The Making of M.O.M.

Wowzers. It's Friday already? Really? Huh. You coulda fooled me. Man did this week ever fly by. However, it did not go by so fast that I forgot to capture some of our kids' funniest moments. Won't you join me in laughing at with your children, friends, family or, maybe even, yourself?

That's the purpose of Das Not Funny! Friday. I started this little blogapolooza so that I could share all the funny things my kids said and/or did during the week that made me chuckle, giggle or suppress side-splitting laughter. Maybe you'd like to see what it's all about before you play along? Okay, here goes....

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Ashlee's continued to have some trouble staying in the bed after bedtime. Earlier this week Luke and I were sitting in our room watching some TV as our bedroom door crept open. Since our bedroom light was on and Ashlee's eyes had already adjusted to her dark room. We see her head poke through the door, then quickly withdraw and one squinty eye peep in.

"What do you need, Ashlee?" I asked.

"Mommy, at da zoo, do they have baby girwaffes?" she asked.

"I'm sure they do," I responded, slightly peeved that this is what drew her out of her bedroom.

"Oh," she responded with relief, "Can I whold one?"

At least it was an important question.

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During our zoo trip the next day Lucas repeatedly said, about every animal, "Oh Momma, it's just soooooooo cute."

Sure son. Big hairy gorillas are "cute." So are chimpanzees that stick their behinds in our direction. And please, let's not forget that even rhinos are "just so cute."

I think I'm gonna start asking him to clarify when he says I look "cute."

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Lucas to Mr. Cecil, my Nana's boyfriend: "Hey Mr. Cecil. In my bedroom I was sweepin' and der was a deer. And it came into my bedroom and it ate up all my toys."

Mr. Cecil: "It did."

Lucas: "Yeah. But it was really just outside."

WHEW! Thanks for clarifying.

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Last night we celebrated my Dad's birthday over at my parents' house. Elizabeth finished eating, left the dining room, and went and grabbed a plastic Dora camcorder. She re-entered the dining room with the camera to her face and said, "Hey Birthday Boooooy!!!"

Glad she's getting a taste for the cinematography at an early age.

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There you go folks. If you'd like to play along it's super simple. Just write your own Das Not Funny! Friday post and somewhere in it link back here to my post. Then, enter your information into MckLinky so that my blog can be linked back to yours.

Super simple and a great start to the long weekend. Y'all have a great Friday and an awesomely blessed Labor Day weekend!

With the announcement of Baby Beaver #6, I figured most of you want to know a few things about our ever growing family. And honestly, God is working on me to be more graceful and humble when I answer common questions.

So, I thought I'd practice using some grace and humility here and go ahead and answer some questions that I'm sure you either a) have or b) are planning on asking.

Below are some frequently asked questions and comments. Yes, we've already heard most of them and I am sincerely praying that as word continues to get out about Baby #6 that I will handle further questions with a cheerful and welcoming spirit.

Q #1. Wow! Are you guys trying to be like Jon & Kate? Or.....Wow! Are you wanting to be the Duggars?

A: My heart just breaks for Jon & Kate's family. The news about their recent separation is hard to digest, especially since I understand that they are believers. As for the Duggars, 6 kids is a far cry from 18. We will just take one day (and baby) at a time.

As for "trying to be like" anyone else? No. We really just want to serve God by obeying what He is calling on our lives. I don't understand why God feels like we are capable of parenting all these children, but we will continue to seek His desires for our family and "try to be like" Christ, as much as possible, like scripture commands.

Q #2. Were you trying or was it an accident?

A: We were neither trying nor preventing. We do not believe that any child created by God is an "accident," even if their conception may have been unplanned.

Q #3. So after this one, you'll be done, right?

A: I don't think any woman should decide on permanent birth control while she is pregnant, especially me. I have said many, many, many times already during this pregnancy (always while hovered over a trash can or toilet or sink) "I NEVER want to be pregnant again!" However, I thank God for the invention of modern medicine and anti-nausea drugs. They help me function at this stage in the game. (I also said I NEVER wanted to be pregnant again when I was pregnant with Elizabeth and with the twins.)

As for after this baby's birth, the answer is I don't know. We will leave it up to God to guide us in whether we have more children.

Q #4: You know how this happens, right?

A: Yes, yes I most certainly do. ;)

Q #5: Wow! That's a lot on your plate. How will you do it all?

A: I have no idea. But, I do know that God would not have led us to this place if He were not going to walk us through the most difficult times. There will be days of intense stress, severe exhaustion and possibly even more mass chaos. However, we know that those days will become fewer and fewer and the days filled with joy, love, laughter, kisses and hugs will become greater and greater. We know that we will most likely forget the bad days after a while and remember the good ones for a lifetime.

All in all, Luke and I don't pretend to be perfect parents. In fact, anyone who has spent any amount of time around our family can testify, with detail, that our parenting techniques and styles are ever evolving. We try new things, hope that they work, then abandon the ones that fail repeatedly. We are eager to hear of new tricks, tips and discipline methods that could help our home and children grow to love the Lord.

We aren't super parents or perfect, nor do we claim to be. We are simply trying to humble our lives before the throne of a merciful Father, allowing Him to guide us as we parent our children and lead our family. Again, I don't know why God chose us to parent all these kids. But I do know that each of them bring into our lives immense blessings, unspeakable joy and a love that makes my heart want to burst. I stand in awe that God loves me and trusts me enough with His treasures and I pray that I do my Father proud.

Now, what burning question do you have that I didn't already answer?