A Really Great Teenager

I'm sure most parents aren't full of pleasure over their teenagers.  lol  I hear parents complain about their teenagers a lot.  I have to say that it is rare I could find anything to say that isn't "great" about Denzell. 

So I am going to brag on him.  He deserves it!

Denzell is an all around awesome young man.  He participates in church actively.  He enjoys being called on to lead in prayer, take up the offering, and even sings in the choir. 

He is a great big brother!  I mean honestly, the boy could give lessons.  All the kids look up to him, even when they may not like what he has to say.  He spoils his little sister and before that spoiled Dayton even when Denzell was only 7 years old.  He just LOVES his siblings. 

He really does so good that I can leave the rest of the kids here when I need to run a quick errand or take a child for an appointment.  I left him here with the kids the other day and came home to a kitchen that he had cleaned, a dishwasher loaded and running, and dishes dripping dry in the dish drainer.  He had pulled the trash and had it ready to take out.  I DIDN'T ASK HIM TO DO ANY OF THAT!!!! 

Tonight he knew that Dayton was sick, we were gone all day, and I was waiting on a call from Brent.  I had determined that I was just leaving the kitchen for morning.  It wasn't bad and I could have loaded a few things that were left in the counter into the dishwasher and turned it on as I went to bed.  The dishes that needed hand washed could have waited in the sink until morning.  DENZELL WENT IN AND CLEANED THE ENTIRE KITCHEN WITHOUT MY ASKING! 

Honestly, I am so blessed.  I appreciate so much that he will just jump in and do stuff without being asked.  I've NEVER asked him to do dished that I can recall.  Yet, this is twice in the last week or two that he has just gone in and run a sink of soapy water and washed them. 

Some day you know that I am going to hear the woman God has planned for him gushing over how wonderful he is, right???  I know it!  As a part of a large family, he can do just about anything and jumps in to help wherever he sees a need without ever being expected too.  He will be a really AWESOME husband to some lucky woman some day (not too soon prayerfully) and I am going to be so thrilled to watch him be the most awesome "daddy" some day (even further off!).  I can't wait to see the huge plans that God has for him that will have to be awesome to watch considering his willingness to jump in and "serve" wherever needed.  God really uses people who are willing like that!

This picture is old, bc my normal laptop with all our family pictures on it is having a keyboard issue, but this just says it all.  He spoils his sister (even when that means looking a little goofy to amuse her) and is just the best!

Too Cute Not to Post

Julianne's favorite color is turquoise.  She loves the turquoise combs the best (combs are HUGE for her).  She loves turquoise rubber bands.  Turquoise anything makes her happy!

She got the new glasses in turquoise and she LOVES them.  Even when she "takes them off" she puts them around her neck instead of pitching them into another room!  She wants to wear them so I've been trying to find outfits that she can wear with them. 

This is from before church this morning:

She knew she was cute too!  She made a very vocal protest when Daddy was going to take that dress off!  I love my opinionated little princess!

Cody (Who is FINAL!!!!)

Cody's finalization was yesterday.  It feels so good to know he is all mine and I don't have to worry about social workers and documentation from doctor's visits.  It feels even better that he is no longer a ward of the state of Texas.  Making choices for his best interest is up to us now.  He could spend the night with a grandparent or aunt without having to ask permission.  If he is asleep and one of the kids has an early morning appointment, then I don't have to wake him and take him with me.  He can stay asleep and be here with Denzell in charge.  (Julianne often never knows that I left because I am back before she wakes up, but poor Cody had to be drug out of bed for appointments that weren't his.)

Ok, now for the pictures.  :)

The above picture is Cody at an appointment the day before his finalization, when Daddy was already on his way to Texas.  I think he is smiling because I told him that next time he can stay at home and not be drug out.  :)

That picture is from a VERY late night party after Daddy got home the night of his finalization.  He was sleepy, but pumped!  He picked out the cake at Sam's Club.  I let him decide how to have his name written.  He still insisted on "Cody Unroe".  He's been home 6 months and he is still obsessed with the last name! 

Isn't he just the cutest??