I still believe in Santa Claus...

because as long as I believe the child in me will never die. I can't imagine losing the joy that this time of year brings.

Christmas is such a fun time of year. As I watch my kids and the happiness it brings them, I am reminded of my own childhood. Growing up we didn't have a lot but my parents always made Christmas special. There were always presents under the tree and when I look back now I have no idea how they did it. There were six of us and we were not disappointed. We knew the meaning behind the holiday but never lost the excitement of Santa. I remember the nights that I couldn't fall asleep anticipating the big day.

I hope that my kids always believe in Christmas. I hope that they know the true meaning behind the day. I hope that someday they will look back and remember how special Christmas is, not for the presents, but for the memories. Memories of the traditions we have, memories of family, memories of the feeling of awe when they walk down the stairs in the morning to see that Santa has been there.

I know one day Santa and all the gifts he brought will be a memory but I hope the one gift they always remember is the Baby in a manger. I hope they never forget the gift He brought with Him and gave to them...the Gift of Life, along with Peace that passes understanding, Hope for tomorrow, abundant Love and never ending Joy.

I wish you a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Happy Birthday Tyler

I cannot believe you are 16 today.

Time has gone so fast. I am proud of the man you becoming!

When you have a child
You learn it's a serious business
To have a little fun
You give grace and get forgiveness
Not seven times seven
But seven times seventy one

And when you have a child
Those four walls you call a house
Take on a life of its own
When you bring 'em home
You will cry and you will laugh
When they hurt it cuts you in half
It's your flesh and bone

And year after year
Pictures fill page after page
They never really grow up
Still your baby at any age
The first time you hold 'em
It's like you see God's smile
What a smile
When you have a child

And then boy meets girl
And perfume and gasoline
Reign on your perfect world
Curfews are often broken
Thank yous aren't spoken
He's got the keys to that old Dodge
And she's wearing a corsage
And her mama's pearls

And year after year
Pictures fill page after page
They never really grow up
Still your baby at any age
And the first time you hold 'em
It's like you feel God's smile
What a smile
When you have a child

You pray that phone call never comes
And if God forbid
How would you live
How could you go on
And on and on and on

And year after year
Close the chapter and turn the page
Blue ribbons and losing seasons
Flipping tassles on the stage
Oh but you don't need a photograph
You've got at least a million
Pictures of that smile
When you close your eyes
When you love a child
Ohh when you love a child
"When you have a child" by Reba McEntire

"Tell her I don't want anything..."

Yesterday, the kids were off school and we didn't have anything planned. I had to help Jacob with a school project. Other than that we were just being lazy. My mom called and asked if we wanted to go to 50 cent Monday at the local thrift store, I told her I would call her back after lunch to let her know. In the mean time I told Tyler that Grandma had called and wants to take him to the thrift store...

"Why?"

"So you can help her pick out your Christmas gift."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, she doesn't know what to get you and she thought you could give her some ideas."

"Tell her I don't want anything."

"Tyler, you can't tell me that kids at your school don't shop there and besides, when someone wants to buy you a gift you can't act like that and she want you to help her find things for the other kids."

Joshua overhearing says,

"I want Star Wars figures."

"Do you want the ones with arms or no arms?"

"With arms."

"Mom, just tell her to get me a shirt."

"What kind of shirt?"

"A t-shirt"

So, I call her back and tell her what I said to Tyler. When I got off the phone I said, "She told me she only has a three dollar limit so if you stick with 50 cent things that is 6 items."

He must have believed me because he put on his shoes and helped get the kids in the car.

He eventually figured it out but imagine his embarrassment when...

we got out of the car and bumped into his friends girlfriend. His face was red as a beet!

Basketballs behind my tires...

as I am backing out of the driveway. Only happens when you are running a little late just to give you an extra thing to stop the car for.

Pee on the toilet seat, always a pleasant surprise in the morning. So, you reinforce "Pick up the seat!" But I gotta ask, what is the point of lifting the seat if you are not going to hit the hole? Just to leave a flood for me to step in. It is a no win situation for the lonely girl in a house of boys.

Every Thursday the kids have library, "Boys, don't forget your library books!" Every day we pack lunch, "Boys, don't forget your lunch!" "Joshua, don't forget your glasses!"

"Mom, why do you say the same things everyday? You don't have to keep telling us we already know!"

Sure enough...phone rings..."Mom, I forgot my glasses." or I am reading a story in the library when my son walks in, "Mom, I forgot my lunch."

I know random stuff but this is just a small sample of my mornings this along with...

"Don't aggravate your brother!" (300X)

but it is always worth it when you walk into school and the teacher stops you to ask if you went to Florida over the weekend because your son got up and told the class that is what he did over the weekend. When she asked him how he got there, he drove with his family, of course. She explained that wasn't possible and that it was last month that he went with his family on vacation. But he insisted so she left it at that. As we laugh about the "story" and she turns to walk away she asked, "You don't have a private jet that I don't know about, do you?"

I wish...

Someone asked me today...

if I kept a journal. I said no but I do have a blog and if you ever want to know what it is really like at my house just start reading past posts and they are only part of it.

...this morning as I am trying to fix my hair, I notice the kids are being too quiet. Quiet in my house usually means kids are up to no good. I come downstairs to check, sure enough, trouble! I will just say, one of our kittens has stiff fur from the spray starch! How and why do you think of such things?

...last night we walk in the door (I didn't even have my shoes off yet, that is how quick they are!), one of them heads straight upstairs, gets my hair spray and starts to spray a dollar bill to the towel chest. Why? Because I forgot to put the hair spray away shame on me.

...lately, it has been, "Mom, so and so said the f-word." Sometimes, its the b-word, s- word, or d-word. I can't handle it especially when they say it out in public! The people around us do not know that the f-word is fart, the b-word is butt, the s-word is stupid and the d-word is dumb! They just look at us a little funny.

But they are so cute...if I had a nickel for every time I heard that! Sure, they are good looking kids but unfortunately good looks does not mean good behavior.

I love these kids, really, I do. When Bill and I are sitting here with nothing to fix and no one to yell at I will read this and probably cry and wish that just one more time someone would yell...

"MOM..."

I look forward to this every fall...

Gimme a V...

The Looman's took a family vacation. The first one ever, if you can believe that!

We stayed a five star resort, if you can believe that!

Didn't get thrown out for rowdy kids and managed to not break anything, if you can believe that!

Seriously, it was a really good time. Just give my kids water to play in and they are happy as can be! The beach is definitely the perfect spot for them. They all want to move to Florida and I am thinking they may be on to something! I am still sorting through pictures but I will definitely post them.

If I learned anything this past week it would be to not take anything for granted. I have been so blessed beyond what I deserve. God has been good to me.

My list is a mile long...

...so I think I will write a blog post!

So, this past weekend we had a reception for my brother and his new wife. I love weddings. You can just feel so much love in the air and it rekindles the love in your own marriage.

It was a really nice party. They had a pig roast and Tyler said, "After seeing that pig, I'm not so sure I can eat pork anymore." I am not sure I believe him. Isaiah was so stinkin' cute. He found out that if you rattle the party favors the bride and groom had to kiss. In middle of eating dinner he stands up on his chair, yells "Uncle Matt!" Then, "shake, shake shake" He sits down and laughs then does it all over again, he is a ham! Jacob sang some karaoke. He did really good but I think he had a slight case of stage fright. Of course, I start crying during the mother/son dance. I think it was the song, "My wish" by Rascal Flatts. I lost it, but all the people who came up and hugged me they must have known because they all said the same thing, "Sherry, she's here and she's watching." Am I that transparent? Anyway, Bill had to leave right after dinner to head to Boulder. It really is no fun at a reception without a date. But we made it through and I just want to wish my brother and Lindsay all the best. My advice was not to take a day for granted, marriage is a wonderful thing!

Now, that I can check "blog" off my list...maybe I should start packing for Florida?!?

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Last weekend my husband took me on an adventure!

For me it was all inclusive:

~Dinner

~Champagne

~Candlelight
~Presents

~A Canoe Ride

~Horseback Riding

~Shopping

~Roses

~And my Forever Love!

Now...

that's a scary thought!

Warning: A little mushy!

I just want to dedicate a blog post to my husband.

I know that I don't say it often enough but I have a great husband and I am so glad he is mine.

I know that we sometimes fight and disagree but I know there is no place I'd rather be.

I know I did nothing to deserve him but I do know that we were meant to be together.

I love you Bill Looman

(If you wanna sing along just click on the play button to the right)

I pinch myself sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream
That's how it seems
I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known
It feels like home
And here I am I want to be your everything
There you are
Turning winter into spring

And everyone that sees you
Always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're standing ovation after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
Yeah
I just call you mine

I fall apart
Just a word from you just somehow
seems to fix
Whatever's wrong
Oh, you reach into the weakest moments
And remind me that I'm strong
You've got to know
I'd be a fool not to see you even worse
To forget that you're more than I deserve

Cause everyone that sees you
Always want's to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're standing ovation after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
Yeah
I just call you mine

Nothing makes sense when you're not here
As if my whole world disappears
Without you what's the point of it

Cause everyone that sees you
Always want's to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're the dream that I've been chasin' after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine
("I just call you mine" by Martina McBride)

Fishin' with Uncle Jon

Yesterday, Jon wanted to take the kids to a fishing derby. The kids like to fish...me, not so much...but if it meant spending time with Uncle Jon, how can you say no?

It actually was pretty nice. The weather was perfect. The kids got a little lesson on fishing and their own fishing pole.

Jacob getting the worm so Uncle Jon could put it on the hook.

Not mom!

Joshua patiently waiting.
Tyler and Jacob also patiently waiting.
Joshua's patience paid off for Fish #1!
Isaiah...could he have a bite?
Come on mom leave me alone!

No bite yet, but I'll pose with my dad!

Now what? Oh, another picture!

Jacob caught his first catch...some seaweed!

Tyler needed more worms cause he just kept drowning them

Oh no! Joshua's second fish got away!

Phew! He got it back!

I am not sure if that is dirt or worm guts but he wears it well!

Jacob's second catch...darn it! More seaweed!

The Ohio State Fair

I think Isaiah has a "quiver in his liver"

I know I am a little behind but...it happens.

The kids really enjoyed the fair this year. I remember one year we bought wristbands for them and it was a total waste of money. They cried and refused to get on any ride! This year we bought tickets and when it was all said and done, buying wristbands would have been cheaper. They wanted to ride every ride they passed!

Happy 8th Bithday

Jacob!

Even though, he has been know to drive me crazy at times...I love this kid and wouldn't want him any other way!

And the names are...

Okay, so my kids picked names for all the kittens. I don't know where they came up with some of them.

"Buster", "Sylvester", and "Precious"

" Max" (I like to call him Pumpkin)

"James" (???)
"Buster" in the shoe bin
"Sylvester" and "Precious" or is it
"Precious" and "Sylvester"

He thinks he is spiderman.

A few days with Grandma and Grandpa

The kids and I spent some time with my parents a couple weeks ago. We went camping and to deer park. I don't know what it is about camping but kids love it. I used to go more often but I dont remember it being so much work!

We took the to the beach at the lake. They had a blast but it was nothing like the beaches of Dominica Republic!

Isaiah started a sea weed collection?!?

My mom cracks me up! She just walked in the water...in her clothes?!?

Oh, what a mess!

Tyler in his beach attire?!?

Hmmm? To go in or not to go in?

Wow! it's been a while...

So, I have no idea where to start.

Let's start with school...the kids are off to another year of getting smarter! Tyler went off to tenth grade, talk about time flying. A friend of mine made a comment on facebook when she saw his picture about coming to the hospital when I had him. I remember, not to sound cliche but,

DON'T BLINK! I remember it all so well and to think that same little baby is now bigger than me.

Jacob, oh Jacob, is in second grade. I have a feeling he is going to soar. He is so smart it amazes me. For open house, last night, he had to write about his first day of school and in the journal entry it said how he was feeling shy about second grade and how he was so nervous he almost passed out and fell over! He even said he wished his mom or dad could have stayed with him. I guess somewhere deep down he really likes us!

Joshua is in first grade. His teacher said he is doing good so far. He is not used to not being able to eat ALL day long. So, when he comes home he is tired and extra hungry. This morning after breakfast he asked me if I like it when he tells me about his day, I don't like it, I LOVE IT! It is ironic that he asked me that because just this morning I read this poem Jacob's teacher sent home...

Take A Moment To Listen Today

Take A Moment To Listen Today
To what your children are trying to say.
Listen today, whatever you do,
Or they won't be there to listen to you.

Listen to their problems, listen to their needs
Praise their smallest triumphs, praise their smallest deeds.
Tolerate their chatter, amplify their laughter,
Find out what's the matter, find out what they're after

But tell them that you love them, every single night,
And though you scold them, be sure you hold them tight
Tell them, 'Everything's all right --
Tomorrow's looking bright!

Take a moment to listen today
To what your children are trying to say.
Listen today, whatever you do,
And they will come back to listen to you.

And really, don't blink!

That was an experience...

in more ways than one!

Experience #1
We took the kids roller skating for the first time last week...

Isaiah took is skates off faster than we could put them on! He was not as crazy as the rest of us!

Joshua on the other hand, wants a pair of skates! He really had fun and didn't want to leave!

Tyler...wouldn't even try.
Jacob...eventually did try but I wasn't able to get pictures because I was out there making a fool out of myself!

Experience #2

The skating rink was not in the best of neighborhoods and right before we got there we witnessed road rage! I didn't really think people carried guns but they do. The next time you have the urge to cut someone off...think twice!

Graeter's Ice Cream

While in Columbus, we stopped to have ice cream at Graeter's. We wanted to try something different and it was pretty good. It is a good thing we decided to sit outside, though. And thank goodness we had wipes in the car!

Tyler didn't make that big of a mess.

Jacob also did okay.
Joshua...a little messier.
Then, there is Isaiah...need I say more!

I couldn't help but take a picture of his flip flop. He, obviously, thought it would enjoy some ice cream!