It was so much fun!

OK This post was written the 10th but I hit the wrong button and only saved it as a draft. In my defense we had gooten back home at 4:30 am and the little kids who had slept all the way home were up at their usual 7 am so I think that should give me a pardon this time!



Let me first say that giving misleading hints to anxious little boys will cause extreme angst and a serious case of the grumpies. When Seth arrived home the boys were absolutely beside themselves with curiosity about this great surprise. So instead of revealing our destination in the car I had to spill the beans a little early to put them out of their misery.


That is vintage Luke. He is a slapstick comedian.
The ride down was full of excited chatter and laughter, and constant shouts from Isabella, "Mommy, I'm going to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!"
It was just fun!

At the park we spent the majority of our time in Tomorrow Land with Buzz, Stitch and the guys from Monsters Inc. Our first stop though was in Toon Town so Isabella could tour Minnie and Mickey's houses and the kids rode Goofy's barn stormer ride.
I'm not sure if Isabella was just overwhelmed at the excitement but after a ride on Pooh and sitting through PhilharMagic and a Mickey ice cream, she promptly fell asleep in her stroller about 7:30 and stayed asleep for the entire party! She woke up just as we were leaving the park at 12:30 and ooh and aah at the lights on the castle and all the Christmas trees.
It was a great time and we were so glad to bring Bradley's girlfriend Kristine with us. All the kids love her and she is so helpful.

I Have A Secret!!!!

I feel like I am about to burst. We are headed to see The Mouse this afternoon and the kids have no idea. I am the worst secret keeper ever and to have kept this one is a rather large feather in my cap. Gabby and Bradley know but the little boys and Isabella have no idea and they are the ones who have been BEGGING to go for months now. The fact that Bradley has kept the secret is nothing short of a miracle. He is the biggest fink I have ever known, but he comes by it honestly I am ashamed to admit.
The boys have been asking for clues and I have been trying to give them good ones that don't give it away. It wasn't working so I have stooped to giving false information. Low, I know but if I spoil it today and don't get their reaction on video Seth will be less than thrilled with me, to put it mildly.

So today is the day and we are eagerly awaiting Daddy's arrival from work so we can jump in the car and head to the most magical place on earth!

Blissful Avoidance

I have mastered the gift of selective hearing. Especially when it comes to that little voice that says I should be doing something other than sitting at my computer. I didn't really realize it until today but I can also completely tune out the chaos and destruction 5 kids can deliver without batting an eye or losing my focus. My mother and husband will probably tell you I mastered it long ago, and I probably did, but I didn't realize it until this morning. It started like most any other day. I was woken up by Isabella; wandered down stairs to sit on the couch and be mauled and fought over by Luke and Biz. It seems to be their favorite sport these days. We chatted, smooched, tickled and avoided the disaster that is my kitchen this morning. Several places to be, baking cookies and taxi service = no dishes were done last night. It was just more than I felt like dealing with. My favorite sound is laughing children and there was a lot of that this morning. Ecstatic giggling over the lack of supervision and the general free for all that they were being allowed to indulge in. Slamming doors, running up and down stairs, sword fights, cookie and chocolate consumption, pillow fights, and blanket rides that was their idea of bliss this fine morning.
Sipping coffee, completely avoiding my responsibilities, and listening to the sounds of healthy, lively, lovable hooligans seemed like the right thing to do today.
That little voice that keeps telling me I should be cleaning, doing school, and get off my computer? Yup I've tuned it out!

Two Years Ago Today.......

November 12, 2006

November 12, 2008

A childhood dream came true for me when this sweet little angel was placed in my arms for the first time. Her beauty was beyond breathtaking to me. She was everything I had ever dreamed of and more. My heart felt like it was going to explode in my chest when I looked into her sweet face. At that moment I understood how God must feel when somebody makes the choice to follow Him. He waits just as Seth and I did. Wanting so badly to hold us close and love on us. Yet because we have free will He doesn't make us follow Him we must choose. I love Isabella to distraction and she brings so much joy to my life.

I am so grateful that God gave us five great kids, that He chose us to experience the miracle of adoption in an amazing country like China and most of all that He chose to adopt all who come to Him.

Oh Yeah They Cleaned Up!

This was after much sampling and trading had been done

I have never seen so much candy gathered in so short a time!

We trick or treated in a friend's neighborhood since we now live out in the boonies and the kids had a blast. They made a short trip around the block and came back with....4.5 lbs of candy each. Is the dentist going to love me!
Isabella had a great time and walked the entire block without asking to be carried.
The kids put on a fashion show with all the costumes we have Thursday night. Isabella was thrilled with Luke's Mickey Mouse costume from last year even though it is 2 sizes to big. Due to some very unseasonably cool weather Gabby decided against being a ballerina and was Anniken Skywalker instead. That's one of the perks of having an older brother! Dalton was Darth Vader, Luke was....Luke Skywalker and Isabella was Cinderella. She was very excited to wear a princess dress and crown.

The girls. Gabby is behind the mask.

2 Jedi and 1 bad guy!

Pumpkins!

We finally made it to the pumkin patch today. Isabella was so excited. She kept asking if the pumpkins were for her and when we would say yes she would shout, "Hooray!" I got some great pictures and the kids had fun being silly with all the props in the church yard.
I can't wait for tomorrow night! Usually we are last minute getting costumes but the kids have had them picked out since my mom was here a few weeks ago. You'll have to check back to see what everyone is going to be!

My 2 princesses in their royal coach.

I love this picture...notice the tummy!

Prince Charming and Snow White.

Luke was on a mission to find the perfect pumpkin!

An Amazing Movie

Seth and I rarely go to the movies but all week Seth had been hearing about a new movie called Fireproof. It was from the same guys who made Facing the Giants, one of our family favorites.
Everything he heard sounded great so I went online and purchased tickets, something I never do,
and made plans to go Friday night. When we arrived at the theater for the 7:00 showing it was sold out in 2 theaters! I was so glad I had felt prompted to pre-buy the tickets.
The movie was so amazing. The comedy was hilarious, the message beyond powerful. At times it took my breath away. If you haven't made plans to go then do so now. It was so powerful that 2 days later Seth and I are still talking about it and are even tossing around the idea of going again tonight! We don't go to the movies 2x in a year so you know this has to be a great movie!
See it, you'll be blessed!

2 Years Ago Today

Our first glimpse September 2006

Beloved sisters August 2008

Two years ago today the longest journey of my life, to date anyway, finally came to an end. The love in my heart that had no face to gaze upon, no memory to cling to was finally given a face. A dear sweet face that would start a new journey for me. I never could have, in my wildest dreams imagined how much this little girl who was not born of my flesh, would fill my heart with such unspeakable joy and love. God used Isabella to stretch me so far out of my comfort zone. I had so many fears going to China. So afraid of the person I am and the mother I desperately wanted to be for her and the rest of my kids. So afraid to fail, but even more terrified not to take His hand.
Isabella, you make us all laugh so. You are a dream come true and such a pure expression of God's love in our life. I am so thankful to be your mommy and so thankful that you already know how much God loves you. Hold Him close in your heart always, Dear Girl.

Love you forever and back again,
Mommy

Is 8 Really Enough?

When I was a kid, "8 Is Enough" was one of my favorite shows. I never really thought about the size of their family I just loved the show. Today for me I am constantly wondering , "Am I done?
How many kids will I have before I think, "That's it. I don't want anymore, my hands are full!" But truth be told most days I dream of going back to China and bringing home another little angel. Poor Seth, I know he is praying that God will give me peace and stop my longing....but it hasn't worked yet.
My kids are my "thing." Everyone has something they love to do....Seth loves construction, I love kids, especially the ones who call me "mommy." I love their spark and their laughter. I love how when they learn something really new and exciting their eyes get wide and the amazement covers their faces. They are such wonder filled little creatures. Even the days they break my heart and exasperate me to the point where my head feels like it is going to pop off, I love them to distraction.
Then there is the money thing. More kids means less money. But how much do we need really? We have plenty of money to provide for our needs but there isn't always enough for the extra wants. I am ashamed to say it crosses my mind. Isn't an orphan's life worth more than some wants, non necessities, a trip or two? Most days I say yes, but I have my moments.


There is a poem that I have always loved it describes the desires of my heart to a T.

I Would Gather Children

Some would gather money

Along the path of life,

Some would gather roses,

And rest from worldly strife;

But, I would gather children

From among the thorns of sin,

I would seek a golden curl,

And a freckled, toothless grin.

For money cannot enter

In that land of endless day,

And roses that are gathered

Soon will wilt along the way.

But, Oh, the laughing children,

As I cross the sunset sea,

And the gates swing wide to heaven

I can take them in with me.

-Unknown

Praise God Susannah is coming home!

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for Susannah. She is somewhere between China and home. God has moved mountains with officials and her health this week and they were able to get her paperwork expedited. Please do continue to pray for her health though. She has several surgeries in her very near future to repair her heart and then her clefts. I am so thankful her needs will be met here in the US with excellent Drs and hospitals! God is Awesome!

PLEASE PRAY!!!

There is a family in China right now fighting to bring their daughter home. She is sick and in need of healing and a miracle. Some of the "doctors" involved are being uncooperative and little Susannah is receiving less than substandard care.
Please read their blog, leave some encouragement and PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!

Susannah's story

Question of the day........

Gabby asked last night;
"If the No. 2 pencil is the most popular why is it still number 2?"


Hmmmm ;-) Good question Gab!

Fay, Fay, Go Away!

We're on day 3 of windy, rainy weather and have a touch of cabin fever. We're ready for Fay to move on to her next destination! We have been so blessed that we haven't lost power for more than 3 hours and that was in the middle of the night. Not sure anyone knows but me.
We have 1 tree that didn't survive the wind. You can see it in the lower right hand corner of the picture. And yes I still love Florida. I'll take a tropical storm over a snow storm any day!

What do you let your kids do on a rainy day?

Just "Kidding" Around

About 3 weeks ago Seth decided we should get some goats. We have plenty of room, 3 acres, they are cute and fun for the kids, and they can help keep the lawn short. With Bradley gone this summer Seth and I realized how much work 3 acres is. Goats seemed like a great idea.

We took a little road trip and adopted two little pygmy goat girls. They were 2 weeks and 7 weeks and cute as anything! They both still get a bottle which is great fun. Although Liza Lou the older one doesn't need a bottle she still gets one. Yes they are spoiled already. Barbie says I will do anything to have a baby to give a bottle to. She might be right!

Daisy the baby is a little acrobat. She doesn't walk anywhere. She skips.....jumps, HIGH,.....runs,
and scoots all over. She is so fun to watch! If we have them out of their pen and get out of their sight they cry until you call to them and then they come racing to you.

They are sweet and fun and I have been suckered yet again into loving some more animals I may eventually become the sole caregiver to. My "city" boys didn't care for the smell of goats in the car.

Murphy and Daisy getting to know each other.

Some Friends Are Forever

I just got back from 3 weeks at my folks in Vermont. The best part about VT for me is seeing my 2 best childhood friends. Jennifer and I have been friends for 30 years now. It is amazing to me that anyone not related to me has loved me that long and believe me , Jenny loves me! We are the kind of friends who make each other laugh until we pee our pants. Her family moved to Virgina when we were in grade school and we would write an occasional letter but when they would come back to VT for 2 weeks every summer we were inseparable for the entire 2 weeks. Her Grams became mine and they treated me like another grandkid.
I love this picture of us. It makes me laugh because until we hit puberty I was the tall one. She was this little bitty peanut and then she just showed up one summer and was 4 inches taller than me. I have been the midget ever since. The handsome guy is Doug, Jennifer's cousin who was my first big crush. Everyone used to congregated at Gramma Rita's so I saw him a lot those 2 weeks every year as well. You remember that older guy who was so nice to you even though you were tons younger? That was Doug. He taught us how to play pool and was never too busy to play board games or cards with these 2 giggling girls. He is still a good sport and it was fun to catch up with him.
I am so glad to be home but I miss my Jennay! I hope she will love me another 30 years!

Big Boys

Last Wednesday Bradley turned 15 and today Dalton turns 8. I don't know why I get so blue on their birthdays but this year has been a tough one for me. I have cried on all of their birthdays.
Bradley is so tall and his voice is so deep most people mistake him for Seth when they call.
Dalton is thrilled to be getting older. When I told him I was sad that he wasn't my little boy anymore he assured me that he was 'still a little boy until he turned 11. Then he would be a big boy.' Sigh 3 more years and then I will have 2 big boys. I really am so blessed to have them both. They are such gentle hearted guys. Both are very compassionate and kind but they also love to play jokes and trick you if they can.

I would love to post some pictures but Luke was messing with my camera and deleted all my photos from both parties...sigh..That's material for another post.

Taylor the latte boy and the princess potty

Okay they don't really have anything to do with each other but I am going to talk about both in this post.
We had to leave the house yesterday, against the 3 day training rules. The kids had their end of the year testing and I couldn't reschedule so we went. Isabella fell asleep in the car and I was worried how I would handle her need to potty as soon as she woke up. So on a whim I ran into the store and found this "Pretty in Pink" potty chair.


Isabella loved it! When she woke up she was happy to sit on it several times and finally use it. She calls it her Princess Potty and now prefers it to the big ones. For now I'm good with that anything to get her trained! So I am now fully prepared for road trips and extended absences from the house. She is doing really well and I am totally thrilled. I have to say I am sold on the method. The only accidents Isabella has had, have been because I strayed from the prescribed method.

Now Taylor the latte boy....We were at a going away/birthday party for friends of ours last week and their daughter and her friend sang this adorable song for us. I thought they had written it but they found it on you tube. Being a Starbucks junky family we had to check it out. I have heard it A LOT and find myself singing it during the day..... much to Bradley's dismay!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXS0nEOx_20

It's working!

Well, yesterday was the first day of Potty bootcamp and Isabella is doing great!
She had 1 accident early and caught herself and finished in the potty and was dry the rest of the day. She was dry through her nap and last night! The only accidents she did have were my fault. She did so well that I got a little over confident and started doing some overdue paperwork for the business last night close to bedtime. Well I wasn't where I was supposed to be and couldn't get to her in time. So I'm going to set everything aside today and stick with her. She loves her new panties and was quite happy to throw all her diapers and swim diapers away.
More later!

Sending my baby to Boot Camp!

Well....not really her but we are about to embark on the 3 Day Potty Training tour.
One of the other moms in our DTC group used it and said it worked great, so I am going to give it a shot. I am so sick of diapers and just don't have it in me to potty train for weeks at a time. Isabella is sleeping in a big girl bed, (with 20 stuffed animals) so she should really be wearing big girl panties right? She has been asking me since last September to sit on the potty and I have been dragging my feet. Diapers are soooo convenient when you are on the go as much as we are. But I think I am finally ready.

So for 3 days I am dedicated to doing nothing but stay home, say the key phrases, race Isabella to the potty and stick to her side like glue. I am actually looking forward to it if I could find 3 days where I have nothing going on. It will be next week sometime probably. I still have to gather up some special prizes for when we have success, oh and panties, we n
need lots of panties. I've stocked up on Skittles, her favorite candy, I think I will get her a new coloring book and some hair bows, or anything Tinkerbelle or Mickey Mouse. She is still a serious addict.

I keep telling her Daddy we need to take the kids to Disney. Probably this fall for one of the special parties. We love those and the park is not nearly as crowded.

Sadness....

Seth called me Thursday morning as I was getting ready to head to Orlando for the big homeschool convention. I could hear the sadness and reluctance in his voice as he told me that little Maria Chapman, adopted daughter of singer Steven Curtis Chapman, had been accidentally struck be her brother's car. I cannot fathom their pain since I was instantly sick to my stomach and heartbroken. Its been 5 days and I am still crying for them.
One of Gabby's favorite songs is Cinderella. Steven's new song. Everytime I hear it I cry some more.
When we were in the early stages of adopting Seth was unsure if China was the country for us. I patiently researched them all and answered his questions but China never seemed on his radar, although I was sure that was where our baby was. After a couple months he came home one afternoon to let me know that Steven and Marybeth had just gotten home with their second daughter from China, Stevey Joy. He had heard about it on the radio and did I want to see her pictures on the internet? Ummmm, yes I did! As it turned out we couldn't find the link but it didn't matter. Seth started asking me questions about China and all the answers I had for him were the right ones. You know the end of that story!

God used the Chapman's obedience to show Seth the path He wanted for us. It has made them dear to our hearts and this loss is just beyond tragic. Please pray for peace in their hearts and healing for Maria's big brother who I am positive would have given his life to save hers.

Go hug your babies.


Maria Sue Chapman 2003 - 2008
Photo by Mary Beth Chapman

Awesome Commercial

This isn't me but everything she says certainly rings true in my life.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1315793544/bctid1546350694

Check out my Slide Show!

Moving .......

I love my new house but boy, do I HATE moving! I had no intention of letting an entire month go by without posting. The fact that we don't have any kind of deadline to be out of our old house doesn't help much either. I want to get it sold but since I don't have 2 mortgages hanging over my head it's just not pushing me to wrap things up. We have moved in for the most part and the kids are in heaven!
Every morning Dalton's first question is, "When can I go fishing?" The boy is addicted. So are Gabby and Luke. Isabella just loves being outside and hollering hello at all the horses. I am going through bread like nobody's business and the little fishies are enjoying it immensely! It seems since the soil is so sandy there are no worms to be found. I don't think they are looking hard enough....my bread box is just too convenient.

We are starting to settle in though. Isabella has done pretty well. She has lapsed back into being very territorial of me and the other kids can not sit in my lap or hug and kiss me without some serious tears. We are working through it though. She is learning her colors suing M&Ms, very fun! and she is moving into a big girl bed this week. We are getting a toddler bed that she is very excited about.

Happy Mothers day to all! We had a very relaxed day after church of napping and , what else, fishing!

Check out my Slide Show!

My baby boy is 5!!

Lukie turned 5 on Friday. It makes me so sad that he is growing up. Every year he changes so much. I had planned to do an entire slide show of his last 5 years but I don't have a lot of digital pics of him and most of my photos have already been taken down to our new house. So I will do a abbreviated version. We had a small pizza party for him Friday night with our friends next door and I am taking him and a few of his buddies to Ollie Koala's later this week.
Saturday we were walking into the hockey rink and he was looking bummed out. I asked him what was bothering him and he looks up at me, shoves his hands in his pockets and sighs, " I just don't feel five." I wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. Of all of our kids he is most like his Daddy. Pain doesn't slow him down. He does everything with his whole heart. Whether it's loving or fighting he is going to give it all he's got.

Check out my Slide Show!

We're moving!

I can't believe it! For a long time I thought we would be in this house forever and most days I was good with that. Some days I really crave more space and the clutter drives me to the edge but for the most part I love our little house. We have made so many great memories here, it is our first house, and we live next door to very dear friends. But it seems God has different plans for us! The kids are so excited and they should be! The house we are moving to is 1000 sq feet larger and it sits on 3 acres. It is such a huge blessing, God has been so amazing to our family.

We didn't make it to church on Easter since the boys were sick. Dalton has been running a fever for 5 days and Luke is pretty congested. Gabby was also under the weather so we all stayed in bed longer than usual. Isabella climbed into bed with us and was talking to us about her new Mickey Mouse....yes we have another one, two more actually since my last post. So as she was talking about her "baby Mickey" I began to sing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song that she loves. Would you believe she turned to me and said, "mom shhh!" Cut down by a 2 yr old. I guess American Idol is definitely not in my future.

The pictures in the slide show are from our Easter egg hunt and few of them are older but I am new to the slide show thing so I posted a few extra of my favorites.

Birthdays, Migraines and Mickey Mouse Addictions!

I never intended to go this long without a post but it has been a very rough new year. I have been struggling to get my migraines under control and it hasn't really happened yet but I am making progress. I had one that lasted 3 weeks! I was praying for someone to knock me over the head with a hammer more than once! Everything has sort of come to a stop at my house. I haven't taken any pictures since December and school work is getting done but not with our usual oomph!

Isabella and I had our birthdays last week. I can't believe she is already 2! It seems so old to me....probably because she is my baby. She loved her cake and presents. We celebrated with chinese food and juice boxes. Both are favorites of hers although the food was nearly spicy enough for her. She loves spicy noodles. When we take her to Mama Fu's we can't keep her mouth full enough for her. This food was delicious but missing the hot stuff. She loved dipping her sweet n sour chicken in the duck sauce and chewing on the beef terryaki.
When I was trying to decide on gifts her daddy breezily suggested Mickey Mouse dinner set. The girl is an addict. She is always toting one of her two Mickey's everywhere and can't go to sleep without both. She constantly asks for her "Mee Moss" hair clips and is basically fixated on anything Mickey. Needless to say the plate set was a huge hit and she would prefer to eat every meal using it.

She also got a snazzy new bike from my parents. It has a bell that she loves to ring and Don't even think about taking it for a spin! That's her bike and she'll let you know it.

Did I mention she turned 2? Yup, the attitude is here. She is baby girl hear her roar! We are working on the anger management and not whacking Luke and Dalton when things don't go her way. She also really loves to say "NO!" She always says it with a smile and the kids think it is hysterical. I don't....Yeah , we're working on that one too.

I'll add a few pictures and try to make a slide show tomorrow.

FFF # 63 Time In A Bottle

Happy New Year!
The FFFF challenge for this week is then and now pictures.
Time in a bottle.....how many times over the past few years have I wished that I could stop time and keep my kids little. I probably can't count that high! As neat as they are growing up to be it makes me sad when they stop needing me so much. It has been so hard watching Isabella grow so quickly. She has completely blossomed into a fun, crazy, little imp. But she is growing too fast for me. I think because I missed almost the first 10 months of her life it is even more bittersweet. I don't dwell on it but there are days where I wish I had been the one to find her on the orphanage steps. Not possible I know....humor me. So here is the first glimpse we had of her precious face and one of my favorites.

Around April of 2006

November 18, 2007