Andrew and I did not complete all of our to do list before he left.  So now I have to get my brakes fixed by myself (next payday), so that should be fun.  I know nothing about cars, so I always get taken advantage of at car repair places.  It’s a problem.  lol.  Also, we tried to get our webcams and skype set up last night on our laptops, but alas, our webcams from last deployment don’t WORK on our computers.  Apparently there are no drivers available for them past Windows XP. *sigh*  So no skype for us until we can get new webcams.  We did manage to take some family photos at the absolute last minute.  I need to go through them, but here is one of the group shots (taken in poor indoor lighting with a camera whose ISO only goes to 1600).  It’s not the best photography, but I’m so glad we took some photos before he left! 

This was the best of the shots with Andrew in uniform – Jarvis is surprised, apparently, and Jacob, I think, must be actually saying the word “cheese” – lol.  Paige is just wondering why we’re messing with her evening.   

We definitely appreciate any and all prayers for our family over the next half a year.  We are all in God’s Hands, and He is more than capable of getting us through this time and bringing Andrew home safely.  We are ever so thankful for a strong marriage (which doesn’t mean we are without issues, but that we are relying on God through faith to get us through every trial, and that just brings us closer together with each day that passes – even if we are on opposite sides of the world), and thankful for six (now seven… or eight?) wonderfully amazing children. 

Here is a quick update, and a promise of good intentions to post more detailed updates and photos very soon…

• Andrew leaves very soon, and won’t be back until summer.  Please pray for all of us ~ it would be much appreciated.
• We came home to snow.  Apparently there was 6 to 8 inches while we were gone, but there is only a couple of inches out there now.  Three of the kids are outside playing in it now.  They are sad they missed it.  Hopefully they’ll get another big snow this year that they can play in!
• Christmas in Tennessee was wonderful!  We saw lots of family and a couple of friends (wish we’d had time to see more!), and everyone was so hospitable and kind.  I’m so glad we went!!  There will be more details of our trip to come when I post the photos.
• Since I wrote the first paragraph, Andrew got home from the store and is taking Justice to ball practice for me – yay!
• And last but not least, for those of you who haven’t checked facebook lately ~ we are expecting #7.  Not planned, we thought we were done, but our lives are in God’s Hands, and we are open to whatever He wants for us.  I love babies and children, and honestly, I think I’ve mentioned before, that if my pregnancies were even a little bit easier, we’d probably have a dozen kids by now (on purpose).  So… just giving it all to God, and am still in a little bit of shock (lol), but it doesn’t even matter if this is the worst pregnancy yet because every child is a gift from God and we are excited.    {how’s that for some run-on sentences?}

And that’s all for now…

• Andrew and I decided to try Carrabba’s on a date last week.  I had heard they had a gluten-free menu, but hadn’t tried it since Italian food mostly consists of wheat-filled pasta.  I figured they wouldn’t have anything good.  While their gluten-free menu isn’t extremely long, the Chicken Bryan is AWESOME.  And it didn’t make me sick at all!  Oh yum, so good.  Also, the garlic mashed potatoes are delicious.  We went there for our next date too.  But we can’t afford to go back for a while (Christmas kind of puts a dent in the ‘date’ budget – ha!).  Man oh man – I am craving it though! 
• We had our Sunday School Christmas party at our house.  My friend, Karyn, and I made the invitations (which reminded me how much I miss scrapbooking!), and the party was tons of fun.  Andrew ended up missing most of it (he was stuck at work – ), but he joined in on the fun game at the end. 
• Justice started basketball practices.  His games will start towards the end of January.  He likes his coach and his team so far.  I like watching him play!
• Darby has been loving her gymnastics classes!  I think she’d like to do them every day instead of once a week!
• The kittens are SO adorable right now.  Here are a few photos that were taken on December 10th.  I am amazed at how much they have grown since then!!!  They are running around getting into things now.  Between 4 and 10 weeks is the CUTEST age. 
  
  
  
  
• God has really been working in our family.  It’s exciting to see how He makes us learn and grow and how His Holy Spirit becomes more and more evident in our lives as we turn more and more over to Him.  I’m just in awe of His grace and love.  He is amazing.
• I actually ate a piece of candy with corn syrup in it earlier today.  What is wrong with me?  That is SO unlike me.  I can actually handle very SMALL amounts of corn and chemicals, but I usually avoid them altogether.  But for some reason that york peppermint patty was just staring at me and I HAD to eat it.  It’s been a long time since I have craved a non-food item.  lol. 
• Andrew and I have had so much fun doing all our Christmas shopping this year.  We have turned our shopping trips into dates.  We have so much fun together.  I’m so thankful for our marriage!
  
  
• We are getting closer to Andrew’s deployment.  It hasn’t really sunk in yet that he’s leaving, but I’m sure I’ll cry when it does.  At least it isn’t a year this time!
• Speaking of crying, I really hate crying in front of people.  If you have ever seen me cry, congratulations!  You must be special, because I will normally go WAY out of my way to NOT cry.  I have cried a couple of times in the last few days though – I am just so thrilled about some things that God is doing… it’s a little emotional sometimes. 
• I love my family.  I love my husband. I love my kids. I love my life.  I am just so blessed. 
  
• Question: Do any of you want to come to my house and do some construction/decorating work?  I have a big long list of things that need doing and not enough time/energy/money to get it all done.  I think time is the biggest hindrance to the progress.  First up: cleaning up all the dust in the basement (from the sanding) and putting the primer on the walls (I haven’t bought the colored paint yet, but I’ve got a huge tub of primer sitting down there waiting).  Any takers?  Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? 
• Paige thinks she’s a big girl because she can now eat things like cereal-with-milk or soup out of a bowl with a spoon without making a huge mess.  She’s adorable. 
• I think I might work on one of my books tonight.  I’m pretty sure I’ll be an old lady before any of the books I’ve been working on are done, but hey – someone can read them in 50 years. 
• I’m pretty sure I need to ask Andrew to go buy me some dark chocolate, because I’m very tempted to go eat another york peppermint patty.  The last one wasn’t even that delicious (your taste buds change when you stop eating chemicals and they no longer taste like food).  I  must just be hungry. lol
• (while I was checking my spelling and proof-reading this post, I ate a reeses’ cup.  I figured at least it didn’t have corn syrup in it so it was a better choice than the peppermint patty.  It was so disgusting.  And now I have a chemical residue taste in my mouth.  Why did I do that ? So gross.  I need to hit Trader Joe’s and get some of their chocolate-peanut butter cups.  Those taste like real food!  And they’re delicious!)

Since my last post…

• Kendra, her three girls, and Aunt Cherry came for a visit.  Good times were had, lots of laughing was done, and we can’t wait to see them again!!   On one night, Kendra and I performed a spontaneous concert for Aunt Cherry and some of the kids.  They were awed, amazed, and inspired.  Our talent for singing along with 80′s videos on youtube is unreachable by any other.  Kyra videotaped some of our singing and dancing, but alas, Kendra, the technology guru, accidentally deleted all but two of them.  It might be a good thing. :)  Aaaaaand, I did not take ONE photo the entire time they were here.  Brittany did snap a few photos after her and Justice added some things to our wardrobe (we had been performing in pajamas), but um… I won’t be sharing those. 
• Jarvis had his soccer tournament.  His team only won one of the three games, so they are done for the fall season.  The spring season (he’ll be on the same challenge team) starts practices in February. 

  

• Darby starts gymnastics in a couple of weeks – I signed her up yesterday.  She’s excited.  She’s been asking to take gymnastics and/or dance for years, but it has just never worked out.  So yay.

  

• I have had appointments, errands or something going on EVERY day for the last two weeks or more.  Today?  I am not leaving the house (Lord willing).  Oh wait – I’m taking the kids to the church tonight and picking them up – they are going to a Lecrae concert with the youth group… that’s no big deal though… and maybe Andrew will take them.  But I may have just dashed my own hopes and dreams of staying in my cave for an entire day.  *sigh*
• Justice finished the driving portion of drivers ed and went to get his permit yesterday.  He, uh, didn’t pass.  So… we’ll go back Monday and try again. 

  

• Andrew has been working lots, getting ready to deploy in several weeks.    I’d really rather he was here 24/7.  I know some couples talk about how they need their space from one another or they get on each others nerves, etc… but Andrew and I would love to be together all the time.  Absence does make the heart grow fonder, though – or rather, it makes us appreciate one another even more – so we’ll make it through and be excited to be reunited next summer!

  

• Paige’s eye teeth finally all came through!!!  This is huge, people.  She has been so much happier, less fussy, is sleeping better, and her mouth isn’t in pain.  I know one of my other kiddos had major trouble with those dreaded eye teeth too, but I can’t remember which kid it was. 

  

• Paige has also been saying more and more words.  She understands all the basic commands we give her (“give this to Justice”, “throw this in the trash”, etc.), she nods her head for yes, shakes it for no, she does the signs for ‘eat’, ‘baby’, and ‘bird’ – and says all those words, along with lots of others.  She loves the word “shoe” and asks all the time for us to put various shoes on her (which is funny because she HATED shoes up until a few months ago).  She dances up a storm and has a ton of awesome moves.  She is adorable. 

  

• When Britta had braces, I spent much of my life at the dentist and orthodontist offices.  She got them off a couple of weeks before we moved here to NC, and I just never found a new dentist.  Then Jarvis knocked one of his teeth out a couple of weeks ago (he was holding a stick, tripped over a rock, and the stick hit his face), so we called a couple of dentists recommended by friends and went with the one that answered their phone.  It turned out to be a baby tooth that Jarvis lost (whew!), and we liked the new dentist so I made appointments for the other kids (Jarvis had to be the guinea pig to test out the new dentist).  Darby and Jacob go on Monday for an exam and cleaning, and it will be Jacob’s first dental visit.  He’s nervous and excited.  Jarvis did have a small cavity on a permanent tooth he had to get filled the next day, and we have to get an orthodontist exam for him.  Looks like my days of dental waiting rooms are back.  It was a nice year or so though.  lol
• Britta dyed her hair pink and it looks really cute!  Too bad that hair dye doesn’t last very long, but it’s still pretty bright after a week.  Oh, and a large family of tiny blonde children stared at her for a long period of time in Qdoba yesterday.  It was hilarious.  She was scared.  There were 7 little kids turned in their seat just STARING at her.  I was like “wave at them?”  So she did and finally made a couple of them smile/laugh.  Then the mom came back to the table (they were all just sitting there being still and quiet while she ordered) and they all finally turned around to eat their food.  THEN, we went to Trader Joe’s and two more little blonde children started staring at her.  It was so funny.  And Britta told me that pale kids with really blonde hair scare her, because they look ghostly or something.  Ohhhh, good times. 

  

• Okay, look for my first prompted post (see top of post) later today. 

I cannot believe it has been a week and a half since my last post!  Where is the time going?  Well, the last two weeks HAVE been incredibly busy – I’m pretty much just chilling out today, and the change is kind of nice (though I do have some errands to run in a little while).  I’m pretty sure it’s time for a bulleted list – it’s the only way my brain is going to cooperate for updates. 

• Jarvis has one more game in the fall soccer season (the 31st).  He’s really good and his team has had some good games and some bad games.  He’s having a blast with it, and we love watching him play!  He’ll be on the same Challenge team in the spring.  I really need to remember my camera next week!
• Andrea and Gideon came for a week-long visit and we LOVED having them here.  They left on Saturday and Paige got all excited last night when I showed her pictures of Gideon on my computer.  She kept pointing and going “who’s that?” (which doesn’t mean she doesn’t know, it just means she wants me to say his name because she can’t say it).   The two of them were actually starting to enjoy each other’s company by the time Gideon left.  However, Jacob remains Gideon’s favorite, I think. (and these photos are much clearer on my computer – whenever I upload to my blog, even if I size them properly first, they get blurry and pixelated – what’s up with that, wordpress?!)

• I was actually pretty horrible about taking photos while Andrea and Gideon were here.  I managed to get the above series and just a few more, but for some reason I have not been using my camera much as of late.  I’m not sure why – I love photos, I love taking photos… seems like a no brainer that I would get my camera out now and then.  Oh well.
• I love how well Andrea and I get along.  It really does not seem like there are eleven years between us.  I totally wish we lived near one another. 

• And how adorable is Gideon?!?!  He is just the cutest thing!! And he’s so lovable and let’s you hug and squeeze him without complaint (unlike Paige, who has to be in the mood to cuddle or she shoves you away). 

• While Andrea was here, we did some shopping (including finding these adorable neon converse for Paige and Gideon), we hung out at the house, we took one very full day and drove to Richmond (see next bullet), and we didn’t get enough chances to watch nearly enough TV… something we both thoroughly enjoy. 

• My friend, Ali, who I’ve mentioned many times before, met us in Richmond this past Thursday.  We had a really fun day together walking around, eating, and laughing – and she took lots of totally fabulous photos!!  Seriously, if you are in Virginia or DC or anywhere close, hire her for a shoot – you’ll be thrilled with the images and she is totally affordable as far as photographers go!!!  A sample of our photoshoot is below, but to see more become a fan of her photography page on Facebook and scroll down to the “Carden Family” and “Gideon” albums…
  

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  (photo by Ali McLaughlin)

• We found out a few days ago that Andrew will be deployed much sooner than we thought.  Please keep him (and us) in your prayers.  I am soaking up every second of time with him while I can.  We will really miss him, but know that he is in God’s very capable Hands and, after all, trials make us stronger.  And might I also add that Andrew is the most amazing husband ever and I am so thankful for all God has done in our lives and in our marriage – life gets sweeter every day!!!

I have more stories to tell and photos to share, but alas, I have a life, and it has already taken me several hours to get this far into this post (lots of interruptions in my house).  I shall try my best to keep the ole blog updated more frequently.  I know you are excited at the prospect, but are also fearful because I have made similar empty promises in the past.    Hopefully I will get a chance to get caught up on stories and photos this week though!

• Paige went to the doctor this morning for her 18 month old checkup, and according to her doctor (who we love, by the way!) Paige is perfect.  We already knew that though.  She had to get one shot today, but the nurse was fast, so while she did scream for a minute, she was soon fine.  She weighs 21 pounds (10th %), and is 29 1/2″ tall (5th %).  Her head?  It’s still large.  It’s 19 or 19 1/2″ (I can’t remember which) and that, my friends, is in the 90th %.  Tiny body, huge head. For that big brain, I presume.
• Britta Cait started babysitting for a local MOPS group.  Today was her first day, and they meet once a month.  She had a great time.  She loves little kids, and she loves making money = a great combo. 
• Britta also turned 17 last week.  More to come on that (and also I have photos from Justice’s birthday celebration last month.  Patience, young padawans, patience).
• Have I mentioned how much I love my kids?  Yes?  Well, I’m saying it again.  God has blessed us so much with six amazing kiddos, I just can’t believe it most of the time.  They all show me and Andy such love and respect (absolutely no slamming doors or “I hate you”‘s in this house), they all want to serve God, and they all love spending time with us.  That may sound ‘normal’ to some of you, but I know a lot of people who struggle with their teenagers (and a lot of people who struggle with their pre-teens and toddlers too), and it just makes me so thankful to have loving, well-behaved kids.  They are not perfect, of course (no one is), but they are an enormous blessing to me and I thank God for them all.
• Homeschooling is going swimmingly (pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve ever used that word).  I’m enjoying it, the kids are enjoying it – so awesome.  The kids are all learning (which is more than I can say for their previous public school educations), and our schedule is going great.  Total answer to prayer – all of it!!!
• Construction is still ongoing.  Andrew finished building the walls in the main room of the basement (school room/office/craft area), and just needs to do one more round of mudding and sanding – then we paint and put a new floor in.  We decided on a laminate floor for that room and Brittany’s room after looking at cost, where it was in the house, how much wear it would get, etc… but we’ll put a tiled area by the back door since rumor has it that laminate flooring does not do well when it gets wet. 
• We have gotten more involved in our church and are loving it.  The people are wonderful, the kids love it, and we just know it’s exactly where God wants us to be.  Awesome.
• Britta is going on a missions trip with some people from our church at the end of this month.  They are heading to New York City to do some ministering to others.  Please be prayingn for them.
• Jacob has turned into a social butterfly!  He used to be SO shy and just wanted to be with me all the time, but he has changed SO much in the past 6 months or so.  He just wants to play with his friends, invite them over, go see them, go to church, and of course… marry Katie, my friend Robyn’s daughter.
• Aaaaand since I’ve been interrupted no less than 47 times since the start of this post, I’ll go ahead and close with a couple of photos from my brother Matt’s house…

Paige walking around Uncle Matt's house like she owned the place.

Justice and Tanner in the 'mud pit' at Uncle Matt's house - the boys had a BLAST!

Canyon, Justice, Tanner, and Chance

Poor Jarvis was sick on the mud pit day.

Jacob LOVED the swimming pool and hot tub!

Darby and Taylor

Taking turns on each other's shoulders in the pool

Taylor's turn on Darby's shoulders... so fun to have a cousin so close in age!

Britta apparently beating up Canyon. lol

More mud pit fun (that's Canyon and Britta if you can't tell)

Jacob waiting for the graduation to begin.

The plaque and certificate table (Andrew got a plaque for the Leadership Award, a graduation certificate, and an Army Commendation medal/certificate)

Ze podium.

Getting his medal

Yes, I realize all these photos are incredibly blurry - it's a long story, and I don't want to talk about it. Okay? Okay.

My wondrously awesome husband!

The Darbster in Daddy's beret.

Paige enjoying the spoils of the reception table.

Beautiful Britta.

More cuteness (and she picked out her pink cowgirl boots - seriously - at Target, she refused to buy any shoes other than these.)

Next up, photos from our trip to the museum after the graduation. Tomorrow?  Perhaps.

“We love the things we love for what they are.” ~Robert Frost

Saucy shrimp at Bonefish Grill. Mmmmmmm… now I’m craving it… again.

What happens when my 16 year old has a bedroom under construction, and I buy her a pack of Sharpies.

My little left-handed cutie who gets excited when he can draw on his big sister’s wall.

My All-Stars. I want lots of colors.

Funny teenagers who entertain me on a daily basis.

A father/son relationship filled with so many similarities and great mutual respect.

A creative 16 year old who thinks outside every box.

A squishy one year old to love and cuddle.

These three silly-heads.

Watching my children play.

Funky paintings by the aforementioned artist I live with.

The love we share.

My wonderfully awesome family.

And so much more…

I’m so thankful that God chose to work a miracle and keep our family together six and a half years ago, even though we were seemingly determined to destroy it. We have learned so much about what a husband and wife are supposed to be, and it’s truly a beautiful thing when both spouses are committed, loving, and working hard to be the spouse God wants us to be.

Before our absolutely fabulous date on Friday night (the day of our anniversary), we tried to get Britta and Jarvis to take a picture of us. Here’s what we got…

Um, yeah, none of our children plan on becoming professional photographers. lol