Have a Great Weekend

Tomorrow's the big day.  We'll pack in the morning while Caden is at school and then we'll go to the girls' school to watch Allie get an award at their good news assembly.  After that, we wil be on our way to Hershey.  I hope you all have a great weekend.  I'll tell you all about ours next week!

My Morning

The 1st 5 minutes of my morning were great, THEN Dan said "babe, I'm sorry but I have to go, oh and there's cat throw-up behind my chair." THEN not to be outdown by Daddy, the girls sent a full bowl of raisin bran crunch, bananas, and milk flying into the air. Is it bad to say I wish it had landed on Jaelyn's head instead of her lap before splattering on the counter, bar stools, table and floor?

Thankfully, the rest of the day did not follow my morning : ).

Visitors are A'Coming

I'm so excited.  My parents haven't been here since last June, which is a really long time for them.  They are finally coming, and in their motor home, no less.  It's their first big trek.  Up until now, Disney was their furthest destination.  They left Pensacola Monday morning and are somewhere past Knoxville tonight.  They'll spend 2 days in the Shenandoah Valley and then meet us in Hershey, PA on Friday afternoon.  They've only had one incident so far that involved my dad breaking into their motor home through the driver's side window and then giving my mom a lift so she could get in.  How I wish I could have been a fly on the wall with a little camera!  Can you imagine the pictures?  Awesome. 

Anyway, the plan is to camp at Hershey over the weekend while we have fun in the sweetest place on Earth.  I can't decide if the kids are more excited about seeing Baba and Grandpa, camping in their motor home, or riding roller coasters.  I think the roller coaster are going to win.  I'm just excited about the chocolate!!!   I'm also looking forward to camping without children.  Night time isn't the most fun when camping with kids who won't settle or have to go pee in the middle of the night.  Baba will have night duty...not ME!  This is a test run for a Disney vacation in November so I hope everyone behaves for Baba and Grandpa.

After our weekend away, Dad will store their RV in a storage place and they'll stay with us for 2 1/2 weeks.  I can't wait.  It's going to be so nice to have them here.  The kids have missed them.  We haven't seen family since Christmas.

(Joannie - get that webcam because the kids miss you too and want to play games!!!  I keep telling them you are going to get it set up!)

1,800 Pounds

I somehow managed to talk Caden into going to the gym with me this morning.  He was okay when he agreed to it, but got all teary eyed in the car.  Once I got him into the childcare area and set up to play Madagascar on their computer, he was a-okay.  He didn't even look up when I left the room.  This was my first time with the weight equipment since setting up the fitlinxx the other night.  I love this system.  Once I sign into each machine, it tells me all the seat settings and weight I should be lifting.  It's so easy for someone who doesn't know what they are doing to exercise.  When I was all done, the system told me I lift 1,800+ pounds (I don't remember the exact number).  It'll track my cardio, weights and overall progress.  Pretty cool.  The best part was that Caden enjoyed his time at the Y as well.  I peaked in on him several times and he was always having fun.

We go Thursday morning to start his T-ball class.  Now that's something he can get excited about.

The National Aquarium

We've lived in Abingdon for 3 years and today was our first trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore.  I was excited to go to the aquarium, but more excited about who we were meeting.  My friend Michele lives in Puerto Rico.  Her husband has a class in DC so Michele and their twins tagged along.  The last time we saw them was when Dan and I had a lay-over on our trip to St. Lucia 2 years ago.

We had the best time today.  Libby and Clara are just a few months older than Caden.  They were a little shy at first, but it didn't take long for the kids to warm up to each other.

Caden, Libby, Clara, Jaelyn and Allie

 

Standing in a prehistoric shark jaw...can you imagine???

We left the aquarium to have lunch at Panera.  Scott, Michele, Dan and I sat at a 4-top table in the corner.  We put our 5 kids at a long table in the middle.  We couldn't decide if this couple minded that they were there or not!  It was quite funny that we did what we did, but it might have been one of those you had to be there things to laugh.

There was a little fuss when getting dressed today, but in the end, the kids all wore their new tie dyed shirts and it was much easier to keep track of them.

New friends are the bestest - Libby, Jaelyn and Clara

The dolphin show wasn't too exciting, but coming face to face with the dolphins in the underwater viewing area was! (Jaelyn, Caden, Clara, Allie and Libby)

Time to say good-bye - after a very fun day, we had to go our separate ways.  I'm not sure Caden is loving Libby's heart felt hug.

My favorite part of the day was walking with all the kids back to the aquarium.  We played a game that the kids and I play where we all hold hands and I pull them past me and then they stop and pull me past them.  Then I pull them, then they pull me and on and on and on.  It's lots of fun and was even more fun with 5 kids.  I think Michele took a picture...I'll share it if she shares it with me.  Jaelyn's favorite part of the day was getting to see different types of animals.  Her favorite animals were the birds in the rain forest.  Caden's favorite part was seeing the dolphin show.  The animal demonstrations were Allie's #1 pick.  We saw an owl from Australia, a python and a lizard.

My only regret of the day is that our friends left without a group picture or a picture with me, Michele and the kids.  We'll have to try again in another couple of years :p.

New Wheels

The girls got their "big girl bikes" for Jaelyn's 4th birthday. She's quickly approaching her 8th; so they've had lots of use. The bikes seemed so huge 4 years ago, but the girls seem huge now. Their knees were way up at the handle bars of their tiny 12" bikes. Dan and I decided to be nice and let them grow up into "bigger girl bikes." We went bike shopping tonight. The 16" bikes still seemed small so we went with an 18" bike. With the seat all the way down, the girls can barely touch the ground. We took them to their school to let them try them out. Allie actually did better on the bigger bike and Jaelyn went faster. She scares me.

Caden didn't get a new bike, but I had to post this picture because he's just too darn cute.

B-I-G Big

Caden and I had some time to wait at the doctor's office today (more on that in a minute) so I pulled a children's book off the shelf and had him sound out words. He is sooo ready to read. He very easily sounded out words like: big, it, up, sent, still, tree, me, be, tip, top. By the end of the book, he said "big" everytime I pointed to it with no sounding it out in his head hesitation. BIG - his first sight word. He was pretty proud of himself.

We were at the doctor's office because Caden's allergies have gone crazy and his ear started really hurting him last night. He has an ear infection. None of my kids have ever had one so this is a new experience. We will continue to put the frozen lima beans on it as we did last night and give him tylenol until the antibiotics kick in. Poor little man...I think we need to move to the dry southwest, not the pollen infested east coast.

My Finished Mother's Day Present

I am so thrilled with how it turned out. I need to get to the store for a plate hanger. I can't wait to get it on the wall!

A Trip to Annie's

Caden and I met our friends Miss Krissy and Nathan at the equestrian center today. We followed the Ma and Pa Trail to Annie's playground. The boys were awesome on their bikes and didn't complain at all. I might have complained a little. I'm a tad bit sore from getting set up at the Y last night and I only did 1 set on each machine. I'm going to really hurt when I do a full workout.


One of our new favorite kids' show is Endurance. It's a kid version of Survivor. Most of the kids are 13-15 and my kids say they are applying as soon as they are old enough. They've been doing "endurance competitions" at the house and at the park today, we found the perfect Endurance challenge. Nathan and Caden balanced on the parallel bars to see who could stay up the longest. Caden won.


So high, they can almost touch the sky.

I sure am going to miss days like this next year when Caden starts Kindergarten.

Tie Dye Fun

We have a few outings coming up at busy places. I decided to make the kids matching tie dye shirts so they'll be easier to keep track of. It was my first adventure into dyeing clothes. With the help of youtube, we figured out how to roll and tie the shirts to a make a spiral pattern. We did 1 for each child and 1 for my Dad because he's just cool like that. I ran out of blue and yellow dye and made his red without thinking. Once it was washed, Dad's shirt was a pretty pink. I'm heading to Joanns tomorrow for my dye to try again and make him one that matches the kids.

Time to Get Moving

I haven't exercised at all this school year. Last summer my excuse for not going to the gym was that I was swimming at the pool everyday. I was getting in exercise, just not at the gym I was paying for. Since school has started, I've just been pathetic. I've had no desire to go the gym. I finally cancelled my membership. It seems during those 2 1/2 hours when Caden's in school, there's always some errand to run or something to do around the house. And of course, sometimes I just like to sit and read a book. Well, no more! We joined the YMCA this weekend. It's time to get off the couch and get our butts into gear! I went tonight to get set up on the fitlinxx system. Once I figure out all the machines, I think I'll really like it. You enter a code and each machine tells you your settings, your weight and keeps track of your workouts. I also love that each cardio machine has it's own TV.

The kids are getting moving too. Caden is signed up for T-Ball at the Y. It's more of a clinic to teach the kids how to play. He loved the mixed sports class he did there last year. The girls are signed up for gymnastics at a local rec center. I'm so excited about the gymnastics. Monkey-Jaelyn is built to be a gymnast. She's tiny, but she is so strong.

I'm not sure what Dan's going to do, although he would argue that he gets moving 3 mornings a week at PT. He says he's going to use the Y - we'll see :).

Allie Asked Jesus Into Her Heart

The kids read in their beds everynight before lights out. Allie's book of choice has been her kid's Bible lately. It has the story and then songs to go with each story. Most are sung to tunes she already knows so they are easy for her to sing (it gets her in trouble some nights). Last night, she reread the Easter story. I'm always explaining salvation to the kids and asking if they'd like to ask Jesus into their heart. Allie's never been interested in listening or praying with me. Last night she was; so after her story, she prayed and asked Jesus to come live in her heart. I am continually amazed at the innocence and faith of a child. They believe so easily. There's no questioning or wondering. They just trust. I wish I could trust God so easily with everything in my life all the time.

On a diferent note, Caden has been wondering who made God. He knows that God made the world, the birds, the animals, the people, the stars, etc..."but who made God, Mommy???" My answer that God is God, He is and will always be just isn't enough for him. So - can anyone help me? How do I answer "who made God" so a 5 year old will understand?

Ladew Gardens

We have a topiary garden about 30 minutes from our house. We've been once before and loved the pretty flowers. This weekend was $1 weekend so we went this afternoon. It was cold, but bearable. Spring has definitely been fickle. I love the drive to Ladew. We live in such a congested area, but drive for 10 minutes and you are in farmland. It's beautiful. The daffodils were gone already, but all the tulips were blooming. I took a ton of pictures...here are my 50 favorites :p.

Mother's Day is Around the Corner

I don't know about you, but in this house, if I want a Mother's Day present, I need to either tell Dan what I want while making eye contact ;) or go out and buy it myself.  Other than my very first Mother's Day, I've done the second.  Usually I buy a new picture frame or do some sort of art project with the kids to commemorate what size they are.  I haven't done hand prints in a while and honestly, before too long their hands will be too big to do cute little projects.  The girls went to Amazing Glaze this week for their Girl Scout meeting and I saw the neatest glass handprint project.  We took the kids back today so I could make it.  I can't wait to pick it up after all the glass is melted together in the kiln.

(btw - I fixed Caden's "N" after I took the picture)

Dan helped the kids each paint a small project while I worked on my big glass project.  There's no way I could have finished mine and helped them without Dan's help.  Thank you for coming with us!  I know it wasn't your idea of a fun Saturday morning.

We Are the Truth!

This information is re-posted (ie, copied almost word for word-only the names of the innocent have been changed) from Niki. Thanks for the info ladies!


We Are The Truth – An Adoption Blogger Day: To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know. It doesn’t matter if your adoption is with Russia, domestic or otherwise international. Let the world know your truth!

If you are here, you most likely know that our daughters, Jaelyn and Allie, were brought into our lives through the miracle of adoption. There are, of course, exceptions to the successful adoption story. But these are just that. Exceptions.

"We are the Truth" was begun after a little boy, Artyem, was adopted by a family in the United States and then "sent back" to Russia. It is important to understand that adoptive children have the same "percentage of problems" that biological children have. However, if an adopted child has issues it is "because he was adopted." Have you ever heard someone say, "Well, that child had a lot of problems but can you blame him? He was a biological child." Adoption becomes the "reason" even when it very well may not be. Biological parents abandon their children as well.

The outrageous treatment of Artyem by his adoptive family has rightfully resulted in outrage by the Governments of Russia and the United States and all who care about children. The tragedy has cast a light on intercountry adoption that says it is not safe, the system failed and adopted children cause insurmountable problems. The heartbreak of Artyem Saviliev’s abandonment has once again elevated a singular incident to a level which may result in the suspension of intercountry adoption. Suspending adoption, even temporarily, will only cause thousands of children to suffer the debilitating effects of life in an orphanage.

You, the community of adoptees, adoptive parents, adoptive grandparents, child welfare professionals and child advocates know that the outrageous and indefensible actions of one parent are not indicative of how children are treated by adoptive families. You know that families {um, like us!} who encounter difficulties do not simply abandon their child. You know that help is available, that solutions are found and that families can thrive. And you know that suspending adoption does not protect children but only subjects them to the depravity of an institution…and an entire life without a family.

You, the adoption community know the truth. You live the truth. You are the truth.

Join our campaign to bring the truth to light and help children in need find a permanent and safe family.

You can help! Please:

(1) Sign the letter to President Medvedev and President Obama: The letter asks both Presidents to ensure that intercountry adoption continues uninterrupted and to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of children. You can sign anytime, but doing so before Tuesday night would help us get the letters to both Presidents before President Medvedev leaves the U.S. Click here to sign the letter.

(2) And then PLEASE consider linking to my blog from your blog. Tell the story of our adoption of Jaelyn and Allie or of your adoption or of another adoption you know of! Share how you have witnessed their lives joining to our lives. Tell everyone who reads your blog that adoption is not what this ONE story has painted it to be. It is the exception NOT the rule.

Please help! We don't want children to be hurt by one family's mistake.

Yucatan Marinated Chicken

My friend, Kendra, continues to inspire me to try new things...except brussel sprouts of course.  I copied this from someone at Hannah's Prayer last fall and stuck it in my cookbook.  I pulled it out last night when I was making my menu for the next few weeks.  I grill a lot of chicken and am always looking for a new marinade or flavor to try.  I made it tonight and it was wonderful.  I'll definitely make it again.

Yucatan Marinated Chicken

In a ziploc bag mix:
juice from 1 lime
juice from 1 lemon
juice from 1 orange
(or I guess you could use concentrate that you might have in your fridge if you didn't have the real deals)
1 clove chopped garlic - or 1/2 tsp if you buy it already chopped in a jar like I do :p
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
3 boneless skinless chicken breast (I cut them in half so 6 pieces - the picture is deceiving)

The marinade recipe was actually doubled, but since I was only cooking 3 chicken breast, I halved it.  Increase it accordingly.  Marinate several hours in the fridge and then grill.

Full Service at Toyota

My check engine light came on Monday afternoon so Caden and I packed a bag of stuff and headed to Toyota Tuesday morning for them to check it.  I"m really impressed with the dealership.  It's nice and clean.  They always have a pretty arrangement of cut flowers in the bathroom - it's the little touches that make a difference.  Caden and I have a schedule whenever we are there.  We normally spend the first 30 minutes playing in the playroom (cool new toys - exciting!) and then head to the showroom to climb in and out of all the cars. We still laugh about the time Caden accidentally hit the horn in a big truck and get everybodies attention.  He's careful now with the steering wheels.  The "manicure stations" were open yesterday, so while I was getting the oil changed and car checked out, I got a manicure.  It wasn't just a quick fingernail painting.  It was the whole works complete with a 5 minute hand massage.  Next, we hit the popcorn stand that was popping fresh popcorn and got a hotdog from the hot dog stand.  Did I mention full service?  I flipped through a few "current" magazines and found trhee recipes to copy.  The salesmen were very nice and helped me when the copier jammed.  I was copying a recipe for Bang Bang Shring (a copycat Bonefish recipe) and a salesman asked if I liked to eat there.  He gave me coupons for two free bang bang shrimp appetizers at Bonefish Grill.  Our anniversary is a few weeks away and I know where we are going!  So...in all, I spent $40 to have the car worked on and the oil changed and I got a manicure ( about $25), 2 Bonefish coupons (I'm guessing about $25) and lunch for me and Caden ($5).  Now it wasn't the healthiest of lunches, but we weren't starving while we waited.  I think it was well worth our time to hang out at Toyota yesterday for 3 hours! 

Strawberry Pie

My friend, Kendra, started a cooking blog a few months ago.  All of her recipes that I've tried have been really good.  She posted her mom's strawberry pie recipe last week.  Strawberries where on sale at the grocery store this weekend so I bought the ingredients to make it.  I goofed up a little and grabbed strawberry banana jello instead of strawberry, but the glaze tasted really good...probably not quite as "strawberry" as Kendra's. 

Pretty, pretty strawberries

I cheated on cooling the glaze.  She said to cool it to room temperature before pouring it over the strawberries.  I didn't have a lot of time so I after I simmered the glaze, I put it in a glass bowl over ice.

 Pouring the glaze over the berries

I over filled the pie crust just a tad.  I don't think anyone will mind. 

After 2 hours of chillin' in the frig...

This was supposed to be dessert after dinner, but Caden and I couldn't wait.  We had it with our lunch and it was amazing!  Thanks for sharing you recipe, Kendra!

Sew Crazy

After the success of the last 2 pair of shorts, I took Jaelyn to the fabric store and let her pick out more material.  My favorite are the denim shorts.  I think they are adorable, if I do say so myself.  I added 2 inches to the length so hopefully they'll last 2 summers.  Allie's dress gave me a few issues.  It took me the better part of the afternoon.  I was so happy when I sewed the finishing ruffle on the bottom and so mad when I realized I sewed it on the wrong side so it was wrong side out.  Ughhh...I have one more top to make for Jaelyn.  Then I think I'll have all my crafting urges out and be ready to start cleaning my house again.

Jaelyn's Waist

Jaelyn is super skinny. I didn't think it was possible, but she's skinnier than she was last year. The shorts that fit her in the waist are too big this year. If she didn't mind the waist of her pants/shorts resting on her hips, it would be okay, but she's picky. She says she likes to wear her pants like Grandma Molly...way above her belly button. We tried Caden's shorts on Jaelyn and while they fit in the waist, the inseam is too short because of how high she pulls the shorts. We had the same problem with pants this winter and I spent hours hunting for pants that fit her. Instead of going on the great shorts hunt, I went to Joanns and bought material and a pattern today. I'm making her shorts. The first 2 pair cost $3.50 each, because of the pattern, but the rest will be under $3 each. I found a simple pattern and spent about 3 hours sewing today. I enjoyed it and I think I've finally figured out the tension on my sewing machine. It was sewing very nicely by the end. It's only taken 13 years to get there (shake your head and roll your eyes with me).

Scroll, Scroll, Scroll

I've gone blog crazy today.  Sorry I've been ignoring my blog.  Lots of topics have obviously been floating around in my head though.  Keep scrolling till you hit the end.  : )  There's a lot to read!

Spring is Springing Towards Summer

The beginning of last week, we had to dig out our heavier coats again for 40 degree weather in the mornings.  This week, we've had to dig out our shorts and tank tops.  It's quite a quick transition, but I am loving the warm weather.  I especially love seeing my plants coming alive.  Unfortunately, not all of them made it back from our harsh winter.  My sweet smelling lavendar is gone.  I'm hopeful my jasmine and hibiscus will bud out soon.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  Today, Caden and I bought yellow lantana for our front walk, a huge fern for the front steps and yummy strawberry plants.

Buds from the purple tree in our front yard.  I have no idea what it's name is, but I love it's light pink flowers.

Baby black eyed susans - we bought 2 almost dead 1 gallon black eyed susans the summer we moved here from the last chance table at Home Depot for $1 each.  They came back and have spread and multiplied.  I have baby black eyed susans in all of our flower beds from my original $2 purchase.  They are so pretty all summer long.

Another rescue from the almost dead table at Home Depot - stella de oro day lillies.

I am fascinated by my clematis vine.  It looks like a jumble of dead vines during the winter that should be cut off and thrown away and then in the spring, new growth sprouts out from the dead, dried up vines and produces beautiful, vibrant pink flowers. 

The perfect spring teacup!  If I were a garden fairy, I'd drink my tea from hydrangea sprouts.

My hosta row - a friend dug them up out of the woods behind her house.  What started out as 2 small hostas are now a row of 5 medium hostas.  They are so pretty and lush in the summer. (please ignore the need for new mulch - that's next week's project)

My future pears!

Swinging

My New Favorite Toy

Dan bought me this tripod for Christmas and this was the first opportunity I've had to use it.  I love it!

Buzzed

I started cutting Caden's hair with clippers when he was a baby...probably 15-16 months old.  Lately, Dan's been taking him for some father-son bonding time because my clippers had been doing a bad job.  Caden likes going to the barber with Dan, but at $12 plus tip a time, it's kind of pricey, especially considering I can cut it as well, if not better than them.  Caden tells me the reason he likes going is because they have a cape and I just wrap a towel around his neck.  Well, I bought a new set of clippers today and they came with a cape.  Caden sat very still and let me cut his hair.  I think I do a pretty good job, if I do say so myself.  Now, what can I spent that $12 on every 6 weeks : p?

Happy Birthday, Allie

On Tuesday, Allie turned 7.  How she's 7, I still don't understand, but she is.  It seems like just yesterday that we got the call telling us our travel dates to meet Jaelyn and that a baby girl referral was on the way for us.  Allie is my happy child.  She makes me laugh constantly.  She's smart and funny and and has the sunniest personality.  I can't imagine my life without her and I thank God everyday for giving her to us.  We are the luckiest parents in the world to get to be her Mommy and Daddy!

We baked cupcakes for Allie and Dan got home early just as I was finishing up the icing.  We ate our cupcakes and opened presents in the afternoon and then took Allie to her favorite place, Ruby Tuesdays, for dinner.  It wasn't very busy and the waiter was wonderful.  They apparently don't sing at RT, but they made an exception for Allie.  They sang to her and brought her an ice cream sundae.  BTW, Allie woke up asking for her birthday princess hat that we've had since she turned 3 and she wore it everywhere we went.  She told everyone "Today is my birthday and I'm going to be 7."

Allie took the time to read each of her cards.  She's my first child to do that.  Normally they rip off the paper and totally ignore the cards.

Dan and I bought Allie a Just Like You doll from American Girls.  She was so excited.  Baba and Grandpa got her an outfit so she could match "Sasha." (which is a nickname for Alexandra in Russia and what she was called in the baby home)