Museum of Science and Nature

We are really sad that Spring Break is over:( I can't wait until the school year is finished so I can just be with my kids..... Thursday my friend and I took our boys to the Museum of Science and Nature because they have a great Children's Museum and we just became members. Here are the boys playing at the water table.






Then we headed over to the Little Farm and got our bags to fill with veggies and plant seeds.

planting seeds


gathering eggs

a quick tractor ride

what farm trip would be complete without milking the cow?

mommy trying to help out

both boys getting in on the action

sand table fun

learning about hot air balloons

Then we headed over to the dinosaur dig area and Jackson wasn't so excited about taking his shoes and socks off for the sand pit.....He actually hated it.

The boys are on the left in the sand

Our last stop was the air table....Jackson's hair was hilarious!

ugh...that is nasty...one second to take the picture and he is putting stuff in his mouth.

uh I think it is nap time:)

Friday morning we headed out on our very first camping trip! It was SO MUCH FUN! I promise to post about it tomorrow! Stay tuned......


for those who are counting: Tara received a referral of a 4 year old girl (she changed her age range last week) and so we are 1 spot lower. Her march official number was 4. Congrats Tara!! We are so happy for you guys!!

My heart breaks....

Yesterday morning I read some really sad news. Mrs. Haregewoin Teferra passed away in Ethiopia. This woman's story changed my life and I (and thousands of others) am incredibly grateful for the work she has done and inspired others to do for the children of Ethiopia. If you haven't read There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene then you REALLY need to.

A day at the arboretum!

It is Spring Break and since I teach preschool 3 days a week we had to get out with the crowds and enjoy our week off! My friend Darci and I took our boys to the Arboretum today and they had a great time. There were so many beautiful tulips and flowers....we don't have any pictures of those because the boys were too interested in the exhibits. Right now Storybook Playhouses are touring and the boys would rather be pirates on Captain Hook's ship than care about any flowers!

Here is the treasure island playhouse:)

Captain Jack


Captain Hook's ship
This was the Eragon playhouse...I had never heard that story before.

1 Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Looking at some real fish:)



refusing to turn his head for a picture.....

This is part of the Little House on the Prairie town...

Jackson kept saying I am cooking a hot pot dinner!

Perhaps the only picture of his face....

In the bunkhouse of Little House Town

In the schoolhouse, Jackson was the teacher:)

They had about 15 playhouses in all but the boys were too worn out to see much more so we headed home for our afternoon naps. Next stop is the Museum of Nature and Science on Thursday.....stay tuned:)


Adoption Update: We are most likely back at 5 or possibly 4 due to some lost referrals....this has been a really trying period since we were expecting it this week.....we are just pushing through and knowing God is in control. It may be April but we ask you to join us in praying that it is soon.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

My little man turned 2 yesterday and we had a huge Elmo party today for him. It was originally supposed to be in our backyard with our nice big patio and yard but it has been raining since Tuesday and our backyard now resembles Lake Michigan. So we moved the party to the fellowship hall at our church! It was a really great substitute. Jackson was very excited about borrowing his friend Oliver's bounce house for his party so we needed a big space. Here are some pictures of our fun day!

These are the Elmo cupcakes that my friend Ashley helped us make!




The kids had PBJ star sandwiches and fruit for lunch.


Some ballpit fun.

A wiggly family picture!

blowing out the candles....he was more interested in the fire.
Pinata Time!

This is his present from Mommy and Daddy....it will be in the backyard when the lake subsides.

I can not believe my baby is already 2! He is the best kid a mommy could ask for. He is constantly into everything, always curious and wondering how things work. He keeps me on my toes and definitely wears me out by the end of the day but I wouldn't trade it for the world. He is so sweet and cuddly and so fun to be with. He is always the center of attention and everyone who knows him is in love with his cuteness. He definitely needs a great deal of discipline and training but what kid doesn't? He is learning so much and really is a good kid....(you know, when he isn't eating Glade Plugins at school)...... I love watching him grow up into a little boy and really love all the neat things he is starting to enjoy. I can't wait to see what a wonderful big brother he will be.

Jackson we love you so much.....you are a joy to us!

Adoption is a messy thing.....

It is hard for me not to get on the bandwagon that adoption is a beautiful, wonderfully orchestrated work of God. I do believe that, I really do. But the thing is adoption is also ugly and messy and would not be needed if it weren't for sin and this fallen world. For me it has been hard to forget the pain and grief that comes with adoption even though I try to focus on the good in it. I know that it is the right plan for us and that God is at work in our adoption. I just grieve the loss that my child will face and that her birth mother is also facing. It is weighing so heavy on my heart.

Please pray for our friends Kristi and Will as they grieve the loss of their precious referral of K. Her birth mother came back to the orphanage yesterday and took her home. I know this is the best thing for this little girl. I think that the best situation for a child is to stay with their birth family, in their birth country. Adoption is the last possible choice. But, I also know the pain and heartache that the Johnson's are now facing. Please pray that the Lord will give our new friends peace and understanding in this great sadness.

Officially 5 but unofficially 4 (I think)

Julie called and left a message and we are officially 5 but Troy thinks we are 4 and he is now over the unofficial list so I am excited about that. Hopefully I will be able to talk to Julie this afternoon and find out some more info..... getting pretty anxious around here though!

Just a few more to knock down!

Quick Question for Parents of Toddlers

Jackson is really taking an interest in playing simple computer games. Right now I am just letting him watch some ABC learning "games" on starfall.com and some games over on the Sesame Street website. I would really like to get a computer game that he could play himself (with help) although we only have a lap top so I am a little nervous about it. I think it would be a good way to work on his colors and shapes since he currently insists that everything is red. Anybody have any suggestions?? I would rather him not use our laptop but really that is our only option I think....I think their are dvd games for the tv through leapster or something but I really don't want to spend the money and find out they are lame:) Anyways thanks for your help:)