adopted

This is one of my favorite new songs. Aren't we all adopted?? On Third Day's website they asked for adoptive families to send in a picture of their adopted children to be used during their concerts while playing this song--- sooooo, I thought, I can do this- ha! 3 kids and a camera and an adopted sign..... this is what I got! But we had fun..... and I sent two to Third Day! (I've tried to load the pics, but they won't load- going to try to load them seperately.) I am beginning to think there is something wrong with my blog- or maybe it's the blogger.....;)

picture problem-

I can't figure out why my pictures on the previous 3 posts won't show- there's just a little box- if anyone reading this has any idea how to fix this- please leave me a comment- unless I'm the only one not seeing them, then tell me that too- thanx!

Fancy Schmancey Dancey

Harrison had a dance to go to at his preschool. It was called the Fancy Schmancey Dancey- and I had the most handsome date! Mom's took their sons and Dad's took their daughters! I felt a little like a Jr. high kid again- but we had fun! I can't believe my sweet boy will go off to Kindergarten this August....:(

Circus, circus

Over Spring break, we went to the circus! It was a blast! We all LOVED it!

while we waited for Spring

Our smallest Valentine. Isabelle got to attend a Princess shin dig with some friends- I was supposed to go but had the FLU really bad..... sad to miss it. Here's daddy helping her with her shoe. I can't believe how grown up she is getting. Here is Jillian's second mama-

Happy First Birthday, Jillian!!

Pretty birthday princess
No talking on cell phones while driving!!
Pure Joy!!

Blizzard Fun!

NOT so happy

Longer here!

This pic. was a recent get together of our closest Ethiopian fellowship group.... and this happens to be one of Jillian's oldest girlfriend's! They go wayyyy back.... back to the orphanage and the same area in Ethiopia. We are blessed to have them so close.... God is good like that! :) Our good friend, Amber who was in line with us knitted our girls these adorable sweaters back before we even knew who they were, so we had to get a picture of them wearing them before they outgrew them!

Yesterday was our 5 month home mark- can't believe it, I've been working on our 6 month post placement report due to our agency that will go back to Ethiopia. I realized that Jillian has been with us longer than she was with her birth mother, and longer than she was at her orphanage, and even longer than she was at the Transition Home with her nannies.... so I am assured now that when she needs me now, that she knows deep down that I'm always going to be there for her! It's going good-- she is growing like a weed, working on her 8th tooth- 3 at once.... not so much fun.... and a cold at the same time. She walks with assistance, still easier to crawl. She will be 1 year old very soon- such a big milestone! I looked back at my day planner last year to see what I was doing that day, I usually write a little something.... but that day, there is nothing. That makes me sad, a little bit. It probably means I had a quiet day, the day she came into the world..... it's one of those things I'll never know.

We are having a continual issue with her skin on her face.... it's so dry here right now- and her face gets very chapped and then it breaks out.... I've tried everything, even Dr. recommended steroid creams..... my friend who knitted the sweater, lives in Cali- and her baby, same age.... is having the same issue- has recommended Jojoba oil, which happens to be the closest natural thing to our actual facial oils ..... I have some ordered, waiting for it to come in and hopefully be our miracle fix!

We've been stuck inside for 4 days now straight- I'm getting a little stir crazy- my hubby is using our only 4 wheel drive, his jellybean car got stuck, in the driveway...... I need Spring.... I like Winter, a little of it... then let's move on- I don't do well with the "cooped up" thing.... at. all.

I've been a bad blogger- not sure what to write sometimes, since the adoption is finished... but not sure I want to quit either.... we'll see what it turns into.... Stay tuned for some happy birthday jillian pics...... coming soon! :)

birthday boy!

5 year old boy, 10 year old dog!
make a wish...

I love this boy- such a sweet little soul and a big, big heart!

Little miss big stuff

Just hangin' out.....
I'm ornery and I know it!

togetherness

These cheeks were made for smoochin'!

Happy New Year!

We had a great Christmas- We have so much to be thankful for!
Great year- lots of amazing blessings, but also a lot of worry- very anxious to see what the new year will bring! My heart is full! Happy new year everyone!!!

Ta da.....

Ethiopian flag... gotta represent!


Fun!!

construction

3 Months Home!!!

"Oy, wish my momma would stop taking pictures!"
"I kind of like being in a box!"
"I might as well do what I do best!" (wink)
I can't believe that 3 months ago today, I arrived home with this beautiful, funny, happy little person in my arms! Now I can't believe there was a time when she wasn't here.... She is busy crawling, pulling up, having a runny nose lately, and needing me to be in the same room or the race is on to find me! She pulls cabinet doors open, likes to pull my cookbooks off of the shelf- I'm replacing some of the stuff down low, with things for her to do when we are in the kitchen, that seems like the time when she needs me the most. Lately, I've been thinking about how last year at this time, she was growing bigger in her birth mother's tummy- I wonder if she was excited about having a baby, or if she knew at that time she wouldn't be able to keep her.... She has such a funny little sense of humor, did she get that from her? These are things I would love to know, but never will. She really is an angel! I love the way she belly laughs when you tickle her feet or play peek-a-boo.... As the Christmas approaches, things are different this year- our kids aren't expecting a bunch of presents under the tree, they are learning that there are more important things and we've already received the best gift this year!! We are going to enjoy her every second! It's going wayyyy to fast! I need her to stay small for just a little longer! Enjoy this season of Love!!!