SNOW DAY UPDATE:

Round 2 was fun! A bit shorter than this am, but they all had fun. There was even a new layer of ice on the driveway which made the sleds fly! This time Dada even took a shot and caught some air on the ramp! Fire Cracker surprised us all by how much he giggled when sledding. He wanted to go again and again! Now we are all snuggled under blankets watching the Winter X Games. Hmmm......do you think we might be watching one of the boys on there one day? I would not be surpised!

It, Finally Friday, Snowed!!

4:51........yep, that is what time the boys woke up this morning! They ran into our room to tell us it had snowed 5 inches and was still snowing! Then I told them to go back to bed! At least for 45 minutes or so. We all got up around 6am and sure enough it had snowed about 4 inches and was still freezing raining. So we ate breakfast and waited until the sun came up. It took about an hour, literally, to get everyone dressed including ourselves....that is always, ahem, exciting. I am so excited to say that each of the kids had a blast! Bottle Rocket and Smoke Bomb went sledding for at least an hour and a half. The neighborhood kids and dads all built a ramp at the end of the driveway which created a new level of fun for the kids. Fire Cracker dawned a baseball cap with a snow hat to cover his ears so his glasses did not get wet. He enjoyed watching the other kids and sledding somewhat. Until he peed in his pants! Back to the drawing board, stripping off the layers and then back outside again. As for Sparkler she loved to ride in her baby sled- best invention ever- where she is buckled in and leaning back slightly. She rode down the driveway and loved it! Of course she could not move in all the layers we had her in! She basically would take one step and topple over! It is a nice treat for a Saturday! Now excuse me as all this snow play and preparation has worn me out! Stay tuned for round 2 later today!

Finally Friday!

Whew! It is Finally Friday and I might add that we are exceptionally happy that it is the weekend! We have been thinking a lot about time and how fast it goes by. Tonight we were discussing with Bottle Rocket that in just 8 short years he would have his drivers permit. Be still my heart! It is probably well overstated, but make sure you enjoy each moment! By the way, Fire Cracker LOVES his glasses and "missed them" this week when they had to be readjusted at the eye doctor. Enjoy the pictures and hope you have a great weekend! For me, I am off to help my sister find a wedding dress! Life is good, life is good!

Close Your Eyes (and ears) Honey!

Ok, so this is not the top of blog reading for my husband, but I think it is too cute not to share! On rainy days when we are looking, actually desperately seeking, new and exciting things to do, I will pull out the barber shop activity. We really call it "playing beauty shop", but that about sends hubby to wits end! It all started about two years ago when Smoke Bomb asked to brush my hair and use the hair dryer. I thought hard for a minute and then reluctantly sat on the bathroom floor and let him try it out. For about the first 10 minutes I remember warning him quite boldly to not let the hair dryer touch my hair. To my surprise he never did burn my hair, thankfully. He had so much fun that the next time we stepped it up a notch with spray water bottles, combs, round brushes and hair clips! Some days I even let them play makeup - remember I warned you to close your ears honey! When Smoke Bomb and Fire Cracker "get me ready for the party" I look lovely let me tell you! Now I understand my husbands' "concerns" over this, afterall we do have three boys. No harm, no foul I say. Yeah, Smoke Bomb calls himself the "hair guy" sometimes, but they have a blast! It is a treat to me as well. What girl doesn't like to have her hair brushed and makeup done?! Today they even brought out the lotion and gave me a foot massage. Hubby you might want to reconsider and visit the barber shop- you just might be surprised!

Miracles Do Happen

My friend, who is also my husband's co-worker, has been attempting to adopt a little girl named Avery from Haiti for almost 2 years. Since the earthquake on Jan 12 in the city of Port-au-Prince, she and her family, along with countless other adoptive parents, have been on the roller coaster of their lifetime. Please pray for these families and orphans who are so close to the waiting arms of a loving family who can meet their needs and keep them safe. Please also pray that God will work through the leaders of this country in these situations. Thank you.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Press Release

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti) On January 20, 2010, 133 orphans from the Maison des Enfants de Dieu (Children of the House of God) orphanage will begin the difficult process outlined by the U.S. Department of State for humanitarian parole and onward transportation to the United States. In accordance with instructions received from the State Department, as relayed by the Joint Council on International Children's Services (JCICS) at 8 p.m. today, orphans along with orphanage staff members have been instructed to arrive at the U.S. Embassy as early as possible on Wednesday morning. JCICS warned that no food, water or facilities would be available for the children while processing at the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince.

JCICS further relayed that orphanage requests to the U.S. Embassy for security and transportation for the children have been denied by the State Department. The U.S. ministry associated with this orphanage, For His Glory Adoption Outreach (FHG), was also asked to stop requesting security, transportation or even water at the orphanage location. Following discussions with staff and board members in Port-au-Prince, the difficult decision was made that all 133 children, including approximately 60 children under the age of 3, will begin early in the morning of January 20th to walk the over 2 kilometers to the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince. This decision was made due to the limited staff available and the increasingly dangerous security situation at the orphanage in Port-au-Prince. The staff will carry as much water, food and baby formula as possible with them for the orphans while processing at the U.S. Embassy. JCICS relayed that once processing is completed, the orphans will travel to the United States on "cargo jets to locations that are not often known until an hour or so before the flight leaves."

Kim Harmon, President of FHG, acknowledged that "this arrangement is far from ideal for the safety and well-being of the children. We are calling to all who care about these precious children to pray earnestly for their safety tomorrow."

Flash Forward 35 Years

Today I dressed our daugther in my baby sweater I wore when I was one year old. Wow! Words cannot describe that feeling. Thanks Mom for saving the sweater! We have so much to be thankful for and serve an awesome God!

Finally Friday Fire Cracker Edition: His New Specs

With hubby and my eyesight being so bad, I am not sure how we made it to the third child without vision appointments and equipment! Looks like Fire Cracker is the winner of this race! We thought he had an eye that would cross occasionally. Turns out he is actually near-sighted in his right eye with an astigmatism. So now he is the proud new owner of the smallest and cutest little glasses I have ever seen! We thought he would have to wear the coke bottle glasses we had to endure when we were little. Luckily technology has made eyeglasses for kids adorable! Fire Cracker did so well at the opthamologist- I felt like crying he did so good! He got to hold the doctors' pet frog, ride on the rocket chair, and watch movies so he thought it was lots of fun. Then when we went to pick out glasses he put them right on! He even told me which ones he liked and did not like! So we are off to a great start. We have been talking to him about what is going on all week trying to prep him for his new specs. Bottle Rocket even offered to use his money to buy some reading glasses from the dollar store to wear along with him! I am sure it will be a period of adjustment, but I am so proud of him for being so adaptive. Without further ado, here is little Fire Cracker with his new specs! Makes you giggle, doesn't it?!?!

"Greatest Ever Birthday", he says!

Happy 7th Birthday Bottle Rocket! Wow! Just seven short years ago you made us parents! What a special moment! We are so proud of you - your intelligence, humor, passion and dedication. You are our favorite 7 year old! We love you!

Our Baby Penquin

Sparkler has just started the phase of reaching her arms out when she wants us to pick her up (can you hear my heart melting!). The super cute part is that she really just reaches her arms back a little. Each time it reminds me of a little baby penquin. See what I mean?


photo via colouroflife.wordpress.com

Finally Friday!!

This week has been a slow picture week with sick kiddos. Here are some shots taken by hubby- love the cool shots he takes from various perspectives. Enjoy the weekend!

The Doctor Is In!

We have had a few sick kids lately.....multiple trips to the doctor and multiple rounds of medicine for two of them. This is not suprising given the number of kids we have and their young ages. Anyhow, today our 13 month old has been running a temperature all day. I never like to see my kids hurt or not feeling well, but their is such joy in your child wanting you to comfort them....to hold them, rub their back and hug them while they sit quitely on your lap. Well tonight my hubby had the stethoscope out to listen to Sparkler's lungs. When he finished Bottle Rocket asked if he could listen to his own heart. This led to him "assessing" his brothers, sister, dada and of course the stuffed crocodile! We were thrilled being in the health field ourselves. A few minutes into the endeavor we heard Bottle Rocket tell Smoke Bomb that Mr. Crocodile had "lajitis". How cute! All our medical and health jargon is wearing off on the kids! Score one point for mama and dada!

Finally Friday!!

Happy New Year!