The Things They Say

I know many of my posts revolve around the funny things my girls say, but here goes again...

Heard today from the back seats of my van:

Elizabeth: "Mommy, lions are faster than anything."
Nora: "No, God and Jesus are faster than anything in the whole world."
Ruby: "I don't think God and Jesus really like to run that much."
Elizabeth: "Yeah, they're probably too busy working."

An Angel Now

It's hard to understand why some people have to endure so much. Our friend, Brent, lost his wife two years ago and his daughter yesterday. Brent and Lisa traveled to China with us two and a half years ago to bring home our daughters. Just five short months later, Lisa died suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving behind her husband, newly adopted daughter, and three sons. Yesterday, Brent and his sons suffered another tragic loss. Their beautiful Vivian died suddenly and with no warning. She was 4 1/2 years old. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel an emotional road most of us can't even imagine enduring. In memory of a beautiful angel, here's a picture of Nora and Vivian (on the right). She's resting at peace now and with her mommy in heaven.

Yard Spelling

There are so many great things about homeschooling. Spelling in the front yard on a beautiful, sunny day is just one of many! I'm so grateful that my kids have the opportunity to learn this way.

Oh, Nora...

At dinner tonight the girls were talking about us having another kid (yeah, right). Ruby said we could buy another kid. I explained that we absolutely never, EVER buy kids because we are human beings and God's children. Then Nora says, "I know why we never buy a kid. You know why? Because kids can't breath in a box." I went on to elaborate on human beings and God's children. Then she said, "Yeah, Mommy, you know why we're human beings? Becuase we can TALK if we're in a box." Oh Nora, where do you get this stuff?

It's Spring!

I've been terrible lately about updating the blog. It just seems like we get busier all the time. This past winter was exceptionally cold for Missouri, and we had a lot of snow. Now, it's finally spring, and we're SO glad to be outside again! Here are a few pictures to celebrate the season!

Sisters

It's hard for me to remember the time when we had to seriously consider whether it would be better for Nora to have sisters or not. Seriously, how could I have ever wondered? All three of them are sisters in every sense of the word!

Keeping It Simple

Tony and I are such a great parenting team. We have the same values and ideals when it comes to raising our daughters. That's not to say that we are making the same decisions that we made when we raised our older kids. We have a different perspective now. I think it comes with a combination of factors: age, our life experiences, our daughters' life experiences, and the lifestyle we choose to live now.

Financially, we are much better off than when our sons were young, but we manage to keep our life -- and our kids' -- much simpler. We don't lavish the girls with big and expensive gifts or indulge them with every little thing they desire, although it's tempting to do so. Instead, we give them more of ourselves and our time. I think this makes them appreciate the things we give them so much more.

What I hadn't thought about until recently is how it allows others, especially family members, to do special things for them. For example, we don't go to McDonald's very often, and when we do go we order the girls threee cheesburgers and a large fry to share. We drink water because it's healthier -- soda or chocolate milk are special treats. My dad wanted to do something special for the girls last weekend, so he gave them money to get a Happy Meal and asked me if I would take them to McDonalds this week (he would have but he's working). They were so excited today when we went and got Happy Meals. They were mostly excited about the chocolate milk and toy. It's not that we can't afford to buy them Happy Meals, obviously, but it made it so special that Pa gave them this special treat. It made me glad that we keep things simple enough that people like my dad can do something special for them that is simple and yet still a special treat. So many kids today have so much that it's hard to think of anything to give them that they don't already have, and I think that sets up some unrealistic expectations.

So tonight when the girls were saying their prayers, Ruby's prayer included "And dear God, thank you for the soldiers who protect our country. And also thank you for Pa who loves us and does nice things for us and craps us up." Ummm...I think she meant "cracks us up." But you get the idea. :-)

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."