When Did My Babies Grow Up?

Ben, Baron, Allie & Anna @ 7 weeks.

Please bear with me as I have been feeling very sentimental lately. :) I just can't believe my sweet little babies are going to be 4 in just a few short months. You're always told that they grow up so fast....and I never really listened or believed until I had my own babies. It's SO true!

I mean, I can sit and have full on adult conversations with my kids now. It's so cool and strange. I love seeing them play and love on each other. I DON'T love seeing them fight, but do love seeing them make up. I love hearing them pray for others. I love hearing them read along with daddy some of their favorite Bible stories. I love seeing their different personalities. It's true, they are all very different separate individuals, BUT at the same time the are a very UNIQUE GROUP too. Not many brothers and sisters are given the same awesome opportunity to grow up together in the same way they are. It's truly a gift from God! (Please please help me remember this when I have FOUR TEENAGERS in my house!)

 "Mom....really another picture?" Ben right before his MUCH needed haircut.

 My furry headed Suga bear.:)

 After their haircuts...with a touch of post-nap bed head.

 I will never get over how beautiful her eyes (and the others) are! They can MeLt you!

 Practicing her "mean witch" face. Yes we play a little hide-in-seek/tag game where I'm usually the mean witch. It's fun.

 The Holsey's came over for a couple of days while their mommy was in some work training. So we had lots of all day fun! I was BEYOND thankful it was nice weather out.---->probably would have lost my mind otherwise. Three 4 yr olds and Four 3 yr olds all crammed into our 1000 sq ft house would not make for much fun hrs & hrs on end.

 My sweet sister came over to run around with the kids for a while. It was great to have another adult around. Thanks Sarah! The kids think she is the most fun Aunt Ever!:)

 I whipped out the little baby pool for a distraction. A little bit of water and some cups--they were in heaven.

 So you may be wondering....how & where did I nap 7 kids???.......

 The giggly girls...

 The boisterous boys...

In the end, all 7 did end up taking naps. THANK GOODNESS! My ears needed a few minutes of silence:)

 Movie time. We had a "toddler screening" of "Tangled" with popcorn and everything:) It was cute and so was the movie.

 Two of my best friend in the world. Heather & Melanie. We've been through it all together since middle school. I love you beautiful ladies!

 Eight of our nine children helping celebrate Heather's 30th birthday.

 We have had some horrible flooding/storms/rain/tornado action here the last few weeks. So we were without power for a little bit while the damage to our lines was being fixed. So how to entertain the quads, with NO power, no ability to go play in the back yard due to down trees and power lines? We did LOTS of crafty type things. It was fun and exhausting.:) Eventually the kids were constantly asking why the lights wouldn't come on....they were acting like I was some kind of mean mommy just taking pleasure in their whining?! UM.....no. Sorry kids. It was so out of my control! Thankfully not for very long.

(Speaking of tornadoes, please please keep those in Alabama and the other southern states that were devastated by the horrible storms last week. We are thankful all of our family were unharmed, but our hearts break for all those affected!)

 After being given the all clear from the power dudes, we got on our boots and HAD to get outside if only for a few minutes. (It was short lived because it started dumping more rain again. But those few minutes were worth all the effort!)

 The girls checking out the mess of limbs and part of our tree that came down during one of the storms.

 Easter 2011

 We got the kids some cute little Bibles of their own. They were so excited.

 Allie, Benjamin, Baron, & Anna ready for church. (Thanks Mimi & Papaw for the cute new outfits!)

It rained so much that we didn't get to do our Easter egg hunt like last yr, but I don't think the kids even knew or cared.

 Yeah....so....I guess I just wanted to make my "boring" life a little more lively by added a booted foot to it?! BOO! Seriously though, it's not broken---thankfully. Just some damaged ligaments from a unnamed child falling on it and sandwiching it between a bony butt and a stupid hard plastic toy. OUCH! Just a couple more weeks......

 March of Dimes: March for Babies Walk 2011

 Team Burkett QuadSquad ready for some fun!

 I don't know why this picture cracks me up so much but man it makes me smile (in fear) every time. Is this what they will look like in 12 yrs when they're driving for the first time?! EEK!

 Pretty Princesses

 Daddy & Peanut

 Daddy & Benihana

Daddy & Suga Bear

 Daddy & Punky (gotta love the Baron face in the background!)

 Me and my babies.

 The Holsey's & The Burkett's

 Nate, Emma, & Alli

 Our area Mom's of Multiple's

 I'd like to say thank you to EACH of you that donated to our March of Dimes team this yr! THANK YOU!!!

I could write more....but this momma is tired. :)

Jenny