Baby Picture Sunday- BOOM!

4th of July, this year, the 2-year-old Sabina and her same-age 2nd cousin making their own fireworks. I guess that dry pasture grass is just as good as the roman candles when you're a toddler. They did it over and over, with appropriate sound effects. BOOM!
(And, dontcha just love the red dirt stained jeans and strawberry pop mustaches? Too precious.)

Baby Picture Sunday- too funny!

Well, I don't know if Debi has decided not to do BPS anymore or if she's just taking a break. I know she's got her hands full. I just had to post this pic, though!

Sabina eating Rocky's birthday cake.

I just had to capture a picture of Sabina with her blue frosting mustache! It's too funny.
Last Monday was Rocky's 11th birthday and with everything else going on that day, we didn't have cake and presents till after 8:00! Sabina was already dressed for bed in her oversized T, but had fun with us as we celebrated Rocky. She's going to be 3 in October, so I may not be able to post current pics of her on "Baby" Picture Sunday much longer. I guess it's time to start scanning in those old pics of my big kids!
Blessings, Dixie

Baby Picture Sunday - Father & Child

In honor of almost Father's Day (okay it's still 2 weeks away), I posted some of my favorite pictures of Nick with some of the kids. As you can see, he is a great Daddy full of fun and love. I'm so blessed!

First, from a recent trip to the Orlando Science Center - the big boys figured out how to make that tricky cube! (Antonio, Rocky, Nick)

Nick & Cecelia snacking on the Russian Tea Cakes they made together (last year) 

Nick shadowing Sabina this Easter. So cute!

 

This is the closest I got to a "Baby Picture": Nick returning to the car while Sabina was "driving." I think she's almost 1 here.

Baby Picture Sunday - sometimes there's tears

I know Debi is on break from BPS for her huge road trip, but I wanted to do one today anyway.

A couple posts ago, I wrote on Cecelia's birthday. Sabina immediately fell in love with her sister's new white poodle Webkinz. (As I've mentioned before, Sabina LOVES puppies and dogs of any kind.) Since Cecelia had JUST opened it, we reproved her gently and told her to give it back. She did, but this was the result: tears and the need of mommy comfort. I thought that I should capture some of the sad moments of growing up as well as the toothy smiles. As we all know, in life there are tribulations. The secret in God's word is that "those who sow in tears shall reap in joy." (The trick is the sowing!) Sabina, you will be happy to know, has gotten lots of play time with the white puppy. Her sister has a loving and sharing heart.

Baby Picture Sunday - Mother & Child

Here I am with my 7 babies. It's hard to believe this is my 13th Mother's Day. Antonio is 12 now, and how clearly I remember that first sunny day in May with little tiny Antonio. He was full of smiles and had wispy blond hair and a bad milk rash on his chin that I thought would NEVER go away! I have been abundantly blessed by motherhood and strive to be a blessing to my kids. Lord, help me to be the mother you want for these, Your children!
Thanks, guys, for the chocolates and always making me laugh at least once a day!

In other news: the winner of the 2 Nick Canuso CDs in my give-away for the 2nd Annual Tuesday Blog Party is - Debi Bouffard from Who Says 8 is Enough. Since she was the main organizer for this Blog Party, I'd say she deserves a round of applause and some great worship music!
A big thank you to everyone who participated! I can't wait till next year's blog party!

Baby Picture Sunday - the Love of my Life

I chose this picture of baby Luca because for a few months of my life he was my funny Valentine. The only one who could make me smile in a time of hardship. My bunch of sweethearts are all my "loves," but today I wanted to say thanks to Luca.

Baby Picture Sunday - My Reason for Breathing is You

I am lucky to have many reasons to breathe.
Namely: Nick and Antonio (in silent contemplation of cupcake goodness.)


Rocky, sweet & funny





Cecelia with her cupcake art.





Keliah and her lovely, gappy smile.



Carlo in joy and passion.


Luca of hilarity.


And the "baby" Sabina who manages to pull off the whole frosting mustache and still be gorgeous.



All my babies. My cup runneth over.

Coleman's (prayerfully) Last Treatment & BPS

Today is Coleman's last chemo treatment for Lymphoma. Please keep him and the medical team lifted up in prayer! Soon he'll have another scan and I'm believing for a clean result, in the name of Jesus!

I taught the 4 & 5-year-olds at children's church this morning and we learned about the authority we have to ask for anything in Jesus' name. I am claiming it (although I lost my little cardboard police shield with JESUS written on it)! I encourage you all to do the same in your lives. "Headache go away, in the name of Jesus!" "Car, start in the name of Jesus!" "Luca, go to bed in the name of Jesus!"

Baby Picture Sunday - why I'm thankful:

Yes, I've used this pic of Sabina before, but it makes me feel happy!

Baby Picture Sunday - Pretty as a Picture

Luca - April 2006 - about a week old

Keliah - fall 2005 - 2 years

Sabina - spring 2008 - about 5 months

I have really pretty babies. I have to get all my old pictures put on digital, it's getting ridiculous! Maybe that's a good gift idea for me from my family! (Hint, hint...)

Sorry I haven't been around much this past week. It's been extra busy because of an amazing conference at OHOP where Corey Russell was teaching on the Eternal Glory of an Intercessor, and his lovely and anointed wife Dana led worship. It was a glorious wading into the shallows of the ocean that is our Lord. You should definitely check out their teachings at www.coreyrussell.org.

Since we've been going non-stop without much down time, Nick and I are thinking about taking the kids on a "field trip" to the beach tomorrow. Doesn't that sound great? Built-in lessons on science, geography, reading and math, right? Well... that last one is a stretch unless I make a word problem out of miles/time driven. Anyway, if the weather cooperates, we'll be by the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea...

Baby Picture Sunday - Sepia Shots

This is Carlo, at age 2, playing with his mouse-eared shadow. It was a cute shot before, but I think the switch to sepia and a little cropping make it almost magical. Definitely classic!

Baby Picture Sunday - It's a Video Age

This is Sabina at 5 months dancing to the amazingly anointed worship singer Misty Edwards from the International House of Prayer - Kansas City. She loved to dance even before she could sit up. And, obviously, Keliah loves to be on camera. It's been about a year since I looked at this, so it was a fun trip down memory lane for me! Check out those dimples...

Baby Picture Sunday - Babies Can Sleep ANYWHERE!

Truthfully, this pic of Luca is only about a year old. He's 2 here, fell asleep having his snack.


Luca is much younger here, only about 2 months old. I know it's not that unusual for a baby to fall asleep in the swing, but it had stopped swinging long before!


This is Sabina (15 months old) this past January asleep on Granny's lap, in a rocking chair. Again, not that unusual, but Sabina has never been a rock-to-sleep baby. She's always had to fall asleep in her own bed, on her own. If I tried rocking her, she'd squirm around and stay awake, and frustrate me. I think my mom just had to get this last sweet snuggle time in. We flew home the next day.

The weird cute sleeping pic I had of Carlo asleep on Nick's tummy, wearing 3D glasses, while waiting for "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" to start at Disney World is sadly missing. I took it with a cell phone that has been damaged. But, I think about these moments as treasured up in my heart.

Baby Picture Sunday - I'm Gonna Get YOU!

Why are giant Disney characters so darn scary? Above is Luca on his 3rd birthday shying away from Winnie the Pooh (even though he was the one who wanted to meet Pooh.) And below you'll see much-beloved Mickey Mouse trying to coax almost 2-year-old Carlo into a family picture. Apparently, his big brothers in Star Wars face paint weren't nearly as scary as Mickey. We usually don't even bother with the meet-and-greet the characters because of moments like this. That, and the insanely long wait...

Baby Picture Sunday - Share & Share Alike

Luca at 3 months "sharing" his seat in the stroller with Big Sis Cecelia (then 5).
It was almost the end of a long 4th of July at Magic Kingdom. We had no idea it would be so insanely crowded. Kind of a relief to sit and rest as the sun set and we waited for the fireworks show to start. Hard to believe this was over 3 years ago!

Baby Picture Sunday - Fruits & Veggies

Or...sandy fruit.
After an hour of wading in the Atlantic waves, chasing sandpipers, and digging, Luca (here at 19 months) was ready for a snack. He got his own apple out of the sack, and took about 3 big bites before dropping it. He didn't skip a beat, picked it right back up and kept eating. He didn't seem to mind the sand, I think the main problem for him was getting his little mouth around that big apple! We all tried not to be too grossed out.

Baby Picture Sunday - For the Love of THE Sippy Cup

Luca (here at age 1 and a half) thought he'd try MY sippy cup; though from the looks of his shirt, most of the good mocha sludge at the bottom dribbled down his front.

Baby Picture Sundays - Gimme Some Sugar!

This is Sabina the day after Easter - the chocolate bunny didn't know what hit him. ;)
I realized in all the really cute pictures I have of her, she has some kind of sweet substance around her mouth. Now, when my Grandma asked me to "gimme some sugar," she wanted a kiss from her grandbaby. More than likely, if I ask Sabina to gimme some sugar, I'll get some candy with that kiss.

Hmm... I do really like chocolate kisses.

Baby Picture Sundays - The Heat is ON!

This is my Daddy (Papa to the kids) holding Luca at the end of Summer 2006. Luca is just 4 1/2 months old here. We were at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, which is awesome. Definitely the best zoo I've been to. I chose this pic for this week as a slightly belated honor for Father's Day to my dad. Also, at this time in our life, the heat was ON! Not only was it late August in the midwest, which means high heat and humidity, but we were also living with our parents. We had fled Florida out of fear after a job fell through. We headed home to safety, family, the known. We had 6 kids at the time and we were too far along in our life to be living with and depending so completely on family. We discovered during the 4 months we were "home" that God had meant for us to stay in Florida - the new home He had called us to. The job Nick had lined up before we came back to Nebraska got sidelined and he ended up working for them in a very low-paying position. The home we had thought we were a shoo-in for was denied us because of the size of our family. It became an impossible situation. Not only that, but at least once a day, there was some reference to Florida put in our path. It became a lesson in obedience, patience, perseverence. FAITH. Before the end of our 3rd month home, Nick had 2 job offers back in Florida. We moved from Missouri to Florida, to Nebraska, to Florida again in 1 year. God's heat was on us! We were feelin' it! Thank you, Lord for your love, patience, and trials by fire!

Also, thank You for tiny beautiful baby boys to bring joy and light in the darkest times.

Verse for the Day:
Hebrews 5:7-9
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him."

Baby Picture Sundays - All For Daddy

Nick may not be "Superdad" but he gives a pretty close approximation. Above you can see him moments after Sabina's birth, cuddling and smiling over her. Even after a sleepless night. Even after coaching me through yet another long natural birth. Even after months of worry and stress and anxiety about this new addition to our overextended family. She was here, she was wanted, and she was so beautiful.

This is a not great picture of Nick holding Luca about half an hour after he was born. We were recovering in one of the bedrooms of the birth center; a peaceful moment in the evening with our adorable new son. Nick was my hero that weekend. I was in labor for about 2 and a half days. We walked the streets by our house, visited the birth center a couple times, counted and measured contractions. Then, when the labor finally kicked into high gear, he donned his swimsuit and climbed in the birthing tub with me. He cradled me from behind giving me the support and strength I needed.

I don't think I could have had 7 kids without him. ;)

I am truly and overwhelmingly blessed by Nick aka SuperDaddy.

Verse for the day:
Psalm 127:3-5
"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."

Baby Picture Sundays - Nothing Comes Between Me and My Calvins

I thought this was a pretty funny theme this week. Especially since the only person in our family who ever had CK jeans was Nick (Daddy); I got a great discount when I worked at the Buckle right before we were married. But, the idea is to show the sweet little jeans on the sweet little kids, so here we are! This is Luca (age 19 months) in his adorable Levi's jacket he got to wear maybe 3 times. Not a lot of call for jackets in central Florida while it fit. Not to worry, the jacket got a new home with a new baby boy last fall.

This is a kinda funny picture of Sabina (age 14 months) in the lap of her Great-Grandpa Huffer for the first time in January. She is wearing the cutest pair of Betsey Johnson jeans someone gave her. Note the bleached-out hearts on the knees and bands of magenta faux-fur. I suppose they, too, will find a new home this fall. Ah, well to everything there is a season.