Happy Easter!

It was not a Happy Easter this year!  Easter morning I woke up with a 102.5 degree fever ( I later learned I have pneumonia) and Joseph and Allie woke up with the roto virus, and a nasty case of it.  So, we missed church, missed the easter egg hunt and the family dinner.  Brent missed the next two days of work taking care of us and we had to send Rachel off to stay with grandparents because the roto virus is so dangerous for infants.  Then we spent 3 days scrubbing down the house and suburban to get rid of all the germs before Rachel came home.  We had our easter egg hunt a week late but I think the kids enjoyed it just as much.  Who doesn't love finding hidden candy in their yard?

 She's still our little pixie!

 Sarah Kathryn didn't find many eggs because she was too busy eating the candy out of the first egg she found.

 Haley and Allie are nice enough to leave the easy finds for the little kids.  They're such good sisters.  They also shared their candy.

 Everything is so exciting at Sarah Kathryn's age.

 Sometimes I forget that Allie is only 6.  She still gets excited about simple things.  I love it!

 Joseph is sharing.

 I think Sarah Kathryn stole someone's egg.

Bringing Home Baby

Rachel Marlene Helms was born Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 1:45 p.m.  She weighed 9 lbs. and was 20 inches long.  

Papa picked us up from the hospital on Thursday.  The children were very excited to see the new baby and have her home with us.

Rachel has been very quiet and sleeps well during the night.  I thought this would be our most difficult adjustment to a new baby (only because this is #6) , but it's been the easiest.  This is a blessing because of everything else we've been through lately. 

Today marks my first full week of taking care of 6 children all by myself and I have to say, it's been great.  Maybe the awful pregnancy makes taking care of all these children seem like a breeze, but I think it's because we're all genuinely happy together.  It could also be that Brent's bar exam is over, he finished his research for a piece of legislation that is going before the senate and he finished a citing project for a work that is about to be published.  Bringing Rachel home has been a real joy.  Brent and I also noted that this is the first time in our marriage that we've brought two babies home to the same house.  Life is settling down for us and becoming more exciting in other ways, but all good ways.  We can clearly see the hand of the Lord in our lives and we're so grateful.

 Joseph and Emily are always asking to hold "Baby Rachel."  Emily wants to know why she's always wearing pajamas and why she doesn't wear shoes.  She also doesn't understand why we can't take her out in public yet.

 This little bear has Rachel's footprints stamped on the back.  The gown Rachel is wearing is a gift from Ms. Hattie Jean, a colleague and friend of Brent's at the Probate Office.  Haley made the pink fleece baby blanket especially for Rachel's homecoming.

 Babies are so sweet!  No matter how many we have, I never get over it.

Emily is very proud of her little sister.  I think this is such a great picture.  I know it's one I'll look at 20 years from now and remember it as clearly as the day it happened.

Everyone asks what Sarah Kathryn thinks of the new baby.  I can tell she loves Rachel even though it's been an adjustment for her.  I spend extra time snuggling and playing with Sarah Kathryn so she understands that she's still my baby.  Our only concern is that she wants to wrestle and play with Rachel like she wrestles and plays with Joseph and Emily.  We keep a close eye on her, but I'm glad that she's interested in Rachel and obviously cares for her.  I can only imagine that they will be great friends.

Happy 1st Birthday Sarah Kathryn!

Today was finally our chance to build our gingerbread house and train.  I've been trying to get around to it for almost 3 weeks.  What slowed down our pace enough to squeeze in our Christmas tradition?  Brent and Haley caught a stomach virus, so we're all stuck at home.  HOORAY! (except for Brent and Haley)

I think Emily is sulking because Haley moved her candy around.

Joseph was very helpful with decorating the house.  By the time we got to the train, he was only interested in eating the candies.

Everyone is happy with the finished product.

Haley was in bed with a fever while the others decorated the train.  It turned out great despite Joseph snitching the candies.

It's a real shame that the house fell apart.  Now the kids have to eat it!

Haley's Baptism

Haley Marlena Helms was baptized on her birthday, June 16, 2012.  We were very fortunate to have so much family come and participate.  Grammy and Nana gave Haley special jewelry to wear and Aunt Katie sent the flower for her hair.  Haley was baptized in the dress that Nanny Helms made.  It's the same dress that Aunt Callie and Catherine Bailey were baptized in.  Because the entire bishopric was out of town, Pop Pop conducted the baptismal service and Brent performed the baptism and confirmation.  Nana played the piano, Grammy gave a talk, Papa gave the prayer and Allie and I performed a musical number.  The entire service was performed by family.  It was a very special day!

We are so glad Mamaw could come for the baptism.

Haley and Allie with Grandma and Papa.

Brent's been looking forward to this day for a long time.  He spent lots of time talking with Haley about what it means to be baptized.

Grandpa and Nana

Grammy and Pop Pop

Emily wanted her picture taken too!

Aunt Kathy with the princesses.

Happy Birthday Haley!

Sarah Kathryn tried to blow out the candles too.

I DID IT!

I DID IT! I finally published a new post!  Obviously, much has happened since May.  Some of which will be included in later posts with the accompanying pictures.

In August (I think), we visited Uncle Ric, Aunt Kat, and Tootie in Atlanta.  It was the most relaxing weekend Brent and I have had in a long time.  Kat is notorious for her hospitality and as usual her cooking was excellent.  They put up a pool in the back yard for the kids, which the kids are still talking about.  Joseph even swam without his floaties on.  The kids jumped in and out of that pool as much as they liked all weekend.  We had a bbq and just enjoyed the company.  Uncle Ric had me burn our names in my grandparents swing that he built.  Joseph and Emily keep asking when we're going to see "Unka" again.

Here we are with our crew!  We don't get very many of these pictures.  I should blow it up, print an  8x10 and consider our family photo done for the year.

Joseph is so good to Sarah Kathryn and she loves her big brother.  She likes to play with his toy dinosaurs and make growling noises like Joseph does.  She's definitely watching him.  Joseph watches to make sure Sarah Kathryn doesn't eat things off the floor.  He tells her, "No No baby" and gives her a toy she can plan with.  In the picture below I caught them behind the chair.  Joseph was "reading" Sarah Kathryn a story.

Haley made this crafty little door hanger for our house which she was very proud of.  She loves that Sarah Kathryn has her blue eyes and blonde hair.  Haley calls the baby her "Mini Twin."

Allie continues to enjoy cooking.  Lately she been swiping my new issues of "Southern Living" looking for new recipes.  In this picture she's eating a piece of the vegan sweet potato pie she made.  It was excellent.  Her next project is caramel apple tarts.

I just want you to know that sacrifice brings blessings.  I know that some grandparents will consider this new post a blessing.  The sacrifice is that I've been listening to the kids squealing and screaming with delight while they've been jumping on my bed for the last 20 minutes, which means my room is a disaster, the baby has been crawling on my bathroom floor and there's clean laundry everywhere.  I hope you enjoy it!