Fossils

While the girls, Zach, and I were out shopping with Christmas gift cards and money and coupons and super cash ... Brian was at home playing Head Paleontologist with our five oldest boys. They all worked for hours unearthing their dinosaur skeletons ... and then Daddy worked for hours cleaning up a big, dusty mess. He thought ... that since we still did not have running water ... ... that it would be cleaner to stay in and dug up bones instead of going to the creek. I believe he was wrong.

But no worries ... because we have water. Coming out of our faucets. It's heavenly. May we never take such luxuries for granted again.

The 27th of December

Our God's World News magazines came today. The kids go nuts when they arrive. They're pretty good stuff. I don't think that's what Kylie is reading ... I think she's actually looking at the political cartoons in World. It's strange. She really enjoys Government/Economics-type stuff. She shares almost everything she reads in her Uncle Eric series.

The boys got a last minute stocking stuffer -- each of them received a brand new 12-pack of Crayola colored pencils. They are already putting them to good use and have dumped every single box (except for Connor's) into our well used art caddy. ... we've also worked quite hard depleting the red, green, and silver kisses.

We are still waiting on the plumber to arrive. Word has it tomorrow at 2PM will be the glorious time. Christmas candles are nearing the bottom of their jars. I used of the last of my White Christmas a few days ago ... it's almost my favorite. I seriously consider burning it year round. I'll be sad when my red one is gone too ... I think it's so pretty. Like my poinsettia from my mom. It amazes me it's still alive and red and green.

Outside, we're noticing the red birds a lot more. I love them. I wish it would snow so I could watch them all flit around the tree and feeder, bright red against the sparkly white. Which is why we're leaving our sled and skates on the front porch. Wishful thinking ... of snowy days.

One of the biggest hits of Christmas has been the card games my grandma sent the kids. Judah has mastered, what he calls, Gold Fish. And every time he asks anyone for a card, he will say, "Daddy (or Momma or Wesley or TJ or whoever ... do you have a eel, a shark, a sea turtle, a sea star? ..." It's so cute.

By the end of the day, we were all quite ready for a hot shower, so we decided to head to Brian's work. It was like packing ten people for a sleepover. Quickly. The boys thought it was great fun. The girls and I ... thought it was ... weird. Good memories. ... ... By the time we got home it was super late. We had pizza and root beer and watched Enchanted. And then went off to bed dreaming of true love's kiss.

And running water.

December 26th 2013

The day after Christmas ...

Some of us are busy happily crafting beautiful tulled lights for our beds. Some of us are unhappily busy with assigned reading (Mom Prison may have been mentioned here ... it also may have been asked how long a mom would go to prison for assigning good reading ... and a smile may have crossed a certain reluctant reader's lips). Some of us are curiously busy inspecting blood, toilet paper (unused. ahem.), bird feathers, coins, dollars (to find the REAL secrets behind the American Dollar. What?! haven't you seen National Treasure?). And some of us are dutifully busy climbing up into the attic and resetting the heating unit (NOT me said the very pregnant blogger).

... And we are all realizing how much we take running water for granted ... and impatiently busy waiting for a plumber to arrive. Please. Mr. Plumber. Arrive.

Merry Christmas

Love,

The Baileys

Brian, Kathi, Kylie, Korinne, Connor, TJ, Wesley, Benjamin, Judah, Zach, and Baby Miriam

25 november 2013

six little boys waving goodbye to their daddy this morning

Seagull on The Beach

Jumping and Splashing

I had the best day I've had in quite a few weeks concerning the pregnancy/morning sickness. I did a lot of laundry, cleaned the boys bathroom, made lunch and dinner, got this poor blog back up and running, and was actually able to be outside this afternoon as the boys played. Yay me!

First thing this morning, I took Brian to work. Our minivan had been being worked on, and we weren't able to pick it up until today. Then I rushed home to make sure everyone had eaten breakfast (thanks, Kylie!), and took Korinne to her first day of Ballet Intensive Camp. The ballet school she attends here gifted her with very large, very wonderful scholarship so that she could attend. 

Everyone is still finishing up a few subjects in school, but they are slowly becoming less and less for each child. Our hope is that everyone has finished well by the time we leave for our beach vacation at the end of August ... so that we can start a fresh, new school year the week after we get home. Keeping our fingers crossed. 

Most afternoons the boys spend outside. The rains here have been absolutely absurd for July. But the sun and blue skies seem to have returned. They play a lot of wiffle ball, a lot of war, and do a lot of splashing and jumping in the little blow up pool.

I hope everyone is having a fun, relaxing summer.

:: happy jumping and splashing! ::

New Year's Plans ...

Yes! We are already making plans for the New Year.

Brown Thrasher

23 april

[thinking] of stealing home!

21 april

happy, happy sunday.

20 april

korinne turned thirteen today. we officially have two teenagers in the house. two lovely, fun, wonderful teenagers.

18 april

we visited the greenville zoo today. then had a picnic, and played on the playground.

we had a good time.

16 april

that's teej.

12 april

backyard soccer. with a basketball. ... they had fun!

9 april

the oldest catches. in brand new gear. ... and pretty well too.

8 april

the playground is suddenly very fun.

7 april

sixteen. that is all.

6 april

i love zach's face. it sums up how we all pretty much feel at this point. six days without brian. i bet if the kids took a picture of me right now ... i'd have the same look on my face.