Happy Fourth of July to everyone and happy birthday to America!  If you haven't already done so you need to take the time and thank a soldier or a vet for serving our country.   And then bow down on your knees and thank God for allowing you to be a citizen of this great nation that we so often take for granted.  Today is also my oldest son, Christian's 10th birthday and we had a wonderful party for him.  How cool is it to have fireworks on your birthday?  Something even cooler: He and Brantleigh are the same age until her birthday on September 16th!

I am exactly four weeks from my due date.  Peanut (baby boy) and Little Skittle (baby girl) are doing fine.  The doctor believes they will both be at least 4, maybe 5 lbs at birth.  My parents will come in a week before the due date to spend time with us and to help us once I come home from the hospital.  Shelton will also take some time off from the firm once the babies arrive.

The Lord has been so good to us and has definitely blessed us above and beyond.  We feel honored that he would loan His precious little angels to us.

I can't believe another school year has come and gone!  Brantleigh is entering 5th, Christian 4th, Jansen 2nd, and I can't believe the triplets (Ainsleigh, Paisleigh, and Avonleigh) will be in Kindergarten in the fall!  They are so excited.  With the other children we didn't let them attend school before K-5 but we have decided to let Braeden attend a K-3 program at church.  We decided on this with the hopes of me having more time with the twins during the day and not being so worn out.  Braeden will only attend part-time and will be home in time for lunch.  I think he is also ready for this because with the triplets going to school full-time he won't have anyone at home to play with.

More wonderful news: Caroline, our nanny, got engaged to the guy she met from Atlanta!  She has one more year in college before she graduates so they are going to plan the wedding and let her finish her degree before she gets married.  She hasn't set the date yet but knows she wants to get married next summer.  For me, this is like letting go of one of my girls.  I watched Caroline grow up in a children's home from the time we met her in 6th grade and words couldn't express my happiness when I found out she was coming to work for us after she graduated from high school and left the home.  She has become a part of our family and we are so happy for her.  She deserves all the happiness that comes her way after the childhood she endured.  Please keep her and Blake in your prayers.

I hope you are all doing well and know that I think about you.  Gigi girl keeps me updated on a lot of you!

~Anna Leigh

Hello to everyone and greetings from the road!  Yes, as I write we are traveling back to SC.  My parents, Shelton and I chartered a private tour bus for the road trip--less expensive than airfare for 12 people and afforded us time to visit and relax on the road rather than someone driving.

We had a great time on the Disney Cruise and I allowed myself to be pampered some.  There was much fun in the sun, lots of activities for children and adults and so much to see.  We stayed at Disney's private beach for 2 days and that was a lot of fun!  The Disney Cruiseline is geared around families with children so there were many times that the children got to participate in organized/supervised activities and the parents could go do other things.  Shelton and I took in a dance show--Broadway style and I just took advantage of a little R&R.

We thank God that there were no major inuries this time around.  One nosebleed when Paisleigh got hit in the head with a basketball and the typical bumps and bruises.  And our youngest, Braeden, got brave and decided to swim without his floaties.  He did pretty good once he figured out the doggie paddle.

The children got to attend a special viewing of the Hannah Montana movie before it debuted to the public.  It was a really nice family movie and I am sure my kids will want to see it again when we get home! No trip to Disney World would be complete without a trip to the Magic Kingdom and visits with the Princesses and Mickey and Minnie.  My boys were a little upset though that they didn't get to meet Selena Gomez.  They thought she lived there since she was on the Disney Channel. 

Today is Easter and we aren't home so let me share with you what we did.  We knew we wanted to get on the road first thing in the morning so that we could be home by dinner time, Lord willing.  Well, everyone brought along their new Easter outfits and we all got dressed up and went to a small church that was doing a sunrise service in Orlando.  It was a beautiful service and all children present were given goodie bags.  My family stood out when everyone saw Ainsleigh, Avonleigh, and Paisleigh (triplets) because they knew we were visitors.  We were introduced and when they found out my Dad was a preacher from Dallas they asked him to say a brief word and pray.  Wow!

There was a spectacular egg hunt and outdoor activities last night at our resort so the children had a few unexpected surprises.   I'm praying that I don't have to pay for the sugar overload in the next few hours!!

Thanks to all who kept us in your prayers while we traveled and vacationed.  It was a wonderful time and I'm glad we were able to share it with my parents.  Now, I just can't wait to get home and sleep in my own bed!

Much love to all of you and a Happy Easter too!  ~Anna Leigh and Shelton

I hope everyone is doing well.  We are off to Orlando tomorrow morning.  We leave Sunday for a Disney cruise and when we come back we will do 2 days in Disney World.  This is our children's spring break vacation.  My parents graciously flew in from Dallas to tag along with us and help with the children!  Caroline, the nanny, is also going with us.  So, we are going to have 5 adults, 7 children and the wonderful twins that I am expecting.  Does it count if I tell them they went to Disney World before they were born?

The Lord has been so good to my family and we thank Him daily for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us.  As we approach Easter may you feel the spirit of new beginnings and new life. 

I am looking forward to summer activities; especially being in the pool.  Here's wishing you all a joyous weekend!  God bless!  ~Anna Leigh

Hello everyone!  This is AnnaLeigh, formerly known as WritersQuill.  I somehow got sent to MySears with the split because I joined thru an invitation from Gigi and her invitation was generated thru the old sk-you website.  Since I am currently expecting twins--kids 8&9 I thought this was the perfect opportunity to establish a new screen name.  So, what do yout think?  The couple is me and Shelton and Cloud 9 are our precious children--present and ones due in August.  I will try to get some stuff done but you know me.  I am VERY busy!  I just wanted to touch base with everyone so you would know to look for me and when you see activity you will know.  Many hugs and thanks for all the patience!  ~Anna Leigh

P.S.

I forgot to tell you!  Friday we found out what we are having and it is a boy and a girl.  The girl is on the right and the boy on the left.  The dr. said it appears that the little boy is slightly bigger than the girl and sitting lower.  We have the girl's name picked out but are back and forth on the boy's name.  The children are all excited because they really wanted a new brother and sister.