creativity

It is a wonderful thing. It is what makes a pile of balls like this turn into an amazing thing. Well, that and a bunch of cute helpers and their hands.

Building

We got to spend a day this week building. I think I had the best crew around!! They had all the right supplies. They were very hard working and focused. The ones who didn't help with the building were very sweet and happy. It was a sweet day of building spent with our sweet friends. That is a whole lot of sweet!!

Christmas Fun

So, this year at the Doyle's house we are doing something new. Well, new to use. An advent calender. Growing up I always had the type that you would open a window every day and get a chocolate. Inspired by others I decided to do a hands on approach. Every day we will be doing a fun Christmas(winter) activity(almost all stolen from my friend Marie). Today we decorated the doors to look like gifts. Other things include making a wreath with Christmas balls, putting up Christmas lights(something I normally don't do), baking, and then delivering our goods to others. Along with the advent calender will be reviewing prophecies from the old testament and their fulfillment in Christ. Then Christmas day we plan to have a cake for Jesus and sing him happy birthday. So what are your plans?

The Hunt

It began like any other day. It was cold, but the tribe of Doyle wouldn't give up that easy. Many crazy and wild creatures were spotted. None the tribe was after! After a reminder of our Savior and the real reason for the season the hunt truly began. Trails were walked, tractors were tortured, and portraits taken. Then we remembered our mission. The prey was spotted. All sizes and shapes. At first it seemed to much to take in. Then the perfect one was spotted! After all that excitement a teat was needed. It was a good hunt and unlike big game you always walk away with something to display in your house!!

Fun Facts and a Little History

Today marks a big day in this house. It is the 8th anniversary of our marrige! I thought I would give a little history and a few fun facts. History first. Jeff and I met at work. It was not love at first sight, but we did become friends. After several months Jeff decided we should have more than a friendship(I had thought that for a while). We started dating in September, got engaged in October, and married in November! We were married on Lummi Island in the Grange Hall. I had always dreamed of a barefoot on the beach wedding. It was November so on the beach was out, but we were both barefoot. So fast forward and here we are 8 years!! Now on to the fun facts. I totally stole this idea from a friend so I get no credit for being clever.

Jeff and I have been married 2,920 days of those days:

I have been pregnant or nursing for 2214 days.

We have been blessed by 5 children(one set of twins!)

We have changed 33,300 diapers (roughly and counting)

We have owned 1 house(lived in the entire 8 years)

We have owned 7 vehicles(3 currently)

We have owned 22 pets(CRAZY!!!)

I have done to many loads of laundry and dishes to count and you know what? I wouldn't change any of it! Not for anything!!

Enjoy your day! I know I will be enjoying mine!

Best and Worst Wednesday

I will start by saying, yes I know it is Thursday!Best part of having family from out of town visit? I got to meet my niece for the first time ever.
Worst part? Our large family was slightly overwhelming for this single child from West Virginia, so most my pictures of her are of her back.Best part of having a niece who is shy around me? The moment she sat down on a bench and let me take her picture.Worst part? She still wouldn't look directly at me.
Best part of having nice sunny weather for a family gathering? Having uncles that aren't to old to play in the leaves and bond.Worst part? You never know when you will look like this because of an uncle.Best part of getting four brothers together to visit? You always know you are going to have a good time.Worst part? You never know when it will happen again.
If you are interested in more Best and Worst Wednesday just click here.
This is just a small sample of the fun we had. Expect a much more detailed account in the future.

Veterans Day

This morning I did my best to explain to the little girls what Veterans Day is all about. It ended with great excitement when I told them their Uncle Damian is a veteran and we get to see him tomorrow. Thank you to all who serve this country!

Best and Worst Wednesday

Best part of clogged pipes? Getting an unexpected visit with Jeff's parents.
Worst part? Three inches of raw sewage in the bath tub.Best part of three inches of raw sewage in my bathtub? Ending up with a very clean tub and sink. One scrubbed with many cleaners.
Worst part? We use that tub for storage, so several books were tossed and I have loads of filthy things to wash.Best part of being interrupted by sewage? My dinner plan was wrecked and we got to eat pizza.
Worst part? I was so thrown off I started stressing, which means I become mean and crazy mom.Best part of becoming mean and crazy mom? I get to humble myself before my children(and God) repent of my actions(hopefully being an example) and grow.
Worst part? Having to learn the same lesson over and over again! Best part of having to relearn the same lesson over and over again? It is a constant reminder of my need for a Savior!
Worst part? The painfulness of learning a lesson and those I hurt in the process.
If you would like to see others Best and Worst Wednesday click here. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ," Romans 3:23-24

The tale of the hat

The story you are about to read is a true story. Names and dates have not been changed to protect those involved. It all started in the month of October. A photographer was taking photos of a sweet little boy named Liam. Upon his head he wore a wonderful red hat. The hat inspired the photographer to pick up some knitting needles and see what happened. So, inspired and happy the new knitter cast on stitches. Knitting had begun. Around and around the new knitter went, working each stitch with love. Then it happened. The unthinkable. This new knitter had run out of yarn. It seemed this hat was not meant to be. Still having the itch to create a new pattern was found. A new hat was started. This time the yarn flowed free. A hat was made, but still the knitter longed for the first hat. The mission begun. First to figure out what to do. The yarn was from a distant land. One where the knitter could not travel. The local yarn shop could not help. Do not fear readers, this knitter is clever. This knitter is a thinker and this knitter has lots of friends with great ideas! After shopping, thinking, and knitting a new revised hat was born. The new hat was wonderful. Maybe even better than the original had promised to be. The moral of this story is to never give up. New creations can be much better than the original even if it takes time, pain, and hard work.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Apple pick'n

Yesterday we had the fun of helping our friends with their apple pick'n. I didn't want or need apples so they all went to friend(except the five we bought to eat). What I wanted to photo time. I had seen photos from a friend of mine in an apple orchard and was inspired. I had such a good time capturing the day. Not all my photos were award winning(ok, none are award winning), but they do a great job of showing off the day. Sorry if you are on photo overload, but I had a lot of favorites! By the time we left my Joshua was done!! He was cold and not wanting to take another step! The apple orchard is for sure a place I will go back to for pictures and apples.