all in a days work

Ezra has (finally) figured out how to make his own paper airplanes. This after months and months of his begging, er...asking me numerous times a day to make him one. Only to sorely disappoint him because mine weren't as good as Daddy's.

But I digress...

Since he has figured out how to make his own, we are running into a different problem. I'll call it a paper supply issue.

This was yesterday's accumulation:


























Yes. One days worth of work. He doesn't really care to fly them.
Just build them.
And build them.
And build them.

And build them.

Future aeronautical engineer, perhaps?

Attention all grandparents reading this: Please update your birthday and Christmas lists for him to just include a few reams of paper.

Memory Monday

Do not conform any longer to the patterns of the world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

boob tube break

We took the week off from watching any tv or movies.

And this was not because I have a problem with tv or movies.

Oh no. There is a time and a place for it in our household and it can serve its purpose. Like a perfectly timed Super Why episode while I catch a shower. Or a Word World half hour while I make dinner in peace. Really, I am not knocking tv.

But as I've come out of the fog I could clearly see that what had been used for survivals sake these last few months has grown into an unhealthy dependence on the ol' boob tube.

Hence our tv and movie fast.

And it was a good week. A really good week. Ella learned the unique characteristics of Vivaldi, Bach, and Beethoven. Ezra mastered his paper airplane making technique. Eli ran the mess out of his little legs up and down the driveway on his little car. Pictures were painted. Books were read. Popsicle stick roads were built.

And we were all reminded of how creative we can be when left to our own devices.
























Family Portrait by Ezra James
February 2011

out of the foggy fog

The foggy fog. The foggy fog.

Sorry, my Dora days make repeat that in my head in a little sing song voice.

I feel like the foggy fog I have been living in since I found out I was pregnant is beginning to lift.

I am feeling stirrings of motivation again. I am reading again. I am getting up early (er?) again to do my quiet times. I am listening to new music again. I have ideas and new thoughts and feel like taking photos again.

And here is a sure sign of my reemergence to the real world: I made a list this week.

Yep. I'm on my way back again.

And then once the nesting urge kicks in...watch out world (and closets and cupboards and toy bins). You aren't going to know what hit you.

Thursday Thoughts

I've written about my pink lemonade craving (which is still going on strong). And lo and behold, guess what I found at the local wally world today...pink lemonade candy. Bliss, I tell ya. Bliss.




Curled up in between two of my sweet softly snoring little ones is the most delightful way to take a nap. And I have been taking advantage of these moments a lot lately. Pregnancy has retaught me the fine art of taking a nap again. The world (and the laundry, phone calls, emails, cleaning, blogging and dinner prep) can wait.

I gave Eli a little hair cut this week, just around the ears and in the back. All by myself. And I've decided that cutting curly black hair is a lot easier than cutting super fine straight blonde hair. Ella also got a hair cut this week. Not by me. (Because of the above mentioned reason.)

Jeremiah did a science experiment morning with the kids this week. And of course, any science experiment with Jeremiah requires the use of proper safety equipment. In this case...safety goggles!



































































































































Happy Thursday!

funny like a clown

I realized I have around 40 pictures of Ezra in his picture folder for this month. As compared to the 10 0r 15 that are in Eli's and Ella's.

No. This doesn't mean I love him more than them.

It just means he has had a funny month.

He is always funny. But this month...he has been exceptionally funny.

Whether he has been sporting his sexy shorts,
freaking his sister out,
checking out the flavor of his brother,
or getting into his sisters lipstick...























































He is our resident family comedian.

And he doesn't even have to try.

worth your time

Since Jeremiah and I just recently did the math and realized that it is possible for all four of our children to be in college at the same time this post made me think that maybe we should try and force, um...steer at least two of them into some sort of vocational training instead of college.

Proof that miracles still happen. Love this story.

So often (myself included) we only consider the risk to ourselves and our family when considering adoption. We are so one sided in our concern about how it could possibly impact us. Us. Us. Us. Me. Me. Me. We forget the risks the orphans in our world are facing. And I love this woman's honesty regarding her realization of that.

If you are in need of a bit of stress relief advice. The best I've heard.

And finally, in a different vein for my fellow music lovers...I just discovered this new band (or at least new to me) and am really diggin them.

the friday that wasn't

I woke up this morning thinking it was Friday.

For a whole 30 seconds I stretched out in the bed and smiled inside thinking it was Friday.

Ah...Friday. Jeremiah is home. Family time. Help keeping the boys alive. No "formal" school. A possible dinner out. Adult conversation throughout the day. Lovely lovely day.

And then the reality of Tuesday came crashing down. School, attempts at laundry, runs to a piano lesson, and the responsibility of keeping the boys (ok, really just Ezra) alive on my own.

Oh well.

I like Tuesdays too. Just not as much as Friday.

And so, on this Tuesday that isn't a Friday, I choose to remind myself that...

This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Chocolate and Vanilla

I found Ezra and Eli back in my bedroom this week and Ezra was licking Eli's foot.

Me: Um...Ezra, what are you doing?

Ezra: I wanna see if Eli tastes like chocolate.

Me: And?...

Ezra: No.

I'm so glad he got that one figured out.

Not Me Monday

I did not overhear this conversation as I stepped out of the shower this morning:

Ella (whizzing by the door and yelling): Ezra...STOP IT...you're freaking me out!!!!!!

Ezra (whizzing by the door, dangling some kind of bug in front of him and yelling) : Ella...dis is gonna freak you out!!!!!!!

Eli (trailing behind but whizzing by the door yelling) : Ezra, STOP SCREAMING!!!!!!!

Oh no. My children love each other at all times and never provoke each other. Or yell in the house. Or freak each other out.

And I certainly did not just laugh to myself and ignore the whole interaction. That would be lazy parenting...and I am never lazy.

Nope. Not my children. And Nope. Not me.

you give me fever

Spring fever, that is.


























It seems the east coast is enjoying a taste of Spring this weekend and we definitely included ourselves in that. We managed to be quite productive and got a lot of needed yard work done as well as the washing of the cars. With help, of course.

Forget the groundhog, around here the true test of Spring is the reappearance of our geese and the turtles in the pond sunning themselves on the rocks.

Oh, and these little guys...popping up everywhere.


























While I truly enjoy every season...Spring is my favorite.

What about you?

Homeschool: Unschool Week

Yeah, it was kind of a non traditional week of school around here. But I'm pretty sure that the kids still learned a lot. And had fun. And that's what matters in my syllabus.

We went to the park (field trip and physical education).
We learned about Walruses...Ella's choice of animal to learn about this week (science).
We went on a nature hike and collected precious collectibles. Which turned into a lesson about how to tell the age of a tree (math). And spurned various art projects (art).
We planted seeds (science).
Ella had her very first piano lesson (music).
All three kids learned their verses for the week...Eli's first! (Bible).
We started reading the Little House on the Prairie books aloud to Ella at rest time (reading).










I also started a new tradition of reading to the kids during lunch time. We've been focusing on an animal a week and I've been reading a new library book about that animal at lunchtime. It's amazing how focused they are when eating, ha!

Sometimes you've just gotta put the workbooks away and just have fun!

Thursday Thoughts

I love Valentine's day. It might be my second favorite holiday, after Easter. No pressure. No real gifts to buy. Just simply celebrating the ones I love. We always do a special family breakfast around here on I love you day and the kids open their valentines and eat their candy. Yes, chocolate and lollipops are ok for breakfast on holidays.
































































The weather has been positively balmy this week. We took advantage and headed to one of my favorite parks, packed a lunch, brought along some bubbles, and mooched some sand toys off of some nice sharing kids. I might have also let my kids take their shoes off, roll their pants up, and wade their feet into the lake.













































































Balmy, I tell you.

Spring can begin.

We also finished up the last of our post placement reports with our social worker. Hallelujah! Now I just have to write a yearly report on Eli...until he is 18. We took a picture with our social worker because 1) I'm a photo dork 2) she's been a big part of our adoption journey...of course I had to get a picture of her.

Ezra was less than excited to pose for a picture. Actually, he is always less than excited for her visit and behaves accordingly. It's a wonder we ever got a favorable recommendation. And Eli wasn't too keen on the picture idea either. He wanted to go outside and ride his car. Oh well. At least I documented our reality.

































Happy Thursday!

From Poppy Seed to Pumpkin: Apple Week

So, our little one is the size of an apple this week, approximately 4 inches long. Which would explain the slightest of fluttery feelings I am starting to notice in my belly, mostly in the evenings when I am lying on my side. This would also explain the need for the transition to maternity pants. Too bad you can't wear Old Navy yoga pants at all times.

Sidenote: Anyone know why "they" always use fruit as the examples for what size the baby is? You'd think "they'd" stick with non food examples for us pregnant women. Although an apple is pretty benign. But a softball would be even better.

My food cravings continue to include pink lemonade and pink lemonade. Lots of pink lemonade. The more sour the better. And I've officially gained one pound so far. Woot. Woot.

The baby can now squint, frown, pee, and possibly suck its thumb. It also has fingerprints.

Amazing.

Absolutely amazing.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well."
Psalm 139:13-14

Not Me Monday (on tuesday)

My son did not break a library dvd by "accidentally" rolling it down the basement stairs.

And I did not order a replacement dvd off of amazon for $5 rather than pay the $20 the library charges.

And I did not write DCL (durham co library) in tiny little letters on the dvd to mimic the original dvd so that no one would ever know.

And I do not justify this deception by knowing there are less scratches on the one I bought than the original one. That makes it ok. Right? Right.

Not that it ever happened of course.

Nope. Not my son.
And definitely not me.

Love Post #4: Jeremiah

And last but still first...my Jeremiah.

I love him for more than a million reasons. (But I'll spare you the really gross and mushy stuff.)

His superhuman strength and powers,
and ability to make rockin' paper airplanes for the boys,
the special bond he intentionally creates with each child,
how hot he looks while pushing a garden tiller,
yet how equally hot he looks while playing pretty pretty princess with his daughter,
how he can still catch me by surprise,
and he takes the time to teach his boys the really important things (you know, like how to pee standing up),
the sweet forehead kisses he gives me every single sunday morning before leaving,
and the unusual ability he possesses to look good in orange.

























































































































































































































































I love you Jeremiah James.

p.s. He also makes a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Love Post #3: Eli

My first valentines with Eli.

His first ever.

More than anything I want him to know how deeply he is loved.

Loved for his silly faces,
and love of costumes,
his tender heart,
burgeoning imagination,
easy going spirit,
curiosity of music,
crazy chicken dances,
and his inspiring resiliency.

And, in all honesty...we are still finding out all kinds of new reasons to love him.






























































































































































































































































He may not be flesh of my flesh,
or bone of my bone,
but he is most definitely heart of my heart.

You are loved Eli Cade.

Love Post #2: Ezra

Oh, Ezra.

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways...

One. Two.

Skip a few...One million!

Despite the rough year he has had and all the many ways he grows my patience on an hourly basis I can't help but go all mushy inside when I look at him.

He is special.
All boy.
Social.
Smart as a whip.
Persistent.
Not easily deterred.
Quick to forgive.
Charming.
Curious.
And, oh so funny.

But again, I think a picture speaks louder than words...so I'll let my pictures do my talking.





































































































































































































































Heart of my heart he is, my Ezra James.