Six Years Old

For his 6th birthday this year, Ian wanted a Lego party. No big surprise there, as he has been very into Legos for the past year, building new creations every day.



Well, not only did he get that Lego party, filled with all things Lego for he and his friends...

(yup--that's the cake! one of the most fun I've made so far!)

handsome birthday boy waiting to welcome his guests

punch with Lego ice cubes :)

lego train game

...but he also got the ultimate Lego-lover's dream trip...




LegoLand, CA!!! (with the added bonus of it being a 'guy trip' with just daddy)


another bonus! getting to see CA cousins, AJ and Julianna!

I love you, Ian! it is a joy and privilege to be your mom :)

Oh My! Two to school!

Gabby's first day back to classes was actually yesterday, so she got pictures taken two mornings in a row.

The gang. Evie is not actually headed off to school, but she insisted on dressing up and getting her backpack ready, as well.

My big kindergartener!

Yes, he picked Sponge Bob.

3rd grader and excited to show her brother the ropes at school.

Evie and I walked Gabby and Ian in to their class (yes, they are both in the same morning class--it is a 3 hour art class for grades K-4) but wasn't really needed, as Gabby showed Ian around the room and where to put his backpack and where to sit. I did manage to get a hug from them both, but they were brief and it was clear I was not needed (a good thing!).

I did tear up a bit in the car, and called Jeff to let him know what a sap I was (as if he needed more evidence!) and then Evie and I headed home. She asked immediately when Gabby and Ian were coming home, and then if she could watch Wall-E. I said, "How about we play a game? I will play Pretty, Pretty Princess with you!" her response? --"No, thanks, I will play that with Gabby." *sigh* I'd better finish up here and get back to Wall-E...I'm feeling the need to be needed --if only as a movie watching partner right now.

First Day of Homeschooling x 2

because you can never have enough bling...

Well, I made it through my first day of homeschooling two kiddos! Ian began his kindergarten studies with gusto, determined to be reading by the end of the week (he gets his patience from me) and Gabby completed all of her first day of 3rd grade assignments with a smile on her face! (and that is quite an accomplishment--there is a big jump from 2nd to 3rd grade...!) Evie got bored with workbook pages in about 3 minutes, so she watched a video for the first hour of our schooling and then we waited until she went down for her nap this afternoon to finish up the rest of the schoolwork for the other two.



This was an unexpectedly quick start to our school year (we had been planning on next Tuesday, the 8th) because of an opportunity our family has to go to Walt Disney World the end of next month! yay! ~ we are so excited to get to go, but I didn't want to start off the school year already a week behind---and there is NO WAY I am taking school work to WDW! :p



I am sighing with relief *sigh* and trying to stay focused on one day at a time right now.



Tomorrow begins the busiest/craziest month our family has ever purposely planned. (and, of course, it will get busier and crazier when the unexpected happens ~ please pray that I am flexible and will meet the inevitable changes gracefully!)



I will attempt to keep up with posts ~ but if I don't see you all again until October, well, know that I am still here...just may not be able to fit blogging into the equation. ;)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I'm not saying how many candles were on the cake...but it was a milestone birthday :) So glad we were able to celebrate it with you, Mom!

~ I love you and wish you a blessed year ~

northern oregon coast

Monday Gotcha Day Memories

Evangeline, we dreamed about you and prayed for you long before you were even born. Today my Monday Memories are about you. because this week is your Gotcha Day. (we 'gotcha' !) :) A term that is so casually tossed around in adoption communities, but a reality that holds such a wealth of emotions.

precious princess in her Sunday best

mommy and daddy hold you for one of our first photos as a family big sis gets hold of those squishable cheeks :)

and here we are. today. with our treasure from China!

I love you, Evangeline. I love being your mommy. I love your goofy times, loud times and pretend times (when you insist on being called tinker bell, minnie mouse, horsey or puppy), I even love your grumpy times. Even during all of those prayers, I could not have imagined a more perfect daughter, a more perfect addition to our family. My life is so much sunnier with you in it.

The County Fair is here!

making their own fun on a not-so-fast ride :)

getting to ride 'all by myself'!' ~such a big girl!

All smiles as Gabby finds her painting ~ she is our resident artist, and first time fair entrant!

Ian, also entering for the first time, was surprised to find a "Best of Class" ribbon decorating his entry!

Farm animals, fried food, exhibits, carnival rides, and 3 exhausted children. It was a wonderful day :)