Four month faces

David came home four months ago today:-)

I can't tell you how glad I am that it has been four months and not four weeks.  I can't tell you how glad I am that it has been four months and not four weeks.  I can't tell you how glad I am that it has been four months and not four weeks.

Did you get that?

It was a road we had to walk down, and we are still walkin' it,  but those first 8 weeks were by far the hardest.  As a mamma, as a daddy, as a sister, as a brother, as a two year old in a new country, a new home, a new family....each of us has had things to work through.  

God has been so gracious as He has knitted us all together. 

Look at that face.  The boy is so animated, and one of the things I find so much joy in are his many expressions.

Total deer in the headlights expression!    One of the only Korean words David still says is "mommo" which is "dog."  He often says "dog," but tonight he kept pointing to his shirt and saying "mommo."  

His speech has really taken off the past few weeks.  He is now saying the "r" sound which was completely absent.  He told me today to "hurry.!"  As clear as a bell!  He says "more" and "water" with the correct "r" sound, and he's been trying to do that since the first or second week home.

He still sleeps like a CHAMP and has been incredibly healthy.  Having a kid outside of our gene pool ROCKS because we I have sucky asthma genes. 

And finally...  What is that in his hand? 

I finally found some sea weed like the kind he was eating in Korea!  He gobbled it down today...look at the smile of approval.  Go MOM!

Happy four months at home sweet David!

Weekend

This summer was a total bust for me in the cooking department.  I was in survival mode, and we ate whatever worked out for that night...meaning I didn't cook much.  I love to cook!  I have missed it, but I have also forgotten what I cook.  I joined emeals a long time ago, and decided to get some recipes to get me going again. 

Last week, when Hannah was knockin' on the door to make her grand debut, I was making a pot pie for my fam, and decided to double up for them.

I don't know why I've never made a chicken pot pie.  It was very yummy!

Finely chopped carrots

1 cup finely diced onions

4T butter

1 c flour

15 oz can chicken broth

1 c heavy cream

1/2 c frozen peas

1 tsp ground thyme

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

I cheated.  I bought a rotisserie chicken already cooked...this cheating tip from  my mom.  Saute carrots, onion in butter.  Add chicken.  Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir.  Cook 5 min.  Stir in broth, cream, and peas.  Allow to thicken.  Season with thyme, salt, and pepper and pour in prepared pie crust.  ( I use a box mix pie crust that you add water to and roll out...Betty Crocker..yum.)

Yesterday we spent the rainy day at the Aggie/Arkansas game with our sweet friends the Colemans.  They are gracious Aggie friends mind you:)

I ran into some pine cove friends.  These were the girls' counselors this summer!  Allie and Mary were so jealous that I saw them.  I wasn't the only "duck" in the stadium by the way.

It was a rotten game.  The rain wasn't bad, but it is very sad when the opposing team fans are patting you on the shoulder and apologizing for your bad year:(  Looks like more of the same to come.  Poor poor hogs.

Hannah Meredith

 Yesterday, September, 26th, Hannah Meredith Koelling was born to Em, Adam, and baby "SEESTER" Abbott.

These two have waited for this sweet one for much longer than 9 months.  It has been a long road, and I couldn't be more joyful on this day for them.  She's perfect and beautiful in every way.  

....all 9 lb 8 oz of her:)

David kept whispering, "baby."  He was very curious and kept touching her very sweetly.  I wonder how many babies he's been around.  

I finally held her this morning.  She had to be monitored a long while yesterday because of a little respiratory distress, but was doing great this morning.

Cousin Grace and Aunt Amber made it into town.

The rest of my crew hasn't seen her!  There are too many of them and I hated to walk past the nurses station with that many kids (they are not crazy about kids being around new borns.)  We can all hold her tomorrow!

Nana holding grand baby numero 11!

Happy birthday precious Hannah.  We couldn't be more excited that you are here safely after all these months!!

Emily on the left. Hannah on the right.  Alike? Much.

Happy big sister day to you Abbott!  Could she look any more proud???

Trip to Arkansas

Since David came home, we have done a lot less traveling.  He's been away from his bed on only two different occasions in four months...that's bound to be a  record for us.  We have a "going" problem, and cannot sit still!  

My grandparents had still not met him because they are not able to travel much, so we decided to take a little road trip.

The girls spent hours face painting!

David has not been around dogs, and he was VERY afraid of  "T," Nana's very ferocious looking doggy.  He is holding Allie's hand because for the majority of our stay, he had to be holding someone's hand.  He made the girls crazy!  He finally came around before we left.  

We did the usual walk to the park.  We had BEAUTIFUL fall weather.

David and Daddy feeding the ducks.

Garrett and Grace played nonstop!

It took big D a full day to warm up, but look at these great pics.  I was able to share with them all of our pics from our trip to Korea.  They really enjoyed meeting him!  

Because he was a little nervous about "T" we let him carry puppy around the whole weekend.  Will probably have to "ween" him tomorrow.  Puppy is nothing more than a furry passy.

I just love love love seeing the kids love on their grandparents and great-grandparents!

All in one week

Last week, I saw some of my most favoritest people all in the same week.  It was a full one.

Nana came to help Em finish off the nursery.  Hannah will be here in a week and a half!  

My sweet pal who ditched us for Georgia last year, came back for a few days last week.  We enjoyed catching up.  She stayed with the kids when we went to Korea, and only saw big D for a few minutes when we came home!  It was so fun to show her how far he's come. (And I failed to get a pic of her with him..shame!)  The kids loved seeing Mr. M too...

..one especially!   

On Friday, the boys and I caught up with Abs, Mandy, and Hunter.  It's funny to me that Garrett called Abby, Abigail the whole time:)  She turned 5 last weekend!  How the time flies!

It's so fun having so many cousins the same age!  Garrett has not idea how lucky he is.  When he starts kindergarten, he'll have 4 first cousins starting the same year...2 from my side and 2 from the White side.

Hunter had changed the most to me.  He's not looking so toddlerish anymore.  He's such a sweet little man. Thanks for letting us crash for an afternoon Mandy!  Great to see you!

TGIF

Four year old hide and seek:)

We had a full week of fam and friends.  (more detailed post to come:)

I may hide under my couch tomorrow while the Razorbacks play Alabama.  I just can't watch...

Frowning

When I looked outside the window this morning, I could have sworn the razorback was frowning:(  It was a rough Saturday in hog country.

Yes, our pool is in the shape of a razorback. If you look closely, you can make out an eye and tusks on the bottom. It was hub's idea.

He's one crazy Razorback.  

How did we do it?  Well he's the brains.  He took a 6 inch photo of a razorback and on the computer, blew it up to 20 by 40 ft.  He printed out 180 (or so) sheets of paper which composed the image.  One VERY chilly February day we taped each sheet of paper onto butcher paper..

....until the image was formed.  

Then we traced it with a sharpie...a very large sharpie.

Finally, we cut it out, rolled it up, and waited for the digger.

And that is how you make a razorback pool...in Texas:)

I got this SAWEET ornament in the mail today from my dear friend Laurel.  I just LOVE IT!  Thanks sweet friend! (Mary jumped in the pic...silly girl)