How Do You Do It?

Keeping an even keel while caring for 9 children is somewhat of a curiosity to some. So what do I do in my down time to remain sane?

Everyone who knows me personally knows I've recently been blessed with a house addition and am even more blessed with a room dedicated to my hobbies, crochet/sewing/quilting. What would I do without my time to be creative?

Another way to keep it real is to spend time gardening. Somehow, with my back yard still in mud pit mode, I managed (with my hubby's help) to put in a raised bed garden. Love my vegies and hoping for a good year since my neighbor so generously donated some of his fertile farm soil to our new garden spot. He's farmer 3 days a week and neighbor 4 days. He and his Mrs. have been living this arrangement for nearly 10 years. I'm getting off track here so on to the sanity savers.

Spending time with my family is also one of the best ways I keep the brain in lower altitudes. I have some of the greatest relatives on the planet. Just sayin. We have awesome get-togethers just bringing pot luck items and shooting the sh*t. We are probably pretty red-neck to most, but we don't judge and most always get along with anyone. Our White Elephant Family Christmas parties are awesome and the reunions ain't bad either. And my husband and daughters are top of the list in keeping me steady. Wouldn't know what to do without them.

My list could go on as I have a multitude of ways I enjoy my free time. Honestly, I have to say my job isn't really that stressful anyway. Who else gets paid to play all day and cuddle babies? They aren't critics of my banjo playin either :)

Oh wait, I guess I should mention that banjo is my ultimate weapon against insanity.
Hear it below:
https://youtu.be/oo5lDg3oKNo

The Day After

Our family tradition continued last night at the Annual Hunter Family White Elephant Party. 2014 was no different as we had our usual shenanigans. There were those who we missed as always and hope to see them next year. But I have to say "thank you" for not spilling the beans last night on Facebook. More on that in a bit....
There were the "gifts"

Some were "R" rated and so we'll just say I was fortunate enough to have the "family friendly" gift of the evening. Here you see the Tissue Cover Barbie Couch. Accompanying this fabulous item was a clock with various grains imbedded in it. Just Lovely Michelle :)

We had a card exchange, cookie exchange, and a fabulous pot luck meal. Loved Ashley's cream cheese corn and glad she told me the recipe. Gonna try that one!

The game of the evening was provided by Bob & Maybelle with their Cookie Bowl Roulette. I dubbed it Roulette but it was actually how a White Elephant party is supposed to work. First we all get a number and take a turn picking out a gift from some choices they provided. After that, anyone can 'steal' your item if they think it's better than yours. Apparently I have good taste, because my choice became the HoT PoTaTo of the evening.

I had it

But lost it. I think nearly everyone tried their best to keep it.

 



But my daughter, Rachel triumphed in the end. She was pretty excited about that!
(So was I actually)

Sorry to those who were plotting a "strategy". Better luck again next year.

Now for the More on that in a bit part.

 

We're a fairly versatile group of adults.

Retirees

College Students

A High School Senior

Business Owners

Skilled Professionals

Blue Collar Workers

 

Real Salt of the Earth Family.

No Fakes here

 

When I asked them to all wear the "Find A Cure For Isaiah" bracelets, they didn't let me down.

We are uplifting him and his family in our "Pound It" photo here.

We're definitely not a group to sit around a camp fire singing 'Kumbaya',

but we are giving in prayers, goodness and actions.

We hope that you'll take a minute or two to read about Isaiah and get to know him through the world of the Internet.

Vanishing White Matter Disease

He also made the New York Daily News

Going National/ Next step World Wide

Please take a minute in your day to spread some prayer, information or your support for this disease.

Isaiah's journey is one to make us all stop and bring us all together this Holiday Season and beyond.

Adding a blurry picture here of Isaiah's mom (center).

We're standing in the rain at the Lee Summit train depot but I promised to share this one.

Rachel and Emily are responsible for the bracelets.

Proud of you girls!!

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

 

Merry Christmas from the Hunter family to yours!