There is a family at our church whose oldest son is a freshman in high school. They have 5 children and have figured out at least one of them will be in our youth group for the next 15 years. Needless to say, we are getting to know them.
We drove out to their house on Labor Day. While the guys went to play golf, we girls stayed home and made pizzas.
Well, Jen and the kids made pizzas and I took photos because that's just what I do. Some of you may recognize her from her blog, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. Let me be the first to tell you: she does. Look how happy she is balancing all that bedlam!
This family is living their dream (and maybe mine as well). They live on 10 bajillion acres with their grown siblings and their spouses and between them have 10 bajillion kids. Or 19, but still. Here are some of the older ones taking the younger ones to the field.
They have lots of fields on their land. Fields and trees and kid-made forts. A dream, I tell you. Their family is adorable, their love for one another is contagious and Jen manages to weave her sweet, carefree spirit in and around every aspect of their home. She is a homeschooling mom who has purposed to choose joy even in the midst of chaos. She loves yard sales, coupons and family traditions. If you haven't met her yet, head on over and check her out.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
Todays topic:
a friend
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27 comments:
This almost makes me cry...well, at least feel sorry for myself...we have moved from my family...
What a great family and blessed beyond measure!
-Sandy Toes
Thanks for directing me to her blog, I am anxious to try some of her tips. Those jar planters look so fun for the kids. Isn't it great to be surrounded by such good people?
that does sound like they're living the dream!
Wow. She is livin' the dream, how much fun!
I have already been checking her out!
Wow - what a fun surprise...and on a day when I couldn't even get my pictures to be centered on my blog page. :)
Wow! It certainly looks like you had a great time. And those pizzas look yummy, even though all I can see is the cheese. Cheese is enough.
How fun to see these pics of Jen and her family! She is really sweet - stopped by my blog and said hello to a newbie in blogland.
What a great property - your family is blessed!
so sweet. love that family ;)
laughing at sissy's comment.
oh, how fun! I want to be one of Jen's children. Miss you Jen! Miss you sister!
Can I just say I love how you and nester call each other Sister instead of your actual names? Too adorable. I envy you! I'm an only child. I hope my girls will be like you guys.
Emily, I think I need to become friends with you because you say the nicest and most sincere things about your friends! You are selfless, wity, and pretty much just a pocket full of awesome. Hope to meet you one day!!
And P.S. The same fabric you used in your old kitchen (and new laundry, I think) is now in my kitchen. I found it and almost knocked over some defenseless people to get my hands on it. I think I foamed at the mouth when I saw that fabric on your blog because the colors are P.E.R.F.E.C.T for my casa. I will post pictures one of these days!!
Cute post...sounds like an amazing group!
Layla
The Lettered Cottage
I have "met" her through blogland but don't know her well! Thanks for the snapshot into their life.
How wonderful! I'm so envious! Two of my favorite bloggy friends together in one place.
It looks like you had a wonderful time.
Neat pictures! What a great family. Going to go check out her blog! thanks!
I love Jen!!! I didn't know you knew her in real life!! Great pics, a great post for a great lady!
Thanks for sharing! We love to watch Jen & her hubby sing and act in Kidstuf too. They're a great family. I'll def. be checking out her blog. :)
I, too, love her blog and their life. She is such a sweet blog friend. I have the bajillion acres with the rolling hills and the fields and forts but I would love to have the siblings with the bajillion kids. That would make it perfect!!!
PS, please tell my dark headed niece that her hair cut looks so princessesque.
What a fun day! It was great to see your photos of all the activity and "chaos"...although it didn't look chaotic at all, just lively and FUN! I have seen Jen's blog before, maybe as a link from your blog earlier? Or, could it be from CWO? She does indeed seem like a neat person! Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Today was our son's 13th birthday, and our 20th anniversary, so I posted some current as well as OLD photos on our blog...it is always great to see your photography! Wish we lived closer, I'd love to have you photograph some of our events!
Take care...I sent a few e-mails but am not sure if you received them. Have missed "Mercy's' blog and her writing...
Until next time,
Denise :-)
Oh my stars, I love her blog!! She's a sweetie.
Hi emily, Long time lurker here! I've read your blog for so long now, I don't really remember when I started. I have often wondered if we live in the same area from some of your posts and this one confirms it! When I pulled your blog up last night and saw Jen's picture I about yelled to hubby that Jen & Emliy are friends in real life. But I figured he wouldn't know who or what I was talking about! HA! Jen is a real sweet girl! And I totally love her blog! Looks like y'all had a wonderful day.
i am totally jealous of the 10bazillion acres!
i am heading over to meet her now...
so much fun! i want my kiddos to have more land, but well, it's just that way!
That would have been us if you had stayed at Grace, except we could have given you 19 whoppin years of Shaw kids! Don't worry, I've already forgiven you and The Man. Love your blog!
::Kim::
Oh yeah, I almost forgot...a sign language interprer!
I already know Jen through bloggyland, but how nice to hear someone confirm what I already suspected. Indeed, that is a dream life and she is a sweet woman!
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