It has bnd een a really long time, I know! The summer has been crazy. We have been all over the place; football camp, swimming, fishing, beach, park~ you name it! We have had a blast and I cant believe that the summer is almost over! I will leave you with some new pictures of our adventure, hope to post soon.

It was so cool of my husband one day, the boys were being kinda

crazy and Andy had to go to the store. He came home and had this neat little

kits for the boys to make!

Fourth of July with friends!

Watching the hot air balloons, they ever let them get in ;)

Sunny day outside, I tried to make a slip n slide, but it didn't work so well

Zachary and My besties girls, Abi and Clara

Facepainting for Cicero's 175th Birthday Bash

Fishing day

Splash Park fun, later that day Zachary skinned up and down his legs!

Scooters aren't such a good idea on wet pavement

Sacred Marriage Part 1

Sadly, I am just now getting in to ready the book. I actually started it months ago but have since forgotten the main ideas so I am starting over again. So far, the book has been eye opening as to societal views of romance and marriage. I think sometimes we just don't pay attention or think, but honestly if we sit back and do just that, it is no doubt that the divorce rate is so high. We breed humans to have this view of love that is non-existent versus the mature love that is portrayed in the Bible. We fall out of love and then assume we married the wrong person and leave the marriage to find 'our true love'. Boy am I glad that God loves me regardless of his feelings for me at any given time. There is no doubt in my mind that God gets disappointed, angry, jealous, or hurt by my actions. Thank goodness He chooses to love me any way!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Zachary's Big Day

I was not the only one who was blessed the day God brought Andy in to my life, my son Zachary was blessed as well. Way before I was praying for a husband, Zachary was praying for a daddy. One that would live with us, love us, and take care of me. Zachary was so sweet when it was just the two of us, one Christmas he bought me a ring because he wanted me to have one like the other mommies did. Well, dear Zachary, your dreams came true. God sent us Andy! This past Wednesday our family was made official by the adoption of Zachary by Andy.

Thank you Lord for bringing Andy in to our lives. Our lives might be crazier together, blending 4 boys and 2 families, but our hearts are more full and happy!

Pray for Stellan

I follow MckMama on Twitter and she has asked us to pray for Stellan. Apparently he is having bouts of SVT again tonight and the previous nights. If you have been following her you already know its been a struggle lately and meds have been upped and monitors have been closely watched. Last I heard was that Dr. B wanted Stellan to be brought back in to the hospital but that she was going to try vagals maneuvers again first.

Sacred Marriage

I bought the book months ago and began reading it only to put it down and start another. I am very bad at halfway finishing books because I buy a couple at a time that look interesting. This book was very good and MckMama speaks so highly of it that I am determined to finish. Sadly because it was so long ago I started it I am going to have to lose the progress I made and start over. It is a very deep and at times confusing book, but then again it doesn't take much to confuse me. As a way to keep myself accountable, I am going to post interesting facts about the book a couple times a week, so if you could help but nudging me if I get off track and I would really appreciate it!

Well I am off to reading. I hope you look forward to learning with me!

Collin's Birthday Party

It seems kind of odd because Collin's Birthday was last month, but lets just say its been a bit crazy! Were weren't where we'd be living, whether or not the boys would be on summer break with Michelle, or if Andy would be out of town~ the funny thing is that God knew all along. So nice to think about that. That regardless what's going on around us and circumstantially to us, God is in control and omnipotent!

Anyways, we had a little family gathering to celebrate Collin turning 8. I for one am most excited to have almost ALL the boys out of car seats/booster seats. Woo-Hoo! Remy from next door, the newest member of our family, came over and so did the little boy across the street. We really didn't invite any kids this time. Its so much more expensive that way and with 4, it can be a whopper! Plus its hard to figure out who to invite, the whole class or just close friends? Can't afford the whole class but it seems rude the other way too. We have chosen to stick with family for now. We still take treats in to school so they can celebrate with friends. Eventually they will have a handful of really close friends and it will be easier to invite that way.

Seems I once again got off topic lol! I am a little sleepy seeing as it is almost midnight. I have became quite the night owl since summer, loving the boys sleeping in! Well we had cake, ice cream, and fun with family. Got some neat gifts and played with cousins outside.

Collin requested to have 3 golden retrievers and a husky on a skateboard.

Grandma Colleen makes cakes for the boys every year. I'd say she did a fabulous

job with this odd request.

The Starrett Clan

Eating the BEST cake ever! You haven't tasted cake until you've had Colleen's cake!

Alex, Ashton, Mallory, Zachary, Caleb, and Collin

No, Alex isn't wearing face paint, he had a run in with some concrete over the weekend, I'd say the rocks one this battle, poor Alex!

My epiphany

Well this post might seem a bit blunt. I am just sick and tired of trying for it to be all peachy and sun-shiny all the time. Is that how Jesus acted? Is that the overtone of the Bible? NO! Jesus got angry, he expressed many human emotions, the important part was how he reacted and behaved with those emotions. Some times life just stinks. Sometimes marriage isn't all that I thought it would be. Sometimes when I watch my lovey-dovey movies I get so upset because that is NOT the way real love is. Have you ever wondered why young teens girls have it all wrong when it comes to love, commitment, and relationships? Not me, look no farther than Hollywood and how they portray love and you begin to understand. Wow I am rambling. It has just been some crazy months and I have realized that I am holding a lot in and pretending on the outside that I am somehow this super mom that can do it all and nothing fazes her. Well its not true. My life is not at all like I pictured it to be. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and I love what we have, and I know I am where God wants me to be but that doesn't mean it is easy. I pictured having 4-5 kiddos with my hubby, not step-parenting 3 and feeling so helpless in protecting them even though I am the main caregiver. In my dreamy picture of being a mom I never once fantasized my child saying "i want my real mom" when the are in trouble or upset. I have slowly realized that my vision and God's vision are different and for me to fulfill His purpose for my life I might just have to get a new pair of shoes lol! I mean the person I was, the role that I was filling before Andy is so different from the person I have to be now and the role that I am filling now. Its like I need a new pair of shoes, a different perspective. Know that old saying, you don't know how you'd react until you walk in their shoes for a day. Exactly true! Now I am having to do just that, walk in someone else's shoes. Walking in the shoes of the person God designed me to be and leaving the shoes of the person I chose on my own at the curb. This new role of mine might not be easy and there are days that I don't think I can do it anymore because I am tired and hurt, but I take it one day at a time and God is always there to pull me through and be my strength. I hope this new style of blogging is okay and I haven't scared you off. But there are many times that I am scared and I need advice or to talk but I don't know who to turn to. Sometimes I feel guilty for my feelings and feel ashamed to share. Other times I just hold it in because I am scared people will take it the wrong way and think I am not happy when I am. Anyways, we'll see how it goes.

Bonfire with Boys

We love s'mores at this house! In general I love fires. So cozy and toasty. Family time, yummy food, and fun. Couldn't get any better than this!

Wicked

There are not words to describe it. It was unbelievable! Humorous, Dramatic, Shocking, a little bit of everything but nothing that you'd expect. Its a gotta see!

Summer is here!

I am so excited to have time with the boys without the rush and bustle of school and bedtimes. I am desperately trying to find things to do that does not cost money, any ideas? We love the sprinkler parks but regular parks make me so dizzy with the heat. I am a sissy I know! The pool is always a blast but not free. Cool Creek Park has a lot of free activities to do as well. If any one wants to tag along, let me know!

God is Good!

Today was such a great day that I packed up the boys and went to the pool. What started the day so good is the news that Andy will probably be able to keep his job AND work from home! Of course the day couldn't stay fabulous forever, especially with 4 boys lol! Caleb decided to pee his pants in line to get in, so home we went again.

The other boys and I went back and had a great day. Of course they ran in to all of their friends so I ended up losing one and gaining another, lol. Ash stayed the night with a friend and Zach brought one home.

e

Memorial Day

We had a cookout at our house with our parents. It was such a beautiful day and I was craving cookout food~ baked beans and mac n cheese! I took the opportunity to get some pictures of grandparents and grandkids. 

The boys got the bright idea to make a doghouse for the dogs. We didn't exactly have wood that matched the task at hand but they made it work, LOL!

God will never give you more than you can handle

I know this to be true, but in times like these it is hard to see that truth. Yesterday we were given the hard news that if we moved to Ca we could not take the boys with us. Well of course that means we will not be moving, we would never leave our children! As much as I was angry and confused by this verdict, Andy and I have come to the conclusion that God has better plans for us here. I told myself all along that if God did not want us to go, He would prevent us from doing so. I guess this was His way.

It of course would have been easier to know sooner on instead of putting all of our eggs in one basket. The next couple of months are going to be very hard and major prayer is needed. I have applied for teaching positions in the fall at Heights, Andy is hoping that he can work remotely for Pelco, and I am going to try babysitting through the summer and getting a night job at a restaurant if needed. 

The boys were a little upset, expecially Zach and Caleb. Collin and Ashton are mostly worried about Andy's job. Although we do not have any answers for them, I know God is in control and I trust His promises for us. I know He will take care of us and new doors will open. Actually a part of me is very glad we aren't moving. I have formed some very good friendships here and did not look forward to leaving them. Also I am very attached to my church and cried every Sunday because I knew we had to leave. I have never been involved in a church like ACC and I really felt like I was doing what God wanted me to do working with teen girls there. Now that I am not moving I can hopefully get back in touch with the group of girls I had and keep in touch with them.

Well all, prayers are appreciated. I will keep you posted.

Goodnight

Chicago Baby!

I was very excited to take a trip to see my Bestie Virginia. Sometimes you just need a break!!! The boys were with Michelle for the weekend and so Zach and I packed up and were on the road. It was so great!

We got in Friday evening so we rented movies. The kiddos refused to go to sleep, lol, but we shoved them in the room at 11pm. It was just nice to have some girl time.

Saturday we hit the parks in Chicago. Its beautiful there. There are so many parks to see. We went to the FREE zoo and had a picnic on the grassy hill. Later that night we went to YUMMY Giordanos! Luckily we had worn the kiddos completely out and they zonked at 10pm.

Sunday we got up early and headed to Northerly Island (is it really an island or are my eyes playing trips on me?) to visit Shedd Aquarium. It was awesome! The kids had a blast. I couldn't believe how well behaved the kids were, they were mesmerized by all the stuff to see and do. Then me and Virginia had some girl time and hit Miracle Mile. I of course had no moola to spend but atleast wanted to see it. Dinner was at Mighty Nice Grill, actually it WAS mighty nice ;)

Monday morning we headed home. I already miss my Ginia!!