Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween....hope everyone has a safe, fun day! The kids have a Halloween parade at school and then class parties. Once everyone gets home Trick or Treat and dinner for all the Trick or Treat friends!

What a difference a year makes....

I was thinking of all the difference a year makes today as I dressed June in a festive Halloween outfit. Last year we had just come home.....this past year has flown by and June has changed so much. I see the changes daily, but looking back makes the changes so distinct. I love this little girl more than I ever thought possible...she is such a joy and blessing to our family!

A week in review....finally!!!

Well, our Internet is finally working! On Friday night a lightning strike hit the tower that delivers our broadband so we have been without Internet since then. I have been lost without it....who would have thought that a gal who could not send an e-mail two years ago would depend on a computer so much! So this morning when I woke up I eagerly went to the computer, no service. Russ also informed me the furnace was not working. UGH! However, I am very glad to say that by 12:15pm this afternoon I have heat and Internet.

June had a great week, her little personality is really coming out. She is talking much more as well as putting a few words together. If she wants you to do something she will grab your hand and pull you to what she wants toys, snack, etc. She is very strong willed. I did not think a child could be more strong willed than TJ, however, I think June can give him a run for his money. I have said before, it is interesting to me, however, the innate differences between boys and girls. June is very sweet and affectionate, she also pays attention to everything that goes on around her. She is very observant. Her favorite foods this week are string cheese and granola bars. I am working on her eating her snacks at the table. She has given up the highchair so she is using her booster chair full time. I also, have decided Bandits snack time is over....if I let June carry her snack Bandit usually ends up with half. I almost forgot...I finally had one of those crazy adoption questions. While checking out at the grocery store the clerk asked me if I was babysitting. I said, "no." I love the perplexed look on her face as she checked out June with her brothers. I went on to kindly explain she was adopted.

TJ had the Halloween dance at school on Friday night, he and his friend went as Clone Troopers. Although they did not win the costume contest I think they had a good time. TJ also won his soccer game this weekend, only a few games left! Jake's teams lost their first football game this weekend and he was disappointed. However, Jake played a great game, his name was announced numerous times for the tackles he made. His position is defensive tackle. Jake has one more regular season game and then the playoffs.

Let's talk movies. Saturday night Russ brought home "The Zohan" from "The Red Box". I wasn't to interested....but watched anyway. Adam Sandler was hysterical(if you like Adam Sandler humor). The movie was politically incorrect, crass, offensive, and yes really funny. However, the highlight for me was the cameo, by none other than, yes, DAVE MATTHEWS! Neither Russ nor I knew Dave was in the movie....it made it just that much better!

We are looking forward to a good week! The kids are excited about Halloween and I can't wait to see them in their costumes....

P.S. Click here to carve your own pumpkin!

Clean Water....................

At election time candidates from both parties try to tell us how little we have and how much better our lives would be if we vote for them.....today I was reminded of how much we do have and what we take for granted, clean water. Most people of the world do not have clean drinking water. While in China we could not drink anything but bottled water, we were warned not even to brush our teeth with tap water. We are so fortunate to have an abundance of clean water at our disposal. A Child's Right is a non-profit that helps bring clean drinking water to the children of the world. A few years ago while June was actually at the Fengcheng SWI in Jiangxi A Child's Right installed clean drinking water. Click here for a link, go to page 3 of 3 and choose China 2007, Fengcheng...pictures 143-159. These pictures were taken while June called Fengcheng SWI home. I have seen the pictures in the past, however, today they have new meaning.

Lego Clone Wars...............

The boys asked if they could borrow my point and shoot camera the other day and I said, "yes". The pictures above are what I found. They had been filming their Lego Clone Wars. All three boys build there own bases, ships, and commanders and then arrange them on the air hockey table in formation. They love to play with their Legos and when he has time the biggest kid(Russ)plays too!

Wow....a blimp?

Wow! Look what flew over my house this afternoon. I have only seen a blimp at the air show. Imagine my surprise when I looked out my kitchen window....I had no idea how fast a blimp could go. I can't wait to show the boys these pictures when they get home from school!

A week in review...............

Well, I guess I will start with the sleepover. Jake had four friends...so we had 7 boys altogether. The boys had pizza, played flash light tag, ate cake, and watched the new "Indiana Jones" movie. Jake had a great time and enjoyed the evening with his friends. I am grateful to Russ, because even though my house was full of boys, I went to bed at 9pm. On Friday I received the flu shot and it kicked my butt! I could barely stay awake all day Saturday ....so at 9pm my time was up!
This week went by fast. The kids had Monday off school and a 1/2 day on Friday. Monday was a crazy day. We went on three trips to the Halloween store.....some people could not decide and when they did we picked out the wrong size....therefore 3 trips. We also spent plenty of time on the Internet ordering what we could not find. I am glad to say, however, that all four kids have costumes and they are all coordinated. This is the first time ever we have coordinated costumes, I can't wait for you to see our Halloween post!
The rest of the week was the same as most others, school, sports, and,religious education. This weekend we had one football game and two soccer games. Jake's team has won all of his games this year and there is a good chance he will make it to the "Super Bowl". TJ had two soccer games this weekend...one loss and one win.
Today we had a pretty laid back day. Jake went to see "Hollywood Chihuahua". Max went trick or treating with his good buddy Ryan at Ryan's grandparents(they live in an over 55 community and today was the day the grand kids trick or treat). Max came home with the mother load of good candy....jumbo Hershey bars and all the good stuff(I can't wait until he goes to bed so I can raid the candy bag). Russ and I worked around the house, we finally finished taking out the garden for winter! After working outside for a while we took June on a bike ride. There you have it....another week gone and a new one starts in a few short hours!

PS. I have been tagged by Sherri....check out her blog, her family is waiting for a sweet Chinese miracle!

More pictures from the pumpkin patch...

Grammie and the family!

June, Jake and Mom.


June and the giant pumpkin.

more June.....

still more June...

and still more June...

and still more pictures. I took a whole bunch of pictures today...what can I say, I have good subjects:)

Jake's Birthday Weekend....

The cake...on the actual "Birthday" Jake likes the same cake every year. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and candy corn.

The Birthday Boy!

The amazing flying Jake!

Jake at the pumpkin patch.

Jake was able to ride on the tractor after we picked pumpkins. The kids had a half day of school so we had a family day on Jake's Birthday. We went to the local pumpkin farm and spent the afternoon. Grammie came to visit too! Jake picked a birthday dinner of homemade ravioli with red sauce and a HUGE loaf of bread from Panera. I think the Birthday Boy had a great day....tomorrow is the sleepover!

Happy Birthday Jake!......

Dear Jake,

We love you and hope you have a great Birthday! Happy 11! You have a great sense of humor and a sweet, loving, heart. Eleven years ago today was one of the four best days of our lives.

Love,

Mom and Dad

(and the team)

Mr. Monkey needs surgery....

Mr. Monkey has been with us longer than the kids. He was a baby shower gift from Russ's Mom at TJ's(almost 13) shower. No one loved Mr. Monkey until Max came along. At about 6 months of age Max fell in love with Mr. Monkey...he still sleeps with him 8 years later. Mr. Monkey has been through 2 cross country moves, numerous vacations, many laundry loads, a couple of "Where is Mr. Monkey?", but he has never needed "surgery" until today. Both of Mr. Monkey's legs are falling out of his body. Today during June's nap time I plan on operating....wish Mr. Monkey a speedy recovery!

Good news! Mr. Monkey is recovering and resting for the afternoon....the surgery was a success.

Max's question of the day....

Today I have a new sidebar gadget....it is called, "Max's question of the day. Max often asks interesting questions that have not much to do with, well, quite frankly anything. We always laugh, some are very funny....now they will be posted for you to read on the sidebar...ENJOY!

Bows................

The boys were off school yesterday....Max spent some quality time with his sister, doing her hair? June kept saying, "more', as Max kept putting the bows in. The final result...cuteness!

June-"bug"......

Today June and I had a little fun with a "lady-bug"!

A week in review.......

Reflecting on each week, I realize that some may think it is boring to be a stay at home Mom with a part time job, and I guess sometimes my life seems like "ground hog day", however, I would not trade it for the world. I am so thankful I am able to stay at home. Some days are HARD, some are not. Many people said to enjoy the boys when they were little, I have to say, I did not enjoy them as much as I should have......however, I am trying to enjoy my time with June. Having 1 toddler instead of 3 makes it easier, also, being more mature(not older:) helps too. That being said here are some of the enjoyable times I had with June this week.

I was starting to think June was not talking enough, as soon as I confessed my concerns to R, June started to talk and babble non-stop. One thing about June is she knows whats going on....I posted the video of her showing her body parts and I have to say I did not quiz her more than what I showed on the video. However, tonight, when I was giving her a bath TJ quizzed her hard....she knows, teeth, head, hair, arm, leg, finger, hand, foot, ear, eye, and toes!! Way to go June. To me the amazing thing is I did not teach her, she learned from reading books and watching us. One of the other little habits June has is pulling your hand to what she wants. At bath time she loves when the water goes down the drain, she puts her hand over the "tornado" and laughs, however, she will not pull out the drain plug. When she is done she grabs my hand and moves it to the plug and plays until all the water is gone. I have bragged about June enough on to the boys:)

Football is over for Max, one down, two to go. Max and Jake both won their football games, but, unfortunately TJ did not win his soccer game. Cross Country ended for TJ this week too, gratefully my driving responsibilities have decreased greatly with the end of two sports.

For the most part, an uneventful week (except for the gray hair). Jake turns 11 this week and as I type this sentence I realize that TJ turns 13 in November...UGH!, no wonder I have gray hair! I am sure I will have plenty of Birthday week photos! Happy Columbus Day, have a great week!

Body Parts?......

Today while June was undressing herself she said, "arm". Surprised I said, "Where is your leg?" She lifted up her leg and started to clap. So I tried to video her new skills.....we have been reading a book with babies pointing to different body parts. I guess June has been paying attention!

Bad hair day...................

Although I am pushing 4o(did I just post that) I have held out for a long time with no gray hair.....today is different. While styling my hair today, 3 wiry, rogue, gray hairs showed themselves...UGH! Good thing I have a cut and color scheduled for 6pm tonight:)

A week in review.................

The two pictures above were taken before church this morning...I love June in this little geometric dress so I thought I would post the pics!

I did not work today so I am actually posting "A week in review" in the afternoon...as I post I wonder...Do any of you really care what happened to us this week? Should I try to be more entertaining in my writing style? Are you just checking the blog to see pictures of June? Most likely most of you are just trying to see new pics of June and the boys, so included in this post are pictures of June.

As usual, busy week...in addition to all the after school activities Russ was out of town. Although Russ was gone, I managed to fit in some time for myself after the kids went to bed. I played on the computer and talked on the phone with my dear friend R! We changed our friend E's blog in anticipation of her referral of her daughter Flora. School went well for the boys and we seem to being settling into a good routine. Next week is the last week of football season and I hope that will ease up our schedule a little.

Sports update.....Max's team had a win, Jake's team had a win, and unfortunately TJ's team lost. Nannie and Poppie stopped by to see part of Jake's game and played with June on the sideline(which is good for me because June is a BUSY, BUSY, girl). I actually thought that a girl would not be as busy as the boys, however, I was very wrong!

June is growing and changing so much every day....this week she has become a lot more vocal and opinionated. When I discipline her she puts her head down, twiddles her thumbs, and then gives me a kiss....boy does she know how to work it! Her favorite movie this week is "Alvin and the Chipmunks", she loves to dance to the music.

Last but not least, the garden, still kicking....today we harvested carrots and processed them for the winter. We have some green peppers left and a few tomatoes, hopefully next week will end the garden. Russ asked what I wanted to do with the garden next year, my answer was "Sod."....I know it won't happen and I hope to do a better job with it next year because I do enjoy working in the yard when I am able!

Have a great week!

P.S. June has learned to take off her clothes...this can mean nothing but trouble for me.....did I mention she already knows how to take off her diaper?

Fengcheng calender......

The moderator of the Fengcheng Families Yahoo group has undertaken a huge project. He is going to organize a calender with pictures of children from the Fencheng SWI that have been adopted and are members of this Yahoo group. The picture to the left is the one I submitted. I can't wait to see the final product. Any profit will be donated to the orphanage.

Girls are girls..............

I named this post for June's new slippers. She just knows girl stuff, having three boys this has really surprised me. Purses, beads, shoes, she knows about all this stuff and is drawn to it. She especially likes shoes and spends a lot of time trying on different shoes. Today was no exception, while strolling through Target she reached and clapped for these "Princess" slippers. Since it gets cold here they went into the cart.

June hanging out on the coffee table...hopefully this phase won't last long!