Sunday, February 27, 2011

Why Ethiopia?


Lately, I have had a few people asking about adoption and why Ethiopia? This video sums it up.. why not Ethiopia is the real question!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Cousins

Last weekend we got to spend the day with our cousins.
We are just blessed to have such fun loving cousins. 
Ellie and Abby are so sweet they greet us at the park screaming "THEIR HERE" and come running over! For being older than the twins and Jonas they are so good about including and playing with them. Ellie instantly unbuckles Jonas, kissing and loving all over him. Brooke has a thing about matching... she heard they were wearing plaid so she was all over that. 
 Jonas with his older cousins 
 Of course everyone looks up to Ellie as she's the oldest and they think she is soooo cool .. usually all I need to say is " Ellie does it" .. usually works every time with them. 
Brooke and Abby are like sisters one minute they play so nicely together then in a second they will be fighting. They are only 18 months apart and I will put money on it that these two are going to be close ..like super close when they are older getting into sneaky trouble together..maybe like their mamas did:)  
 Our friends joined us at the park too 
Dana and I with our bellies she only has about a month left until baby Ansley comes into this world. So excited to meet this new little niece! 
All the Cousins together for the many years and memories to come I can't wait to see what God has in store for this group! 

President's Day

Click here for details 

Every year the twins preschool has a President's day parade. 
This year Brooke got to hold the banner and Parker was in front with a flag. They were very proud they were chosen to be in the front of the line. 
This is not the most flattering picture of me but I'm sure when I'm 80 years old I will say wow I looked so young.. haha 
You can definitely tell it was one of those days trying to hurry to get my errands done before getting there minutes before the parade started. 
The baby bump is surely growing at 21weeks I have popped out. 
 Parker on right leading the parade while holding the American flag 
 Brooke right behind holding up the class banner 
They went around twice and Brooke switched jobs to the the ladybug mascot holder and Parker held the banner. Brooke was being shy and wouldn't look at the camera .. she said she felt embarrassed... ahh I remember feeling this way too when I was little.  I asked the kids why they dressed up in red white and blue and did a parade and they said "It's the United States day for the American people" ? Might be a little confused with Fourth of July. Either way they still had a lot of a fun and are pretty cute little American kidos.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Telling Family

When we were pregnant with the twins we had special ways of telling everyone that we were pregnant. It was so fun telling people we were pregnant and having them screaming with excitement, then we would get them next with having twins and they would freak out even more. It was priceless and everyone was shocked. Then with Jonas we had a family dinner to tell them, again shocked but so excited.

For this baby we decided to wait until Thanksgiving to tell all of Scott's family. I wanted to tell them quickly as I didn't think I could hold it in for very long, plus I felt I was already showing and didn't want them to get suspicious. Scott had thought of a fun game kind of like scrabble.  He said "We are starting a new family tradition and whoever looses has to do the dishes. We will divide into teams...Scott's Parents on one side and sister/ brother in law on the other side." Everyone was up to a game and ready to go. Each team got an identical stack of cut out letters and were instructed to spell out a 2 word phrase. It was a little more difficult than we thought as neither team was able to unscramble the words.. Then we gave a clue, the 1st word starts with an "H". OK the minds started to turn and team sister/brother in law got HEIDI. The next word was a little tougher and took them a few minutes, but my father in law pulled through with his eyes HUGE looking at me .. slowly spelling P... R....E...G...N....A...N....T .. Within a second of my mother in Law figuring it out she SCREAMED loud... so loud the kids upstairs came running, Brooke and Parker were crying as they thought someone was hurt... haha.  They didn't know what was going on then we told them and I still don't think they understood. 



Everyone else did and were blown away by God's big surprise. The rest of the day we celebrated as we had a ton to be thankful for. There is not many chances in life to pull off a good surprise but when there is we love it. 
Even though this is old news it's one worth sharing for our sweet little Sunshine to hear. I hope you have a good Monday. 

Friday, February 18, 2011

Nap Time

Yes, our kids all take naps STILL and let me tell you we have some awesome sleepers .. praise God! They need it and I like them! On the days I tell them they don't have to take a nap eventually you will see at least one of them sneak off into their bed for a nice snooze. I have been a lot more flexible with the twins lately on taking them but they are such creatures of habits they still want it. Some days it's nice not to have to make it back home to take naps if  Jonas gets a cat nap in the car, he's good all day which makes it fun when you're out and about having a good day. In return it's also very convenient when you're pregnant and wiped out and want to take a nap yourself. Plus there is nothing better then nap time snuggles with your kids in bed.  Sometimes our sweet Lucky dog stays in their room during nap time and he sneaks on the bed with Brooke. 
  He moved when he saw me come closer to hide his head because he didn't want me to tell him to get down.
Parker is our deep sleeper and cuddles in a ball 
Our sweet Jonas takes his passy only when he sleeps...he hands it to us right when we walk in the room...we didn't even teach him to do this. 
Besides his passy he sleeps always on top of his blanket usually cuddling with it as a pillow. 
Look at those feet are they the cutest?  I just LOVE his feet 
I don't know about your household but this one loves some good old nap time. 

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Festivals

Click here for details 

 We actually got a whole family shot this weekend for our Embrace the Camera today! 


Our family loves festivals! Any Saturday there is one going on we like to catch it. It's fun for the whole family plus we are blessed with some amazing weather that makes them even more fun. Last Saturday was a double hitter. 1st was the the annual Paws in the Park for all  the dog lovers (which we are.) Unfortually we don't take our dog as he's just so big and doesn't get out much so he would be CRAZY. It's downtown around a beautiful lake... everyone walks their dog around, lots of pet vender's, and a few dog contest on stage. Brooke is really our animal lover she said "ahh" to me about 100 times.. I think she could take them all home.


Proud Daddy 
Twin Lovin 


Watching the dog contest 


  After a wonderful lunch at a new spot in town we headed over to the Folk festival. There was art and crafts for the kids, fun folk music that reminds me of NC, and some yummy kernel corn which Jonas loved.
P and B painting on a fence 
Jonas' 1st time having kernel corn and he loved it couldn't get enough
Mama and her boys 
It was a wonderful day together as a family.These are the days, it's just a gift to be a parent and stand back to enjoy your children to see them enjoy life through their eyes. Their excitement is endless and joy is so contiguous.  I love the feeling of  being complete when we are all together... it's warmth on my heart. I wish Daddy could be home everyday as he just makes our life so much brighter! 

Monday, February 14, 2011

It's Official!

So I have a friend that is prego with me, we found out we were pregnant around the same day and are 4 days different in due dates. On Christmas day we both had secret/sealed envelopes from our Ultrasound tec that revealed that we were both having girls! Granted we found out VERY early...right at 12 weeks which is really unheard of but we both wanted to know so badly that we both asked our Ultrasound tec to please give it your best guess on what you think the sex may be, write it on a card, and put in an envelope so we could open it up on Christmas day.  It was risky as my lady only said she was 75% sure. 


So, last week my friend went to the Dr. and to her surprise.. her girl turned into a little boy. Which they are very excited about! Within an instant I thought I knew it... I'm having a boy too! Since the beginning, all of my dreams have been about little boys and we have had boy names picked out.. I was really convinced that we were having a boy. 


Today was our 20 week appointment which we get an ultrasound (I'm not used to only having two ultrasounds, I had one every two weeks when i was pregnant with the twins... I was spoiled) Scott and I went in ready to hear the news just like we were hearing it for the first time. I had even told the kids, "it might be a boy still and we will know for sure today" Brooke and Parker were ready to hear either way. The ultrasound tec was a different lady and took her time telling us the sex... she asked Scott what he thought it was and he said "I think it might be a girl" and then she said "Your RIGHT"...for me it was like finding out all over again! My eyes teared up as everything she measured was totally healthy and she was just PERFECT!!! What a wonderful Valentine's Day to see our precious little miracle baby! I was so hyper... I was bouncing off the walls that my blood pressure was a little high, but it was just because I felt so overjoyed for this little child!! 


We caught Brooke and Parker at the end of school to tell them the exciting news. We bought a balloon to give them and as soon as they saw us they asked "What is it a boy or girl?"


Once they saw the balloon they both were so excited jumping up and down... even Parker this time:) Even the teacher had tears in her eyes seeing how happy they were. It was again a priceless moment...one that I can't wait to share with their sweet sister someday. Of course I forgot the camera in the car so I didn't capture the moment but I did get these on the way home. It was a wonderful day...what a perfect day to celebrate our family LOVE! 
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!! 

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Mama's Baby


more info go here 
It melts my heart when I ask Jonas " Whos Mama's baby?" and he says "yonas" and laughs.. ahh there is no better feeling! He is for sure my sweet little baby, I just love him so much. It's hard to believe he's been home with us for 9 months. Time is flying .. I just wish I could hit the pause button to really stop and enjoy all the priceless moments that happen each day. I can't seem to keep up with his vocabulary as everyday he adds more and more words that would blow your mind.... he's a little parrot.
 For those of you that have dreamed or even thought about adoption it's truly a gift! Ours lives are so much richer since taking a leap of faith. Don't let the worry of money, paperwork, or any other fears stop you. God will take care of all your needs,desires, details and place the right child into your family that you can't imagine living without. Adoption is just beautiful and I'm so thankful I get to experience it. It's a privilege that God called us to adopt...look at that cuteness... how can you not just want another one of God's children in your family? 
Oh sweet Jonas I thank God everyday I get to be your mommy, thank you for all the laugher and love your bring us. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, I want to protect, nurture, provide and most of all love you unconditionally all of my days. 
my favorite verse that really represents my life 
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Created for Care 2011


 I wasn't able to attend this event this year but you better believe I'm going to do everything I can to try to make it next year. 
It's a women's retreat designed for mom's who have adopted. 
Can you picture 250 women getting together learning from speakers, worshiping and bragging about our kids all weekend? I don't know about you but I'm there. 


Monday, February 7, 2011

Our Sponsored Child

Our Sweet little girl Tigest is our sponsored child from Children's Hopechest in Ethiopia. A few weeks back we received a letter from her which just made my day. It's so fun to think that it came all the way from Africa into our living room as I was reading it to our children. I had sent her a package and she said "she received it and it made her so happy" she also said "she goes to school which she needs prayer to be a smart student, to be a good child, to have peace and most of all her health." She drew me a sweet pictures of flowers. This letter was just so precious to me .. this little girl is a million miles away and we get to have a small relationship with each other. Oh how I wish I could meet her and tell her how much Jesus loves and watches over her. Well, I get to get pretty close to that.. my dear friends are going to visit her and hopefully be able to capture some sweet pictures of her .. maybe even a video:) It's amazing how God lines things up! I'll keep you posted...
If you don't have a sponsored child you need one... or more than one. It's just priceless to live beyond yourself to think of others, and it's so rewarding. You feel like you could be making just a small difference and giving hope to someone in need. I think the more we think less of ourselves the more we experience what true joyful living is all about. You're blessed with all you have and most America are truly so rich.  Stretch yourself and your pockets to give to a child that has so little... you could be their only hope! 
Here are two blogs you can find out more information on receiving a sponsored child 
http://family-from-afar.blogspot.com/ 
http://thebestulfamily.blogspot.com/ - http://starved4hope.org/ is through Hopechest 

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Embrace the Camera: Me and My girl



Me and my girl.. ahh I just love her.
 She is just one sweet, strong, determined but shy little girl. 
Today seems very appropriate that we took the picture with her American Doll. 
About a month ago she was lost and
 never going to be found, we thought.
 Brooke is pretty good about keeping track of her stuff 
as she has never has lost anything before.
 Her memory is amazing, she knows every detail of what happens and when.
 I know this will come in handy when I get older and forget even more.
 She's really great at remembering  
where my keys are... my personal key finder, it's great. 
Well, we traced our steps and finally thought we figured out that we left the doll at the library during story time the week after Christmas. A few weeks had already passed when we went back to ask them... no dolls at all have been found. Brooke was so bummed, I really felt bad for her as she really thinks her doll is soo special...her MiMi had given it to her for her birthday. This week on Monday it was gorgeous outside I mean 75 degrees with a nice breeze and just beautiful. Sorry to the folks in the snow storms this week.. you're living in the wrong place:) We were on our back porch playing with toys and enjoy the day when all of a sudden Parker screams OMGOSH!!!! Behind a lounge chair between two cushions Parker pulls her doll out and screams "Brooke!"  She comes running and she is reunited with her sweet doll. Within a minute Brooke says "we came outside after the library that day and I must of left her outside." Her doll  has a little water damage but I told her it gives her character as she's had a rough month and it's a reminder to take better care of her. After a bath and new fresh clothes she was good as new. Brooke was so happy and everyday since they have been wearing matching outfits together. She gave Parker a huge hug and tells everyone that Parker found it and boy does he feel like a hero.