4th Child Freedom

So, as you know, with child #1 I was very careful in picking out the perfect outfit. Everything would coordinate. Then came child #2 and the outfits still worked, but shoes and hair stuff were not as important now. With #3, I tried to get her to match and wear the darling outfits stored carefully in her drawers, but she had an opinion of her own, and that was/is a battle I did not want to to fight. Then came #4...It has been a free for all for this one. Basically, if she can get it on by herself, she can wear it. Here are a few of her creations...(remember, a picture is not worth taking unless you can strike a pose)

Oh, and the ballet outfit is her required dress code for class, but not required all the other times she wears it out and about.

Be Yourself...Rock On!!

"Someone else needs it more than me."

After talking with Marcie today I realized that we should have posted this. We finally mailed Rebekah's hair. The story is really a neat one. Sometime in April - May, the other girls were going to get their hair cut really short, in preparation for the summer. At this point I was begging Rebekah to do the same, but she was determined to grow it out. After much talk and debate her hair remained long and only trimmed ( the other girls did get theirs cut short). Anyway, a few weeks ago or so I came home and she wanted to cut her hair. She said it was because she felt "someone else needed her hair more than she did". It was sort of funny because my reaction was the opposite of earlier in the summer, I tried to convince her that cutting it was a bad idea. She remained very persistent over the next few days and of course I gave in, especially after I realized she was being such a great example to me and others of service and selflessness. What an example she is to me of compassion and concern at age 10, I guess I should be doing the teaching....not this time. Her kindness will not only help those struggling with breast cancer, but it has already taught me some important lessons.
She had this done at GreatClips at no cost. We donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. She thought it would only be about 8", but it was really closer to 12"

We are all really proud of you Rebekah. Thanks for being an example.

!!!HELP!!!

Being a computer illiterate, I accidental erased all of your blogs that I follow. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, help me out by leaving your blog address in the comments. I will do my best not to erase you all in the future. Thanks you all.

Sisters are the very BEST!!!

Sisters are truely the best!

They will be in a goofy picture with you...

Why sleep alone when you've got your sisters and a big bed...

Notice Big sis in the top bunk. My girls want their own room, but hate to sleep alone. Go figure?

Sisters can always make you laugh...

Sisters always got your back...sometimes literally...

My Baby is 3!

I can't believe my baby is 3 today. It has gone by fast. I feel like it wasn't long ago that I was holding her in my arms, and kissing those little chubby cheeks. Thank goodness those chubby cheeks are still there to be kissed. She is growing up fast and as many of you know, she will talk your ear off. She loves to talk and talk and talk and when she is not talking, she is singing. Happy Birthday my 3 year old baby girl. I love you.

(Whoops, I meant to rotate that before I posted it, sorry)

Happy Birthday Rebekah!

Happy Birthday Rebekah! She has finally made it to the double digits. Have a very happy 10th birthday. We love you.

Happy Birthday Rachel

Happy 8th Birthday to our beautiful Rachel Kristine. She has grown up so much. I can't believe how fast the time goes by.

She was born almost 2 weeks early by C-section. She weighed 9lbs. 4 oz. She was cubby and so happy and healthy. We love our Rachel girl.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Happy Birthday Ellie

Ellie's birthday is coming up on Tuesday, and I love to read my friends post of their kids birthdays. So, here's to you sweet Ellie girl...
Happy Birthday to that beautiful Smile.

How fast they grow.

She has always been on the go, very little can stop Ellie from what she is going for.

Ellie was my BIGGEST baby. She weighed in at 10 lbs. even and 22 inches. She also had black curly hair.

Happy birthday. I have loved these past 6 years more than anything. I love you my strong independent, loving girl.

summer has begun

Funny how a new pair of sunglasses can bring out the Diva in all of us.

It was near impossible to get anyone out of the water long enough to get a cute picture.

For the last four years we have been able to start our summer by a trip to Fort Morgan, AL. The beaches there are so kid friendly. The week always ends too soon. The kids look forward to this time every year. We were able to go with Julie, Ethan, My Mom, and Beth. The boys (except Ethan) were missed, but we had an amazing time together, laughing, sunning, swimming, walking, eating, and many more things.

WHAT!?!?!?

So, I thought it would be nice to post a short video.  Problem was I didn't know what the videos contained so I just downloaded it to see what it was Rebekah filmed.  Hoping you could see my kiddos in action, but no.  After waiting FOREVER for this to download you get to see our cat Ollie in action and me yelling in the background.  How fun for you all.

Enjoy.

FUNNY FACE

Hannah LOVES to make funny faces at the camera and then see them on the screen after.  Her laugh is so funny when she sees her "funny face".  Here are just a few of the ones we've taken of her.  She makes me laugh.

New Blog

So, Andy likes to get on our family blog and show his work friends our kiddos and what we've been up to lately. When he logs on, there are no kids, just a picture of Spock or comments on adult acne, which can be a little embarrassing. Anyway, I decided to start my own blog for all my odd comments, memories, and pictures. Hope you all visit it often, and be sure to continue to visit this one as well to keep up with the family. The new blog is InsideTheWorldOfJen.Blogspot.

Just a few more fun pictures.

They grow up sooooo fast.

Lia just like a real cousin thought she join in the fun and stay in the hospital and hang out with bilirubin.

Here is Lia Michelle Brannin. We are sooooo excited she is here. Another girl in the family.

"R"

Well, it was bound to happen. I have been tagged by my best bud, Tanya. I have to list ten things I love that start with the letter "R".

Here it goes...

1. Reading. I used to hate this, but I really do love to read now. I especially like history books. Weird, I know.

2. Religion, specifically mine. I am so grateful for the knowledge of my Savior.

3. Rice. Yum. My favorite is Basmati rice.

4. Romance movies. BBC versions of the classics are what I love.

5. Random. I love all things random. They keep me laughing.

6. Reason. Or logic. I tend to use too much of this in some areas and not enough in others.

7. Reminiscing. I love talking about the random things that have happened in the past.

8. Radio. It seems so old school now, but I love to listen to the radio while I cook or clean. NPR is my all time favorite.

9. Relaxing. Whatever that means, whenever I can.

10. Reaching the end of this post. (That is cheating, I know, but it is late and I am tired)

Now, I want to tag Brittany to do letter "M", Tasha to do letter "B", and Leslie to do letter "H".