A Busy February

I can't believe I haven't posted on this blog for a month! We've had a busy February! Here's a little of what we've been up to:

Spending time with family.

Going to church.

Spending time with Mason (we get to babysit every Saturday while my son and daughter-in-law work).

Bowling with friends.

Elizabeth has lost two teeth and became friends with the tooth fairy.

Everyone got roses from Daddy for Valentine's day.

And...income taxes, but I won't post a picture of that. :-) And now on to March! Hopefully I will be a better blogger next month.

Only six years?

Usually you hear people make jokes like, "Wow, we've only been married for six years? It feels like ten." Well, joking aside, it really does feel like it has been a lot longer than six years since we got married. Six short years ago today we were going to sleep knowing we would wake up tomorrow and get married. That was the very best decision I've ever made. Our lives have been filled with about twenty years worth of experiences and adventures since that day! Tony knows what I mean.

When we got married on January 31, 2004, I had no idea how our marriage would lead us to make decisi0ns that would change the course of our lives forever. I had no idea of the paths we would travel and the memories we would make with our sons. I had no idea that we would become grandparents -- twice -- during the first six years of our marriage. Or that we would twice live apart for a few months for the sake of our family and future. And I had no idea that we would become the parents of three very special daughters. It's really hard to imagine what the next years hold for us. I've learned not to guess. Life is a journey, and it's a journey with so many winding roads. I wouldn't have it any other way. I am thankful every day that God brought Tony and I together. I only wish it would have been 20 years ago, but then I guess we wouldn't have been the same people we were when we met.

Happy sixth anniversary Honey. You are so very, very loved.

Awesome Adoption Story

Several of my friends have posted links to this story, so I finally read it today. What an awesome article! It mirrors many of my thoughts and experiences adopting all three of our girls. It's definitely worth reading. Click here to read it. Scroll down to the part titled "Coming Home."

Staying Warm, Thanks to Tony

Saturday was cold, really cold -- as in 10 degrees for a high. It was one of those days when you just want to pile on some blankets and read a book. Unfortunately, I needed to hit up two grocery stores for their "1-day sales." I was dreading it and procrastinating all morning and through lunch, but I like to stock up on meat and other necessary items when these great sales are happening.

Then, my awesome hubby said, "Hey, I'll go for you if you want me to. I thought maybe you were looking forward to getting out without the kids." Um, not so much. Usually I would relish the hour or two of alone time to do my grocery shopping, but did I mention how cold it was? So my darling husband, who works so hard to provide for us every day of the week and really deserves to NOT do household chores, took Ruby and went to two grocery stores and got everything on my list while I put the other two girls down for a nap and read a book. How many husbands would do THAT? And all he said is, "I like doing things for you, honey."

Have I mentioned how lucky I am and what an amazing husband I have?

Kids Say the Funniest Things

I really have to start writing down some of this stuff! Here are a few of the comments I've heard just in the last day or two:

Nora while driving in the car: "I saw two cows eating with their heads close together."
Ruby: "Maybe they are true loves."
Nora: "Ruby, don't be silly. Cows don't have a true love."

Ruby to Elizabeth: "Elizabeth, why do you keep talking and talking and saying so many words?" Oh, that is such a good question.

Nora to me while spelling a word: "Mommy, you thought I was going to say "y" but I said the correct letter." How many 5-year-olds use the word "correct"?

Nora after a visit to see Mason, our new grandson: "Mommy, when I grow up and get big and everything I'm going to be pregnant." Again, how many 5-year-olds use the word "pregnant"?
Elizabeth, following the previous comment: "And then I'm going to tickle you."
Nora: "OK, but that's not what makes babies come out."

Nora: "Mommy, when baby Mason come over to my house he can't play with my guitar because he might bite all the strings off." He's only nine days old.

Nora: "Mommy, I can't remember what's that one animal called that lives in trees and eats leaves and is nocturnal like bats and owls?" Again, 5-years old (she was trying to think of a koala)...

Me: "Nora, you're saying your "s" sounds really well."
Nora: "I know, Mommy. I persevered." It's so funny to hear the word persevere come out of her cute little mouth.

Derrek

As my son embarks on his life with his wife and baby son, I can't help but think of the days when he was a tiny baby. This picture of me dancing with Derrek at his wedding will always be one of my favorite pictures.
You know how you watch your little baby's fingers wrap around one of your own? I've been watching that with Derrek and Samantha's son -- my amazing, little grandson. But baby boys grow and change and turn into men. My son has turned into a man I'm so very proud of. I look at this picture -- one of my forever favorites -- and I see his very large hand in my small hand (what a change from when he was a baby), and I see our eyes locked together, and I know we share a bond that will never be broken. There is something very special between a mother and a son. I love Derrek so much, and it's such a gift to watch him with his newborn son.

Oh how they have changed!

As 2009 comes to a close, I can't help but reflect on how much Ruby, Nora, and Elizabeth have changed and grown.

When we ended 2008, Ruby and Elizabeth were still sort of getting their "bearings" in this new life of theirs. Nora was still settling into the role of being a sister. Now, as we end 2009, they have truly settled in and become accustomed to their new home and life. I know that for many adoptive parents, the first year of adjustment can be really difficult, especially with "older" children. We have certainly had our moments, but I can't say it has really been terribly challenging. Maybe we were just prepared and expected the rough spots, or maybe our girls just did especially well (all three of them) with the transition, bonding, and attachment.

The hardest adjustment was probably my own in that I had to adjust to 1) the demands of three children who are all young and close to the same age 2) juggling grocery shopping, doctor appointments, etc. with three kids and 3) beginning homeschooling with three kids. What I didn't really understand when I was "working" is that being a stay-at-home mom is REALLY WORKING. At my job as a business analyst, I set yearly goals that were measured at my performance review every year. Now I have one goal, and it doesn't change from year to year: to be the best wife, mother, and teacher I can be. Some days I perform my job really well, and some days I need to take a deep breath and a step back. I measure my performance not once per year, but every day when I look at my home and family. I will never get a promotion, but it's still the most rewarding job in the world (and there's always room for improvement).

Here are a few pictures of the girls and how much they have changed.

The Dust is Finally Settling

It's been a wild week, but the dust is finally settling...and I mean that literally. You could write your name in the dust on my shelves. When I pick up the nativity set I have on display you'll still be able to see where each and every wise man was standing. I just haven't had time to keep up with housework. Guess I better make some time now.

Our grandson, Mason, was born on December 22 and came home from the hospital on the 26th. He is doing great now and is a beautiful, healthy baby. Derrek and Samantha are so proud of him and such great parents. This baby will be very blessed, as we are all blessed by his birth. Here's a picture of a VERY proud grandma and grandpa holding Mason.
And then there was Christmas! We all had an awesome Christmas. The girls got so many nice gifts from so many generous and loving family members and friends. And they learned about the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. They each made an ornament for everyone on our Christmas list, and let me tell you that added up to a LOT of ornaments when you multiply by three! But, I hope it helped them learn about the spirit of giving.

The only thing lacking this Christmas was Jonathan and Chris. Tony visited them in the beginning of December, but they were not able to come here around Christmas time due to their jobs. We really, really felt their absence on Christmas day. We miss them so much.
In the midst of all the excitement we had a snow storm! It made for some good sledding and a lot of shoveling and plowing! We also had to move all three car seats to the 4-wheel-drive truck since there was no way my van could even get out of the driveway. Total accumulation wasn't more than 6 inches, but it was blowing and drifting. Every time we cleared off snow, it re-accumulated within hours. There are still areas with snow drifts a few feet deep.
It has been a wonderful week! Now, I better go dust!

Introducing...Mason Lucas Ford!

On Tuesday, December 22nd, my world got even brighter and even more exciting -- if that is possible! My grandson, Mason Lucas, came into this world at 6:49 pm weighing 8 pounds, and he's 21 inches long. I don't think I'm biased when I say he is amazingly beautiful!


Mason's lungs weren't working properly at birth -- air bubbles formed on the outside of his lungs. He has been in the neonatal intensive care unit since birth, but he's improving every day and doing good. Unfortunately, he will not be home for Christmas. He still has an IV and feeding tube. Please pray for my son and his wife and new baby boy as they go through all the joys and worries that the past two days have brought and the next few will bring. I know it will be hard having their baby in the hospital this Christmas.

Gathering Wood and Music with Family

This has been a very relaxing day! We started the day today helping Daddy with loading and stacking wood. This is one of the girls' favorite outdoor activities. And they actually are a lot of help! It was a cold, sunny, beautiful day. After we cut and loaded wood, we unloaded at home and Tony split the wood and we helped him by stacking it. It's a lot of work, but it feels so good when you're finished and have a big stack of firewood!

Then we ended the day listening to my dad and step-mom and their friends play music. Those of you have known me for a long time know that I grew up like this. My mom and dad had a band for as long as I can remember, and I grew up hanging around jam sessions, practices, and performances at parties. These days they don't play music professionally as much (but still some), but it's still so much fun to listen to them. Ruby, Nora, and Elizabeth absolutely love listening to them too!

These are the days of our lives! I wouldn't trade them for anything!