Relaxing...

We had a wonderful weekend. Complete with unpacking, relaxing and a few small projects. We made/shared Thanksgiving dinner with the six of us and had friends over for dessert. Very nice.
Peter got new glasses a few weeks ago and I am just now getting around to posting a picture. The seem to help the relax the muscles in his eyes, helping them to both work together. He wears them for everything academic that he is doing.

The boys are having a blast playing in the backyard. The prior owners left their jungle gym, so now we have two! Something tells me we will get a lot of use out of both:) We also now have a basketball court and a Jacuzzi! Bill and I tried the Jacuzzi out! It was great! Sunday morning Bill took the boys hiking in the woods behind our house. They loved exploring! Here are a few pictures...

I stood on our deck and took this picture. If you look way back to the start of the trees, you can see BIll and the boys yards edge...

I finished a few small projects which included re-grouting tiles around our bathtub. They were showing wear and I was concerned water would get behind the tiles. About ten years ago, my Dad taught me how to re-grout tile. Who would have thought that I would ever use the knowledge again? I am so thankful that my Dad showed me how to do so many home improvement and mechanical things. Actually, I really enjoy most home improvement/repair jobs. I didn't take a "before" picture of the tiles, but here are a few "after" pics.


All but one of the bedrooms have carpet over hardwood floors. A big "no-no" in my book;) I pulled up the carpet in one bedroom already and Bill carried the old nasty carpet and padding out to the driveway to be thrown out. The floors are beautiful...perhaps requiring light sanding. I am hoping to get all the other carpet pulled up and hire someone to do the refinishing by the end of the year. We will see.
I finished writing our Christmas letter. This year our Christmas cards will serve as our "change of address card" also! I love it when things work out like that.
Hard to believe Christmas is less than 30 days away. I do have to say that my excitement for the Holidays is a bit less this year, knowing that my Mom will not be here to celebrate with us.
I am looking forward to two weeks off work and spending time with the boys! We are planning a lot of fun activities as a family. The boys are looking forward to celebrating Jesus' birthday. I am too!

Thankful...

The closing for both houses went very smooth and quick...only lasting an hour each. We are all moved in and are working little by little to unpack. The boys had not seen the house prior to our move and are all very thrilled with their new home. They love the big finished basement and especially the backyard. Peter and William are sharing a room and Patrick and Joseph share a room. I have not heard any roommate complaints as of yet, though it is all still very new! Bill and I love all the extra space (we doubled in size) and the fact that the majority of the house has been updated. We have a lot of organization projects to help our daily routine, but everything in due time.
As I sit at my computer in the kitchen in the quiet while everyone is sleeping, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. I constantly remind myself that I am guaranteed nothing in this life. Yet, I have been given so much. This past year has been full of highs and lows. In it ALL, I am thankful. I miss my Mother so very much. Oh, how I wish she could see our Children grow. I find comfort in knowing that it is the Lord who gives and takes away.
We are staying home and celebrating Thanksgiving as a family of six! In the mean time, I thought I would jot down a few things that I am thankful for(in no special order)...
The good Lord above who is quick to love, lead and forgive me.
Me. I am thankful that God made me, strengths and weaknesses and all!
My parents and Family.
My Husband who loves me despite my quirks and is willing to "go along" with my hopes, dreams and ideas!
My children who trust me and love me unconditionally!
My employer and the consistent provision they have provided.
Our home, cars and fun, along with good food and friends!
Partaking in and advocating for the blessing of Adoption.

What are you thankful for?

Aww...you shouldn't have...

I am honored to receive my first ever blog award. I have been nominated by Jennifer. Jennifer and her Husband, Zach brought their beautiful Son, William home from Ukraine two years ago! I specifically remember Jenn calling us while we were in Ukraine in 2008, immediately after our SDA appointment. Bill, Peter and I were walking on Kreschatik St. I can picture it clear as day! Jenn and her family are preparing to return to Ukraine for another little boy or girl and we hope our paths will cross while in Ukraine. We were also nominated by Conethia who blogs at UKRAINIAN ADDITIONS. Conethia (and Jim Bob) traveled to Ukraine the beginning of this year and brought home two cuties, Aizley and Colton. Conethia ALWAYS posts such kind and encouraging comments on others blogs. I appreciate her sweet words so much!

There are two rules to accepting the award:
1.Accept the award, and post it on your blog, together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link.
2.Pass the award to 15 other blogs. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they've been chosen for this award. (Sorry, I broke the rule).

Fifteen is a lot of blogs to select. I gave it my best shot and selected a few of the blogs that I have found very encouraging.
1. URBAN GOES COUNTRY-Charissa(and John) have 4 biological children and then brought home darling Ava from Ukraine. She has Down Syndrome and her story is amazing. Although I have never met Charissa, I love her heart. Her willingness to step outside her comfort zone say "yes" to God encouraged me that I too, can step outside my comfort zone and say "yes". Charissa and her family are currently pursuing the adoption of a "few" more children from Africa.
2. THE LOCKWOOD FAMILY-Jaynee(and Daniel) Lockwood have 12(yes 12!) biological children. They are Missionaries serving Cuidad Insurgentes, BCS Mexico. They too have an amazing story and I find myself so encouraged by their willingness to say "yes" to God, in challenging circumstances. Currently they are working on their annual "Christmas Box" program which provides goodies for a local child. If interested, they would love your participation. Check our their blog (upper right corner) for more information.
3. THE CORNISH FAMILY-Meredith (and Michael) have three biological children and in March of 2008 they added two little Ukrainian cuties, both with Down Syndrome and one with a heart condition. Their story is amazing and Meredith works remarkably hard to advocate for Orphans with Down Syndrome through REECES RAINBOW. I am encouraged by her faith and conviction.
4. BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS -Jenny (and Shane) have three darling biological boys. They started the process to adopt in Ukraine and changed to Domestic and were blessed with a precious little girl, Sophie. I'm secretly hoping her and Joseph get married one day! HA! Jenny reminds me of a "Southern Martha Stewart". I love reading about her family adventures and her cooking/decorating and sewing ideas with 4 little ones under the age of 6!!
5. LIFE AFTER OUR UKRAINIAN ADVENTURE-Staci(and Damon) live not far from my home town. We met through the internet and then in person prior to their Adoption of Wesley in 2008 and our second Adoption. Wesley was born with Espophageal Atresia. Staci and Damon have been amazing advocates for Wesley and he had surgery in April and is doing AMAZING.
6. JOURNEY OF FAITH-Erica (and Jason) have one little boy, Ashton. They started the adoption process three years ago in Ukraine. Unfortunately, after traveling to Ukraine with the hopes of Adopting, they came home empty handed. They immediately started the process to adopt from Ethiopia. The process has been very difficult as they have had to live through their first referral (little girl Julianna) passing away just before they were to travel and meet her!! I cannot even imagine. Erica and Jason are in Ethiopia right now meeting their precious daughter, Maura. Erica's faith and perseverance have been remarkable and so encouraging!

Jenn and Conethia, thanks again for nominating us!

Transformation...

I have noticed changes in all my children...physical, emotional and developmental. Many of you have noticed and commented on the changes as well.
A year ago I enrolled Patrick in indoor soccer lessons. His age group practiced before William's group. Patrick had a lot of soccer talent, but emotionally Patrick did not have the confidence to attend group lessons. William joined his group to comfort Patrick and he still could not muster up the confidence. I recognized the "sign" and allowed him to participate at his own level for the remaining five saturdays. I made a conscious decision NOT to enroll him in anything for one year. Over the last month, I have noticed his interest rise in watching William's team play soccer. Two weeks ago he sat on the sidelines with me, intensely watching and commenting about number of goals, William's position (forward) and William not staying in the middle of the field! He asked me if he could play soccer on a team?
I said I would find a league and sign him up. I did just that. We missed most of the Fall, but he has played a handful of games and he is an ANIMAL! His enthusiasm makes up for every kid on the field! I love the league he plays for and their approach in teaching young children. All six year olds play for one hour. The first thirty minutes they have professional trainers that warm the kids up and the last thiry minutes they play a game. They play on smaller fields, with smaller goals and they play three on three. The coaches stand on the field behind their players and "coach" as the game is played. Patrick cannot get enough of soccer!! This past week, it poured down rain and they still played. Patrick did not mind in the least!
Here, he watches intently, barely able to restrain himself from going on the field!

The Difference of One Year...

A couple of weeks after we returned from Ukraine we had our picture taken by our dear Friend and Photographer, Michelle. A couple of weeks ago she took our picture again. What a difference a year makes!

11/2009 Family

11/2008 Family

11/2009 Boys


11/2008 Boys

Halloween 2009

The Boys had a lot of fun trick or treating. Peter was very leary of anything remotely scary. Not surprised, because we really make it a point not to expose them to anything spooky or scary or inappropriate. Peter's favorite color is green...the reason he likes the Hulk! The weather was amazingly warm and it did not start raining until we were two minutes away from home! Each day, they are free to choose one or two pieces of candy from their stash! I hope they forget about it so I can remove it all from the house!!
I will now enjoy picking up costumes for next year on the "super duper" clearance rack. With four little boys plus him/her for next year, we will need costumes! I will admit, as a child, I loved dressing up and the thrill of trick or treat.

William, Patrick, Joseph and Peter

Turning Six...

Patrick woke up this morning so exited. First thing he said, "Look Mom, I am big. I turned six now and I grew in the night. I do not need to use the stool at the sink anymore". Patrick is a funny little boy. As I think back to the day I met him for the first time, I am amazed at the progress he has made. I am so proud of him.
Happy sixth birthday sweet boy!