Christmas, #6, and outfit pics...

Christmas was joyful and wild at our house. I had so much fun watching the joy on their faces when they opened their gifts.



We are now #6 on the adoption list. Notice that all of the dominoes are upright. The family that was on hold is no longer on hold. That is good news for them I really hope they have their referral very soon.



Abeni received this little Asian inspired outfit from my two Aunts. I loved it so much and today when I was walking trough Macy's I saw the rest of the line was on clearance for half off Michael and I picked up the sweet little dress. I love shopping for my little girl.

Two bits of News

We are now officially Number 6. We also have our fingerprint appointment with USCIS. Yay, it feels so nice to get closer to bringing our baby home.

Movie Review-Or my thoughts about myself after watching a movie.

So last night Michael brought home "My Sisters Keeper" and I snuggled up on the couch with my favorite quilt to watch while he worked on powerwheels. First let me say that I loved that this movie made me think. I have a sick child. There I said it. I sometimes pretend that he is fine but in reality he is sick. Isaac is not terminally ill he is chronically ill. He will be sick for his entire life he will require care his entire life. I have a healthy child who sacrifices every day for his sick sibling. Every day he gives things up for his brother. He doesn't give up body parts or anything but yes he gives up little bits of himself. I know that Miles doesn't mind you can see the love he has for his brother; he cuddles him kisses him and even helps me talk him into putting on his oxygen at night. Michael and I try hard to be sure that Miles still feels important and valued and I think we will work even harder on that after watching this movie.

At the beginning of the movie the father says "Having a child who is sick is a full time occupation. Sure we still enjoy the usual day to day happinesses of family life...But beneath the exterior there are cracks that threaten the very foundation of our everyday lives... at any moment our whole world could come tumbling down." I loved that line it such an accurate description of my life sometimes. We cling to Isaac so tightly and would do anything to help him. I have therapy appointments for him three days a week we are on a first name basis with WAY to many Dr's. Trust me you never want your Dr. to say "but your child is so unique" or "it is so good to see you I feel like we are family." But at the same time it is nice to have so many people in our corner fighting for what we are fighting for, a good life for Isaac. There was a time when I was sure Isaac was going to die. I remember feeling so helpless when I thought about having to decide to let him go. I remember feeling so angry that he was laying there sick in a hospital bed while everything else just went on like normal.

So am I being the best mom I can be to the Miles and Isaac? Am I strengthening my relationship with Michael? Did you know parents of special needs kids have a 80% divorce rate? I am trying but this movie made me think that I need to try harder. I need to focus on the relationship I have with Miles and I need to focus on the relationship I have with Michael. Do I need to let Isaac go a little more? We are going to add another child to our family and I know I will love her just as I love my boys but is it really fair to bring her into a family with a sick child? Can I give her the family she needs and the attention she needs from me? I think the answer is yes but I will need to be aware of that relationship just like I am aware of the others in my life.

My goals for my children are for them to be themselves. I want them to love their siblings. I don't ever want them to feel like Mile- Isaac's brother. I want him to be Miles the amazing, smart, fun, loving, little boy that he is. I want Abeni to be herself. I want Isaac to be Isaac; not the sick brother. So I will do my best to make that happen for my kids.

I'm sending my thoughts out into the virtual world I think I just needed to think out-loud. So if you are still reading this thanks. If you have any advice please share. If you want to just point out a flaw in my thinking feel free.

Look what I made this morning!

Miles has been telling me lately that he has super powers so this morning I made these for him and his brother. I think they turned out super cute!

Thankful Thursday

When I was young my mother used to listen to a Christmas song by Barbara Streisend. It was called "The Best Gift."
Here are the lyrics.

The best gift
That I ever got
Didn't really weigh a lot
It didn't have a ribbon 'round
And it sometimes made the terrible sound
The best of all it seems to me
It wasn't neath the Christmas tree
And yet, I guess I'd have to say
That it made all the other presents twice as gay
The best gift that I've ever known
I'd always wanted most to own
Yet in my dreams of sugar and spice
I never thought it could be so nice
The best gift that I ever get
Was sometimes dry and sometimes wet
Was usually pink but oftentimes red
As it lay so innocently in its bed
The best gift of the year to me
The one I hold most dear to me
A gift that simply drove me wild
Was a tiny new born child...

I love my boys they are my joy and my laughter. I am truly blessed to hold their little hands, dry their little tears and share their little victories. They make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.

Answers....

I opened this up to friends on facebook so some of the questions are very basic like

Question:
You are adopting? Do tell.

Answer:
We are adopting! We are thrilled to be adding a little girl to our family from South Korea!

Question:
Why South Korea?

Answer:
Michael and I feel that we are able to offer a child from South Korea with a the most connection to her birth country. We have both been to Korea. Michael even served an LDS mission there for two years. Michael speaks Korean, and we have Korean friends who can teach our daughter about Korea.

Question:
What is going on with Isaac right now:

Answer:
Kicker never ceases to amaze us! He is doing so well. He has speech, physical, and occupational therapy those appointments add up to about three times a week. He is walking and is working on running and jumping. He is also working on building his speech memory. Currently we are working through some concerns about his sleep and his heart. He is iron deficient and we are really working hard on getting his nutrition where it needs to be.

Question:
Through all of this.....what have leaned on for your support to get through the tough times?

Answer:
Wow this question made me think introspectively. Michael is my primary source of comfort and support. He lifts me up when I am down and seems to always know what I need from him to calm my storms. Outside of him I have an amazing family! I lean on my mom and my dad and my two aunts more then any other people in the world. My mom is able to help me see that I am blessed beyond belief when I feel overwhelmed. My aunt Juli is a comforter and understanding of the struggles more then anyone I have met. My aunt Karen helps those around her in such a quiet gentle manner. I think that often the things she does go unnoticed and unacknowledged.

So that is it for questions and answers thanks everyone for asking. I had fun!

Questions and Answers

So as I sit here and wait... (I'm trying to not let it get to me but it really is). I've decided that it is time to do a question and answer post. Is there something you are dying to know about our family? Wondering why we are adopting? Something about the adoption process that you want clarification on? Wondering about Kickers health? Anything is open for discussion. I will moderate comments for this post so no one will know who asked what but me. Also don't worry about offending me I am a pretty easy going person so it takes a lot to offend me. I will leave this post up for a while so ask away.

I600A

Question: So if you were the government and you knew a parent would pay ANY amount of money to get their child home, how much would you charge for a two sheet "pre-approval for adoption."

Answer: $830

My response "this is crazy" now lets hurry and get it submitted. Those who know me know I get kinda sick spending large amounts of money ohhhh say anything over $100. But I couldn't get this application and check in the mail fast enough!

Next step... referral!

Hoping Hoping

HOPING really hoping for good news today.

I like to move it move it....

and right now it looks like the waiting list likes to move to. We are now #7/6!!!!!!! I can't believe that we are finally getting close. I wonder now often about what sweet baby girl is doing. I'm sure she is being well cared for; but I wonder how she likes to fall asleep, what makes her smile, if she has sweet little baby fat rolls, if she has hair... I just love dreaming about my little girl. Also by popular request here is a photo of the sweet little outfit I picked up for Abeni. The little pants look black but they are navy blue. I am thinking she needs red shiny or gold ballet flats to go with it. Does anyone else have an opinion?

I finally did it.

I finally did it. I went shopping and bought an outfit for Abeni. I think I have shown remarkable restraint to this point. I can't wait to see my little girl.

#8

We called to verify and we are #8/7 on the list. WAHOOO!!

Another Rumor

Do you think we moved up on the list again???? There is a rumor that says we did. Could we be #7/#8???????

"Ment to be"

So adoption is complicated and has me thinking lots about deep and complicated situations. One of the things that has been on my thoughts lately is the phrase "this child was ment to be with our family." I have read the writings of adult adoptees on this very subject and they really struggle with how could an all good all loving God allow their birth family and themselves to suffer such a loss. I have been thinking on this and trying to sort this all out in my mind. I have come to the following conclusion. God is all good but we as people are not. He knows that we will make mistakes he knows that the birth families of children placed for adoption will not be able to parent them. Does that make it right? I don't think so. Does it make it part of his plan for the life of those involved I think so. I feel that God knows what will happen in our lives before it will happen. That does not eliminate our chances to choose for ourselves because we still can choose. For example if I know Miles is going to do something that doesn't mean he has to do it just that he will. So here are my feeling on if Abeni is "ment to be with our family."

1. God loves Abeni, her birth family, and our family.

2. God wants what is best for all of us.

3. God knows how Abeni will come to our family. He knows that there is hurt involved in that situation.

4. God does not want for any of his children to hurt.

So I think that it is part of God's plan for Abeni that she come into our family. I don't like the phrase "ment to be" because for me it oversimplifies a complicated situation.

#9

As of monday we are #9 on the waiting list. There is a family on hold that will likely be on hold for a while longer so that makes us #8. The family who received their referral on Thursday is one of my online buddies. Congrats to Jamie and her family their little girl is such a sweet little thing with LOTS of hair.

To my Korean Princess

Abeni,

Hey baby girl, Dad here. Just wanted to let you know that we are still waiting for you and we haven't given up on Korea sending you home. It has been one year since we sent in our official application to show we were ready to bring a sweet baby girl into our home. I often dream about you, my first dream I was able to see your face and put you in your crib after rocking you to sleep. I knew right then we were on the right track and that God was preparing the lives of two wonderful people to cross paths and share the blessing of bringing you into this world. I am sorry that your biological mother will not be able to care for you personally. However, know that she is taking care of you by placing you with our family and that she has faith that we will take care of you as well as she would if she was able. Some will ask why you look differently than your parents and your brothers, know that you will always be able to tell them that "I am a child of God, and that I do like my brothers (future sister) and parents." Sweetheart, I am counting down to the time where mom and I can come to you, take you into our warm embrace, and carry you to your new home. Don't worry about the future, who you are, or where you come from. Dad plans on teaching you Korean and about your heritage so that one day, you will be able to know and understand that part of your life. As often as permits we will go as a family to Korea, and maybe your aunt Insook will let you come stay at her house so you can get to know part of Daddy's Korean family. Sweet Angel, I long to hold you in my arms, I can't wait to be there for the tea parties, the dress up, and your first date. I can not promise that I won't be to embarrassing, I will try to keep my distance. Would you say two car lengths behind will be sufficient? Love you, and am dreaming about you.

Dad!

One year ago today...

we mailed in our formal application. We have been waiting one year for our little one. There have been good and bad days but I can honestly say I am learning growing and will be ready when God sends Abeni to us. Here is last years post. I will write a new letter to my girl in the morning.

I have decided at every major adoption milestone I will write a letter to Abeni, so when she is older and wonders she can know just how loved she was before she was ever born.


Abeni,

Today we mailed in the Formal application to adopt you. But did you know..... before Daddy and I even got married we talked about adopting you. Did you know..... even though we weren't the first people to hold you we held you in our hearts for years before we held you in our arms. Did you know...... Miles and Isaac waited for you too. Miles often tells me "we are missing our stister Abeni." He also shared his fruit snacks with you before you were born. Did you know...... we thought about you planned for you and worried about you for years before we finally held you. So today as we officially begin our journey to you I wanted you to know that we love you little girl. We are waiting anxiously to see your face to hold your hand to learn about the person you are and watch you grow into the woman you will be.

Love Mom

Japchae

I made one of my favorite Korean meals today! Check out this link... I've only tried the Japchae but it was delish! The picture doesn't really do it justice.
http://aeriskitchen.com/

Dominoes

I'm going to make my dominoes picture and post it tonight. I'm just so blah blah blah about this wait. This adoption stuff is hard. Honestly when we signed up we were thinking (read we were told) 18-24 months for placement. That is really what was happening at the time. Now we are at 11 1/2 months of being on the list and aren't even close. I keep hoping that things will start happening again. But it seems if it's not one thing it's another. First there was just a general slow down, then Eastern got a new director, then lots of new job assignments slowed things down, now there is some sort of audit going on..... I don't know. At this point mathematically speaking we could get our referral 7-8 months from now so around May or June! Waiting is just painful.

It's official!

Well the two families who received referrals have finally posted their announcements so I feel like I can say.... WE ARE NUMBER ELEVEN!!!! Also there is a family on hold that may be on hold a while longer so we could be number 10! I am so thrilled for K and C. Congrats ladies!!!!

Rumors are flying....

There are rumors of movement on the list... I think we will be #11/10 early next week. WAHOOO

Getting Scared

(warning this post may not going to be very politically correct) Well it is the 8th of September. On Thursday it will have been three months since there was any movement on the waiting list...... I am honestly getting scared. I am scared that we have put our hopes and dreams into this and it's not going to happen. I'm scared that I will dream about this little girl forever and never get to see her face. I am scared that I will never hear baby laughter again in our home. I am scared that someone out there knows something and they are not telling the waiting families. I am scared that the chances of us fulfilling this dream we had for the last 8 years are going to slip through our fingers. I just don't know how much more of the waiting I can take. I want a baby! Before we got on the list last summer it was moving very quickly. There were referrals all the time; three or more some months. We went on the list ten months ago and since then there have been 14 referrals. So if we assume that the last three months are just a fluke and that there will eventually be girl referrals again. There have been about 1.4 referrals per months if this continue at this rate... we are about 10 more months from referral. So............. I would expect a referral next July!!!!!! That is not what I am hoping for. This is assuming that things don't keep slowing down. I called our agency and they don't seem to know anything... They "haven't asked" Korea what is going on with referrals because there are still boy referrals coming in. There are other agencies that partner with Eastern to find families and they don't seem to be getting girl referrals either. So hopefully there are less children available for international adoption because they are being raised by their birth mothers or they are being adopted domestically. This is truly my hope! I just don't know...... I am feeling down about this whole process right now. I want to buy little girl clothes I want to be able to tell my friends and family that yes this isn't just some story Michael and I made up we are getting a little girl; we have a picture to prove it. We are going to go over to Korea and meet a baby and she will come home to our home and she will be ours. I want to find little girl toys all over the house along with the little boy toys. I want to hold her as she cries and laugh with her when she laughs. I want to have three car seats in the back of the car. I want to hear her little dreams. I want to watch her grow and learn. I want to be blessed with one more little person to love. I want the joy and the frustration that comes with parenting. I just want to know if it is going to happen or not. If not I guess I will live with that. It is the unknown that really scares me.

Wordless Wednesday

And So August Ends

........Still #13...........sigh..............so sad

Un lucky number 13

Well I used to not be much of a superstitious girl but......triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13; my third grade teacher would be so surprised that I actually have found a use for that word) is setting in. It has been two months since there was any movement on the list. Though I woke up today full of hope my good mood is fading fast.

Easy bake oven

I want a vintage easy bake oven. Like the ones from the 60's or 70's.

Just put it out there....

Ok so I think everyone probably has something they would like to just yell into the virtual oblivion and hey it made me feel better. So inspired by Tracie here is your chance. Type in caps..... hit the keys extra hard..... just put it out there. What is driving you crazy that you feel you have no control over let's hear it. I'll go first again.

MOVE MOVE MOVE MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh and THE A*rmy STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok everyone say it with me....

MOVE DANG IT MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Miles!

My sweet baby is 4 today! I am honored to be his mom. He is everything a little boy should be. I can't believe how full of life and happiness he is. We have made so many memories of him over the last four years. At four he loves to ask questions, make his mommy and daddy laugh, take care of his brother, swim, read, ride powerwheels, ride his bike, and see how things work. Enjoy this little look back at my little man.



Captain Miles defending his ship at his "pirate" 4th birthday party.



Blowing out the candles at his third birthday.



Opening presents at his second birthday.

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First birthday photo.

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Holding my little man on his birthday.

The Ups and Downs

So adopting is not for the faint of heart. The intensity of the emotions in indescribable. I hope that all of my waiting friends find peace in the journey.

One full month!

It has been one full month since there was any movement on the girls list. I think the summer speed-up isn't going to happen. Things are now moving even more slowly.

Just when I get excited....

Well we are still siting at #13. I really am getting quite tired of the wait. We are at one year one, one month, and six days since we sent in our preliminary application. I know we should't start counting until our formal application (7 months 4 weeks and one day) and being on the waiting list but I have been thinking about our little girl every day since the first application was sent (probably before then). I just really want the wait to be over! I know that a few more months (read 5-6) in the big scheme of things isn't really that long, but my arms and my heart hurt to know my child. I want to be able to look at her face, see her eyes. When I pray I want a face to go with the name. I am not a patient person. (Ask my mother) Ok I am done whining and I'm not sure if I should even post this but I will because I want this blog to be genuine and true. One day we will have our baby and one day I will not just look at her little face I will kiss her sweet cheeks and hold her little dimpled hands, one day all of this waiting will be worth it because I will have the most precious gift, I will have Abeni.

SUMMER TIME IS GREAT!!

Tuesday afternoon was a great time.  Sun was out, there was no rain in sight, and we were soaking it up.  We purchased a kiddie pool for the boys to have some good ol' fashion fun in the back yard.  Miles and Isaac love playing in the water and of course the biggest boy in the family loves playing in the water and with his boys.  Miles pretending to be a swimming dinosaur and Isaac so thrilled to be playing the water just splashing around.  I was able to be motorboat with Isaac as the passenger on my back and Miles as the motor in between my legs making motor sounds.  We were going round and round in the pool for at least an hour and a half.  I love summer time, especially when I am able to watch my boys enjoying it.  Ari had a good time too, Isaac demanded that she get in and get the flowers on her bathing suit wet.  And he liked to make us kiss.  For some reason he really likes it when Ari and I kiss.. But what man in his right mind wouldn't want to kiss his sexy wifey!

Watch Me Tumble

Well here is it 12:49 AM and I am not sleeping.. I normally don't sleep very well when I am away from my family.  I guess the whole apprehension of leaving them for 5 weeks is also causing me to not sleep.  Well anyway, Miles had his first tumbling performance on Saturday.  It was so awesome, to say the least.  Him and his little buddies did great (when they were able to focus).  And guess whose kid was the one at the front just so excited to see Mommy and Daddy, oh yes, MILES....  Who cares, he had a blast, we were able to be there and watch our son do something great and wonderful, and both sets of Grandparents were able to drive all the way down and support him.  He was so thrilled to have his Grandparents there to watch.  Thanks Grandma LaWana, Papa Jay, Oma and Papa Steve you made your grandson's night.

Well that was easy.

The home-study meeting is done. I really liked the social worker. She was easy to talk to and seemed very at ease. Actually being able to do something besides just sitting and waiting did make me feel great. I really love the idea of making progress. Now we just need to do a few more things to have a completed home study and then we wait again. WAHOO I am learning patience in this process. And if you were wondering no movement on the list this week.

Home Study

We are starting our home study in the morning. I am excited and nervous. Wish me luck.

#13 is SO Lucky!!!

We are thrilled to announce that we are number #13. Our little girl is most likely born and growing up somewhere in Korea just waiting for us.

Congratulations Tracie!!!!

Blog friend Tracie just got her referral!!!!!!!!!!! She and her family have the most adorable little girl waiting for them in Korea. She is such a precious little princess; and so ladylike in her referral picture. Tracie has been a friend during the wait and I am so happy for her.

The Screaming Eagle Fat Bob

So here it is.  The newest of the rehabbed PowerWheels.  It started out as a red Harley Davidson.  This one is being prepared for Miles as a gift for his 4th Birthday coming up next month.  We are modeling it after the 2009 Screaming Eagle Fat Bob, which Miles drools over when we go to the Local HD shop.  We got chrome paint and painted the engine and pipes, but it seems that it won't stay on the plastic.  So it may come off and go back to the gray color. I am still working on putting on the head light and need to order some decals.  New hobbies are wonderful.

#14!!!!!!!!!!!

Number #14 BABY!!!!!!!

I think we moved again!!!!!!!!

I think the list moved again I will e-mail AAC tomorrow just to be sure. OHHHHH butterfly's in my belly.

Oops

In all my excitement for Shelley I forgot to mention that this makes us number 15 on the list. Moving right along.

Baby Claire

Our bloogy friend Shelley received a referral of an adorable baby girl. She has the most amazing kissable cheeks. I love it when a referral happens for someone we "know." Congrats to Shelley, Robert, and "the bean."

One year ago today...

One year ago today we submitted our pre-application to our agency. At the time we were expecting a bonus check from the Army and then we were going to submit the formal application. We only expected it to take another month. Well six months later we FINALLY had our check in hand and submitted our formal application to AAC. I guess God was trying to teach me patience because he knew I would need it to handle this whole process. I consider us a waiting family since the initial application because that is when we really began thinking about Abeni on a daily basis. So little one, where ever you are out there, Mommy, Daddy and your big brothers can't wait to hold you in our arms. We miss you even though we don't know who you are. Mommy aches in her heart to hold your hand and kiss your sweet head. We love you little girl.

#16

I can't believe I am typing this but we moved up the list again. WAHOO!!!!!! I'm giddy with excitement.

#17

We moved again. We are getting closer to our baby girl!!!!!!!!!!! I am so thrilled.

Powerwheelin'

Well without further delay I give you not one not two but three boys on our powerwheels...(random neighbor lady and kids included at no additional charge).

Video

So no video of the boys dancing to NKOTB but I think what I have in store for you is as good if not better...... hoping to have it up in just a few minutes.

NKOTB

So I come out of the bathroom and head into the other room only find that my sons are singing "Hanging Tough" by the New Kids on the Block, with their music tape player with microphones. Is this what my wife teaches my boys while I am work? This is absolutely crazy. I am not even allowed to listen to Metallica with my boys!! Honestly, I am starting to question my wife's standards!! Please someone direct her to the light! She'll probably start teaching them the dance moves to each of the songs. YES SHE DOES KNOW THEM ALL!!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!

Number 18

We moved AGAIN!!!!! I really hope that things keep moving at this pace.

Hi I have a situation in my ear.

Miles sedated for the "removal of foreign body."

Miles is one crazy little man. I never know what is coming next. Yesterday he really threw me for a loop. I made the boys pop corn for a snack (I Know not so healthy) while I was getting dinner going. I went into the bedroom to get the laundry and Miles was at my door when I was on my way back out. "Mom I put a popcorn seed in my ear," he reported. "Why" "Because we don't eat those." I dropped the laundry and walked him into the bathroom so I could see and there it was deep in his ear. I told him that we would need to go to the hospital and have a doctor take it out and loaded the boys into the car. I called Michael who was out to dinner with friends on the way and picked him up at the restaurant. When we arrived at the hospital the triage nurse asked us to come right in and Miles walked up to her and said "excuse me I have a situation in my ear." I was still to flabbergasted at this time to see the humor in this statement. They did the traditional check in stuff and then we went back into the waiting room. About this time the whole absurdity of the situation really struck me and I started laughing. I was still chuckling when they called us back to a room. The nurse took a look and then the Dr. took a look. Then they decided that they were going to need to use some tools to get the kernel out. Because we didn't want to risk damaging his ear we decided to have him sedated for just a few minutes. He did well getting his IV placed and the kernel was out about 5 minutes into the sedation. Thankfully the drug they used is very short acting and Leo was back to his funny little self entertaining the Nurses as we left the hospital. As we passed the triage desk he let go of my hand and went and reported "situation resolved." I asked him how he felt about the whole thing and he said "that was absolutely comotionable and when they put the water into my pipes it was unusual."


Miles about 15 minutes after his "situation" was "resolved."

Nineteen never felt so good.

My bloggy friend Amber received her referral on Friday. Her baby girl is just beautiful! That officially makes us number nineteen. I'm not sure if it is because nineteen sounds like so much less then twenty or because I know the family who is celebrating their new daughter but I have been so thrilled to be #19 on the list. Congrats Amber and I can't wait until it is our turn to celebrate.

Easter

Michael had to work on Sunday so we had to postpone our Easter celebration until after church. It might have been a better plan as both boys were ready to go when the bunny did make his visit. They hunted for eggs and found DVD's and a sand and water table. That is one smart Bunny who know a little blue sand some water and a few mighty movers would elicit so many squeals of joy! I even felt bad telling them that play time was over and they had to come in a get ready for bed. I'm not going to type much because the pictures really speak for themselves enjoy!

Havala's visit, Passover

We had a very busy weekend. Thursday my little sister Havala came for a visit. She met me at therapy and then we all went out to lunch with my other sister Karli. Shoe shopping followed; what girl doesn't love shoes. Then we headed home.
Friday we thought it would be fun to do a photo shoot of Aunt Havala and two of her best guy. We went to the park and had fun snapping pictures and laughing at the crazy antics of a two year old and a three year old. Then we went to my moms to get ready for passover. I can't remember the first time I celebrated passover with my cousins Gail and Ned but it has been a while since we all got together to celebrate this beautiful holiday. So it was wonderful to hear Gail sing the prayer and ned tell the story of the exodus and passover. The history and tradition of the Jewish holidays has such a humbling effect on me. I love sitting around a table with my family hearing a story that is so old and celebrating a tradition that has been celebrated by so many families before mine. Thanks to mom for hosting the party and to Gail and Ned for making it so special. Passover is so much more fun when you can be there you always make thing seem to light up almost like they are on fire; no wait that was just my dad and the lighter fluid soaked paper towel.
Saturday found Miles and Isaac enjoying the freedom that being surrounded by fields has to offer. Swinging, sliding, jumping, bubble blowing, throwing rocks and sticks in the ditch, throwing yourself in the ditch, it was little boy heaven. They napped very soundly. We woke them when my sister in law Cami, and niece and nephew Sage and Asher arrived for an Easter egg hunt. Havala had put together such a fun hunt. The kids were on chocolate high and were not interested in lunch at all. Michael came to get me after the Easter Egg hunt and we went to celebrate his nephew Carson's birthday. My sister in lay Alyssa had done such a great job decorating the house in a pirate theme, it was so cute. We really enjoyed the party. We hurried home and painted easter eggs for the bunny. Then put my very tired kids to bed.

#20

There are twenty dominos left, which means twenty more families for our turn. It all feels very slow right now I really hope things pick up. At this pace I feel like it will never happen.

More dominos

I have taken a long time to post this so to anyone who doesn't already know...How many dominos are left???

California Trip

Sometimes being a military family has it's benefits. Like when Disneyland offers amazing discount passes. We decided to go to Disneyland with my Mom and Dad, and (most importantly to Miles and Isaac) Aunt Havala! We spent Wednesday afternoon in a beach house and just splashed in the waves, built a sand castle, searched out crabs and starfish, and lay in the sun. Cold waves, warm sun, any chance everyone I love will move with me to Southern California???
We woke-up early the next morning and headed to Disneyland. I know that I am just a big kid but I still think that what Walt Disney built is the happiest place on earth. Highlights of this trip were. For Isaac meeting "mouse" and having a magical moment. He even cried when it was all over. He also loved getting a drivers license and putting around autopia. Miles was thrilled to meet Tink (three times). He really loves Tinkerbell!!!! He also got to ride splash mountain and says it is his favorite although he doesn't want to ride it again "until I pass the age of six." He also was chosen to train with a Jedi master and fight Darth Vader. He was in heaven. His expression in the photos doesn't really capture his excitement; he has been signing the theme song and totting his "light saver" with him ever since. Michael and I got to spend a little more time this trip together because we had six extra hands. Thanks Mom Dad and Havala. I will treasure these vacation memories we made together for a long time to come.

Happy birthday Kicker!! II

Last night we went to Disney on Ice with Grandma and Grandpa here are pictures of the birthday party we had for Isaac before we went to Disney on Ice.

Happy Birthday Kicker!!

Isaac is two! We are so blessed to have him in our family. He is a happy boy. He is developing a sense of humor, it is very sweet. He loves to be cuddled and held. He loves his big brother and wants to do everything his big brother does. We love Isaac and are thrilled we get to see him grow.