Three Boys, One Girl, and Us!: January 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009

Fav Foto Friday (1.30.09)

Today is the last Friday of January!

What has happened with the month?????

Anyways... today's theme is Up!

My kids LOVE rides that take them up and up....so, I have pictures of them enjoying those rides!

For more impressions of Up, go here!

Hope you have a Great Weekend!

The little Lady enjoying going round and round and up and up!

F enjoying going Up on the helicopter!

K loving going round and up on the carousel!

E also likes his pony on the carousel!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Last week while listening to the radio, dh heard about a web offer for free tickets to a home improvement show. You know, the trade shows with all the displays and such....Well... we usually go anyways.... so, even better if it is free!

Of course, it's fun to have others... so Big Sis and her dh and kids went... and the Little Lady's Madrina and her little guy D came also! We had a great time!

We knew there would be things for the kids to do...so, double bonus!!!!!!!!

For the kids, the Home Depot had a "workshop" on making wooden tool boxes and birdhouses!
They got the kits, an apron with their names on it, and a pin of what they made.

Best thing...they got to watch Mom and Dad work on it for them! *laughs*
We let the boys try.... they were more interested in eating popcorn though....

They also had a petting zoo for them.... it wasnt much of a petting zoo... more like 3 baby lambs and 2 young alpaca's and a big furry bunny.... but the kids got a kick out of it...so, job done!

Rainbow Playsets had some of their big swingsets set up and let the kids play on those... and a home improvement company had a big moonwalk that the kids enjoyed.... but...the ultimate highlight of the entire day.... was....

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!!!!

Yes...that's right.... SpongeBob SquarePants....THE SpongeBob SquarePants was at the Home Improvement show!!!!! How lucky for us!!!!!

Our kids just hogged him.... there were kids waiting in line...and our boys would NOT leave him along... talking to him, trying to give him their candy...putting stickers on him.... pulling his nose.... asking him to sing.... on and on....

It was funny to watch them just surround him! Poor Guy! But, guess he should be happy that he has fans!!!!! and he has 4 HUGE fans in the boys and their BFF, D!

Well.... here are some pics from our Very exciting day!!!!

BFF D proudly showing off his craftsmanship on his birdhouse!

F showing off his toolbox!

K reflecting on a day's work while holding onto his birdhouse.

Trying to take a pic with SpongeBob!!!

K is absolutely THRILLED to hold SpongeBob's hand!!!

D courting our Little Lady.

Our Little Lady Patiently waiting for her dinner!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Fav Foto Friday (1.23.09)

It's Friday!!!!!

Time for another Edition of Favorite Foto Friday!!!!!!

This week's theme is New!

For more Newness, go here!

For my photo's I chose pictures of our New Family!

First photo of our family of Three!

First Photo of our Family of Four!

Finally, a Photo of our New family of Five!!!

First Photo of all 4 siblings!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Great Day in History!

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

Today, along with millions of other around the world, I witnessed History in the making.

At approximently 12pm today, I watched as Chief Justice John Roberts swore in Barak Obama as our 44th President!

Today has been hugely emotional for many people.... including myself.

I never thought that we would see a minority President in my lifetime... I cannot imagine what this means to those who have been around much longer than I have.... the significance to those who have fought for civil rights in this country throughout the last century. Those who have passed on before us... would they have believed this would have happened???

How fitting that President Obama was sworn in the day after we honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the sacrifice that he gave for the cause.....

It took 100 years from the Emancipation Proclamation until the culmination of the Civil Rights Movement and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Now, it has been 45 years since then and the United States of America... a nation founded by slave owners to further their trade.... now has an African American President.

This is a very proud day for many. This is a proud day for me.

I have hope in our new President and his new administration.

I pray that he and our new leaders in Congress can guide this country back to greatness.

We need jobs that pay liveable wages.

We need a healthcare system in this country that takes care of everyone.

We need an education system in this country that allows every student to get a quality education.

We need programs to help working parents to take care of their children.

We need programs in this country that will take care of our seniors.

We need to have amnesty for immigrants... papered or not.

We need real immigration reform.... that allows people to be able to immigrate rather than excluding immigrants.

We need to help keep businesses here in America.

We need to sustain the middle class.

Tax Reforms are a must! Taxes are not a burden on society when all of society benefits.

My kids are now growing up in an era where a minority man is president.

I can only hope that our government and other posistions of power continue to represent the makeup of our great nation.

We have come a long way....but we have so far yet to go.

Bye Bye Dubya.....

Monday, January 19, 2009

Our Day Together

Today being MLK day... I didnt have school. So, we decided to do somethings that we had been putting off for a while.

We HAD to get haircuts for the boys!
Gosh...their hair was getting all fluffy and stuff.... their hair was over their ears and everything!
So, we actually took them to one of those kids specific hair cut places! They really enjoyed it!
They had a slide and toys to play with while we waited.... and when it was actually time to get your hair cut, you could sit in Lighting McQueen, A cozy Coupe, an Airplane, a firetruck, or a little pink car! You could also pick a dvd to watch... or even play a video game!
So... all the boys wanted Lightning McQueen... and SpongeBob! They all did well enough to each get a sucker and a balloon!

Afterwards, we were off to Ikea... remind me NOT to go to Ikea on a holiday again! HORRIBLE!
Although... E and K did get to stay in the play area...so they had a fabulous time!
F and L were stuck with us.... but we made it out of there leaving behind less than $50! Got some cool stuff in the process... some picture frames... and some silverware and plates/cups for the kids.
Oooo could I spend the $$$ in that store!

Getting super excited about tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

F Before

F looking much better after!

E not happy that I was snapping this pic, thus taking his attention away from SpongeBob.

K sitting on the slide step with his rewards!

The little Lady didnt get a haircut...but she did get to sit in the pink car!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Fav Foto Friday!!! (1.16)

Today's Favorite Foto Friday's Theme is Eyes!

For more Favorite Fotos, go Here!

Our Little Lady

The eyes of innocence.

Our Little Man F.

The Eyes of Attitute.

Our Big Guy K.

The Eyes of Deep Thought.

Ladies Man E.
The Eyes of Sweetness!
(The look that may make me a young grandma.)

Friday, January 9, 2009

Fav Foto Friday!!! (1.9)

Baby It's Cold Outside!!!!!!!!!

Well... we live in MI... Which means we have Winter for about 5-6 months of the year!

For me, I just LOVE snow, so I'm perfectly happy with it.

The Kids.... they BEG to go out and play in the snow.... I love that they like the snow!

It's soo much fun getting out there and just slipping around the yard, or going sledding... or making a snowman (soon as we get some good packing snow!)

So, here are a couple of our snow pics from the past couple of weeks!!!!!

To see more cold weather pics visit Here!

E Loves the snow....but he wanted me to put the camera away!

F making me a snow angel!

K and F conquer the big snow hill!

K just loves to EAT the snow!

Even our Little Lady likes to play out in the snow!!!!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Pink Eye....Blah.....

Well... Good News First!

The plastic surgeon said our Lady's stitches are healing fine!

Bad News....

She has Pink Eye.... oh... and.... for more fun and excitement.... she is pushing out 4 molars also.

There is NEVER a dull moment around here!

Monday, January 5, 2009

My New Year's Survey!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Well... I've been on a Cruise before...but NEVER with 3, two year olds! (and a mil)
It was fun.... interesting....but fun! I'd do it again! I think next time though, I'll make shirts for everyone that say: "keep your comments to yourself!"

2. Did you keep your New Years’ Resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did! I made a resolution to NOT make resolutions and I made the same one for this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my friends did. A few of my friends completed their adoptions this year!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
NO

5. What countries did you visit?
Guatemala, Grand Cayman Island, Mexico, Canada, Belize, and Honduras

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More Money!!! :) I'd also like more patience... and having a 25 hour day now and then wouldnt hurt!

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2 Dates actually... both having to do with our Little Lady. The day in May when she officially joined our family...and Dec 26th, when she was bit by our dog.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I began Law School!!!!!!!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting all the stuff done that I had wanted to do...before starting law school.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had my tonsils out... that has GOT to count!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our Minivan! Love that the doors open with just a click of a button!!!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
E and K's!!! Potty Trained!!!! Yea!!!!!!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Mine and my husbands..... we really need to work on keeping adult problems out of the kids' day.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Kroger, Target, McDonalds.....

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Having our daughter join our family!!!!!! Making us a family of SIX!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
If I had a Million Dollars!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder?Much Happier!
thinner or fatter? Bout the same.... pleasantly plump....or big boned....
richer or poorer? Much Poorer!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Just sit back and take it all in.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complain

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With dh and our kids.

21. What on-line users did you meet?
A few new people while we were in Guatemala!!!

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Of course! With our daughter!

23. How many one-night stands?
Ha! Dont I WISH I even had the energy or time to consider THIS! ;)

24. What was your favourite TV program?
NCIS, 48 Hours, Intervention, No Reservations, Tonight Show, and Hell's Kitchen along with Kitchen Nightmares

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate may be too strong of a word...but there are a couple of people I would like to bioch slap!

26. What was the best book you read this year?
Toss up between The Art of Political Murder and Through Blindfolds Eyes. (both about Guatemala)

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That I still like 80's hair bands!!!

28. What did you want and get?
Dad's cancer in remission, Mom is still cancer free, 4 beautiful and healthy kids, a roof over our heads!

29. What did you want and not get?
A lottery WIN!

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Well.... I just remember all the bad ones.... anything that I've not had to watch over and over for the kids....

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 31.... went to Mongolian BBQ for dinner with my parents and my kids.... That's as exciting as it got.

32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not living paycheck to paycheck.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I dont have a fashion "concept" I have jeans, tee shirts, and sweats....

34. What kept you sane?
I have 4 kids under 4 and I'm in Law School full time.... I wasnt sane to begin with....

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jack Nicholson (my absolute dream date!!!), Bourdain, Ramsay, and Mark Harmon!

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election! I'm a political junkie anyways... but to have such a historic election in MY lifetime.... just amazing.... although... I still cant stand the negativity.

37.Who did you miss?
My 2 BF's .... My uncle (gone since 97).... and my grandma (lives in Arkansas)

38. Who was the best new person you met?
My daughter of course!!!! ;) No, really, we have met a lot of wonderful people through this adoption journey.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008?
Stop losing the forest through the trees.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Ok... I have two songs for this year....

1st one was sung by Conway Twitty (favorite singer!) and Loretta Lynn

You're the reason I'm a-ridin' 'round on recapped tyres.

An' you're the reason I'm hangin' our clothes outside on wires.

An' you're the reason our kids are ugly little darlins'.

Ah but looks ain't everything,And money ain't everything.

But' I love you just the same.

You're the reason I changed to beer from soda pop

.An' you're the reason I never get to go to the beauty shop.

You're the reason our kids are ugly little darlins'.

Oh, but looks ain't everything,And money ain't everything.

But' I love you just the same.

I guess that we won't ever have, everything we need.

'Cause when we get ahead, it's got another mouth to feed.

And that's the reason my good looks and my figure's gone.

And that's the reason I ain't got no hair to comb.

An' you're the reason our kids are ugly little darlins'.

Ah but looks ain't everything,And money ain't everything.

But' I love you just the same.

2nd Song... Sung by Garth Brooks.... We shall be Free!

This ain't comin' from no prophet

Just an ordinary man

When I close my eyes I see The way this world shall be

When we all walk hand in hand

When the last child cries for a crust of bread

When the last man dies for just words that he said

When there's shelter over the poorest head

We shall be free

When the last thing we notice is the color of skin

And the first thing we look for is the beauty within

When the skies and the oceans are clean again

Then we shall be free We shall be free We shall be free

Stand straight, walk proud 'Cause we shall be free

When we're free to love anyone we choose

When this world's big enough for all different views

When we all can worship from our own kind of pew

Then we shall be free

We shall be free

Have a little faith

Hold out 'Cause we shall be free

And when money talks for the very last time

And nobody walks a step behind

When there's only one race and that's mankind

Then we shall be free

We shall be free

Stand straight,

walk proud,

have a little faith,

hold out

We shall be free

Stand straight, have a little faith

We shall be free

Hope everyone has a wonderful 2009!

Friday, January 2, 2009

First Fav Foto Friday of 09! (1.2.09)

Today I have photo's from our very exciting Christmas day!!!

With 4 kids... you can be sure that our entire morning was just a paper-tearing frenzy!

I was able to get some pics...but trying to make sure everyone had their own gifts, preventing the paper from being eaten, and stopping the fighting and arguing that was happening over EVERYTHING.... I didnt get as many pics as I would have liked to have gotten. But hey... it's once a year and they had a good time as did dh and I.