Truer Words Were never Spoken.... (or written)

We are famous!

OK, last week a picture of the kids dressed up for Halloween was in the local paper.

 Today an article ran about our adoption story.  It seems rather odd that anyone would find us newsworthy.  We feel pretty normal.  The kids are enjoying it, though.  Anything I can do to stir peoples hearts towards adoption is worth it, I guess.  So here it is... our 15 minutes of fame....

My Crush...

There are some men on TV that just get to me.  They may not be the hottest guys, the best looking.  Sometimes it's just something about them.  Sometimes it's the look in their eyes when they look at their woman, the way McDreamy looks at Meredith.

Sometimes they are just hot.  Derek (Shemar Moore) from Criminal Minds, for instance, man oh man.  He is something to behold.

While McDreamy and Shemar Moore are very attractive in their own way, they can't hold a candle to the one that makes me smile every time.  He makes me shake my groove thang, improves my day, and has given me the most entertaining 20 seconds ever on TV.  He is the only one that is permanently saved on my DVR.  Behold my all time favorite (on screen) leading man: 



My apologies McDreamy...

What Isn't Working......

Oh boy... here we go. I'm airing all of my dirty laundry (literally), because in my quest to share some tips with my fellow adopters, I'm afraid I've created an online alter ego that does not represent reality. I've had people comment that "they could never do what we're doing". Nothing could be further from the truth, people. Nothing. God has not gifted me with more patience, better housekeeping skills, or any other gift than any of you. God chooses average people to do His work every day. Less than average people many times. Moses had a speech impediment, Paul had a "thorn in his flesh". Me? I'm a procrastinator big time. I'll doodle around on Facebook instead of sweep the floor, I'll not clean out the closet because, well, because I want a Coke right now. 

 You know our handy dandy Mudroom/Computer room/homework room?  The one we created because our front closet couldn't handle all of the jackets and backpacks.  The one that would allow us to use the front hall closet for guest's coats and the such.  So much for that theory, this is our front hall closet  (keep in mind, all pictures are actual unretouched photos, taken TODAY)....
We moved Nathan downstairs into what used to be the computer room, and made it his room.  The problem is, we haven't put doors on the poor boy's room yet.  It is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door.  And because there are no doors, the little ones use it as their play room, jump on the bed, drag out his video games, and strew clean and dirty clothes everywhere.  Then I feel bad for him, and let him slide instead of clean it up.  This is his room:

This my friends, is what is currently living under my chair in our living room:

Now, you may be thinking "well, okay, she may not be the best house cleaner ever, but at least her kids are always well fed and happy".  Not so much.  Friday night we had popcorn FOR DINNER.  Seriously.  And this is how we usually see Jorah, in all her sweet 2 year old tantrumness:
So, as you can plainly see, our life is not all sunshine and roses, smiles and laughter.  But we are living life together.  We are trusting God, and doing the job that He has given us to do.  I may not have sparkling floors or 'have it all together', but this is our reality... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

(Now, please know that I will probably never look any of you directly in the eye again.  This is humbling as all get out.....)

What works?

Having 9 kids share a bathroom has been working so far.  This is what 9 toothbrushes look like.
9 sponges in the shower:
We keep their towels hanging in their rooms.  That alleviates the "she used my towel" argument.
Everyone has two personalized towels (thank you to my friends Lauren and Penney for those) that way we know whose towel is laying in a wet heap on the carpet.  One hangs in their room to use, the other is in the closet.  When we wash towels we hang the clean towel up in their room, so they always use the one hanging up.  This greatly decreases the number of towels washed weekly.
This used to be our formal dining room.  Now it is the mudroom/computer room/ homework room.  We painted stripes, put up wooden boards, hung hooks and initials,  and put some shoe totes down.  Our hallway closet just wasn't cutting it.  To the left you will see Mom's mailbox.  That is where the kids put all papers that Mom needs to see or sign.  (Yes it's overflowing right now).  But it works.
This post is in answer to those of you who have asked me "so what seems to be working well for you?".  

These last few FAQ posts, I fear, have given you a false impression of me and our home.  I've received very nice compliments.  Thank you for those.  Being complimented is always nice.  Alas, my conscience will not allow me to keep you in the dark to the 'real side'.  Therefore my next post will be titled "What isn't working".  I will post pictures.

Embarrassing.  

Noah and HER Animals, a Sock Hopper and SCREAM!!!

On October 31st, Noah gathered his animals to himself to search out sustenance enough to last through the entire flood.  Otherwise read as - On Halloween Emma came home from a party and was tackled by a pack of wild animals, Stella, Beatrice, Elias, Jamison, Ishmael and Jorah. We went Trick or Treating and got enough candy to last through ANY trial, pestilence, plague or flood.
Cast of characters: Emma-Noah, Stella- Bee, Beatrice-Ladybug, Elias-Dog, Jamison-Elephant, Ishmael- Giraffe, Jorah- Cow, our friend Aiden-lion.
Nathan and his friend Caleb helped out the little treaters until they were worn out, then were released to do some tricking of their own.
Hope and her friend Paige sock hopped their way through Paige's neighborhood.
Hope sent me this message from Paige's:  Sorry, can't come home.... in a sugar induced coma...
As are we all, as are we all........