Happy Birthday Tee!

We LOVE you so much!!!!!

We're Back......

We had a great time on vacation. We....

Shopped (and watched wild life)


Hiked (that walking stick belonged to my Grandfather)



Played (although Turner was NOT happy about it)


Hiked some more

Bowled

Most of all, we got to spend time with family!
We had a GREAT vacation!!!

Pray for Pierce

We know a family who is part of our Down Syndrome group. Their little boy, Pierce, has leukemia. This is his 2nd time to battle this awful disease. He isn't much older than Sawyer. I spoke with his father the other night and they are asking for prayers for their little boy. Not only is he going to have to go through chemo again, he's going to have to have a bone marrow transplant. Lucky for him, his little 3 year old brother is an almost perfect match. They think Pierce will be in the hospital at least until September. He specifically asked for prayers for strength for Pierce. This is such a taxing treatment and Pierce is such a fragile little guy. I would also suggest you pray for strength for the whole family as they balance family life with 2 little boys, one in the hospital and one who is a bit confused as to what is going on.

Special thank you to Chandos from the T21 Traveling Afghan who is making Pierce a special afghan just for him.

The Wall

Here's a picture of one wall in our dining room. It is Ansley's favorite 'wall' in the house. Nearly every time we sit down she says "That MY family wall, isn't it Mom?" So therefore, it's my favorite wall too. Yes, there are lots of pictures. Hey, we're a largish, medium kind of family. If we were any bigger, I'd have to use a bigger wall. The top two frames will eventually house pictures of Randy and me. (yes, I realize the pics are slightly 'off'. I'll get around to fixing it someday)

Reece's Rainbow Story

You all know the special place in our hearts for Reece's Rainbow and our love for children. Here's a story on RR: http://www.mcornish.org/rr/CatholicNews.pdf

Nobody Believes Me, NOBODY

Story #1:
Picture it, Stricklin household, 7pm. Time to clean up. Mom says, Ansley go clean your room. Judson, go clean your room. I hear crying. Strike that, WAILING. I go to find Ansley prostrate on the floor and Judson hitting her. (on the back) He says, She hit me first. Mom says, "Judson, go sit down until Ansley is through, then you can clean your room". I close the hall door to allow Ansley to Wail, ahem, clean in peace. After much wailing and little cleaning, Dad enters the picture. Telling her the consequences of more delay. She declares her foot (That Judson hit, whatever) is hurt too bad to work. Again, he tells her to clean or suffer the consequences. She cleans. She opens the hall door, leaning on it. I tell you, Miss Scarlett would be proud. She says to me, "Mom, you need to carry me" I say, "Why". She says, "My foot hurts too bad. I can't walk." I say, "Go sit on Daddy's chair". Next thing I know, she runs across the floor to grab her Peter Rabbit and jumps into Dad's chair. Next time, I'm filming it so you will believe me.

Story #2:
After 2+ hours of playing in the park with friends, I bring the kids home. After about an hour of weather data gathering (every 10 minutes, he's keeping an Excel spreadsheet), Judson declares he's bored. In fact, he says: "I'm bored. I need to learn something" I say, "How bout I get your math workbook". His retort: "No, I want to learn history. Where's my Dangerous Book for Boys. I want to learn about wars"
Me: "I don't know". J: "Great, Just Great. (very exasperated) I guess I'll have to study this book on the body. But I'm only going to study the bones!"

Soon to be TWO!

Guess who's going to be turning 2 soon? It was this time last year we received our referral of a chubby cheeked little boy. We were on vacation and had no idea we would be receiving "The Call" from Mary T. We borrowed my sister's computer and went to the nearest internet cafe. We took pictures of the pictures Mary had sent. How could you not smile at that picture? Two teeth, chubby cheeks and those bright eyes.

We were among the lucky families that were able to bring our boy home within just a few months. However, there are still a few families (who rec'd their call around the same time) who have yet to be able to bring their child(ren) home. Such is the adoption process. A roller coaster of emotions and luck and chance.

So now, our little guy has been home 9 months. How amazing his transition has been. He hit the ground running. His disposition has been cheerful and willing and down right amazing. He has his moments where things scare him or he just doesn't understand. For the most part though, he's just had an awesome transition. In fact, I told someone just the other day, of my 4 children, his has been the easiest by far. Of course, now he is entering the Terrible 2's and there are moments that they are terrible but for the most part, they are mostly comical. We have been blessed beyond measure to have this little boy in our lives.

This is what he looks like 9 months home!
The expression speaks volumes!

Dining Room Picture #1

So, we've been eating in the dining room for several weeks now. I still haven't 'finished' it but I suspect it will be a little while before I have it completed. So I thought I'd show you one wall at a time. The piece to the left of the window in this picture was my Grandmother's. I have loved it forever. Glad to have it in my dining room to remind me of her.

Notice: The globes on top of the china cabinet. (the reality of a home schooling mom living in a 70's ranch without enough ready storage). The flowers are for Sawyer's teachers. I love fresh flowers! The wall sconce is because I LOVE yellow flowers. Doesn't matter which kind. I just think yellow flowers are happy flowers. The table cloth is, well, an acknowledgment to life with 4 small kids.

Hunger

Now this is HUNGER! It's tough read. If you have the courage, check it out HERE.

PicNic

Sawyer's class had a picnic today at a local park. How fun! The kids loved it and the parents got to visit too. Here are some pics. (remember: Click on the pic to make it larger)

His Teachers/Therapists

Re-Run

Rarely a day goes by that we don't speak of Ethiopia. How can we speak of it and not think about the ones left behind? What can 1 person do? Maybe not much but several people joining together can make a huge difference. So, take a look at the video again.

Can Anyone Help? ***EDITED***

This is a long post but this family needs help getting their daughter home. They don't need money. They are caught up in red tape. Any ideas? Any connections you might have? (CDC, Congressman) Read their story HERE and see what you can do. Thanks.

***NOTE*** This issues is affecting many adoptive parents from Ethiopia. Many have already been awarded custody by the Ethiopian govt. However, the CDC is preventing them from bringing their children into the country. While the rules may have been implemented with the best of intentions, the fallout is growing and the children are in limbo. It does not appear the rule is being implemented with common sense. (That's the polite way of saying what is happening) So if you have connections, please put in a good word for the children caught up in this new rule. I'm sure there are other countries involved also.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Happy Mother's Day

Hope all you moms have a great day today. Many thanks to my Mom for being such a great mom. Thank you to Randy's mom. You done good!

Here's a couple of pics of the kids at the mall yesterday. They all wanted to ride the train, UNTIL, it started. Then one little one wanted off.
What am I doing today? Going to my favorite Ethiopian restaurant with my beautiful children and wonderful husband and meeting one of my favorite moms along with her lovely children. Can't wait!

Friday's Flower

She says it better than I

http://anotherespressoplease.blogspot.com/2009/05/look-closer.html

Did It

Got Randy's ticket to Guatemala for the mission trip. Been holding out for fear of strikes and H1N1 flu. Today, we just stepped up and said, "Just Do It". This weekend, I feel a good shopping trip coming up to buy orphanage donations. Hey, I've got to do my part too!

For those thinking, oh boy, here go those crazy Stricklins. They're trying to add to their family, AGAIN. Nope. You can't adopt from Guatemala anymore. They have A LOT of changes to make in their system before/if it will possible to adopt from there. Good thought though.

Happy Reminder

This iris is from my Grandmother's yard. It is now in my yard. I love it when it blooms. It reminds me of her.

In the Kitchen This Morning

Mom: Turner, do you want grits for breakfast?
Turner: Ummmm.......no, no, no.
Ansley: He's going to be mom when he grows up.
Mom: Why's that Ansley?
Ansley: Because he says "no,no,no"

Alas, that is what they remember.