December Daily Day 9

Day nine had to be about a photo session with nine grandkids and my parents.  These kids are simply amazing. There is no lack of personalities in this group. There are some leaders and some followers and most have their own opinions.  They do very well together and if they wanted to I believe they could take over us adults.  They fight hard for what they want and love each other deeply.

As with every group of kids there are those disagreements, but in a group of nine if you get tired of one just move on to the next. They seems to navigate to their one special buddy. So fun to see and experience!

December Daily Day 8

So many days this month the porch looks like this.  My two day crazy shopping "trip" resulted in many packages.  We still are continuing our plan of one gift to need, read, wear, and want for each of the kids. It seems to still add up with five kids.  I then proceed to take these boxes and put them in my closest. The clean out day is coming of sorting and wrapping:)

Every time I see these packages I wonder how my kids will shop as adults.  I could never have imagined at their age what this would look like or how fast we shop.  A sure sign of my time as a middle age adult.  

December Daily Day 7

Over the years the story of who hangs up our outside lights or if they even get hung up changes.  When your children are literally taller than you the job can certainly be given to them.  Brianna is the kid who drives this operation and Riley is good enough to listen to her directions.  This warm Colorado weather makes hanging up the lights a breeze and apparently can be done with no sleeves.  Grateful for big kids who contribute more each year to the decorating.

December Daily Day 6

The dance studio is a place that I have found peace in for as long as I can remember.  I remember the first dance studio I was in, the one where I went through those awkward teen years, and the one in college that I could dance until my heart was content. Young in my twenties found me in an amazing studio with my own opportunity to teach.  Thinking of the gift I was given by an amazing woman. She believed in me and my ability to teach. Now I teach in our small town in a local studio to girls who give me more than they every know.  I still love my time to take class and find myself in yet another studio with a teacher that loves adults.  What a gift this place is to me!

December Daily Dec 5th

Thinking about this group of kids who call me mom today.  A story of how the twenty year old Teri would have laughed at the thought of five kids.  Life is full of twists and turns and wonderful surprises.  One of the greatest surprises of my life is how much I love a big family and all that it entails.

I have my moments of frustration and overwhelm.  In the end though this was the path I was born to take. Those heels and a high rise job that I longed for were not part of my future. I do think every once in awhile about that dream I had especially on those days that I feel lost. It doesn't last and I go forward with these kids I love.

A little sewing on these pages turned out to be so much fun.  Day five done and my mind is spinning with stories...

December Daily Dec 4th

The decorating of the tree on a Sunday afternoon.  As the kids grow this isn't as popular of an activity as it used to be.  In the end though we were all there and worked together to put up the ornaments. 

I like looking at the ornaments and remembering the stories behind each one. The ones from when they were little.  The ones they hand made for us and the ones from travels of their grandparents.  All make up our memories as a family.  

A couple years ago we stopped putting our ornaments on the tree as it just gets too full.  One day though I imagine they will each start to take theirs and I will put mine back on. I am not looking forward to that day so for now after some coaxing we were all there on that afternoon.

There is still some wonder in this little man's eyes.  Thankful for that!

December Daily Dec 3rd

Time spent with my oldest.  A full day of just him and I starting at wrestling and then after heading to the mall to get his gift. This gift was out of my league as far as what he wanted and liked.  I am always so grateful for these moments that are one on one time for the kids.  This kid holds many roles in our life. Some hurt my heart because I know he has to be more sometimes than a fifteen year old should be. However,  I see his heart and his love of his siblings and I know these days will make him be an amazing man.

Telling my story one day at a time.  Love that!