Lily got stuck upside-down. I had to take a picture before helping her down.


Ruby loves being outside.

We've been enjoying some nice weather for January lately during the daytime. Nighttime is quite cold, though. Our family is trying to conserve energy (selfishly to save money) by consolidating our unused space of the house. The back half of the house is drastically colder so we're just not using it for now. We closed off the vents to the homeschool room, back bathroom, and the two bedrooms in the back, and we put up some heavy quilts in the doorway leading to these rooms. Where does everyone sleep? There are still two bedrooms that have heat: the master bedroom and the baby's room. Paul and I sleep in our room and all the kids sleep in the baby's room. we moved the girls' bunkbed into the baby's room and three of the kids sleep in that, and Ruby still in her crib. Adam prefers being cold so he will sleep in his own cold room by his own choice. The kids can still play in their bedrooms. If they are cold, they can put on a jacket. They would rather be outside than play in their rooms any day. So, we'll find out when the electric bill comes if it has made any difference. Even if it doesn't reduce our bill, we will know that our family could live happily ever after in an itty bitty house if we needed to. Personally, I think the kids like being all together. We have a pioneer spirit. Bring on the one room cabin and put ten kids in the loft!

Very Important

As a family with five children, most of you can imagine that buying second-hand clothing is very important to our household. Our right to continue to do so is being taken away. A law making it illegal to buy or sell used children's clothing is due to take effect February 10. That's just a few weeks away!

Please take a moment to contact those in Congress who can stop this craziness. http://www.rallycongress.com/make-second-hand-kids-clothes-legal-/1471/save-kid-s-clothing-resale-consignment-thrift-stores-from-closing/

This link will explain everything and help all of you to send an automatic email to your Congressperson.

Worship Leader

Sorry it's sideways.

Nolan got ahold of my camera.

Ruby fell asleep while playing in her crib.

Christmas Pictures

Ruby is very passionate about cinnamon rolls.


Nolan had a good time, but only wanted one turn.












We took a nice long walk in the woods.

Christmas Pictures

Nolan played with his Bat Mobile all day.


Lily really likes playing Pixos.



Emily bought a Paper Recycling Factory with her money from Great Grandma and Papa Lewie




Ruby ia so excited about her first laptop!
Now maybe she'll leave mommy's laptop alone.

Ruby modeling the sweater pants that I made for her.

I took apart one of Emily's old sweaters, sewed the arms together for the legs, and sewed the turtleneck to the top to make a yoga-style waistband.

Soft, comfy and warm.

Emotionally Overwhelmed.....in a good way

I don't know if it's the sleep deprivation or what, but Christmas is really getting to my heart this year. I've never gotten into the "holiday spirit" too much, whether it be materialistic giving or reflection of Christ's birth any more or less than I do on the other 364 days of the year. Furthermore, I generally don't cry very much.

Suddenly I find myself overwhelmed with emotion with every song singing of our sweet Savior's birth. Tears flow with my heart bursting in my chest if I even think about what rejoicing in Heaven was going on that night when Emanuel was born. I watch my son playing with the dog and imagine to myself God's Son laughing like that when he was three.

I was just reading the newsletter from our homeschool group, and at the bottom was Luke 2:11

"For there is born to you this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Needless to say, I lost it. So I wanted to share this emotional overload with all of you who read this. For I know that you are the ones who love me; my dear friends, my family, the ones who have known my hardened heart and have prayed for my babies. I love all of you and I am so thankful for each and every one of you. Our bond of love and sisterhood is through our Christ Jesus who came to us on Earth and is preparing a place for us in Heaven with Him.

Merry Christmas

Family Update

I've been in a sleepless daze the last 4 months, hence the very few posts recently. Ruby has been teething since September, so she's only slept through the night once since then. There's two teeth coming through at the same time. I've tried just letting her cry it out, but that wakes up the other kids and then it's even harder to get some rest. I'm also wanting her to be quiet so that Paul doesn't wake up. He's been working 18 hour days lately, plus weekends, so I've been trying to help him out as much as possible. Sometimes during the day I just sit there and watch the kids play. I love to just watch them play together and listen to them pretend. I also don't have pictures to post because I can't remember to buy batteries for my camera.

I took Nolan to the doctor today for his 3 year check-up. He weighed in at 27.5 lbs. and 39 inches tall. That puts him statistically in the 10% for his weight and 90% for height. Tall and skinny! That's how all my kids are, but Nolan even more so.