Picture Time!

What happen to the days of posting?

It seems as if life has taken off. It has not slowed down for even a moment. I have so many things I would like to get done. But I thought if I didn't write soon I would loose my readers. I know there is not many of you but the few are precious. So here goes my fifteen minutes of fame. We have been getting into a schedule (if you can call it that), OS is learning her boundaries, lg is teaching her the ropes of the fine art to trouble, BB is growing up so fast ans seems to been at least two years older than when the girls came home, and ls is getting around with her crippled combat crawl and finding food such a joy. As for this Mommy my dream at this point is to have one very large walk in closet, two washing machines, and a weekly 1&1/2 massage. And of course a huge dose of more patience, love and smiles. Daddy has been very busy with work and us. We keep him going from sun to sun down. He has had a couple of moments to catch some awesome pictures that I will have to share later. My time is up and I need to put on my taxi hat. Tata for now!

The World through Her Eyes

Baby M on the move!

BB
I love this boy with all my heart. He is my firstborn. I remember when he was so little, just tiny enough to still lay in my arms. I would rock him for hours singing to him in some language that know one would even know. Then one day he seemed to know his ABC's and then sounds. We were so amazed at his ability to know so much at such a tender little age. He could even write some his ABC'S at 18 months and he knew them by sight by 19 months. That just seemed so young and now I know after having more it was.
So why do I highlight such a great person today? Well today was parent teacher conference and once again I was reminded of this wonderful little spirit we have in our home. His teachers spoke of his greatness with such joy. He is an achiever, he loves math and does very well in it. He has the drive to do his homework and classwork without help. She said she never has to tell him or encourage him he just LOVES to do it. He is 1 of 4 of all the kindergartners that is at his level of reading. And just today he showed his love for school and learning by staying in from recess to finish his reading book. One of the most wonderful things that was said about him to me was that of his personality. She said that he is one that has a dynamic personality. He shares that love of learning with all around him. And when he is not there it is noticed by all in the classroom. BB brings somethings with him and they love it.
Well I love this boy! I am so grateful he came to my home.

"Lost in Thought"
This is one of Daddy's most recent photo trips. He stood about 10 feet from him. A little to close for this chicken. He said at one point he was following this beautiful animal until he heard his deep huffs of breath. That was enough! Great shot!

Picture Time!

I see you
Two Cute Faces

Dragging my Feet!

Joy in my Heart!
I have been dragging my feet with my posting. I wanted to start off with our trip but have found it hard to write it all down. So don't be surprised if it takes me some time to post about our trip. I know that this is a little backwards but let me tell you what has happened today.

Today was a wonderful day for me as I have been praying for help with myself as a mommy to two new little girls. I know that the Lord has heard my prayers all along because I have felt his blessings and help each day. I probably felt a turning point yesterday while having the opportunity to go to the Dr's for the baby. We got to go alone just her and I. I made the appointment for late in the day-early evening. As I sat in the office holding her, smiling at her, and talking to her my heart began to melt. I felt a true love for her and I knew at that very moment she had her own little place in my heart. Up to this point we had never had time alone so I think that played a huge part and I began to realized the importance of time alone with each one of my children. So as today arrived and I went in to get her from bed it felt different today. Maybe it finally hit me that she was mine, I don't know but I am grateful for those tender feelings of love. I needed them to be the mother I was born to be for her.

It has been a very personal experience for me one I will probably never quite fit into words. One that has been different from my boys. Many blessings have come from this experience and much growing & learning have and are accruing. I know with all my heart that this experience is all part of the plan for me as a mother & I need to go through it. I need to understand what type of heart is needed to love our children that came to us from distant lands. This is happening & I am so grateful for the tender mercies of a loving Father in Heaven. He has been patient with me, He has built me up when I felt I was at the end of my rope, and He has guided me thru this with the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think I am starting to understand my role as a mother in Zion. I can't believe that I have my girls here. What joy this is!

Beauty School Dropout!

Home Sweet Home!

It feels so good to be home! I am writing my first post this long after being home for a while for a reason. Yes, one of the biggest is learning how to manage time. I have had none of it. Doubling your family over night in one day can do that. The first few days were scary. I can say that I am soooo glad to see those first few days pass and move forward to a more rested and happy mom. We have to be out the door to Genesis in 1/2 hour so I will leave you with some pictures. I know this will sound like a typical mom but I have the most beautiful family.

Coming Soon!

Our Story............

Thank you for all your prayers.

Donations

As many of you know from earlier posts I have been working on 3 service projects to take with us. (Titled Service Projects on July 21st). Today we have almost finshed our third and last one the first-aid supplies. Our ward has been so kind and donated a large sum of money to go towards these supplies. So here is the list from today.

Lotion -50 bottles

Bandage Elastic - 10

Bandage Adhesive - 720

Bandage Stretch - 12

Toothbrushes - 50

Towelette wipes - 1,000

Gloves - 40

Conforming Gauze - 36

Toothpaste - 72

Children's Vitamins - 7,200

And some neosporin on its way!

WOW!

Isn't this just beautiful!

Pink Lint Balls

How many of you have seen this before? It remindes me of cotton candy. I just love cotton candy. This is a sign of things to love and to come.

I have just done my very first load of pink. I actually called my sister and asked how do you do this with all these pinks; I am sure you wash a load of only pink. Sure enough I was right, you do a load of pink/purple shades. Thank you sis. I love it. I love having this girl stuff around it makes me so happy to think of the fun family I will have. I still haven't packed anything, I just have it all laid out. I keep going through it and switching things around. Maybe I will start that packing tomorrow. I like to wait until I have everything in order than I go to work making it all work and fit. So much fun.

This time next week we will be with our girls. We will be having a special day of prayer and fast for us on the 16th. Please join us if you would like. We will be praying for safety, and that all will be well with our family including our boys that will be here at home. We are so grateful for all the prayers that have been given in our behalf so far. We have felt them with each day that has come. Thank you!

A Saturday well spent

Today was well spent with getting things done. I finshed what little bit of clothes shopping I needed to do for the girls. I picked up some bottles for the baby. I am still going to nurse but will need something to help us along while we are in Ethiopia. I picked up a couple things of stickers for something to do, coloring books, my little pony, a soft doll, and I will go through my craft room for some beads to play with. I still feel like there are a lot of things to do but for the most part it is things like getting the babysitters ready to have the boys, getting my house ready for my mom, and more paper work like copies of all the important things to take and have with my aunt for an emergency. We also need to get our will finshed, notify the school, and take my aunt around town. Then she gets to have fun taking my mom around town.

I wanted to send out a BIG thanks to everyone who has help us. Some have made things for the children in Ethiopia, some have given money, some have given much time in watching our children preparing them for our leave, some have given clothes to the girls, and many have given kind words, love & prayer. We are grateful to all. It has been a wonderful experience to feel your support. Thank you.

Oh I am so excited! We are really going we have our tickets. Each day it starts to feel more real. As we drove down the street tonight I was thinking about the baby and how it will be to hold her in my arms. So tiny I am sure! Around 11lbs at 6 months would be little. Oh I can't wait! I was also thinking about big sister and her smile. Oh I hope she will smile at us and not be afraid of us. I know this will be a scary thing for her, I just hope she feels safe and loved. It is a whole different book of thoughts from the older girl to the baby. You seem to worry about a lot of emotional things. You also find yourself thinking of ways to keep her active and happy. With the baby it just seems easier.

Our Girls!

Tick-Tock Tick-Tock Tick-Tock

I just can't believe that time is ticking away. Sunday we will reach the single digit numbers. I can't believe that time is doing its thing. After Sunday think I will be a mess. A mess because I will be thinking of the packing that I need to do. The things we are not ready for. The house that I want perfect for my mother to come to. The many wonderful supplies we have gathered and many have made for the children. I have decided that any extra space left will go towards my baby clothes that I seem to have boxes of. And anything after that will be going to Oregon if my SIL has a boy. At first I wasn't sure if the ticker on the blog was a good idea. But at the moment I am glad it is there. I still have yet to pack a single thing in it's place. I still haven't got ready the girls clothes or even the activity bag for OS. There is still copies to make of paper work and lots of little things to get into place.

Since we are on this topic of OS I will be changes her nick name. Daddy has a name for her because of how different she looks in each picture. We have even had people say, so who is that one? Of coarse it is OS (Older Sister). So daddy calls her cameleon . She can look so different in each picture. Some she looks to be 6-7 yrs old and in some she looks still 3-4 with her baby cheeks. Sometimes her eyes are shaped different and others they look the same. It is great!

I am walking on my foot today. Still keeping it wraped and doing thing slowly but I did clean my living room and then rest the foot off and on. I am so happy it seems to be healing so quickly. I made a list of reasons this happened so here they go:

1. I have NEVER had a pregnacy that I didn't end up on bed rest at some point.

2. I got to have breakfast in bed! A wonderful thing!

3. Daddy got much needed time with the boys before the family grows.

4. I dare not say what this one is - I may get into trouble

5. Mommy has her last and final break for awhile. A true break from even walking.

So there you have it. The nice part is that I am on the mend.

I am hoping we all will not get what BB has. He is still running to the toilet. Poor boy.

BB is sick!

It is so sad to see your little ones hanging over the toilet just trying to catch their breath; after a bout of dryheves. I feel so bad for him as I sit next to him listening to him plead with me to make it stop. As he finally gets a repreve he looks my way and says mommy as soon as this stops can you please say a prayer for me. My heart just melts to make it stop. I continue to rub his back gently as he goes back to the dryheves. I hate germs! As I have said in one of my earlier post they are mean and care nothing for their hosts. He is now in the tub and it is 3:39am and I and him have yet to get some sleep. This is going to be a tough day. I will now be teaming up with my buddy Lysol in hopes that nobody eles picks it up.

On a great note we have confirmed our place of stay while in Ethiopia Addiskidan Baptist Guest House. We are excited to have a place where we will be able to have a yard to play in and others to help us with the language. I just can't believe that in 2 weeks from today I will be with our girls; and in 12 days we will be leaving to go. The guesthouse doesn't have a relyable computer service so I don't know how often I will be posting. Hopefully we will find a way. And we will have to figure out the last day of stay when we get there.

Who wants more pictures? Mommy does!

Just click on them to enlarge them.

Breakfast in Bed!

Happy New Year! I hope all is safe, healthy and up and moving around. I wish I could say that for myself. Last night ended with a bang for me. Lets see, I'll start at the end. I left the ER at 4:00am after falling down as I left my aunts. Yes, it was a simple welcome mat that I stepped on wrong. I had lg in my arms at the time and am so happy he is fine. So the outcome is torn ligaments in my foot and ankle. No broken foot. YES! I was so relieved to hear those words from the Dr. The timing is not the best with all that needs to get done but no broken foot. I can't imagine how the trip to Ethiopia would have gone. So now I am off the foot for 3 days with cruches to get around. I can say at this point I am grateful for Ibuprofen and ice. I could really use the prayers. I hope to be walking just fine by the time we leave & I also hope to be walking by Thrusday this week for work.

So are you wondering why I titled this post "Breakfast in Bed"? This is the good part of this story. I have wanted breakfast in bed for so long. Well, I got it! Daddy finally made me Breakfast in Bed. So there you have it, my evening of events.

Not such a great way to chime in the first moments of the new year but what a great way to bring in my morning:))

Half full or Half Empty?

I say Half full!