Libby Lu...

Taylor's Girl Scout Troop went to Libby Lu as a treat and Taylor came home all decked out looking like she was at least 13..... What a beautiful daughter we have! Jake hates it when boys look at his sister, he's so protective of her, and I'm so thankful!

Sisters goofin' around....

We went out to eat for our Anniversary and took Mike and Shannon with us. After eating we went to the mall in Kokomo to look at the We Care trees. It was a nicce night. Derrick had remembered we had the camera in the car from Halloween so we took this picture for fun. Later Derrrick printed it out and put it in a Sisters frame for Shannon. It's not one of our finest moments but I took it in the dark, while we were going down the road, with one hand.

Father and Daughter love....

This is my brother Dave with his daughter Landree. She's a daddy's girl, that's for sure! Isn't this picture too cute?

Now starring.....

Taylor as Hannah Montana....... striking a pose.......

Halloween Night....

Here is Aubrey as a Princess, Cain as Spiderman and Broc as Batman.... Thanks Mamaw for the costumes!

Helping Daddy in the kitchen...

Aubrey, Broc, and Cain said they needed to help daddy make pizza... and one big cheesy mess later, it was ready to eat. Notice Miss Aubrey needed to look fashionable while doing it!

A nice visit.....

My cousin Kim, her husband Paul, and their children Brenden, Bryce, and Cooper came over for dinner and a visit. It was so much fun to catch up. I've missed Kim for a long time. We spent every weekend together during high school.... and I'll leave it at that! Now Jake and Brenden have started hanging out and I think it's great... especially if they keep it up for years. I'm looking forward to the next time. Not pictured is Max, their other son who went to a Halloween party that night. Also pictured is Dave's kids, Logan and Landree.

What a crazy life.....

WOW! Has it reallly been almost two months since I've posted? We have been so busy lately with all the kids and their stuff, working, and not to mention MOVING! Moving a family of seven is no easy job. Thanks to all who have helped us move and clean... We LOVE YOU! Things are finally starting to settle down, but not for long because the holidays are fast approaching. It's my goal over the next few days to post some new pictures on here. I've got lots to share and as always cute pictures of my beautiful family and friends!

Just a cute picture....

I just wanted to put this picture on my blog because it's a great picture. Taylor had taken the little ones inside the climber to feed them a brownie. I climed to the top and balancing with no hands, I snapped this picture. All that's missing is Jake.....

A special visitor...

The kids and I were walking out to the car the other day to go to school and I nearly stepped on this critter! It totally freaked me out...... When I got back to the house I knew I had to take a picture because Derrick would never believe that I nearly stepped on a frog the size of a small rabbit. Gross!!!!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to school we go...

Aubrey and Broc were so excited to finally get to go to school. They nearly broke their necks getting out of the car. Mommy was a little less excited. I don't know why, but it was hard on me. Maybe because a part of them and of me was missing... Cain. They marched right in as if they owned the place and mommy was left standing in the dust. I was so proud of them! And I was beaming when Mrs. Jenkins told me they had a great 1st day and they were so polite. I wanted to say, " Are you sure you have the right kids?"

This picture is too cute. Can you tell that Miss Aubrey is a little spoiled princess? Hmmmmm, now I wonder who made her that way?

Cain's first day back at preschool....

Cain wasn't too excited about his first day back to school. He woke up with the usual symptoms: ("my legs are broke", "my head hurts" and "my eyeball's broke.") Then it was, "I was just there yesterday!" Even though it was almost three months ago since he went last. Once the big yellow bus came, I think he was ready to go... I mean, afterall, when you ride a bus to school you're a big kid!

For those of you who may not know Cain really well, he's a pill to say the least. And I know some of you are probably wondering," Why is he going by himself?"... "Where are the other two?" And I'll explain. Between the age of 18months and 2 years, we noticed Cain was a little different than the other two. He had lots of "quirks" and some traits of OCD. It got to the point that we were really concerned about him, so we got involved with First Steps. It was probably the best decision we ever made. First Steps sent us to Riley Hospital for an evaluation at the Child Development Center. Cain was diagnosed with "Difficult Temperment Style." He was accepted into Suncrest Developmental Preschool on his 3rd birthday and he's been there ever since. I can't say enough about his teachers. They love him and are so good at what they do! Cain receives his occupational therapy while he's there and he's made a lot of progress. In my gut, I feel like the diagnoses is wrong. I see lots of characteristics of Aspbergers. We're looking into having furthur testing done, so please pray for us and especially for Cain.

He's special to me. Maybe because of his special need, or maybe because I hurt for him when he's having a melt down and people are staring at him. I think to myself, you just don't understand... did you hear that? He said, " Mom, I'm so ANGRY!!!" and I say, "Cain, I'm so proud of you!" Good job!" By then everyone thinks I'm nuts for praising that behavior.... what they don't know is that we've been working on those feeling words for months and he finally used one!

Fun with Mamaw Sheila....

Mamaw Sheila is the best! She comes by every now and then and takes the little ones for a bike ride and they LOVE it! We are very THANKFUL for her! This is a picture of Mamaw Sheila and Broc getting ready to ride off into the sunset.

Happy 10th Birthday, Taylor...

Ten years ago, at 10:12 am.... my beautiful baby girl was born. Weighing in at 8lbs.9oz. She was 21 inches long and had a head full of jet black hair. They nick named her Snow White on the maternity floor. Eight babies were born that day. Seven boys and Taylor. She was a beautiful baby. We joked that she could of passed for my mom's daughter, because she looked just like my mom. It's hard to believe that ten years have passed. Happy Birthday Taylor Jade Abbott!

This year to celebrate Taylor had a slumber party with seven friends. It was a great party! We bought Taylor a Karoke system and she was so excited! Her birthday theme was High School Musical 2.

Here is a picture of the girls....

I'm so blessed...

"Having too many children is like having too many flowers". This is my favorite quote of all time. I can't remember what famous person said it, but they were so right. Sometimes I get frustrated when I feel like I'm being pulled in a million different directions but then I stop and realize that we have what many families don't: extra hugs and kisses and a bond that is out of this world! Our kids have a love for each other that is impossible to measure. I was lucky to have an older brother and an older sister to look to for advice and to be there when things got rough. Our kids will have several siblings to do that very same thing.... some older, some younger. I've never regreted having five children. It's made me a better wife and mother. It's taught me how to be flexible, organized, and to be less of a perfectionist. It's made me love unconditionally, be loved unconditionally, and know that at the end of the day, I'm gonna get at least three wet kisses. Years ago, I never pictured myself being the mother of 5 kids.... but obviously, someone did.... and I thank him for it.

Last year in Middle School...

Here is a picture of Jake on the first day of school. He too, likes to look good for the ladies I hear. And I believe it, cause our phone never stops ringing!

School is back in session...

The first day was one of perfection. Taylor likes to take lots of time to make herself look good. I think she does a great job... she is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! This picture was taken on the morning of the first day of school 8-16-07.

My man Jake....

I can't believe that next week we go and sign Jake up for the 8th grade! It seems like it was only yesterday that he was learning to ride a bike, tie his own shoes, and write his name. Time really does go by fast... I try to enjoy it though, cause soon it will be gone.... Jake is going to look into becoming a police officer after high school. It makes me proud that he wants to "serve and protect." He's such a good kid and when he's not being a jack-a$$, he's even better!

Always the character...

I have to say that Broc is such a character to be around. He is constantly cracking us up. I believe his two favorite hobbies are eating and making me laugh.

The grandkids....

This is a picture of my kids with my neice, Landry and my nephew, Logan. Missing from the picture is Aaron, Justin and Andy. Notice how much Logan and Cain look alike? They get that from the Whiteman side. My brother, as a young child, also had blonde hair. We often say that Logan and Cain could pass as twins. Looking at this picture, makes me think how I just know that my mom and dad are looking down from heaven with great big smiles on their faces. I know they are so proud of all of their grandkids.

Three Little Ducks Went Out To Play...

While Mamaw Sheila was on babysitting duty, we had a big rainstorm. Derrick and I arrived home and saw this going on outside. They were having SO much fun pretending to be ducks! Quack...Quack....

Lazy days of summer...

I think this is a cute picture. It shows big sister Taylor helping the triplets make sandcastles in the sand and water table we got for free. That's right, Derrick saw it sitting in the trash and he rescued it. It's in great shape and the kids love it!

My sister, my friend...

This is a picture of me and my sister Shannon. Shannon is not only my sister, but she's one of my best friends. When we were younger I wouldn't say we were close. Maybe because of our age difference (she's 5 years older) or maybe it's because when Mike came along, he didn't like me (I love you, Mike!) But over the years, we have grown close and I am so thankful for that. We lean on each other alot and I don't know what I'd do without her! Our family has experienced a lot of sadness over the years and I am so thankful that I have a sister to share my joys, triumphs, and tears. I hope I help her as much as she helps me. I'm proud to call her my sister!

POll: Do you think Shannon and I resemble each other?

Helping mommy cook...

This picture says it all. Little Miss Aubrey wanted to help momma make pasta salad for a get together we were attending. And as you can see, by "helping", she must of meant "supervising". What's funny is, she made sure everyone that ate that pasta salad knew that SHE had helped make it!

Blessing my husband...

I wanted to take a few minutes to bless my husband. He is the absolute best husband, father, son, and friend in the whole world. He is such a hard worker. This summer not only did he work all day, he also coached Taylor's softball team in the evenings. I gotta be honest, I was a little worried about it, because he can be a bit intimidating, but those little girls LOVED him! He really made me proud. Derrick is a BIG man with an even bigger HEART. I love watching him with our kids. Even tho Jake and Taylor aren't his biological children, you'd never know it. He loves all five of our children so much. Monday afternoon he picked the triplets up from daycare and took them to Walmart to pick out their new backpacks for preschool. The girls have him wrapped around their fingers. The other night he was doing baths and I heard Aubrey say, " Daddy, I have BEAUTIFUL hair.." and he said, "Yes, you do princess." It made my heart melt. And as a husband, I couldn't ask for a better man. He helps with the children, the housework and the homework. He has blessed me by allowing me to hire a cleaning lady. He says, "You work, I work. Who wants to spend all their free time cleaning the house?" I soooo love this man!

What a weekend!

This weekend was a busy one for the family. Friday night we took the kids out to eat and then to Columbia Park to play. Saturday we went to Mike and Mary Crider's house for a cook-out. We had lots of good things to eat, we played volleyball and badminton, and we made smores. I think there were10 adults and 16 kids. Of course, just between Mary and I there are 10 kids! It was so much fun and all of the kids were so good. I hope they have us out again! Sunday we got up early, packed a picnic lunch, and headed to the Indianapolis Zoo. It was a perfect day. The kids loved the animals and even commented that the "walrus had a big weenier", and at the rhino's area "there was a huge pile of crap". Ah, what funny things kids say! Overall, it was a great day. I love enjoying family time together.

Jennifer, Jake, Taylor, Aubrey, Broc, and Cain at Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville Alabama.