Just scratched the surface

Spunky, sweet and my precious girl!! I am home everyday with her and my other beautifull eight children, but I neeeeed to know them more. I am so thankful to God for the blessing of home schooling them which to me really means I don't have to send them away everyday. I do like teaching them academically ...more so this year than ever....I'm loving it. More than anything ,though, and more important than academics, I am thankful for the daily opportunity to tell them of God's love and try with the help of the Holy Spirit to guide their little hearts rightly. I feel like I've only scratched the surface of knowing them, too. Their little hearts and souls go sooo deep. WOW! What a magnificent privilege to be mom. God has really pressed on my heart lately just what a short time we are given to hold their little hearts in childhood. Do any other moms feel this way?

Fewer than half my children but still a very blessed hand and heart full. We had so much fun this day. Althought this is just a few minutes before Jessie threw up her orange ice cream on Cason, he was still more than happy to hang out with her, chase her around and even carry her on his shoulders after the little incident: )

Been Diggin"

Touring Clemson !!!

Here is my precious Kamryn. We all had so much fun touring the campus. We loved the ice cream ALOT!! The two random students we met while showing ourselves around were both from Mt. P!! (haha)...... One whose family lives in Rivertowne and one from Wakendaw Lakes. Must be lots of Mt. P kids there. It was a really beautiful campus, and it made me miss lots of trees and the foothills of SC. I always love the topography wherever I am. Now, I couldn't be pried away from from the marshy lowcountry but when I'm there, I start dreaming of a few acres and some goats and cows(heehee) Whew!! Safe at home : )

Happy about my charger!!!

This is really how I feel!! I've not been taking photos because my camera was sooo bad. It was just really pathetic. I hated to buy a new camera though because everytime I thought about it I'd remember the really nice camera we have...the one toooo nice to use that has just been on a shelf since Richard no longer supplements our income with nature photography. I actually made my decision awhile back to determine to be really careful and just use it. The problem then was that I had misplaced the charger. It has been nagging at me forever. No pictures of my children therefore no blogging. Also, no blogging because as I told a friend the other day who asked me why I don't blog anymore...I replied....because blogging is stupid. My bloggging anyway. I blabber on and just need to post pics I'm thinking: )I am glad now to have my camera that takes such nice photos that I have to drag them to the desk top to distort them a bit so they will upload. I am sure there is a smarter way but it works for me. So, I'm blogging again just to have a way to share happy everyday life moments and pictures with friends and family. So, here is my second favorite time of day on the day my new favorite child, Cole, found my charger. Getting ready for bed and famly worship time.

What's that...what's that....what's.....

One of my favorite spots for photographing my little people. SEarched around and found this oldie. Time for another shoot. Cole is sure dapper looking here.

Anyone want to Brag on their teens????

My sweet big kids are getting so...well... big. It seems like only yesterday they were spitting on other children and making them cry at the water fountain at church.*sigh* Where does the time go? Okay, yes they were very naughty, but they have come a long way. Every single day they say or do something that makes me so proud. I am loving this teen/older teen stage of life with them so much. I think if I'd been asked when I had only young children if I thought I'd like it, I'd have said no. I've seen them both share the gospel and encourage younger siblings to do the same. They look out for underdogs in life and are really loved by alot of people. They make me really proud, and it has been a pleasure giving them more and more freedom and seeing them use it wisely. I don't even expect them not to make mistakes along the way just as I hope no one is expecting that of me. At this point in life, I'm trying hard not to launch fully into bestest friend stage with these still growing people, but its sooo great to have a foretaste of the pleasure of grown children.

God is extremely good.

Lemon Hummus

Tonight we are having our second family group meet at our house that focuses on missions(In particular a family serving in Pakistan) , and evangelism and confession. Our church has 4 four groups meeting in the area. Kamryn made hummus so that everyone can sample a middle eastern food. Here is the recipe. Just add it all into the food processor and blend.

1 can garbanzo beans(drained and rinsed)

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup tahini

1 clove garlic(pressed)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup olive oil (add to processer as it blends)

Serving tonight with pretzel sticks.

Everyone in my house loves this recipe. Its an old favorite.

Tired after her magnificent performance and ready for rooty tooty fresh and fruity(or whatever little cutsie pie name IHOP has on their kids menu for pancakes with a whipped cream face)

Enjoying a late late dinner with nana and papa after the four oldest girls' ballet recital. It was alot of fun and really beautiful..

Cason and Richard coloring.

The boys waiting to give their ballerina sisters roses!!!!!

It was a beautiful performance.

Waiting!!

Waiting and searching!!

He found his ballerina!!

Sweet girl.

Don't Mess with Kamryn

This is one of our all time favorite funny personality capturing pictures of all times. This one and the one of Kmmi at 3 years with a flower pot on her head and the one of Jessie with the straw in her mouth but this one.....this one is definitely in the top five all time Brown kid favorites: ) : ): )

So, anyway, it is so good to watch someone grow in so many ways. Kamryn has come a long way. All the way from this tiny little firecracker to now actually just a little bit bigger firecracker. She's always gonna be a firecracker. Anyway, tonight, she blessed her daddy by being willing to recite Philippians chapter 2 for the men's bible study group without any forewarning. It was flawless and it was sweet. God has gifted her with a great memory and also alot of kindness and love. We all love her so much. A few days ago, someone was picking on Kamryn and this little person took something of hers and she was quietly telling me and karis that this other little person wouldn't give it back. I let Karis handle it: ) Karis gently asked kamryn what Jesus would do in this situation. Kamryn gave a good answer by saying that He would just overlook it and let it go. Karis told her that was exactly right....then she asked...but what do you think your big sister is gonna do.(heehee) Kamryn looked puzzled....and karis waited a second and said....I'm getting it back for you...and she did. It was achieved in a sweet way but achieved all the same. Don't mess with number five of eight. As a matter of fact don't mess with any of eight.

Jessie wants to get down(heehee)

The urge is getting stronger.

Lays awkwardly to the right.

Dramatic lunge back.(heehee) Richard is still talking theology.

It's probably not really worth it. Jessie decides he's a tough egg to crack.

Really Really Really I love him so very much : )

Just here to serve others.....

I didn't really ask to smell this flower. I don't really want to, BUT since you're holding it for me and since it seems to make you happy, I will just do it.

Muttinoes

My sweet girl picked these lovelies before we had the reminder talk about "taking only pictures and leaving only
footprints............................."

It was such a beautiful time with my sweet family in the mountains of North Carolina.

When we first moved to NC years ago, Cason was two and he kept saying

something like Muttinoes. We kept wondering what his little two year old self was trying to tell us. We were driving from Lenoir to Blowing Rock one day and we came to

an opening and the view was just breathtaking and two year old Cason yelled..."MUTTINOES" and finally we understand. He was just saying mountains.

We've , of course, all called the mountains muttinoes since. We even taught Jessie to say it this trip(heehee)

Does anyone have a funny saying you've taken on from your little children that you just can't let go? Please share.

Cute and you know it!!!!!!

Spring Fever? Yes!!!!

We have been managing to get some schoolwork done this week but everyone is trying hard to call fishing "nature studies"....me included. It has been absolutely beautiful weather! What a great blessing from God. Here are some fishing and fun outdoor pictures.