Happy Birthday Jorah!!

Today is Little Beans 2nd birthday. She is sweet, cuddly, funny, but not so good at sharing. She has been just an awesome blessing and daughter. We love you Jorah!!

Doctor-Round Two and starting school...

We survived the doctors office. We were definitely conspicuous, but only because of sheer volume and our colorfulness. The kids all did fabulously. It was Stella's appointment and she was a trooper until the shots (she needed 4), but that only lasted for a second. The Chicken Pox came in handy, as she would have needed the Varivax vaccine as well, but LUCKILY (?) she already had the Pox, so only 4 for her.

Elias and Beatrice are today. They know now that the Doctor means shots, so they aren't as eager to go as they were yesterday. School is enough of an incentive, however, that they are willing to brave it!

For those that are wondering: Stella will be in 2nd grade, Beatrice in 1st, and Elias in Kindergarten. We weren't going to put Elias in school yet, but he knows his numbers and letters, the sounds they make, and can sound out simple words. Couple that with his having lost 6 teeth already, and we are going to try it out. (Children in Africa do lose their teeth earlier than their American counterparts, but 6 teeth in preschool would still be VERY early). The worst thing that will happen is that he isn't ready, and repeats Kindergarten. Not a huge tragedy. We shall see how they all do. They are starting on Monday and are counting down the days!! I really think that they are going to thrive, and I'm looking forward to watching them blossom! ( I accidently just typed bosom right there... I'm really NOT looking forward to watching them do THAT!!!)



Trampoline fun!

Yumm.....

On Sunday we all loaded up and went to church. The kids have been so bored, and dying to go ANYWHERE. All of the books and experts suggest you cocoon at home with the kids for at least a few weeks. They all begged to go to church, what are you gonna do, say no? Every single one walked right into class and had a blast. In service, the Pastor surprised us by calling us up and praying for us at the end of service. Elias just grinned from ear to ear. Beatrice was a little shy, but they all handled it like champs. After church they took naps, then we made caramel apples, dipped in chocolate chips, sprinkles or Heath Bar. All that junk is ok as long as you eat it with apples, right? It was a really good day and felt manageable and normal really. Normal feels really good right about now! Now we are off to the first of the new kids Doctors appointments to get up to date on shots etc. for school. They are itching to go, they beg every day!! To go to school, that is, not the Dr.!! I'll be flying solo with 6 little ones at the appt.... wish me luck!!

A day in our life...

So far today we are dealing with the Chicken Pox (Stella), 2 with ringworm (Jorah and Ishmael), one with excema everywhere (Jorah) 2 colds (Jorah and Ishmael), one bloody lip (Jorah), one bloody nose (Stella), 3 splinters (Jamison, Elias and my friend Beth), one forgotten P.E. uniform (Hope), and 157 hugs, 93 kisses, 9 loved kiddos and one happy, worn out Momma!!!

(The kids in Ghana when they were illness and splinter free!!)

We are home!!!

We are home, with lots of stories, laughter, playing, running around, and unfortunately the CHICKEN POX!!!

Thank You all for your prayers and support, more later... gotta go play!

We are off and GHANA!!!

Praise Him, praise Him....

We are leaving on a jet plane in a few short hours. We will try to post while there, but who knows? I'm so excited and overwhelmed, I can hardly stand it. I am the most blessed human on the face of the earth right now. Truly, truly blessed!!

See ya in a few days (with Stella, Beatrice, Elias and Ishmael)... see, I told you, blessed!

Adoption is a numbers game...

1. It has been 243 days since we made the decision to adopt.

2. It has been 171 days since we knew the names and ages of our kids.

3. It has been 167 days since we first saw their picture.

4. It has been 134 days since we got their referral.

5. It has been 80 days since they were legally ours.

6. It has been 53 days since we last saw and hugged them.

7. We will see the kids again in 8 days!!!

8. We will have the kids home forever in 13 days!!!

That's right, we have plane tickets!! We leave in 7 days, will be there in 8, and we will bring them home in 13 days!!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

1. Listening to kids giggle in the other room together.
2. Singing praises in church when the goose bumps come.
3. Tucking my kids in (when no one is spending the night somewhere else).
4. Drinking a cold Coke... anytime.
5. Breaking out the Christmas decorations.
6. Walking into an air conditioned room, after being outside in the heat.
7. Having one of my kids randomly say "I love you".
8. Watching the season premier of Grey's Anatomy with my BFF Beth.
9. Catching Hubby's eye from across the room when something happens that only we 'get'.
10. A good back rub.
11. Arby's Jalapeno Poppers.
12. Having a clean house.
13. Falling to sleep in a thunderstorm.
14. Having a good hair day and cute toenails at the same time (been a long time for that one).
15. Seeing the faithfulness of God in a real way.
16. An organized closet.
17. Getting into a car with a full tank, when you thought it was empty (Thanks, Baby!).
18. Hearing about someone being pregnant or adopting.
19. Naming babies.
20. Going shopping with a gift card.
21. Putting on a sweatshirt, pj pants and socks at the end of the day.
22. When the kids are patient with each other.
23. A new school year with clean binders and sharpened pencils.
24. 4 shining happy faces waiting for me in Ghana.
25. Getting the call that says we can go get them!!!!

We are so blessed, in both big ways and small.

Count your blessings, name them one by one!!!

Guess What?

We got our final passport! I'm all in a twitter and smiling like a fool right now. We will know tomorrow when our travel date is. Probably either next week or the week after. Can you believe it? Our kids are coming home. Aaah, I'm so happy. Thank you God, thank you.



I have lots to do now, but how are you supposed to get stuff done when you are twirling?