Ethan's First Day of School

Ethan and Cam ready for Ethan's big day!

Ethan at 6:30 in the morning!

Ethan at Annunciation.

Ethan started Kindergarten last week. I can't say I was super sad or emotional. Maybe a tiny bit, but he was so ready for something new. I was nervous about how it would go. Would he actually use their big restroom without an adult there, would he talk to anyone ect. ect? However, he seems to have done great. His teacher told me he was chatty the second day :) For most kids I would be concerned with too chatty, for Ethan this is great! He seemed happy and told me all about it.

He told me everything was his favorite part. He also told me how the school used to be a library and all about its history. He then proceeded to tell me that they sold milk in the cafeteria and that it sure looked good. He was very excited when I told him he could buy some if he wanted too. Ahh, it's the little things in life!

Next week will be the real challenge: 5 full days in 90 degree weather (no air conditioning of course). I fully expect to have a crabby kid. Hopefully the adjustment will happen fast, and he'll save the crabby for at home.

Reagan's Room

So we have actually finished Reagan's room. Now all we need is Reagan. Less than 5 weeks to go, and I am sooo ready to be done and have this baby! It has been a long pregnancy. I can't wait to feel comfortable, not sick, and to be able to have a drink again. 3 boys + one high risk pregnancy =one stressed and tired mommy! One month to go.

Trip to Noris Lake

Campfire

Daddy and his boys

Our "big" catch


Ethan loving his marshmellows.

Our computer is finally up and running again!

Last week, thanks to some good friends of Eric's, we took a family trip to Tennessee. We've been talking about camping all summer, but well I'm quite sure this pregnant lady has little interest in sleeping outside! So we went to Lake Noris and stayed in a friend's house while doing all the camping activities.

It was so much fun! We kept it simple. We told the kids the TV's didn't work, Eric's cell phone really didn't work, and we spent the time together. We mostly fished and swam, and had campfires. Ethan loved fishing and was really quite good at it. Cam loved swimming, and well Jack liked riding on the golf cart. He's really not much into the camping thing yet!

The kids did catch 6 bluegills. Mind you they were about 3 inches big each. Ethan insisted that daddy clean and eat them. That was so funny because it was about 1 inch of meat total. Watching him grill it made me laugh. He had to be really careful that the meat didn't slip through the grill.

The weekend was such a blessing. The kids were awesome and we really had a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to doing some more trips like that one!

Baby Stuff

So after finding out it was a girl I did have to have a little fun. We did fine a replacement for the airplane themed bedroom. I also had to buy one little girl outfit. I have a grandmother or two that I thought might be interested in these!

4th of July Weekend

Parade time!

Children with fire!

Our Float


A Festival

Jack riding the rides

I have to say the 4th has always been a sort of blah holiday for me. I don't know we always have a good time, but it just wasn't a real big thing. The last 2 years have been a bit different. I appreciate our country more now that we have Jack. I realize how lucky we are to live in a country that I could bring Jack here and let him have all the medical attention that he needs.

In China many people were shocked that we were willing to take a cleft baby. They weren't being cruel or mean or anything like that, it just wasn't understood. Their country did not afford them the opportunity to have the medical services we have. So many children die of starvation for a correctable condition. I feel very blessed that we have those opportunities here. I know the US is far from perfect, but I also know that my little boy will be able to attain his potential here.

As I spent the 4th with our close friends that have a little boy with special needs, a little girl from Vietnam, and their oldest daughter, plus our 3 children (2 of which would not have survived in many countries) I could not help but feel blessed. I hope everyone had a great holiday!

Visit to Grandma's

Last week we spent several days at Grandma's and Papa's. We had a lot of fun! The kids went to Chuckie Cheese for Jack's actual birthday, we fed some fish, met up with some friends at McDonald's Playland, played at the mall, and went to a graduation party. The kids had a blast!

Celebrate the Day

As I sat in the car after my appointment waiting for Eric I was on top of the world. We saw awesome pictures and movie of our little girl. I was so excited about having a new baby. One that I figured I'd never have and a girl to top it off. So much decorating shopping fun, fun, fun.

As I was sitting there another couple came out. Obviously their news not so good. In that moment all I could think was I'm so sorry. We've totally been there. It's not a fun place to be. I just wanted to go hug the lady and say it will be okay, but I knew it didn't feel that way. I wanted her to know that it's all part of the journey that brings you to where you're supposed to be, but I knew that was no consolation. Without our hard times our loses we would have never been brought to Jack, nor would we be having this baby. As I sat there I remembered standing in that same position. The one where your excitement and dreams almost come to a crashing halt, but they don't they just change. I shed a tear for them and said a prayer knowing that as my day started off as awesome as it could, theirs would be a day of grief.

I also reminded myself to take the time to enjoy our celebration, because every day is not so grand. However, I also understand that everyday is the way it is supposed to be and will take me to the right place. I pray that couple will find that peace.