Getting into the spirit

'Tis the season...or so the TV and stores keep telling me, but I still feel like Christmas is months away. I am not sure if it is the warm days or the fact that life seems to be on fast forward. It is hard to imagine that Christmas is 25 days away. So to help get in the spirit we managed to get our trees, garland and lights up this weekend. This year was the first time I have two trees, AND the first time I let the kids help put the tree up. I am a bit possessive of my tree and since there is now a kid tree and a deco tree I figured I should lighten up. Anyway, it was fun and I know the kiddos enjoyed helping. Now, it just needs to be about 15 degrees cooler and I might actually convince my brain it is December!

My favorite toothless grin!

Thanks honey for the help!

Shopping Hangover

I am exhausted and grumpy today and the fun of yesterday seems to be a blur

BUT it was fun and worth while!

My dear friend and I got up and went to Walmart at 4:45am on Black Friday. It was not nearly as crazy as I imagined, yet there were moments we got stuck in the isles. She was the big winner and price matched most of her toys with ads from the other stores and saved a bunch of money. We did have to be home by 7:00am so our hubbies could have their fun too. Then, in a complete and total state of oblivion, we went back out last night. This time the crowds were non-existant, but some of the things we were hoping to find were gone. Again, we enjoyed eachother's company and we both agreed it was more fun to go together than alone, however, I am feeling it today. Another cup of coffee and maybe the fog will lift! At least I am done...check that item off my holiday list!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thanksgiving in your hearts to God."

Colossians 3:16

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pies, Pies and More Pies

Nothing makes my house smell more fabulous than baking pies! I love this time of year simply for those mouth watering, taste bud tempting sensory experiences. I have been making the family pumpkin pies for years and this year Jacob needed an apple pie for school. He helped me core and peel the apples and we made the yummy pie together. The only down side is I do not actually get to eat the apple one. They are having a taste test in their class and will be voting for the class favorite! Pies make Thanksgiving complete!

Thurs update to the pie tasting contest...Jacob and my pie were the only homemade pie and the winner in the class! What a great memory!

Thanksgiving Feast at preschool

Samantha's class had their Thanksgiving Feast today and I got to take part in the whole day as the Mom helper. The kids are definatly getting excited about turkey, corn bread and pumpkin pie. They enjoyed a fun time of trying these traditional foods and sang a little song for the other classes. Her class dressed as the Indians and the other classes were the Pilgrams. One speical moment...Mrs. Fox asked each child what they are thankful for. "Samantha said she was thankful for her Mommy, because I love her." Melts my heart!!!

Trying to catch a bit of fall

We made a last minute trip up to the cabin this weekend to try and catch what little fall is left. We missed most of the tree colors near the cabin, but did manage to see a few on the drive. We took the kids on a long walk/hike to a nearby creek and they had a blast. I kept yelling at them as I was afraid one was sure to fall in the fridged water, but my fun loving hubby told me to stop, that they were having fun and to just let it go. And, not one of them fell in...a few cold feet, but otherwise nothing to report. Ok, so he was the wise one! Shane's Dad and sister came up with our niece on Sat. and I got to have a photo shoot with that sweet doll baby! We got a few great shots and I am excited to see how they print out. I also had planned on getting our family Christmas card photo this weekend too, I had coordinating outfits and everything, but Shane felt it necessary to get a bad case of the flu by Sat. night. He is the sickest I have ever seen him in our 11 years of marriage. I quickly cleaned the cabin, packed everyone up and head home as early as possible. Poor guy is on the couch and just miserable. I did manage to capture an adorable picture of the kids at the creek, so be looking for this great photo in your mail box this Christmas.

New Hair, New Attitude

So, can we talk about African American hair for a moment? It is fabulous, and let me say I am amazed more and more about all the different ways it can be styles, braided...just about anything you can think of. One thing I do not enjoy however it taking out a current style and having to brush out the tangles. My sister in law talked about her stash under the sink of African American hair cream, detangler, conditioners being large, well I think I am about to be a close second. What I dislike the most is the crying...and we are not just talking about the whimpering of sweet girls, but the screams of pure agony and flood of tears for an hour while I brush and restyle.

Well I decided that I would try one more thing before I just accepted that the horror stories of my poor sister in law as a child was doomed to be repeated in our house too. I went to the store and finally bought a child hair relaxer. I have done my research and so many do not recommend using this, but poor Asjiah's hair is just so course and frizzy, I could never even run my fingers through her hair. I wanted to try to make it soft and try to control the curls a little bit more. All I can say, is after an hour of treatment, shampooing and conditioning she is even more gorgeous than I could ever imagine. She looks more like her age and her smile is from ear to ear. Her hair is soft, the curls are defined and seperated, and yes a bit relaxed. It is exactly what I was hoping for. I know from the research that a relxer can dry the hair so I am armed with more leave in conditioner and mosterizing oils to help keep it soft and fabulous. These pictures do not do it justice so when you see her in person you will get the full effect. Who knew that I would get my hair styling "license" while doing foster care. Thanks Carla for being a good example and my inspiration for trying to make these babes as beautiful as you.

Fabulous Family Time

We had the best weekend as a family. Our Sat to do list was long, but God quickly cleared it and we spent most of the day at home doing nothing! We did manage to go on a family bike ride which was fun. Then on Sun, we woke up and decided to clear our day ourselves. We went to the grocery store together as a family, buying sweet things to prepare for the up coming holiday. After lunch and naps we baked cookies and played UNO between batches in the oven. As I went to bed last night, I found myself sighing, I did not want Monday to come so soon. It was a great weekend, relaxing and peaceful. My favorite part, (besides the cookie eating) was not "having" to go anywhere. We moved at our own pace, not the pace of a busy schedule.

PS: Julie, your cookie picture gave me the idea for this cookie picture. You have such good ideas!!! Thanks!

2 "Proud Mama" Moments

On Sat we decided to all ride our bikes to Peter Piper Pizza. The weather has been amazing and we all wanted to get a bit of exercise. Where we live we have great neighborhoods filled with hills, and with a head wind in our face, it added to the difficulty. The kids did great! We finished one hill and Samantha was feeling discouraged and we just continued to encourage her. We came to another hill and she said to me, "Mom, that is a big hill but I know I can do it.", and all the way up the hill she said out loud "I think I can, I think I can" until she made it to the top. Once we reached the top she smiled so sweetly and said "I thought I could and I did, just like the train in the book." I love her growing maturity!

Also, while on the trip Jacob gave me a very proud moment. We were riding along the road Preston on our way towards Power Road and Saturdays are "recycle" pick up day, and it was so windy that near one can the wind had blown out a bunch of cardboard. He stopped and said, "I want to pick this up and keep our earth clean." Um, can you say a tear rolling down my cheek? I stopped too and helped. The whole rest of the way, he would speed up ahead of us, find trash and pick it up.

These are the kinds of memories I will cherish always!

He may be two, but...

a sleeping boy is still so precious!

And then is just kinda hits you...

So for several days now I have been in a bit of a fog over the power of God. I try really hard not to put Him in a box, but you know, sometimes my walk can get a bit routine and predictable. But oh man, can God just give you the perfect way to snap out of it. You all know, like hearing a broken record, that we feel we are acting in obedience to God and doing foster care. While that sounds a bit clinical, we have seen over and over the fruits of our obedience, and it seems like God confirms more and more He has a reason and a purpose for this road we are traveling. He wants these children to KNOW Him. Amazingly simple huh? He just wants them to know Him...to know His love, His grace, His will, His heart....and on and on. While Asjiah's life has been hard, and she has experienced things we could never imagine a child having to deal with, she is on fire for God. She loves to go to church. She asks when the next time we go is and she can verbalize that God loves her. She may not yet fully understand God's role in her life, but my prayer is that when she leaves our house she knows about God and has a chance of making Him her Lord. God also has been affirming to me His love for Nathan. He talks and talks more every day and just last week started singing a song that brings tears to my eyes. He sings in the car, in the house, outside...everywhere..."Oh no, you never let go, oh no, you never let go!" Over and over again! As soon as someone hears him, we all jump in and sing the whole song.

"Oh no, you never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, you never let

Every high and every low

Oh no, you never let go

Lord you never let go of me!"

Prophetic for his life? I wonder. His future in our family may be uncertain, but his future in God's family is on the right path. These children are loved, adored and protected by our Lord...and He sees fit to use us as His tools to bring them towards Him. Amazingly simple!

Happy Birthday Asjiah

So glad to be four!

The results are in....

For those of you that do not know for the past 4 weeks I have been participating in a women's boot camp...aka killer exercises routine. It was Mon-Thurs for 1 hour, and let me tell you, it was hard! She took our weight and measurements and we ran a timed mile the first week and again tonight to see how much progress we made. Well, I am a goal orientated person so the results were going to help me determine success. I took a whole minute off my mile...shocking! I lost almost 5lbs and a total of 5.5 inches all over. My biggest excitement was the 1.75 inches off my fanny and 1.25 inches off my tummy! I have a huge smile on my face tonight! In addition to the obvious results I am proud of myself for improving my overall health. Thanks to my dear sweet friend Suzy for encouraging me to do this boot camp, and although half way through I thought she must hate me for wanting me to do this, I absolutely know without doubt she loves me enough to help me be in better shape. Suzy you rock!

Happy 2nd Birthday Nathan!

What can I say, I am two!!!

Nathan's turning two

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

We celebrated Nathan's birthday today! He officially turns two on Thurs but got everyone together today. This boy is airplane obsessed! He got new planes to play with and is happy as pie! He blew his candles out like a big boy.

So serious about his play!