Has it really been 5 years?

It is hard to believe that 5 years have gone by since we received our referral for our sweet baby girl. She looked so sad and we wanted to board the next plane to China. We feel so very blessed that God chose this precious girl to be our daughter. She is a ray of sunshine every single day. We love you Anna!

We had no idea, 5 years ago, of the journey we had started on, but adoption has taken us down one of the most beautiful roads there is to travel!

Joey's observation

Joey and I were getting ready to wake Elijah up from his nap. Eli has a cold and was breathing through his mouth resulting in chapped lips. Joey was quite concerned, telling me, "Look Mom, Eli's lips are getting old."

Finally.....Spring is here in the North

This may not seem all that exciting, but we did have snow flurries last week. I am always ready for spring far before it is ready to come to us! I know it has to be here when my pear tree starts to flower!

But, it is also the season for dirty, wet, muddy dogs.........

.....and tadpoles. We always put some in a jar, but never quite succeed in keeping them intil they start swimming around. We have done our research this year and are ready....we'll let you know. My little kids call them "tadapolts" How bad is it that we don't correct them because we think it is so cute? Eventually they figure it out.....kind of sad when that happens.

Boys (and girls at this house) just love frogs. Just as long as they remember to wash their hands before dinner!

And, last but not least, I love when spring finally gets here because I LOVE to mow the lawn...and I LOVE my lawn mower! We mow a few acres and this sweet machine makes it pure pleasure!

One year ago today....

One year ago today we got the call we'd been waiting for...our referral of our sweet son! As you can imagine, our hearts just melted when we saw his precious face for the first time. We were so excited to find out that there were families traveling to Ethiopia from our adoption agency that very weekend. They graciously said they would love on our son and tell us all about him. I can't imagine a sweeter gift than that for a mother's heart that just instantly longs to be with her child. Jill and Apryl, you will always be a part of our adoption story because of the blessing you gave to us from Ethiopia!

This is our precious boy now. What a crazy amount of joy he has brought to our lives. We love you, Elijah!

Please tell me someone can relate...

Let me start by saying, I used to be known as an organized person. There are people from my past who might be surprised to know that, try as I might, it just isn't happening anymore. I believe with the addition of each child, I have lost my ability to stay on top of things to a larger and larger degree!
That said.....we ran to town today and this is what my middle son ended up wearing. This was AFTER I sent him back inside to actually get shoes on. I do have a mudroom and a shoe rack. They are told, over and over "if you put your shoes away when you come home, you would be able to find them when it is time to go somewhere". Obviously #1-they do not listen and #2 this get up is perfectly fine to a 7 year old boy.

And, I have to note, better than what he wore (thankfully just around the house) yesterday!

My superstars!

Unsafe but sweet

I looked out the window and saw this.... I had to take a picture before I told L it probably wasn't the safest thing to do with his brother. He really is so sweet to him.