I LOVE PARTIES!!!!

We had a wonderful time Saturday at our party for families who have or are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. There were quite a few people here and everyone brought a dish, the food was great! We were scared Saturday morning because we woke up and had some rain showers but all it did was cool it off for us to sit outside and relax for the party! The kids had a blast and were all so cute. Many people brought pictures of their little ones they will be picking up in the next month or so. It just takes me back, what a wonderful life-changing trip they are all about to embark on. I miss Ethiopia sometimes. I can't wait to go back! I asked Steve after the party what he thought about adopting an older boy in a few years, if they would let us adopt between Della and Marlee. He didn't say, no, but he just said lets give it some time. That is a start. Really when Steve says that, he really means yes but lets wait a few years! We will just have to see!

The above pictures are a few from the party. It looked like everyone was camped out to see fireworks or a show! Marlee met a new friend Addie who was absolutely adorable and could not keep her hands of Marlee, loves to hug! It was so cute. Then I had to put one of Marlee in with her very cool outfit that Aunt Gracie got for her, love Aunt Gracie's taste!

Busy week this week! We don't know what we are doing for the 4th yet, last year we took the kids to the fireworks but this year with Marlee we are trying to figure it out! I will be at our festival working a booth for our local Community Theatre and then doing the parade because they need cast members of "Seussical" to pass things out. Have a great holiday week! I need to get the kids some red, white and blue, time to go shopping. Ya don't really need to twist my arm!

My little Diva!

I have no idea where she gets her fashion sense or flare for the dramatic but this was Della this morning. She put on the hat, boa and glasses that Steve got her in Vegas. She also got new pajamas from a friend of my mothers and has not wanted to take them off since. At least she took the pants off and put on a skirt today!

At peace again!

Steve was out of town since Monday and he just got back tonight!!!! He was in Vegas on a business trip, I know likely story:) It was my first time with all three all the time but I am not quite sure if it counts because a couple of the nights my mother-in-law and sister-in-law came and watched the kids so I could be at rehearsal at 7pm. It was quite a nice break:) We had a good week, cleaned a lot and lots of playing too! Della is doing better after last weekend, thank goodness! On Monday morning I had 5 different Doctors call me regarding the children. I guess that is what happens when you have 3 kids. Most of them checking on Della and a couple for Marlee and her progress.

I think next week I am going to write down everything I do in one day at home with the kids. It goes by so fast that I don't remember but I know my legs hurt because I don't sit down. Being a SAHM is and interesting way to spend your day. I know some think wow, that would be great, you don't have to get dressed and go to work, you can stay and play with the kids all day. I can say that if I was a SAHM for a day, it would be that way, but I have been a SAHM for almost 7 years now and it is not all that glorious. Don't get me wrong, I am truly blessed and I would not spend my days anywhere else but with my three blessings but, IT AIN'T EASY my friends! It took me a while to admit that! Now I am realistic in my expectations of my daily life. The best things in life don't come EASY you have to work for them.

Anyway I have no idea where that came from. Maybe being without a husband for a couple of days makes you think more, who knows!

So now we are gearing up for our big party this weekend. Please pray that the scattered thunderstorms do not come our way! We have about 60 people coming and I would like to be able to let the kids play outside! We also had a tree split in our backyard during a fluke storm today. No warning or anything, but it was crazy windy out there! Obviously if it split my tree! Ok rambling and need to go to bed! Goodnight and I promise more pics after the weekend!

It is quiet here?

Ok Marlee is down and N and D are down in the basement playing nicely together. I think they may have figured out they are stuck with each other and they might as well make the best of it. It has been nice this week to not have to shuffle kids around all day. The only thing we have is Della's dance and cheer leading class. This is her last cheer leading class, not sure if it was worth the money but oh well, I got to chat with people:) She does like tap, I think it is the noise, my kids are loud:)

Marlee is the happiest baby I have ever seen. That child amazes me. She rarely ever fusses. I put her down for two naps a day and she sleeps well and wakes happy. Noah said in the car the other day, "Mom, why is she such a happy camper?" The only thing I could think of is, her parents. Her father was such a peaceful man when we met him. He put us at ease, when I was a nervous wreck. Her nature is so wonderful. This could also mean I am in for it when she becomes a toddler. Either way, I will take it.

We are getting ready to have a party this weekend for people in our area that have adopted or are adopting from Ethiopia. Lots of people are coming, I think around 50, and I am so excited to meet all the kids and see all the referral pics. There is a family here that just brought home a 2.5 year old boy. I can't wait to meet him and talk to them. When Steve and I talk we speak about maybe someday adopting an older boy. This could all change once Marlee gets older. Right now she is so simple and has not added too much stress to the clan. Anyway we are thrilled so many are coming and can't wait till Saturday!

Well we lasted this long and now have a disagreement. Not too bad. Have a great day!

It just figures.....

that on our "free" weekend Della's asthma got bad enough for an ER visit:( Poor little thing. When she breathes so shallow and is so miserable it scares me. Breathing is something vitally important to our daily life and sometimes Della has a hard time with it! It makes me sad to see her that way and it puts in perspective all of the other "not so important" things I worry about daily! Have a good one!

Could it be.....?

A weekend without anything planned? Wow, this is good. We have had a jam packed summer so far and I would love it if things could slow down a bit:) They will, for two days:)

Noah finished his 2nd week of VBS yesterday and I think he is done with it as well. He told me he would really like to ride his bike some this summer. Yep, time to slow down! Noah and Della both spent the night at Nana's last night and she called at 7am this morning saying Della had been up since 3am coughing. I didn't think she would need the nebulizer but I guess I was wrong. Steve took it over this morning and hopefully we can get the breathing and coughing under control.

I don't know what we will do today and I don't care! Maybe we can take the kids to the pool but maybe not. That is the beauty of not having a plan. If we do anything I will be sure to post pics of our adventure. Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

Yes, we went camping this weekend.......

and I smiled some of the time. So for those of you who don't know me well I am not a camper, but you may have guessed that by reading my blog. For Father's Day, I took one for the team and we met my BFF Alicia and her family to do our 2nd annual camping trip. Alicia and Steve love to camp but what they love more is watching me camp. My only stipulation this year was that we get a cabin due to having a 7 month old, and we did:) There was still not any running water in the cabin, community showers etc. To tell you the truth I am not sure why you have to sleep in the wilderness to become one with nature. I would be just as happy doing so on the beach with a nice hot shower every night.

The good thing is that before we left Friday we saw that there would be storms there on Friday night so Steve got a hotel for Alicia and I to stay in with the two babies. Gotta love Marriott points. It turns out that it didn't storm but how could I let those Marriott points go to waste? So I really only did one night in the cabin.

The kids had a blast! On Friday night our neighbor and his two Grandchildren paid to have Yogi bear's sister come read a book to them and he invited the kids over to join them. Then Saturday after Marlee's 3 hour nap(yes and angel) we went to the Indiana Dunes State Park. Now this was more up my alley. The beach there is beautiful and the kids had a blast. We stayed all afternoon and then went home to cook dinner and have smores!

Marlee was an absolute angel. The child adapts to anything. She does not sleep in the car well though but is really pleasant. Noah and Della enjoyed playing with their friends Mya and Maggie. I do feel bad for Noah though because Alicia has 3 girls. He is the only boy, so far:)

All in all it was a great weekend. I don't prefer camping but it is fun to see the kids so happy. I took some pics to share. Enjoy!!

More pics!

Beach pics

It's Friday!

We had a great week this week. The kids finished up VBS today with a show that I got to watch. Too cute. Noah wasn't that into performing but Della is finding her way there. The day before that was crazy hair day. Mommy worked hard on their hair and it came out great as you can see in the pics.

Noah had a cute quote this week when he was sitting outside in the pic above sipping on his root beer float, "Do I know how to live or what?" Yep he is growing up and has quite a sense of humor as well. I loved his Ethiopia hat in the pic. All for now but will have more to post soon!

My Girls!

It's Tuesday and.......

today was hat day at VBS so the kids picked out their own hats and I took a few pics of them. I also got a cute video of Marlee and Della. Marlee is clapping on command now. It is so cute. Della insisted they wear their matching shirts today. I love dressing little girls. Things are going well around here. I haven't been blogging as much because it is hard to clear my head in the minimal amount of time I have to blog. Summer is going better than I expected. Honestly I was dreading having Noah and Della home at the same time this summer. They have really been picking at each other lately. Della is usually the instigator but Noah has some fire in him too. They haven't been too bad. Well actually I have been lucky. My Mom wanted them yesterday afternoon and my Mother-in-law wanted them today. So really I have just had Marlee the past few days. It has been nice to bond with her. She is sooooo happy. God has really blessed us! I had to wake her up from a nap today and I picked her up, she put her head on my shoulder, then she looked up at me and gave me a smile with her eyes half open. What a pleasant child! Well all for now, Marlee is calling! Here are some pics of this morning!

BUSY, thats all I can say!

We had a very busy weekend! My Dad flew in from Texas and so did my Aunt. It was great to spend time with them both and the kids enjoyed all the company. I don't have much time to post now, have to pick up the kids from VBS but I will post some cute pics of the weekend. Lots of Marlee because she is smiling sooooo much now! Everyone enjoyed getting to know her better.

pics