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."

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.