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:)

Google fun

Ok so Melissa over at A long way from the Theta House did this and I thought I would try.....

Go to google an put in your name needs...for example I put in DeeDee needs and these are the top 10 things that came up.

1. Your prayers---wow Google you are impressing me so far.....I went on to read that DeeDee is a rat terrier in need of prayer....nice.

2. Certified for publication court appeal.....uh ok.

3. a good home.....that is true we are going to outgrow this one very soon!

4. not this time of the month-------I am just going to leave it at that.

5. packaging and fixtures

6. LOTS OF SPAGHETTI-----what?

7. pears---- apparently I am hungry.

8. about to be homeless---- wait what? see #3!

9. psycho therapy----- yeah I am about done with this game.

10. cash---- well at least this one is true.


well at least I got a laugh out of it:) And by talking to Kristi I may not be 5 and actually still at 6....so I need all the laughs I can get.

Moving SLOWLY up or is it down?

I am a child of the 80's so this is my way of saying we are now number 5:)

Sorry....

I really do have blog posts to share with you all but I am soooo tired. For instance, I would like to tell you Jackson has successfully moved into his new bunk beds with not one problem at all (and the pictures), and how he also peed in the potty for the first time, and how all of the sudden decided he doesn't need his pacifier anymore..... Yep, all in one week.

Next week I will be blogging about what college he has decided on.

Yes, these are all milestones that I would love to be sharing with you along with how I have started the nursery and bought a double stroller on Craigslist....I have even taken pictures like a good blogger does but instead.....I am going upstairs to take a nap:)

Congratulations TROY AND AMBER!!!

yep lots and lots of movement this week! I was blessed by seeing pictures of both Kristi's and Troy's new babies!!! Ummmm, I am ready for mine NOW!!!!

Still not sure what my numbers are but I did get in contact with Tara who is 2 spots before me on the list!!! YAY! Hopefully we will be able to travel together!

CONGRATULATIONS KRISTI!!!!

So my blog friend Kristi has been stuck at the number one spot for WAY too long! But she just got the call, so go on over to her blog and say congrats!!!! AHH!! I can't believe it! I really hope the next 6 babies come really fast so we can travel with you guys!!! I am so happy:)



oh yeah and we could be lower but I know at the highest we are

Please Pray

A family in our agency was waiting for travel and received devastating news that their baby girl had passed away. That is all I know but I am having a really hard time processing this, my heart aches for this family and I ask you to pray for them at this time. I do know that they will be receiving another referral any day and that will definitely be a very hard time....to let go of one that you loved and receive someone new.....I don't know if I could do it.


I feel tired of waiting....maybe a blog/number break is in order.....maybe.

Officially 8?

Ok so our case worker sent us our official numbers and we are 8 which is what I thought but she also included this little gem:

Of course, it is good to know that there are a few referrals that were recently made that have not yet been factored out of the list as we are awaiting the official acceptances, but congratulations on your movement!



I am really unsure who she is talking about since Kristi still hasn't heard anything and she is still officially #2. So maybe we are unofficially 7 or lower if numbers 1 and 2 on the boys list got referrals and were on the girls list.....there is really no way of knowing. To me it sounds like we are lower than 8 but who really knows..... I guess we will find out in March:(

Jackson's first black eye.

Today at Mother's Day Out Jackson pulled a pretend shopping cart over on himself and got his very first shiner. I wouldn't be a good blogger if I didn't properly document this event.

Here he is telling his GiGi all about it while eating a cheese stick and notice whats laying in the floor behind him

You can't really tell by this picture but it is pretty bruised under his eye.... Jackson is so overly cautious that he doesn't really get big injuries often. He plays rough and hard but I think he has a low tolerance for pain like his momma so he tries to avoid falling down at all costs!

Serious Life Magazine

I wanted you to know about this publication I’m a part of called Serious.Life Magazine. They just published the February issue today, and I am in their Featured Blog Directory. It’s a very high quality magazine… you’ll really like it.

The magazine includes a lot of great content from bloggers you’ll appreciate, as well as great features, photos and other content. The magazine is owned and published by a family who have seven kids, three adopted and one who has Leukemia (www.riggsfamilyblog.com). The magazine gives away a bunch of ads to charities and ministries. Besides great articles on interesting people, there is a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor… all sorts of “life” topics.

Again, the subscription is free, and I know you’ll enjoy the magazine, so take a minute to check it out and sign up to get future issues. www.seriouslifemagazine.com