-----"Just Makin' Memories"-----

My Niece turned 1 this month!!!!

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

She looked so cute in her outfit. I don't post pictures of her on my blog but I thought I would share some pictures of the party and the amazing decorations. My sister is awesome!

I LOVE owls so of course I was in love with the theme! SO cute!

I put the girls in cute owl shirts so they would match! :)

The Thank you bags were so fun and adorable! Derrek would not smile for me so I got some silly pictures of him, showing off!

Me with my sweet Babies! :)

2011-12-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

GIVEAWAY!!!!

2011-12-01T09:20:00.000-08:00

Enter to win a white Apple iPad 2 on @kaelahbee's blog! http://tinyurl.com/765rhwz

"Learning As We Go"

2011-11-08T07:16:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for my babies. Even when my mornings start with yelling, fighting & broken Christmas ornaments on my living room floor...like this morning & I want to run & hide... I eventually sit back & remember how very blessed I am to have them. Even in the moments I want to pull my hair out, I would NEVER change a piece of my life for anything! They have shown me what selflessness looks like, they have shown me in a very small way the mightiness of Gods love (its too amazing to grasp). My life is truly full because of their amazing daddy & the love we share for them!!

My BIG girl, Trinity! I'm thankful for her love, for her strong will, for her hugs... She is such a good big sister, she takes charge & shes my big helper. She is a lot like me, I want to encourage her strong personality while teaching her kindness, forgiveness, & respect! I want her to find the strength to love others and also to always be pleasing in Gods sight. I want her to be a godly woman, an example to others. She has my personality in a lot of ways but she also has a lot of her dad in her, I think she will be a leader! Leading other woman in love and faithfulness to God! I love this girl to pieces! :)

My Arianna! Full of sweetness & sensitivity but secretly ornery! ;) She wants to be a mommy of 4 to 6 kids, sometimes she says 8... She is loving, kind, cuddly, full of compassion. But MAN, if you make her mad, stay away for a while, let her come to you...but when she does be ready for lots of kisses! She loves to learn & wants to be able to do everything her big sister does! Shes usually agreeable but if she feels strongly about something then you are not changing her mind! She hates change & likes things in there place! Shes my princess! I love her "bigger then the sky" which is what she loves to say! :)

My Sophia. Where do I start? Shes our clown, she loves to make everyone laugh! She is the most cuddly out of all of them & has no personal space or volume control! Lol! She is a lot like her dad, because she loves people & everyone loves her! She probably gets in trouble the most, but most of the time hasn't realized shes done anything wrong. She likes to do what she wants & if its not fun then its pointless to her, haha! She is our entertainment! She is afraid of everything! She is loving, playful, smart (when she is interested)! ;) She is our little actress without even knowing it, lol! I love her sooooooo much more then she will ever know!

My Derrek (Bubby)! Wow! I always wanted 3 boys & 1girl, God definitely knew what he was doing when he gave me the opposite! Boys are hard but man do I LOVE having my little mommas boy! :) He is my little buddy! Hes still too young to know much about his personality & its changing constantly but he is loving, easy going (with 3 sisters he kinda has to be), & kind. At the same time hes rough, wild, & loud! He is loving with his sisters but can turn on them in an instant & rip there hair out, throw a toy at there face, bit them, or pinch hard enough to leave a mark & for no reason at all. He is definitely a handful of toughness but also another handful of love. Hes good for his sisters...hes teaching them to be tough! ;) I love my little guy & the love fills my heart! ♥

2011-10-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

My 2nd baby is 5!!!

2011-10-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

Arianna is 5 now. I can't believe it. They are growing up soooooo fast. I love my babies so much! They are getting so big and I'm trying so hard not to miss any of it! They have given my life and my heart so much joy!
I had a lot of fun making her cake this time. It was fun trying something new!

Laura Story - Blessings

2011-10-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

This song really means a lot to me. God wants to teach us and show us his mightiness, even if the only way is through tough stuff, hurt/pain, loneliness... God is bigger then anything, any bad day, any tear, he wants to bless us, even if it is through pain, tears, trials... Blessings In Disguise...

My girls are getting SOOOO big!

2011-10-12T07:31:00.000-07:00

I tease about them being like twins. They are so cute. Yowia (Sophia) on the left, just turned four last month and Nawna (Arianna) on the right, is turning five on Monday. They are 11 months apart. They think its funny that they are the same age for a month every year. Sophia got sad last year when Arianna turned 4 because they weren't 3 together anymore. I wonder if she will do that this year. They are friends and sisters but they are SOOOOO different in every single way. They don't really even look alike either, I don't thinks. Arianna is petite, little, dainty, sweet, usually the quieter one, kinda a perfectionist, loves to learn, independent but also needs acceptance, shy... Sophia is kinda big for her age, very tall, rough, usually the loudest one, messy, hates to sit still and listen for more then 5 minutes, cuddly, loves people, outgoing... Sophia is about 1/2 an inch taller then Arianna and weighs about 3 lbs more. It is so funny how different they are. I love it, life would be boring if we were all the same. It is funny when I see different things about each of them that they get from me or Justin, or our parents. I pray all our kids grow up being close to each other and loving each other.

Marriage Retreat

2011-10-12T06:56:00.000-07:00

We got to go on a Marriage Retreat two weekends ago. It was so nice for the two of us to get away. Of course, I LOVE my babies and love having them around all the time but I also believe it is so important for you and your spouse to have time alone as well. And when you have four kids that is a bit harder at times. It was so nice to get away from the house & our responsibilities at home as well. I love my hubby SO much and getting closer and closer to him in our marriage and as friends is so important to me so I am so glad we got to go.

I love this man and I have been concentrating on how to be a better wife for him. I am learning that being close to God is the #1 thing I can to to strengthen my marriage. And as I strengthen my marriage I become a better parent as well.

At the marriage retreat my Pastor said something that really stuck with me. 'The best thing you can do as a parent is to love your spouse.' I absolutely believe that. And the love you have to have is the love you can only get from God. Gods unconditional love. Gods love is perfect. We can never have perfect love but the closer we are to God the more our love looks like His!

My Goals as this amazing mans wife...

* To love him unconditionally, as God loves me. No matter what he does or doesn't do, my love is about what I can do for him, as his loving wife. Not what he can do for me.

* To try and keep the house in order more then I do. I know I fail in so many ways in this area and I want to try harder. He works hard, outside the home so I don't have to so I want this home, our home to be a sanctuary as much as possible. Somewhere he can go, relax and not worry about what needs to be done.

* To try and keep the kids in order and quieter. They are going through a 'stage' (that lasts like 15 years) where they yell and scream and fight ALL the time. I don't want him to have to stress when he comes home or after he has slept. I want him to have a peaceful home with children that are excited to see him and love on him, quietly if possible, lol.

* I want him to have time to dream, to be the man he has always been. I want him to have the freedom to do the things he loves and to enjoy time for himself.

* Which means that I need to help financially. I really want to help. I have been praying about some ways I can help financially and trying to figure out what God would have me do to help. Not sure how this will go yet...

* I want him to have time with his friends more often. I have always believed that just like women/moms love to have girls nights it is just as important and I believe even more so in some ways for men to have 'guy nights'. Guys need to be around guys sometimes, to be a guy. To not have to worry or think about work, or kids, or responsibilities.

* The most important thing I am going to do as his wife is pray for him daily. I want to pray for his heart, for his health, for his love. I want him to always feel Gods love through me as his wife. I truly know how blessed I am to be this mans wife and I want him to feel that everyday. He is a creative, giving, unique, crazy, handsome, smart, driven, imaginative, contagiously happy, godly man and I want him to know it and to never lose who he is, who God has created him to be. God has amazing things planned for this husband of mine, even if he doesn't know it or believe it yet! ;)

Alright, now I also want to share one of his 'new' creative things he is working on. He is a writer and has a blog I want you guys to go check out. Please, you wont regret it, I promise. READ THEM ALL!

www.justincunningham.blogspot.com

When you go there remember to follow him (and if you ha vent follow me too :) and go to both of our facebook pages and 'like' them as well please and thank you)

www.facebook.com/amindondisplay

www.facebook.com/justmakinmemories

2011-09-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

This adorable woman below is Justin's grandma. She is the cutest, sweetest lady. She loves us so much and show it in so many ways. I love it when she tells stories about Justin and his twin sister from when they were young. It is so funny. She always talks about how extremely blessed she was to have them in her life. She adores them and always has.

She is a strong woman. She raised three children part of the time by herself, working hard, and trying to stay strong. She and her husband would take Justin and his sister to church every Sunday morning with them. She loves to talk about that. We have adorable pictures of them all dressed up. I will have to share some sometime. They are sooooo cute. :) I am so happy and blessed to have her in our lives!

2011-09-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

School update and

more pictures from the Tea Party we had last week for my Momma!

The girls were so excited about dressing up! :)

Below-This picture cracks me up!!!! You can see our puppy, Dr. Egon watching Arianna sing her song with the rest of us. It is so adorable!

Trinity- She is doing very well. I love homeschooling her. I have had a few concerns but I am excited about the next few months and watching her grow in so many ways! :) We start a co-op next week and I am so excited for all of us. I get to teach Art so that will be really fun! She is just like me and loves to do crafts/art and anything creative. She is her Mammas daughter for sure. I love it!

Arianna- She LOVEs school and gets upset when the school day is over. This makes me laugh because I was NEVER like that. I hated school so it is funny to have a child that loves it so much. She just takes it all in and is always excited about all the new things that she can learn each day! I am looking forward to see what all she remembers as time goes.

Sophia- WOW, well, she hates school... A LOT. Part of that is her personality but I also know that part of that is her age. She is almost four and keeping her attention on one thing for very long just isn't going to happen! :) I have seen her mature in a lot of ways and I am looking forward to watching her grow even more in the next year.

2011-08-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

I love this picture. Nawna looks so cute (on the left) but one reason I love this picture is because of the way Yaya looks. She is my BIG girl and in this picture you can really see how she is growing up. She is starting to have more of a defined look, less of the 'baby fat' kids have. She will be 7 in December and that is just CRAZY! I can't believe that. I can remember everything that happened on the day I had her. I can remember the first time I got to hold her and watching her daddy cry like a baby when she was born. So sweet. That is and will always be one of my favorite memories! :) I am so happy to have her home with me. We love homeschooling. Some days are hard and frustrating and some days I think wow, how am I going to get it all done. But then I remember that God is with me every step of the way. And that is all I need! :) Today I talked to a very sweet lady about a co-op here in town and I am so excited about it. I get to go to a meeting about it this week and find out more. Hopefully God can use me and this will be the one the kids can participate in, make new friends, and learn even more.

Thank you God for always being there, for surprising me with new things, your plan every day/week! God is GOOD... ALL the time! :)

2011-08-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

I have been working on some of my Headbands and have some new ideas. I am so excited! I also have a fun photo shoot scheduled for next Friday night with some of my best Girlies. Yay!

Today we had a Tea Party. I haven't been feeling well this week but I decided to have my mom come to the tea party for the girls anyway. I didn't want to break their little hearts and cancel! :) It was so fun and they were so cute all dressed up!

2011-08-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

So, Justin and I went on a date last week and we were talking... I decided to start a list of things that I want to do before I am 35. Some are more 'important' or 'serious' and some are kinda silly but it has been fun thinking about that and the things I want to put on my list. I thought I would share a few of them with you. I thought that some of them we can turn into unique/fun dates! :)

*Sing a song in front of church, lol.

*Go down the zip lines in Branson.

*Play Golf.

*Run a 5k, I would like to do that once a year.

*Go roller skating like when I was little.

*Try to water ski.

*Go Snow boarding.

*Play paintball again, at least once.

These are just a few. I will share more later. I am excited about my list. I have some other things that are more like Goals, not just 'silly/fun' things that I will share another day. I just thought this was fun and that some of you would like to do the same! :)

I hope you all have a blessed night! Smiles...xoxoxoxo *Christie*

Homeschooling Fall 2011 Classroom...for now, lol!

2011-08-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

This is our classroom/play room. It is working really well. The kids are doing great helping me stay organized and having a good attitude about school, even when they aren't excited about the subject at the time! :) We have had fun so far and I am excited to watch them learn together.

They grow WAY too fast!

2011-08-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Above- this is something hanging in our dining room. I made three different clothes pins decorated for each kid and put three of my most favorite pictures of them on there. I love looking at these everyday! :)

Below- This is their closet. Their clothes are not so small anymore! :( The girls are all on the left and then bubby's goes on the right. I remember when their little dresses were shorter then the shirts they wear now! :(
I LOVE being a mommy. I love all of my kids soooooo very much. They bring so much joy into my life. I am excited about them growing up and I am excited to see what kind of teenagers and adults they will become. I want them to grow up and run for their dreams. I want them to know God is with them and through Him anything is possible. When God is their strength and their motivation they can never go wrong. I want them to watch their daddy and I as we make decisions, good and bad. I want them to learn from our mistakes and learn from us that even when you make mistakes God is there to rescue you and pick you up. When we are weak that is when God can be strong through us, and I want them to know that, that is a good thing! I am excited about them growing and learning but I am also enjoying them now. I want to enjoy them while they are little. I want to have fun and laugh with them. I want them to grow up and have amazing childhood memories like I do because of my family.
Today I want to encourage you to enjoy your life, right now, wherever it is that God has you, RIGHT NOW! Enjoy it, make is mean something to you and the people you are surrounded by. God wants to use us ALL the time, not just when WE think we are usable! :)

2011-08-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

This week I am writing about my G-ma Barb. I think back from when we were little and remember having lots of emotions toward this amazing lady. Sometimes she scared me, she was strict about certain things and she always got our attention, lol. I remember going to her house and playing in the back sun room filled with toys. I remember Christmas at her house and how much fun it was to get together with our family, we were always laughing at her house. Sometimes she was my babysitter, I remember when I was around 8sh she lived with us for a while and would babysit us when my parents went out. I remember watching TV on the couch with her, coloring, and laughing at shows we would watch, like Americas Funniest Home Videos. I remember when she got married to grandpa Bill in my childhood backyard. I remember going to grandpa Bills work and sitting with her. We weren't allowed to touch anything but she always gave us paper and a pen to write with to keep us occupied. I remember staying the night at their house every once in a while and Nikkie and I would share the spare bedroom. I had two cute twin beds in it. They had shelves on the back so we would pretend we were in a collage dorm and that was our room. So funny!
Isn't she just the cutest? I love her so much!
Below- this is her holding my cousin Lace and I when we were babies.(I am the smaller, alien looking one.) We were 5 weeks apart so growing up we were BFF, wonderful memories of playing with her at grandmas.

Below, this is Lace and I with grandma again.(I am the one in the middle) So cute!

Below, this is Lace (on the left), Ely (Lace's Brother in front of her), Sky (Lace's other brother in front of him), Nikkie (my sis in front of Grandma), and Me with the funny scrunchy hump on my head and the adorable Garth Brooks shirt on, lol.) We all grew up with grandma a HUGE part of our lives. She was always there for us. Sometimes we thought she was strict (with the 5 of us she had to be) but we NEVER once questioned her love for us! The older I get the closer I get to her. I love having her in my life!

Below- I decided to share this picture because it is really funny! From left to right, Nikkie, me, Sky, Lace, and Ely. This is us now (well a year or so ago). We are all grown up but we still LOVE our grandma and cherish who she is to us. She never misses a birthday, a holiday, or anything that is important to us, she is always there! :) We are so blessed to have her!

Below, this was her on Easter. My cousin had her put his hat on so we took pictures. So funny! She will do anything to make us laugh! :) And believe me she makes us laugh all the time! Lol!

Below, Grandma with Sky and Ely.

Below, this is from about a month ago or so. Grandma with me and my kiddos. Love this!

Thank You Jesus for my hands!

2011-08-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

"I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made!" Ps. 139:14

I want my girls to know that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God and I want them to always believe it. I want them to be confident in who God made them. I also know that I am their #1. example of what a woman should be and that they look at me all day everyday to show them how they are to be. I pray that I can be what they need and that God can show them through me what he wants them to know, to be, and to believe. I am so thankful for my sweet precious little girls and our first week of homeschooling has been great! I am excited about our future as a family, in our homeschooling and just being together! :)

Spring 2011 School Photos

2011-08-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday I took pictures of the kids. I wanted to start out our year with new ones. I would like to take some new ones more frequently then I have been lately. I love that

now they are their 'school pictures'! They are so cute and so photogenic! :)
We started school yesterday and it is so fun, hard at the same time but totally fun. They love it. Sophia and Derrek are still learning that during school time you have to sit and be quiet but I am a lot more lenient on them obviously because they are younger.

I am excited about what God has planned for our homeschooling and even more importantly our family in the next six months. God has been so good to us!

2011-08-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this man soooooo much! He has made me a happy woman. We may not have much as far as this world is concerned but my heart is full! I feel very blessed to have this life God has given me! He has given me so much more them I could have asked for! Thank you Justin for loving me and working soooooo very hard for our family and to make me happy! :) I love you!

Missed Blogging!

2011-08-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

I have missed blogging but I have to be honest with all of you, I have not really felt like blogging lately. For one week I had our church VBS so my life was a little too crazy to really think about much else, except nap time, for all of us! :) Then I had a few rough weeks. We are good but the Cunningham 6 have some decisions to make for this next year so please keep us in your prayers. I am just praying for Gods direction and praying He makes everything fall into place! I am trying my hardest not to worry or stress because I know He will make everything good in His timing. I just pray I can accept whatever His good is, even if it is not what I would think it should be. Just pray that I can and will accept whatever He wants! Thank you to all my friends that 'liked' my new Facebook page. If you haven't yet please do! I have some ideas in my head for some new Blog posts! I hope everyone has a great week! God Bless!

Also, I have a great friend that should be getting some tests back from the Doctor today so please keep her in your prayers as well. I has also been weighing on my heart! Thank you!

My handsome Bubba Maxter!

2011-07-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

I get to watch Maxter and Zozo tonight! I am excited about spending time with them! I love them so much! :)

LOVE THIS!!!!!!

2011-07-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

I LOVE YOU!

2011-07-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking...

2011-07-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

About how much I love this man!!!!!!!!!

About how BADLY I want a pink kitchen!!!!! :)

About how one of these days I WILL drive one of these!!!!!!

About how badly I want one of these as well!!!!!!!

(not sure where I got this picture so if anyone knows, let me know!)About this girl... I am so blessed to have her! And these two AMAZING women! I love and miss them so much!

They are in my thoughts daily! :)

I LOVE this picture of them!

2011-07-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

4th of July weekend. I thought I would share a picture of each oth the kiddos from our 4th weekend. We had fun! Spent Saturday with my momma in Willard, Sunday we relaxed, and Monday we had fun swimming at a friends house and then watched fireworks from another friends backyard! FUN!

2011-07-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

I KNOW! I am soooooo ridiculous but I have rearranged my house some more. I just can't seem to find a way that I just love! I think I have it now though! I told you I was addicted! I will share pictures this weekend sometime!!!!! :)

2011-07-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Angie! I decided to write about her this week because she inspires me in how she is as a mother and a friend! She is so sweet and giving and selfless. He kiddos love her so much and you can tell just by the way they look at her!
I love this picture of us together! Makes me laugh!

Above, these are her two babies. They are so adorable! Her daughter is beautiful like her!

Below, this is her with her hubby.

Angie and I have been friends for about 5 years now and I am so happy God brought her into my life and that she is one of my Best friends!:) She is such a godly woman in so many ways and she is gentle and kind. She has so much love in her heart and you can see that as soon as you meet her! I am very excited about experiencing our first year of home schooling together and sharing field trips.

I love you Ang!

2011-07-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Bubby was so cute at his 2nd birthday party! Almost everything he opened was a car or a ball so he was saying 'car' and 'ball' the whole time, lol. And when he opened up clothes he ended up throwing them on the floor, typical boy! :)
I love this new picture of him with me! He is so big and so cuddly! I love how much he loves his Momma! :)

2011-07-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

For Bubby's birthday my sister, Nicole, made him and his daddy matching bow ties! I LOVE them! They are so cute and I can't wait for Justin and Bubby to wear them together for church!
I am so glad that Justin likes to dress up now. He never used to, he was a jeans and t-shirt guy... All the time. I loved that about him too because I am a simple girl but I also like it now that he dresses up. He looks so handsome in a suit! :)

Prayer Request!!!

2011-07-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

This is one of my Besties Casey. I remember when I first met Casey and honestly I didn't know how to 'take' her. I couldn't ever tell if she was joking or serious and soon learned that she is almost always joking. She has a very unique, funny, and adorable sense of humor and Love's to make other people laugh, even if it is making fun of herself, lol! :) I love this girl more them she could ever know and I have been praying for her for a long time and even more so now. I don't understand what it is that Casey has but she has a very rare 'disease' in her brain and has had a few brain surgeries already. They are saying that they may have to do another one. She goes to see a Doctor again on July 18th and I know that God listens to our prayers so I am asking all of you to pray that she doesn't have to have another surgery and that the problem will have disappeared! This is very serious so please keep her and her BEAUTIFUL family in your prayers! She has two gorgeous kids, Mattex is 6 and Joshua will be 1 in a few months. They love their mommy so much. She also has an amazing hubby, Jeremy. Please keep them in your prayers as well! Thank you everyone! :)

Saturday July 2, 2011 my little boy turned two! :)

2011-07-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

I was really hoping he would be born on my Birthday but the day after is a great Birthday Present too! :) I love this little boy sooooooo much and I feel so blessed to have him! Here are some pictures from the day he was born and one from the first time his Sissy's saw him. They loved him from the start!

I am 29 today!

2011-07-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

Above, this is me only 1 week old. I only weighed 5lbs. 4oz. I was SO tiny! Below, this is me and my Momma on my 1st birthday! I was so cute! :)

Here are some random pictures of me from the past few years. I am excited to go on a date with the Hubby tonight! YAY!

Just for fun!

2011-07-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

* LOVE THIS *

www.abeautifulmess.typepad.com

2011-07-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

I LOVE tattoos and can't wait until I can get one. I have about 5 that I plan on getting. Just haven't went and gotten any of them yet! Here are some tattoos I have seen and LOVE!

Below, this is my friend Shana's tattoo.

Below, these are some tattoos I have seen online and loved. I honestly can't remember where I had seen them so if anyone knows let me know so I can give them credit! :)

I LOVE these tattoos I had seen on my friends blog...
www.abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/tattoos/

2011-06-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

MY MOMMY...
My Mom is so beautiful. I used to say my mom was so much prettier then Barbie and that is a big deal if you feel like that when you're 8 and all you think about is playing with Barbie! :)
Below, I love old pictures of my mom with me. She looked so proud to be a new mommy!

Below, Mommy and Dave... this picture is so cute!

Below, I LOVE LAUGHING PICTURES!

She is such a strong Mom. She put up with me during my teenage years when I was angry with her and was extremely disrespectful and needed a smack in the mouth A LOT! She has always tried to be our friend, sometimes I think that can be a bad thing and that she should have disciplined me more but I know that it was because she loved us so much and wanted us to love her, accept her, and be close to her always. The older I get the more I get to know about her, the more I understand her, the more I love her, the more I respect her, and the more she becomes one of my very best friends. She has three girls and one boy and the love she has for all of us is overwhelming at times (a good overwhelming). She is so giving and so selfless. She is so strong but at the same time is learning to let us help her when we can! :)

Below, ME and MY momma! This picture is pretty new. I really like it! I honestly don't think I look anything like her!

Below, Mom with her 2nd baby... this was at Nikkie's wedding and it is probably also one of my favorite pictures of my mom. She is sooooooo BEAUTIFUL here!

Below, Mom with Zozo. So pretty! I love how close they are.

Below, Bubba Maxter and our Momma. I love this one, he is so happy. Bubba LOVEs our mom more then anyone else in this world. She is his world! :)

She is also an amazing Nana to three girls and one boy. My girls adore her and they already know that Nana is going to pretty much give them WHATEVER they want, lol. That is a good thing though. That's what grandmas are for. I am so glad my kids have a Nana that loves them so very much. I feel so blessed that my kids have the grandparents that they do!

Below, Yaya with my mom. This is a really old picture but one of my favorites!

Below, Nawna with my mom. I love the smile on Nawna's face, so funny!

Below, Yowia with my mom. This is also an older one but I love her chunky face and my mom looks so pretty!

Below, I LOVE this picture of my mom and Bubby. Her smile is so pretty and she just looks so happy. She tends to have a 'fake' smile in pictures so I love it when I catch her off guard and get laughing pictures of her! :)

2011-06-29T06:57:00.000-07:00

Last night we took all four kids to see a movie for the first time. It was Bubbys very first time in a movie EVER. He did pretty good. He of course was moving all over the place and wasn't very happy when we ran out of our drink and popcorn but overall he did pretty good. I thought it was fun and something I know the girls really enjoyed.

Here are some funny pictures of the girls with my glasses on, being goofy. They are so adorable!

Well, I have to be honest with you, I haven't been doing our 'quiet times' every day but I have been spending more one on one time with the kids and their attitudes have already gotten better. They have also been playing together more and don't fight as much! Something I want to share with you that I did a while back... My hubby turned the garage into a 'man cave' and has our big TV, a couch, love seat, his desk, music equipment, and pool table in there. So one day I decided the kids and I were watching TV too much so I took our TV out of the living room. I am soooooo happy I did! Now that the kids don't watch TV everyday their imaginations have gone crazy, they play more and better together and I get WAY more done! :) I don't regret it at all! There are special days, like yesterday that I let them go in the 'man cave' and watch a movie. But now that is a special thing and they don't expect it everyday! I know not every family has a man cave and some of you don't want to put your TV away but I do encourage you to watch it less. It can truly make a difference in your family time and in the way your children act and play together!

2011-06-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

Hey... I know I disappeared since Saturdays 6 posts! :) I wanted to get caught up so here is Sundays, Making God #1. in my life!

I have always been horrible about always making sure I 'make time' for God everyday. I know that sounds silly because God gave us our lives but it is so easy to go through everyday and 'forget' about Him. We get into our routines and we get busy with our 'lives' and we forget, or we say, later, tonight, after this... but then we end up at the end of our day, in bed and too tired, so we say, tomorrow I will start new. I don't want to do that anymore. I want my days to start with Him, continue with Him, and end with Him. I have decided to pick one book a month to read, a devotional or something that will help keep me on track. Not to replace the bible but to add to it during my quiet time. She the book I have chosen for the month of July is 'Mom's Needs, Dad's Needs' by Willard F. Harley, Jr. (Keeping Romance alive even after the kids arrive). This will also be something I can share and write about on

I almost forgot...

2011-06-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

A while back I did a post telling everyone about our vacation, but left out the Aquarium visit and was going to do a post just for pictures from there! So, the picture I use for my 'Tuesdays...Learning as We go...' is my favorite picture from the Aquarium of my sweet babies.

Here are some more lovely pictures from our day there. It was so fun and so awesome to watch the kids as they watched all the beautiful things!

#5 of 5 posts for today!

2011-06-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

One of my oldest friends got married last month. I loved her wedding. It was so magical and beautiful! Full of vintage and color, can't get any better then that! :)

www.abeautifulmess.typepad.com

You can see even more beautiful photos from her Wedding day on her blog! :) I hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend! *Bye, Christie*

#4 of 5 posts for today!

2011-06-25T10:25:00.001-07:00

Kids Rooms-AFTER I rearranged them!

This is Bubby and Yowia's room. I decided to have them share #1. because they are the younger two, #2. because they are the two that still take a nap everyday, and #3. because Yowia's a bit of a tomboy right now so I figured that would work out great.

Below, this picture I painted and put scrapbook paper on it and decorated it with pictures of the kids and their Aunt Nene, Uncle Dave, and Aunt Cole, and Uncle Uke! :) The picture frame of Bubby and my niece Baby B was from Aunt Nene.

Above, my sister Nicole made these out of tissue paper as decoration at Bubby's baby shower and they have been hanging in their rooms ever since.

Below, my sister Nikkie painted the bird and owl paintings for Trinity for her birthday. I know they are in the wrong room but they fit better in here. I painted the window frame my mom gave me so it would match Bubby's bed spread. I also painted his name on this piece of wood that I kept after a shelf my daddy had made me when I was little broke.

Above, this is a table I bought for them to do school on, now Bubby uses it because he doesn't have his own desk yet, like the girls do and they use it as a Dining Room table when they play house.

Below, I found this cute poster at a thrift store. It has a bunch of cute little girls on it getting their hair done. I thought it was fitting since I have lots of little girls and my Momma is a hair stylist and owns her own business. I found the letters at the Dollar Tree, the shelf with the red bow on it my daddy made when I as little so I love that I still have that.

Below, This is Yowia's desk, school space. I love this vintage desk and chair, they need some work done to them but for $3, I am not complaining! :)

This is Yaya and Nawna's room. I new they would share well together because #1. they are the older two, #2. they get along the best, and #3. they are both the most girly girls ever! :) This bunk bed we 'inherited' from my baby sister Zoie and Bubba Maxter.

This is Yaya's desk/school space. I put some of her work from last year up on the bulletin board on the back of it to personalize it.

Below, This is their spacious closet, I love how much room they have.

Below, Organization...I am still working on this...

Below, Nawna's desk/school space.

#3 of 5 posts for today!

2011-06-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

New BABY-Family Pictures!

I have taken pictures for this couple SEVERAL times and I am so happy and thankful for their 'business' and it has been fun watching their family grow. I have done Engagements, Wedding, Maternity #1, Baby #1, Maternity #2, and Baby #2 pictures for them. I also took pictures for one of her sisters weddings and baby pictures for the other sister. It has been fun! I took these last week and thought I would share them as my 'Just Makin Memories' Photography Saturday!

#2 of 5 posts for today!

2011-06-25T08:27:00.001-07:00

I got to see my AMAZING little sister this week! I miss her when she isn't here! I am so glad that I got some awesome pictures while she was here!!!!

#1 0f 5 posts for today!

2011-06-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Relay For Life Photo Booth!

Last weekend we went to the Relay For Life in Marshfield MO. to support our beautiful friend Shana! It was so fun and also awesome to be a part of it. I did some face painting (sooooo fun) and took lots of photo booth pictures of our group!

2011-06-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

I decided to share pictures of my calendar that we have up in our living room.
I LOVE color and I love buttons so this was fun for me!

These are the months that I made. I just took white card stock paper and wrote them out, colored them with crayons, and cut them. Then I took long magnets, you can cut and glued them on the back of each one.

These are different colored/sized/shaped buttons I had, I just took small pieces of paper and wrote 1-31 on them and glued them on the front. Then took some circle magnets I had and glued them on the back of the buttons. They are so fun!

This is something I mad a while back for another calendar I had but it wasn't big enough so I decided to put them on our main calendar we have and I love the way it looks! So fun!

2011-06-23T11:38:00.000-07:00

I have been doing my Zumba, dancing while I clean and eating MUCH smaller portions and I feel better already and its only been 5 days! I know I probably shouldn't have but I weighed myself tonight. I wasn't expecting to have lost weight already but I have lost 5 lbs. WOOHOO! I know it isn't much yet but it made me even more motivated! I am on my way to a Smaller ME! :)
These are some recent pictures of me. I just wanted to share my fun pink hair with everyone. I am enjoying being a pink headed! :)

2011-06-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of their rooms BEFORE I decided to rearrange them AGAIN! I wanted to share some before pictures. I am hoping to get the rooms finished so that I can share some AFTER pictures with you tomorrow!

This is Yaya's desk, it is a part of a bunk bed we inherited from my baby sister Zozo! Yaya LOVES it, especially since it used to be Zozo's! :)
This is Nawna's desk. It is my sewing machine desk that was my grandma Barbs. I thought it was the perfect desk for school.

And Yowia's I found at a yard sale for $3 a few weeks ago. I was very excited!!!!

And this is the BEFORE picture of the room all four of them slept in! Crowded but all they did was sleep in here. Bubby was getting frustrating because all he wanted to do was get in bed with his sisters and pull hair, or bug them in some way. So now he shares this room with Yowia and she is on the top bunk so he can't get to her!:) Bed time is MUCH smoother for all of us now.

This picture is funny to me because you can see Derrek in his bed taking his nap and Dr. Egon sniffing around his bed.

2011-06-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

This week I decided to write about 2 people at once. My amazing sisters. They have so many of the same strengths and things I just love about them so I decided to write about them at the same time! This first picture is of the 3 of us when we were teenagers. So funny! We have some fun, funny, and priceless memories together!

This picture is of the three of us about a year ago before Nikkie (in the middle) moved away from us! :( We miss her sooooooo much!
I love this picture of Nikkie and Nicole! They are not just beautiful on the inside but they are so gorgeous on the outside as well.

This is a picture of them with my oldest daughter, Yaya. This is one of my favorite pictures ever! My girls look up to their Aunt Cole and Aunt Nene so much and it makes me so happy that they have them as role models. I NEVER have to worry about them as long as their role models are always my sisters! :)

They are also wonderful wives. I think that watching all our parents go through divorces and go through so many hard, sad times made us see how important it is to marry good, godly men and that we have to 'work' on our marriages and that you have to stay best friends with your spouse ALWAYS to make it work. We are all three very blessed to have great hubby's and also to have each other as support. To pray for each others marriages and to be there for each other!

Dave and Nikkie

Luke and Nicole

Nikkie is an inspiration to me because of her kindness. Her ability to make anyone feel welcome, loved, and to make anyone laugh. No matter what is going on in her life she can smile, not a fake smile, a real smile, because she knows how very blessed she is and her heart is so BIG. She is so forgiving and selfless, but at the same time she is going to be honest with you. She is strong willed and blunt when she needs to be. She is protective of the ones she loves and has the softest heart. She has always been my little sister but for many years she has been the one I look up to in sooooo many ways. She is the one I call for advise and the one that I know will always be kind and at the same time put me in my place if I need it!

Nicole is an inspiration to me because of her gentleness. She has the most gentle, caring, servant heart I have ever seen. She will go out of her way to make sure no one is hurting and loves to care for others and gives and gives and gives! She has made me Aunt Christie for the first time. She is such an amazing momma! It is funny because I have always looked to her as my example as far as how I mother in so many ways. I know that sounds weird considering she just became a mom this year and I have been a mom for 6 1/2 now. But it is because of her motherly heart, her giving spirit and her longing to care for everyone. I have always been able to envision the kind of mom she will be and that is why she has been my inspiration as a momma all these years!

I love them both sooooooo very much! They are my very best friends (after Justin, of course) as well as my amazing sisters!

2011-06-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

I believe I am addicted to rearranging my house. You can ask anyone that comes to my home frequently, well, not ever really that frequently, but anyone that sees my home at least once a month will see something moved to a new place. While this is fun for me I need to stop my addiction! I believe it is probably driving my hubby crazy and the kids are starting to get bored with it when I haven't moved anything in a while and will ask when we can move their rooms around again. Sometimes I just can't help myself. There is always a new way that will be better then the way it is now. Lol!

Today I moved the kids rooms around... again! They really like it this way and, so far, so do I. I am always torn between making them all sleep in one room and giving them a play/classroom or putting two in each room (since we have a 3 bedroom home and four kiddos). I decided to do two in each room for a while and see how it works during school time. Yowia is needing to start nap times again so when her and Bubby have their afternoon naps I can do school with Yaya and Nawna even more. This way I can do the schooling that they all need together in the mornings and then do more individualized schooling with the older two. Yowia didn't like having to take a nap with Bubby again but I think this will be a good thing for all of us. :)

I want to share a stuggle I have with all of you. Lately the kids seem to all be going through a LOUD stage all at once. I know kids are loud and that is something I live with everyday and I think I have done a good job of learning to tune a lot of things out when they are playing or singing louder then I would choose. But lately it is constant fighting and screaming and pulling hair and even biting (which is something they have never really done). I am trying to be patient and I remind myself that God blessed me with my amazing four kids and I know I have the strength get through each day, even the hard ones. So something I am starting everyday is a quiet time once every hour or so where they all have to sit and be quiet together. Reading books, listening to quiet music, all of us praying together... I will let you all know how it goes. I have learned that when the kids are going through a 'stage' like this it usually means they 'need' something or that something is bothering them. I don't usually have all four kids go through this at the same time, well it is actually more the three girls, but I am wondering if it is just more time or attention that they need. One on one attention with your kids is so important, so that is another thing I am going to try and be better about. Spending one on one time with them throughout the day. I pray that God can show me what my babies need. I have confidence in the fact that since God has given me my four precious babies that He will also give me the patience, kindness and guidence to guide them!

The pictures above are of the kids doing school time a week ago. The picture of Bubby I put on here just because it is funny. He did NOT want his picture taken!!!!

My Safe Place...

2011-06-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

I read this a few months ago and wanted to share it.

I read it in the book 'The Love Dare' from the movie 'Fireproof'.

Rules you should always have when you're having a disagreement or argument with your spouse.

1.NEVER mention divorce, EVER!

2.Don't bring up old, unrelated items from the past.

3.Never fight in public or in front of your children. (this one I agree with to a certain point. I believe that you should NEVER fight about anything inappropriate in front of your children but I think it can be healthy for your children you hear you have small arguments in front of them. It can teach them HOW to argue in your marriage and how to get through problems...as long as you can keep all of these other rules as you do it! :)

4.Call a 'time out' if conflict escalates to a damaging level or you're about to say hurtful things.

5.Never touch each other in a harmful way!

6.Never go to bed angry with one another.

7.Failure is NOT an option. Whatever it takes, we will work it out!

8.Never say Always, 'You Always ________!'

9.Be sensitive of each others feelings, even if you don't understand it or feel the same way about it.

10.Try and be aware of NEVER talking down to each other. Think about what you say and how you say it before you say it.

FOR REAL THIS TIME!!!!

2011-06-19T21:50:00.001-07:00

Ok... so... I have been wanting to lose weight for a looooooooong time now and I just can't seem to get motivated or inspired enough. So I have made a plan and have thought of some things I can work towards! Here is a picture above of me now. Sometimes when I look at pictures of myself I can't believe it. I am not saying that to put myself down but because I am just truly not happy with the way I am physically right now and I believe that is a good thing. I don't feel good, I don't have any energy (and with four kids, that is not a good thing at all). I don't want to lose weight so I can impress anyone else or so I can be prettier, smaller, or better then anyone else. I just want to feel good, physically and about myself. I also want to look better for my amazing hubby. Not because he thinks I should because I completely feel like he is happy with me the way I am but I am not so because of that I don't feel confident! This next picture of me is from right after Sophia was born. The 'smallest' I have been since my wedding day. I know some of you ladies will think I am CRAZY for this but I am going to share how much I weigh with you! I want to share this journey to a more comfortable ME with you!

I am 220 right now.

In the picture below I was 185.

My overall goal weight is 135.

WOW! I know its a lot and I haven't weighed 135 since I was in 6th grade...

BUT I CAN AND WILL DO THIS!These next pictures are of my beautiful sister, Nikkie. People always say when they meet us that they can tell that we are sisters and that we resemble each other. That always makes me happy because she is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! So, in a lot of ways she is my inspiration! And another goal that goes along with losing weight is I want to grow my hair out, LONG, like Nik's hair. I know I have said this like 1,000+ times but I really do! It will go along with my new 'look'!Another reason I want to lose weight is so I can start dressing the way I want to. I LOVE vintage clothes, vintage dresses, shoes, everything and I want so badly to wear them everyday. BUT right now they are hard to find in my size and I don't feel comfy in them at all! I am so excited about having a brand new wardrobe!!!!! I am not sure where I got this next picture so if anyone knows, let me know so I can give the person credit! :)

My friend Elsie Larson:) http://www.abeautifulmess.typepad.com/ wears some of the cutest vintage outfits/dresses and she owns Red Velvet, here in Springfield so I can't wait to go get my new wardrobe at her store! That is going to be my reward to myself once I get to 135 lbs!!!!And one of my MOST important reasons is for my kiddos. I want them to see me taking better care of myself, excersizing, and eating healthier. They will do what I do and eat what I eat and eat how much I eat. I want my girls to have a great example in their momma! I want them to be proud of me! So, I hope you join me on my journey to the more comfy, more confident, vintage dressing ME!

My GOALS/PLAN... Zumba 2x a day (20-45 min.), eat smaller portions, NO MORE SODA (something I really shouldn't be drinking anyway because of anxiety and migraines), LOTS of water, walking everyday, playing in the backyard with the kids everyday (P.E. time :), and praying along the way! I want God to be a part of this journey as well, He is my strength!

Vacation 2011

2011-06-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

We started out at Nikkie and Dave's house for a few days.

Eating pizza, ice cream, and relaxing at the pool a few times.

Then we went to see some sweet family in South Carolina.

I love going to see them, relaxing, and getting to spend time together!

Then we went back to Nikkie and Dave's in Atlanta GA and went to Varsity's to

eat, the kids loved the hats, lol!

Derrek LOVES his Uncle Dave (he calls him Day).

He didn't want to have much to do with anyone else when Day was around! :)

We were also blessed by my amazing Mommy! She sent

money down to my sis, Nikkie, so that her and Dave could take us to

the Atlanta Aquarium. The kids LOVED it. I will share more pictures of that

as well. It deserves a post of its own!

THANK YOU MOM!

2011-05-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine that homeschools sent me a message on facebook because I had asked her to pray for us and our homeschooling journey and I wanted to share it with you guys. It really meant a lot to me and was so encouraging...
"I think it is a lie of Satan that convinces moms that they don't have the ability to teach their children. God created families and in doing so I truly believe that He equips us for the job of raising them- which includes teaching them. Before public schools were started to help those children whose parents could not afford books, etc. it was never questioned as to a parents role in education. Also, when the first public schools were established they were founded on biblical principles and included prayer, etc. I praise God that we lice in a time that we still have the freedom to make choices about their education and especially in MO where they value the parent as teacher and don't interfere with the hows and whys of what we do. I know you will do a great job! You don't have to know everything- sometimes I have told my children that I don't know that answer but let's see if we can find the answer together or ask someone who might know. I have learned/relearned a lot of things with my kids. You will find that google is a God-sent. It is nice to live in a technological age where information is at your fingertips. I think having other homeschool moms to encourage one another and share ideas, struggles, etc. is essential. No one understands unless they have tried it. I meet moms all the time who think I am crazy not to just drop them off at school and do what I want to do. They say they could never spend that much time with their kids- that actually makes me sad for them. The bring me such joy!"
It really meant a lot to me and made me feel even more confident in the fact that this IS what God wants for our family! I remember reading on another blog, a woman I don't know but admire just by looking at her blog frequently (www.confessionsofahomescooler.blogspot.com), she shares a lot of scripture on why she homeschools her four children and also said, "There is no 'ME time' in the bible." I believe that it is important to have a time to be calm, a time to spend with God and to do things you enjoy but I also get what she is saying. My children are so important to me and I desire and feel called to do all I can to raise them to be God fearing, God loving, responsible, selfless adults and this is how I feel God is calling ME to do that.

I am going to be a Homeschool Momma!

2011-05-19T09:49:00.001-07:00

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.'

Deut. 6:5-9

'Our' children have been given to us by God. He has entrusted us to raise them, teach them, and provide for them the way he desires for us to. I have felt led to homeschool our children for about a year now. Justin didn't feel that same calling so we have been discussing it off and on since I first brought it up. I am not going to lie, we have argued about it a lot as well, I believe that throughout this whole thing we have misunderstood each other and also just plain disagreed on some things. I am a very stubborn woman and at times it is very hard for me to be submissive to my husband. I really do try! I was really struggling because I felt called by God to homeschool but my husband didn't. It broke my heart. I have never felt called to do something but not been about to do it before. So, for months I just shoved it out of my mind and tried to ignore it and sent Trinity to school. Well, for a few months now it has been so pressed upon my heart, x10 compared to last year that I couldn't ignore it. Justin and I discussed it and yes he has his doubts but we are going to give it a try. He has more of a peace about it this year and I am so thankful and feel such a blessing that he is very supportive now. I am very excited about what homeschooling has to offer for our family, and our children. I believe that God wants this for us and he will bless it! I have so many reasons I believe that God wants us to homeschool but my #1 reason is just that I feel led to. Some may not think that is very important but I heard someone once say that if you feel called by God to do something you will never find as much joy in anything else but what God want for you! I know God has so many amazing things planned for our family and I am excited about sharing those things with you as they come!

Reasons I want to homeschool (other then feeling called by God, which is all that matters.)

1. I want their #1 influence to be there dad and I. If they are with someone else more them they are with us, how can we be that #1 example? Luke 6:40

2. I don't want to look back and think or regret not spending enough time with our children. 4 hours a day is NOT enough time with and FOR them! They will spend more time with someone else then with me and I am not okay with that!

3. More family time! They can learn the true value of family. They will grow up close and take care of each other and learn from each other as well.

4. I don't believe that just because the 'world' says something is best for my children (school) that means it is automatically true. I answer only to MY God and he alone knows what is best!

5. Freedom for our children to learn at their own pace, without being labeled as either slow or gifted.

6. Freedom for our children to pursue their own passions.

7. Gives us more time to give them individualized attention.

8. As their Momma, no one is more committed to my children's success then I am!

9. Our days can be focused around learning and honoring God in our learning.

10. There are so many opportunities for our children in homeschooling. They will not be missing out on all the things public school offers. They will be gaining so much more, things public schools do not offer at all and in some cases offers the opposite!

I love giveaways!

2011-05-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

Another awesome giveaway at www.confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com

Inspiration...

2011-05-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

Once a week I am going to try and share a new person/thing/photo that inspires me for whatever reason. I decided to start here because this is the person that started inspiring me at a young age as young friends!

This is Elsie Flannigan. We met when we were around 10 and she was always so creative and I always tried and tried to keep up with her. Her mind was always creating and coming up with new ideas. Life was always fun and interesting with Elsie. Because of 'life' we don't see each other much or get to talk as much but she will always be my oldest friend and fills my childhood memories. I am so excited for her and proud of her. She has done so many amazing things and gone for her goals and dreams. I'm also excited for her and her fiance' and there wedding!
She owns her own business with her sister and I (embarrassingly) haven't seen it in person yet but the pictures are amazing! I love vintage clothing, decor, well anything vintage almost and it is the cutest!

http://www.abeautifulmess.typepad.com/

http://www.shopredvelvet.com/

http://www.leweddingparty.com/

These are places you can find Elsie and see what I mean, she is so creative!

The Cunningham 6!!!!!!!!

2011-05-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

I think this picture I took with my phone is funny. You can't really see Justin and Arianna is hard to see because she has a baby in front of part of her face but I like it. I get frustrated and sometimes have absolutely NO patients in the car but I also have fun with them sometimes too! I used to drive a really tiny car and sometimes I really miss driving it and sometimes I hate my mini van but I am so thankful I have it and even more thankful for the reason I have it! I love having a big family and I wouldn't trade it for anything, even on the days I want to pull my hair out because of the screaming, fighting, and crying in the back!

I am truly blessed, filled with joy, and thankful for what I have, for what God has given me (us)!!!!! :)

JCSTVH

2011-05-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

The Royal Wedding Music Video

This is my Hubby and his new show he has started!
I am very excited about him making more videos and going for his dream! As silly as his videos are, I am very proud of him! Please go and check out their 'Justin Cunningham Smiley Time Variety Hour' page on facebook and 'like' them!

Website- http://www.jcstvh.clanteam.com/

You Tube Channel- www.youtube.com/user/jcstvh

Prayer for Maxter and his Momma!

2011-05-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

This is MY Momma! My beautiful, strong, sweet, giving Momma and one of my very best friends as well. I know I have asked for prayer for her in the past but I am asking again. I am asking for continual prayer for her. She has so much to go through daily in taking care of my little Bubba Maxter. He is a handful, a blessing, but a handful and I have a feeling it is only going to get harder in so many ways for her. I decided to start a blog about Max to meet other parents that may be going through the same things, to ask for prayer, and to keep family and friends updated on how Max is doing.

This is my littlest sister Zoie, I call her Zo or Zo-zo. I also ask for prayer for her. I know she doesn't take care of Max but I also know that being his sister can be hard at times, I am sure. He needs a lot of attention and I know my mom does a great job trying to make sure Zo gets the attention she needs as well. She is 10 now, almost 11 (wow, that is crazy) so she is a lot more independent and has so many friends to hang out with and keep her busy! :) I love this little girl so much! I was 18 when she was born and I babysat a lot and I am so thankful that I got to be such a huge part of her life as she grew 'up'!
This is my baby Bubba Max, I call him Bubba or Maxter. He has given me so much joy. He is a stubborn, ornery, spoiled little boy but at the same time he is loving, sweet, and gives the best kisses and kindest hugs you will ever receive! Max was born with Down Syndrome and later had Infantile Spasms (epilepsy). I don't know a lot about it but I know that it causes a lot of problems and causes them to be extremely delayed. Right now Max still doesn't walk, crawl, or get around on his own at all. He weighs almost 60 lbs. and my mom has to carry him everywhere around the house. She has a stroller/wheel chair for when they go places but she has to carry him A LOT. This is really hard on her physically. He can also be a bit rough and he is very strong. When he is angry or anxious he will bang his head on things, bite, pinch (hard), and move around crazy. This obviously makes it very hard on her physically as well. He also will gag himself at times and make himself throw up. You can imagine, this is not like a baby spitting up but it is THROW UP and a lot of it. I am not trying to gross you out but I am just wanting everyone to see/hear how hard this is on my mom. She is a strong person in so many ways but I just know this is becoming SO much for her. I want to be here as much as I can for her. Obviously I have four kids of my own so its hard to be there as much as I really want to be. So the best thing I know to do is pray! To share this prayer request with all of you and to ask you to remember her. I pray God touches her heart and soul. I know that with God we can do all things and get through all things.Now, Maxter is not only stubborn and ornery but he is also very sweet. He loves music, he loves it when we sing to him. He loves to watch his nieces and nephew play and dance for him. It is so cute when they get him giggling. I think Sophia is his favorite. She loves to play with him and will sing right in his face and he loves it. It is so sweet! He is our little blessing, our little Bubba!

Prayer Request!

2011-05-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

This is Jackie...

Jackie goes to my church, we are a part of a large, amazing, sweet, close family. I may not know Jackie all that well but I love this woman very much and I have heard so much about her. I have only been blessed to have a few conversations with her ever but I have read her website frequently and I feel like I know her more then I actually do! :)

http://www.yieldingtogodswill.com/

I want to encourage you all to go read about Jackie. It will be a blessing to you, I promise! Jackie has been through so many things in her life, things I look at from the outside and think there's no way I could go through that... but the key is, she gives God all the glory! And with God we CAN get through anything. She has such a giving, sweet, kind spirit and her faith blows me away.

I want to ask you all to pray for Jackie, she has cancer and it is so scary for her, especially right now. She has to start radiation and some of the side effects are very scary. She knows that God is with her but the fear is still there.

I look forward to getting to know Jackie even more! Please go and read her story! Like I said, it will bless you! Keep her in your prayers!!!! Thank you!

2011-05-03T06:28:00.000-07:00

Another amazing giveaway on my friend Erins blog. I look at her blog a few times a week and she is so crafty, so talented and so adorable! (I also miss her sweet beautiful red headed little girl!)

Go check out her blog for fun and maybe win this amazing camera!

2011-05-02T06:20:00.001-07:00

Another amazing giveaway I WANT SO BAD! :) www.confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com

Follow my blog with bloglovin

2011-04-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday Easter fun!

2011-04-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

My sister came over with my niece, sweet baby B. and she is soooooo precious. I didn't wanna let her go! I got some adorable pictures of just her that I will also share later. I am so mad at myself for not getting any of me and my sister though. I was so worried about getting them of the kids together I forgot. I LOVE this picture of Bubby holding her. He was so sweet with her and didn't wanna let her go!

I love this picture of the six of us. We hadnt had a good one in a long time! It is so hard to get four kids to look and smile all at the same time! :) I love all their beautiful smiles!

2011-04-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

Awesome giveaway!!!! http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/ I LOVE this blog!

I am SOOOO in love with this man and I want everyone to know it!!!!

2011-04-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

This is my best friend! He is so understanding, sweet, honest, selfless, interesting, unique, super funny, and sooooooo handsome! He has made me so happy to be his wife.

He isn't perfect and neither is our marriage but we know that and its something we try and constantly be aware of. One thing that I believe makes our marriage so great is #1. God, of course, He is the one that brought us together! He made us friends at the age of 16 and at 19 we became a 'couple'! I am so glad that we had over 3 years to be friends and to get to know each other at such a young age. We were not 'high school sweethearts' but we got to be something even greater, friends! True friends! We hung out, told each other secrets and didn't have to go through that 'weird' stage of getting to know each other and impressing each other. We were just ourselves! I love to think back on the memories we share. I took him to school dances so I could have fun and not be nervous taking a guy I 'liked'! We would hang out almost every weekend and I even got to go on 'guy nights' and that was sooooo fun! LOL! I remember riding in the back of MY car while our friend Andy drove and Justin hung out the passenger window waving and Andy yelled as loud as he could, 'Here comes the GREAT JUSTIN!' (in my neighborhood) I remember for my senior prom Justin had Andy drive us in his Cadillac so it would be like we had a limo. :) I remember Justin and Scott racing by the Airport and the guys making me stand out in the cold to watch and tell them who won! Haha! I love that we can share those memories! My friend Candace started hanging out with us too and I am so glad I get to share so many of those memories with her too. Sometimes we had to be the boring 'moms' and stop them from doing something toooo crazy! I have always loved that funny, crazy, silly side of my husband. I believe that is one thing that also helps our marriage. We support each other and the personalities we have. I want him to always feel uplifted, like he can always accomplish his goals and dreams. I want him to know that I am and always will be his #1 fan! That's how we should make each other feel! I am learning to also show my appreciation for him by keeping our house clean and showing him how much I appreciate him working for US outside the home while I take care of the home and our adorable children. I LOVE that I get to stay home with them and feel soooooo greatly blessed that God has given me this opportunity! He has blessed us with so many things and this is one thing I hold dear to my heart. God has entrusted us with HIS children, to raise them, to teach them of His love and guide them to be responsible, God fearing and loving adults. This is another reason I want to make sure my marriage is how it should be. Our babies watch our every move and they WILL grow to be a lot like us and I want them to find amazing men like their daddy or for Bubby to be like his daddy!! :) And I want to be the best example of a loving wife that I can be! LOVE NEVER FAILS...1 Corinthians 13:8 Live your life and your marriage completely out of selfless love, a love from God and a love like 1 Corinthians 13 shows us and your marriage and your life will blossom! Love never fails and God never fails!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!!!

My little sissy Zozo!

2011-04-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

Zozo is getting so big. I can't believe that she will be 11 this summer, sooooooo weird!!! I love having her as my little sister. I was 18 when she was born and I remember being so excited to have a baby in the house. It was a big change and sometimes it was hard but it was fun. It is still fun. I love having her over and she keeps the kids very occupied so I can usually get a lot done when she is here to play with the girls. I took this picture of her the other day because my mom brought her by in her new outfit, jewelry, headband, and shoes she got this week shopping to wear in some modeling contest she got nominated for. She looked so pretty! I am excited about watching her become a teenager and I pray that I can always be close to her. Sometimes I feel more like an aunt but either way, its fun! I want her to always know that I am here for her and that I love her and always want the best for her in her life!

I LOVE YOU ZOZO!

Awesome Giveaway!!!!

2011-04-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this blog!

http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com/

My Perfectly Adorable kiddos!

2011-04-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

Bubby is getting SO big! I love his sweet smile in this picture! Yowia looks so big here! She is getting more and more beautiful!Nawna has the sweetest smile and she is always ready for another picture! Yaya and her cute smile (missing a tooth) and holding a flower! This picture is so funny! The sun was in their eyes, except Yaya who had a hat on! I love this one, even the doggy was ready! I love how Bubby had his hands up like that!

I LOVE this family!

2011-03-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is one of my bestest and dearest friends Angie and her beautiful family! I love them so much! Angie is so loving and caring and is always putting others before herself. She has such a giving spirit and such a kind heart! Her hubby's pretty cool too! lol... He is also a great friend and I love watching him with his kids. You can tell how much they mean to him! I had a lot of fun taking their pictures!

At The Foot of The Cross (Lyrics) Kathryn Scott

2011-03-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

Just Stop and Think

2011-03-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

Reflection...

2011-03-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

I am turning 29 on July 1st. I know that isn't 'old' but I think back when 30 was ooooolllllddd! I think about when I was in high school and 30 seemed like it was forever away and I remember thinking about what I thought my life would be like at 30. WOW! My life is in some ways how I pictured it and in some ways absolutely nothing I would've dreamt up! I have been through a lot of things in my life since I was about 14 that have taught me a lot about life, about God, and about love. Some things I have learned along the way and some things I feel I am just now learning from. I have been blessed with the fact that nothing 'horrible' has ever happened to me, I have only lost 3 people I can think of that really impacted my life and that I still think of often. I have had to experience divorce as a child and have had to deal with that my whole life but I believe that God brings out something wonderful in everything that is horrible. Sometimes it may feel like you have to look for it and sometimes you have to wait for it but its always there. God can bless you or sometimes someone else in every bad decision, death, sad situation, angry thought or word spoken and through forgiveness all things can be made right! I thank God for forgiving me! He forgave me when I asked for forgiveness at the age of 10 at Baptist Hill Girls Camp and asked Him to come into my heart and SAVE me. He forgave all the sins I had committed and all the sins I would commit after that and I can take comfort in that. At the same time I want to stay away from sin and live a life that will glorify HIM! He is my savior and He has given me sooooooooooo much to be thankful for. Sometimes in my life I forget about how much I do have and I let my 'feelings' take over. One thing I have learned in the past week or so is when something happens in my life and when I am upset or have a decision to make the first thing I should always do (even in the littlest of things) is go to GOD! No one else. Just God! God first!!!!!! I have learned a lot about myself and about who I am in God this week! I have been seeking His approval and what He desires for me instead of anyone elses (including my own)! I read something in the 'Love Dare' book a few weeks ago that has stuck with me. "Don't let your heart lead you, lead your heart!" I forget to do that sometimes and I let feelings take over. Again...I am sooooooo thankful for the forgiveness God gives me! Our feelings can deceive us, they can destroy us! Our hope, our longing, our comfort, and our needs should always be full filled by God and God alone. We should never rely on someone else or ourselves to meet those 'needs' because people will ALWAYS fail! GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME!!!!!

I have started reading a book and I am not even done with the first chapter but I am loving it! It is 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan. My husband is reading it with the Drama group at our church so I decided to start reading it as well. It has videos that you can watch online along with reading the book. I watched one today and want to share it with you, please watch the whole thing! (It is the video I'm posting after this post!) I really like when he talks about Gods commandments and 'laws' and how we don't need to look at them as things He is telling us to do just because they are right or wrong or to punish us or make life hard. He is giving us those commandments to make our lives easier and happier because when we are loving one another and treating each other the way we want to be treated that is making life better. Can you imagine if we all put each other first and loved each other the way we want to be loved ALL the time what a wonderful world this would be? That is Gods desire for us because He first loved us!!!!

'Learning As We Go"

2011-03-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

Hey! So, I am obviously not doing a very good job

at blogging everyday. I think I need to just try my best and

not 'overwhelm' myself with everything else I am trying to do and

just blog as I have time! I really enjoy it!

So, Today is Tuesday. 'Learning As We Go' Today I was talking

to one of my sisters about being pregnant and being a

mommy. About the way you feel the first time you

experience your baby kick in your tummy. That overwhelming

joy, the blessings of pregnancy. We also discussed the not so pleasant

parts of pregnancy but the joys soooooo outweigh the bad!

Sometimes I am sad that I will never experience being pregnant again

but I also know how extremely blessed I am to have four

healthy, vibrant, amazing children. I love being a momma! That is

what I always wanted to be and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I get to share this experience with my best friend too, so of course that

makes it even more of a blessing!

Prayer Request...My Bubba Maxter...And my Amazing Momma...

2011-03-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

I am asking all my friends to pray for my mom.

I have an adorable brother that is a huge blessing in our family.

He is our little angel and is full of love and giggles.

He has become more and more work as he has

gotten older. He has Down Syndrome and also had Infantile Spasms

when he was an infant/toddler which is a type of epilepsy.

It has caused him to be extremely delayed.

He is 9 now and is still just as precious as the day

he was born. he doesn't walk, talk (some sign language),

and he doesn't feel pain like the rest of us so he will do things

to hurt himself on purpose so that he can feel something.

This has been really hard on my mom and step-dad. He will bang his face

on his bed, well anything he can get close to, so they can't just lay him

in the floor to play. He has to sit in his recliner, his bed that has padding all around it,

his stroller/wheelchair, or has to be held at all times. To be honest I think

even as strong as my amazing Momma likes to 'act' she is exhausted.

I really wish I could help her more then I do but I do know that I

can pray for her and that God will show her His purpose for the beautiful

son He has given her. I know she wouldn't ever give Maxter up for anything,

just like any mother, but that doesn't mean its easy!

I am just asking that you will pray that my mom will look

to God to be her strength and that she will have

patience and strength when its hard and when she

is exhausted. In a lot of ways her life is just going to get

harder, as Maxter gets bigger and bigger so please

pray that God will bring someone or something in her life that

will help her. I pray that God brings her to him so that

He can be her strength.

Thanks everyone! I hope everyone has a blessed day!

Smiles, *Christie*

'Learning As We Go'

2011-03-08T22:16:00.000-08:00

I know it is technically Wednesday now but to me it is still Tuesday

because I haven't went to bed yet! Lol.

So today (Tuesday) I am writing about 'Learning As I Go',

being a momma of four...

I am going to write about my sweet Arianna.

She is sensitive, gentle, kind, very independent and stubborn at

the same time! She loves to make others happy and she has

the funniest faces I have ever seen in my life.

Today she gave me a HUGE scare. I was on the phone with my

sister Nikkie and heard a big bang in the other room, then a

horrible scream. Moms-you know your kids screams...

They have their frustrated screams, their angry

screams, their I'm being hit/pinched/bit/pushed... by my

sibling screams and then they have their 'I'm seriously hurt'

screams. The ones that make your heart sink and you feel like

you are going to have a panic attack.

Well, today, after I heard the big bang in the play room I heard

one of those screams from Arianna. I jumped up and started saying,

'Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh... and told Nikkie I had to

go and hung up the phone. I ran into the play room and one of the very

large sliding closet doors had completely fallen and landed on Arianna's legs.

She was laying there so helpless and I almost started to cry because

she looked so upset and hurt. I took the door off of her and looked her over.

She had an instant bruise on her ankle and was upset for about an hour but

was okay. It took me about that same amount of time to be 'okay'. It had

scared me so badly and you know how it is after something

like that happens you always think, 'What if... it had landed on her head,

her back, her arm and broke it...' It is so hard being a momma

sometimes because you 'worry' about your kids all the time

and you want to always keep them safe and sound, and to protect

them from all the things of this world.

I didn't really have a real reason for sharing this story, it was just

something that happened today. I hope you are all having a great day.

I am so thankful that my Arianna was okay and that

no one was hurt worse!

Good Night everyone! Smiles -Christie*

What Have I Done- Adie (with lyrics)

2011-03-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

LOOOOOOOOVE this one! She has such a beautiful voice!

Meredith Andrews - In Your Arms

2011-03-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

I love this song. It is so beautiful!

PRAYER REQUEST!!!!!!!!

2011-03-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

Our Beautiful Shana...

This is my adorable friend Shana and her sweet hubby Dustin.

The past few years have been really hard for them in so many ways.

She has an eye disease that will probably cause her to go blind someday

and she found out about a year ago that she had Melanoma (skin cancer).

The past few weeks she has been having some severe stomach pains and

they figured out that she had cysts on her ovary's. Today it was so bad

that she had to go to the ER and they have decided to do surgery and

may possibly have to remove one of her ovary's. She has been

through so much and another surgery is definitely not something I

know she wants to experience again. I am asking all of you to pray for her,

her hubby, and their three children. Pray that this surgery is as easy as it

can be and that she heals very quickly! I love her so much and I hate to

see her go through so much! I know God is in control so I know that
all we have to do is pray for her and He will give her peace!

'Thank you Jesus for my friend Shana. She is such an amazing friend,

she is so full of life and such an inspiration to me and I pray you give her a peace

and a calmness tonight. Help her to have a good night sleep and to feel refreshed

in the morning for her surgery. I pray for the doctors and nurses that will be doing

the surgery and that you guide them.

I know you are in control and that you are faithful!

Thank you again for this friend you have put into my life and

that our friendship has been able to grow!

I love you and I praise you lord, Amen.'

Blog...Blog...Blog...BLOG...

2011-03-07T09:08:00.000-08:00

I have decided to have a daily topic on my blog.

I had started this when I had my blog the last time but

I want to be more strict with it this time and share

with all of you the things I learn about myself and
the things I learn as my relationship with God grows and I change

who I am through Christ as a Wife, a Momma, and in every way

I can allow God to make me a better me. Not because of

me and/or the things I do but because I want

to allow Him to work in me, to change me, and to strengthen

me for His purpose, His glory and because He loves me!

This is my new hair color, I didn't change it for any real

reason. I just thought it would be fun!

Justin likes it so I guess that's what really matters! lol!

I hope you all enjoy my blog and the things I share with you,

please leave comments when you have time, I really

enjoy knowing who reads my blog and let me know what you think

or your thoughts as I share mine!

Sundays- Feeling Blessed!

On Sundays I want to write about how very blessed I am. It will be different things each Sunday. God has given me so many things to be thankful for and this is just another way for me to thank Him!

Mondays- My Safe Place!

On Mondays I will write about marriage, about my husband, and about the things I learn/have learned while being his wife. I will share some struggles or things that I am trying to improve as a Godly wife and the things I want to teach my sweet girls as I am the #1 example they will have as far as what a wife should be like, and also for my son and the kind of woman I want him to grow up and marry someday.

Tuesdays- Learning As We Go!

On Tuesdays I will write about being a Momma. I love being a mom but their are also struggles and obstacles as a mom. Being a mom of four children that are very close in age I definitely have my own struggles and things I am Learning as I Go! My oldest was 22 months old when I had my second, and then 11 months later my third, and then 22 months later my sweet little boy. It has been hard at times and honestly some of those months when my middle two were both so little a lot of my life is a bit of a blur but I have enjoyed being their Momma and wouldn't trade this life for ANYTHING! So join me on Tuesdays as I learn As I Go to be a better mom!

Wednesdays- Keeping It Creative!

On Wednesdays I will share with you my creations. Some may be older and some may be new things I have created or came up with. I really enjoy being creative and making things for people. It is time for me to do things I enjoy/hobbies. This is something I believe is very important for all moms! To have something you do that's just for you!

Thursday- Wearing An Apron!

On Thursdays I will make a new recipe and share it with all of you. Not a new recipe I have created but a new recipe from one of my many Recipe Books that I have not used very often. I have always said that I wanted to learn to be a better cook so now is the time to take this goal seriously! I know my hubby will be thankful for this as well! :)

Fridays- Being Joyfully You!

On Fridays I will write about my own thoughts, as women I believe we all struggle with feeling inadequate and less then what we really are. We worry about what others think about us and while doing that we are not true to ourselves. I actually hate 'self-improvement' books and this is totally not the kind of thing I am talking about. This is not going to be about ME, as in how can I be happier, how can I do this or that, or how can I improve myself for ME. These are going to be things I am trying to learn about who I am in Gods eyes, the love he has for me. Who I can be because I am a child of God. How I can 'improve' myself for other people, the people I love and the people God has put into my life for a reason. God wants us to bless each other, to give to each other and to love each other. I want to be a more selfless person, wife, mom, friend...

Saturdays- Just Makin Memories!

On Saturdays I will share pictures I have taken. Some will be from the week before and I will also share older ones just for fun. I love photography and I haven't been taking pictures as much lately so I am really excited about this one and getting into this hobby I have loved for years again. I will also share pictures of my beautiful family as we go.

Well...I hope you all join me in this new, fun journey of mine. I am excited about this and the things I know God wants to teach me in my life.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Smiles... *Christie*

I am so excited about blogging again!

2011-03-05T12:29:00.000-08:00

I have missed writing on my blog! I recently decided to start a blog with my sister(s) and I am excited about sharing our crafts and lives together that way but I also decided to have this one just for me. I love writing about my family, friends, God, my sweet babies and sharing my fun crafts and photography as well! I hope you all enjoy!

-----*"Just Makin' Memories"*-----