Moving On....

We're moving again. Yes it is earlier than we had planned but I have heard the best way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans. We put a bid on a new house last week. One that needs some,uhhhh, fixing up. I may have to start a whole new blog if we get it. It is going to be a process but one I know will be well worth it. I told Seth I was going to take pictures constantly so we could send them into This Old House.
The kids are handling it well. They are excited at the prospect of having a pool and the adventure of moving.

Since my last post we went to Charleston South Carolina for a hockey tournament. I know they are only 5 and 8 but it was exciting! Luke scored his first goal in a tournament. It was a little tough for Dalton to be cheerful about Luke's accomplishment since his shot on goal bounced off the post


Dalton in action


Lukie is even adorable in a hockey helmet


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Gabby girl 8 years ago!


Sisters!

We also celebrated Isabella's 3rd birthday and Gabby's 11th. We skipped the big parties this year and just celebrated at home. Gabby decided she wanted the cash I would have spent on a party. She is saving for a laptop and is very committed to saving her pennies.

I'm hoping to have an ecstatic post of our new address by Friday.

A very Merry Christmas!

Yes I know it's MLK Monday and I am way late but such is the life with 5 kids who are getting their education at home! I might be a little late to the party but I do show up.
Christmas was really wonderful this year. The kids reactions were priceless and Isabella was just so delighted with all of it. Since we've moved into our new house I have been very focused on not bringing in tons of new "stuff" to clutter up all of our new space. I didn't want a bunch of toys that would be strewn from one of the house to the other.So I caught Seth in a weak moment and convinced him to let me get the kids a Wii. He hates video game systems with a passion so this wasn't an easy sell. But timing is everything and he relented. I have to confess I wanted the Wii as bad as the kids did. I wanted a Wii fit even more. So my motives were somewhat selfish but completely to their benefit. So here is the reaction to their presents.






This made me laugh so hard. Dalton and Gabby argue most out of all the kids so for them to hug you know the euphoria was really over the top.
I am so glad we bought this system. We have had a great time with it and even Seth has enjoyed it to the point of needing an icepack on his shoulder!

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!