This week has been a lesson on patience.  We have had to work really hard helping and valuing each others time.  With Reiana's car down and Antonio's car down the Econoline has put on a few miles getting people where they need to go.  This week has also brought colds, pink eye, and less laughter than usual.  One of the best things that kept me going  was knowing there would be lots of home time this weekend to reconnect and give lots of cuddles and hugs.  I am not going to lie and say this week wasn't filled with tears or temper tantrums (from me) hehe....but we made it.  Here is Saturday.  I wonder where we should ride our bikes to today?

All seven of us.....

The seven littles are growing and changing and some are not so little anymore.....  I was inspired recently by another blogger who has 7 little people too.  He wrote a list of what makes him happy about each of his children.  I immediately sat down and made my list too.  It was such a great exercise in remembering to love them more each day, to not get frustrated at childhood moments that are very typical.  I do know how blessed I am and thankful that each day I get to see them make amazing choices that build who they will become....  Ok, here is my list.....

1.        I love Reiana because she loves the same things I love.  Now I am not sure she really loves them or just loves me and enjoys sharing them with me.  She has been by my side on our family journey the longest and has seen me grow and change as I have seen her grow and change.

2.       I love Kalani because of her wit.  I love her because she is more like her father than she could ever imagine, and I love him, so I love her too.  She is determined and yet carefree. 

3.       I love Ariah because she is like a ray of sunshine.  She always knows what I need and sees that I am put together in the morning when it is time to leave.

4.       I love Neko because he is teaching me how to be a mom to boys.  He is smart and talented.  He has always had a knack for making people feel special.  Sometimes he even does things that he is told with a smile on his face.

5.       I love Kaiel because he giggles and laughs.  He is such a happy boy.  He loves to ride his bike with me, he loves to go to Starbucks with me, and he even likes to play games with me.  This makes my heart feel good. (sometimes he even lets me win)

6.       I love Rohan because she knows she is a princess.  She is gentle and kind with her little brother.  She does not worry about anything and she always has a story to tell.  She is articulate and fun.

7.       I love Anaku because he is filled with love himself.  He looks at you with expressions of tenderness and joy.  He is gentle and kind.  He wants others to feel as happy and good as he does. 

 

I am thankful for my little people.  They have shaped me and given me hope that there are stories to tell.  I know that I am blessed and that SEVEN will always be my lucky number.  I go into public with this group of people and have pride in how they have been raised.   I do not look at them as burdens or mistakes.  I look at them with pride and accomplishment.  God is guiding them, we are loving them.  They are blessings…..

Here they are....all 7 of my littles.... I know the blog is titled 5 kids... but we are now a family with 7 kids. I always imagined a big family, and now I know we are truly complete....Every aspect of life that comes with a family this size makes me smile, laugh, cry, and worry.... They are a delight to watch, each personality different and unique. My worries lie in the organization of their lives, and 'stuff'.....I hope that none of them feel lost in the shuffle of each other and each one feels they are valued and appreciated for their talents....
As for the piggie....Choco has moved on to bigger spaces and Houdini, the baby, is learning how to be loved.....

Goodbye swimsuit days...

Only a few more sleeps until we start another school year....Reiana has began her sophomore year on MOnday... High school is already going toooo fast. We are already in preparation mode... Backpacks...check, New clothes.....check, cute shoes...check, lunch boxes....nope, still on the hunt for the perfect fit for each of them. We have many goals for the upcoming school year. I think my goal is the biggest to tackle. I vow to be calm and polite during the morning rush.... I think I have developed a system for shoe finding. The plan is for each child to have their shoes next to the door before they go to bed. Here's hoping for the best!

As for Choco, she has been enjoying the multiple days of monsoonie rain.....

finally an update.....

It's only been a little over a year.... he he... 5 kids and a pig can no longer be the title of our family blog. We were blessed this last November with our final addition..... Little Rohan Alice. She is the perfect ending to our 'baby' chapter. Each day I welcome a new baby milestone and sadly kiss the little baby days goodbye.....

As for the piggy pie, she is enjoying her days rolling in irrigated mud puddles and eating pecans as they fall from the trees.....

The Holidays.... recap

We survived another fun filled holiday season. This year Santa gave us another wonderful pet. I guess I should change the blog name :) We have a beautiful Australian shepard, named Magestic. Kalani has been bugging for a dog forever.... so.....
We enjoyed many things over the holidays.....
1. Neko got his Folklorico outfit, he is my dancing boy!!!!
2. We had a blast riding the Light Rail. Reiana and I were interviewed for channel 15. ( I think you can still check it out on their website)....
3. We made many New Year resolutions... The first one was to PURGE! all things that are clutter in our lives. So we are making a move.
4. Santa also got us Wii Fitt. Which all of us are enjoying. Even Kaiel....
The season also brought a big change for Kaiel and his vocabulary. He is talking so much now! I can't believe how many more wordes he can say!

school concerts

Don't you just love school concerts..... Ariah and her first grade friends sang carols for family on Tuesday night. She is such a performer. Her facial expressions and dancing are fabulous! Of course while she was singing little Kaiel felt the urgency to dance. It was so funny. Everyone around us smiled and laughed. I know what to get him for Christmas, some lessons on rhythm.....