Thursday, March 12, 2009

How is Life?

Thought I'd do a quick update on life here at our home!

Tom is doing well - working busily at school and enjoying it. With the economy the way it is right now he is just thankful that he has his teaching job. He is in the process of applying for principal jobs, but in all honesty - neither of us are that expectant (we COMPLETELY trust the Lord in His plan, but know that life doesn't always go as we think it should). It will work out exactly as it's supposed to. He is still the most fabulous man I've ever had the privilege of knowing. He is such an encouragement to me and loves me wholeheartedly. The way he loves our children continually astounds me.

(Tom wrestling w/ all three kids - they ALL love it - I usually refrain and take pics or have a great time laughing. Needless to say - wrestling - not my favorite)


As for me - I have news I'll be sharing w/in the next week or two, so stay tuned (no I'm not pregnant and we're not adopting again right now :) ).

I have started the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons with Lowa and Whittaker. It's super exciting because they are catching on really well to reading and we've only just begun. It's hard work for them, but they are amazing and work through it!! I am so proud of them.

Lowa is busy growing up - I'm in awe of how big she is getting both in size and her mannerisms. It's like she's realizing she is her own person. I LOVE seeing her develop in this way and feel so honored that I get to be her mom and help her to see herself as God sees her. Seriously - could it get any better?! The other night the two of us had a "Spa Night" (thanks for the idea Heather). We rubbed yummy body butter on ourselves, groomed our feet (which tickled a lot) and painted our finger and toenails. It was such a wonderful time bonding as girls - we LOVED it and have it marked on the calendar for once a month!

My Lowa - growing up!

Whitt is busy being Whittaker - kind of a silly sentence, but if you know him - you know what I'm talking about. He loves to pretend. Every single morning he wakes up and asks me first thing, "Mom, do you want to play with me?" Playing is at the top of the priority list for him right now. Even though he loves playing I am astounded by how he works so hard. He is such a great little cleaner-upper (my own made up word) and diligent about it too. I love that about him. One other thing he does that I love is that every time we come in from the garage, he holds the door for all of us. We always reply by saying, "Thank you Gentleman Whittaker." Then then proceeds to salute us (don't know where that came from - not something we do on a regular basis around here).

This picture is special b/c it's with his DUCKY - which was lost for 6 months. It was very sad around here for a while, but all is well now that he is found. Where was he you ask - ummmm, under Mom and Dad's bed - oops!


Abraham is GROWING UP! It is so strange and extremely exciting to see my baby doing bigger and bigger things. He signs for everything now (along with screaming if I don't catch it the first time). He's toddling everywhere and feels like such a little stud!! It's so adorable to see him walking around bobbing his head back and forth! He's also learning the art of pushing mommy's buttons and that there are consequences for not obeying (time out in the crib - which he hates. It's quite effective though). It's too funny b/c when he knows he's not supposed to do something, he'll look at me with those big pleading eyes as though to say, "Can you really resist me." Then I give my eyes that say, "You bet I can buddy." I am so in love with this little man and love getting to know him more and more every day!

Mr. Walker!!

That's a face we see quite often around here. I LOVE it!

So that's us in a nutshell right now. Always busy, but doing oh so well! Praying the same for all of you!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Serious Life Magazine

A fellow Ethiopian family has a blog and an amazing Magazine called Serious Life. I encourage you to check it out (just click on the link - http://www.seriouslifemagazine.com/)!


Monday, March 9, 2009

Not Again!

Do these pictures depress anyone else? Yes - it's March 8th and it's still SNOWING (we already have 4 inches). Needless to say, this is getting old :) - but my kids sure like it!


Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Blessing of Friends...

What a blessing to have friends! Have you ever thought about how life would be without the love and support of people who we call friends in our lives?

I often think about how lonely I would be if I didn't have my best friend Tia to call about ANYTHING - to have someone that I can share the depths of myself with is beyond a blessing. I absolutely love her! I think about Tia and Thomas and having best friends that we get along with so well as a couple and love so deeply. I often think about my conversations with my mom and how much it means to me that we can talk on a "friend" level - my relationship with my mom is fruitful and means so much to me. I love her so much!
I often think of my bosom buddy Heather who I have know since I was a child and how we can always pick up right where we left off. (Love this picture back from prom in high school).
I often think about how "stranded" I would feel if I didn't have my friend Karen to email and hang out with - she is such an encouragement to me,
or Malia my other friend that I get together with for playdates and great conversation,
or my twin moms (Aumony, Stacy, Kayli, Naomi, Heather and Meagan) that I get the privilege of getting together with every other month or so for dinner out and deep, wonderful conversation (bummer Meagan wasn't in this pic)!
I often think about Lyss, Linds, and Candi - the amazing women of my small group who are such an incredible support and make me laugh and feel so loved. They are some of my dearest friends (Candi wasn't in this pic - bummer).
I think of Moma (and Papa Kent) - my children's "surrogate" grandparents and how much she supports not only our family but me as a woman. I can talk to her about life and know she's there for me no matter what.
I think about Susanne, my mother-in-law and thank God so often that we get along so well - I consider her one of my closest friends. She is such a blessing to me and our family!
I often think about the so many women that I have met through blogs and adoption and what a support you are to me. (insert a picture of yourself here :) ).

I could never forget how often I think about my husband Tom - he is my complete friend. We share everything and life is full because he is a part of it! God has blessed me with this man beyond measure! Of course, there are so many more women to name, and to all of you I say - THANK YOU for being my friend!

Can you imagine trying to travel this crazy road alone? Being a stay-at-home mom is SO incredible and I would NEVER trade it, but it can prove lonely (and insane) at times. Without the love, support and encouragement of friends - how would any of us make it through? God is good and I give Him all the glory for each woman (or man) in my life who I have the privilege to call my friend!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wishing It Were Spring...

...But this weather is NOT cooperating!!

I woke up this morning wishing, hoping, praying, pleading, begging for sun, but what did we get instead - SNOW!! Now, it didn't stick, but still - snow - ugh (after posting this - guess what - it's STICKING)! I'm more than ready for Spring to be here - for sun, warm breezes, buds blossoming on trees and dry toys at the playgrounds :)! Anyone else ready for Spring yet? Not complaining - just sayin' - SO READY!!

My Reality...

My Wish...

On a side note, I got the recipe section to work again - so feel free to use any that you'd like :)!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Abraham Dancing (hilarious) and Family B-day Party...

Here are some pictures from the small family birthday party we had for Lowa and Whitt.  I think we'll start "friend" birthdays next year when they turn 5 (I'm excited for that - but a bit overwhelmed at the thought of it too :)!
(Look below for a hilarious video of Abraham dancing)...
Whitt opening a gift!

Lowa got this outfit from my mom for her birthday - she looks SOO adorable in it!

Family Photo :)!

I always ask what kind of cake they want for their birthday.  This year Lowa decided she wanted a DUCK cake (who knows why - just what she wanted).  I think it turned out pretty cute - just like my sweet girl :)!

Whitt posing with his ALLIGATOR cake - that's SO Whittaker :)! When we sing them happy birthday, we make sure to do it for each of them (being twins is awesome, but we also want them to know how unique and special they each are)!

Abraham getting in on the action!

Here's a close up of the alligator cake.  I simply baked 2 round cakes, coated them in frosting and then stuck on some Pirouette sticks for the outside (like a little holding pond).  Then I used blue food coloring to make the water and stuck some alligators on top - EASY! (I can't take credit for the idea - got it off of the internet)!

I did the same with Lowa's cake (I actually found these chocolate ducks at the dollar store - how cool is that!)

Abraham Dancing...

Abraham was born with music playing in his head I think!!!  Anytime he hears a beat, this kid grooves, the head shakes, the hips wiggle and the arms wave!  I just love watching him dance - it is one of my favorite things!  I'm so in love with this boy (although right now he's not taking a nap, so the lovey-dovey feelings - um not so great :) - can you say CRANKY tonight - whew)!

Enjoy the video
By the way, an amazing friend of mine got this CD of Ethiopian music for him.  Boy, it takes me right back to Ethiopia!  It's called, Sorene, Children's Songs from Ethiopia.


Thursday, February 12, 2009

Happy 4th Birthday Lowa and Whittaker - and The Great Wolf Lodge!

Happy 4th Birthday Lowa and Whittaker!!!
We cannot believe that we have been so blessed to have you as our children!  What an incredible blessing you are to our family and all of those who know you!  We continually thank God that he has found us fit to be called your mom and dad.  We love you so much... Here are some things we love about each of you...

Lowa:
Your contagious smile
Your giggle
The way you love people whole heartedly
Your tender and caring heart
Your hugs and kisses
How much you love Jesus
The way you love to dress like a beautiful girl (curled hair, skirts, fingernail polish)
The way you love to wrestle with your brother - you are one tough cookie
Your imagination
How you play and cuddle with Abraham
Your little walk (the way you shake your buns and walk on your toes - you look like a model w/out even trying)
Your cheerful heart
Your determination
Your forgiving heart
That God made you exactly as he desired and you are his delight!

Whittaker:
Your tender yet brave heart
How you say "I love you" to so many people - melts me!
Your enthusiasm for life
The way you love to wrestle and play hard
How you like to dress up like princesses with Lowa
How you tell Abraham that you love him and that he's your buddy
How FUN is your core value
Your forgiving heart
Your delight in the little things of life
How you love to cuddle, sing songs and read books
How you speak what you feel - you get who you are
You want everyone to be your friend - you don't leave people out
You play HARD
You love God with all of your heart
That God made you exactly as he desired and you are his delight!

For Lowa and Whittaker's birthday, we took them to a place called the Great Wolf Lodge, which is a hotel and indoor water park. It was ABSOLUTELY amazing!!  This place is exactly designed for families and the kids had the most fun I think they've ever had. We played hard in the water park, ate a delicious birthday dinner, had sundaes, went back into the water park and then headed back to our room where we told Lowa and Whittaker the story of the day they were born. That was just the first day!!  The next day we had breakfast, watched animated characters tell a story in the main lobby and then went swimming some more. The kids had such a wonderful time playing in the water and doing all of the fun activities that this place has to offer.  If you get a chance - go there!  Tom was able to take a personal day which made it cheaper and less crowded (we went on an "off" day_, so that was good! Abraham stayed w/ Grandma and Grandpa (THANK YOU J & S).  It was good that he didn't go this time (thus we were really able to focus on L&W), but we'll take him the next time we go - he'll love it too!!  Enjoy the videos and pics...

The huge tree fort where a gigantic bucket of water sprays everyone every 5 minutes or so.  This is also how you get up to some of the slides - which L & W loved!

Whittaker going down the slide - oops took a nice spill - it didn't phase him one bit!

Down the slide again...

Lowa down the slide... she LOVEd it...

On one of the many water squirting toys in the toddler section...

Daddy and Whitt - what good looking guys!

Little miss swimmer 

Toys that squirt and look like water crafts...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY our sweet Lowa and Whitt!

I love this picture, but it makes me miss my Abraham!

Mommy and Whitt at breakfast

Daddy and Lowa at breakfast (do you like the BEER sign right in front - too funny).

Lowa and Whitt in front of the animated characters - quite entertaining.

Watching the animated characters

Daddy telling Lowa (Whitt was there too, just out of range of the camera) about the night they were born.

Lowa and Whitt after a long day of swimming. They were out in about 2 minutes!


The Great Wolf Lodge - my take on it!


Lowa and Whitt heading down the slide - too cute!