Spring Fever

Here are more photos as promised. There was a pretty large group of kids at the TV field trip but I figured a photo of my 4 at the anchor desk would probably be the best shot. By far their favorite was seeing the "green screen" and learning how those weather reports really show up.

This past week we were blessed with some incredible weather! Perfect timing for our Spring break and the kids practically lived outside. The big draw was watching them build "bridges & dams" over our tiny creek. They were completely engrossed in catching crayfish (yep, even in the mid-west) and then catching M.E.B.'s (their term for "microscopic eating bugs") to feed them.


The first two days were in the 70's but the kids kept at it even the rest of the week in the 50's. We have Spring fever for sure. Grandma arrived just in time to witness much of this as we prepared for our big birthday weekend.


Lots more fun to come...

Part 2

OK, I did get some photos on here and things seem to be working. There will be more to come but right now we have company, I just survived Goose's birthday party and it's my birthday (yipee). I promise to post more photos soon. LOTS to tell. :)

Here are the kids in that cave. What a fun time exploring. I was thankful for the sign that said we couldn't explore further unless we had a hard hat and at least 3 sources of light, PER PERSON. My kids would have kept going and going and going....

Feeling helpless....

when it comes to computers. I know so little about them it's like speaking Amharic for me. I had HOPED to show you some photos of our fun field trips lately. Well, you are just going to have to imagine that you are looking at those photos, I'm done for today.

You see, I spent 3 weeks unable to sign on to the internet without going through my man's account. OK, I thought. A lesson in patience as I couldn't access my documents, photos, etc. through his account. He very sweetly spent a long evening figuring out what was wrong and giving me a clean "computer slate" to start out from scratch (or maybe he was just sick of seeing all my favorites bookmarked on his page). Anyway, I caught up on my "stuff", temporarily. Then for 4 days this week neither of us could access ANYTHING online! Well, today I spent lots of time on the phone with "technical support" as they had me practically reprogramming my computer. I spoke with "Brad", "Jim", "Mike", & "Josh" today on a friend's cell phone (since we have dial-up service). That was actually the most lighthearted part of my day - to hear someone with a very thick Indian accent identify himself by any one of those names is just comical. I sat there wondering if they got to pick their "phone name" or if it was assigned to them during their orientation at work. Anyway, after much time and tension it SEEMS that we are back in business. When my man asked me what their diagnosis was of our problem, I just had to shrug. Who are we kidding here?

So as I sit here venting that even now I can't upload photos to my blog (apparently THAT site is down right now), I am reminded that I am at the mercy of the computer programmers and I have no control. Somedays you just have to laugh and trust their are better things I should be doing with my time. :) OK God, I'm listening......

Another "Gotcha Day"

Our Boo has been home for 5 years now and she keeps me on my toes. Without getting into all of it, it is obvious that even at her young age, she is dealing with some hard emotions about her adoption. It amazes me how it comes out around her birthdays and gotcha days "instinctively". It was a weekend filled with highs and lows for her, and a good hard cry.

The day before she had verbalized some feelings but her gotcha day was hard. The gist of it was waking up and telling us it was her day and minutes later, "where's my present". We gave her this tiny little tea set we bought in Guatemala and she just beamed. She got to choose a special meal for the day and she decided to go on a Daddy date to the Mexican Restaurant. Before they even got to the restaurant, she was crying and wanted to come home. After talking it over and calming down, she decided that she would rather have me make Lasagna and brownies for dinner.

The details of her comments are hers but it occurs to me that adoption is a beautiful solution to a deep primal wound. The scars of that wound will always be there, at times forgotten and unimportant and at other times, devasting reminders of real loss. We are blessed to have this beautiful daughter and we pray that God will truly heal these wounds and help her become a whole and happy adult.

"Would you like some tea?"

Cinderella Ball

Saturday night our local Home School group planned a Ball for Daddy's and their Daughters (The University's Campus Christian Fellowship helped to pull it off). It sounded like a wonderful night (I was home having a night with my boys who chose donuts and Hot Wheels videos) and I can tell it impacted all three of my crew that attended. Obviously the girls had fun getting pretty and learning some dances with Dad. My man filled me in as well and said that they played every song to tug on a Dad's heartstrings (Butterfly kisses, Cinderella, I loved her first, ....) gave a short little challenge for Dad's to truly be there for their daughters, and sent them home with memory books the girls made and that Dad gets to complete. It's precious and now he has his work laid out for him to write his thoughts about the girls in their books. Anyway, here are some photos I took before the big date. They all clean up pretty well.


The girls with their handsome escort. You know my man loves these girls. I haven't seen him in a tie in YEARS!

Can you see the lipstick and blush? That was her favorite part.

We did borrow this dress but had to add the pink ribbon in order to coordinate with Goose's cast. Girls and their "accessories".

The eager dancers.

What I've been up to

Over President's Day weekend, my man took his boys on an overnight "campout" at the "farm". Since the guys were well entertained, we had a treat with Hope staying the night. I came down to check on them as they watched a movie and saw this adorable sight. We have more comfortable seating but the girls were all cuddled up in this wooden glider. My kids really see Hope as a big sister and I think she thinks of them about the same.


When the guys got home the next evening, it was hysterical watching the kids reunite. All their tough guy stuff flew out the window and the kids grabbed all their stuffed animals and had a "family reunion". I am so thankful that they all get along so well (most of the time) and truly love each other. They posed for this family photo for me.

On another note, our van died about 2 weeks ago - for good. It served us well for many years but had more things that didn't work than things that did. God graciously provided a friend with an extra minivan that was lent to us while we shopped around. The same day our tax return came in, we found this van and 3 days later - it's ours!! It's beautiful and I feel spoiled.

It is a 2006 and we've never had such a new vehicle before. You can see from the kids faces how we all feel about it. The best part yet was being able to pay cash for it and remain without a monthly payment (though the savings account took a huge hit). These days especially, we can't imagine having to juggle a bunch of debt. Oh and you have to notice that despite the detailing they did, it will never look too clean living on our dirt road. :)

The captains seats are such a hit that the kids have to take turns on who gets them.

The not so great news is this. Goose broke her wrist on Friday at a home school PE class we attend. She was just devasted that she didn't get to play all the fun games. After getting her cast, we rushed out so she wouldn't miss her sewing class that afternoon (she begged to still go). It hasn't slowed her down much (except when it comes to handwriting in school).

Her sewing class had already signed it before the rest of the family really got to see it. You can tell from the smile that she wasn't in too much pain by that afternoon. Now we're praying it will be off in time for her baptism next month... we'll see.

A very sweet treat

I know I have been slack in posting much lately. No excuses but the busyness of life. Yesterday we took a fun break and went to a fellow home schooler's home for some Valentine Cookie fun. To top off the fun, after we filled the kids with sugary delights, they were able to play outside for awhile with our incredibly warm (67 I think) winter day. Joyce and I enjoyed the chance to catch up and laugh. A well needed break.

The girls were serious about their cookie designing....

The boys seemed to think the more frosting and candy on the cookie, the better.

Friday we are going to a party the Home Schoolers are having for the holiday but as there are 67 kids coming, I do not anticipate having the leisure time to take photographs. Happy "Valentimes Day" from us - give yourself a bug ol' hug.