i love it...2009 january~

I love it that even though Haven has been walking for probably close to six months, he still is very wobbly and when he really gets going, you can't help but cringe thinking surely he's going to run straight into something any minute. He's still a little top heavy ;o)

I love it that Noah calls Anna, "Nina." Even though he could say Anna if he wanted to.

I love it that even though Ethan is now seven, he still holds my hand.

I love it that Noah could be a genuine "Barney" kid, he can sing while smiling a huge cheesey smile with the best of them. All while swaying back and forth and nodding his head at all the appropriate moments.

I love it that I can buy any pair of roller blades at the Goodwill and bring them home knowing they will surely fit someone.

I love it when Haven takes my hand and says, "Co-, co-" (He hasn't quite gotten the "m" sound on the end yet.)

I'm wondering if Haven is going to have a permanent smiley face scar in the middle of his eyebrows even when he's an adult. But I'm really thankful we were able to take out his stitches at home so we didn't have to drag him back to the hospital again.

I love it that I have enough boys spaced and sized just right that I rarely have to store clothes in the attic. I just move them from one person's closet to another.

I love it that we've been having consistent 2-3 hour naptimes every day since Anna was born so now even my older kids just accept it as a normal part of their day. It's everyone's down time to pursue their own interests in peace and quiet. Or nap. Napping is very important sometimes ;o)

I love it that Anna knows just how to distract Haven and get him interested in something else when I need her to. Often without even asking. She is awesome with little kids and I love just watching her interact with the smaller guys.

And I love it that she is always writing a story. Always.

I love it that Caleb wanted long johns for Christmas so he could work outside in the cold.

I love it that anytime Glen is working on anything, Caleb is right there with him. And I love it that Glen welcomes all the kids to "help" him pretty much anytime he's working on anything, which is pretty much always.

I love it that last week when Glen was putting shingles on the shed he let all the kids up on the roof with him to help.

I love it that Moriah and Noah sometimes disappear upstairs for hours to play house.

I love it that for Christmas Moriah wanted puppy stuff, a scooter, a bigger kid skateboard, and roller blades. And she is always keeping an eye out for a new baseball hat.

I love it that now that Ethan is seven he says his taste buds have grown up. And I am so thankful that he has accepted the no gluten lifestyle with a very matter of fact attitude and I don't think he's complained once!

I love it that when bribed properly motivated, my four oldest kids can have the downstairs really, really clean in under thirty minutes. Vaccuming included.

I love it that Anna spent most of December teaching herself Christmas songs on the baby light up keyboard book and had NO IDEA that we were getting her a real keyboard for Christmas.

I love it that Moriah is loving school and gets out her "work" every day on her own without me having to ask her.

I love it that she has to come and kiss me goodnight twice.

I love it that when it's her day to do errands with me, she loves to count the horses we pass on the way home (47 last time) in between sounding out words and figuring out word families.

I love it that we finally figured out we can occupy play with Haven up to an hour a day in the bathtub if we divide it up between two baths and take turns watching him.

I love that Noah puts his little face up to my tummy and says, "Hi, baby Grace!"

I love it that when I take naps with Noah he still insists on cuddling up as close as possible, and on days when he's not quite ready to fall asleep, he plays with his fingers until he gets tired. So sweet.

I love it that when Haven gets tired, he grabs my hand and pulls me to his bed and points at it. Sometimes he's so happy to lay down that he laughs.

I love it that even though it's *only* 50 degrees outside, my kids think it's warm enough to play berry factory in the woods and eat lunch on the deck while wearing shorts and tshirts.

I love it that when it's cold, Haven likes us to open the door so he can stand next to it and hold his hands up by his head and shiver and say "cold, cold."

I love it that my kids shoes are almost always covered in mud. Even though it's gross, it reminds me of how thankful I am that I live somewhere where they can just go outside and be kids.

And I love it that when it's Noah's turn to pray, he starts out with the Boz prayer (Boz is a kids' video), and speed prays (read as fast as possible) "Thank you, God, as this day ends, for my family and my friends. Taking time to sit and pray, thank you, God, for this great day. In Jesus' name, Amen."