Kindy 500

Katelyn has been talking about this day for a whole month now. "The Candy 500" is what she has been calling it. In Kindergarten, they are studying about our country's history and learning about the symbols of our country such as, Mount Rushmore, The Liberty Bell, The Statue of Liberty, The White House, The Lincoln Monument, the bald eagle, etc. The kids had the opportunity to build (with their parents), a card board car and use it to travel through the school to see these amazing (recreated) sites. Katelyn got a driver's license and her own key, and was the cutest driver there!

Kaden's Ocean Mural

Progress on the mural. I worked on in it yesterday for six hours, and plan on continuing tomorrow. I am determined to make the April goal for Kaden!

Sisters...

As a child, more than anything, I wanted to have a sister. Well, wishes don't always come true, but God made up for this by blessing me not only with a handsome little man, but, my darling little girls too. I love watching them play together...

Happy Valentines Day!

I love everything about this holiday. It's the best time to love and be loved. Everyone wants that! I also enjoy the candy, chocolate, cards, and little gifts. As a little girl, I would deliver Valentines to all of my friends in my neighborhood. I would wait until dark then run up to their door, ring, leave a cute treat...then run like mad to avoid getting caught. It got especially fun, later, when those deliveries were for boys!

A new tradition that I started with my family is making homemade Valentine cards for my kids, and for Branden, and I like to plan a day when we get together with friends or family and make sugar cookies and cupcakes with the kids. I also buy Valentine outfits for my girls (Kaden refused to be a part of that)...much understood, but my girls LOVE this tradition. On the morning of Valentines Day I leave the homemade cards along with a box of chocolates on my kids dressers, and also one in the master bathroom for Branden so that when he shaves, it's right there. All of this is done before they wake up. Every year, I look forward to hearing the kids wake up yelling to each other, "Look what I got! Did you get one too?!!" Branden always surprises me with something too...I wonder what it will be this year? I gave him cologne this morning.

This year, I also came up with the idea of making a Valentine Garland. I invited my mom and sister-in-law, Jackie over and we each made one. I made a big heart (as a pattern) and bought darling Valentine paper to use, as well as pink yarn. I cut out several hearts, using the variety of paper, attached them to the yarn, and hung them from my fireplace. So easy and affordable, and the cutest decoration! I've had many compliments.

First Day of Preschool!

I never thought this day would come. When Adalyn was born, it seemed like ages before she would walk into Teacher Grandma's house for her first day of school. But, time passes quickly, and I am left a few hours, twice a week, without any children at home... and it breaks my heart. Although Mom is sad, Grandma and Adalyn are very excited. It will be fun watching her learn and grow, and interact with the other students.

Adalyn has also started ballet with Classical Ballet Academy, and is in her friend, Olivia's ballet class. I love watching her dance. She is really good! After watching her big sister, Katelyn, for three years now, Adalyn has already learned everything and will actually do the right step before her teacher even demonstrates! I'm so proud of her!

Life goes on...

So, some of you may have heard that our adoption has been delayed a minimum of one year. We are sad for ourselves and for Kethia. We were looking forward to getting her in the Springtime when everything is beautiful and green, and flowers are blooming everywhere. But, it looks like it may be next winter until she get's to come home to us. This last year has already felt like a lifetime of wait, and it's hard to imagine waiting another year, but we have no control over the situation, and have no other choice, but to be patient.

We are making plans to travel down to Haiti after the 20th of February, and look forward to being with her. Maybe that will be enough to get us through the next year. It will be an amazing adventure, and we are very excited!

We have a great life together...