Making Every Day Our Masterpiece

STAYcation

2011-11-02T21:20:00.001-07:00

This year we had crazy plans of renting a huge motorhome and heading south for a 10 day vacation, visit relatives and friends along the way... The whole idea was that we could see people without 'imposing' on them by bringing our own beds with us which would also keep our junk to ourselves... you get the idea!

As time approached and teeth bills (cleanings, cavities, extractions, crowns) piled up we decided on a STAYcation!!!

WHAT TO DO?

We were given some 'free' wood that would make the perfect LITTLE fort for the kids to play in! So Nate worked up the plans based on the lengths of the boards and the sizes of the beams and came up with a workable plan!

~Red Dragon Fly~

So we started off with the first day being filled with lots of extra children. Some friends of our were moving so we borrowed 5 of their children plus one more friend for the day on Saturday.

(if you look closely you'll see 13 kids plus me and Nate in our 11 passenger vehicle)

Then we took (just our seven) to the 3.00 theater to see Cars2 and watch it on the screen 'That was bigger than mom's car'!! It was fun to watch them watch the movie and eat a huge bucket of popcorn! The two little guys fell asleep and we felt like pretty lucky parents each holding one (they never/rarely fall asleep in our arms/laps)!! That was worth it all right there!

Todd and Nate measuring for the foundation

The place where we wanted to put the fort was on quite a slope. So Nate thought that instead of digging down for the foundation that we'd just set the concrete platforms in place, put the posts on them and brace them up and then have a CAT come push the dirt around the posts keeping them upright!

This served three things: 1. it got the dirt all leveled out where we will one day build a 'little' shop. 2. that dirt was pushed around to the back of the house creating a more level place for our backyard, making things a little more user friendly and holding up the posts... 3. It saved hours of digging down and placing the foundation for the 'little' fort!

~DIRT DIRT DIRT~

(above= the girls made a slide out of the little dirt hill and kept themselves busy for several hours)

We had family in the hospital (Not immediate family) and so we got to have their two boys with us for a couple of days! They always fit in to well and didn't feel bad at all running around town with 9 kids under the age of 10! And, of course, we had to make a little stop at Kristpy Kreme's for donuts!

Halley spent and spends HOURS out on that swing. She sings and tells stories and makes up games for the kids! She spends a lot of the time pushing the other kids and teaching Vance how to hold on. His legs aren't quite long enough to latch around but he's getting close!

After that we needed to go and retrieve all of these free boards and wood to start the floor and walls! It has taken two trips and we'll need at least one more to finish it off. If the material is there then why not use it for EVERYTHING possible!!

So, needless to say, it's NEVER going anywhere and could possibly be our bomb shelter in case of a storm... It's sturdy AND WONDERFUL!!!

Each board has a foot long nail into it in several places! It's been a slow process but I'll have to say, that the whole point of building it wasn't just solely to get the kids a fort to play in, it was mainly a project for ALL of us to work on together and take part in building WITH DAD!!!

There is still lots to be done on it but it's looking really fun! Uncle Ti spent hours out there helping cut and put up boards and beams, it goes a lot faster with two sets of muscles!

And of course, SPUT (Sweety Pie Uncle Titus, named by Trae himself) for all the kids to hang on and snuggle with! We can always use extra laps around here!

We did all sorts of fun balancing tricks. This is the fun stage Trae is at right now!

The boys have so creatively taken all the 'extra' boards and made their own fort nearby, it's actually pretty impressive for a first build!

A little bit of Family!

2011-10-26T16:38:00.001-07:00

It worked out to snag a few photos of my sister and her family! Her eldest daughter did her own hair and her face (the funny face) makes her look exactly like Carrie (my sister) did when she was that age, cute and hilarious at the same time!

Rope Swing

2011-10-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I went through the property with a piece of paper and laid out all of the things I'd like to do to it over the next 30 years! You know, the GRAND PLAN!!! Most of which might never happen, but it's fun to have a plan regardless and dream some!!

There were a few things on there that we have been 'waiting' to do because we weren't sure where or how or even if we should do them!

A rope swing was one of those things that we could do with the materials that we had, it would just take a little work.

Nate's Dad had some rope that we cut a chunk off of.

Nate M. had some wood that he cut round and then cut a hole in it with the scroll saw.

Nate (Dad) had some paint that would blend in with the leaves and tree bark and such.

We also had a tree out back that needed a bit of trimming but was PERFECT for a rope swing.

So, one Sunday afternoon we all went out and put it up (actually we all watched Dad do the work but we felt apart anyways:)

Then, of course, we had to try it out and make sure it worked for everyone!!

Summer with Vance

2011-10-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

~Vance's first mobile summer~

~Scrunchy Face~
~Rope Swing~
~With his accountability partners~
~His 'whaaa' face~
~Teeth to grow into~
~Friend time at the river~

My good friend has seven children as well 6 boys and a girl that is a few months younger than Vance
~One of Todd's many crawdad catches, Vance would always be over there dumping their buckets and letting them go~
~Watermelon front~

A true sign of summer at our house
~This was a daily (sometimes twice daily) view in my bathroom... tops of little heads and lots of water~

New Family!

2011-10-26T15:31:00.001-07:00

Back in July-August sometime I went to a baby shower for a friend of my sisters who has become my friend as well (kind-of fun that way, my sister was ALWAYS good at making the friends and I got to enjoy them too:)... Anyways, we did a belly shoot beforehand in 100+ degree weather.

She was all set up with props and lots of fun ideas!
She had real alive flowers that were their birth 'stone' colors...in flowers...super fun and really pretty!

One week old sweetness~

She's really a good mom and he's a very well loved boy!

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!

2011-10-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

Last night Nate visited with our daughter Andi for a while, giving her lots of time to ask and hear answers to her questions! The MAIN desire was to have Jesus be her boss, Lord of her life, help her to do what is right, and honestly she really wanted to go to heaven when she dies to see Grandma and be with the older children (who have a 'new nature' already).

When do you know if someone truly understands what it means to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved"?

Her simple and profound little prayer was very well thought through and from the heart, genuine and REAL!!!

"Dear Lord, I need you in my heart. I can't do it by myself, I've been doing bad stuff. I ask you to be in my heart and be my boss, and I'll obey you all my days! AMEN~!!!

Now this little SIX year old has a 'new nature' that will struggle all her days to put out the 'old nature'.

It's been a prayer of mine from before she was born. That she would one day have such a strong desire to know God personally and realize that she can't do it without Him... to make God her 'boss' and to follow Him "all her days"!!!

When talking with children about their attitudes I have found it so much more effective when able to appeal to their spirit!

Thank you Jesus

More Randomness

2011-10-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

Grandpa took Nate M. out fishing one early morning and they came home with these little guys.

I had to call someone and ask what to do with them.

I tried following directions to make the kids 'lunch' from their 'fresh fish'!

We (of course) cooked them OUTSIDE (as I detest the smell of fish) on the grill in a pan used for camping!
And this is what's left!!! They LOVED every bite, I was shocked (NO I DIDN'T TRY ANY)!

We now have two persons in the house who can handle the grill, both Nate's! He did an excellent job really!

My little gymnast climbing all over the playground!
This was supposed to be a photo of Nate M. fishing but the kids kept getting in the front!

Todd is forever building towers of all sorts, the one below was built around Darbi, she was perfectly still. I think we have a builder who will one day construct something amazing!

The face of a little man about to take his first drive on his go cart!!! Just a little excited I think!

We took all of the coke bottles that Andi had for her birthday and filled them with different amounts of water. I think the below song was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!

I had the privilege of second shooting a wedding with a pro photographer this past summer! One of the bridesmaids stayed at our home and gave the girls the bright pink pumps she wore with her navy dress... Needless to say, the girls were ECSTATIC and immediately dressed up and clomped through the house for HOURS!

The 'TOY'

2011-10-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

...Continued from previous post!

Okay, so the real reason that I didn't post and tell you about the boys new 'toy' is because I didn't have a photo of it yet!

THE GO CART!!!!! The cutest, zippiest little thing!!!
Nate has saved since he was five and Todd for the last year or so and TOGETHER they purchased this Go Cart off of Craigslist!! They can start it on their own already (which saves my arm and back)!

Even Dad rides it and zips around. EVERYONE has a blast riding it (yes, even me:)!!

Summer Randomness!!

2011-10-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos to fill in the last couple of months:

We have made MANY fires throughout the 'getting darker earlier' days/evenings! It's not uncommon to see Nate M. reading to the little kids but this day was different. He wanted to read through the book of Job! The boys drove trucks 'quietly' next to him while listening intently.

Why, you ask, would I even take a photo like this?

Because, I'd say:

It does a mommies heart good to see her children thirsting for the word of God and choosing that over all the books in the house!

It does a mommies heart good to see my older children teaching the younger and taking responsibility for them!

Our Darbi learned to ride a bike and Great Grandma Copper's farm. She pretty much peddled around and taught herself! I think I didn't realize how determined she is because of her being so quiet about it. I MUST pay better attention:).

ALWAYS rides with jewelry, fancy shoes, hair done somehow and nail polish on:
We were driving around one day looking for garage sales when the kids spotted this jeep for 10.00. I happen to have had the trailer with us (cough, cough:) so threw it in with the hopes that we could make it work. I found for 8.00 online a charger for the battery it came with and it works beautifully. Best money spent that week for sure!
And now for the SUPER EXCITING news of the fall...

The boys have been saving (especially Nate) for a new 'toy'...

A specific 'toy'...

An Expensive 'toy'...

One that you have to be old enough to really take care of...

A 'toy' that you need to mow part of the field for...
Well, Halley just danced while the boys mowed!!! I LOVE her spirit lately and how God has changed her into such a gracious young lady! She's an amazing help to me and the world's BEST accountability partner!
Trae gets Nate laughing so hard he can't get the lawn mower started:
Oh, and before the big 'toy' news... Praying Mantices (however you spell that) They have literally caught over 100 this last month. They keep them in containers and scare me, then laugh and run get more!!

...to be continued...

Andi's Poodle Party

2011-10-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

Andi Kristyne is now 6 years old!!!

For the past 5 months (since our last child's birthday) she has been talking about what she would like to do for her birthday. What stuck as of two weeks before 'the day' was the idea of having a 50's party with poodle skirts and cupcakes and glass coke bottles and most importantly PINK!!! when asked by anyone if there was something she would like for her birthday the answer was always "pink" and a cute little grin!

Sooo.... We went to the fabric store and got some felt and a few poodles and some accessories to make them 'fun'. We found some polo shirts at Old Navy...invited some special friends over...THEN...
WE DANCED!!!!!!!!
Glass coke bottles.

Metal lunch boxes with sandwiches, potato chips, and chocolate.
Lots of laughs...

A little posing...

Cupcakes with Candles, six of them!!

They decorated cupcakes until we ran out of icing! I think some of them had more icing on them than cupcake, which I am sure tasted WONDERFUL to the taste buds of a six year old!
In between raindrops we went outside for some fresh air. Andi originally wanted to have a party in the field...but, well yeah, it didn't work out!
Thank you EVERYONE for helping us spoil our little Andi for her birthday and making it a special day for her!

The girls and I had fun putting all the skirts together and getting all of the measurements from Andi's friends and figuring out what poodle goes on what color of skirt... IT was a blast!!

Orphan Week Finale

2011-08-12T21:04:00.001-07:00

So, because of having guests this weekend we ended Orphan Week a little early! We didn't let the kids know until the last minute that it was our plan all along...

Below you see Trae drinking a bowl of milk. The orphans don't have cups so the kids used their bowls to drink the water. They were required to wash and dry their bowl beforehand.

Each day the orphans get something with their rice so today the kids got two meatballs and a little corn for one meal. The night before they got a class/bowl of milk after their meal!
They spent a lot of time 'detailing' our vehicle! Every child had a specific job at the direction of our eldest orphan (Nate M.)

After four days of:

Eating nothing but rice and once a day a piece of broccoli or meatball or a little milk...

Sleeping on the boards of their beds with no pillow and a little blanket that they learned to use VERY creatively...

Not wearing shoes, even when needing to take their pollywogs to the creek through the pricklies...

Only playing with what they could find off of the land. i.e. sticks, rocks, old bike tire, plastic bag and some string and the occasional coloring book...

Sharing one bike and a scooter...

No Trampoline...

Not even a little kiddie swimming pool...

Two changes of clothes and washing the dirty ones outside by hand...

Using one dish the whole time and washing it after eating so they could have a drink of water...

Sitting only on the hard floors and/or concrete because Orphans probably don't have plush couches and folding chairs or even much grass sometimes...

...we sat them all down in the livingroom (on the floor) and asked them what they thought we were trying to teach them, or what it is that they learned through all of this 'change'!

There was a very WIDE variety of opinions and thoughts that we listened to very carefully. However NONE of which was the POINT of these last few days. There were things like, we need to love God more...and...We have to do what is right so we don't have orphan week again...

Nate explained to them AGAIN what the whole reason was that we were helping them through this: "It is to show you several things. ONE, that there are so many children/people in the world who live perfectly happy lives without 'stuff', without toys, without variety in their food.

TWO, is to learn hands on to be grateful for what we have, ALL of what we have. Not only physically but spiritually and our heritage as well. I realize that this can't be taught in a few days, but it's a start. God has given us a godly heritage, one that loves us and supports us...

...

We told them we were going to end Orphan Week with a little barBque and be able to jump on the trampolines and play in the kiddie pools...

Just as we said the kiddie pool (because I think there was an expectation of things bigger, not sure) there was a little gumbling from two of the kids. Nate and I stood up and said, "Okay, that is what we are talking about, you are NOT grateful for even things that you think are small, Orphans don't even EVER get a kiddie pool, THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT for them. So, Orphan Week is BACK ON... We gave them chores and sent them sobbing to do their work.

We don't care if it takes moving, giving all the toys away, eating rice for a year or more and only having one change of clothes... honestly it is right now more important to us that our kids grasp (even a little) the concept of GRATEFULNESS! We don't know the best way to do that but we are trying something out here.

...

We sent them to their room after some time to 'chat' among each other and come up with a plan or something that would help them. Something that would give us a hint that they were ready and understand...

It was probably a half hour or so that they were discussing what they could do. We listened by the door and it was interesting to see the different ways each child approached the subject.

One was TRULY hurt and sorry but didn't know how to 'fix' the way they were thinking.

One was trying to figure out how he could get around the system and get the things that they wanted.

One waited until all the ideas were talked through and then politely said, "YOU GUYS DON"T GET IT, we don't NEED ANYTHING to be happy and live. ALL WE REALLY NEED IS BREAD, WATER, AND GOD."

They came bursting out with a totally different look on their faces saying that they truly don't need anything and that they are happy with more Orphan Week and what can they do to help us out!

THEY GOT IT!!!! We were thrilled!!!!

....

Knowing that they understood the concept even slightly we celebrated, Nate and I, with a hug and a small cry, awed and excited that the Lord showed them a piece of what it means to be grateful....

KIDDIE POOL was never as much fun as that night!!!!!

TRAMPOLINES were treated like a treat!!!!!!

Fresh watermelon was eaten WITHOUT the usual, "I can't eat this because of all those seeds."
SUN TEA!!!
And these Hot Dogs never tasted so good!!
REAL plastic plates that were brought to the sink without me even asking!
A fun fire to create a very cheery atmosphere!
Thank you Jesus for EVERYTHING!!!!!! For we have the most precious of all gifts and that is SALVATION, your Son...A relationship with the Creator of the Universe!

We are Humbled.

Orphan Week Continued

2011-08-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

...and we have our sacrifice to the Vacuum god... We were explaining to the kids of the idols in India that people there worship. The children thought this looked like an idol worshipper! lol

Poor little orphans still have to vacuum the house:

The pollywog collection was in need of relocation. So, it went from the bowl in the house to the wheel borrow and now they are in the creek:

A snapshot of the Orphans in this house:
"Mom, do orphans in India have shoes?" "Nope, not the ones your age." "Then how are we going to get to the creek to let the pollywogs go?"

They made it down the road and down the hill to the creek just fine, actually surprised themselves that it was possible to do it without shoes!

WASH DAY:

"Mom, I need new pants, these are gross."

"Well, you can wear the pants you wore yesterday."

"But, those are gross too."

"Then you will have to wash them."

"But how..."

Since Orphans don't have trampolines we can't let them go to waste. They serve us well as a clothes dryer.

Sleeping accommodations:

Orphans in India get concrete, a grass mat, and a small little something to cover themselves up.

The little orphans in this house get the board of their bed, a fleece blanket, and a little something so they don't get slivers (they won't get slivers but...), and NO PILLOW!!
We stacked their mattresses up for the end of the week.
I guess they have a few coloring books in India so we had a couple and used the colored pages for making paper airplanes.
And again, we use our hands to eat our RICE and this afternoon we got a sprig or two of broccoli!

Orphan Week

2011-08-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

After many years of telling the children, "be grateful that you even have food to eat." "Don't complain that you are too hot, at least you have a bed to sleep in." "Would you rather be an orphan and live on the street where you have no one, no brothers or sisters..." I decided to give the kids a practical example/personal lesson on gratefulness and what it's like (somewhat) to be an orphan!

This week we are on orphan rations, sleep like orphans, wear orphan clothes and wash them by hand. We do orphan jobs and play with orphan toys!

This cute little orphan doesn't seem to care about much as long as he gets something in his mouth every once in a while~

I gave the kids ONE bike and a scooter to share. One of the orphan masters is seen here helping get the bike up and running once again! A bike goes through a LOT when you have several children fighting, I mean playing over it!
After walking around all day with "Nothing-to-do" the kids asked Dad to play sharks and minnows with them. They really had a good time and 'enjoyed' each other!
Orphans don't use utensils (at least not at the orphanage that our relatives visited and we got our information from)... and they eat outside on the concrete or dirt. They typically don't have such a nice camping chair to sit in but we made a little exception for this cute little Orphan!
Orphans play with plastic bags and tie rocks to them. We threw them up in the air and had them land like a parachute... This parachute got stuck in a gutter on the way down!

Each 'orphan' is required to wash his/her own dish for three reasons:

1. So the 'orphan master' (me) doesn't have to do it.

2. So that you have something to drink out of when you are done eating!!! YEP, you heard me, Orphans don't use cups, they drink out of their special dish!

3. So they aren't eating off of dried old food for their next meal!
At the end of their first day of eating rice THREE times a day with a little sauce on it they got a treat of a little chicken with dinner!!!! Yep, several bites of chicken was a TREAT.
More later as we show you how orphans sleep and how they wash their clothes and a few more creative games they play..................

Independence!!!!

2011-07-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

July 4th came with much MUCH excitement around here. Last year we did not get to do any fireworks or real celebration of any kind, so we were planning and scheming all year!

Trae spent most of the night behind the glass doors, peeking out, not wanting to get 'hit' by the fireworks. The last half hour or so, he finally came out from hiding and tried a sparkler and enjoyed a few last loud ones!

Our neighbors invited us all over for a bar-b-que and play time... we had such a relaxing time, no pressure, good conversation, the kids had kids their own ages... We'd like it to become a tradition I think.
She made home made strawberry shortcake, it was delicious, I was impressed:

Sidnie and her little Prince!

2011-05-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

The lighting was perfect on Friday evening for making great portraits! It was a beautiful drive to their place and they had a wonderfully landscaped yard... was just perfect!

This nine year old girl LOVES her baby brother and cares for him...
She's outgoing, willing to try things. And gracious...

Sick!

2011-05-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

We've had a little bit of a bug that has gone through the family this past week and a half. Poor little guys have been on the couch ALL day, every day!

This little guy made a great attempt to go somewhere different in the house and this is where he landed for over 2 hours one day. Was happy just to sit and not be throwing up!

Water, bugs, and Jesus

2011-05-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

We tend to have most of our conversations at meal times. We'll read our history, talk about God and what He would like from us that day, and often times make a plan for the day (because I usually shoot from the hip).

This morning was on what things were made of.

Man: was made of dirt

Woman: was made of ribs

Etc...

Nate was telling the kids all of these things and then add at the end...

And AIR is something that we breath to stay alive, it has WATER, BUGS, and JESUS!!!

2011-05-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

The boyZ:

Us girlZ:
Our little Vance who is one year old now!
Every time we would ask him to open his eyes his mouth seemed to be connected and we couldn't get the two separated?
The Art of Window Shopping:
I'd like one of these bikes for my house. It's stuck to the ground yet keeps the kids occupied:
They all much prefer to wear their hats backwards:
We are more in love today than we were yesterday and can say that we feel like newly weds (with experience;). It's super fun to live every day with your best friend and have it mutual!
~A special thanks to Aunt Kaytra for most of these photos~

Baby Girl!!!

2011-04-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

My friend has 6 boys in a row (I know I've posted about this before somewhere) and then this little girl came along. what a sweety she is. She came over to order a few photos for her wall and we couldn't find any recent ones of her so we took a couple of minutes and shot a few.

Bailey Renae

2011-04-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Carrie used this first photo as some of her thank-you cards. Super cute idea!!

I got to go see Bailey when she was a few hours old. She was awake almost he entire time so we had to wait a few hours to get some 'sleepy' photos. Isn't she precious!
They are doing very well with her. She's sleeping and eating well, and growing nicely! And from what I hear she's a pretty content little girly.

Nine Years Old

2011-04-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Nate:

Our eldest!

Responsible!

Hardworking!

Diligent!

The other day we went out to practice for his 'senior' photos. He said I could practice on him for other kids/boys/men... He then reminded me that he'll be a senior in 8 years, which is less than his life lived so far.

He just came in from the pull-up bar and said he did 35 pull-ups. "I'm working on my third crease". (It's what he kids call definition in their arms and muscles)

He then reminded me that he'll be getting his drivers permit in less than 6 years.

He's saving for a Bugatti Veyron (fastest car in the world. Cost=3-4 million) He's got SOME taste, good heavens!

Boys and diapers

2011-04-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

Just a nice 'quiet' morning with two little boys in diapers, listening to some piano music, working on our finer motor skills...
However, I just decided this morning that I was tired of two in diapers so I put Trae in underwear and told him that I was going to sit him on the toilet every hour and if his underwear were dry then he gets a little 'fruity'. Halley got a basket for me stocked with two changes of clothes, two towels, and a bag of wipes. Were are hoping to make this transition as smooth as possible. He already knows how to 'poop' in the toilet (which I always do first) so here's to hopin' that we can get them both together!!

Todd

2011-03-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

I picture says a thousand words~ And for me there is so much life in this photo because I know this little man and enjoy his tender spirit and LIFE!!!

Of Babies and Such!!

2011-03-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I am proud to announce.............a new baby coming this March...........

I got to stand on the uphill side so I look so nice and tall in this photo (sorry Care:)

Nope, not me! My sister is having another little girl and I got to go to her baby shower and meet all of her friends and spoil her for a few hours. Anytime now little Bailey Rae. I would LOVE to meet you and hold you before Nate leaves for a week!!!

Great Grandma's House!!

2011-03-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

The kids absolutely LOVE going to Great Grandma's house on THE FARM!!

There is SOOOOOO much to see and 'touch'!
Grandma is exceptional at taking time to explain things to the kids and teach them the proper ways to handle certain antiques... the proper etiquette... We really do enjoy our time there!

Andi found a pink hat and a pink piggy suit and a pink umbrella in the Pink Room (kindof sounds like the game clue...)
Todd and Trae went outside to play and explore and came back totally drenched.

"Um.... what happened boys?" Todd, "Well..... we were standing on this red thing and I fell through the lid and into the water, but don't worry, I yelled to Trae to go away because he would drown and he obeyed me. He needs a treat!!" Thank you Lord for your everyday protection.

Longing for snow!

2011-03-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

We have Nate M. on the camera for this one of Vance. He really enjoys taking photos and gets super creative with some of his shots.

Can you tell we are a little intense. Even his eyelids and ears are getting into it:
The girls play inside with poly pockets while dressed up as ballerinas:
Halley with the ultimate longing to be outside in the snow. She was so cheerful and got all her school done by 9:30 and enjoyed the rest of the day OUT!
The boys played outside in the snow that they have been WAITING for. It was just enough to make a great snow fort but not too much that we couldn't get to town to run some errands.

Trae has this thing when he sees the camera he smiles and closes his eyes! Those two were the first to get their school done and got to go outside and make the first snow prints.

Feast or Famine!

2011-03-02T09:38:00.001-08:00

We had a great visit with Grandpa and Grandma Seppa AGAIN! They stopped by on their way to warmer weather. They gave kids a ride in their trailer slides and joined us for a soccer game that Nate and I have enjoyed playing together with his brother and sister.
What do we do in the evenings when it's dark, cold, rainy and DAD IS HOME???

Have towel snapping wars!!! It's a loud, good, and painful time. The kids have little red marks on their bodies and still come back for more, laughing and trying to snap Dad!!
Even Trae gets into it:
Then we play duck, duck, goose (or any form thereof) until it's time for hot cider and reading before bed.

I know, I know. I either blog several in a day or let a month or two go by without a word. I wish I could say that I'll be more consistent, you'd be wise to believe it when you actually see it.

Beach continued...

2011-03-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

"Want to go feel the water with the rest of the kids?"

Darbi, "Noouuuu"!

Poor Nate, he bought this kite several months ago because we live in a bit of a windy spot. Our field is perfect for flying kites and the neighbors don't mind if we wander onto their property too.

There hasn't been even the slightest breeze for months. He goes out into the field and runs as fast as he can, trying to get as much height out of that kite as possible...nothing!!

So, I mentioned to him that it is ALWAYS windy at the beach (at least in the Northwest) and that he should think about bringing his kite.

We get to their and guess what...NO WIND. Not even a breeze. It was the most beautiful January day on the beach. Didn't even need to wear coats and no hats or gloves.

Poor Nate though, he spent the two hours before sundown running on the sand and getting Todd to hold his kite up for him. NOTHING was going to keep him from getting that kite in the sky.

The next morning I let him go down and spend an hour flying his kite because there was the usual WIND. He had a ball out there. I really wanted to leave him there longer but we were too excited to go to THE DAIRY!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Seppa spoiled us with a great lunch and a trip to the farm. The kids rode in the back of Grandpa's cool truck, we go to see a less than 12 hour old calf, we played on a HUGE pile of hay bales, got our boots stuck in the mud... It was a blast!!

We then drove to our cousins and spent the evening their playing, and talking, and drinking coffee, and eating,... We ALWAYS have a grand time with the Marbles. Megan is a dear friend to me and our kids interact well with each other.

We got home around 11pm that night and Nate made it home from his trip around midnight!

Up To TWO!!

2011-03-01T20:23:00.001-08:00

*** When Nate was gone on one of his business trips this past January the kids and I decided to take a two day trip to the beach and play in the water, swim in the pools, visit some friends and relatives...

All of these photos are before the 'sneaker' wave. For how quiet the ocean seems at times it is really heard to hear/talk! I seems like the voices get lost...

Trae, Andi, Halley and Todd were all playing out in the waves, chasing and being chased. The water was now over their boots. I was holding the baby and my camera and making sure that Darbi was staying close by. I called to Nate on the walkie to come give me a hand with the kids. While he was running I saw that the waves were holding back and the kids (this being their first time playing in the waves) were following them out farther. They couldn't hear me yelling and I could see the waves getting ready to dump on them. I handed the baby off and took off running into the water.

By this time the wave had covered them. All that was visible were four little bumps of clothes and hair tumbling towards me.

Needless to say we are all still alive and much wiser children in regards to waves and how they work.

Below is a good expression of what it was like at the house when I told the children of our plans to go:
....

on a bit of a side note, we have found a really fun treat place that we seem to drive by often. Yo Cream. It's measured by weight so I can get my little bit of fruit and someone else can get their endless toppings and many different varieties of 'ice cream' and we all enjoy!!
Up Next 'Beach and friends part TWO'...

Up To??

2011-03-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

What HAAVVEE we been up too since Christmas and the start of this new year? Well, let us show you in a wave of photos. I may end up doing this in a few posts!

First, we open the first morning of the year with COLORING:

Next we have home made hot chocolate with marshmallows. The boys made a fire outside and us girls made some drinks and we all sat inside actually because it was still too cold even with a fire to stay out there too long.

We have play time at the park. Vance LOVES his daddy!
A little story goes with this photo. We haven't really ever done any fireworks for the New Year, but this year is special. I can't remember if we ever wrote on here our July 4th experience but in short we talked the kids into waiting until the day after the 4th to get their fireworks because we could get more for the $$. Well, we loaded up and went to town on the 5th of July and couldn't find anything that was open. They had just passed a new law... Anyways, Nate and I felt like the WORST parents in the world. So when Christmas came around we felt as if we could redeem ourselves a little with some fun fireworks for the New Year. We had plans to do them with Grandpa and Grandma Carne but honestly...we forgot that night... so we did them the next day.
The kids had soooo much fun with the sparklers. They would start them from the wrong end and watch them burn their way out. they'd start a hand full at a time. They'd have races to see who's would last the longest...

Coming up next is our trip to the beach and the 'sneaker' wave!

4 kids

2011-03-01T07:38:00.001-08:00

Halley is my oldest daughter and a huge help to me. She took a day trip with Grandma and there was a hole where she usually is. She's every talking about the Lord with a desire to become more like Him. Her spirit is tender and ever learning. She's my decorator and super creative, putting all sorts of different objects together. Second grade has been fun for her and she's looking foreword next year.

Andi is our most feminine little lady but can do several pull-ups and push-ups. She loves playing poly-pockets and dress-up with the girls! She's been a great help this year with Vance (as she was the one 'in charge' of him when he was super small). He's probably only 10 lbs lighter than her but she carries him around, gets me his clothes, helps feed him, sits by him in the car...
And then we have our Vance! If we had someone to liken this child too it would be Dopey, from Snow White and the Seven 'Little People', (to be politically correct). He gets attacked and knocked over quite often but just gets up and moves on! He's cheerful most of the time and has some great lookin' chompers that he'll grow into soon.
Trae, well what can I say. He's a pretty intense kid in the snow! His verbal skill are pretty amazing and her understands more than I give him credit for. One of his favorite things to do right now is play trucks EVERYWHERE and ANYWHERE, and 'fight' (i.e. karate stance and the correct noise and leg lift). He is an absolute kick to have around and is ALL IN when doing anything!
I was sooooo trying to get a nicer photo of all the kids together looking sweetly... you know how that is? Anyways, this was what we got! I turned around to get something and looked back to this, then they all scattered.

2011-02-28T07:37:00.000-08:00

We actually have been doing well and I have been taking photos. Just this last week I finally made room on my computer for them all (because my camera cards were all full) and am in processing mode now. So, I hope to get a little caught up on a few things photo-wise so as to let you in on what we have been up too.

All I can tell you know is that we are doing WELL and are so grateful to the Lord for allowing us to live together as a family in this 'free' country. He's blessed us with wonderful godly people around us who love us and invest in our lives.

Stay tuned for photos!

New Years Letter

2010-12-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

I had a great many ideas of what I wanted to get done this Christmas season. One of which was to get a Christmas photo taken and sent out to EVERYONE so that they can take the photo that we sent them the year after we were married and replace it with one that has 7 more people in it, our little people, the reason that we are loving getting up in the morning, the reason for the post, and the reason that I've been studying a bunch before I speak. Trying to make sure that what I say to them is ACCURATE and not just something that I've heard someone else say...

We've had a WONDERFUL year and it went as follows (in short):

Added Vance to our family in April

Celebrated and hosted my Grandparents 60th wedding anniversary

Went to a Civil War game with my Dad

Many Birthdays

Made it a whole year in our new home and we are loving it

Finished and started another year of homeschooling 4 (averaging) little ones

added a regular date night (which was probably the best thing we could have done for our relationship)

Added a regular Kids Day to our routine (which consists of Nate getting off early from work, 2pm or so, and we do whatever the kids came up with that morning to do as a family. Whether it be ride the MAX train in to Portland and have 'roach coach' for dinner, or go bowling, or like tonight it's going to Costco and getting hot dogs and fireworks. Then coming home to roast marshmallows in the fire outside that the kids spent all afternoon putting together (burning the completed lessons out of the school books), and then coming in for hot cocoa and part of a movie before bed... the options are endless.)

Scrapbooking

Bible studies

hosting a few friends here and there

Photography classes

block parties

Christmas parties

Picking fruit

Canning veggies (or watching my sister can veggies and trying to look busy:)

church camp

photography for weddings

A 'new' business and getting that off and running, hiring, growing, getting processes in place, working on software to make things 'easier' and faster and BETTER!! It's been a FUN and tiring year. We both agree that we like that we both enjoy what we do each day (well, most of what we do every day, there is that 5% that keeps us on our knees...okay 10% perhaps *wink*)

I know I've left soooo much out but it's just been a FULL year of so many fun and new adventures. We are EXCITED to see what God has for us this coming year. YES, we already have our New Years resolutions set in motion!!!

Love to you all

~Robyn (for the fam.)

Merry Christmas

2010-12-21T10:05:00.001-08:00

Latest and Greatest:

Poor Vance got a black eye. It was a complete accident and case of an older sister being very helpful. Good thing he won't remember. I still think he's cute though.

He's climbing stairs and crawling EVERYWHERE!! Poor little guy doesn't have reverse yet though so I'll find him with his head in somethere and he's managed to get flipped over and then truly stuck.
Merry Christmas to you ALL. Come on over anytime (call first). We are having a great season this year of preparing for the ONE DAY when the whole world (well almost) stops and celebrates the birth of THE KING! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Lucky little Girl!

2010-12-11T15:57:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine has managed to birth 6 boys in a row. Supermom if you ask me.

God gave her a little girl in August. She's just beautiful. They all came over one day and we played a little: One of her picks above.

Growth

2010-12-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

Our Vance has grown... Look at those rolls.

I now have a camera and a computer in good working order and so WILL be posting more frequently now *fingers crossed*.

Fair Season

2010-08-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Nate has been taking Wednesday afternoons off for some family time. We usually ask the kids what they want to do. This week was fair week and as we drove past the fairgrounds the consensus was that we would go to the fair IF Dad said we had enough money.

Nate, Halley, Todd and Andi decided to spend all of their money at the fair so that Dad didn't have to.

We were able to treat them to a couple of rides this year but what was the most fun for us as parents was watching that money burn holes in their pockets. As we would walk around they would see something that said 1.00 and it didn't matter what it was, they wanted it because it matched what they had in hand. They would patiently wait in line and then order based on color and price and what photos were visible to them.

Nate tried his best to 'guide' them to things that were less expensive and maybe would even taste better...

...I was reminded of us as God's children and how we so often reach for those things that are 'visible' or what we see as attainable.

So often I find myself soooo grateful for those who have 'guided' me to those things that I didn't even know were there... Things that were 'better' for me (the best)...

~Robyn

PictureLESS post!!!

2010-07-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

Yep, here it is folks. A post withOUT photos. I am officially cameraLESS as it has 'died'.

BUT, this last week has been SUPER exciting with all of the family from all over coming together for a reunion here at our home. We had my Uncle Jeff and his family from Nepal. My Uncle Mike and his family from Mississippi. My Aunt Shellie and her family from Moses Lake, Washington, and then her children (who are my cousins:) from here and there. My Aunt Penny and her family from Honduras and then one of her daughters from here. My Aunt Sue and her daughters from north Washington. My sister and her two girls. My Grandparents who were celebrating their Sixtieth wedding anniversary and then we had six people who were friends of some of my relatives come and join us for a couple of afternoons.

One of my cousins took some photos and I'll get them off the card and organized at some point and post a few.

We made TieDyed shirts, ate a LOT of food and drinks, played horseshoes, ping-pong, disc golf, watched a slideshow of 'back then'... And so many other things (but I have to go to bed now:).

It was a SUPER wonderful few days and well worth all the effort that people made to come out and see each other. The Lord blessed us with great weather and kids who played WELL together and relatives who pitched in and did all of the work.

Something that we all really were here for and grateful for is...

TO BE CONTINUED...

4th of July worst parents of the year award!!!

2010-07-22T04:53:00.000-07:00

We planned, we waited, we anticipated, we saved our $$. We told the kids that the 5th of July we were going to go buy fireworks (because they were half off by then and we could get so much more for our $$. We didn't even go SEE the fireworks this year...

We spent time talking about why we celebrate this day and why it is such a big deal and why we even have fireworks...

The 5th we load up, ALL the kids had a dollar in their pockets to spend. We drive through our town and all of the firework stands were already closed. No problem, we'll just drive into the larger city and keep looking.

Nate then called me. "Umm... honey..... we have a problem. They passed a new ordinance that said you can't sell fireworks after midnight on the 4th. In face even if you DID have some left over it was illegal to shoot any off. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?"

The kids had been anticipating this for MONTHS. We had them wait this entire week and didn't even take them to a firework show...

What an AWEFUL feeling to have created such anticipation in your own little ones and then have circumstances 'out of your control' make it NOT happen.

Reactions were that a few of them cried/SOBBED. One of them came up with a

nother idea. The 'little' ones just looked at their dollar as if to say "then what do I do with this dollar now".

We asked them how we could make it up to them and it was unanimous that we should go to the dollar store. We did and guess what we found??.... FIREWORKS. Not anything amazing but they had the firework packaging and they made sounds when you pulled the strings and snapped them together. THOSE ARE FIREWORKS when you are little.

The kids were thrilled, or I should say... that made up for it a little.

We'll NEVER WAIT to celebrate the 4th of July again!!!

Our newest little man!! (Update)

2010-07-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

He was super cheery this morning which is very typical of him, I'm just usually not in the cheeriest mood to take some photos. It was cold in the room so we bundled up and took a bunch of photos (and for you ladies who took the class with me, I took 110 photos in 3 minutes and only got about 15 super good ones like this, TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS:)

Vancy Pance is what the kids like to call this little man. (I think we need a new nickname).

He's growing, sleeping, happy, and again a pretty forgiving little man. We ALL like him. Even Trae is soooooo gentle and holds him for 10 minutes at a time. He doesn't move, just sits there and pats him and talks gentle to him (baby talk) and gives him little mooches (kisses).

It Warms My Heart!

2010-06-29T21:19:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE it when I see my children working together, playing together, sticking up for each other, and just plain loving on each other. It's not a natural thing to do and just when I feel as if I've failed in helping them see HOW to practically live out this unnatural thing called kindness/love, the Lord lets me see a little glimpse. It warms my heart.

Friends

2010-06-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

We went and spent the weekend with some friends and they were gracious to sit through a FREEZING cold photo shoot. They would shed the jackets right before we 'posed', pretended not to be cold (and starving, because it was right at dinner time) and then bundled up waiting for the next....They spoiled us rotten, made all the meals, gave us our own apartment, the kids got to sleep in little cubbies and lofts, drove the kids around on the 4 wheelers... We had a great time AND got some rest, usually those two don't go together (fun and rest).

Growing Up!!

2010-06-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

Here we are at 5 weeks old already. We've made it through the 'baby puberty' as we call it. When the little guys pores are opening up, makes for a bunch of little acne. That is all smoothing out now. He's still eating good, sleeping wonderfully and the kids have all adjusted nicely and we are back to a more 'normal' schedule. Finishing up school this week. The kids will have finished all of their books and we are already ordering for next year. ( I have to stay ahead of things these days).

Now we are preparing for when it is not raining. Getting the house all organized and put together a somewhat of a system of how we do things. I haven't been up to even thinking along these lines since we moved in. Getting all the decorations out and thinking about putting up some photos to make things more homey. The windows desperately need washing (inside and out) and there is a TON of touch up paint to be done all around the house.

Man if feels nice to have motivation. Watch out kids and get ready to work hard and play hard.

A GIFT

2010-05-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

FIRST, we had some friends of ours with 4 children of their own offer to take the kids during our labor time. Little did we all know that it would be 2 days long so..

SECOND, Nate's parents took the kids for the second and third days, brought them over to see the baby twice and then drove the kids to...
THIRD, ... Nate's cousin's place at the coast. Megan and Gavin watched the kids along with their three children for an entire week. Our kids gave them a run for their money and ate them out of house and home but I tell you what, Usually when the kids come home from being gone there is an adjustment time that takes place of 'retraining' the kids and reminding them of the proper attitudes to have and so on. This time was different, there was absolutely no issues. They were polite and respectful, gentle with the new baby and me (who was still in bed).
FOURTH, Nate's mom came in the afternoons and gave me a nap for the days that I was alone which is the reason that we made it through our second week. She made us dinner (or warmed up what someone from the church so graciously brought us) and read to the kids, focusing on them and made them feel special as well as me getting rest.

FIFTH, This lady and her youngest 5 came and stayed with us for the third week. She did all the cooking, cleaning, taking care of my kids as well as her own, She even got school done most days and made me tea. I was able to spend some up time with my kids when I could and still rest whenever I wanted to. It was half price frapps at Starbucks so we took advantage of that a couple of days. Her husband kept things going at her home with their eldest daughter so that she could be here.
SIXTH, Then to top it all off Jacki (the above super mom) left her second born daughter (Sami) for another week (week 4 of babies life). I again got rest and was able to focus on getting the house in order from the months of really not organizing anything or deep cleaning anything... I was able to shop alone and have coffee with Nate, go out for our anniversary and have dinner... When we took her home to Bend Jacki had gifts, cake and dinner all there for Todd's birthday. Grandpa Carne came over and then after church that Sunday he and GrandMaria took us to pizza that had a super fun play place. We were soooo spoiled all weekend.
SEVENTH, Allison Strait lined up meals from everyone in church to give us a meal and some of them even a meal for the freezer as well.

Our good friends Mick and Jeanne Seppa brought us over meals for the freezer that have lasted ALL this week and we are only have through them. The kids are sure that I need to go to cooking school. They haven't complained for several weeks now. It's been really nice but I need to go get a few recipes from you all.
EIGHTH, My sister and her friend came and cleaned my entire house and Carrie stayed with me another day (the day after Vance was born) so that Nate could go to a very important meeting.

The gifts that were sent through out the weeks surrounding the delivery of our son was so fun, it was like Christmas for two months.

We owe the success of our recovery to all of the above mentioned people. And I OwE a ton to my husband NATE for taking care of me so well and making some hard (and at times scary) decisions during labor. He never once let up and I knew that he was on top of things so that I never needed to worry. NOW to get him some rest and a break, that's my goal for the next couple of weeks, now that I have energy we are going to try and spoil him 'rotten'.

Catherine (our midwife) was very instrumental in helping us make those decisions and encouraging us along. We felt very protected. She even would call and bounce stuff off of other trained persons to make sure she wasn't missing something (even tho she has been doing this for over 20 years)...

ULTIMATELY, We give most humble thanks to our LORD for lining up ahead of time all this help and getting us through a very tiring time in our lives. We were not only helped physically, we were ministered to through all of these people who helped. We saw His hand a leading in everything (as usual). We are so very grateful for the health of our new little man...

He has ARRIVED!!!

2010-05-14T12:56:00.000-07:00

I know this is quite late and most people already know but here it goes anyways:

Vance Niklas Copper was born the 26th of April weighing 8.8 lbs. He's a super good sleeper and is giving us a good stretch of 7 hours minimum at night (eats and then goes back to sleep for another 5). He's gained a half a pound and 1 1/2 inches in length already (at least if not more by now).

Between Nate's cousin Megan, friends from work, friends from Bend, people from church, and Nate's parents we have been able to recover from this little guy's pregnancy and birth VERY well. The kids have done AMAZINGLY well during this whole transition and with me (Robyn) being down so much this past three weeks or so.

These are a few random photos from the first days of his little life out here in this world:

Traeman is going to be a doctor like Uncle Dave when he grows up. He's already checking Vance's pulse, making sure things are okay.

He absolutely LOVED his 'binkie' for the first while. He doesn't care too much now either way... even the smallest look so huge on his little face.

We'll post more later, I'm sure of it.

Thank you Halley and Shelley

2010-03-25T13:11:00.001-07:00

Baby #5

2010-01-24T18:32:00.001-08:00

Proud Dad and his third son:

Close the lid and off we go. Nice little napping place.

The BoyZ:
We had so much fun with this family the other night. We took pictures, ate dinner, and chatted a ton. The kids played and played and played:
The girlZ:

For Grandma

2010-01-18T11:47:00.001-08:00

Here you go Grandma. Me at 6 months with baby #7. I don't see Nate much and rarely in the daylight so you'll have to wait for a photo of him. It's not easy getting photos of us as I am the one taking the photos. Halley was a trooper and took this one for you.

Enjoy

Robyn

My how you've grown!!

2010-01-15T00:43:00.000-08:00

We all decided we needed to start 2010 off with what we all look like so that at the end of the year we can compare ourselves to ourselves and see all the changes.

Nate at 7:

Halley at 6:
Todd at 5:
Andi at 4:
Darbi at 2 1/2:
And Trae (or Traema as we all call him) at 1:
We are still pregnant and have a due date for later in April. We are pretty sure our boy will have the name of Vance Niklas when he is born. We are excited to see this little guy. I was telling Nate the other day that even after having 6 children already, I STILL don't particularly like giving birth and honestly not much about pregnancy either. But, someone's got to do it and I'm the kind of person that would rather be the one in pain rather than watching someone else and not be able to do anything about it.

We are SOOOOO enjoying life right now with these munchkins. Each day is definitely a 'new' day and that saying has a whole new meaning to me after being a mom for nearly 8 years.

Nate and I are learning so much about each other and the different ways each of us operates. I've so enjoyed living life with my best friend for almost 9 years now and having that best friend be even more of a best friend over the years (if that's possible?)

~Robyn

Our relatives the Engens!

2010-01-03T14:46:00.001-08:00

The girls:

Not the baby anymore, Adriane... she has a frown as well as a smile that when she chooses to use either of them they are 'for real' and get right to the heart. I had to be pretty sneaky in getting shots of her but we got some really nice ones:
The eldest of all the cousins is Elise. She's practically as tall as me now and very responsible and attentive to others around her:

Triana looks so good in this color of blue. She's here trying to keep the wind from making her hair fly away. Triana is quiet and very lovable:

Tate was THE MAN as he was the first in line to get his photos taken and bore with all the changes I made to get the lighting right:

Two posts ago are of this little guy Stian. Babies change so much even from one to three weeks:

Simon has the biggest smile and LOVES getting his picture taken:

The award for the most cheerful face goes to Sonja:

A very proud mom and dad to all the above children:

The Boys:
Making this one an aged style photo brings out their faces and the many designs of all their sweaters:

Special Family!

2009-12-19T20:23:00.000-08:00

An Angel:

Gorgeous couple:
I absolutely LOVE when I see an older brother taking such good care of a younger sibling.
This poor little guy was sooo freezing cold that I think this was one of the only smiles he let out. We finally took him inside to thaw out:

Thank you Megan and Gavin for sharing your afternoon with us. We did have a blast.

Baby Boy

2009-12-15T12:42:00.001-08:00

Stian Nils Engen has arrived (NO, this is not our/my baby).

I had the privilege of spending two days with this little guy and his family this last weekend. He's just adorable, great little temperament and is surprisingly awake and happy more than the usual one week old baby is.

First Meeting

2009-12-07T16:30:00.000-08:00

This sweet little girl got to meet her Great Grandmother (90) for the first time the other day and I was thrilled to be asked to record it on 'film'.

I absolutely love the story this photo tells. So much time, so much love and care...

Suitcases

2009-11-22T15:14:00.000-08:00

The store owner of one of the little consignment shops here in Battle Ground gave me these suitcases and asked for some photos of how they would be used. Here was our first attempt.

Halley picked out her outfit and posed herself. She's becoming quite the photogenic little lady.
Our girls
We have another ONE year old in the house. What a sweet little boy he it. He has so much fun being carried around that he really doesn't want to walk. Soon tho, very soon.

Playing Catch-UP

2009-10-28T21:43:00.000-07:00

What to DO when you are sick on the couch most of the past 2 months or so now and you are BORED to death but can't get up and really get anything done around the house.

You can make little girl ballerina skirts, SUPER easy, and you don't really have to move much (except your arms)...

Read lots of books to the kids. We really have not read much at all as I am usually running around all day. So we let the house go (because we had to. Some things I like to make my idea because they are easier to handle:) and read Homer Price, Charlottes Web, and a few others. The kids have just now started to appreciate books that don't have mostly pictures to keep them entertained.

We've officially finished 7 weeks of school (well tomorrow will be 7).

Oh, and something really fun is we have two bobcats that we've seen one of them twice now, right in our backyard. I called the fish and wildlife department and got some information on them and chances are they will relocate themselves. The reason for the visit is that we probably built our house on/near their territory and the construction part died down some so they were trying to see if they could live here again. NO, we don't really want them living here so if they DON'T relocate them then I'll 'relocate' them to a 'new' world.

Pictureless post!

2009-09-15T21:57:00.001-07:00

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as
your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.

2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.

3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.

_____________________________________________________

preparing for the Birth:

1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.

2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last
time, breathing didn't do a thing.

3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.

__________________________________________ ____________

The Layette:

1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.

2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and
discard only the ones with the darkest stains.

3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

______________________________________________________

Worries:

1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper,
a frown--you pick up the baby

2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten
to wake your firstborn.

3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to
rewind the mechanical swing.
______________________________________________________

Pacifier:

1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until
you can go home and wash and boil it.

2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it
off with some juice from the baby's bottle.

3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

______________________________________________________

Diapering:

1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour,
whether they need it or not..

2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.

3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to
complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

_______________________________________________________

Activities

1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing,
Baby Zoo, Baby Movies and Baby Story Hour.

2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastic s.

3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaners.

_____________________________ _________________________

Going Out:

1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter,
you call home five times.

2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to
leave a number where you can be reached.

3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

______________________________________________________

At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.

2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.

3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children

______________________________________________________

Swallowing Coins (a favorite):

1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays

2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.

3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!

______________________________________________________

Of big kids, beavers, and babies!

2009-09-14T15:41:00.001-07:00

GO BEAVES, it's that season again. WE're READY!!!!

Nate is our lawn mower now. What a worker he is to take on the entire back lawn three times, unloads the bag...

Darbi and Todd successfully chopped up an entire deal of strawberries all alone. Todd using a knife (YES, a sharp object, which he did a very careful job I might add) and Darbi using the egg slicer to get them the rest of the way chopped.

Halley, is my biggest helper, folding laundry all alone, putting them all away, getting the little kids dressed and hair combed, all her school done very precisely and well...

Andi has grown about 6 inches in the last year or so, everything is so short for her (however, she has stayed the same weight so she's our cute string bean).

Trae has gotten 6 teeth in the last month (if not less time than that). Poor little guy, it has NOT been fun but he's sure a cheerful little guy when the gums are numb.

And baby ???? is growing, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. It's hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and some of his/her bones are beginning to harden.

He (for the sake of writing he/she all the time) already busy kicking and stretching, and his tiny movements are so effortless they look like water karate. These movements will become more frequent as his body grows and becomes more developed and functional.

As for Me (mom) I'm sick, it's not fun, but it does end soon. I usually only have about 5 weeks maximum of sickness and then it's home free from there :).

Dad, well he's working two jobs now. His day job all day and then comes right in, starts the rest of what I didn't get done on dinner, gets the laundry going, cleans up from our day and then falls into bed after helping the kids get cleaned a bit, working on his speech for toastmasters, doing all the bills and paperwork still leftover from the house project, helps me get clean and something to eat and drink before a fitfull night of sleep. I didn't know a man could become more impressive and valuable than Nate already was.

So, here we are, a ReaL post on our LiFe:

Pregnant to Baby

2009-08-31T19:44:00.000-07:00

Remember back with me to August of last year (click on 2008-august-marriage on the right of your screen)

Luke and Allison have been troopers about letting me try some pregnancy/baby photo shoots with them. There is a long term ministry I'd like to be involved in (when there is more time to do so) and it involves babies, pregnant mommies and hopefully daddy's too.
Allison spent the last few months of her pregnancy pretty much on bed rest. I've done that with one of mine and man is it no fun.
Baby Ezekeel Strait (not sure on the spelling). We put him on some towels in the tub and he zonked out while we moved him around to different places snapping photos. What a perfect little guy.

Pretty mom and her smiley son.

The Hal and Traeman

2009-08-26T09:48:00.000-07:00

Halley has felt slightly under the weather, no fever, no yucky stomach.... Just slow time. During quiet time in my studio/school room we were laying on the floor talking while Trae was playing with the window. I reached over and grabbed my camera and the following photos were what we came up with.

Halley, six years old now. She mopped almost the entire downstairs (which is a really huge job). She helps me all the time with the little kids and is super fun to take shopping. Us girls went out for 5 hours the other day and she was all "Oh How ADORABLE, that is SOOO cute Mom!!!!" Just precious.

Our Traeman is just that, no more a little baby, but a little MAN. He's teething something terrible like I've never had before. Poor little bleeding gums finally have a few teeth in them.
Here's my little huggies photo:

We are in our home and getting settled more and more each day. It feels like home. PLEASE come by for a visit, give a call first so we can make sure to be home.

MOVED IN!!!

2009-08-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

We have officially moved in. We are in ONE house now and TOGETHER. Half of the boxes have been unpacked but nothing has been decorated. We are just THRILLED to be in our new house and to be making it a home to share with all. Below are a few photos for those hungry eyes. Many of you have asked and been patient so here you go.

The look from our front door

Our eating area from the kitchen. Front door on the left.
Our dream kitchen.

STILL HERE!!

2009-07-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update to let you know we are still here. We have 5 days until we are able to start moving over to our new home God has SO blessed us with.

I've had many folks ask for updated photos on the house. Right now it is covered in paper but as soon as the paper lifts (which you can see in the windows of the above photo) I'll take photos and post them here.

Until later...

Day On The Town

2009-06-12T14:03:00.001-07:00

It had been forever that the kids and I have gone out for a 'treat'. So yesterday we were out all morning with a flat tire (which is a story I'll share with you in a minute), paying bills, picking out and up paint, get some tools for Dad and bring them to some friends so they can build a deck onto their home, get lunch, shopping...

Anyways, right in the middle we stopped for an hour and grabbed two frappes and a couple of pastries and played together, talked about everything, visited our favorite shop (Distinctively Home in Old Town Battle Ground)... I grabbed a few shots to prove that we aren't always work and no play. It's been cool lately but when it warms up we will head to the river most days and 'play'.

If you want to view more of our day go to:

www.robyncopper.com/copper kidz (I think you'll just have to cut and paste into another browser)

Les Schwab:

Two days ago we had a flat tire all the way to the rim. Nate filled it up for us and we drove to get it fixed at Les Schwab in the morning. I walked in, told them the problem. They told me it would be about 20 minutes before they could START working on it as all the bays were full.

"Feel free to wait in our waiting room here and we'll get it done for you." They said.

"Okay", I said.

So I got the kids out of the car to 'wait'. They absolutely LOVED looking at all the different types of tires and cool wheels. We even got on the fancy computer they had there and made our excursion look awesome with 6" suspension and fancy wheels...

I noticed that within 5 minutes of when I brought the kids the car was in the bay getting worked on. They had us out of there in 10 minutes. Either they are extremely fast and just didn't want to get our hopes up, OR the next time you want to get your car worked on FAST, bring six kids with you and 'wait' in the waiting room. :)

Family

2009-05-13T08:59:00.001-07:00

The kids's double cousins were here for a couple of weeks in celebration of my Mother-in-Law's birthday and what a time it was. I had soooo much fun taking shots of this family while they were here. Each one of us kids (that now have children) have a collage similar to this one on the wall at 'Grandpa and Grandma's' house.

More on the Birthday week later:

~Robyn

CLOSER...

2009-05-12T14:57:00.000-07:00

A quick update on our house. We are through the painting stage in the inside of the house. Now will be all the plugs, lights, switches, and fans getting wired in and then the tile and cabinets and such after that. Go down a couple of posts and you can see a few more 'before' photos.

Our Entry

Looking down the hall from the girls room into the master bedroom and at the very end is the master bath.

Here you are looking from the back of the kitchen into the living/great room.
Looking back at the front door and looking up a bit at the ceiling. Those poor sheet rockers, they sure did an amazing job with all that high stuff and round walls.
And then we have OUR JOB (the kids and I). Running here and there getting supplies to keep the guys busy. They are getting pretty good at jumping on and off the cart. Today I was in line getting ready to pay and Andi had to go BAD ...... you know Home Depot, it's way at the BACK of the store. They just took off all on their own (Halley and Todd took her) and came back to find me and did GREAT. I was impressed that I didn't need to call over the loud speakers to find my kids.
I don't have a recent photo of the outside but we are about 3/4 done with the siding. It's lookin' really fun. We're getting pretty excited!!

~Robyn for all of us

Perspective

2009-04-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

"Mom, Coders have more kids than us."

Mom, "Okay."

Kid, "So they are beating us."

Mom, "That's great." "Are you saying that you want more brothers and sister?"

Kid, "Well, we have to have a bigger care first."

Mom, "Yeah, that could be a problem but God's big enough to take care of a new car."

Kid, "Okay, then when the Coders die we can have their car."

Mom, "(laughing)"

So often our perspective is so small and we feel as if the only resources we have are in our little sphere of people or town. Our God has UNLIMITED resources. He is not LIMITED. In the case above, the car is not a problem for God. So often I put God in a box, even in my prayers, I only pray for the 'possible'. I only talk to God about those things that I 'think' can be accomplished with the resources that I can 'see'. God's reputation is at stake here, and I must rise to meet Him where He is...

Moving along on the house

2009-04-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

The below photo is the update on the photo in one of the previous entries (I think 5 posts back) of the view from our bedroom down the hall into the girls room.

This is our entry looking above directly into the boys room with the master bedroom to the left and the girls room behind the wall on the right. On the first floor there we have our kitchen behind the left wall and the great room to the right and behind the stairs.
This is the view from the kitchen into the great room.
To add a little texture to the house we have decided to do bat-'n-board (however you spell it) on the three gables that stick out in front of the rest of the house. Not sure of the colors yet but we have a couple of weeks, right??? :) Sure is fun.

Tooth Fairies

2009-04-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

Nate called me in somewhat of a panic, "Mom, my tooth is gone. I lost it when Halley kicked me in the mouth on the trampoline, oh it was an accident, but my tooth is in the grass and I can't find it." I suggested to him that we write the fairy a note and put it under the pillow and see what happens.

When I got home he had me write EXACTLY what he said. He's more persuasive than am...

In case you can't read it, it says, "Dear Tooth Fairy, I lost my tooth in the grass. I'm sorry I can't put it under my pillow. Lift up my lip to see it's gone. NATE

We didn't remember to place it under his pillow but we will remember tonight for sure.

Mornings

2009-03-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

How would you like to wake up to this every morning!!!

Trae-MAN (as we call him) is the most laid back happy little guy we've had yet. We are having soooo much fun interacting with this little man. Even with all the holding he gets ('cause he's so cute and squishy) he is already rolling over both ways and scooches across the room. He's just over 4 1/2 months now.

Decorating Tips

2009-03-02T14:20:00.001-08:00

I am having so much fun researching decorating styles and even how to find out what you like and using what you have to accomplish that 'look'. Soooo, I thought I'd share on here what I find and post photos of what actually comes about in the next few months. Please though, if there are things you can add that would be awesome. It has been an interest of mine and I know it is for a lot of you as well. Here is the first tidbit for us all: Describing What You Really Want!
How to find your decorating style and know where to begin... If you are like most people, you know what you want and what you don't want. And that's great! Sometimes, however, we are unable to communicate what it is we want in a way that others are able to understand. When you are shopping for items in your home, this kind of shopping can be extremely frustrating. If you don't know what you are looking for, you wander aimlessly searching for things. Sometimes you see something and it may not be the right selection, but you purchase it anyway because you are just exhausted and need to get something. Once you get it home, you find it doesn't work or you just don't like it and have to return it. What a pain that is!!! So, how do we determine what we like and dislike, what we want, what we may need and what we really desire? The answer is simple, you need to get clear on all of these things through education before you go out shopping.

Shopping 101
Let's begin by having you find out what you like and discovering a way for you to communicate that to others. I want you to go to a bookstore or grocery store and sit with the home and decorating magazines. Begin flipping through them, finding photographs of rooms you really like and appeal to you. Make note of them or set the magazines aside. You can also do this with decorating books but magazines are much less expensive. As you are searching, you will find things that jump out at you and eventually you will see a pattern emerge of rooms you like and styles that represent the kind of home you want. Styles are typically grouped into the following basic categories: Traditional (formal, dressy, rich fabrics, cherry wood) Country (antiques, pine, collectibles, cozy warm feeling) Contemporary (clean lines, dramatic) Romantic (soft, elegant, ruffles, lace) Oriental (antiques, dramatic colors, high style) Southwestern (earth tones, textures, artifacts) Transitional or Eclectic (mixes of any style) Knowing basic style categories will further help define your style preferences. Purchase a couple of magazines that represented your style so you will have them as reference. It will help you when you are looking for furniture, colors, accessories, etc. later on. This exercise will also help you find a definition to your style.

My Family and Home
Do you entertain a lot? Do you like to read? How many people are in your family? Do all the kids in the neighborhood come to you house? Do you have small children? Do you only entertain a few times a year for family and friends? Do you have large dinner parties with business associates? Do you prefer to have a home where jeans and T-shirts are considered formal wear? Who are you and how does your home get used? This is an important part of the process because the answers to those questions will determine where you should begin decorating your home. I have heard designers and decorators say the first room you should always decorate is your master bedroom. The theory is you are in this room the most and therefore it should be a well centered, organized place. If you wake and sleep in a beautiful place, you will be happier. My argument is that I am awake more in the den or kitchen than I am in my bedroom and I like my public spaces (kitchen, family room, living room, and dining room) to appear pulled together first. This, of course, is based on my lifestyle. What is YOUR lifestyle? If you are a person who loves to entertain formally, then you should consider working first on your living room and dining room. If you like to entertain informally with friends and family, work on your family room and kitchen spaces. If you are a cook and everyone congregates to your kitchen, then by all means do that room first. If you are a homebody and just love relaxing in your bedroom, do that room first. If you are a busy professional and are rarely home, then the bedroom theory from above may be the best for you. Typically, you will be in that room more often anyway. Once you define what areas are most important to have completed first, you will be well on your way to a finished home. The answer to the question, "what rooms are most important to be finished first," can not be all the rooms! If you set yourself up for that kind of overwhelm, you will not be able to accomplish anything. If you don't focus on what area first, second and third, you will become very overwhelmed by all the things you need to accomplish. Why do that to yourself? Break it down into smaller pieces and get it done. Figure out with your lifestyle what rooms are most important to finish first while keeping an overall eye on your whole house. If you see bedding that would work for your master bedroom and its on sale, go ahead and purchase it, but don't then switch focus to that room when you are almost finished with the family room. Once you find your style, the rest falls into place.

Girls

2009-03-01T17:04:00.000-08:00

We arrived at the house a little earlier than Nate one evening this week. We usually meet him there after work with the trailer that has all the tools and such so he can get a few hours in before midnight. The day was unusually beautiful and warm (40 degrees) so we spent some time laying on the grass out in the sun enjoying the field dreaming of when we get to live in this house. SOON, June will come fast, and just in time for all the summer bar-b-que's we have.

Construction

2009-02-22T17:32:00.001-08:00

We have had a fire going most nights and all day on Saturdays to burn all of the trash and leftover wood around the home. The kids have all pitched in to keep things cleaned up. Many folks from the church have spent hours cleaning, sweeping, throwing...

Above is our entry which has the highest ceilings in the whole house. This was all already framed when we purchased the house.

Above is our entry looking from the door inside the house. The staircase on the right and the living room is directly behind the stairs on the right as well.

Below is looking from our bedroom down the hall way upstairs into the girls and boys rooms.

Right now, unless you actually walk through the house, you can't really tell what things are going to be or look like. However, I thought I'd give you a couple of photos so you can get the feel for the 'roundness' of the home. It has many arches, curved stairs, curves in the kitchen (I don't have photos of that yet)...

We are usually there in the evenings and all day on Saturday if you want to stop by ANYTIME. We live now only about 2 miles away and would love to give you a tour and hear advice or things you would do with your home to make it more efficient and others focused...

Stitches (not the laughing kind)

2009-02-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

I was upstairs getting a few things done while the kids were out playing. On the way to the kitchen I glanced out the window just in time to see all the children jumping on the trampoline, which is totally common around here. However, the UN common thing was that Andi was sitting in our plastic boat in the middle and just got jumped over and smacked in the face with the edge. I was already out the door getting ready to tell them that the boat was supposed to stay off the trampoline and saw blood spurting out of her cheek. IT LOOKED AWEFUL. the kids were all standing around her screaming at the top of their lungs BLOOD BLOOD BLOOD BLOOD, AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH and crying... I grabbed the bottom of my long sweater and held it against her face and carried her to the sink. One of the kids brought me some ice and the phone and I 'calmly' (you know me and blood) said "Nate, Andi split her cheek open and we are going to go get her stitched up!!!!!!!" I then called my mother-in-law and she came over to confirm that yes, super glue wouldn't do the trick. Nate made it home in time to drive us to the clinic where she received FIVE stitches. She did sooo good and held sooo still even though it hurt some. My father-in-law took the not hurt or nursing kids with him to get some lumber so Nate could then head home and get started on the evening of framing our home. MaryBeth (mother-in-law) brought over dinner for us and the workers even though she already had a full day. We got home and she had cleaned my kitchen...

Anyways, what an afternoon. So, instead of being over at the house today we are doing the laundry and pick-up that we were going to do early this afternoon when the above happened.

God so orchestrates our days and it's our job to be FLEXIBLE. Thank you Jesus for another day to live for you and to fit in with YOUR plan for us. Thans for all the people that you have brought into our lives to help us in our time of need.

This is our first and only trip (so far) to the clinic. That's not bad for SIX kids. Maybe this is the beginning:(.

Above and Beyond

2009-02-06T00:09:00.000-08:00

Ever since I have known Nate (my husband) he has wanted to build his own home. Being a builder and been in the construction industry for more than 13 years he has some definite opinions about how he would build a home, what he would put into a home if...

For the sake of time (because it's after midnight) I will just give you a photo and a few words to tell you that Nate's DREAM is coming true. Not without hard work (in the past and now), we are building our OWN home, a place that we plan on living for as long as we can think. We are having so much fun planning and talking about our home.

More to come on the progress. Nate's still at the house tonight smoothing out the concrete slab in the garage.

I would like to say that NONE of this would be or is possible without the help of so many friends. Nate and I have spent time, tears (just me on this one) and prayers of gratefulness for the people that have invested in our lives. We would not/could not do any of this without them (family very much included).

TWO months old

2009-01-16T07:44:00.001-08:00

Our little Trae-man is now two months old and growing. Just over 11 pounds and just over 23 inches long. He's still a sweetheart. This past week or two he's quit eating through the night and that means that I get at least 8 hrs of uninterrupted sleep (if I'd go to bed right away:). He's sure been a great addition to the family and the kids 'LOOOOVE the baby'. Everyone wants to hold him and be the 'boss' of him.

Andi leaned over to give him a smootch (or mootch as we call it) and scraped the skin off his nose with her zipper. Todd and Andi are screaming from the kitchen "THE BABY IS BLEEDING". He was actually but we took care of it... he slept through the whole thing.

Grandpa's House

2009-01-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

There is no greater present you can give a mother than to delight in her children, the people she invests in ALL DAY, her 'work'... and then to have someone I (a mother) respect and love, take delight in my children. It's even more special, even more of a gift. Dad and Maria (Grandpa Carne and GrandMaria) spent so much time with our kids (their Grandchildren) this last weekend. Puzzles, games, books, swimming, Silver Leaf Cafe Chai's and sandwiches, talking, help with getting jammies on, special foods and treats and cookies, a home that is peaceful and safe and prayed over (protected...). We had a special time with them and hated to make it so short (even though I'm sure they needed their rest after all of us:)

After a bath Trae's hair is pretty amazing.

Special cookies with their initials on them.
Really fun reindeer gloves for all the kids. They use them like boxing gloves...

GrandMaria and Andi
The kids spent an afternoon writing thank you's to people for the first time. Last year they couldn't write, but this year they really wanted to make things for people who invested in us. God them a bowl of snacks and let them go.

Baby Fun

2008-12-29T22:47:00.000-08:00

This little guy has been fighting quite the cold. Many nights up and many hours praying for his health. He's better now but there were moments when we wondered...

Fun Family...Fun Times!

2008-12-29T19:58:00.000-08:00

We waited for the snow to melt and then it started raining and was supposed to rain for the next week or so. Sunday afternoon was looking up so thought we would give taking a few photos a try. I had a blast walking around with these people and hearing the conversations... the family dynamics are great and their love for each other and the Lord is very evident. Thanks guys, I hope you enjoy them, if not I'd love to go out again.

Perfect Evening!!

2008-12-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

WE had the most relaxing, put together, fun, and exciting evening the other night. Nate came home from work not feeling too exhausted (seems like since the baby the evenings are us just being tired and making it through until the kids go to bed...). Anyways, dinner was ready and I had spent the day making the house cleanER than usual, picked up, kids bathed, school accomplished that day, drawers organized, fire in the fireplace, and when Nate walked in the door it was 'quiet' (as possible with all of us wanting to talk at the same time)... Things were peaceful.

We then started a new game during dinner that has a two fold purpose. One is to help us with our manners, and the other is to keep the noise and appearance of chaos down a bit. IT WORKED LIKE A MIRACLE. The children loved it, ate all their dinner, all had great attitudes and nothing got spilled.

We started with three rules on the white board and we will add one each week. Each one of us receives 5 pennies. If you break one of the 'rules'/manners then the one that sees it happen gets one of your pennies. However, they have to have their mouth empty to say anything and they are required to ask you sweetly, "Nate, I saw you chewing with your mouth open, may I Please have a penny?".

Nate and I picked the ones that 'bothered' us the

most and we are working our way around Emily Posts 'book' of manners.

--------

After dinner we cleaned up. Because of the fun 'game' that Nate has started with them in the evenings they 'fight' over who gets to do the dishes and such. It's just great. Nate and I sat on the couch while the kids did the dishes cleaned and wiped the table, and started the dishwasher.

We also have a tradition that my parents did with us all growing up and we are now passing along to our children and that is ADVENT. They get to light the candles, blow them out, sing songs about the coming of Christ, and learn the meanings and scriptures of each candle and what it represents...

It was then time for bed. Nate and the TraeMan fell asleep on the couch and I made some coffee to make it smell fun in the house (we don't drink it:). I grabbed a few shots of the boys and set up a Christmas movie then fell asleep by candle light with Christmas music.

------

I say all this not to just tell you about the Perfect Evening for our family. I share this with you because all this could have been done and the PEACE would not have been there had Nate and I not been in fellowship with each other. This last year we have learned some amazing things about communication. A little more about listening, not just listening, but truly hearing what the other person has to say and caring about them and making that known to them....

We have been inspired by many older couples that one is never too old to learn, to be a learner. I hope we never stop growing, learning, loving...

When you first get married you think you know what love is, what love feels like. When in all actuality we have not even touched the tip of the iceberg of love...True LOVE. After 8 years of knowing someone, living every day (or most days:) with someone.... Lets just say we have married our best friend, both Nate and I feel that way and are so grateful to God... however we know we are still learning to love each other daily.

Well, I lost my thought so I'll end now by saying We sure pray you ALL have a great holiday season, going over the reason for this time of year, this holiday, CHRISTmas...

Robyn

Dizziness and Delight

2008-12-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

This is what you get when the kids are moving, the camera is moving, you are moving and all trying to take a photo, and all is happening at the same speed as Darbi's face which is in focus, is sharp... It sure makes me dizzy to look at and it's fun at the same time.

While out and about I felt like praising the Lord for His provision, His love, and His greatness. Nate and I have been listening to a series of sermons by John Piper on 'the pleasures of God'. Each one builds some on the other (and I'm listening to them out of order, oh well:). The first one we listened too was about the pleasures of God in ALL that He does. He delights in us, He delights in me..... in me? Yes,

(Amazingly, I asked the kids to hold hands and show me what they thought it looked like to PRAISE GOD. The above photo is what they came up with. How precious...)

This sermon #1 we listened too just before the baby was born. You know the thoughts that creep in that say, 'you are going to have to wait an extra 2 or more weeks for labor. You're going to take forever to have this baby when it does happen. And after all that there is going to be something wrong...' However fleeting... those thoughts are still there at times.

God saw fit to show me of His delight in us, His creation out of the abundance of His fullness and complete fellowship with the Trinity.

1. The baby was 2 weeks early

2. He was a boy (even though we knew that already)

3. The labor was relaxing (for labor anyways)

4. He was on the smaller side (under 7 lbs.)

5. He was very healthy

6 He sleeps well and has his nights and days figured out at day one.

7. My recovery went smooth and pretty quickly

And many more things that God has done for us just to show us (our family, Nate and I) how much He loves us and not only that, but how much He Delights in us. He gave us sooooo many of the desires of our hearts, things I didn't even pray about or verbalize to anyone. God knew and wanted to show me on a very practical (Robyn) level of His love for His people, His love for me, His love for family, His love....

Greetings

2008-12-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon was my first day 'out' since the baby was born. My energy level has been down and frankly there has been enough to do inside the house that I haven't stepped out the doors much at all. I/we have gone shopping (Costco) which was great fun. We've been to a few peoples homes for different reasons... But no playing outside with the kids, no blowing leaves, no jumping on the trampoline, no walks, NOthing outside here on the property at all.

So, we threw on some scarves, bundled the baby up (as it was maybe 40 degrees outside) and we went for a quick walk, saw a few of the neighbors and just plain had fun looking at the dead salamander, tiny birds that don't fly south for the winter...

Then Nate took me (and Trae) on a date to do a little Christmas shopping, have a quiet dinner of nachos and a calazone, grab a coffee on the way home, then watch a movie too late into the night... It was such a relaxing time AND we accomplished many things on our list for Christmas. We just enjoyed each other and Trae was nice a quiet the entire time so we felt 'alone'.

Because of the baby arriving and me not being up to doing a lot this holiday season yet, we have been at a slow pace. I guess it's kept us focused on what is important this Christmas... Christ.

Below is a traditional photo we get when Mom tries to take 6 kids out and make them all look at the camera, they aren't even required to smile, just LOOK AT THE CAMERA without moving. So, here's to all of you, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Two weeks old!!!

2008-11-28T10:21:00.000-08:00

Nate M and Halley took some pictures of me and Trae. They felt pretty big and did a great job...

They are all crunched up inside it just always surprises me how they don't look like they could fit inside and that some people carry much larger babies than I...
I am just always still amazed at how much hair this little guy has and how dark brown it is. The others all had dark hair but not nearly this much and it had all fallen out by this old... The second child out of 16 grandkids on the Copper side of the family who has dark brown hair.

Recent Photos of The KidZ

2008-11-20T11:03:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since getting head shots of the kids all in the same day. Soooo, I thought I would post these recent photos of three days ago of ALL 6 kids. (man that sounds like quite a few:) We are all recovering well and enjoying having this little guy in our arms, waking us up at night with squeaking instead of kicking me in the ribs... We have had MANY people offer to help (and we've taken them up on their offers:), people have brought us meals each evening, friends have spoiled me with special drinks (both hot and cold) to keep me hydrated and 'happy'...

Below we have in order: Trae (1 week), Todd (4), Nate (6), Halley (5), Darbi (1 1/2), Andi (3)

GREAT HAIR!!

2008-11-12T13:17:00.000-08:00

Nate took the older kids to church and left the babies with me to relax and have tea and snuggle and 'rest' up as I wasn't feeling all that well. I decided it would be fun to be clean and blow dry our hair so I gave the girls a bath. As I was getting their snuggly clothes out and ready I hear this "MOM, we washed our hair and we're all done". "Good job girls!!!!. Way to gooooooooo". as I walked into the bathroom I spied an empty jar of VASOLINE!!! NNOOOOOOOOOOOO.... But yes, they did 'help' me by washing their entire bodies and hair with vasoline. How in the WORLD do you get vasoline out of hair???? Below are a few pictures of the girls with their unbrushable hair.

Darbi Andi

Copper Senior Family Photos

2008-10-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

Finally, we were able to co-ordinate our schedules and get some photos for my in-laws. We had a great time. I always get nervous with people I know thinking what if they don't turn out and we have to do it over again and I've just wasted their time... But it went well and they got some shots that will work for what they wanted.

Kaytra and I had more time planned to get some further shots but as we were in this lonely part of town (we were the only ones around) this elderly lady was pushing her walker down the sidewalk all alone. It was cold and she wasn't wearing much so I asked her how she was doing. She told us she was lost and trying to find her duplex. We gave her a coat to wear and noticed on her walker was a number. We called the number and sure enough she had 'went for a walk' and escaped from a nice care home nearby. They came and got her.... but my point is that we didn't get to finish Kaytra's photos. We may try again sometime in the near future.

FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADERS

2008-10-28T06:42:00.000-07:00

These are out of order but the first one is Nate catching a pass for a touchdown. Picture two is the ball coming to him for that catch. Pictures three and four are just action shots during the game earlier on. He's really improving and getting better and LOVES it. Todd and he play in the yard everyday but they like to play tackle, forget the flag stuff:).

These girls and boys are 1st and 2nd graders and during one of the time outs or halftimes when they are supposed to huddle and the cheerleaders come and do their routines. One of the little boys says to Nate (who is coaching Nate M's team)," Um... coach Nate, could we not huddle and just go watch the cheerleaders this time?" Nate was floored, it has already started. And he's only SIX years old.

Below is the Hal with her amazing cheerleading. She LOVES it too:

Halley is quite the cheerleader. She loves shakin' those pompoms and cheering for Nate. Andi is learning too and got her own little pink poms for her birthday so she says the cheers right along with the big girls.

When I can figure out how to get pictures in here without it taking 5 minutes per photo to upload I'll post more. But for now, this took me ALL morning as I hit a wrong button (not sure which one it was) and deleting everything a couple of times.

We are all battling a sickness of some sort right now so we are home a lot. Nate ran to a meeting in Seattle as he just couldn't miss it. He had been trying to get into all of these gentlemen's schedules for the past 4 months and it will mean some more business if things go well. His brother is driving him so he could lay down in the back seat and look 'rested' by the time they got there. Good to get this all over with before Trae gets here.

Our FISH

2008-09-12T07:46:00.000-07:00

The three oldest kids and I got to go out fishing one day thanks to Grandma for watching the little ones and making their day special too.

Here is Nate with fishing line tied to his life jacket, a hook on the end in the water with a little fish head on the hook. He was really hoping to catch a big one. What a little fisherman he is and sooo patient.

This is our catch of the day. A 26 pounder (I guess that is big).

Melon face here started to get a little goofy after a while. She started saying she wanted to go home about 30 minutes into the 7 hour trip.
Us all on the trip back just after our big catch.
Todd's usual posing for the camera face. what a cheerful little man. He jumped in every place possible on that boat, and then some. He untied the anchor (which was scary because he could've gotten caught in it and drowned). Now we know.

Halley's comment after we got home was, "I think I will just let you and the boys go next time mom".

A big thanks to Vince for taking us out all day and making it fun for us all.

MOM

2008-08-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

After finishing last years scrapbook and viewing a few of the photos that are going into this years album, Nate realized something; I (Robyn) took 99% of the pictures. Meaning that I wasn't in 99% of the book and all our memories as a family.

So, the next day I was washing the truck with the kids and he brought out the camera and took some shots. So, maybe this year the book will contain a little more of 'all' of us and not just 'Mom was their, see, she's taking the pictures'.

But, of course, I couldn't help but put a couple of Darbi and her shoe fettish on here as well.

Marriage

2008-08-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

Nate and I had yet another opportunity to be involved in the marriage of two neat people. Luke and Allison were married in July and what a fun day, great location, and most of all a Christ-centered day. He was honored by these two dedicating their lives to each other and service in the everyday things to the Lord.

Just a couple of shots below from our time with them on their wedding day.

Conversion

2008-08-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

For the past few days or so I noticed a struggle in our little Hal. Everything that she wanted to do it was nearly impossible for her to actually do it, in regards to doing what was right.

For the past few months Halley has also been talking with us about her need for Jesus and acknowledging Him as the boss of her life. Nate and I have prayed for wisdom as to whether it was just an emotional 'stage' or whether it was true desire and understanding of what it means to be born again. (I don't think I fully know the meaning and all the implications of salvation... however we didn't want it to be something that was merely 'popular' to do at this age.)

Anyways, after a pretty rough day yesterday she asked us the question “why can't I be good, and why can't I do what is right', and 'I hear Jesus telling me not to do it but I do it anyway'. She was understanding about her lost state and that she couldn't 'be good' in and of herself.

We prayed with her and Nate spent some time just sitting with her and asked her to pray all in her own words, whatever she wanted to say. Her prayer was so precious, so honest, so innocent and full of meaning. She was LOST and needed a Savior and KNEW it.

After sleeping on that emotional day she brought it up again the next morning. “Dad, Mom, I want to make God my boss. I know that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and I want my heart to be clean.

Right then we knelt down beside our couch in the living room and she asked Jesus to make her heart clean.

Later on that day she asked us sort-of under her breath, “So, is Jesus still in my heart, even when I have a bad attitude?” What an amazing opportunity to tell her of Christ's ever presence inside of her heart and life; now her capability to ask for forgiveness for her sins and to be made clean again. She was SOOOOO excited, (and when Hal gets excited, it's with lots of exclamation marks).

What a special day. I understand a little of what my parents meant when they would say, “it brings us no greater joy than when one of our children makes a wise decision, (or does what is right).” Just a glimpse of how God must feel when we choose His ways over our own. His love is so much greater than the love that I have for my children, and that's quite a bit.

Afterwords she wanted to call her little girl friends and tell them all about it. She called Grandpa's and Grandma's and a few other special people in her life.

One of her comments was, “Now, if I die I will go to heaven and be with Grandma”. Another piece of our conversation had to do with the fact that we (christians) will all be in heaven and so even if we die we will still be together.

Friends

2008-07-18T23:30:00.001-07:00

Here we have the Deiter family. This was one of the first times that I had taken pictures (formally) on the beach. We played around for an hour or so and I played with lighting and different settings... We had a great time. Afterwords they treated us all to an awesome meal of fish and chips, the fish is so fresh there (of course, because we are on the beach). Enjoy this beautiful family as much as I did:

Quick trip to the beach

2008-07-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

We were able to take two days and head to the beach for a relaxing time of swimming and playing in the sand. Below are some of our memories.

Todd loved faking Sarah out with throwing sand on her. She didn't think it too funny with camera in hand. We enjoyed having her there with us (like a member of the family she is).

One beautiful family inside and out!

2008-07-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

Nils and Cori let us come up and invade their home for a couple of days just after their sixth child was born, Adriane Corin Engen. We just had to get a few shots of their new family.

Making Every Day Our Masterpiece

STAYcation

A little bit of Family!

Rope Swing

Summer with Vance

New Family!

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!

More Randomness

The 'TOY'

Summer Randomness!!

Andi's Poodle Party

Orphan Week Finale

Orphan Week Continued

Orphan Week

Independence!!!!

Sidnie and her little Prince!

Sick!

Water, bugs, and Jesus

Baby Girl!!!

Bailey Renae

Nine Years Old

Boys and diapers

Todd

Of Babies and Such!!

Great Grandma's House!!

Longing for snow!

Feast or Famine!

Beach continued...

Up To TWO!!

Up To??

4 kids

New Years Letter

Merry Christmas

Lucky little Girl!

Growth

Fair Season

PictureLESS post!!!

4th of July worst parents of the year award!!!

Our newest little man!! (Update)

It Warms My Heart!

Friends

Growing Up!!

A GIFT

He has ARRIVED!!!

Thank you Halley and Shelley

Baby #5

For Grandma

My how you've grown!!

Our relatives the Engens!

Special Family!

Baby Boy

First Meeting

Suitcases

Playing Catch-UP

Pictureless post!

Of big kids, beavers, and babies!

Pregnant to Baby

The Hal and Traeman

MOVED IN!!!

STILL HERE!!

Day On The Town

Family

CLOSER...

Perspective

Moving along on the house

Tooth Fairies

Mornings

Decorating Tips

Here is the first tidbit for us all:

Describing What You Really Want!

Girls

Construction

Stitches (not the laughing kind)

Above and Beyond

TWO months old

Grandpa's House

Baby Fun

Fun Family...Fun Times!

Perfect Evening!!

Dizziness and Delight