Going places with 5 children

We get looks now from other people--looks that say, "Are they crazy??!!" We get really strange looks from other adults when Rebeka, 8, says things like, "Me, Mommy, want icecream" who apparently think we are letting her talk like a baby and don't approve. Sometimes I will say, "She doesn't speak much english" and for some reason they just laugh it off like I joking or something. It's all very strange! :) Going to Kroger tonight was VERY interesting. We had Robbie and Merrick in the 2 seater buggie, Rebeka and Eileen were each pushing their own kid-sized cart and Craig was holding Addie. Rebeka & Eileen of course wanted equal amounts of everything in their buggies and were all excited when they each picked the same toothbrush to buy! (Don't worry, they're in separate spots so they don't get mixed up!) Rebeka is in sensory overload everywhere we go. She wants everything she sees!

The past 2 days have been MUCH calmer than Monday! Thank goodness! There have still been some stressful moments but over all it has been rather nice. Occasionally Rebeka & Eileen will argue over something silly and I have to play referee and occasionally the same will happen with Roberts and Merrick but it all ends as quickly as it began and they are playing happily together again. I think they wouldn't have as many of those arguements if the language barrier wasn't there. Most of them are out of not being able to communicate with each other.

We went to the laser show last night at Stone Mountain. I was so stressed about going and trying to keep up with all the children but it was really very nice. We ate a picnic dinner on the lawn and then played some soccer and frisbee and took a lot of pictures--which I will try to post tomorrow. (I know I keep saying that but I'm not good at all this stuff!) Rebeka is like a model. She would pose herself and then say, "Daddy, photo--me!" Then she grabbed the camera and took some pictures too! Stephanie got a GREAT picture of Eileen, Rebeka & Faith that I can't wait to put on here! Rebeka fell asleep for most of the laser show unless a firework went off. That was the only part she really enjoyed of the actual laser show. :)

I took the kids up to Bob Bailey's today. Another interesting outing! Nick wasn't there (much to Eileen's disappointment) because his baby was just born!! Congratulations! Amanda (and the kitties) weren't there either since she's in Jordan with Mr. B and everyone else. Bobby said, "Brooke--I think you need a few more kids." Rebeka saw my desk (yes I still called it mine--after all no one else is sitting there yet cause Brett hasn't moved in there) and thought it was funny that I worked there. I'm not sure she understood that I don't work there anymore but that's okay. Part of me will probably always feel like I work there. :) They are my family! I miss you guys! (But I don't miss coming to work and leaving my kids!)

Tomorrow evening we are leaving for Nana's house for the weekend! I usually look at that as a relaxing time but I'm thinking there won't be a whole lot of that going on! We will hopefully be there in enough time to watch the fireworks in Macaysville. I think the kids will enjoy that and then on Saturday there is a parade. :) And we can go to Sweet Treats (yummy) which will make Rebeka very happy to get her favorite food--icecream. Nana will have a full house with the 7 of us, plus Nannie Massey and then Friday Chuck, Jackie, Greg & James are coming up too...pray for her and her nerves! Pray for all the kids--that they will remain relatively calm and at a tolerable noise level and that they will get along wonderfully the whole time. :)

Okay, off to bed so I can rest up and start all over again tomorrow! (I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but honestly, I can't imagine life any differently! This is awesome!)

Brooke