Happy Halloween!

Funny Stuff

A friend asked me recently what my favorite memories of the children are. My favorite times with the kids are the random, clear out of the blue, never-could-have-predicted-it moments that make me laugh or melt me.  Here are a few examples:

I handed Sarah Kathryn a bottle of milk yesterday and she said to me, "Thank you, baby."  I guess you have to know the South to appreciate that one.

Joseph tried to get out of cleaning the clothes off his bedroom floor by being funny.  It went like this:  "Joseph, please put your dirty clothes in your laundry basket."  Joseph threw his head back, laughed and said, "Momma, you're such a crazy girl!" and he walked out the back door to go swing.

Emily is walking around with a toy phone, hunched over, moving slowly and having a pretend conversation with a shaky voice.  When I looked at her like, "What are you doing?" she says, "I'm an old woman on the phone."  Not sure what that one's about, but it just proves that you never can tell what's going on in her head.  Now that she talks more, it makes for pretty hysterical moments.

I'm sure we're about to have more random moments because, as I sit here typing this, I can hear the garden hose running in the back yard.  Which means that everyone is wet, but no one is crying and I have time to blog, so...it's worth it!

I know I don't blog as much as I should, which bothers people, and I may regret it one day since this is pretty much our family scrapbook.  It seems like there's so much going on all the time, there's always a moment to share with them.  If I take too many time outs I might miss some.  I may not remember all that I want to later, but I'll remember that I was there.  I'll know I didn't miss anything and if I'm lucky, they'll come around  a lot to keep sharing those moments with me.  My children are amazing!

Sarah Kathryn

There are some things in our house that are understood...the front and side door remain locked at all times, dishes must be cleared from the table immediately after meals and most importantly- whenever we take the children anywhere one adult is in charge of Sarah Kathryn and one adult manages the other five.  Perhaps this sounds unfair, but keeping up with Sarah Kathryn is like taking care of five children at once.   I'm not sure what's on her face in the picture below, but this is not unusual.  Who knows what happened to her clothes?  This morning, right before church, she took off her diaper and put on a pair of Allie's panties.  I guess she's trying tell me something.  She's not bad, she incredibly intelligent and determined.  When you're only 1 year old, that often means trouble.

I'm pretty sure she was eating dirt before this picture.

She frequently jumps in the shower before I can take her clothes off. 

These are the pictures from PriMed when Sarah Kathryn had stitches a few weeks ago.

Sarah Kathryn climbed into my bathroom sink looking for her toothbrush before bedtime. 

Things I Missed...

 This is Haley, Allie and Joseph hiding in the "laundry eater."

 My 31st birthday, February 18.  My dad said he felt old when I turned 30.

 Joseph's birthday is February 28.  Since Rachel was due the day before we had extra family in town which made for a great birthday party for Joseph.  Grandma and Papa, Grammy, Mamaw, Uncle David and Aunt Kathy, Aunt Sharon and Uncle John and Great Gran were all in attendance.  Everyone was so impressed that Joseph insisted on opening the cards first.

Joseph

I don't know who took all these random photos of Joseph, but I think they're pretty indicative of his happy personality.  After church today, Brent asked Joseph if he cried in nursery.  Joseph said, "No!  I'm the funny boy!"

Emily started kindergarten this year, and because Emily never does anything without Joseph, Joseph started kindergarten this year.  His ability to recognize the letters and numbers is amazing.  He doesn't have the hand-eye coordination Emily has but he's only 3.  He makes me laugh every time we start school.  I'll say, "Come on Joseph.  It's time for school."  Joseph will complain and say, "I don't want to."  I don't make him, because he's so young, but as soon as he hears Emily and me going over the letters and their sounds, he jumps in the chair next to us and grabs a crayon.

This cowboy outfit was in a bag of hand-me-downs some friends gave us.  Can you guess what Joseph is going to be for Halloween?  He's so cute!

Updates

The kids are great. Joseph is potty training. I bribe him with candy to use the potty, it's cheaper than diapers. I'm going to put a toddler leash on him so I quit losing him in WalMart. Sarah Kathryn is willful and stubborn and just about the sweetest one year old I ever saw. She grabs my face with both hands and makes me give her kisses, even though chances are good she's recently been eating dirt. Emily starts kindergarten this year and constantly amazes me with how much she's changing. She's so spunky and animated and sweet and delicate at the same time. I feel like she's a rare flower that only a few are privileged enough to witness. Allie is sweet and lovely as always. She's also the family comedian (like Brent) and is quite the favorite with her friends at church. Haley's art grows more accomplished everyday. She's trying hard to live up to her baptismal covenants and is changing quickly from a little girl to a little lady. I'm having to give her some room to grow and spread her wings a little. She's earned it. Rachel is enchanting. Her bright blue eyes, curly brown hair and quick smile get everyone's attention. All the children love to play with her and she loves and recognizes them in return. Six kids is definitely crazy, but it's a piece of heaven right here on earth. I just keep trying to deserve so much happiness. (pictures available soon)

Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day.

Today, my dad and Brent's dad cooked dinner for all of the mothers.  Brent put away the food and washed the dishes.  (This is why I have time to blog.)

The ladies at church made treats for all the children to take home to their mothers.  The girls brought me muffins with this story attached.  (Think If You Give a Moose a Muffin.)

If you give a mom a muffin,
she’ll want a cup of milk to go with it.
She’ll pour herself some.
Her three year-old will come and spill the milk.
Mom will wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she will find dirty socks.
She’ll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry into the washer,
she’ll trip over shoes and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She’ll look for her cookbook
(How to Make 101 Things With a Pound of Hamburger.)
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The checkbook is in her purse,
which is being dumped out by her two year-old.
Then she’ll smell something funny.
She’ll change the two year-old.
While she is changing the two year-old, the phone will ring.
Her five year-old will answer and hang up.
She’ll remember she was supposed to phone a friend
to come over for muffins and milk.
Thinking of milk will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
She will pour herself some more.
And chances are,
if she has a cup a milk,
her kids will have eaten all the muffins.

I also saw this Mother's Day video that I really liked.  I especially like the quote at the end that says, "Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a mother."

Happy Mother's Day!

Family Photo

After graduation, Brent's parents were trying to take a family photo.  Despite our many attempts we didn't get one that was just right.  When I uploaded the pictures to the computer and saw all the pictures I realized what an accurate depiction this is of life at the Helms' house.

 Above:  Haley is sneezing and Allie looks like she needs a bathroom break.  Sarah Kathryn must have heard Haley sneeze.

 Rachel is wondering what all the commotion is, Sarah Kathryn is destracted and Emily is crying because she doesn't want to have her picture taken.

 Joseph is tired of holding still, Haley is sneezing again, Sarah Kathryn is missing a shoe and Allie still needs a bathroom break.

 Brent tries to console Emily so she'll stop crying and smile for the picture.  

This is as good as it gets.

Law School Graduation

Brent graduated from Jones School of Law May 11, 2013.  The ceremony was held at the MPAC in downtown Montgomery.   Brent's parents, Aunt Kathy, Mamaw, all of the children and I were there.  It was a nice occasion and we are very proud of Brent.

It's almost a complete family photo.  Rachel was saving seats with Pop Pop.

Brent was very happy that Mamaw and Aunt Kathy could make it.  They also helped a lot with the children!

Each graduate was asked to invite someone special to them to perform the hooding ceremony for them at graduation.  Brent asked his mother and she was thrilled.

Just Stuff

This post is for catching up on things I haven't blogged about yet.  I started this blog so that distant family could stay updated about the kids with pictures and stories.  Now I blog because I don't scrapbook and I don't make photo albums.  So one day when the children are grown this is how they will go back and remember their childhood.  They can't read my journals until I die.

 I always love sleeping babies.  Right now as I'm posting this Sarah Kathryn is saying, "baby, baby" and laughing.  To say that she loves Rachel is an understatement.  When I'm feeding Rachel Sarah Kathryn sits next to me on the couch and lays her head on Rachel's tummy while she eats.  And the feeling is mutual.  Rachel lights up with a smile whenever Sarah Kathryn is around.  They're another set of fast friends.

 This is Haley and Allie with our neighbor Mrs. Gray.  Last Saturday Mrs. Gray took the girls to a picnic and fashion show sponsored by the Millbrook Civic Club.  The girls had a great time drinking punch and eating finger sandwiches.  They said they were embarassed because of all the immodest clothes at the fashion show.  Most people think we're peculiar because of our dress standards, but to Haley and Allie it's the other way around.  Modesty is beauty.  We're trully blessed to have the Grays for neighbors.  They're so good to the children and they've been true friends to our family.

 We had a movie party last Friday night and invited 5 other families from church.  We had 16 children at the house that night and it was so fun!  I made taco soup for dinner, the kids played in the back yard, we watched "Cars 2" and had cupcakes, popcorn, fruit and pretzels for snacks.  When the movie was over the kids all danced in the living room until their parents came to take them home.  Going clockwise starting with Sarah Kathryn there's Aaron (Allie's best friend), Allie, Emily, Lizzie, Sara, Elise (Allie's other best friend), Haley, Davis and Reagan.  The other three boys were in the living room, including Ryan who's four years old and Emily's best friend.  The night of the party Ryan says to me and his dad, "One day when I grow up I'm going to serve a mission in Urugay (where Ryan's dad served) and when I get home I'm going to marry Emily.  Emily, you wanna marry me?"  After Brent established that Ryan plans on being an astronaut and has money in savings account, he approved the match.

 Emily is a great big sister.  She loves to sit and hold Rachel and she helps Sarah Kathryn all the time get snacks and put her shoes on.  Of course, she and Joseph are still the best of friends.

 This is Brent at the investiture of Probate Judge John E. Enslen.  Judge Enslen was sworn in on January 10, 2013 and he appointed Brent as his chief clerk.  Brent loves his job and is learning a lot from the judge.  We are very grateful for the opportunity this is for Brent.  On the day of the investiture Judge Enslen asked Brent to introduce our family to the public.  Afterwards we had lots of comments about how well behaved the children were.  Brent had to carry Sarah Kathryn to the podium with him while he introduced himself and everyone thought it was cute.  The picture below is the picture that was posted in the paper announcing Brent as chief clerk.  There were over 150 aplicants.  We're so proud of him!

Yes, Joseph is wearing underwear on his head.  No worries, they're clean!  I include this photo because it demonstrates that although Joseph has 5 sisters, knows the theme song to "My Little Pony", likes to watch Barbie movies, has worn a tutu and sometimes plays with dolls, he is all boy. He thinks bodily noises are funny, likes underwear on his head, loves dirt, and says that every tractor or motorcycle is "so cool!"  He's my little man who's always trying to be a big man.  He tells me to wait in the house while he carries his baseball bat outside to fight the raccoons and he pushes his toy lawnmower right behind Brent while he mows the yard and then helps put all the yard equipment away.  We love our little boy!