studied the scripture:
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made,
Marvelous are Your works. And that my soul knows very well.
~ Psalm 139:14

Team Razzmatazz : Go Darla!

Darla's very 1st basketball game was last night. We are so proud of the girls!
Their first opponents wore lavender shirts & roasted our girls BUT we learned most of their girls have been playing since 1st grade! Whereas, our team many have never dribbled a ball until 1st practice. This is a 3rd/4th team . . . Darla being 3rd grade.

Darla before the game (but had been practicing, thus the rosey cheeks):


Team Huddle before the game (Darla #3):


The tip off . . . Darla & Tierra both were starters:


Team Huddle after the game:


Darla after her game; exhausted but happy:


Team Photo:

Handmade Christmas Again

Not so much knitting . . . there is only so many lap blankets & stocking caps one can use. There is some sewing involved & a very modest amount of purchasing some elements online. But lets just say we think it's a dandy gift to give to loved ones this season. As for the handmade portion for the kids . . . . cant post here, because the oldest reads my blog to make sure Im not talking about him. LOL

Elijah's September Journal

Last week when I was volunteering in Elijah's 1st Grade Class, the teacher with a giggle told me to read Elijah's Journal. As I flipped thru the booklet I saw a common theme ... BASKETBALL! (of course) She explained she likes to allow the kids to write about what is on their mind. She will give them ideas like "What did you do last night?" etc., The journal is a picture book as well.
September Entries:
>Ant playing basketball. (He drew an ant dribbling a ball down the court to the hoop)
>Yesterday was ant day. (his class has been studying bugs)
>Today I ride the bus.
>Yesterday I played basketball.
>Today we have 5 caterpillars.
>Yesterday I playd basketball.
>Today the caterpillars are hanging. They made achrysalis.
>Today I am gona play baskitball.
>Today I am going play baskitball.
>Today I am going to play baskitball to. I am wering my Portlin Trallblazers shrt.
>Today Ima going to play basketball. I can spin a ball on my finggr.
>Yesterday I playd basketball. The cort was gray.
>Now I am sitting by Tanner and Joshua.
Now here comes the funny part. She told me because of the obvious theme, aka obsession with basketball when she passed out the new October journals she decided to give Elijah an idea of something different to write about. She suggested Halloween - does your family celebrate it? If so what is your costume, etc.,?
Well a light instantly went off in my head as she said this, and I was like "OH NO!" She started laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes when she said "And Elijah was excited & wrote down what he is going to be for Halloween . . . . A BASKETBALL!"
We both couldve died! His costume is a basketball (for his head) & he has a backboard, rim, & net that he wears as well. ((photos to follow soon))

A new season of life approaching . . . .

As I am busy planning Darla & Elijah's joint birthday party, which is a basketball theme, I am hit with the fact that they are turning 7 & 9! Amazing!

As I review Payton's 1st progress report of his JR year in H.S. I shake my head in disbelief that he only has a a little over a year until he is considered an adult & will be graduating from High School.

Nolan, the baby, is 5 & thriving in preschool. But in the fall 2010 - off on the school bus he goes. He will only be attending half days but full time in the Fall 2011. Fall of 2011 I will be able to return to the workforce, during our kids school hours & this is exciting! Have also looked into finishing my college degree & Alan attending college too.

These years I have been blessed to stay at home raising Alan & I's children. These years have been unforgetable, amazing, difficult at times, long, too short, & years I will never experience again. Thank you God that you have provided for our every need, allowing me to stay at home with these growing children. Thank you for Alan who has been a faithful hardworker who supports me being home with our kids.

Come One Come All

Pumpkin Patch 2009

Waking the kids. . . Darla doesnt want to wear a "real coat", discovered Elijah has outgrown his only boots so got passed down to Nolan, Payton is out of razors, Nolan doesnt like raisin bran anymore, and I have dandruff (what the?!) ! Grrreat! Hit the shower .....and we're off to the pumpkin patch.

Arrive on time (was meeting Nolan's preschool) in Boring at Liepold Farms. In years past the place was a muddy mess & super crowded. Not this year! Gray smokey skies but the rain held off until the kids were stuck in the middle of a huge corn maze....and even then it was just an annoying drizzle.

Nolan hardly holding still at this excursion . . . . Mr Social kept bellowing Hi to all his friends & always suggesting the next activity we were to embark on. It was Nolan's field trip & we all knew it.

"Wonder if mom realizes we are squinting & almost frowning here? Ahh well. Let her get her scrapbook moment so we can hurry & go find the Great Pumpkin!"

The hunt & find. Elijah would find his pumpkin carry it across the field & put it in our wheelbarrow . . . . only to trade it with a better one four separate times. I think Nolan ended up picking one of Elijah's discards.

Payton & Elijah working together to find one for Papa (below).

Mission accomplished!

Nolan (always moving) blurry faced below while the kids feel corny posing in the corn!

Hay Ride time!

October 13: First Snow and . . .

Nolan's DR appt re: his heart murmur.
Will post an update tonight. Please pray!

And Im not joking about it snowing!

A New Smile Forming

Elijah chipped his front tooth when he was 2 on a play structure at Wildwood Park, and the dentist at the time informed us that when he bonked the metal structure he weakened all top 4 teeth. The dentist recommended capping all top 4 teeth. Our insurance only covered silver caps. . . which broke my heart at the time. The bulk of his smile at that age wouldve been shiny silver. So the Dentist bent the rules & did a false "white" front on the caps. Well the quality was horrible, unfortunately & would become corroded & discolored making his teeth/smile look decayed (which it wasnt). This year the caps started falling off/breaking & was also making it difficult for him to wiggle his loose 2 top teeth. A couple weeks ago the dentist pulled all top 4 teeth out, per Elijah's request & our approval. He was amazing & never complained of any pain or anything. One relieved mama! Anyways, within days his 2 new top big boy teeth already started pushing out. So here below is our 1st grader today with his new forming smile:

He asked me to post another pic zoomed in on them as well. . . . so here ya go:

Bad Mom!

Ummm.... I am month late posting a photo of the kids 1st day of school & I never even got a pic of Payton's 1st day of his JR Year in H.S. . . . . again I say bad bad mom!!!

Darla 3rd grade & Elijah 1st grade . . . . September 2009

We own painting clothes now!

What do you get when you send 3 kids with their papa overseeing, with a big bucket of paint, 4 paint brushes, & a park bench needing painting?

A wardrobe of paint clothes
and
a painted bench.

Ooops mama! Shouldve warned them to not wear the sentimental t-shirt with her classmates signatures & only pair of leggings that match her 2 babydoll style dresses. Ooops.

Mr Elijah was wise & on his own took of his school shoes & opted to go barefoot. Ahh well. Even Papa ruined a new basketball shirt. My fault for not reminding them all. But like I said, at least we know they have an official paint wardrobe for tomorrow when they paint a trellis.
And here is what I will be tackling tomorrow after church:

Our Creative Boy

Nolan found a feather outside & asked if I could help him make him an Indian headdress. Well I thought the feather from outside was icky but I did tell him I had a bag of leftover feathers from 6 years ago when Payton did a native american project at school that we could use. Nolan's the one who had the idea to use a headband of his sisters & stick the feathers in like this:

Of course the picture is blurry & cut off . . . camera problems again . . . we want to buy a new one for Christmas if its possible.

New Season Of My Life

Me - my health - my weightloss - YEAH!!!!
Still losing weight & not cheating on it what so ever.
Need to get better at eating ever 2-3 hours tho &
increase water intake. It definitely is God who is the
big difference this time. . . lots of prayers from my
encouragers & supporters. . . and I just know in my
heart there is no turning back now. This is a . . . .
NEW
SEASON
IN
MY
LIFE!

Amy - 10 lbs = Medifast Diet So Far

Super happy! Not hungry & feeling great!
Energy & clear headedness! Loving it!

www.tsfl.com

Diet is working!

Errr should I say I am making the diet work?
I feel great - energy - not deprived starving feeling anymore. YEAH!
Medifast is working for me. Down 6.4 lbs & it's only the beginning!

Alan's 1st Modeling Job

Famous in a small town is my Alan Crombie....
a local builder chose to put a photo of my burley
man on the side of their company van. Once you
click on the link just scroll down to the photo.
Click on the photo to enlarge. He's the hairy one
installing big metal duct.

http://mirandahomes.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-should-be-in-every-new-home-and_14.html