BLACK FRIDAY

What a great Thanksgiving we had yesterday. Nice and peaceful, well as peaceful as a house of 13 can be! The food was great, though we don't eat the traditional Thanksgiving fare, we usually have something out of the ordinary as none of us here care for turkey. I am the only one that had a food item that was from a Thanksgiving menu, a baked sweet potato! It was so yummy! We didn't eat until 2:30, and with many hands helping the mess was cleaned and put away quickly and off to the movies we all went. We had wanted to see Mr. Magoriums wonder emporium but, of course, it was not playing at the theater we frequent so we opted to see The Bee Movie! It was cute sitting and listening to my grown sons laugh and enjoy themselves as well as the younger ones. Victoria did ok, she was a little piglet with the popcorn and that was fine it kept her quiet and busy. I was also the designated refiller, I couldn't even tell you how many times I refilled pop, slurpies, and popcorn! We took up one entire row, so I was going from one side of the theater to the other with refills.

Once home, Den, David, Daniel, Branden, Bryan, Benjamin and Grant (a good friend) all decided to head to Soaring Eagle Casino. I so had wished I had sent a camera with them to record their adventure! They left about 7:30 and didn't return home until 6:30am! Den said he just had a ball with the boys and it was such fun watching them all play black jack! Pretty much everyone won back what they lost but, of course, not one walked away a big winner!!

I kept down the home front with Brett, Blake, Brennan, Jacqueline, Colson and my daughter-in-law Casey. Somewhere into the evening I got a flu bug and then Victoria got it as well. Nothing too serious but we both were not feeling well. She woke up about 1am and finally fell asleep about 5ish. I was exhausted and fell right into bed, not even hearing everyone come home. Casey fell asleep on the sofa waiting for Dave to return, then they left to spend the morning sleeping at her moms!

It was a nice quiet day, most everyone slept in. Dave and Casey came back over for a few hours, and we found ourselves watching "Funny Home Videos". How weird but we all laughed and it was just so nice enjoying my families company. The kids also drew names for Christmas, scurrying around trying to figure out gifts they might like to get. It was cute watching them all laugh and crack jokes as were all crowded around the kitchen.

Victoria and I are feeling some better though she still has had a few boughts with stomach cramps. Hoepfully tomorrow we will be fine. We leave bright and early to take Daniel back to the airport as he is North Dakota bound again! We will surely miss that kid! Gosh these past few days flew by since he has been home. One evening he spent in bed with a migrane so that was a bummer, not only for us, but for his fiance Elizabeth.

Everyone is scattered for now, I hear the movie White Christmas being played from the livingroom and I can hear some of the kids playing XBOX360 in the basement, Colson and Victoria are down for the count and I am taking a few moments to blog in between doing Dan's laundry.

We are so blessed, even when the frustrations of life squeeze and twist, we are still God's children and He is still in control. Sometimes its hard to understand the reasons behind the tests that he puts us through, sometimes we go through them kicking and screaming, and sometimes we even cop attitudes, we do confess our imperfections and try over and over each day to live the day better than before!

There are a few things we are in great need of, and there have been a few moments of weakness where we almost succombed to our own ways of taking care of them, yet at the final moment we stop, knowing that if God wants us to have them, He will provide, in His time. Is it hard? Oh my gosh, yes! Do I grumble, OH my gosh, yes! Do I feel guilty for my lack of trust and faith! Oh my gosh yes! Sometimes its in the testing that we find it the very hardest to trust. You know, in Romans, where it says, (my own paraphrase) "the things I don't want to do, I find myself doing, and the things I want to do, I don't." My hope and prayer is that no matter what I always search and seek what God wants. I know I don't live that out as much as I would like especially in front of my kids but I hope they see that I am trying, that their dad is trying and that serving Him is the only way to true contentment and happiness.

Finished with pancakes and ready
for play in the snow!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
from
our home
to yours!

What beautiful scenery I woke up
to this morning and its still coming
down!
We are all so excited, now our
annual "Thanksgiving Football Game"
can be played in the snow instead
of the grass!

Have a blessed day!

Its just a few days now until Thanksgiving. Several times in the past few weeks I have been asked to share what I am most thankful for. It should not be a hard question but I find myself, at times, stumped over what to share. Of course, there is the obvious, my precious family; more importantly salvation through Christ; my children's salvation, a roof over our heads, food on the table, the list can go on and on. I wonder, when asked this question, if we are supposed to come up with something astounding? something that will be like, "wow, thats totally amazing"; and as I sit here penning my thoughts the above mentioned are what comes to mind.

From a little girl on my one goal in life was to be "just a wife and mom". Sure I pursued some college education and am possibly going take a few classes this winter, but it was never my passion. I never wanted to work outside my home, sure the extra money would be great, but I don't think I could stand being away from Den and the kids on a regular working basis. I guess one thing that really comes to mind that I am totally thankful for is "my husband, his rock-solid love for the Lord, his wife and his family". He has never ever wanted me to work at anything but our family, and even when I have asked and sometimes begged to do so, he always says that our family would fall apart without me! WOW! if that doesn't just hit right in my heart! To think they really need me. There have are times I have wondered if I am only needed for, cooking (which by the way is the biggest chore for me to do, next to birthing 12 children); cleaning, etc. yet there are so many moments that I know its more than that. When someone forgets something they need at school and they know I am only a phone call away, when someone gets sick and they need to come home, when someone can play hookie and mom okays it! The truth is, I love what I am doing and I can't imagine myself doing anything else. I am very thankful to be "home". Its a rare gift these days and even in our circumstances when extra $$ would be so extremely helpful, I know what I am doing is what God has called me to do. Sure its not for everyone, 12 kids aren't for everyone, but God has given me the ability to care for this Tribe, sometimes not with the servants heart that I should have, but deep down in, the passion is there.

So my question to those of you who should stop by and take a moment to read this blog is,
"are you doing what God has called you to do, and is it your passion to do so?" If not, ask,
seek and knock. He'll answer.

Thank you to all my "wonderful" children. Through your lives you have refined me, shaped me and pushed me to want a more intimate walk with Christ. I am truly blessed beyond words to be your mom (mother-in-law) and hope that I will continue to walk in a manner worthy of Him for all of you!

To my children and grandchildren who aren't able to share in the Thanksgiving Holiday with us, know that your very presence will be missed, you are deeply loved and though the miles separate us, we know that one day we will all be together! Some day, God willing, we will be able to visit you and share in your surroundings, your life and your church. Know that you are prayed for each and everyday!

Praise God for the blessings He so beautifully bestows on each and everyone of us, some we see and experience and some we miss; and for the dreams He allows us to pursue and chase after.

May God give each and every one of you a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday and may His love shine ever so bright in our lives so that we may touch others for Him.

We took the afternoon and went to see
Dave and Casey in Mt. Pleasant.
What a great time we had. Their apartment
is adorable and very "at home" feeling. I just
love their little tree all decked out with their
new ornaments and some old treasures that
Casey's grandma gave to them to start
their first Christmas together with!
We had just the best day and its
so great to see your kids happy and enjoying
life together!
Thank you so much, Dave and Casey
for the best day ever, and especially
for the "terrific" lunch and yummy dessert!
We enjoyed some once we got home!
We love you guys so much, you really
blessed my heart today!

Dave, Casey and the kids

me, Den and the kids

Colson took this shot of Dave!
He had fun taking candids of everyone!

THE GIFT

I received the most amazing gift last night,
for my birthday, by my husband. I was shocked
(I think he thought I didn't like it but
that was totally not the case) at the
thought, the beauty and the workmanship
of this gift. I know Den has an amazing way
of penning his words and this gift was
no exception. He wrote me the most beautiful
love story, printed with pictures and bound
in a handmade wooden cover. GORGEOUS!
I love it! and it will be forever treasured.
I totally enjoy gifts that are made because
I know how much work, effort and love goes
into them (don't get me wrong I also LOVE
purchased gifts too) but when one of my
loved ones takes the time to make me
something it definitely is a "keepsake".
I thought I would give you a glimpse at the
book, however, the contents are for "me alone!"
He even said that there will be more chapters
added so I am anxious to get another
chapter added to my "special book".

What a beautiful mid-November day
we had today! Sunny, with a nice breeze
and still lots of color left on the trees.
It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is
just next week. We had a small taste of
Thanksgiving fare today at Jacqueline's
school. The cafeteria always puts on a
nice dinner of Turkey, stuffing, mashed
potatoes/gravy, rolls and cookies. Several
of the classes decorate the cafeteria festive
and there is always a standing room only
turnout. I had wanted to take a few shots
of the kids eating their lunch but Victoria
was rather on the hungry side so as fast
as I could scoop it she ate it! The camera
was long forgotten in the diaper bag until
we reached home. I always have the kids
dress in "Sunday" clothes for the dinner, and
when we got home I was able to take a few
shots of Jacqueline and Victoria in front
of our Christmas Tree. I have been trying to
find matching dresses for them and came
pretty close with these two!

My two adorable "dolls"

It still seems funny say "girls". I love
it, however, and now I can say we have
both boys and girls!

Victoria is getting more mobile every single day. She is now
starting to walk around the furniture, walk along the table
benches, etc. This evening she crawled into the kitchen,
when I was putting away groceries, and pulled open the
sippy cup drawer (her favorite place to play, Amanda do you
remember Wilson playing in the drawer and then one day
we found him sitting right in it?), after she
practically threw out everything in that she moved onto
my plastic wear cupboard and tore into it. It was rather
cute watching her dig out everything, and at one point, which
I wish I had gotten a picture of, she crawled right into
the cupboard and stood up! Cleaning up the mess wasn't all too bad
as it gave mean opportunity to clean out the few things she didn't get
too and rearrange it!

Here are a few shots of our little "mess maker"!

Her face is such a mess, I didn't realize how much "stuff"
her daddy missed when he cleaned her up from dinner!
Oh well! she still is so amazingly adorable!

Photos taken by Master Photographer:

Brett E. Lutz

Hey family and friends out there, my son, Brett just got himself hooked up with his very own blog. Check it out, its pretty awesome! Welcome, son, to the world of blogging. . . . . .

http://brettlutz.blogspot.com/

WOO HOO. . . . . we got some of that awesome "white stuff" today! Made me get so excited for the Holidays as I watched it fall from the sky! Keep on comin!

I just love the mind of a five year old. Colson is such a deep thinker and the questions he comes up with are amazing. When we drive to school in the morning he is full of chatter. For instance, "Mom what day is it supposed to snow?" I said, "today" and he said, "no, mom, what day, like you know, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday." Then I realized he is learning the days of the week and making a connection with the day we are on. Its such fun conversing with him. We moved on from that to Christmas. He asked if Brad and Amanda were coming home, and I said, "no" and he said, "oh yeah thats right Brad is fighting in the Army for us." Then he said, "actually he is saving lives, and mom, did you know that in his bag he has a special tool that will bring people back to life if they die?" I am thinking that he is big on BEN10 and all his super powers so he must think Brad is a super-hero! We move on to another conversation, mind you we live only 5 minutes from his school, when he asks, "is North Dakota, where Daniel lives, in the United States?" I answer, "yes" and then he says, "is Oklahoma where Brad and Amanda live in the United States too?" I answer yes again and go on to explain that there are 50 states in the United States and Michigan is one of too! He says, "ok" just wondered. We pull into the drive at school and I am getting ready to put the car in park to drop him off (today is a drop-off day not a walk-in day, he chooses if he wants us to drop him off at the door and drive away or park and walk in with him) I stop the car and he says, "I love you mom" (which just melts my heart) and a big kiss; I say, "I love you too, son, and have a great morning." He walks away, then stops, I am waiting until he goes through the school doors before I pull away, and he turns around and gives me a huge wave and smile! I miss that kid! I can't even begin to tell you how much he blesses my heart every single day! From the way he gives you a great hug, to the way he so carefully plays with his little sister. Conferences are tomorrow and I am worried, a little, of what his teacher will say. She is young, very organized and regimented and its obvious from the way everything runs in her classroom there isn't much room for imagination and 5 year old chatter. I hope I can listen with an objective hear and not a mom's heart to what she has to say. His report card was great, and we are finding out he has some fine-motor skill trouble so we are working on that issue with him, but overall he did pretty well for his first 9 weeks.

There are lots of little "Colsonisms" that I have rolling around in my brain, and if I get some time, which is a real issue, I am going to type them up and save them in a file!

God sure blessed us by giving us that special boy. . . . . . .

We had a busy weekend getting our home
decked out for Christmas. Most people think we
are crazy for decorating early but we all "love it".
Our December is always so busy that we never
seem to have quiet evenings to sit and enjoy
the lights and glow of the tree. Now, with
putting the tree up the first weekend in November
we enjoy the season for two full months!
My kids are awesome at helping dig out everything
we need and Brett is great at setting up
the big tree. A big "thank you" to him and to Casey
as she set up the small tree in the entry.
I even managed to get my livingroom
re-arranged in the process! Casey and I had
so much fun moving furniture, and even
lugging the tv from onside of the room to the
other! A surprise to both of us was when
we were able to re-connect all the "cords"
to the tv, cable, surround sound, and dvd player.
I had a "blond" moment when I could not
get the cable to come back on. I even called the
cable company and they tried to re-program
our box, but nothing, so they set up a time
for a tech to come out and access the situation.
While putting finishing touches on the livingroom
I noticed that I forgot to re-attach the cable
cord to the tv! DUH! once it was screwed in place
"presto" we had cable! We all had a great laugh
about it!
Anyways, our house is all set for the season,
inside and out! I must say it looks rather nice
and homey and festive. I chose to simplify my
decorations this year and I really like it too!
Sunday morning I could not resist getting a few shots
of Victoria in front of the tree. She has been amazingly
good at not tearing into it.

I don't have the heart to get after her when she does
touch the tree or grab a blub. She has no clue what its
all about and is only exploring. She loves the lights
and the blubs.

The kids and I put up the tree yesterday and
this morning, early, very early, I put the lights
on. When Victoria awoke she couldn't
take her eyes off the tree. First thing
when she got on the floor she helped herself
to a pretty Christmas tree bulb!
I didn't have the heart to take it away from
her she was just so cute looking it all over
and dangling it from the string!

This is what "big sister lovin'" gets you
asleep!
Tori was sung to by her daddy, and rocked
by her big sister.
I am blessed to have extra arms, but
I know from the looks of this picture
Casey's arms are t-i-r-e-d!

Casey and Victoria.
Den was playing his guitar and singing,
and Victoria started to sing in Casey's arms!

Victoria getting some big sister lovin'!