A girl and her daddy.

It's been fun to see each of our kiddos grow up. They each have their favorite parent, and for the most part Dahrran and Kaitlynn have mommy as a favorite. MacKenzie and Addysen by far have Daddy wrapped around their fingers.

When the big kids were growing up Joel worked a factory job where his day started sometimes as early as 4am. We didn't see him until after nap time in the afternoons. Morning routine was left up to me, and we managed. When Joel took his new job last October our routine changed. For the better.

His hours are now anywhere from 7:30/8:00am-7:30/8:00pm. It's so nice for him to be able to be here with us in the mornings. We all wake up as a family, and get to spend a little time together. His job is also only 4 miles away from home! Which is great because it means that he doesn't have a long commute.

With the big kids now in school full time, it now means they usually leave with daddy who takes them to the bus stop and waits while the bus comes. For Addysen this is probably the hardest part of her day. She loves all the big kids, and loves her daddy so much more. Almost every morning there are snuggles that commence.

Our First Broken Bone

Almost 3 weeks ago now, we had our first case of a broken bone. Was it an arm? Maybe a Leg? Nope I answer. A finger. Yes a finger.

It was a rainy day, and so thankfully Joel was home for the day shortly after lunch. I was in a baking mood so I had made a nice meal for supper, and had 2 deserts prepared for supper with another that was to be finished up after supper.

Super was a great meal where we all got to sit down together, and enjoy the food instead of someone missing. With harvest having started the week prior, it was getting rare to see Joel at the dinner table. After supper we told the kids to go get their pajamas on and brush their teeth. Something that is done on a nightly basis while I clean up the table and start the dishwasher.

After getting the table cleaned up, Joel and I started working on the last desert, peanut butter cup cookies. I'd been craving them for a week or more, and so it was time they got made. We made a pretty good team. I was scooping and rolling balls, he was rolling them in sugar and putting them in the mini muffin pans.

Before we both have any idea what is going on, there comes screaming from upstairs. That blood curdling scream that you just KNOW something is wrong. Just as quick as it started you hear even more screaming coming from Dahrran. He comes down holding a screaming Kaitlynn who is holding her hand.

Instantly I KNEW something wasn't right as it was black and purple instantly. There wasn't much blood, but something in my gut told me we needed to take her in. Within 5 minutes we were in the car and headed to the ER. It wasn't until the drive in that I got the full story of what happened.

Apparently Dahrran was trying to use the restroom when the girls kept opening the door. He had asked nicely and finally just slammed the door when he had had enough. Kaitlynn's hand just happened to be in the way when he slammed it.

The pictures don't even really do it justice. It doesn't look nearly as yucky as it really was. She was lucky enough that there was enough skin in the middle that it didn't require stitches. The doctor made us promise to keep it covered in Neosporin to help with healing. She also decided to do an X-Ray just to be sure.

She was such a good patient and did end up with a break. So it's been finger casts and band-aids for the last 3 weeks. Hopefully we will find out good news this afternoon and we can kick the finger cast to the curb!!

What a year it's been.

Sometimes time just flies, and you don't really realize it. Other times it seems to stand still. Sadly our poor little blog has been one of those things that has stood still. Life has moved on, and so many things have changed over the last year.

Home. Running. Raising Children. Cleaning up Messes. Running children to activities.

That's the short list.

The long list? Well, life was busy and I just didn't feel like I could keep up one more thing anymore. The silliest thing though, the transition from 3 kids to 4 kids has been by far the easiest I've ever had. I think it's been more of a, well I'm so busy running, and caring for 4 kids that sometimes I forget. Then it turned into Joel switching jobs and becoming a farmers wife.

When I last blogged, Addysen was shy of 6 months. She is now 18months, and is quite the little charmer. It's been such an amazing blessing to see her grow up into this little person. Dahrran is now 10 and has grown into quite the man already. He does so many little things on a daily basis that remind me of his father!! MacKenzie is growing up too quickly it seems. There is talk of boyfriends and best friends, and all things girls love. Kaitlynn is now 6 and a kindergartener. She is blossoming more each day with all her new friends and going to school daily.

We also have some fun and exciting things coming in the next 3 weeks. Baby number 5 will be joining our family SOON! Real soon. We are on the final stretch and the count down is on. Come Thanksgiving we will be a family of 7!! Baby 5 was a total shock and is already such a blessing.

Joel has become a hired farm hand, which means long days and nights sometimes where I feel like a single parent. Though we totally love it because he is just minutes from home at any given time, and can usually come if I need something desperately. I am now a full time stay at home mom. I'm not carrying any part time jobs except a little sewing I do on the side to help keep my sanity, and keep my interests still intact.

There are so many reasons to start this little blog back up, and I can't wait to get back in the rhythm of blogging again and sharing our lives with you. I hope you enjoy your time here. Watch for changes to come in the next few weeks!!! :) For now, <3 Me!