Five Teenagers

We have had 2 birthdays in the last week, and with Miriam's ascension to teenhood, we now have five teenagers in the house since Naomi is still a year off from the big 2-0.

Right at this moment, our kids are 19, 17, 15, 14, 13, 11, 8, 6, and 4.

But Isaac will turn 16 in a few days so we're just about to have another change in ages. Then no more birthdays until May for us!

Someone asked on Facebook how my "vacation" has been. She put the vacation in quotes because, no doubt, she realized that with a houseful of kids, I am not just sitting back and putting my feet up. BUT, this year has been actually relatively mellow.  Rose, while still a terror at times, is way easier than she was even a year ago.  So I've gotten naps most days. I've been able to take walks. I'm writing Star Wars fanfiction and reading Pride and Prejudice fanfiction.  It's been very pleasant.

A friend of mine who lives out of state just had her third child yesterday.  He has Down Syndrome (they knew he did from prenatal testing) and was born 9 weeks early. He is in the NICU and I am praying for him fervently, and for his mother who had to have an emergency C-section to deliver him.

So they are obviously having a very hard, challenging, agonizing Christmas season.  They adore this little man and God has a good plan for his life in spite of his early challenges.

Random picture of Rose because she is so cute.