Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The "Krew" Is At It Again...
Through the adoption community and bloggy world I have been able to make some lifelong, dear friends. I am SO thankful for each and everyone of them. Soon after we made the decision to bring not only Drew home, but Jaxon too, I began connecting with other parents who had adopted older kids. It is a small group (for now), but one that is extremely supportive, open, honest, and sincere. It is a group that is willing to open up and be completely honest about the ups and downs of adopting an older child. I have sent and received many e-mails from professionals. I have spend countless hours on the Internet researching about older child adoptions. I have joined several groups. But the one things that has helped me get through the ups and downs of adopting an older child has been the love, support, and friendship of those right here in bloggy world.
There is one person who has really touched me and who has really opened up. She has been there since the beginning and still continues to be there for me. Connie has become a really good friend and I cannot imagine having brought both boys home without her support and honesty. Our stories are similar in how we came to bringing home not one, but two precious kids from China. We both were a surprised when we were being called upon to bring home an older child. But we answered His call, and because of that, I not only added a son to my family, but a dear, dear, friend.
Connie is an amazing woman and mother and just today she posted on her blog some BIG news. Yep, you guessed it. Connie and her hubby are going back to China to bring home a beautiful baby girl. Beautiful does not even begin to describe this little girl. Although Connie is unable share any information about her, I have seen her (which is a story for another day about how God can be pretty amazing), so I know just how beautiful she is.
Adoption is expensive, plain and simple. I know that for us, if it weren't for us taking a huge leap of faith, we would not have Mylee, Drew, and Jaxon. But because we answered His call, and completely trusted in Him, our family is bigger but so much more blessed. Adoption is rarely something that is done just once in a family. There are very few families I have come across that have only adopted once. Once our eyes are opened, it is impossible not to do something. Well, Clayton and Connie's eyes have been opened, and they are taking action. They are answering His call once again to being home a precious baby girl who needs a family.
They can't do it alone. They need our help. They are once again taking a huge leap of faith knowing that this is exactly what He wants them to do. Clayton and Connie are having a giveaway on their blog for some pretty cool prizes, one of which is a HP Netbook! So, instead of going out to dinner this weekend, or heading to the mall to buy a pair of shoes you don't really need, take a minute to really think how much you could change the life of a child by just waling away. Right now their goal is $5000. That is alot of money. But, when you sit back and think about the bigger picture, that is a drop in the bucket. If 200 people donate just $25.00 (which is probably less than dinner out or a new pair of shoes), round one will be accomplished. Clayton and Connie will be one step closer to adding one more "K" to the "Krew." So, what are you waiting for? Pop on over to Connie's blog and help make a difference in the life of a child and in the lives of her family.
Oh, and while you're at it, head on over to Lori's bog and check out how you can help her bring her son home and get a really cool t-shirt in the process.
God is doing some AMAZING things right now in the adoption community. I am SO blessed and honored to be a part of it.
There is one person who has really touched me and who has really opened up. She has been there since the beginning and still continues to be there for me. Connie has become a really good friend and I cannot imagine having brought both boys home without her support and honesty. Our stories are similar in how we came to bringing home not one, but two precious kids from China. We both were a surprised when we were being called upon to bring home an older child. But we answered His call, and because of that, I not only added a son to my family, but a dear, dear, friend.
Connie is an amazing woman and mother and just today she posted on her blog some BIG news. Yep, you guessed it. Connie and her hubby are going back to China to bring home a beautiful baby girl. Beautiful does not even begin to describe this little girl. Although Connie is unable share any information about her, I have seen her (which is a story for another day about how God can be pretty amazing), so I know just how beautiful she is.
Adoption is expensive, plain and simple. I know that for us, if it weren't for us taking a huge leap of faith, we would not have Mylee, Drew, and Jaxon. But because we answered His call, and completely trusted in Him, our family is bigger but so much more blessed. Adoption is rarely something that is done just once in a family. There are very few families I have come across that have only adopted once. Once our eyes are opened, it is impossible not to do something. Well, Clayton and Connie's eyes have been opened, and they are taking action. They are answering His call once again to being home a precious baby girl who needs a family.
They can't do it alone. They need our help. They are once again taking a huge leap of faith knowing that this is exactly what He wants them to do. Clayton and Connie are having a giveaway on their blog for some pretty cool prizes, one of which is a HP Netbook! So, instead of going out to dinner this weekend, or heading to the mall to buy a pair of shoes you don't really need, take a minute to really think how much you could change the life of a child by just waling away. Right now their goal is $5000. That is alot of money. But, when you sit back and think about the bigger picture, that is a drop in the bucket. If 200 people donate just $25.00 (which is probably less than dinner out or a new pair of shoes), round one will be accomplished. Clayton and Connie will be one step closer to adding one more "K" to the "Krew." So, what are you waiting for? Pop on over to Connie's blog and help make a difference in the life of a child and in the lives of her family.
Oh, and while you're at it, head on over to Lori's bog and check out how you can help her bring her son home and get a really cool t-shirt in the process.
God is doing some AMAZING things right now in the adoption community. I am SO blessed and honored to be a part of it.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
WOW!
Okay, so during my Sunday evening blog catch up, I stumbled on this video of the most amazing little girl. You must take a few minutes and just listen to her voice. I don't think I have ever heard anything so beautiful.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
I know I've said it before, but this is one of my most favorite times of the year. Why you ask? Well, today 4 of my six kiddos went back to school! Now, don't get me wrong, I love my kids to death and love spending time with them but, it was time. They definitely needed to get back into the structure and routine.
Today was the first day of school for all the kids but Mylee (she doesn't start until after Labor Day). After a summer of staying up way too late I was pleasantly surprised at how easy everyone got up this morning. I realize after a few days that eagerness will turn to dread, but for now I am going to enjoy it.
Blake was ready to get back into the swing of things. Going back to school for him also means football starts up. He started practice on Monday and will continue to have practice every day after school until the season is over.
Jaxon was also ready to go to school. He was getting pretty bored at home. He will have most of the same classes as Blake. The only difference is Jaxon will have an extra Art instead of Social Studies, he will have Tech Ed, and ESL (English as a second language). He will be in the same Math and Science class as Blake. Since math is pretty universal, we are not worried about it, plus Jaxon said he really likes Math. As for science, he is starting it on a trial basis. If after a couple of weeks he is not getting it, he will take something else instead. The first half of the year is basically going to be to get him used to everything and work on his English.
Emma is a 3rd grader this year and could not be more excited. Emma loves school and is a very good student. She was up and ready in record time this morning and even wanted me to straighten her hair (which is in itself amazing).
Gabe started Kindergarten this year. It is only half a day in the mornings, but I am really going to miss him. I wish I could say that he went kicking and screaming, but he didn't, he was ready. In fact, the first day of kindergarten the parents go with the kids just to get them comfortable. Gabe kept asking me "mommy, when are you going to leave." I had to explain to him several times that I was going to be with him all day today and that tomorrow he would be there by himself.
As for Mylee and Drew, they were not happy. Mylee went to bed screaming and crying because she wasn't going to school today. She will actually start next Thursday (same school as Emma and Gabe). She will only go there one afternoon a week for physical therapy. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, she will attend a Church pre-school. Drew is just not happy with the whole situation. I think because he went to pre-school in China, he wants to go to school here as well. Matt and I have decided to keep him home for a year and send him to pre-school next year. Even though he and Mylee are the same age, we are not going to put them in kindergarten together.
I am SO looking forward to this year for several reasons. One, most days (at least in the mornings), it will just be me, Drew, and the 8 month old little boy that I watch. This will be the first year in a long time that I haven't had a house full of daycare kids. Yeah, not making the extra money is a downer, but I am SO ready to be done with it. I will be starting back to classes in a couple of weeks. I am also looking forward to being able to run errands while the kids are at school. Up until now because of my daycare I have not been able to and have had to do everything in the evening.
Today was the first day of school for all the kids but Mylee (she doesn't start until after Labor Day). After a summer of staying up way too late I was pleasantly surprised at how easy everyone got up this morning. I realize after a few days that eagerness will turn to dread, but for now I am going to enjoy it.
Blake was ready to get back into the swing of things. Going back to school for him also means football starts up. He started practice on Monday and will continue to have practice every day after school until the season is over.
Jaxon was also ready to go to school. He was getting pretty bored at home. He will have most of the same classes as Blake. The only difference is Jaxon will have an extra Art instead of Social Studies, he will have Tech Ed, and ESL (English as a second language). He will be in the same Math and Science class as Blake. Since math is pretty universal, we are not worried about it, plus Jaxon said he really likes Math. As for science, he is starting it on a trial basis. If after a couple of weeks he is not getting it, he will take something else instead. The first half of the year is basically going to be to get him used to everything and work on his English.
Emma is a 3rd grader this year and could not be more excited. Emma loves school and is a very good student. She was up and ready in record time this morning and even wanted me to straighten her hair (which is in itself amazing).
Gabe started Kindergarten this year. It is only half a day in the mornings, but I am really going to miss him. I wish I could say that he went kicking and screaming, but he didn't, he was ready. In fact, the first day of kindergarten the parents go with the kids just to get them comfortable. Gabe kept asking me "mommy, when are you going to leave." I had to explain to him several times that I was going to be with him all day today and that tomorrow he would be there by himself.
As for Mylee and Drew, they were not happy. Mylee went to bed screaming and crying because she wasn't going to school today. She will actually start next Thursday (same school as Emma and Gabe). She will only go there one afternoon a week for physical therapy. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, she will attend a Church pre-school. Drew is just not happy with the whole situation. I think because he went to pre-school in China, he wants to go to school here as well. Matt and I have decided to keep him home for a year and send him to pre-school next year. Even though he and Mylee are the same age, we are not going to put them in kindergarten together.
I am SO looking forward to this year for several reasons. One, most days (at least in the mornings), it will just be me, Drew, and the 8 month old little boy that I watch. This will be the first year in a long time that I haven't had a house full of daycare kids. Yeah, not making the extra money is a downer, but I am SO ready to be done with it. I will be starting back to classes in a couple of weeks. I am also looking forward to being able to run errands while the kids are at school. Up until now because of my daycare I have not been able to and have had to do everything in the evening.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Thankful Thursday ~ Gabe is 6
Gabe turns 6 today. I cannot believe he is not only 6, but is registering for school today and lost his first tooth on Tuesday. It is almost too much for this momma to handle in one week.
Gabe is my baby. He is a momma's boy through and through. He was two weeks early and weighed a whopping 7.5 lbs. He is SO tiny compared to Blake and Emma (who both weighed 9.5 lbs). Unlike Blake and Emma (who were also 2 weeks overdue), he was early due to complications I was having. My pregnancy with him was by far the scariest. For whatever reason (still don't know), my heart rate would start racing, I would start sweating, and black out. I remember one time Blake, Emma, and I were out of town at a mall and I had one of these episodes. I laid on a bench for over an hour before I was able to drive home. It was pretty scary. I was scared, and so were Blake and Emma. After that, I wasn't allowed to leave town again alone. I ended up being hooked up to a heart monitor, and had several other tests. Nothing showed up, so two weeks before my due date, I was induced.
I thought Gabe was going to be it for us. Because of the complications, we decided we were not going to have anymore kids. (Yeah, RIGHT)!
Anyway, Gabe is the most loving boy. Not a day goes by that he doesn't tell me he loves me. He will crawl up on the couch and snuggle with me.
For a 6 year old, Gabe is as serious as they get. It is actually quite funny because he is So serious All the time.
He loves to help Matt. If Matt is working in the garage, Gabe will be right there next to him with his tool belt around his waist and a pencil behind his ear (just like dad).
Gabe LOVES to fish and his patience is amazing. He will sit on the pier still as a mouse until he catches something.
Gabe says the funniest things. Last summer he saw a bee and could not wait to tell me that it was a queen bee. When I asked him how he knew it was a queen bee he said "because I could see her crown." (He was dead serious).
Recently he has been telling us he sleeps with his eyes open because he doesn't want to go to bed. When it is time for bed he will tell us "I don't need to get in his bed because I am sleeping right now. Some people can sleep with their eyes open and so can I." Again, he is dead serious.
Gabe is a great big brother. He and Drew have a "love, hate relationship." One minute they are the best of friends, getting along so well, and the next, they are screaming at each other and fighting like cats and dogs. But, if anyone else is a threat to Drew or Mylee, you better look out because Gabe is right there to defend them.
Gabe is the most persistent 6 year old. Actually, I am not even sure if persistent is the right word to use. The broken record method doesn't work on him, in fact, he actually uses it himself. If he gets something in his head, there is no getting it out. He will ask, and ask, and ask. There is no stopping him. You can't tell him anything until you are going to actually do it or you won't hear the end of it. Someday, this quality is going to be very beneficial to him.
Gabe is the sweetest, most loving, caring, little guy. He is an absolute joy. He comes down he stairs every morning and will sit on my lap for five or ten minutes before eating or getting dressed. He starts kindergarten next week (only half days) and as much as I am ready for the kids to go back to school, I am going to miss that little guy.
Happy Birthday Pumpkin, I cannot believe you are already 6!
Gabe is my baby. He is a momma's boy through and through. He was two weeks early and weighed a whopping 7.5 lbs. He is SO tiny compared to Blake and Emma (who both weighed 9.5 lbs). Unlike Blake and Emma (who were also 2 weeks overdue), he was early due to complications I was having. My pregnancy with him was by far the scariest. For whatever reason (still don't know), my heart rate would start racing, I would start sweating, and black out. I remember one time Blake, Emma, and I were out of town at a mall and I had one of these episodes. I laid on a bench for over an hour before I was able to drive home. It was pretty scary. I was scared, and so were Blake and Emma. After that, I wasn't allowed to leave town again alone. I ended up being hooked up to a heart monitor, and had several other tests. Nothing showed up, so two weeks before my due date, I was induced.
I thought Gabe was going to be it for us. Because of the complications, we decided we were not going to have anymore kids. (Yeah, RIGHT)!
Anyway, Gabe is the most loving boy. Not a day goes by that he doesn't tell me he loves me. He will crawl up on the couch and snuggle with me.
For a 6 year old, Gabe is as serious as they get. It is actually quite funny because he is So serious All the time.
He loves to help Matt. If Matt is working in the garage, Gabe will be right there next to him with his tool belt around his waist and a pencil behind his ear (just like dad).
Gabe LOVES to fish and his patience is amazing. He will sit on the pier still as a mouse until he catches something.
Gabe says the funniest things. Last summer he saw a bee and could not wait to tell me that it was a queen bee. When I asked him how he knew it was a queen bee he said "because I could see her crown." (He was dead serious).
Recently he has been telling us he sleeps with his eyes open because he doesn't want to go to bed. When it is time for bed he will tell us "I don't need to get in his bed because I am sleeping right now. Some people can sleep with their eyes open and so can I." Again, he is dead serious.
Gabe is a great big brother. He and Drew have a "love, hate relationship." One minute they are the best of friends, getting along so well, and the next, they are screaming at each other and fighting like cats and dogs. But, if anyone else is a threat to Drew or Mylee, you better look out because Gabe is right there to defend them.
Gabe is the most persistent 6 year old. Actually, I am not even sure if persistent is the right word to use. The broken record method doesn't work on him, in fact, he actually uses it himself. If he gets something in his head, there is no getting it out. He will ask, and ask, and ask. There is no stopping him. You can't tell him anything until you are going to actually do it or you won't hear the end of it. Someday, this quality is going to be very beneficial to him.
Gabe is the sweetest, most loving, caring, little guy. He is an absolute joy. He comes down he stairs every morning and will sit on my lap for five or ten minutes before eating or getting dressed. He starts kindergarten next week (only half days) and as much as I am ready for the kids to go back to school, I am going to miss that little guy.
Happy Birthday Pumpkin, I cannot believe you are already 6!
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