We're Home!

We headed out for a roadtrip to Florida on May 21 and returned home early morning on May 30. We had a great time relaxing and spent a couple days at Disney as well. I have many pictures to post of our trip but thought I would just share this one with you today.

For some reason, my favorite family photos tend to be the ones that we are all looking less than perfect. I love this picture! This is what you get when you try to take a family photo after about 11 hours at Disney on a hot day.

It's Just Serendipity

I love big flowers for my girls hair! I thought I would share with you a fun store that I found that sells them for only $4! She has someone that makes them so you can also request what color you want.

The store is called It's Just Serendipity. It's such a fun store and it's in an area that I know most of my readers don't often go. They are located in Hammond, IN on Hohman just a few blocks south of St. Margaret Mercy Hospital. If you are looking for unique gifts, this is the place to go!

The Post in Which I Cover It All

Have you been sitting around wondering, "What has that Vis family been up to lately?" I'm guessing most of you said no, but I'm going to share anyway. It's been busy around here the last few weeks, so I will share in no specific order some of the things that have been happening........

Pool broke, pool came down, pool is back up!

Brad and I have been argueing about discussing plans for the back patio and deck by pool.

Amanda had her first dentist appointment.

We had a pet turtle for 2 days and then let him go in the pond behind my sister's house.

Yard work!

We tried to see how many dishes we could fit in the sink.

My friend Jennie and I loaded up our 9 kids and headed to the Adler Planetarium because it was a Free Day and when you're dutch it's hard to pass that up expecially when there are so many kids to pay for!

We bought new booster seats and turned the boxes into artwork.

Enjoyed Mother's Day with family!

Had my last 2 days of Jury Duty. (Well, kind of, they extended us on a couple cases that I have to go back for but I'm done going in monthly!)

Took the girls for their school physicals. Amanda cried when she got her shots. Alex was brave but then passed out as we were leaving.

One morning I watched 10 kids and another morning I watched 7. It can get a little hectic but I love having my niece and nephews over.

Cut coupons, shopped for deals, and did a little garage saleing.

Worked on planning our Florida vacation which I am so excited for!!!! After all that I think I need a rest!

And now you know why I haven't been around very much lately!

Moments with my Children

This time of year I always start to get sentimental. The first weekend of May is when I went into the hospital on complete bedrest when I was pregnant with my triplets. I was only 26 weeks along. Then Mother's Day comes along and that just adds to it. It makes me think about how thankful I am to be a mom and how thankful I am for each of my children, how they are all healthy and the miracles that they are. They make my heart just overflow with gratitude!

362~ Excitement and interest on kids face as I read to them a Bible story and then when I'm done they ask me to read them another

363~ Overhearing Joshua say to Isaac, "Do you remember what we learned last night?" referring to the Bible story I had read them the night before

364~ Tulips, a big cookie and cards picked out for me by my precious children.

365~ Watching Tom and Jerry with my kids.

366~ Telling a story to the girls and their interest and little giggles.

367~ Spending a few minutes alone with each of my sons before bedtime and their excitement to tell me all about baseball during this time.

368~ Laughter from the kids as I read the cards out loud that they gave me for Mother's Day.

369~ The gift of my children and the reminder of that as we celebrate Mother's Day.

Celebrating Eve's Daughters

The other day I came across a blog post that brought back some memories for me. It reminded me that Mother's Day for most of us is a joyous day. I day that we can celebrate our moms and, as a mom, a day that our family celebrates us. But for many, it is a difficult day.

I was reminded of 7 years ago when all I truly desired was to be a mom. At that time I had sought the help of a fertility specialist and knew what our plan was. All I could think of was that if the treatments didn't work, I might not be a mom. I remember sitting in church and listening to a Mother's Day sermon. I can't even tell you anymore than that because I really just did not want to be there. It was one of those days that you need to leave the house, pretend everything is great and plaster a smile on your face but it's really the one day you would rather spend at home not talking to anyone and wallowing in your own self pity.

Little did I know that the next year I would be spending Mother's Day in the hospital on bedrest because I was pregnant with triplets. But for many they don't have the happy ending that I had. They may spend years of painful Mother's Days before they become a mom or they may never become one at all. I really enjoyed this woman's outlook and encourage you to click on over and read her post. Please share it with someone who may be having a hard time this year.

It also reminded me of those who don't have a mom to celebrate. This will be my third year without a mom to celebrate with, but I definitely have a mom to celebrate. She was a godly woman who meant a lot to me. Although she is not physically here with me, I remember her everyday and am thankful to God for the gift she was to me for so many years and that gift goes on with everything she instilled in me. There are those out there who don't have that though due to so many different circumstances.

This year, as you celebrate with your mom or with your kids, remember those who may be hurting on this day. Say a prayer for them. If you know someone personally that is having a difficult day, tell them that you know it is a difficult day for them. They will greatly appreciate it.

Happy Mother's Day to ALL Eve's Daughters!