Our Newest Friend

We have a new friend, and Jenna has a new best friend...Suki.

We're dog sitting for a few weeks, and we're all smitten with this pooch.  

She follows us all around the house, barks briefly when someone comes to the door, and then lies down on the cool tile.  She's so funny, and we're happy she's here.

Florida and back!

 We ventured off to Florida for a week.  So nice to get away and relax.  These pictures are in no certain order...just how blogger decided to arrange them.

 This is the sunrise I watched in the morning...coffee in hand while everyone else was still sleeping.  Like I said in my last post...I can think of fewer things more peaceful than the constant roar of the ocean.

 On our last day (told you there was no certain order!), we visited a citrus grove and picked our own grapefruit.

 Back to day one...riding on the monorail at the airport.

 And just being "Goofy!"  We had to convince the older two that it was OK to be silly.  The little ones needed no convincing.  It comes quite naturally to them.

 We got to our destination in time for a late lunch...and someone just couldn't wait to get into Florida mode.

 We hit the beach every morning.  There was a gentle breeze, the tide was going out, and the waves weren't crazy huge.  Many castles were built last week.

 And it was a good time to look for shells.

 Only one mishap.  While in the pool area, a kid fell on Amarin and the kid's tooth went into his head.  Poor Amarin thought the kid's tooth was stuck in his head!  Luckily, no stitches needed...but a very cool bandage by Dad for bedtime.

 Miss Jenna got her hair braided.

 One night, the complex had an animal show.  We held alligators, 

 tarantulas,

 and snakes.  Note how much fun Laura seemed to be having. 

 One morning, we saw a replica of a space shuttle being taken out to sea.  It was on its way to Texas.

We also got up at 4AM one morning to watch a rocket launch.  

 Jacob and Laura playing in the ocean.  Laura LOVES the water.  She would not sit still unless she was in the water.  And if we sat her down too far away, she would just crawl her way into the waves.

 She's in her element, no doubt.

We stayed near a pier where cruise ships enter and exit.  This pilot boat was leading out a cruise ship.  Jacob's thinking he may want to be a maritime pilot instead of an ambassador now.

 At the end of the trip, we visited an animal sanctuary.  How many times do we have to tell the kids not to play so close to the gators?!

One worker got very, very close to feed the gators.  

We decided to play it safe and feed the baby alligators a hot dog through the fence.

 

 

 At our last hotel, we had little visitors.  The gentleman on the left fed these baby ducks a muffin every afternoon.

 We had such a relaxing trip, but it's always good to get back home.

A Paradox

I'm MIA until next week. Partly because I have no clue how to upload pictures to this iPad, the typing is a bit of an oddity, and my laptop is back home. But I leave you with my paradox for the week... I can think of few things more peaceful than the constant roar of the ocean.

Dear Management

This is a pet peeve of mine...it really makes me angry when I see this garbage displayed, especially at kids' eye level, and I believe that this is justified anger.  But until families start making a fuss, nothing will be done.  So consider either emailing corporate offices as I did today, speaking with management (I think my stores are sick of me!), and while you're at it...flip these magazines over so others don't have to see it!

Dear "Insert Your Store Here" Management,

As parents of young children, we are concerned about the merchandise that is present in your checkout lanes.  Our children frequent your store with us, and we repeatedly need to redirect their attention away from magazines, specifically, Cosmopolit@n.  The cover of this magazine contains explicit language and images that are inappropriate for children.  We have discussed this numerous times with employees and management.  There continues to be no plastic covers over this magazine, which other stores do in fact use.  We realize that the magazines are the responsibility of off-site reps., however, store management is ultimately responsible for products within their stores. We would request that the magazines be covered properly, moved to a location that families could avoid, or don't carry the magazine at all.  Thank you.

Go Blue!

Jacob played this at his tuba lesson yesterday and didn't realize what song it was!

I told him that his dad would love to hear it...being a UofMichigan alumni.

I can just see it now during football season...

Baby Alea

Our van is full, but our hearts still reach out to the orphan.

Here is a case that I'm working on here with our local hospital.

This baby girl needs a liver transplant, and it needs to be pro-bono.

Orphanages just don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for these surgeries.

Unfortunately, it looks like our hospital does not do liver transplants, but we're still checking the possibilities for this baby girl.

What about the hospitals in your area?

Do they do liver transplants?  Can you call and find out?

You can read about this sweet girl HERE.

It's That Time!

 Anyone else geeked that it's garage sale time?

We love hopping in the van and finding garage sales.

The kids were at the door at 8AM, money in hand, ready to go.

Let me just say that the girls made out big time today, and will have clothes to wear...if they keep up their typical growth pattern...for the next 3 years.

So what did $70.00 buy?

16 dresses

4 skirts

5 pants/capris

26 tops

1 shorts

2 pair of gloves

1 bathing suit

1 cover-up

1 sweater

2 pair of tennies

We found lots of name brands, some with tags still on them.  And some of the clothing,  I wonder if they ever wore it at all.  One mom said she loved buying dresses for her little girl, but she would refuse to wear them.  That's an entirely different topic on "who's the boss," but so glad she didn't because the girls have some nice, new dresses.  We covered all seasons, right down to clothes with autumn leaves and 4th of July.

So thankful for great sales!

1/2 credit down!

Jacob has a plan, Lord willing.

He wants to graduate from high school early.  Like 2 years early.

Then before college, he wants to go on a long-term missions trip to an African orphanage.

(He has always wanted a baby brother from Africa!).

But one thing at a time.

He just finished his first high school class, earning 1/2 credit.

Archaeology.  He loved it!

This fall he will carry a full load.  He is very excited to get started.

Laura's Music Debut

Laura is mainstreamed into a first grade classroom, with a one-on-one aide, for music, adaptive P.E., art, and library.  She seems to really enjoy school.

Those of you contemplating a special school for your little one, I can only say that we've had two great ones!

 

 Thursday night was her music debut.

She sat, with her aide, and played instruments during all of the songs.

Not easy getting pictures...the gym was PACKED!  And HOT!  

No wonder there is a new elementary school going up just down the road!

Look at the smile on her face.  She loves music.

This one is blurry, but she was clapping.  So proud of herself!

 After her performance, her siblings greeted her like she had just won an Oscar!

Her Grandma and Papa drove a long way to see their sweetie's performance.  

Does this not look like pure joy?

We're so proud of you, Laura!

Hot Scoot

Our Amarin has been home for over 2.5 years.  What a joy...what a clown...what a sensitive boy!

His language acquisition has been nothing short of speedy.  Such is the case, I do believe, with most kids when they come home with no English language skills.  They are like sponges!

But...

we still have these funny moments that make us all crack up.

Like today at lunch, when we were eating some icecream with toppings.

Amarin:  Mmmmm...this is good hot scoot.

I think we all said, in unison, "What?"

Amarin:  I said this is good hot scoot.

Translation:  butterscotch!

Thanks for the laugh, buddy!

smitten kitchen photo credit

Baby Laura

I'm slowly but surely getting pictures hung in our house.

I came across this poem today and thought I'd share.

My Aunt Judy wrote this right before we arrived in the U.S. with Laura back in June, 2005, and it makes me teary still when I read it.

It makes me remember the blessing of bringing Laura home,

as well as those children who still wait.

Breaks my heart, and makes me want to go back .

The poem was sent in baby shower invitations so attendees could bring an orphanage donation if they chose.  We ended up with two large boxes of donations that we sent to Shangrao SWI. Jiangxi.

Baby Laura

I am a tiny China girl,

My birth name was Ling Guang Yi.

Not very sure of birthdate,

But born in province of Jiangxi.

Foster care and orphanage have been my only home.

With other black-haired babies,

But still I was alone.

But one day a pretty lady came

And held me in her arms.

Also, a man named Daddy,

And a small boy filled with charm.

I'll be leaving soon with my new family.

But other babies will remain and they still have a need.

So would you add to our box of care for those who stay behind,

Their future may not be as bright as I envision mine.

My every need will now be met,

I'm a very lucky girl.

But the ones who stay will every day

Be wanting in some way.

Author - Judy Peterson, Angie's aunt

The Last Time

 So here it is...my last time setting up a big kid bed.

Really?

No more cribs or toddler beds?

I don't know if I like this.
I don't know if I'm ready to say that my family is complete.

I just love adoption.

And 5 kids isn't really THAT many, is it?

Anyway, Jenna has been waiting and waiting for her big girl bed.

And her Papa had given us his bed, and she gets to use it!

She wanted to help clean it up...

 

But couldn't wait to try out the new mattress.

 

 

 

 Here we are!  As I type, she is all nestled in for the night in her new bed.

She's a happy girl.

 

My Charlie

Just turn on the sound...this is soooo my Charlie!
He was at a baseball game with Daddy and his brothers, along with a few of Jamie's colleagues from various countries. This kid loves life!

Life in the 'burbs

Who says there's no need of a tractor in the 'burbs?
Though we're thinking of taking her driver's license away.
She can't seem to stay on the path.
Not that she can hurt those weeds in our yard.

My girls. I'm thinking maybe Laura should be wearing the helmet!

We thought we'd give Char the job of pulling Laura. Just asked him to not take the corners as fast as he did with Jenna riding in the back. Every time he took a corner, Jenna fell out...hence, her helmet!
I don't know why Char's wearing his helmet. I wonder if he will want to wear it when he drives a car. Oh, I shudder at the thought.

Do you notice the trend? Char is never looking forward as he drives.
Maybe the helmet isn't a bad idea.
Laura doesn't seem to mind. She's having a blast.

She's got this "bye-bye" thing down pat!
Her baby brother is so proud of her!

Later that evening, I went for a pizza run. The big boys had been outside with "the multitudes" all afternoon. So, when I called them in for pizza...more children came than what we claim as our own. Glad I bought extra, and glad the neighborhood is comfy joining us for dinner.

Our next door neighbor showed our boys how to inflate a marshmallow peep in the microwave...with the understanding that if Mr. Peep exploded, said friend would be scrubbing my appliance!

No appliance was splattered and no one, except Mr. Peep, suffered from this experiment.

Can I just say how much we will miss this neighbor friend when he and his family move within the next couple of months??? He's in and out of our house like he's part of the family, and has been attending church with us. We will be changed and stretched again, especially Jacob who has been truly enjoying this friendship.

Pure Religion is this...

I recently learned of this family who is bringing home two little boys.
Boys who will be freed from orphanage life, and into a family.

James 1:27 is the verse within the header of my blog. A verse that is very dear to my heart as it gives the command to care for orphans and widows...the least of these.

And when I saw these window decals, I just knew it belonged on the back of my mom-mobile.
You can get one HERE, too!

40 & 12

40 & 12. Those are the most recent milestones at our house over the past two days.
12 sounds pretty fun. 40 just sounds old.
But it's a good old. I'm happy. How could I not be? Just look at this crew!

They are so much fun and make me so happy.

As will this zero-gravity chair when I need to catch my breath!


Jacob's birthday is the day after mine. (Yes, I was in labor on my birthday 12 years ago!)
He started his day with a favorite...cinnamon roll!
Anything "food" is good.


That night, he wanted to eat at Joe's Cr@b Sh@ck.
Food. It's all good.

He was appalled at the idea of having to wear a chicken hat, and stand up to do the chicken dance with the waitresses. He said, "No, thank you," and just let them sing Happy Birthday.
Can't say I blame the kid.

Finally...he got to open presents. So hard waiting all day!
Laura & Jenna gave him animal crackers. Jenna was actually jumping and dancing when he opened them. I think she thought he was going to share right then. Bummer.

Grandma sent him a new homemade blanket. Can you tell he loved it?
The younger kids thought she actually drew the pictures!

Amarin & Char got him a car book. He's into cars right now...sports cars, antiques, classics...

He was surprised to get the Wii game he has been wanting.
Of course it's St@r W@rs!

The most fun gift to give was his new William Wallace sword. He has been drooling over this thing for the longest time. He was way, way excited!

12 years old...my, oh, my.
He wanted an icecream cake, too. Amarin and Char made it, while Miss Jenna "supervised."

But the best gift???? Surprising him with a visit from his best buddy and family. They were supposed to arrive the afternoon of his birthday, but circumstances delayed them until almost midnight. They called from about 5 minutes away. I woke up Jacob and told him that I had forgotten a present and he needed to come downstairs to get it. He stared blankly and I wasn't sure if he would get up or not! But he did, and a few minutes later his friend pulled in the driveway. His smile was from ear to ear when he finally realized who it was. Even after staying up until almost 2AM, I could still hear them chattering and laughing downstairs in their sleeping bags. Friends. So thankful.

"This is the best birthday ever, Mom." Yeah...I think so, too.