Yes, we are crazy.

The above title answers the question several of you may wonder after reading this...

Some of you know this already. This may come as a surprise to the rest. Noah and I are in the process of becoming licensed foster parents. This all started back in the fall when we felt led to consider adoption. At first we (when I say we, I mean I... Noah just listened to what I learned) researched the possibility of adoption from a Jamaican orphanage. I spent hours, weeks, months seeking answers, and even when a door seemed to cracked open, it was promptly shut. The words of my friend, Shannon, stuck with me. "Why don't you just adopt through the county?"

At first I thought, no way, we are called to Jamaica, I am sure of it. I was wrong. At least for now. I began to research adoption through our county. Doors opened, not just a crack, and they didn't slam shut. We have been amazed to learn the incredible need our county has when it comes to foster homes. We don't have to travel to a different country to help a child in need (although that is a honorable thing to do, I am not downplaying international adoption). There are plenty who need love in our own community.

If you haven't noticed the link on the left "Our Adoption Journey" please check it out to learn more about what we have gone through so far. I don't update it as often as this blog, but that is where most information will be in regards to the growth of our family. Once we do have a child in our home, information will be limited because by law we will have to keep so much confidential. But, Lord willing, our hope is to be able to complete an adoption. While it may be a year or two down the road, we look forward to announcing the addition of our fourth child.

Kristin @ 15 + Months

My baby is growing. And she is weaning herself. I suspect this will be our last week of any nursing. She has nursed the longest of my three, Isaac stopped at 14 months, and Lauralyn at 10 months (much to my dismay). She is now drinking soy milk which is also a first for me, as my other kids never took to soy milk. I have been trying to be as dairy free as possible because of the dry skin she is prone to. This is difficult because she really likes cheese... who doesn't like cheese? And yogurt.


I know this looks like a lot of spaghetti, but most of it ended up on the floor.

Vocabulary is still lacking, although she is starting to repeat sounds more and more. Kristin's favorite word is "uh-oh." That's pretty much her only word. Although she is excellent at making her thoughts know through screaming. Temper tantrums have started as well. But being a seasoned mom now (can I consider myself seasoned, yet?), I can step right over her, paying no mind as she flails on the ground kicking and spinning. She does it mostly for show, and if she is on a cold, hard surface, she will slowly inch her way to the carpet where it is more comfortable to kick and spin. And don't even get me started on diaper changing! Let's just say Kristin has perfected the crocodile death spin (or in this case the dirty diaper launching spin), where I try my best to not have poop flung/smeared across the floor. All this, while she is screaming like a torture victim, and clawing at my arms.



But really, it's not all THAT bad. Smiley is still pretty smiley most of the time. Especially when she is getting things her way (isn't everyone happy when they get things their way?). She is pretty easy going, despite what I wrote above. She loves her siblings, and she tags along everywhere we go.



No walking yet. She will walk while holding on to something or someone, but not even a single step on her own yet. Any day now. Kristin is an expert crawler, and even climbs up an down stairs like a pro. Just no walking. It's easier to be carried, thank you very much.


A couch potato for sure.

Sleeping is still a strength... even at Nanet's during Sunday lunch. She will crash before we sit down for lunch, and sleep a good 3 or 4 hours. Last week, I found her zonked out on a chair while watching a Baby Einstein. Isaac did his best to wake her, without success.







I love watching this precious little girl grow. It's so exciting see these gifts from God turn into real people. I treasure the baby years, but I have so much fun as they grow and learn. Motherhood is truly a joyful blessing.

Bling, Bling, Jezebel

While at Wal-mart the other day, we wandered down the dog accessory isle. I couldn't resist getting Jezebel a new collar. It totally suits her, after all, she is the queen of the household.

FYI: Jezebel turns 10 in a couple of months! She's lookin' good for hitting double digits!

Cultivating Honesty

One of the top values I want to instill in my children is the importance of being truthful. Honesty is directly linked to integrity, and without integrity, you have no position to #1. be an ambassador for Christ and #2. add much value to society in general. Of course, I am speaking in the broader sense... but, one needs to start as early as possible, before a pattern of lying takes hold.

Honesty has been an area of life I have been trying to actively teach the children. Lying is absolutely not tolerated in our home, even the little "white" variety. (Which is hard because sometimes the white lies are the funniest and most entertaining). This week I have seen some of the fruits of my labor. There were several instances I confronted Isaac, seeking to find the perpetrator for certain offenses (obviously done without me around, and I find the aftermath). He honestly owned the wrongdoings, even though he knew there may be consequences that could be unpleasant. He apologized with sincerity. I am so pleased some of these life lessons are starting to take hold.

On a lighter note, this morning I was rushing to get everyone ready to go to CBS. I told Isaac that I had to go take a quick shower. He puts his nose up against me and matter-of-factly informs, "You don't stink that bad. You just stink a little bit." :-)

A Cowboy for the Weekend---by Noah

Isaac and I traveled to Houston to see the Rodeo and visit "Playparks"
around the north Houston area. We also tried to fit in seeing relatives
while we were there.

Day 1:

Traveled to Houston. We were greeted by 2 friendly Texan's in full cowboy
attire, Nanut and Grandfather. We traveled to the Woodlands to where our
bunks were at and were greeted with a field of blooming bluebonnets in
Grandfather's front yard. (I think it is his way of getting out of mowing
for another month.) They are beautiful. We had a Cowboy meal of Chili,
cornbread and cowboy boot shaped gingerbread cookies. Isaac received a
couple more cowboy shirts and a real leather vest, all handmade by Nanut. He
was so excited to have cowboy shirts that he hung them properly on the
hangers after he took them off on his own initiative. We visited a playpark
after dinner. Isaac stayed up until 10.00 (11.00 est) being spoiled with
book reading.

One highlight of the day was when Isaac saw the sanitation truck pull up to
the plane when we were in the hanger. I told him that was the truck that
took the pee pee away. We still giggle about that today.

Day 2:

Slept in. Isaac slept in. Not because he was tired, but because the shades
blocked all of the sunlight. He was so excited to get out of bed when it was
still "dark" thinking he had not missed any of potential daylight fun. He
kept telling me that "In Texas, morning comes fast".

We ate breakfast and Grandfather, Isaac and I went to visit playparks while
Nanut stayed at home and made chaps for Isaac out of the remaining leather.
We visited 4 playparks. His favorite was one with giant plastic rocks that
you can climb like a mountain climber.

Aunt Naomi and Uncle "Change" (Sorry Sage, had to do it) came over for lunch
and we did puzzles. Naomi and Sage took advantage of a free meal and ate
until they passed out on the couch.

We had a relaxing afternoon and ventured back out to a playpark and then
walked to go get pizza. Isaac stayed up until 10.00 (11.00 est) being
spoiled with book reading.

Day 3:

Got cowboyed up and went to the Rodeo. We had a ton of fun and Isaac did
real well. He smiled the whole time. Rides and new Cowboy gear were the
highlights of his time at the Rodeo. That evening we stopped by a playpark
on the way home had some real Texas BBQ "the barbeque capital of the
universe" for dinner.

Isaac crashed early.

Day 4:

Had to get up early, pack up and say good bye. We traveled home and Isaac
had horrible gas on the plane. We played on our playpark.



It was a wonderful trip and there were a lot of good memories. When I grow
up, I want to be a cowboy.

-Noah

Tex in Texas

Easter Trip to Granny's

I can't sleep... waiting for Benedryl to knock me out. So, I might as well make use of the quiet and blog.

Friday, since the boys were in Texas (future blog as soon as Noah gets me photos), I took the girls to Granny and Pop Pop's house for a night in Blythewood, SC. It was a nice, quiet trip, and something special for Lauralyn to look forward to since big brother was on an adventure. Plus, Sunday was Granny's Birthday, so it was a special treat for her, too!

Now I admit some of the indoor photos the lighting was bad, but you get the idea of what went on.


Cutie Pie Kristin demonstrating her flexability... this is her favorite way to sit on the floor.


Oreo. The reason for my sneazin'.


Bad lighting, cute kid. Kristin loves to be a ham for the camera.


My kids have always loved a glass storm door, since we have none at our house.


Dyeing Easter eggs with Granny. Granny is way more fun than Mommy who would have never bothered to buy dye, and would have forgotten to get white eggs (we eat brown free range).


Easter egg hunt at Woodley's. Lauralyn was incredibly cute and well behaved. She turned in all her empty eggs for one lollypop, and was quite pleased with this exchange.


Before leaving, Kristin practiced "walking" up and down stairs with Granny's help. Here is that "aren't I so cute" face she puts on for the camera.

Thank You, Grandad!

A very big thank you to Grandad for the generous gift of a new "play park" for our back yard! It has been a process putting it together, but well worth the work! It is mostly all done, Noah will add the roof, steering wheel, and telescope later today. Also, a BIG thank you to Mr. Jesse and the guys from our TLC group for helping in the construction!

Here are the photos of the 10 day process:


Noah and Jason unload the boxes from Mr. Jesse's truck. It proceeded to rain the next 24 hours, so the project was put on hold for a day.


Isaac helped Daddy stain the wood on Sunday afternoon. Now we need to power wash and stain our decks to match. It would make a huge difference in the appearance of our backyard if we could get around to doing this.


"This is a VERY fun day," Isaac said over and over again. He is a born worker.




Monday evening, the guys in our TLC group help to get the construction started.


Thursday morning, Noah, Mr. Jesse and Isaac work on further construction. An hour later, the two boys left for their Texas trip.


Sunday, a few hours after the return of the boys from Texas, the kids get to test out their new "play park." Mr. Jesse finished the construction while Noah was gone... thank you Mr. Jesse! What a huge blessing for our family! I am just tickled that this set is truly the right size for our kids and our yard. This will give us many years of enjoyment... THANK YOU, GRANDAD!

On Politics #3

I don't have much to say other than please be praying for a righteous leader to be Commander and Chief of our country. Pray for God to be merciful to this nation of sinners. After reading the below article, I can't help but be fearful for our country's future. I can only rest in the knowledge that God is in control, and it is HE who raises up kings and leaders... but I also know that we are long overdue for major consequences to the evils of our land, especially the "legal" genocide of millions of pre-born babies. Not to mention we are a greedy and incredibly idolatrous country.

I include myself in the above statement, because I confess I am greedy, fight my own idols, and do not do enough to fight the pro-abortion movement. So, don't think at all that I am separating myself from the rest of the country.

So here is an article everyone needs to read, written by Kenneth Blackwell (who by the way is black, if it matters). The article was published in The New York Sun, Feb. 14, 2008.

Beyond Obama's Beauty

By KENNETH BLACKWELL
February 14, 2008

"Civilizational war is real, even if political leaders and polite punditry must call it by another name."

— Robert D. Kaplan in the December 2001 issue of the Atlantic Monthly

It's an amazing time to be alive in America. We're in a year of firsts in this presidential election: the first viable woman candidate; the first viable African-American candidate; and, a candidate who is the first frontrunning freedom fighter over 70. The next president of America will be a first.

We won't truly be in an election of firsts, however, until we judge every candidate by where they stand. We won't arrive where we should be until we no longer talk about skin color or gender.

Now that Barack Obama steps to the front of the Democratic field, we need to stop talking about his race, and start talking about his policies and his politics.

The reality is this: Though the Democrats will not have a nominee until August, unless Hillary Clinton drops out, Mr. Obama is now the frontrunner, and its time America takes a closer and deeper look at him.

Some pundits are calling him the next John F. Kennedy. He's not. He's the next George McGovern. And it's time people learned the facts.

Because the truth is that Mr. Obama is the single most liberal senator in the entire U.S. Senate. He is more liberal than Ted Kennedy, Bernie Sanders, or Mrs. Clinton.

Never in my life have I seen a presidential frontrunner whose rhetoric is so far removed from his record. Walter Mondale promised to raise our taxes, and he lost. George McGovern promised military weakness, and he lost. Michael Dukakis promised a liberal domestic agenda, and he lost.

Yet Mr. Obama is promising all those things, and he's not behind in the polls. Why? Because the press has dealt with him as if he were in a beauty pageant.

Mr. Obama talks about getting past party, getting past red and blue, to lead the United States of America. But let's look at the more defined strokes of who he is underneath this superficial "beauty."

Start with national security, since the president's most important duties are as commander-in-chief. Over the summer, Mr. Obama talked about invading Pakistan, a nation armed with nuclear weapons; meeting without preconditions with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who vows to destroy Israel and create another Holocaust; and Kim Jong Il, who is murdering and starving his people, but emphasized that the nuclear option was off the table against terrorists — something no president has ever taken off the table since we created nuclear weapons in the 1940s. Even Democrats who have worked in national security condemned all of those remarks. Mr. Obama is a foreign-policy novice who would put our national security at risk.

Next, consider economic policy. For all its faults, our health care system is the strongest in the world. And free trade agreements, created by Bill Clinton as well as President Bush, have made more goods more affordable so that even people of modest means can live a life that no one imagined a generation ago. Yet Mr. Obama promises to raise taxes on "the rich."

How to fix Social Security? Raise taxes. How to fix Medicare? Raise taxes. Prescription drugs? Raise taxes. Free college? Raise taxes. Socialize medicine? Raise taxes. His solution to everything is to have government take it over. Big Brother on steroids, funded by your paycheck.

Finally, look at the social issues. Mr. Obama had the audacity to open a stadium rally by saying, "All praise and glory to God!" but says that Christian leaders speaking for life and marriage have "hijacked" — hijacked — Christianity. He is pro-partial birth abortion, and promises to appoint Supreme Court justices who will rule any restriction on it unconstitutional. He espouses the abortion views of Margaret Sanger, one of the early advocates of racial cleansing. His spiritual leaders endorse homosexual marriage, and he is moving in that direction. In Illinois, he refused to vote against a statewide ban — ban — on all handguns in the state. These are radical left, Hollywood, and San Francisco values, not Middle America values.

The real Mr. Obama is an easy target for the general election. Mrs. Clinton is a far tougher opponent. But Mr. Obama could win if people don't start looking behind his veneer and flowery speeches. His vision of "bringing America together" means saying that those who disagree with his agenda for America are hijackers or warmongers. Uniting the country means adopting his liberal agenda and abandoning any conflicting beliefs.

But right now everyone is talking about how eloquent of a speaker he is and — yes — they're talking about his race. Those should never be the factors on which we base our choice for president. Mr. Obama's radical agenda sets him far outside the American mainstream, to the left of Mrs. Clinton.

It's time to talk about the real Barack Obama. In an election of firsts, let's first make sure we elect the person who is qualified to be our president in a nuclear age during a global civilizational war.

Mr. Blackwell, a fellow at the American Civil Rights Union and the Family Research Council, is a columnist for The New York Sun, and a contributing editor for Townhall.com.

Time to Purge... again.

Oh, how can it be that we acquire more stuff than we get rid of? It must have something to do with the three kids that we (along with their several sets of grandparents) love to spoil, within reason of course. I admit, I love to shop, especially bargain shop. Whether it be ebay, Goodwill, or a consignment sale on 50% off day, a bargain thrills be to the core. Sad? Isn't it? I used to yard sale, but with the cost of gas ($3.15 per gallon), it just isn't nearly as cost effective as it once was.

After many months of accumulating clothes, toys, and other items, I am ready to purge. If there is enough of a pile, I may have a yard sale... or I'll just drop it off at Goodwill. We are blessed to have a nice new Goodwill store two minutes from our house.

Lately, I have been under the conviction that I tend to hoard things, whether it be clothes, or toys I think somebody may use at some point. Sometimes, I think, "Oh, I spent $30 on that toy and he has never used it... but I can't just give it away, that would be a waste." In reality, it is a waste sitting in my closet as a constant reminder that I spent $30 on a toy he never uses.

I also have been reminded that all of this stuff will eventually burn up and be nothing (according to Scripture), and should I die, it isn't like I'm going to take a U-haul with me (according to Mr. Jesse). I especially have a difficult time holding on to sentimental items, and children's clothes. I have boxes of old sentimental items just collecting dust in our closets and attic. But how do you throw out yearbooks and correspondence with friends and family? I am okay with keeping all of this, all long as it is out of the way in the attic.

Kid's clothes, however, is a hard one. We are hoping to be blessed with a large family. What should we keep? I am tempted to just give it all away (not the handmade items from Nanut), but is that really being a good steward? Knowing we will probably have a few more kids, is it wise to hold on to some stuff? The problem is the chaos of boxes upon boxes of clothes. I think I am resolved to give much of it away, and keep some essentials. All of Lauralyn's clothes will be passed to Kristin, so those will be kept. Baby clothes, dresses, and pajamas. Everything else can be replaced cheaply... because I am such a great BARGAIN SHOPPER!

Who Pooted?

A quote... from my son.

"Who pooted?"

Pause.

"I think it was me."

Pause.

"I know it was me."

(Followed by me laughing hysterically...)

March Fun

In a recent post, I mentioned just wanting to play outside. Here are the photos of our fun.

Starting our vegetable garden with leftover seeds from previous years. I can't wait to have fresh produce in our backyard! Lauralyn especially can't wait for the tomatoes. She loves tomatoes... I give them to her whole and she gobbles them up!





Isaac would rather break bricks with a hammer and make a mess. Such a boy.




Isaac and Lauralyn like to pretend the van is their "club house." They play so sweetly together when they are pretending. This activity went on for about an hour! Who would have thought a van could be so much fun?


Corinna came over for the day. She is six months younger than Isaac, a year older than Lauralyn. They play really well together, and they all had a great time.


Me: Mom, a big limb broke off one of your trees.
Mom: Can't Noah take care of it?
Me: Ummm. No. Let me rephrase. A VERY big limb fell off your tree.


This is the view from behind my mom's house next door. Looks like a big field, but it's really just a golf course. I love this photo with the three kids in the distance (Corinna is kid #3).


Nanet's "play park" is always fun. Especially the sand box.


Maggie is Nanet's toy poodle who has a HUGE compulsion. See the ball on the left? I have never known a dog who is so obsessed with a ball.


Isaac always has work-a-do.


Look at the above photo of Isaac and this one of Kristin. It's pretty obvious they are working with the same gene pool.


Lauralyn dancing on the turtle. Isn't the dress great? I got it at Goodwill for $3.

Smiley's Sketti

I couldn't resist. Never before have I let a child feed them self spaghetti before they were able to use a spoon. This is why. The white shirt was not the smartest move on my part. But, she did have fun!

Tree Climber Isaac

Isaac has the privilege of playing outside by himself while I putter around the house. I keep a watchful eye on him from inside. I recently looked out the window to see how much Isaac's tree climbing skills have improved!

To do....

I have a big "to do" list, and I just don't wanna. I would rather play with my kids and that's about it. The weather is nice, and I am ready for spring. But this "to do" list looms over my head. Sure, there is the everyday chores of laundry, etc. I am dreading doing taxes and that has got to be done sooner rather than later. There is the Juice Plus stuff to tend to. Not that it's hard, but follow ups, phone calls, customer service, organization, invitations all start to add up, and I would rather be outside playing. So, I work on the reward system... if I make the six phone calls, I can play outside. I basically treat myself like a kid with chores.

I have been researching swing sets, hoping to get one for the kids. There are so many out there, and they are all pretty pricey. We can't justify spending two grand on a swing set, even if it will be used a lot. I would wait and see if I could get a used set on ebay, but that means disassembly, transporting, and re-assembly... and that's if a decent set is put up for sale in our area. Since we host a Bible study group on Monday nights (with several children) it would be better to go ahead and buy one now, so we can use it right away.

I did call a local swing set dealer, and asked if they had any discontinued items they would sell cheap, and jackpot! They have a nice little set that they will sell to us at their cost! It is not huge (which is actually a good thing), but has nice features including a 10' slide which is hard to come by. Hopefully, this will work out, and soon enough we'll have photos of our new swing set (and the building thereof).

Art by Isaac

He has the genetics to be an artist of some kind. We'll see what happens. I do love these two drawings. Aren't they the greatest?

The Many Faces of Lauralyn

Drama. That's life with Lauralyn in a nutshell. Maybe she will be a fabulous actress when she grows up. She does keep me entertained with her many expressions. Lauralyn also received a very fancy Easter dress (made by Nanut), with matching hat, purse, and doll dress. Kristin was given a dress that coordinates with Lauralyn's. Should make for some cute Easter photos.

Naturally, Lauralyn insisted on wearing the dress as soon as the box was opened... it is darling, just like Princess Lulu. Here is a great series of what I typically see from Lauralyn...






This one is my favorite. It is the expression I see the most.


This is Lauralyn telling me to do something... I believe she was saying that she wanted to see the photo.


This is what we call "the frowny princess" face. This is the look I got when I didn't show her the photos.


Here is what I get when I ask her to smile for the camera. I negotiated to get a smile, agreeing to show her the photos after I took them.


This makes me laugh so hard! I asked her to smile with her eyes open this time (and I demonstrated a look similar to this). She does a great impression of me being goofy.