Life continues

We're still loving our house, even if we're hardly here!  We love our puppy, who's getting huge!  We love our chicks that are almost full-size hens.  Kira and Ben successfully completed Cross Country, and Kira has already played in the first two basketball games of this year.  She started the first one and not the second.  She was glad not to start, so I will be glad with her!  Since last year was her first year, she's still working out the kinks and getting used to things.  She's getting much better, just needs some more practice!  Ben is pretty awesome at making dinner, usually pasta or rice.  The after-school program and LIFE take up a lot of time, but it helps pay the bills.  So. Many. Bills.  Now our "new" van's brakes just had to be replaced, so that's $215 gone.  But, it brakes better, which is essential!  Marco is getting used to his amazing doghouse that I helped make, for free!  I love building for free!  Our chicken coop was $120 and Scott figured out how to make it and got it done!  We've been helping with my mom's backyard patio projects most Saturdays too!  I can't wait until it is done!  It is going to be awesome!  Our kids are growing up so fast!
Ben wears the same size shoes as me, Kira is a smidge below.  Danny is 32 pounds!  Today is his 9-month birthday and he's already long been on the move!  He's been cruising for at least a month!  If he's distracted he'll stand for a second.  Samuel wore underwear to church and made it the first hour and a half.  Then he said he had to go potty as he pottied.  Poor little guy!  Josh was wearing Cecilia's pants today.  They fit, except for length.  Cecilia can read "The Zany Zoo."  I mean, recite, not read, although she can read at least 4 words!  Leah is rocking her new glasses and is feeling so much better about everything!  Emma is loving Enrichment.  Kira is having to work hard to get her Gifted work done along with band, choir, and Basketball.  She's got a lot going on and is so talented!