More Christmas...cousin style

I took the kids to my parents while the hubs worked.

We set up the tripod, and MIRACULOUSLY, everyone was smiling and looking at the camera.  David was on the floor screaming, literally in the 10 seconds from pushing the camera button to FLASH! Ha.

That is Hannah:) Isn't she a cutie looking just like my sister.  

The kids love love love being with all of their cousins, and they have so many, a blessing indeed.

My BIL (sister's husband) and my twin brother were in a wreck a week ago.  From the looks of the truck, it is another it is a miracle they weren't badly hurt.  Adam stayed in the hospital overnight mainly because of a bad concussion.  He's not able to work for another week, but is much better.  Thank you Jesus for keeping them safe.

Nana is the commander general.  I really don't know how the lady does it.  She feeds the masses three times a day for days, and she makes it look easy.  Nana, you are a total diva and you know it.  We love you!

Happy New Year to all.  I'm hoping for a MUCH QUIETER 2013.  2012 wore this girl OUT!

And may all your Christmases be white

This was David's first Christmas to officially be a White but it was also the kids' first white Christmas....a very special one indeed!

Several people asked me what David has thought about Christmas.  He has loved the lights more than anything...the simple things usually do impress the small child.  It has been so fun to watch his excitement, but really the last few weeks  what I have enjoyed most is his "ease."  We've seen quite a few changes in his temperament allowing the whole house to enjoy the light hearted David.

We had a great time with Bunny and Pappy a few days before Christmas.  

That is one excited crew.

The drove home just in time to get slammed with an unusual 10 inches of snow (and ice) on Christmas!

Making cookies.

Eating cookies.

We made smores too on Christmas eve before the weather moved in!

Hmm...not sure about the sparkly fire.

Mary was trying to explain what happens on Christmas eve:)

Christmas morning excitement

This little man had a BLAST!

Look at that face.  He's ready.

Pretty excited about his suitcase full of cars.

I don't know if I've ever stayed in jammers all day on Christmas, but we did.  And then the snow started to fall. It fell for several hours.  The last white Christmas we had was in Rochester where the snow fell 2 feet in 24 hours.  For even 1/2 inch to fall in Texas was a BIG deal!  

It was for sure a memorable one.

Just Dance

...Cause it's almost Christmas:)

So so tight

A week ago, this Sunday scene may have had little effect on me, but it did today.

The events of the past few days have stopped us all in our tracks.  They've shaken our security, caused us to hold our babies so so tight, allowed us to intercede for families we've never met, compelled us to groan in grief for these children and adults who died so senselessly.  

God hold these families so so tight.  Wipe every tear with your peace.  Comfort every cry with the assurance that you will walk this dark road with them. 

It is cold enough..

..for FOOTED pajamas!  Yahoo!

or maybe...

NOT!  

The boy FLIPPED out when I put these new snuggly pajamas on him.  Kept grabbing his feet and yelling..NO SHOES BED!

I guess he's never worn footed PJs and it was NOT right in his world, so I took them right off!  We spend enough energy on tears worth fighting, and this isn't one of them!

Some pics from adoption day...

Mary and Bunny hanging out...plenty of time for that.

Love you sis!  

Abby and the girls were SO very patient. 

Becky and her little man

What did people do before I-passies?  Hunter and David really did great especially for having to wait almost 3 hours.  This is my friend Patti holding David...he loves some Patti.

What a crew.  The judge was so sweet.  Hunter jumped right into her lap! 

There were stuffed animals everywhere, and the kids all chose one....big ones apparently.

Finally...a completed family pic.

A tale of 2 "T'was the night befores"

T'was the night before our long flight home.  Our 23 month old "baby" lay on the pillow next to me in a hotel....fretful.  He'd had a good day, but bed time brought an unfamiliar routine, unfamiliar people, an unfamiliar language, an uncertain tomorrow. He knew nothing but to scream in frustration.  He landed on big sister's chest, an image I'll NEVER forget.  He tossed and turned all night as I did the same.  Awake all night, panic started to take over.  My heart raced for what seemed like hours as the clock ticked away.  I was terrified of an 18 hour travel day to home....anxious like I've never been before.  Lord, I don't even know this child! 

T'was the night before our long awaited court date.  Our nearly 2 and a half year old lay on the pillow next to me in a hotel....peaceful.  He'd had a good day, and bed time brought a familiar close to the day.  He'd spent the evening at his cousins' house where he could already say their names and exhibited a happy inflection, "Mando's?" when we announced where we were going.  He asked for "Pappy?" before we even opened the door for our visit.  He'd exclaimed "CAKE!" when he saw the cookie cake which read, "Forever Ours."   I lay awake listening to him suck on his fingers (oh how I only WISH for a passy now!).  His fingers became a source of comfort 6 months ago, and now they are shriveled every morning, so for now, I will thank his fingers for good and peaceful sleep.  I slept all night, only anxious about a 2 year old missing nap time and having a fit during the ceremony.  My heart did not race.  You see, when this boy woke up on this special day,  I knew that he likes the light turned on immediately when I walk in the room.  I knew that he likes me to get him dressed immediately all the way down to his shoes.  I knew that he likes eggs and cereal for breakfast and that he loves to get in the car to take his siblings to school, but is sad when they are not around to play during the day.  I knew that he likes to brush his teeth often.  I knew that he gets more than excited over a popsicle and that he'd rather ride his plasma car down the hill on his adoption day.  I knew that he would get so excited about his favorite "la" on the radio.  I knew that he would ask for a kiss when his mosquito bite started itching from two days ago at "Patti's" house.  I knew that he'd scream for "Puppy and Baket" at bed time tomorrow night because he'd be so tired from his big day.  I knew all this....

because I'm his "Mamma."  

I posted the video of our ceremony so our friends and family wouldn't miss it!

More pics to follow:)

Sing sing sing

Today was Garrett's pre-k Christmas program.

Look at that face.  TROUBLE.

Every day he makes me laugh.  Yesterday, the milk was down to the bottom of the gallon and started walking toward the utility room where the extra refrigerator is.  I asked him why.  He said he was going to refill the milk.  I said, "WHAT?"  He said, "If you put the empty milk gallon in the back fridge, it refills itself the next day."

What a MAN!  They are all the SAME!

For the grandparents.  I included the very beginning where he's waiting on all the other kids.  He's not doing anything wrong...but still I laugh.  

From here to there

6 months at home!

Hubs took this video of David on his phone literally right after we got into the car and drove away from Eastern the day David came home (June 1rst). Excuse my sniffles...it took all I had not to burst into tears as I looked at the foster parents, and my nose started pouring.

I really couldn't believe how happy David was.

I took this video last night before bed.  Wow, what a difference!

The bandaid "thing" is new.  He wants to wear one on his head every day.

He is passionate about setting the table for some reason!

He is an "I do it" kid.  The last "I do it" kid was Allie...so three kids ago. Poor David doesn't know that all my "I do it" tokens were all used up a LONG time ago. Ha, I'm trying to slow things down for him, but that's an uphill battle.

He's a very sweet boy.  He's a very particular boy, and when things don't go his way, he is HOT headed.  His speech is coming along.  He repeats a lot of words we say, but he very rarely puts two words together.  I think as his speech improves, and we can understand what he wants, he will get easier.  

This sounds like typical twos, but many two and a half year olds are speaking in multiple phrases by now, and his vocab is about 6 mo-1 year behind at least (because of his late start of course:)  I know that at some point, it will all come together!

He's been incredibly healthy, which amazes me for his age and new environment.  We finalize next FRIDAY!

Had a visitor this morning.  Whoever started this tradition didn't have moms in mind.  This is all on you dad. I told the kids he doesn't come until Dec 1rst, because 24 days is PLENTY, (I'm such a scrooge), and I forgot the first day.  

Hubs remembered though.  Love his note:)

(He printed it out...cause he could NEVER write that neat.)