pasta a la spaghetti of saturday

I know I haven't blogged all week.
What can I say...well, actually nothing. It hasn't been a terribly busy, or stomach bug filled, or travel away kind of week. I just didn't.

I did read a lot this week.
I am in the middle of four books at the moment, which is really out of character for how I like to read. But then again, this was a slightly out of character week for me.

The one book that is really blowing me away this week should have been read about 3 years ago:

I know a lot of adoptive families have written book recommendations, and this one is always in it...now I know why. I'll throw my hat in with everyone then and recommend that anyone who is interested in adoption or has adopted should read it.






I did throw a birthday party for Eli this week.

He explicitly wanted a "boy only" party and had 4 friends/cousins he wanted to invite and requested a captain america cake. That's it. I love how happy this sweet boy is with just the simplest things...

 

My parties will never be pinterest worthy, but Eli was happy and that's enough for me.

I have also been soaking in the Holy Week activities with the family and by myself, but more to come on that after Easter Sunday.

Ella took her first "official" standardized test this week. I was able to proctor it and while I have no idea how she did, nor do I really care...I already know what she is strong at and what she needs extra practice in...it was a positive first testing experience for the both of us. 

My sister and brother in law welcome home their two new little ones from Ghana on Monday!

And on that note, I gotta run to a photo shoot this morning...

Happy Saturday and Happy Easter!

2013 Holy Week

It's here, it's here!!!

My favorite week of the whole year... affectionately termed Holy Week around here.

You can check out how it got started here.

Then check out what we did on previous years here and here and here and here.

Easter is my favorite holiday...heck, its my favorite day of the entire year. 

As a follower of Christ, without Easter...why even be a follower of Christ?!

And I say it every year...who cares about Christmas without Easter.

As the kids get older and their understanding grows, it is even more meaningful to have these family times that have become traditions to them...hopefully sealing into their hearts how significant this holiday is. 

Here are a few pictures of holy weeks in the past...and of course, look for some more pictures of this week to come later in the week! 

"New life seeds" 2009

"New life seeds" 2010

Cross crafts, 2011

Family devotions, 2012

Our sedar and foot washing ceremony, 2012

New life seeds, 2012

swiftly fly the years: Eli Cade turns 6

Sweet, sweet Eli Cade.
Not a tiny little toddler with a too big belly and matchstick limbs.
He's taller now, and getting that lanky gangly older boy look to him.

He still has the softest skin I've ever felt.
His gentleness with Zoe is heart melting.
He loves movies.
He loves salsa.
He loves his family.
He doesn't like the dark.

He loves costumes and dressing up.
He loves to stealthily irritate his siblings.
He loves to help...unload groceries, fold laundry, entertain Zoe...you name it, he will do it! With a smile.
The only two foods I can think of that he doesn't like are avocado's or coconut.
He loves puzzles.
He is a master at temple run on the ipad.

6 photo's for 6 years are in order...

Eli means "God has uplifted"...and it is so fitting for him because the challenges he has overcome (and is overcoming) are nothing short of miracles. I'm like a broken record when I say that nothing in my entire life has taught me more about my need for the Lord and the character of my God than adopting Eli.

Eli Cade,

I prayed this morning that you would know way down deep in your "knower" how much you are loved on this special day...loved by God, by your Ella, Ezra, Zoe, by your Daddy...and by me. I've read a lot about how adopted children struggle with an internal sense of shame...and I want nothing else for you than for you to know how incredibly special you are in the eyes of your family and the Lord. You are uniquely created for a purpose...and your short 6 years of life have been filled with a purpose beyond your knowledge. One day I hope to share with you the amazing way the Lord worked through your story to encourage so many others. You bring laughter and joy to this family with your silliness and crazy faces and booty shaking dances. 

You are my special blessing from God. 

I love you to the moon and back!

Always,
Your Momma

Happy happy birthday sweet Eli Cade!

thursday thoughts

Somebody in our family is turning 6 tomorrow.

How in the world?!

This week was a blur as I made a quick but fun trip up to my moms to get in some family togetherness. We left 75 degree North Carolina weather and drove up to this...

Yep.
Snow!
How bout that.

While we were up visiting, my sister Mary Kate and her family got the news that the last step was complete in their adoption (their visa appointment) and they could make plans to go pick them up next weekend! I am now the proud Aunt to a niece and nephew from Ghana.

Sweet Milo (2) and Abigail (7). I can't wait to meet you!

For school this week Ella had to write how many uncles and aunts she had in one of her textbooks. It took us a while to get the complete number, but adding in our Via uncles and aunts, the girl has 43! That has got to be a record somewhere?!

I am taking off again tomorrow, sans kids, for a weekend getaway with ladies from my church. It just so happens that the destination is my favorite place in the world...the beach. Here's hoping the only white stuff I see on this trip is sand!

Happy Thursday!

my favorite kind of messes...

Are the ones where you can practically see their brains expanding as the mess grows...

snapshot: How Zoe Reads a Book, take 2

For take 1, go here.

1. Laboriously climb into the rocking chair. Hold mouth just so.

2. Find favorite page.

3. Flex feet and squeal in delight.

thursday thoughts

Well people, its that time of year again...time to break open a new bottle of Claritin.
Ah, spring allergies.

The one good thing about pregnancy for me (besides the baby, of course) was that for some reason it diminished my allergies by 90%, and as long as I was still nursing my allergies were a good 75% better than normal.

Weird, huh.

But no, sadly...that is not enough reason to get myself knocked up again.

Speaking of knocking up...my kids have been all about some knock-knock jokes this week.
My favorite one from Ella:

.

Knock, Knock                                

Who's there?
Wildebeest
Wildebeest who?
Wildebeest be dining alone tonight?



Bah-duhm-ch-ching!


I have tried 2 new recipes this week, and have another new one planned for tomorrow night. Thank you pinterest. I was feeling in a rut cooking-wise and needed some new ideas...and so far all have been good. #1 was a pesto chicken crock pot meal, #2 was a spinach tortellini sausage crock pot soup, and #3 is a shrimp, quinoa, black bean, corn, and avocado one pot dish. Recipes to come, perhaps?...

Last Friday Jeremiah and I were syncing up our calendars (ah, my love language...) when we realized that we didn't have another free weekend together until the middle of May! Yikes! We threw caution to the wind, packed up all four kids and were headed on a road-trip to Charlotte within one hour. We had no plans, no agenda, no booked hotel room...and we had SO.MUCH.FUN!

Seriously, it was the most fun I've had in a long time.
(please excuse the lack of quality photos...i didn't even bring the good camera!)

Now that even Zoe is turning into a traveling trooper...it feels as though we have entered a whole new exciting stage! I'm loving it. This summer is going to be awesome!

Another new kick my kids have been on is sort of a blast from my past...remember Adventures in Odyssey? Well, some of you might. I grew up listening to them, and now my kids are all about them. I'm nerding out on you, but I totally feel as though I'm reconnecting with long lost family or something listening to these stories again, ha!

These next few days are jam packed with activities, photo shoots, a date night (yay!), nannying, and a trip for me and the kids up to my moms...I'm already tired (and excited) thinking about it all.

Happy Thursday!

of March's past...

Sometimes, when I'm feeling sentimental and nostalgic...

Or had a bad day with the kids and need to be reminded that this too shall pass...

I look through old photo's. 

I usually end up realizing that so much has passed. So quickly. 

And I feel like cherishing these fleeting moments with my blessings once again. 

I won't reveal which one of the above scenario's had me looking through old photo files this day, you can just take your pick. 

Please excuse me while I go take a walk down a March memory lane...

Big brown eyes, March 2012

My charmer, March 2010

Lover of the little creatures, March 2010

Our beginning jumper, March 2011

Smiley McSmileyson, March 2012

Diggers of treasure, March 2010

Dimples, March 2009

The Zoe bump, March 2011

Just learning about the wonders of the grass, March 2012

Sweet baby Ella who is not a baby anymore, March 2007

homeschool: February, part 2 (100th day of school!)

The day we had been counting towards all year...100th day!

It finally arrived...and I woke up with a stomach bug. 

Therefore, technically we celebrated our 100th day of school on our 102nd day of school. 

But shhh...don't tell the kids. 

There are a hundred gabjillion resources out there for 100th day. Seriously. And it might be possible that I over planned for the day. And it might be said that if I have to count to 100 again anytime soon I might just bang my head into the wall. 

That said, our 100th (102nd) day was awesome!

We started off making a 100th day snack mix...ten groups of 10 snacks. This was their favorite activity of the entire day. Probably because I included chocolate chips, marshmallows, m&m's, and jelly beans...sugar high, anyone?!

We timed how long it would take us to jump 100 times, we measured how tall a stack of 100 books was, we predicted how  full an empty bottle would get with 100 drops of water, etc.

We ventured out front to see how far 100 steps would take us...

The boys and Ella went in different directions (of course)...but here's where the boys 100 steps took them. Our house is the one with the blue swagger wagon in the driveway =)

The number 100 became a flower and some glasses on a silly face.

Ella's drawing of 100 bugs.

Ezra's monster with 100 eyeballs, 100 hairs, and 100 teeth.

They had to make lego creations using 100 lego's. Obviously, Ella was experiencing some distress over all the out loud counting going on, ha!

  

And, of course...we read a lot of 100th day books.

100 days down...not much longer to go!
(It's possible I am getting very very excited for a summer break...)