Daniel's 3rd birthday

Today is Daniel's 3rd birthday. Wow. No exclamation mark, just Wow. It's so hard to believe that less than three short years ago we started the journey of parenting. Wow. Amazing.

Here are some photos of the happy party. Daniel got some fun new toys, we had some great friends and family over to help celebrate, and everyone had a good time.
The family

I'm three!

One of his new toys

The jungle birthday cake

Cute shoes you can win!

Head on over to Dexter's Super Savvy Mommy to see a great chance to win some darling shoes for your little one. You are supposed to pick two pair that you would like to win, in case one is sold out. I had the hardest time just picking two pair - they are all so cute. So head over and try to win a pair yourself - or just do some shopping!

Thankfulness Day 13

I am very thankful for my dear friend Brenda - what a blessing to my life she is! Brenda and I met in college, and have been great friends ever since. During my time in the hospital, she came over and spent numerous nights at our house so she could be there for the kids when James needed to be at the hospital. The kids just love Auntie Brenda! She was a lifesaver for our family! I couldn't ask for a better friend - and not just because of what she did recently. She has always been there for me, in good times and bad - laughing with me, crying with me, praying with me and for me, getting into mischief with me! I love you Brenda! Thank you for everything!

Thankfulness Day 12

My Great Grandma - Gram as she is known around here - is a huge blessing to our whole family! Ever since we have brought the kids home, she has been right there, eager and willing to babysit any time, for any length of time, that I need her. The kids absolutely love her, and get so excited when she comes over. She always has little treats and presents for them - isn't that what grandmas do? - and isn't afraid to get down on the floor and play with them. And she does all this at the ripe age of 80 - can you even believe it? I can only pray that at her age I have as much energy as she does! Please add her to your prayer list, though, as she goes in for surgery in January to deal with an aortic aneurysm that she has had for a few years now. The doctors finally feel that surgery is necessary, so she goes in sometime in January to have a stent placed in her heart. Please pray that everything goes well. I am so thankful to have her in our lives!

Thankfulness Day 11

You know, I realized after reading over my entries, that I have neglected to post my thankfulness for three little people that mean the world to me - my children! Oh, how I am thankful for them! They bring a whole new dimension to my life - full of laughter and joy. Now mind you, my children are far from perfect little angel children - they have their moments of whining, crying and temper tantrums! Our days are not filled with butterflies and lollipops! But they are normal everyday children, doing normal everyday things, and sometimes causing me to just stop and wonder how I got so darn lucky! I love my children, and I so enjoy watching them grow and learn and explore. They make me laugh constantly, and scream occassionally! But I wouldn't trade them for anything. Oh Lord - I'm so glad you knew what you were doing when you gifted us with these children! And sometimes I wish You had provided a how-to manual to go with them!

Thankfulness Day 10

OK - I am thankful for something kind of silly today. I am thankful for warm, sunny, 70 degree weather! I know, I know - it's been more of 32 degree weather lately - which is EXACTLY why I am thankful for WARM weather!! Trying to get three children bundled up to head out of the house in the morning for preschool drop-off is a nightmare lately! First, the bundling, then the inevitable diaper change after bundling, then the re-bundling, then the complaints that the car is cold, then trying to get car seats buckled around winter coats, then scraping the windows.....do you see where I am going here? I am SO SO SO thankful for our summertime warm weather, when I can, for the most part, just throw the kids in the car and go!

Great Christmas Idea

I just found a fantastic idea for Christmas - actually, the whole month of December - that I am going to start. It is the 25 books of Christmas. This family collects Christmas books for their kids, and now have almost 25. The will read a different one each night of December up to Christmas. Then the books get put away and saved for the next year. What a great way to celebrate each night before bed!Here is a link to the blog post so you can see for yourself - she's got some great photos to illusrate it! The Christmas Books. And when you are done reading her post about books, click on her banner, and you'll go back to her blog homepage. And then settle in with a cup of coffee and a notebook to write ideas - she has tons of them! Have fun!

Thankfulness Day 9

I am so thankful for my husband! He works hard every day to provide for our family so I can stay home with the kids. He is completely involved with the kids, participating in every aspect of their lives. We've been married for almost 15 years, and I've always known what a rock he was, but it was very evident this month when I was in the hospital. He juggled the kids, the house, and spending time with me in the hospital. He makes me laugh, and knows how to be goofy (something I need to learn how to do!). Helps with household chores, and doesn't consider staying home with the kids as babysitting! He is definitely the love of my life, and I so appreciate him!

Thankfulness Day 8

When I started this project, I thought - 21 days of Thankfulness - that should be easy. And yet, although I am thankful for so much, it is hard to put into words something different every day. It really makes you examine the day, and think more about the little things than the big things sometimes.

Today, I gathered the kids and we went to a friends house to make a Christmas Project - canvas bags with iron-on transfers of the kids' photos. They turned out really cute, and I'm sure the grandma's will all love them!!

But what I found to be thankful for is the camraderie of friends. It was so nice to just hang out for a couple of hours with good friends, good conversation, and some healthy laughter! Our kids, for the most part, all played well together, and we had a good time. And then, to top off the day, I received a beautiful floral arrangement and candy from my secret sister, and another good friend brought a meal to us for dinner.

Life really is good, and it is the friends around me that help make it so beautiful!

Thankfulness Day 7

How appropriate that my 7th day of Thankfulness lands on the 7th day of the week, the day of rest. This is what I am thankful for today! It was great being in church this morning, worshipping and being filled. And the rest of the day was spenting doing just that - resting! I took a bit of a nap, and we played Chutes and Ladders with the kids, and just had some good family time. Especially now, I am very thankful to even have the opportunity for this - God is so good!

Thankfulness Day 6

It's Saturday, and it snowed yesterday - enough to leave a coat of white on the ground. We got just a little tiny bit of snow on Thanksgiving Day, but yesterday around lunch time it really started to snow good, and actually stayed. It's kind of pretty! I still need to get Austin snow boots, though - I got Daniel's and Gretchen's, but need to get some for Austin.

We found out yesterday at the doctor's visit why there was an overnight delay in reading the MRI and why I had to call to find out results. Apparently, the imaging office were under instructions to do the MRI stat and call immediately with results, but they didn't. And the doctor that ordered them didn't follow up either. Thanksfully, God had His hand of protection on me, and there was nothing bad that happened due to the late read, but steps are being taken that it shouldn't happen again.

Today, I'm thankful for a warm house and lots of toys for the kids to play with! It's too cold (in my opinion!) to go outside, but the kids are having fun running around the house, playing in their pretend kitchen and playing hide-and-seek. It's laundry day for me, so hopefully by the end of the day we can have the laundry all caught up and have fun playing in between loads!

Thankfulness Day 5

It's Black Friday - anyone going shopping today? I have to go to the doctor for a check-up after my surgery. I'm hoping to find out today why there was a delay in getting the MRI read. We'll see what happened. Then we are going to hit a couple of stores just to look at some stuff, probably not buy a whole lot.

Today, I am thankful for my Gram. She is babysitting the kids today while James and I go do our errands. She has been a blessing in our life. She loves to watch the kids, and they love her, and she is always eager to help out. She also cleans my kitchen every time she comes over! Without Gram, I think I would go nuts! She gives me the breaks I need every once in a while, when I just want to listen to nothing!

Thankfulness Day 4

Happy Thanksgiving Day! What a great day to share our blessings! I am thankful today for family! My mom and dad and gram are coming over for turkey day, and I don't have to do any of the cooking! I am thankful for family that are there when you need them, and for the love and support they offer.

Thankfulness Day 3

On the day before Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my church family. We just got home from our annual Thanksgiving Eve service at church, and just to be surrounded by so many that care for us, pray for us, love on us - no matter what. It is a beautiful thing to have a huge support network. My church family is a wonderful blessing to us!

Thankfulness Day 2

Today, I want to express my thankfulness for meals provided by friends. Since going into the hospital and coming home, we have not had to cook hardly any meals. We have had dear friends & family members bringing by meals for our family this whole month. When trying to deal with being in the hospital, then trying to recuperate at home, and fight off a cold, it is such a huge blessing to not have to worry about and plan and think about cooking. The most I have had to do, or my husband for that matter, is pull something out of the fridge and put it in the oven. And not just meals - but yummy snacks and desserts! Our friends thought of everything, and it has been such a huge, huge blessing!

Thankfulness Day 1

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

There is so much in life to be thankful for! I am starting a 21 days of Thankfulness posting to my blog. This month of November has really secured in me how much I have to be thankful for, and how much God is truly protecting my life. I know He has a plan for my life, and a purpose for my life, and I need to trust Him that it will be good!

So today, to start off this series, I am thankful for Life! I am thankful that I am here, and with no residual defects from my burst aneurysm. I am thankful for God's protective hand over my life.

I've already lost half of November!!

So, the month of November didn't quite start out how I intended. Let's see - Monday November 3 - spent the day doing normal SAHM stuff - basically, busy all day. It was my hubby's first day back at work after a month off. I spent the morning at the eye doctor with Daniel - what should have been no more than an hour appointment lasted two hours! Then I picked up the other two kids from my Gram's and all four of us headed to a friend's house for a craft project. Then it was back home for lunch, naps, cleaning, etc. We got the computer table and computer stuff all moved into the new office. Busy, busy day.

Fast forward to 11:30 pm. I'm in my jammies, crawling into bed. Hubby has been sleeping for a couple of hours already. Suddenly my head explodes - the worst headache I've ever gotten, and it came on out of nowhere. I was seeing stars, and circles, and blood was pulsing through my head. The pain was horrendous. I even woke James, and said "something is not right here". But we both decided I had probably done too much that day, and pulled a neck muscle, and in a couple of days I would be ok.

However, the headache wouldn't go away. Tuesday I was so sick from it, couldn't keep anything down. Wednesday I went to the chiropractor, thinking he could snap my neck back into place and I would be fine. Thursday I still couldn't get rid of it, so called my family doctor for an appointment. He didn't like the sound of how the headache had come on, so he booked me an MRI/MRA appointment for 3:30 that afternoon. Friday, I still had not heard the results, so I called my doctor's office. I went to my foster parent/adoptive parent Donation Station event, and had stopped at my church first to drop off the items for our Silent Auction that night. My gram was watching the kids until 3 pm, when James was to get home, and I would be gone all day at two different events.

However, at 11:30 my doctor's office called, and gave me some not great news. The MRI showed two brain aneurysms, and the one behind my left eye had burst, which was why I was in so much pain that week. I was to go to the ER of the hospital ASAP, and the neurosurgeon would be waiting for me. I was in shock, and scared to death. I took care of things at Donation Station, had a friend drive me across the street to my church to tell them I wouldn't be able to run the auction that night, and James met me there to take me to the hospital. I made a dozen phone calls on the way down - family, friends - to let them know what was up.

I got to the hospital, and you know your case is important when they rush you past the 20 people in the waiting room to start preparing you for surgery. I was just so dumbfounded - apparently, the death rate for burst aneurysms is 85%, and the neurosurgeon was pretty amazed that I was functioning as highly as I was on Friday. He said my case was already pretty miraculous, but you know, I serve a Big God, and He must have some pretty Big Plans for me, because He kept me very protected!

I had a CAT scan and cerebral angiogram on Friday, then consulted with two surgeons about the best way to take care of my issue. I had one aneurysm behind my left eye that had burst, and a second one elsewhere in my brain that had not done anything yet. After hearing our two options - clipping or coiling - we chose the clipping. Even thought it was more invasive - they would have to cut through my skull - it had a higher success rate and more control during the surgery. I had the surgery Saturday morning, and pretty much don't remember from late Friday night until I think Monday afternoon. I was in ICU from the 7th to the 14th, then in a regular hospital room until the 17th.

I have some amazing family and friends - they really took care of my kids and husband while I was in the hospital. My MOMS Club made and delivered lunches and dinners for the entire time I was in the hospital. Friends and family came and stayed at the house with the kids so James could be in the hospital with me. Family, friends and pastoral staff came to the hospital to pray and visit. I have received three deliveries of flowers at the house, to beautiful Christmas Cactuses while in the hospital, gift baskets and numerous cards and notes. I have never felt so blessed and loved!

And now, I am home. I'm tired, and I seem to have caught a little cold bug that had been in the house. But I'm glad to be here, home from hospital, and alive and kicking! The only real problem I'm having is going to sleep at night - I have this fear that if I go to sleep, I won't wake up. I'm praying against that fear, but it lingers.

So to those that helped our family out during this time - thank you! And for those that prayed - thank you! You are all such a blessing to me!

Here are some photos from the ordeal:

On Thursday, before my second angiogram to check the surgery.

Lovely bruising from the surgery.

At one point, my whole left eye was swollen shut.

The stitches that go halfway across my head.

My lovely welcome home signs from my kids!

A Great Blog to check out!

Holiday Cooking, Blogger Style



Take a look at what is Happening over at Overwhelmed with Joy, one of my blogging friends. She's got a great holiday recipe exchange and a giveaway. Go take a look and see!

Happy Halloween!!

Just thought I'd share a little glimpse into our Halloween festivities. We had a big day, full of lots of fun stuff, and ended up on a candy high for a couple of days! Oh well, it only comes around once a year!

Our goblins in their costumes, getting ready to trick-or-treat at an adult day center with our MOMS Club friends.
We tried for Lions & Tigers & Bears (oh my!) but couldn't find a bear costume to fit anyone anywhere! So, Austin is a Dragon!At Daddy's birthday lunch - lots of fun!
Dancing and singing our Halloween song!
They were so excited to go out and get candy!


Trick-or-treating at our friends house.
Gretchen learned very quickly what this was all about!.
Taking a quick play beak from mall trick-or-treating.
From one lion to another....

Having fun at the church Harvest Party.
Here is the bean bag game....

....and here is the apple toss game.

Eating our spoils with Daddy.....

....and Mommy.


We finished the evening by trick-or-treating a few houses in our neighborhood, where we got some of the best candy (full-size candy bars, with mom and dad's names all over them!). We had three very tired little pumpkins by the time we were done, but I know they all had a fantastic day!

A day at the farms

We took the kids to a couple of local farms for some fun fall activities today. Corn maze, pumpkin blasting, lots of animals, and pumpkins galore. We had a great time!

Great Photo Display Idea

I found a great idea for using shadow boxes and photos. Please follow me to Vintage Mommy to see what I'm talking about. I think I'll try it with some of our adoption photos.

The Official Family!!!

It is official - all our children are now really ours!! We completed the adoption today, and it's just amazing! So many years of waiting, and now Austin, Daniel, and Gretchen are really our children legally. Even though the proceedings went very quickly, it was a joyous occassion, and tearful too. Here are some photos of the fun event!

The Courtroom Scene

With the judge

With our Lawyer

The Future Lawyer!

Gretchen & Mommy

Daniel & Mommy

With Grandpa & Grandma

The Official Family!

With Grandpa, Grandma & Great Grandma (Gram)

Celebrating in the Ball Pit!

Back to the Eighties

As promised, here is a photo of me dressed up in my 80's costume. My hair doesn't look nearly as big in the photo as it felt when I was fixing it. And my outfit is on the preppy side of the 80's, but it's the best I could put together at midnight the night before the conference!

Off to Reno!

I'm headed off to Reno this morning, leaving for three days for an American Cancer Society "Relay for Life" Summit conference. I've never been to Reno, so I'm excited to go. Hopefully it will be lots of fun. Friday night should be interesting, as the theme for the big party is "Back to the Future" and we are all supposed to dress 80's style. Yikes! I've been working so hard to shed my 80's everything, and now I'm supposed to bring it back? Trying to find an outfit to pack for Friday night was not easy, probably mostly because I left it to the last minute (like midnight last night!) and had to be really creative. I'll have my friend take a picture at the party, and I'll post it here later, and you can all tell me if I resemble the 80's at all!

James will be on his own with the kids, except for today. He's at work today, so Gram is coming over. But he's taking Friday off to stay home. So please say a couple good prayers for him - he's a great daddy, and takes care of the kids really well, but it's still got it's challenges! At least I'll be back Saturday night, so he doesn't have to do church with all three by himself, although he can do it - he's done it before!

I'm so glad that I've had lots more visitors to my blog lately! Feel free to leave a comment if you would like. I've had almost 100 visitors come by my blog since Wednesday. Of course, that's the day I sent out my big e-mail announcement about the upcoming adoptions, with a link to the blog, so I was kind of expecting that! But, welcome anyway - glad you came by to visit!

OK - I'm off to do some last minute packing, get breakfast for the kids, and say my good-byes before my ride gets here in an hour. Have a great weekend everyone!

Free Subscription to Parenting Magazine

Get a free subscription to Parenting Magazine when you click here. I found out about this through Money Saving Mom blog - I think this is going to be one of my new favorite blogs!!

The County Fair

Well, we finally made it to the county fair. We had intended to go last Monday, when it was free for everyone, but Daniel decided to spike a 102-104 fever that day. So instead, we went on the very last day of the fair, which actually wasn't too bad. We missed seeing the pigs and chickens, as they had gone home, but we saw lots of other animals. The food was great, of course, and I couldn't believe how much Gretchen was eating. She had to have bites of everything - chicken nuggets, french fries, ice cream, noodles, salmon sandwich, funnel cake - you name it, she ate it! How she still only weighs 20 pounds is beyond me!

The kids got to ride a train, too, and they loved that. It was our last thing to do before leaving around 8pm, so it was starting to get dark, but the kids enjoyed it, and the conductor gave us an extra turn around the track because it was the last ride of the fair this year.

We had a really great time, and even got in free! There were some people getting in just before us that had extra tickets that they had already bought, so they gave them to us. I think we'll go on the last day from now on - you still get to see most everything, but the crowds are less.