Pine Wood Derby Day

 

The Batmobile made it's debut at our Pine Wood Derby. Nathan loves Boy Scouts more than any activity we do. He loves being with his friends and his leader is great. Our pack is just starting and is small but it is the perfect size for Nathan. He did a great job and was so happy to see his buddies cars. The four Tigers all raced together four times and we came in 3rd overall. At least we made it down the track in one piece. Nathan was hoping that they would each win one heat so they could all tie. His best friend won and represented the Tigers in the overall pack race.

It made me proud to see him happy for his friend and not worried about winning. He has had a great couple of days with many positive choices.

This past couple of weeks has been hard for him since I've worked more than usual. He keeps asking when we can have time just the two of us. It breaks my heart. We spent some time together this weekend but I owe him more one on one time soon.

Big Fun Weekend

 

We had a fun filled weekend. Shay had her first two day cheerleading competition. Her division is the youngest and earliest of the event. This meant we had to get up "before the sun wakes up" as Shay would say. They had an OK day one and a great day two but in their world as long as there is a goody bag, medal and or trophy they don't care what place they finish.

Saturday we had a surprise party for Nathan. I thought he had figured out the party part but when he came in the door and heard everyone yell "surprise" his reaction was awesome. The boys played in the gym for a short time and then the second surprise started. He wanted a magician for his party this year so I found one online and hoped that he would do a good job. WOW the show was incredible. The kids and adults were all entertained. Nathan's favorite trick was the final one where Hocus the live rabbit appeared. I was amazed at most of his illusions.

We extended our weekend with a snow day - Yeah! Shay had never seen snow before and I woke her up last night so she could see it coming down. We had a great time throwing snow balls, attempting a snow man (ended up being a mini me snow man) and making snow angels. It will be gone by tomorrow but it was fun while it lasted.

Help the Saunders Family

PRAY FOR SAUNDERS FAMILY - http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/
Linn and Dwight are the proud parents of 10 amazing children. They just recently brought #8 and #9, Elijah & Elizabeth home from Uganda. They are currently waiting to bring home #10, Jubilee from China. These darling souls are on fire for the Lord, and have such a passion to help all children find their forever families. They are such a fabulous example of how to be "Jesus" to others. Inspiring does not begin to describe these two. In their Journey to Isaiah in china and to Elijah and Elizabeth, several glitches were thrown their way, but never once did they waiver in faith. They clung to HIS promises, rallied all the prayer warriors, praised God every step of the way, and trusted in and relied totally on God to pull them through, And HE always did.
(Words from http://heart-smiles.blogspot.com/)

Wednesday their home burned down and they need everyone's prayers and help. Today their son Graham had appendicitis and needed surgery. If you want to read about their story please go over to their blog. Thank you!!!

Sick but Still Happy on His 7th Birthday

 

We've not had much time this week to post. Nathan turned 7 on Tuesday. Unfortunately he was sick and had to stay home from school. We have a surprise for him this Saturday. I will have more pictures and things then. We are all tired and feeling a little under the weather so I need keep this short.

PRAY FOR ABBY

Abby was adopted from Guatemala. At three years old, she was diagnosed with a high-risk, aggressive form of Leukemia. Certain genetic complications have put her chance of surviving the treatment at about 20%.

I am praying for her and her family. Would you pray for them too?

You can find more about Abby here, on her family blog: http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/2009/01/about-abby.html

Chirstmas Morning

 

Both my kids were very happy with what Santa left for them. Nathan kept saying "This is the best Christmas ever." and "I don't have any thing left on my list for my birthday." Shay just kept smiling and playing. Last year she had fun but she was really into it this year and it showed. The big kids i.e. Uncles and mom also had fun watching them play and helping Santa do his thing. We are very blessed and I hope my kids realize this someday. We sang happy birthday to Jesus and read the Christmas story the night before. I was most thankful to be together another year.

Santa Visit

 

This was our annual vist to Santa Claus. We almost missed it this year. Thankfully we had time in Oklahoma to catch a quick visit. They both had a great time and shared their desires.

Uncle Time

 

Nathan and Shay had the best time with their Uncles over the Christmas break. We were very sad to see them leave. I wish they didn't live so far away. I love you both and so do Shay and Nathan.

Christmas Catch Up

 

We had a great time at Nana and Papa's house. The trip started off shaky when our flight was cancelled and they could not get us on another flight for 48 hours. So we decided to drive. On a good day me driving alone for 9 - 10 hours would be hard but I had stayed up way to late the night before cleaning and getting ready. My plan was to sleep on the plane. With God's grace we made it half way and spent the night at in TN. I thought after a good nights rest I should have an easier trip but I don't bounce back like I did in college after an all nighter. It takes MUCH longer now. Luckly I had friends to talk to on the phone (thanks Lisa, Mom and others). We made it before any of the flights they planned to put us on. The kids were great especially since I didn't really pack for an 18 - 20 hour car trip.

This first set of pictures is from our first couple of days before Uncle John came. We found a Bounce U. The kids love having Buddy our elf. Each day they had a great time finding him. This was the first time for Shay to meet Uncle Darren.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

This is the cover of our Christmas Card. Which I don't have yet so it will have to be a Happy New Year Card. We are very excited to be going to Oklahoma and see Papa, Nana, Uncle John and Uncle Darren. This will be Shay's first time to meet Uncle Darren.

Shay was Mary in her preschool play today. She did a great job and didn't forget her line and sang most of the songs. She loved watching herself on the DVD. Nathan had his class Christmas party and is excited about not having homework for the couple of weeks. I can't imagine what it will be like when we have real homework. Hopefully it will grow on him. He also had boyscouts tonight which is his favorite activity.

We get up really early tomorrow to start our travel adventures. Next stop Oklahoma.

We Elved Ourselves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Wordless Wednesday

Deck the Halls 08

 

We had a great time decorating the tree. I am so glad my mom was here this year. Everyone had a fun time and I don't think we broke anything.

Look Who Turned 5!

 

Shay turned 5 on Monday, Dec. 1st. We had a great day and had her party at Monk*y Jo*s. It has been 18 months since she became my daughter and I can't imagine her not being here. We talked about her story before bed and I'm sure she doesn't understand all that we talked about. But she does know she came from China and that Mama loves her. Today she tells me "Jesus Loves Her and made her special."
Special Things about Shay's 4th year!
First full year at her forever home.
Had surgery to fix her palate and everything went so good - No longer needs Speech Therapy
Still loves to talk - all the time
Loves to eat - all the time
Favorite food Ramen Noodles
Very self confident
Favorite Activity - School
Favorite toys - Dress up - She is always a princess
Princess Ariel for Halloween
Sleeps with her stuffed animals and blanket but doesn't have a special one.
Thankful for "Candlesticks" (Story for another day - won't let her forget about that)
She loves to sing and read books (her own version)
Another story - Told her teachers the first day of school this year that - "They had to many rules and that she was not coming back the next day because they hurt her heart."
Seems to have lost most of her Mandarin but can still count, say hello, good bye and thank you
I feel so blessed to have her as my daughter. There are so many times I just have to thank God for letting me be her mom. She makes life joyful most of the time. There are times she gets in trouble and I can see that prissy side which will make the teenage years really fun. She feels the need to be the center of attention to often but what little girl doesn't.
On her birthday I could not help but think of her birth mother. I am so thankful for the choices she made. It must have been so hard for her. I hope she knows that she is loved and enjoying the life she has.

Happy Thanksgiving

Make a Smilebox greeting

Wordless Wednesday With Words

Look who lost their first tooth. Everyone is claiming some responsibility. I had noticed that his new teeth were coming in behind his baby teeth and I was afraid that the baby teeth might not ever get loose. Shay and Nathan were playing and he had taken her blanket and put it in his mouth. (Gross) She decide to yank it out of his mouth and loosened the tooth. He was not happy about that so I left it alone and the tooth stayed in for another week. Then we were reading and he really did not want to be reading which was beginning to build into an all out battle when he flung his arms and accidently hit himself in the mouth. Out came the tooth. He blamed me for making him mad but hey the tooth came out with out any fuss. I was such a whimp when I was little about teeth and was not looking forward to helping him since he is really bad with pain and boo boo's. But this was an answer to pray and now he wants to knock the rest of them out. Tomorrow he has to get a weakness fixed in one of his front teeth and is looking forward to going to the dentist. They have the coolest office with all kind of things for kids to do. Maybe I would like the dentist if I'd had that when I was younger. Right now I think the dentist ranks about last on my list of things I enjoy doing. The tooth fairy came and he got a couple of gold dollars. I can't believe he is growing up so fast.

First Cheerleading Competition

Shay had her first cheerleading competition this past weekend and it was so much fun. She is a member of a Tiny Cheerleading team made up of 3 - 5 year olds. They practice once a week for one hour and compete a couple of time during the year. They were all so cute and did a great job. For their first time everyone performed and seemed to have fun. They got treat bags and a medal. I could not help but cry she makes me very proud and really does a great job. It is hard having coached for so many years to see her out there knowing where to go and what to do. She loves dancing, singing and performing so I think we might be in this for awhile.

Wordless Wednesday

Fall Fun

Make a Smilebox slideshow

"Best Halloween"

Nathan's First School Project on Vampire Bats

We had a great Halloween tonight. Marcia and Madeline joined us for Trick-or-Treating and both Shay and Madeline had a great time. Thank you for calling and joining us. Shay was Aeriel. She picked her from all the princesses and she was so cute. She is so into all of this and so excited. I love seeing both of them so happy and enjoying the experience. Nathan kept telling me when we got home that this was his best Halloween. (Something he says any time he really is enjoying himself)He was great and did a good job picking out his costume. He first wanted to be Rex from Clone Wars and then add some Batman parts because he also loves Batman. At school he earned some vampire teeth so they were added to create - Vampire Rexman. He was the only one. We did see some awesome Batmans. He was very proud and would show his retractable wings to anyone who would watch. Some where in the rule book for kids they learn about counting their candy. This was the first thing Nathan did when he got home. I never mentioned that to him but I do remember doing it when I was little. Shay has not discovered that rule but enjoyed watching him count and got so excited about reaching 100 and more. Later they answered the door and would give out candy Nathan complimented everyone on their costumes or would ask them what they were and then compliment them and Shay would go over the rules about only taking three pieces of candy and then ask everyone their names. So cute! I will try and post some pictures soon.

Happy Halloween

Make a Smilebox postcard

Thankful Thursday

God Thank you for my kids. They bless me each day with their smiles, hugs and kisses. Everyday Shay says "Mama I miss you when you at work" or "I miss you mama" Just today Nathan said with his head on my shoulder "This is the best day" Now later that day the statement was retracted but I choose to remember the first time. My heart aches when I lose my patient and see their faces drop or joy leave. I pray God will guide me each day help me to Love them as You Do Father! They are so special.

Can't Be Quiet

PLEASE READ BEFORE MAKING YOUR CHOICE!

I have really struggled with this election. From the start I didn't like most of the candidates so I did not get involved and that was a mistake. We live in the best country in the World and God allowed me to live in this country. I should never take that for granted. Now this has become the most important election in our history. Our country could change more than anyone could imagine and not for the good. We are blessed with Freedom and have the right to make choices about what be beleive and how we will express those beliefs. I let life wrap me up to the point of not noticing anything else going on around me. These freedoms could be gone.

I have followed many blogs since adopting Shay. One of these blogs has given me back my drive and love for this Country. She has faithfully voiced information that many people are not willing to do. Thank you!

I support McCain. If you are undecided or are feeling like you may no longer trust Obama. Please go and read this blog she has all the information anyone needs to see how our country may be heading for the worst change any one could imagine.

http://www.deliveredfromheaven.blogspot.com/

For the most part I have always been a Republican. Why? Due to how I see God in my life. How HE has given me the freedom to choose HIM. I see HIM in how our Founding Fathers set up our government. Spreading the wealth and larger government control are not my idea of Freedom. I don't understand all I should but I do know that God is in control and I have and will be praying.

Wordless Wednesday

Pictures - Where to Start???

Today I was finally able to get some pictures loaded onto the new computer. The first thing that came to mind was Nathan. We just celebrated our 6th "Gotcha Family Day"

Here are some of the things I didn't want to forget about our 6th year together.

• You are so smart and I am amazed everyday by your questions, remarks and ideas.
• You asked Jesus into your heart in June of this year. My prayer is that you will seek God first each and every day of your life. You will know His Love, Peace, Mercy and Grace all the days of your life.
• At the beginning of this year you were into Star Wars and Pirates. Star Wars has remained the entire year and with the start of Clone Wars I don't see it leaving any time soon. You also loved Perry the Platypus and did a project on Platypus in Kindergarten. You wanted to learn to play Chess and loved Legos. By the end of the year you add Batman and Bat's to things that you were interested in.
• Your favorite thing to do was to play your DS - Legos Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Batman. I think Santa will be bring you a different player this year.
• You started Kindergarten and loved school. This has continued into First Grade.
• So far in First Grade you have only missed one spelling word. (You didn't get that gift from me - spelling was not and is not one of my strong points.)
• We joined Boy Scouts and this has become your favorite activity.
• We are still struggling with ADHD and some other issues but together we seem to be finding ways to make it work.
• You became a great big brother to your sister. She loves you so much.
• Spiders and bugs are still you least favorite things in the world.
• Your favorite foods - Not many to pick from - Eating is just not important to you - Shrimp and Noodles at Nak*tos. Pop tarts, bacon, apples and waffles.
• Pooh, yellow, back-up along with Perry 1 and 2 are still great helps at night and make you feel safe.
• You made your first trip to the emergency room in an ambulance. Thank God is was not serious and later that day you were back to normal.
• Favorite place to visit is the beach. The smile on you face and the way to play non stop with out fear makes me wish that we lived much closer to the ocean.
• You saw the Space Shuttle blast off with Uncle John.
• You still love to be held and give good hugs.
  

You are growing up so fast and I wish you could just stay how you are right now. I love you more than you know. I am blessed to be you Mama.

Finally New Computer

I finally got the new computer up and running. Now I just have to add pictures to this computer. We are having a fun fall and look forward to Halloween. Shay is going to be Ariel or a Princess and Nathan has combined his favorite two things into Rex from Clone Wars with Bat Man. I can't wait to get some pictures. This is my favorite time of year. We have much to be thankful for. Check back soon for more updates and pictures.

Julie

Wordless Wednesday

School has started and Things are Good!

Nathan is now in his third week of first grade. He loves going and this year started riding the bus. Our bus mainly just picks up the kids that live on our street so the ride is very short. He had a great first week and did ok the second week. His sensory issues and ADHD are being address and hopefully he can continue to have a fun time. (For Everyone!) His school is great and has done such a good job of helping him succeed. Nathan is also taking swimming, AWANA's and Boy Scouts. We are trying soccer but that may not work out. He has to take his medication early so it is working at the start of school by the time soccer comes around he is not able to stay in control. It is a three way losing situation - He just wants to talk and play with the kids but gets over stimulated and then causes the other kids and the coach not to be able to practice. In swimming he only has four children in his class so he gets to move more and is doing a great job. He really surprised me when we started AWANA's. The kids have to remember different scriptures and he learned his first verse in just three tries. He still knows it and can repeat it when ever I ask him. Boy Scouts will be starting this week and he is excited. There is never a dull moment with Nathan. He still loves Star Wars, Lego's and his DS player. We got this beautiful tutu on Etsy - Gocksfrocks‏ - ShayLa loves it! Shay started preschool three days a week and really would love to go five days. I have to tell her that school is closed so she stops asking when she can go. She is taking gymnastics, cheerleading, swimming and AWANA's. Since I am at the gym each day gymnastics is more like childcare but she loves going and is getting better very quickly. Her cheerleading team has their first exhibition coming up and that should be such fun. ShayLa also loves swimming and is doing a great job. She has no fear and should be going across the pool before long. It seems so hard to believe that she has only been her just over a year. I can't imaging what her life would have been like if she was still in China. I can't imagine what my life would have been without her in it. She loved watching the Olympics and every time would be sure we knew - that was her China!
This is our new addition C.J. - aka Chewie (Chewbacca) Jack (Sparrow) O'Brien. Nathan could not decide between the two so we went with the initials. I am not really a cat person but finally gave in and C.J. was officially adopted in late August. He was a rescue kitty. So far I have to say that cats are much easier than dogs. He is very loving and gets along great with Rudy. I think Rudy is glad to have him around. They keep each other company during the day while we are gone.

Sorry for not posting sooner. The time just gets away and my computer at home is not allowing me to post pictures any more. It is old and has a old owner that doesn't know how to fix it. I told Nathan that we needed to call the "Geek Squad". We have a new computer but I am not sure how to set up the internet "Old - Not Computer literate Owner" so I don't get around to blogging very much.

Julie