Making sugar cookies.

The kids got a new tether ball set which was a big hit with everyone. Here are Tyler and Zach duking it out.

Labels: Adoption, christmas

Labels: Adoption, Advent, birthdays, christmas

All of the warm wishes and kind words that were written after we passed court were such a blessing to our family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I was truly touched.

Yesterday my sister and niece had an adoption shower for our family. We received lots of things for the kids. Levi got a brand new bike from a neighbor as well as a cool Star Wars blanket. People were so kind and we feel so blessed. I can't wait to put Amelia in all her cute new clothes!

I would share some photo's except I cant find my cable to download them to the computer. My life is kind of crazy right now. Paige and Amelia's room is torn apart and all the contents are in the upstairs hall due to the paint and wallpaper that has just been put in there.

Zachary's drivers license still has not come. Don't get me started on trying to deal with the DMV. Ugh. Supposedly we should get it this week. Remember, he has to be fingerprinted before they will give us our updated approval? I'm feeling a little sick to my stomach knowing this could delay our going to pick the kids up in January. Still trying not to freak out, however, the battle may be lost on that front if the license is not in the mailbox tomorrow. Prayers would be greatly appreciated regarding this situation.

I am trying to make a little photo book for my friend Missy to take to Levi in Ethiopia next week. It is really hard to pick out a picture of yourself when you know this will be the first image your child has of his new mommy. Another thing I am stressing myself out over. Pretty ridiculous, right?

I am so happy that Missy will be with the kids over Christmas and able to give them a few small gifts from us. She will also be able to take pictures which will be wonderful.

So, basically I will be packing and planning and stressing for the next six weeks. I am sooo excited!

Can I tell you a secret Internet friends?

Don't tell my kids but I have not bought one Christmas gift for them yet. This is so out of character for me. I usually am done early. The kids asked why there wasn't anything under the tree yet. You know, like for Grandma or ANYONE? I just sort of evaded the question, not wanting to lie and all.

I guess I'll try and get a little shopping done this week. Maybe there are better sales the longer you wait. One can only hope.

Labels: Adoption, christmas

My stomach feels like it did when I was a child on Christmas Eve. I know something good is coming and I just don't want to wait!

I went to Toys R' Us last night and did some shopping to occupy my mind. I feel so guilty because I am not in the mood for the shopping/gifts part of Christmas. When I was checking out I made the cashier void my order, not once but twice, because I had changed my mind about what I wanted to buy. I am sure she thought I was a psycho. I then go to Target to buy a Yankee Candle to make the house smell pretty and my credit card is denied. For a $26.78 purchase. What the heck? Seems when I had the cashier void out my order it red flagged my credit card. Chase called Dave to make sure it wasn't stolen. Never a dull moment around here.

Last night was the official start of the Advent Season (always starts the 4th Sunday before Christmas). Two years ago we read Jotham's Journey, last year it was Bartholomew's Passage, and this year we are finishing up the Trilogy with Tabitha's Travels.

We make it a fun family time before bed and always have lots of good snacks to go along with the reading. Last night Paige did my hair while we read. Don't I look lovely?



I think all that shopping did me in! Although, Dave looks happy and it's a good bottom shot of the dog furiously wagging her tail. (Photography by Paige)

Labels: Adoption, Advent, christmas

Labels: christmas

Labels: christmas

Paige is so excited about her pink Christmas tree for her room. Notice that she has a large stack of books next to her bed just like her parents. Must be hereditary.

She was very concerned that I was going to make her move her books to make room for the tree. She was very happy when they both fit.

Labels: christmas

We were so excited yesterday morning to wake up to snow on the hills behind our house. This has never happened before and the kids and I couldn't stop looking and marveling at how beautiful it was.

I know you in snow country are probably laughing at us and our little dusting of snow. We just can't help being so excited about it.

Today it is still there (it is 42 outside) and I find so much joy looking out the windows at the hills while doing dishes. It seems so strange to have my view look so different and also so beautiful.

Most of these pictures were taken from our master bedroom window.

Labels: christmas

After my marathon shopping trip on Sunday afternoon I spent the next day wrapping for almost as many hours as I had spent shopping. I don't know why I always insist on making cute bows and making everything look pretty. It takes so much time. I could have been done in about an hour if I had just put everything in a gift bag. However, my children like to remind me (often) that it just isn't as fun that way.


Last night hubby and I had a "date" where we finished the shopping. I needed "one thing" at about seven different stores. I told him we should make a game of it and see how long it took us to get in and out. Kind of like Christmas power shopping. It was kind of fun.


The most fun hubby probably had on our little adventure is when I "necked" with him in the Target parking lot for a moment. I had to break it to oldest son that I thought one of his friends might have walked by while this was happening. He. Was. Appalled. This didn't actually happen (the part about the friend) but it was fun making him think it had.


The only store we did not successfully power shop in was the sporting goods store. I really do not think I have adequately explained my husbands obsession with all things baseball on this blog. We spent 20 minutes looking for the perfect glove for the upcoming season for our 5 year old daughter. Hubby is so excited to have a new player to pass his love of the game onto. He found a very cute pink glove and a matching pink helmet for her. I think this was the 2nd highlight of his evening.


We stopped into a nice restaurant in between shopping for some good conversation, yummy appetizer's and a bowl of soup. It really was a fun evening.


It has been raining her for a couple of days and it has really made me in the Christmas spirit. When I went to pick Tyler up at school at 4:00 it was 38 degrees outside. It is snowing in a town not to far from us. We have had light snow once in 20 years here. My kids are sooo excited that maybe we will get a little white stuff tonight.


You know us crazy California people. It doesn't take much to get us all excited!

Labels: christmas

That's how many hours I shopped today.

Last year on Christmas morning it became abundantly clear that one of our five children had quite a few less gifts than the other four. I usually count and recount the kids gifts, I make lists, compare them, and make sure things are pretty fair in the gift department.

Last year I badly fell down on the job. This had never happened before.

The child in question never complained. He never really even mentioned it. However, this mom felt really bad.

So, today armed with my list I shopped and kept track of everything I bought. I only have two more gifts to buy and then I am done. Things are definitely more evenly distributed this year.

One child may have a few extra gifts however.

Somehow that seems only fair.

Labels: christmas

Labels: christmas

Yesterday was the first day of Advent. When I was a girl my family did not celebrate Advent and I really knew nothing of it. Last year I did some investigating and decided to start a new tradition of celebrating this special time of the year with my own family.

We read our new Advent book which the kids really seemed to enjoy, had our special snacks (chocolate coated pretzels and praline almonds, yummmmm) lit the first candle and had some wonderful times laughing and talking about the meaning of the story.

We talked about what this site , which I found over at Owlhaven, had to say about the Christmas season.

We talked about this......

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a
revolutionary love.

So, what happened?

What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned
into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return,
looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed
purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Christmas
was meant to change the world. It still can. Worship more. Spend less. Give
more. Love all.

We watched, we talked, we thought. What a wonderful evening it was!

What do you think? Can we take Christmas back for Christ? It seems their may be a revolution brewing to do just that.

Labels: Advent, christmas

We pulled out the Christmas boxes yesterday. The kids found the Christmas movies I had packed away last January 1st.

Paige was excited by the large stack of new movies she had no memory of. She quickly picked up the Barney movie "Waiting For Santa". This movie has been much loved by all of our older children. They all went through their Barney stage and the Big Purple Dinosaur was very popular in our household with all but one person.

That person would be the Daddy who lives in this house.

He was very thankful his youngest daughter had skipped Barney and preferred much more sophisticated cartoons like Sponge Bob and The Wonder Pets.

He had to catch a flight yesterday morning at 6:00 a.m. to Arizona for an early morning meeting and flew home immediately after. He walked in the door at 8:30 last night understandably hungry and tired. Paige greeted him enthusiastically at the door where she immediately took his hand and wanted to show him what she was doing in the play room. He was met with the sound of the purple dinosaur singing Christmas songs on our television screen.

We still have this movie, he asked me, with a rather irritated look in his eyes?

Yes, honey, I responded. I couldn't get rid of it, it is part of our Christmas tradition.

How many times has she watched it today, he asked?

Four times.

Oh.

Then an older child piped in with these words.

She really likes Barney Dad so were going to let her watch him tomorrow morning on TV. We already looked up the times.

I'm sorry honey. Maybe her Barney phase won't be as long as the other kids.

We can only hope. Sigh.

Labels: christmas, kids

Well, I didn't get the Christmas decorations up this past weekend. I did get a lot of cleaning done so I am happy about that.

Because I am the principal of our little home school I have declared this week Fall Vacation. We are not going to do school (as in book work) we are going to learn all about what it takes to get the house ready for the holidays. The kids are actually excited about this. Paige is off of school until the first of the year (this is her off track time) and since she has been asking to put up the Christmas tree since last July we are going to make her very happy today when we tell her what we are going to do.

Speaking of Paige, there are things I have been meaning to share with you about her progress in school but haven't quite been able to find the words to do so. The change in her over the past six months has been nothing short of a miracle. A year ago she was speaking in one or two word sentences, or not speaking at all. She seemed disconnected and not really present in the moment. All of this has changed.

I don't think I fully understood how much growth she had experienced until my sister came back into town after a six month absence. She could not believe the change, how mature she was, how much she talked, how ALIVE AND PRESENT in the moment she seemed.

It truly is a miracle.

I have prayed and cried over this child for several years. Ringing my hands in worry. The low point came 18 months ago when we were told she was Autistic. Thankfully we had knowledgeable friends and family around us who did not believe that for one minute.

This past week they had their first award ceremony for the entire school. Her special ed Kindergarten class was included and Paige received the Super Star Student of the Month Award. When I saw her proudly walk up on stage to accept her little certificate I almost burst out bawling. She received all Outstandings on her report card (she has a modified curriculum), she has learned the first sight word list, can write her name, knows all her colors and shapes (even the hard ones) and is just soaring in so many other areas. Her teachers are so pleased and so are her Dad and I.

None of us understands this sudden and amazing change in her behavior. She still has speech and language difficulties, however, she makes progress each and every day and her vocabulary has grown by leaps and bounds. My heart swells with happiness when I think about it.

So, I wanted to thank God publicly on this little old blog. I know his hand is behind all of this. It truly is a miracle and I am so thankful for this answer to prayer. I know He has great things planned for her life, you can just tell by the twinkle in her eyes. She may never be "perfect" by the worlds standards but to me she is the most precious gift I have ever received. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for entrusting me with this very special little girl and for letting me be her mommy. Amen.

Labels: christmas, Developmental Delays

I'm thinking about pulling out the Christmas boxes today and decorating the house so it will be done before Thanksgiving. I would love to have everything up and ready to go without the worry of it all.

I'm feeling in the mood to put on some music and start decorating my mantle. I am kind of amazed by this fact given it is still 90 degree's outside here. Can we get a little cool weather, please?

Do any of you decorate this early? My family thinks I am crazy.

Labels: christmas

Before last Christmas I searched for an Advent book that would capture the spirit of the season and hold the interest of all of my children. Over and over I kept coming across a particular book called Jotham's Journey which many families read together each year and seemed to love.

When I did a search for the book I was dismayed to find out it had been out of print for several years and could only be purchased used. I was determined to find this book but almost fell over when I saw the prices. Ebay had copies for up to $150.00!!!!

I finally decided to just bite the bullet and bid on and won a copy for a mere $75.00. At the time I couldn't believe I had paid that much money for a PAPER BACK BOOK, however, it was WONDERFUL and all of my kids, teens to littles, loved it.

The book is actually a three book set and last week one of the kids asked if I was going to try and find the next one in the series for this Advent season. While I loved this book I don't really want to pay that much for the next book and am hoping to find a much cheaper copy.

That being said you will understand my excitement this morning when I got an email from a friend saying they had re released the book and were selling it here for only $8.99. You can get your own copy (and a brand new one to boot) for 1/10 of what I payed for my used copy.

Go and buy this book. Right now. Really, you won't be disappointed and your kids will love it.

Unfortunately the other two books, Bartholemew's Passage and Tabitha's Travels have not currently been re released. I called the published and they are checking into this for me before I head on over to Ebay to begin bidding.

However, even if I do have to pay a small fortune for the second book it will make me happy to know that you, my friends, are reading your own copy with your families for the bargain price of $8.99.

Enjoy!

Labels: Advent, christmas, friends and family

I am way behind in my blog posts. I told ya all that my charger pooped out on me. Hubby ordered me a new one and it finally came yesterday.

I am in the dog house with my family as their are some pictures they have been waiting for me to post and I obviously couldn't because I HAD NO CHARGER AND THUS NO COMPUTER.

My sister, Stacey, called me from South America the other day and one of the first things out of her mouth was "How come the pictures of mom and dad aren't up on the blog yet?"

So, in order to get back into the good graces of my family here are the pictures they have so patiently been waiting for.

Firstly, here is Mom and Dad in their vests my oldest sister Nancy got them for Christmas. Aren't they cute?


Here is Paige in her new chef's outfit grandma and grandpa got her. She loves to wear it and help Mom in the kitchen.

Hmm, I think it might need a little bit more of something.

A little more salt should do it.

My big sis is so cool, she even wears her shades to help me in the kitchen.

More pictures to come soon. I'm off now to make pancakes with my little helper.

Labels: christmas, grandma, kids

I think the majority of my family has been in their pajama's for the better part of two weeks.

Hubby and I had great plans for all the things we were going to get done around the house while he was off for the two weeks after Christmas. How many of those things have we actually gotten done or even started?

That would be none. Nil. Nada.

We did put the Christmas decorations away. It's only taken us three days of very slow movement.

Today I had to venture out and buy food. I went to three stores to stock up. The kids were so excited to actually see food in the cupboards again.

The thought of having to step it up into high gear again starting next Monday depresses me to no end.

I really don't understand why we can't spend our lives laying around in pajama's, watching movies, and playing games.

I think this might just have been the best Christmas ever. Less presents. More Jesus. Lots of down time and just being together.

For once I can't wait until next year. I'm not exhausted and tired of the mess.

When I was putting the decorations away I was actually thinking I can't wait until next year.

This has NEVER happened before.

It's taken us sixteen years but we have finally figured out how to have a great Christmas with our kids. We are slow learners.

Better late than never.

Next up. Pictures of our Dance Dance Revolution Marathon. I am really really bad at it.

Labels: christmas

Last summer when my sister in law, Cheryl, came for a visit we went shopping for a new refrigerator. The one I had was falling apart so it was time to take action. I was amazed at all the pretty new appliances and really wanted to purchase a new oven and dishwasher at the same time.

However, when my checkbook was consulted it was found that I would just have to settle for the new fridge. Which I love and am very thankful for.

While shopping I did find an oven that I would have cut off my right arm for. I had been coveting a very pricey (over $3,000.00) one on line and knew in my heart I could never spend that kind of money on a stove. Unless I won the lottery or something.

The one I found was almost half the cost of the other one and had the big chunky knobs I love plus all the fun settings as well. I put this oven on my wish list knowing I could probably purchase it some day.

Some day has come a little sooner than expected.

Let me explain.

Christmas day is always spent at our home with friends and family. I usually cook an overabundance of food but this year I decided to spend more time playing with my kids and less time in the kitchen. I planned a nice menu and was able to make many of the items ahead of time.

Early afternoon as guests arrived we preheated the oven and started placing all the side dishes in to heat up. Within about 20 minutes big billows of smoke started spewing from my oven and when the door was opened flames came flying out.

Someone ran for the fire extinguisher, others insisted we call 911. I ran for my baking soda (pretty sure this was a grease fire) and threw it on the flames. This subdued the flames, and when water was thrown on, the flames finally laid down.

I quickly realized, to my horror, that all my wonderful side dishes now had a layer of baking soda as their topping. The one year I did not make an over abundance of food had to be the year of the great oven explosion.

Go figure.

In order to keep the mood light I off handily remarked that I didn't like that oven anyway and already had the new one picked out.

Good thing, stated one of the guests, as all the protective coating on the bottom of your oven is now gone.

Sadness filled my heart. I knew I didn't have enough money to buy the oven I really wanted. I felt silly for feeling this way when others have real problems, however, I just couldn't shake my desire for this particular oven.

The day after Christmas my sister in law arrived for a welcome visit. Off we went again to shop for appliances. This was becoming a habit.

Hubby had told me to just get the one I wanted. I knew I really shouldn't though. We have more adoption costs coming up and I knew money was going to be getting really tight for a while.

I walked into the store and saw off to the side some open boxed items. I saw from the distance a stove that looked like the one I had been dreaming about. Upon closer inspection I found that IT WAS THE ONE I WANTED and it was HALF PRICE.

It seems this particular beauty had been delivered to another family and was discovered to have a small dent inside the warming drawer. Their was also a small dimple at the very bottom of the oven that I could barely see. For this reason they had returned it for another. I must admit, I couldn't blame them. For those prices the oven should be gold plated and perfect.

However, at half off I could really not care less about the small dent inside the drawer. Everything else was perfect.

The sales man told me this stove had been sitting their for five months and had been marked down several times. It was now below their cost. He really couldn't understand why no one had bought it before.

I know it might sound silly, but at that moment I felt like God was giving me a special gift. The desire of my heart at a price I could afford.

This morning the newest member of our family arrived.

Isn't she a beauty.

I have studied the instruction book front and back and can't wait to cook my first meal on her. God is good.

and....

just to clarify. No honey, I did not set the oven on fire on purpose. I am just not smart enough to have thought of a wonderfully brilliant devious plot like that.

Thanks for my new oven. I really love love love it.

Labels: Adoption, christmas, Mom Stuff

Advent Reading By Candlelight.

The stockings are stuffed.

Presents under the tree.


I can't wait until morning.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Labels: christmas