Pumpkin Patch

Well, it wasn't so much a Pumpkin Patch as it was a bunch of pumpkins on pallets. Literally. Quite a far cry from the beloved Eckert's farm we visited every fall during our time in Illinois. Thankfully, neither of the girls were disappointed, especially since I'd been talking up our visit to the pumpkin patch for days. Sophie has been so excited, as she loves to go anywhere 'fun'. She calls it the 'punkin' ta' and couldn't wait to get dressed to go. The selection of pumpkins was adequate for us to at least get some cute pictures and for each of the children to choose a pumpkin. Isabelle had a fondess for the Indian corn and Sophie loved trying to pick up all the pumpkins and put them into the wheelbarrow. All in all, a good time was had by all :)

Belle's boo boo

Things have been stressful around here for the last few weeks. Vomiting, strep throat, Chris working late nights, both girls fighting for my attention, etc. But there have been some shining moments that have given me the boost I've desperately needed. Isabelle had a little boo boo on her hand. I have no idea where she got it, and it was indeed tiny. Nonetheless, she felt like this particular owie should be the recipient of a lot of maternal attention. I kissed it in the car, as I was putting her in her carseat, I oohhhed and aahhhed over it when she started fussing over it while she was watching TV. I suppose it wasn't enough because she came into the kitchen, holding out her hand and said "boooo boooo" Now, if you know Belle, you know this is a BIG deal. She spontaneously said 'boo boo' and appropriately held out her hand for me to kiss it. I was so excited, my heart just filled with pride for her and how much she is developing and learning. We can now add 'boo boo' to her ever growing list of words she will use spontaneously. The therapist that comes over to visit weekly is amazed at how well she's doing and so am I. Thank you Lord for those moments when the clouds break and the sunshine is that much sweeter and brighter for having been lacking.

Lots of babies needing a sponsor :)

This little guy and quite a few others need someone willing to sponsor them through Love Without Boundaries. It is so easy to do, in fact all you have to do is sign up and give them your credit card info, the rest is up to LWB! Please consider giving the gift of foster care. You'll be giving yourself the gift of knowing a child somewhere in China is sleeping and playing more happily and healthfully because of you.

In celebration of Dane

My sister Melissa, my mom, Lucy, April (Angie's best friend since childhood) and I had a 'Welcome Home' celebration for my new nephew Dane and my other sister Angie. We had to plan it secretly because Angie hates a suprise. But even more than hating a suprise, she hates people doing things for her. So we decided to do both! We did tell her about the party a few days prior, just to avoid the scene that would have taken place if she had shown up, uninformed. Turned out she really enjoyed herself and so did Dane! Everyone enjoyed the food, cake and festivities. And it was a great reminder of how precious and loved Dane is. And isn't he the cutest thing? I know, I'm wondering, can first cousins still not marry, even if they are not related by blood? Just kidding. Well, not really. Anyway, we all feel so blessed to be able to witness the evolution of their family through the addition of this sweet boy. What a work He did bringing this boy into our family :)

Homecoming part deux

Here are some pics taken when the kids were at Kevin's house. Takes you down memory lane, doesn't it?

Homecoming

Tori went to her first homecoming dance on Friday night. She went with a friend of hers, yes a boy, but they are just friends. Which was a great relief to me since I only had to worry about his driving ability, the driving ability (or lack thereof) of all the other drivers out on homecoming night, what time they would be home, would she have fun, would there be any kids drinking, and a million other things. I did not have to worry about him going in for some liplock since they are just friends. He picked her up early as all the girls were getting ready together. So no pics then. I figured I'd get pics when he dropped her off, but they had all changed out of their dresses when they were hanging out making pancakes at another friend's house. So I had her get back into her dress, hours after the dance ended. I wanted to get some pictures that capture how lovely she looked that night. She loved her dress and the feeling was palpable. It took me back 20+ years ago, the excitement of going to a dance and wearing a favorite dress, painting my toenails, hoping I didn't get a big zit, getting nervous just because...
It was a night to remember.

Living room campout

Zach is home sick. He has strep throat. Suprise, suprise. So he's spent most of the week at home. The other day he had the great idea to bring out the boys pop up tent to play with. He set it up in the living room for the girls and filled it with couch cushions and pillows to add to the fun. Well, the girls loved it and giggled and laughed for a good hour just playing in and around it, toppling it over by leaning on the side of it. I am constantly amazed at how much they enjoy each other's company. I know they would have had fun playing in it alone, but together the fun was multiplied many times over. We are tremendously blessed that our girls get along so well. Most of the time, that is.

Updates

Here's a quick rundown on what's going on at our house:

Lost dog: Dug out of our yard and ran away last weekend. Whereabouts still unknown.
Isabelle: Over the vomiting illness but has begun a new cycle of night waking...cause unknown, but we suspect she's just getting used to all the late night attention.
Asher: Relapsed yesterday and vomited on the side of the road on the way home from the airport. Will be spending the day at home watching Fairly Oddparents, drinking Sprite and eating toast...again.
Me: Much improved outlook, had some R&R over the weekend (I got to go to Hobby Lobby all by myself!) and I'm feeling ready for the week.

The girls sites are updated, if you'd like to check them out. Sophie's site is here and Belle's site is here.

There! All caught up and it's only 8:12 AM :)

Big fun at the Georgia National Fair

We had the best time! My sister and her family came down to go with us yesterday. The weather was perfect and the kids had their fill of corn dogs, funnel cakes, cheesy midway toys and precariously - put - together carnival rides. The place was packed, but we were able to get in a full day of fun anyway. Isabelle was a bit overwhelmed, so I ended up carrying her most of the afternoon. Sophie was just soakin' it all in, that girl LOVES to be in the thick of things. Dalton loved everything about the day except the 'Orient Express' and mini roller coaster he rode with big cuz Taylor. I think it was just a bit too wild for him. His favorite ride was the 'Demolition Derby'. Asher was too tall for the ride and Sophie was too small, so he rode alone. Another little boy walked near his car and he said "Want to ride in my car?" He even asked the boy his name, how's that for adorable? Asher had just gotten over the same vomiting virus that Isabelle had and he was miraculously 'cured' by the lure of the carnival! He actually did feel better just in time, he'd been throwing up the night before but was able to manage a ride on the 'Highland Swing' and then put away some nachos and slush-o-matic slushee just fine :)