Daily Routine

I had a friend ask me recently what I do...besides being a mommy.  I giggled.  If you are a mommy with 5 kids, you know why; there is nothing else to do besides be mommy and wife:)  So I told her I would write out my typical day on my blog - here goes.
5:30 - 6am    Get ready for the day / read Bible
6:30 - 8am    1.  Make breakfast - either muffins/dutch babies/Amish oatmeal/pancakes,

                     sausage or eggs (rotates every other day), and fruit.

                     2.  Make 3 lunches to go; 2 for school and 1 for Rob - work

                     3.  Eat breakfast!

8am             Take kids to school on my drive day / Clean up kitchen / girls do dishwasher / start laundry                              (typically 6 loads every other day)/

                    check to be sure all children have made beds/cleaned rooms/lights out, etc...

9am             Start homeschooling / continue laundry / check e-mail / make calls / clean house/ or run errands

11:15           Prepare lunches for the 4 of us girls / clean up school / laundry

11:30ish       Lunch - sit down for (sometimes) 20-30 minutes:)

12pm           Clean up from lunch / laundry

12:40pm      Daily call with Rob - my favorite!!

1pm             Read books and get girls down for nap - usually just 1 down / continue homeschooling/ 

                    laundry

2:30            Leave for school pick-up
3pm            School pick-up - drive home
3:45            Help with homework / go over spelling and memory work / get snacks for kids
4:30            Off to practice - baseball or whatever, usually / if it's game day we don't come home, we stay                      on that side of town and wait to game (then return about 7:30pm to eat and bed)
5:30           Prepare dinner - usually takes at least 60 minutes
7pm           dinner  - if not a game night

8pm           Get kids ready for bed
9pm           Try to be done with house stuff - usually end up folding laundry on my bed
10-10:30   Sleep:)

My day varies with sports schedule and school events, but this is a "typical" day.  I don't sit very often - always to eat and usually to read a few books to the girls a few times a week.  I love my life and wouldn't trade it for anything....well, maybe trading it for a day off now and then would be good:)

My Upmost For His Highest

I love this.
	COULD THIS BE TRUE OF ME?
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself." Acts 20:24 It is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call, because then you are not bothered by what God requires; common sense is your guide, veneered over with Christian sentiment. You will be more prosperous and successful, more leisure-hearted, if you never realize the call of God. But if once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God wants will always come like a goad; you will no longer be able to work for Him on the common-sense basis. What do I really count dear? If I have not been gripped by Jesus Christ, I will count service dear, time given to God dear, my life dear unto myself. Paul says he counted his life dear only in order that he might fulfil the ministry he had received; he refused to use his energy for any other thing. Acts 20:24 states Paul's almost sublime annoyance at being asked to consider himself; he was absolutely indifferent to any consideration other than that of fulfilling the ministry he had received. Practical work may be a competitor against abandonment to God, because practical work is based on this argument - Remember how 'useful you are here, or - Think how much value you would be in that particular type of work." That attitude does not put Jesus Christ as the Guide as to where we should go, but our judgment as to where we are of most use. Never consider whether you are of use; but ever consider that you are not your own but His.

Alayah's Rainbow 5th Birthday Party

It was great fun preparing for Alayah's 1st birthday party EVER!!!  

She was thrilled and enjoyed making plans.

 I am 5 and I am happy!

 Rainbow made by Alayah and Hannah

 Rainbow Party buffet table

 Alayah's favorite foods

 Three sisters in rainbow style

 Rainbow girls doing an assortment of crafts

Daddy and mommy with their Rainbow Birthday Girl - ALAYAH!!

Hannah's Princess Tea Party - 5th Birthday

 Our three princesses - birthday girl in pink tu-tu

 Princess Hannah with her new baby doll

 The tea party "buffet" table

 Princess goodie bags

 Set for a princess:)

Princesses making crowns

Kennell Picture Update

WOW!  Has it really been 2 months since I have blogged?  Well...yes:)  Here are some pictures to update you on the past 2 months.

Thanksgiving 2010

 Aunt Christie, me, and Alayah

 Uncle Jeff, Alayah, and Rob

 Our house in the early morning before Thanksgiving

 A view from the front door going down the lane

Kennell and McDermott cousins (Kimberly's side)

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December 2010

 Thank you boxes for physicians

 Our Angel - Jeremiah

 Our pondering Micah (in green)

 me, Hannah, Mariah, Alayah, and Grandma Nina at the school Christmas musical

 Micah was a shepherd who helped narrate the Sunday school Christmas program

Jeremiah was a "child" who had an acting and speaking part.

 Hannah was a perfect angel who knew all the words and motions

Mariah and Alayah were angels as well; they knew alot of the words and motions.  They chose to sing at home and simply enjoy watching the congregation and the other angels during the program:)  At one point, Alayah did scratch her head, where the halo was, and promptly grabbed it and started to "fling" it across the church.  Thanks to Mrs. Bigloo, her teacher, the halo was caught and put on Alayah's head quicker then the blink of an eye!

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Christmas 2010

 Micah's special present made by Jeremiah

 Hannah, Alayah, and Mariah with their babies from Jeremiah and Micah

 The favorite Christmas pastime - the pool!

 

Jeremiah's famous smile:)

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Hannah's 5th birthday

 A Princess  Tea Party

 The 5 year old Princess - Hannah

 The Kennell Castle Princesses

 Princess treats

More Princess gowns

Micah's 8th Birthday!!

My baby boy is 8 years old....Happy Birthday Micah Bean!!!  Here are some pictures of his "friends" party and also his family party.

 Micah's Swamp Cafe

 The "unplanned" activity - football

 Obstacle Course

 He's such a goofball.  He blew out his candles once, but only 4 of them, so re-lit them and we had to sing all over again.  I wish you could have seen him do it and most importantly heard him tell us to "start the song over".  It was SO funny!

 Micah and his buddies

The following are from the night of his birthday.  Both Papa Tata and Grammie AND Papa Earle and Grandma Nina came.  We had a great time and laughed alot....of course!

 His school birthday treat

Micah and Mr. Red Throat (the frog)

Dear Samantha......

Micah's 2nd grade class has been practicing writing letters; the format, etc..  His teacher had a new niece that was born yesterday.  Mrs. Picker asked the kids to write her niece, Samantha, a letter with advice for the following areas: having a solid Christian life, doing well in school, and getting along with family.  Here is Micah's letter:  (It was even on stationary)


Dear Samantha,
to grow stronger in your faith, tell people about God.  One thing you can do to do well in school is do your best work.  One piece of advice about family is they will always care for you.
                                                                from,
                                                                Micah

Precious for sure!!