For Amy's Husband

How we became One Of Those Families

Step 1:
Older woman robs cradle and marries younger man.

Step 2:
Have 1st Child
(At an advanced age)
He's a very smart and extremely sensitive little guy

Step 3:
Have a 2nd Child(He had life threatening issues at birth)
Today, he's a happy, smart, funny little guy who also happens to have 47 chromosomes

Step 4:
Adopt a little girl from Taiwan
(who definitely stretches this momma beyond her comfort zone)
She is a smart little girl who dances to her own song.
Step 5:
Adopt a little boy from Ethiopia
(who would give the Unsinkable Molly Brown a run for her money)
He sings and dances and loves life.

So we are not your typical 2 kids and dog kind of family. And we are happy!!! go figure!!!
We are exactly how we should be. Living the life we were born to live. Good luck on your decision!

Slacker!!! *EDITED*

Can you believe that Alex and Makayla were here yesterday? The kids made ice cube paintings and homemade cookies. Really, it happened. I mean it. Alas, I forgot to take pictures. I'm a loser!

*edited* I was waiting for someone to ask. Ice Cube Paining. YOu make colored ice cubes using food coloring and water. Freeze them in an ice tray with some sort of stick in them (to make holding them easier). Rub them on paper and you have a wonderful art project. We found that thick sketch pad paper works well for application. We also used neon food coloring which made the colors very vivid once they dried. All I'm saying is, it kept Alex busy for 30+ minutes. That's saying something.

Differences

So if you had a book box that contained all of your homework, would it look like the one on the left of the one on the right?

Where our Tamirat Lives

Dog Days of Summer

It's just plain hot! Too hot to go play at the park. (Not for the kids, for MOMS)

Therefore, Chip-Poo-Lay is where you go for play dates with Miss O!

The bank display said the temperature was 101 degrees at 11:00.
That's all I'm saying.

I know what you are thinking....

You are thinking I forgot swimming lessons again, aren't you? Well, I didn't. However, if you don't have Internet Explorer, you may not be able to see the videos.

Weekend at Nana's

The pictures speak for themselves. Fun was had by all! Be sure to click on the pictures to see them 'bigger'.

The Longest Day

So yesterday we showed up for swim lessons. And we waited. And waited. Then mom realized her mistake. We were a day early.

So what do you do when you have a Saw-man expecting to go swimming?
Come up with an equally fun Plan B.
Mc D's

TODAY, we had swim lessons!

Can anyone see this video?

Apparently, if you have IE, you can see this? Anybody using Firefox able to see this? Thanks, Lori!

Getting Frustrated

Trying to post a video of Sawyer doing school work. Blogger is not cooperating. Anybody else having issues with blogger and videos?

Gentlemen, Start Your Engines....

It's Demolition Derby time!

And the winner is.......
I don't know

2nd place goes to TEAM STRICKLIN

Direct Quote from Over-achieving Dad: "I told you my.....ummmmm....OUR design would work!"

Every Day Stuff

Wheels?
Why, yes.
We have 2 wheels, 3 wheels and 4 wheels.
Take your pick.

Oh What A Night

The Smiles Tell The Story
Click on the pics to see the happy faces.
Yes, I know. One of these things is NOT like the other.

One of these things, just doesn't belong.
Can you guess which thing is NOT like the other?
(Before I finish this song)
You're Correct.
The one in the bottom right corner with a ring around his head
None of the other children have rings. Good Call.


Sawyer could have done this all.night.long.Yeah, I know. You don't believe he has a heart problem.
What should we do, put him in a bubble?
He L-O-V-E-S the water.

Judson loved jumping off the side too!
Dad showed them his form!
Ansley jumped ONCE. When asked if she'd like to do it again, the answer was NO!


Kimmy is The Pied Piper.
Kids ADORE her.
She is the only one that could get T in the water.

Thank You, Dean, Kimmy and Miss O
For inviting us and even having fireworks!

I Love A Parade

In Small Town U.S.A.
In the South

With bikes
Judson Won 1st Prize
(Thank you Overachiever Dad)

And Kids

And Friends

And Wheels
And The Unique
And Most of All, THE HEROES!

Click on pics to view larger version.

That's My Boy

Judson: Not 100% sure I'll marry when I get older but I'm going to have 3 kids.
Me: That is awesome, where are you going to get 3 kids?

Judson: I'm going to adopt them.

THAT MAKES ME SMILE!!!!!

Don't Take it Personally

Conversation with Sawyer this morning:

Sawyer: No school today
Me: Yes, we have school today.

Sawyer: It's Saturday
Me: Nope, not Saturday

Sawyer: It's a holiday
Me: Nope, not a holiday. It's Friday.

Sawyer: O000hhh Kaaaay.

Swimming Lessons 2010

OH LORD, GIVE ME STRENGTH

The PLAN was that the two 5-year olds would take lessons. So an hour long session was scheduled for this morning. 8:30 to 9:30. (each getting 30 minutes)
The REALITY was different. The almost 8 year old decided once we were there that he wanted to take.

Problem 1: No extra time. Solution: 3 sessions of 20 minutes each.
Problem 2: No trunks for said 8 year old. Solution: Mom carries an extra pair of shorts in her car.
Problem 3: 8 year old had not eaten breakfast. Solution: Complete and total meltdown.

Ansley: She was VERY skeptical and just plain scared at first. BUT she hung in there and started to enjoy it.Sawyer: Never did listen and was quite upset to taken out after only 20 minutes. (I'm still drying out from wrestling with him)Judson: After the meltdown, we've been on a roller-coaster of emotion. I'm NOT taking lessons anymore! OR I'm only taking them until I learn the dog-paddle and then I'm done!

T with Dr. T

Today was Turner's well visit. Dr. T (as we call him) is a no-nonsense kind of doctor. Never gets excited. Never suggests things that are not important. He does, however, always listen to mom and makes sure to address any issues. So, today he said he thought Turner was doing well and there was nothing to worry about at this time. He's growing. He is acting like a 3 year old. Since Dr T was not worried. I am not worried. Honestly, I was not worried anyway. Turner is quite healthy and a very typical kid. He has JUMPED percentiles. He is now in the 40% for weight and 45% for height. Pretty good growth for a kid who was below the 25% for the last 2 years.

Parade

So we are getting ready for the 4th of July parade. Judson has ridden his bike in it for several years. This year Ansley will be able to ride too. (You have to be 5 years old)

We decorated Ansley's bike on Sunday. What does it look like you ask? Why it's Pink and Purple, of course.

What? You thought it'd be Patriotic or something? Pshaw!

Everyone knows a Pooh's favorite colors are Pink and Purple. We can't compromise, even for 4th of July.

Pictures to follow!

Family

Can you tell going for a walk was NOT their idea of a good time on Father's Day?