Sweet Sixteen!

Our first-born child is 16 today!!! I'm not sure where the time has gone, but we are so thankful for the beautiful, compassionate, godly woman Shana is becoming. She is very mature and responsible, is taking her 4th college class, and works 2 jobs while going to high school full time. She dreams of becoming a social worker, because she loves helping and serving others.  

Happiest of birthdays to you, Shanie! I hope you have a wonderful day, and love you so much more than words can say. The moment that the nurse laid a tiny, red-faced, beautiful baby girl in my arms 16 years ago, my life changed and instantly became brighter. You are a joy to everyone who meets you, and you definitely make this world a better place. And to think that God gave you to me! :) Just maybe slow down a little? You're growing up so fast that it takes my breath away. Now that you'll be getting your license, it's just one more step of independence, and I'm not quite sure that I'm ready for that. I'll have a little more to worry about now that you'll be out on the roads of life, but I know you'll do fine. Just keep looking to Jesus to guide and direct you to your destination. I love you!!! -Mom XOXOXOXO

Random bits...

Adrian recently splashed a little milk on the table. This is what appeared when the drops settled:

Poor Mr. Q hasn't been very healthy this winter. Here is one of his many trips to the doctor:

Working on Valentines:

I got lots of love from my people on Valentine's Day:

Super Q is here to save the day!

We recently had parent/teacher conferences. While we waited in the hallway, we were supposed to guess which silhouette belonged to our child. I didn't have any problems finding Jalen's:  

Wanna kiss? 

Last week, Shana went on a week-long mission trip to South Carolina to help rebuild homes that were damaged in Hurricane Matthew. My big-hearted girl had a wonderful time. I loved the fact that she wrote Bible verses on the door and window headers and studs of one of the houses she worked on.

She made some new little friends!

Sweet baby. He looks so innocent while he sleeps.

The kids enjoyed time with cousins this past weekend:

Adrian's basketball season is over. The kids did a great job, and finished the season as runners-up in their conference.

 I may have showed my frustration with the twins a few too many times yesterday. They drew this picture and handed it to me. Awww.....I love their forgiving spirits. Love those boys!

Life...

...is busy and full. I don't take time to update my blog very often, but here are a few snippets of our lives lately.

Jordan loves to draw, and is quite the little artist:

Quintin likes to act like he's a "big boy," and steals our coffee mugs quite frequently:

Here is what a typical Monday morning looks like at our house. Laundry, laundry, and more laundry.

This little guy is very smart. Sometimes I'll put him on my bed, and he'll decide he wants to get down. He'll look down over the side of the bed, gauge the distance to the floor, and decide it's too far. So he'll push all of my pillows off the bed onto the floor, climb down onto the pillows, and away he goes. It's hilarious to watch, because the pillows are bigger than he is, and he usually has to struggle with them for awhile. :) 

Cute cousins:

Got smoothies?

Reading time with middle schoolers:

The twins recently celebrated the 100th day of school!

This past weekend, we hosted Family Night and celebrated all the February birthdays.

Someone found his big sister's wallet, and placidly picked all the bills out of it.

We spent last evening in the ER because Quintin had a high fever and rapid breathing, kept coughing until he threw up, and was pretty listless. We found out he has bronchiolitis, poor guy. :( 

I recently installed some shiplap in our half bathroom. I like the way it turned out. Now to stain and varnish new closet doors for the boys. :-/

Chris has been traveling a lot for work lately, and he has lots of trips coming up. It is sometimes almost impossible to keep up with 7 busy kids' schedules, too, but I'm thankful that God has blessed us so richly in this chaotic season of life. :)