Thursday, August 25, 2011

Rainy Day

Yes this is what we do on rainy days .. build a fort and snuggle 
Seems perfect for the winds and rain outside from the passing hurricane 
Brooke had done my hair.. you like? 
I didn't realize someone was so sleepy 
Have a fun weekend!
click here for detail 

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Ready for School

It's that time of year, summer has come to a close as the kids are now ready to start school. This is one year I can say we are all ready with the new addition of baby Kate it has left us all a little stir crazy. Back to somewhat of a normal rotinue will be good for us all. 
Before the big day there were the many things to get done...
1st on the list getting new shoes. Yes, I pulled the trigger and got the goddy twinkle toes shoes for Brooke... she wanted them so badly I caved when they were on sale. Nice running shoes for the boys..Parker is convinced they make him run faster. Poor Jonas, the minute he ran in his new shoes he tripped and skinned his knee... back to the store to get a smaller size.
Trying on our new shoes.

Next on the list, individual "dates" to get their haircut, lunch boxes, and back packs. The kids have been really craving some one-on-one time with mommy so we call them a date. I love them as much as the kids do being able to just pour into one child and check in with them to see how their doing. You would be amazed the things you can talk about plus whats more fun then just spending quality time making your child feel special?

Brooke's new hair cut and Hello Kitty back pack
Jonas getting a long overdue hair cut .. the summer fro is gone 

3. Meet the teacher day. We took a chance with Brooke and Parker's VPK class and picked the class with the new teacher they hadn't hired yet. When we went to it I was shocked to see it was my friend from my church bible study. God knew exactly where they needed to be. After visiting with old friends at school the kids came home to practice playing school. 


When I was growing up my Aunt had a fun tradition that I started with my kids this year. It's a special fun day getting to do whatever you want before heading back to school. We loaded up on all the junk food you can imagine.. oreos, chocolate chip cookies, gummies, cotton candy, chocolate covered peanuts, sprite and root beer. The stuff I don't typically let my kids have. Then rented 3 movies and told the kids they can stay in their PJ's all day. Parker was the most excited as 1st thing in the morning he ran into my room asking if today was the day!? It was fun alright and I think a tradition that we will do again.   

What a cutie pie! 
We made a huge bed on the living room floor to cuddle on
This picture is the few minutes I got Jonas watching the movie ... still doesn't like watching tv
So precious they were holding hands cuddling 

After church we went shopping for all their school supplies
 We were all prepared for the 2011-12 school year. 
On Monday was their 1st day... it went great and both came home excited to start Pre-K 
Yes, even little Jonas is trying out school this year.
He's such a social butterfly that I think he's going to love the interaction.
He's always acted so much older than his age.. it's easy to forget he's not even 2 years old yet. 
He walked right in and said "bye mommy" so excited to see all the Elmo toys.
 Crazy how big he is!!
 I was more sad than he was. 
When picking him up he was wiped, 3 hours of non stop playing wore him out 
His class 
J-man was a little excited, it was hard to capture a picture
His smile is just worth a million bucks even when he's not looking at the camera 

Not sure how this year will be but they are prepared for the new adventure to begin. 

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Success

 Success can be measured in the small things!
We had our first successful outing to Church and Steak & Shake lunch with no major hiccups. 
Everyone was in good spirits! No melt downs, everyone ate their food, no screaming and everyone 
listened to Mommy and Daddy...we even had milkshakes to celebrate. 
 It was a huge success in my book .. I walked out of steak and shake feeling confident I can do this! 
Then the minute we get into the car it was melt down central... 
well, I enjoyed it while it lasted:)
click here for details 

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

3 Choices

As some of you may know there is a horrible drought going on in the horn of Africa effecting Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. It is the worst drought in 60years!  It crosses my mind through the day thinking how awful this must be to deal with heavy flying dry dust and starvation, mothers watching their children suffer. My friend had posted this from CNN on the largest refugee camp:


Pretty powerful right?!! 
At night rocking Jonas to sleep I think where would he be if he weren't here with us? What might he have to endure if he never made it to the orphanage? He could have been one of those children struggling to live! 
Instead I watched him playing in the sink washing his hands for the 100th time endless amounts of water he and all of us here have access too. It amazes me to think all what is going on in the other parts of the world while we have so many luxuries we take for granted. While we are getting ice cubes for our water they are without! It makes me sick! 

Well if you feel the same way, there is a few ways you can help.. the organization Hopechest (we have our sponsor child with) has a Trees of Glory Well project. You might have hear me mention them before. They are close VERY close to raising enough money to provide a well to their community they are only $1500 away !! More than ever they need this Project to start so I'm asking you to help only with a small donation. There are 3 ways you can do it 


1. My friend Heather has another purse auction going with all proceeds donated 



For just $5 you can enter to win this authentic coach bag. Go to http://onepurse.org/ for details.




2. For just $10, you can purchase an Ethiopian bracelet via this blog 

Click on the bracelet link at the top left, or donate any amount via the donate button below it.

The bracelets say "I love you" in Amharic (main Ethiopian language).



3. Or, go to the Hopechest site and give directly to the well fund:

go to www.hopechest.org, click on GIVE
Select DESIGNATED GIFT and specify the dollar amount of your donation
In the Reference Number, specify ET2119000
In the Notes area, specify TOG WELL


This video was taken before the drought 
You are able to see the friends we are helping over in Ethiopia at Trees of Glory. 



For all updates please visit Karen's blog at http://family-from-afar.blogspot.com/

Friday, August 12, 2011

Adoption Video


This is a video of my friend Emily's journey to Elsa.. 
it captured my heart, hope it captures yours! 
If God is calling you, then it's time to ACT 
Have a good weekend! 

Monday, August 8, 2011

Sweet Kiss

This morning Jonas jumped up in my bed and said "mommy hold her please, mommy hold her please" 
I said "ok" and he was so excited then kissed her .. ahh what a good way to start the week. 
Happy Monday Everyone! 

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Birthday

A few weeks ago was my big b-day, oh how it's not fun when you're in your 30's to add on another year. But whether I like it or not...it's going to happen. It's just payback for all the years I made fun of friends in their 30's "don't ya feel old?" I would say. Now I'm there and yes I do feel old:) 
Why am I old you would ask? 
  • I can't handle loud music in my car, I used to say "I would never be a mom that doesn't listen to cool music blaring in the car" 
  • It's harder to multi task 
  • I have no idea what is in style to wear, I wear what is comfortable. 
  • I have no idea what movies are out or the new upcoming movie stars.
  • The nice spider vein on my legs 
  • I do love naps and feels my body gets much more tired than it used to and I'm out of breath just going up my stairs  
  • My creative mind has left me and been replaced with my daily duties of being a mama. 
  • I'm losing my ability to read from a distance:( 
  • Best of all, I have officially seen a gray hair growing in

Oh, but it is all worth it because look at these beauties I get to enjoy everyday. 

This year my mom decided to throw me a little party at her place.
 My sweet Mother in Law made me a yummy chocolate, chocolate cake...that we all enjoyed.  
It was a crazy lunch with all 4 kids out but we made it because Kate slept most the time... but Jonas was in rare form. 
Our sweet Gigi ( great grandmother ) came .. she's 91 doesn't she look amazing! 
My mom and Brooke enjoying their cake they shared. 
The day continued with a pedicure with Brooke. Then Scott came home that night with gifts, wine, and a movie. Perfect way to celebrate, just mostly thankful I have lived another precious year enjoying the life God has given me. 

click here for details