bsmiles and sunny days

I got a few messages from my dreamy Dreamboat today that things had gone from bad to worse at work. When he got home I suggested we take a drive to Richmond to visit his mama. Being at her house brings him comfort that nothing else can. He was happy to oblige, and we hit the road almost as soon as he pulled in. We were greeted with warmth and cheers and hugs and food. The longer we sat, the more people showed up. The smell of the grill and cigarette smoke wafted in and out of the garage where we sat around a long folding table covered by a festive vinyl tablecloth. I grew up with those smells from my grandparents' house. It takes me back to so many happy memories that I drink it in. There were half-full water bottles in front of every other chair. A few plates were scattered among the various things on the table. The aunts laughed randomly at inside jokes about each other. The kids ran and played in the grass, embraced by a cool fall breeze. I sat and stared at the sky t...

Everything this little girls draws has lots of people. Her life is full of people and noise and stuff and all the fun and drama that comes with that.  And speaking of big family life... Yesterday was Sunday. Sunday is always a big day for us because it's one of very few days of the week that we have to be ready to be somewhere in the morning. I was on top of the world when we left the house right on time. No one was yelling. No one was crying. Everyone was excited to go. Now, on lovely spring and fall mornings, our church sets up a canopy over the breakfast tables so that the congestion around the food is lessened. I love this because we tend to be in the way, pretty much everywhere we go, so I'm constantly herding my crew through the line so other people can get in. Before we even got out of the car, I noticed a little spot on my already wrinkled white linen blouse. I straightened it out and noticed another. There were a few more drops and a big group of spots on the hemline, ...

It's so strange to have free minutes... I've been putting the baby to bed for naps three times a day. Today I sat at the piano  And couldn't figure out why it felt like  It had been long since we were united in song. It's because I've had a baby in my arms for 6 months. Now that I have free moments I'm a little lost.  It's hard to believe that he's growing  Independent of me already. It's been slow going but  The months are flying by! I have to discipline myself to be productive. It's not something I do naturally. I'm so thankful for a break. I love that little bugger, but he wears me out! Lvb

Technically the day starts at 12am. I'll begin there with my lazy day. At midnight I brought the baby to bed to nurse one more time before I fell asleep. Put baby back to bed. No sleep, instead of staring at the wall, I wrote on my blog. Just as I wrapped up the post, Mose woke up with an earache. I comforted him for a few minutes  And laid back down.  In 5 minutes he cried again, So I relocated to his bedroom and put him in bed with me. I spoke softly to him and rubbed his head and prayed for sleep for both of us.  Around 1:30 the baby woke up to nurse which was a blessing because we were still awake. I fed him again, put him back to bed, and drifted off for about 20 minutes after which I woke up to Mose kicking the wall and singing a song. At that point I put him back in his bed and tried to sleep. 2:30 baby's up again. 4:30 again. 6:00 again. I fell asleep nursing him and Dale woke me up to iron at 6:30. I was awake enough to fry him some eggs And prayed again that I c...

Subzero wind chill. Daddy is sick. Mosee is sick. Scarlette may or may not be sick. We are snuggled down in front of the tv. These are the best days of our lives. Thank you, Lord. Lvb

   When you marry the dreamiest guy ever you feel like you've hit the jackpot. Seriously. Winner winner chicken dinner right here. Obviously the very best part of being a Sutton is this guy coming home to me every day. What I didn't realize, however, is what a goldmine I walked into when I signed on as a Sutton. It's been more evident this past week than ever before. Dale has talked about making a trip down home for years. Of course I wanted to go, All these folks are kin to me. They have been for 17 years, and yet I barely knew them. I just never realized how readily they would embrace me and mine as their own. And this is what Suttons do.  I feel like I have missed out for years, always nursing a baby or staying home with little ones. I can't fail to mention the Welkers here, I adore them too.  This whole bunch... they are some of the most generous, selfless people I've ever known....

I feel displaced in my grief because I am the in-law. I have never lost anyone like this. All four of my grandparents have gone on, but they were well into their golden years when they died. Lonnie was just a few months into his official retirement according to the Social Security office. It's different. I am still sad. I broke down in the parking lot of Price Chopper yesterday. When I got home the kids asked me what was wrong. My sister asked me what was wrong. When I told them I was sad they asked why. It's because I have been in this family for almost as many years as I wasn't in this family. He wasn't only Dale's dad anymore. He was kin to me. There were times when I needed help, and I couldn't reach Dale so I called Lonnie. He had taken me in and filled the role as the patriarch of the family. ... tears... I loved that guy. Even more the past few years as he has become more transparent, I have been able to see where ...

I am constantly considering the way that I do things and the reason I do things the way I do. Most commonly, I rethink the way that I am parenting this small village of people under my roof. After spending a long weekend with our good friends, away from the kids and the constant motion, I learned a lot. 1. Teaching our children to respond appropriately to injustice is more important than catching the instigator. They will continue to be antagonized throughout their lives in various circumstances. This is the perfect time to catch and correct their impulsive tendencies. 2. Modeling produces the best results. Monkey see, monkey do. 3. We are training our children to become responsible adults by establishing good habits. I have been toiling over the ever-growing list of rules that exist in this house. I fear that I am burdening my poor children with yoke of the law. I decided to limit video games to 2 days a week several months ago. It was a good change, but now I find some of my niño...

I find myself not writing because what I have to say is maybe not worth reading. Or maybe I'm afraid you won't find it interesting. I write with you in mind and find myself not posting because most of my readership has talked or tested me recently about the very thing I am posting. Then this morning I had this thought. I find myself not reading my Bible somedays because its not enough. Either I don't have time or the attention span to finish a chapter and so I read nothing. It occurred to me that a little is certainly better than nothing! And the same principle applies here. I need to write, for me! It's a lifeline that I deny myself on account of my concern for your interest. Time for a new chapter! One of my biggest pet peeves on Facebook, my social life, is when people list all their accomplishments in a day. But then I sit down to write an email or text or even a post on Facebook, and I am doing the same thing. It's so bizarre! What is it about that? Am I trying...

I am so, so happy to have all of my children home!! I know it's difficult to imagine, but my life is more simple, more quiet, more organized, more laid back when even one of my seven children are gone. But it's just not right. I miss them so much. Usually I use the time to clean out the missng link's room. It's always a relief to unload the countless trashbags and vacuum the carpet. Once tha's done, I am ready for them to come home. This past week Leila and Deisha were at my mom's for Little Girls' Camp. They had the time of their lives. Leila even cried a little on the way home because she already missed her sweet Nana. I can't blame her. I miss her too. I wish I could take you all to Nanaland. My mother is one of the most selfless and most hospitable people I know. She is a shining symbol of godliness to our children without fail! I know I will tire of the rat race at some point, with a houseful of children, but right now I am really loving my life. Th...

Maybe you heard, I'm pre-ga-nen-te!!! And this while working a real job for too long on top of raising seven and schooling five children leaves only a wink for anything extra. I seriously miss writing. I miss telling you my funny stories and amazing epiphanies. I miss knowing that we are connected here. And that, my sweet friend, is what brings me back. So this morning God answered my prayers definitively. I have been agonizing over my job since before the positive pregnancy test. My children, these blessed gifs of life, have needed me here at home with them. I struggled to let the extra income go but felt the end coming. After I announced the new baby coming, the hunt began for my replacement. I thought I would continue to work one day a week after she was hired, but I found out this morning that I will not have that option. It's funny... I should be thankful, and I am. But I feel strangely about leaving. I want to be as productive at home as I have been at work.I want to work...

I am sitting at the kitchen table with my feet propped up on Scarlette's booster chair, feeding her chicken noodle soup. Deisha and Leila are drinking hot chocolate out of tiny tea cups. Deisha is laughing hysterically at herself while Scarlette looks on. Leila is scrolling through the Ipod in search of a song to play. The big kids are all down at the park. It's the end of January at 7pm. 50°. So bizarre. The Oilers came over to play for a couple of hours, so naturally none of them want to waste a single minute eating dinner. I can't blame them. Dale is working late because it's Monday. I cleaned house all day... for someone else. Now I'm too tired to clean mine. Leila picked Friday Night by Lady Antebellum, hence the wild spontaneous dance party. Love it. What you doin'? Lvb

I love my life. I am in love with my husband. I adore my kids... I have a great house, messy as it is! I love my church... imperfect, but tight-knit. I wake up happy. I feel deeply joyful. I am contiually struck with gratitide. God has given me a ride in the good life. I have tasted, and seen, and lived this "abundant life" that Jesus  promised to His followers. I don't know why He has chosen to bless me, but I continue to thank Him for the showers of blessing. I just wanted to tell someone, and thank God for making my dreams come true.

I love these guys! Whata greeaat life!

Dale planned a walk on the trails and a final family picnic with the little girls while the rest of us finished school this morning. The picnic tables are 1.5 miles from the starting point of the trail, so the big kids rode bikes and skates. I have to tell you, I loved it. This girl almost never volunteers an idea that involves being outside. It's just not my thing... But I do try to have a cheerful attitude when I know I have to be a part of it. Today proved that, that pays off sometimes. Besides, I burned 300 calories with the deal! I hope you are enjoying these incredible fall days! Lvb P.s. I just realized my big kids are.all frowning! Hahaha! Crazy kids!!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! You are amazing...

If you have a chance to visit a Cabellas, it's on par with Bass Pro, as far as having things for kids. We are in the aquarium here checking out the fish and turtles. Even the big kids are thoroughly entertained! Lvb

"Jesus, please help (inmate) get out of jail. Help him not take drugs. Help him not shoot anymore cops. In Jesus' name, amen."   -Leila Sweetest prayer ever! Lvb

The kids sat at the table long enough to endure a history lesson, but from there it was to bed or couch for most of them. I made a second trip to  the doctor after another sleepless night and agonizing morning. I wish I could say I am fine, but there was minimal resolve to my back issue. A few happy events came from all of this suffering. Dale took the day off to drive me to the doctor, which I was so grateful for. And Dana came up to sit with the kids while we were gone, which we were all grateful for. I despise being sick, but I have to say there is something endearing about being quarantined together. Lvb

I rolled out of bed with a terrible backache and moved to the recliner. It was a rough night. Deisha came down first. She snuggled up next to me and said, "I'm sad." She felt feverish so I gave her some tylenol and sprite. As the others made their way down, I realized we weren't going to be able to have school today. I went to the doctor for my back, then came home to clean up and check on my crew. They must be feeling better; Tre is singing, and the others are fighting over who is sicker. The quiet was nice while it lasted, but I am glad they are on their way out. I dont like it when they're down.