Are we doing enough?

I had to share this post that I found through my friend Rett's blog.

Please read it - and pray about what you learn.  Is there something you can do?

http://onceuponamooncake.blogspot.com/2010/09/statistics.html

The end of May . . .

I can't believe it is almost June.  Again.  Time flies so fast.

We've had a fun month.

At the beginning of the month, my best friend and I took our kids to the Great Wolf Lodge.  We all had a blast, and Michelle and I even got to get PEDICURES!

I took my sister, my twin niece and nephew (and my kids) to Bouncertown and my oldest won 1000 tickets on one game!

To celebrate our FIFTH Family Birthday . . . Hunkahubby and I took the kids to the zoo.

And we had cake.

And my hubby had a reception for his art that is on display with fellow artist Alix Cain at the Greater Greenfield Chamber of commerce.  I am so proud of him!  (Check out some pictures of the event on his artist blog.)

The puppies got to explore outside - and they keep growing, and I am struggling to stay unattached.  Only two more weeks until they are big enough to leave the nest.  :-(

Angelina graduated from her Kindergarten class at school and got a new Bible.  She loves it.

The kids survived another year at school and I now have a 1st grader, 3rd grader, and a 5th grader.  Wow.

And this weekend, Hunkahubby had a luau party for us, just for the fun of it.

And although we have had our struggles - this month has ended up a whole lot better than I thought it would.  And I am SO THANKFUL.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone. 

Remember those who have gone before us - and take the time to cherish those who are still here.

The Dark Side of Parenting

People always post pictures of their smiling and happy children, making us all believe that their lives are full of sunshine and rainbows. But you know what? Kids aren't always happy. They aren't always smiling. And sometimes parents just want to throw in the towel, curl up in a ball, and cry for their own parents. (or at least be tempted to drink themselves under the table . . . even when they don't drink!)

The two pictures below represent 'one of those days' for both kids and parents. The first is my oldest, having one of her meltdowns where she screams loud enough for the whole world to hear that no one loves her and that she is going to run away.



Even though I know that my childrens' emotional outbursts are magnified due to their not-so-ideal first years of life - I'm learning that a meltdown such as this is pretty normal for a girl this age, just not necessarily as long-lasting or LOUD. But what is it going to be like when she is 13?? (My husband is already threatening to live in a tent once a month after they've both hit puberty . . .)



And here we have my BEAUTIFUL youngest daughter in the midst of not getting what she wants. Oh, the joy of it all. Who could ever have imagined that the girls above were the VERY SAME girls that you see smiling below . . .



(Some day they will plan their revenge on me for this post.)

How do you handle meltdowns at your house??

Adoption Day/Mother's Day Fun

I think it is pretty cool that the anniversary of the children's adoption always comes close to Mother's Day. It makes it twice as special.

This weekend, we decided to celebrate our "family birthday" in an extra special way. When the kids got off the school bus, we piled in the van and took off for the weekend.

On the northside of Indianapolis, there is a Holiday Inn with a waterpark inside it. We had heard some great reviews about it and thought it would be a great place to go for a night and have fun together as a family. From the pictures below - you can see that a fun time was had by all . . .

Here they are squirting each other with water.

Here is HunkaHubby after going down the water slide in a tube.
(I even did it! It was great fun! But no one had a camera when I did it . . . heh)

Here are the three bathing beauties.

My youngest looking in fear at HunkaHubby who decided to keep the pizza to himself.
(Not really).

The next day, we took the children to the Indianapolis Children's Museum. We have a membership and we fully intend to use it!

Having fun outside with the children's statues.

The coolest part of the Children's Museum was they just opened a new exhibit dedicated entirely to comic books. HunkaHubby's inner geek came out and cried tears of joy. It was really cool - and is very close to turning me into a comic book geek as well.

I'm not sure what they're looking at . . . but it must be interesting . . .

It was a great weekend and we were all happily exhausted when we returned home Saturday night. I haven't uploaded my Mother's Day pictures yet - so my goal is to post those pictures tomorrow.

Happy Monday everyone and I hope you have a great week!!

3 Years of Family

May 10, 2005

The day our 3 little blessings became an offical part of the family. I cannot believe how much they've changed in three years.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our children are not ours because they share our genes...
they are ours because we have had the audacity to envision them.
That, at the end of the day...
or long sleepless night,
is how love really works.

--- Unknown

Snow in China

I know I haven't done a great job of posting every day. It's been really busy - and I hope you will forgive me.

However, I wanted to bring your attention to my friend Rett's blog and her most recent post entitled "The Girl's Homeland". Rett and her husband recently adopted twin girls from China.

The orphanage where these girls lived until they were almost 2 years old has been greatly affected by the record-breaking snowstorms in China.

There is an organization that is doing what they can to help:

"LWB is a volunteer organization so 97% of all donations reach the children. Also, all donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes. We can take donations either online or by check.

If you would like to donate online go to http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/ and click on ‘Donate’; click ‘Other’; enter your information and in the ‘Notes’ section please write ‘Yifeng Orphanage Assistance’.

To donate by check make your check payable to ‘Love Without Boundaries’ and write ‘Yifeng Orphanage Assistance’ on the Memo line. Mail your check to: Love Without Boundaries, 306 S. Bryant St., Ste. C, PMB 145, Edmond, OK, 73034."

I hope you will take the time to read Rett's blog and learn about her journey to her babies, and think about donating to help these people who helped raise these beautiful girls and continue to care for other children who are waiting for their forever families.

"Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay." -Psalm 40:17

Love that Hurts by IzzyBeth

Love that Hurts

I do not know
how you felt
inside warm liquid
before you took
your first breath
But I know
you were meant
for my arms
my heart

I did not form
your body
I am not responsible
for your DNA
But I will be
in charge of
what you grow into


Your Mom
must have
been terrified
knowing
she had to let go
I am
terrified
knowing someday
you will too.