Sweet Cookie Baking

It's that time of year again...cookie time!  This year we are making a variety of regular and gluten free cookies.  Today we had some friends over to help cut and decorate sugar cookies (my favorite), make corn flake wreaths (another favorite), and gluten free peanut butter cup cookies (they are really yummy).  The corn flake wreath cookies happen to also be gluten free and always have been.  They are a tradition carried on from my childhood.  I love that cookie baking and decorating is an activity that the big kids and the little kids can do together!

As Christmas draws near and we are far from family, I can get quite nostalgic.  I was talking with my friend last night at church, as our children sang in the children's choir, and she has also been feeling a bit blue.  So we decided to get together today to decorate cookies, something that is always fun to do with others!  Although I can't see my sisters or watch my children delight with their cousins, it was a wonderful day enjoying fellowship with sisters in Christ and seeing our children enjoy the day together.  Between the three of us we had 17 children rolling, cutting, baking and decorating.  We spent five hours filling the house with the sweet aromas of cookies.  Since I am still having camera issues, my friend sent me these photos of today taken from her phone.

Even Bumble got in on the action!  His first cookie decorating experience!

Christmas Pictures

Yesterday we had an appointment to get Christmas pictures taken.  We have never had a formal dressy picture of the whole family taken and thought it was time to do so.  Since Jammer is in size 14 boys, I figured it was the last time in a while that I was going to find matching sweaters for all four boys in a long while.  Thank you Children's Place - and I got a fabulous deal!  Anyhow, the time seemed right!  As with any event with a large family, there are hickups along the way and we try to have some humor through them - which I'm not always good at, but I try! 

Yesterday was also Runner's birthday and so as tradition has it, Jon got Runner up early and took him out to breakfast and then to Mass.  They arrived home about 9:00 am and I greeted them with Bumble curled up in my arms not feeling well.  He didn't have a fever, but he was clearly under the weather.  What should we do?  Give him some medicine and let's push forward!  Jon only had that day off and there were no more apts. available before Christmas.  The plan was to get the pictures on disk (with our military discount of 50% this would be resonable), then we could make our Christmas Cards with them.  We had to be ready by 10:15.  Let's go!  Now usually I get myself ready before everyone else, otherwise I usually don't have time for myself, but because of Bumble not feeling well I didn't have this chance.  It showed!

We finally make it to the studio, only 5 minutes late!  Bumble was doing pretty good.  However, the photographer was a teenage girl with little experience, and a bit of an attitude on top of it.  She clearly wasn't thrilled to be working with a large family with many little ones.  We worked for about 45 minutes trying to get some good pictures of the whole family, and then split boys and girls for some pictures.  At the end Jon took the kids to get a treat, while I reviewed the pictures on their computer.  Very few of them looked very good.  I can't say I was thrilled with any.  However, I figured with the disk I could doctor up a couple of the pictures and they would work for our Christmas cards.  However, surprise, we can't get our military discount on the disk, only on the sheets.  This was not clearly stated online.  I was not about to spend that amount of money for these pictures that I wasn't thrilled with anyway.  Our sitting had been free so we ended up walking away without any pictures.  Sigh!

So what next??  Our good camera had gotten knocked off the counter a few weeks ago by one of the children as they waved a towel in the air.  An accident, but frustrating!  We had an old cheap camera that kinda worked, so we put batteries in it, taped the cover shut and headed to the park.  I knew I could get the true smiles of my children captured, even with this crazy camera!  In the last year I have really come to enjoy photography.  Some day I would love to get a great camera and take some classes, but until then my complete amatuer pics with cheap cameras will have to do!

It took a bit for the kids to get over the fact that they had to take more pictures for their neurotic mother, but soon they were hamming it up.  After several takes, and pauses waiting for the camera to work properly - having to turn it off and on, we got some great pictures.  They are coming on the Christmas cards in the mail! I hope you have enjoyed some of the out takes we took while we blew of steam!  I'm working on the humor!  Another year we will get that formal picture to hang over the fireplace, for now I will enjoy the craziness of our lives!

Happy Birthday Runner!!

Today was Runner's 11th Birthday.  On Sunday we celebrated with a Wacky Olympics birthday party.  He had six of his buddies over and they performed wacky and crazy tasks to compete for the "gold" medal.  They stomped on balloons, ran an obstacle course while keeping a rattle from shaking, piled shaving cream on heads, threw Cheetos, rolled dice and tried to keep a straight face.  Through it all lots of laughs and smiles were had.  Here are a few pictures....

The Wacky Olympics couldn't be complete without an Olympic Rings cake!  However I didn't get to the store to get the special frosting coloring that will make vibrant colors so regular food coloring had to do.  Therefore, the rings turned out a bit pastel...but you get the idea!

Runner is a determined young man who puts passion into everythig that he does.  He has taken on a lot of responsibility this past year with us adding on Bumble to the family.  He graciuosly takes redirection and works diligently to improve when needed.  I can always depend on him when I need a job done, and therefor he gets called on alot.  Thank you Runner for being such a delightful, dependable, trustworthy young man!  We love you!  Happy Birthday!

This Moment.....

This Moment.....

This moment - A Friday ritual.  Photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Peanut is 3!!

This little man brings so much joy to our days!  It's hard to believe three years have passed since his birth!

Peanut is happy and joyful....

 

He is creative and imaginative...

  

He is SO smart! Ha,Ha .......

He loves his family...

 Peanut it has been three precious years that we have enjoyed your laughs, smiles, scowls and tears.  I so look forward to every moment of you growing up!  This year you have grown up so much.  You have turned from a baby to a delightful little boy.  You are speaking and asking questions constantly now.  Discovering the wonders of your world.  You have become a big brother this year and you love to get into mischief with your Andrew!  We love you!  Happy Birthday Big Boy!

This Moment.....

This moment - A Friday ritual.  Photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Happy Birthday Bumble

Bumble turns two today!!  That's right we now have two 2 year olds in our house - at least for 2 more months!  Yeah for the terrific twos!  It's hard to believe Bumble has been home with us for almost six months now.  We have had our ups and downs, adjusting to each other.  Adoptive parenting is not for the faint hearted.  However, through it all, Bumble you have blessed us tremendously.

Bumble you have learned so much in these past months.  When you came to us you were a shy quiet boy who could hardly feed himself or chew any food.  You couldn't hold up your own bottle while sitting, nor did you have the balance for a push car.  Now you are keeping up with all your crazy brothers and sisters.  You love to eat and drink your milk all on your own now, although you like the company of me sitting beside you.  You're not so quiet anymore either, although it's not exactly words you use to express yourself. :)  You do know how to make yourself heard over the hustle and bustle of our household.  You are learning to communicate.  You understand more and more everyday and you are now using a handful of signs to help us know what your needs are.

We have started quite the regiment of therapy - Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, Speech therapy and you have a developmental teacher.  Together we are all encouraging you on to reach the full potential that God has for you.  Your future potential unfolds day by day.  I know the Lord has a special plan for your precious life and for the mental and physical challenges that he has allowed you to have.  We will trust in his abundant grace to light the path.

Bumble you bring joy to our days through your amazingly sweet smile that lights up your whole face and delightful giggle.  You love to be active -swinging, toddling around with Micah, exploring and scaring Mommy as you climb to the top of the swing set platform.  You and Micah have become buddies - often finding mischief together.  When Micah can't find you, he will ask, "Where is my Andrew?"

Bumble, I am grateful for your birthmother choosing life for you.  I am thankful that the Lord put the gentle nudging thoughts of adoption on mine and daddy's hearts a year ago, and I am grateful for all the support we received in the process of your adoption.  I often look back at the process we went through to bring you into our family, and I see the hand of God leading and guiding it every step of the way.  I don't know what our future holds, but I do know that I will treasure the gift of being your mommy through every joy and challenge that the upcoming years present.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy!  We love you!

"The Doctor Fixed Me!"

These are the words that Peanut exclaimed to Jammer after he woke up from his very late nap on Tuesday.  Just after lunch I was upstairs checking on a few things while the kids finished up lunch.  Quite soon after I left the room I heard them jubilantly begin marching around the room to the melodic sounds of their history memory verses that they were belting out.  As is typical, the pace and fervency of the singing and marching picked up until the marching became more of a run around the room.  I hollered downstairs for them to calm down a bit.  It fell on deaf ears and within a few minutes I soon heard a loud crash and the screams and shrieks of Runner and Pixie, "Mom, Mom come quick Peanut is bleeding!!"

I rush downstairs to see blood pouring out of a cut above Peanut's eye.  He had run into the sofa table in their frenzy of singing and marching.  I swooped him up and quickly carried him into the kitchen as I asked the girls to stop the panicky screams.  They were louder and more frantic than peanut was.  They are definitely not going to be doctors.  After stopping the bleeding and assessing the cut, I decided it would probably need stitches.  It wasn't very big but was kinda deep.  Within the hour we were in the doctor's office and Peanut was having his first stitches.  He lucked out though by getting "pseudo stitches".  They closed up the would with liquid stitches and a couple sterile strips.  He was a trooper through it all!  He was pretty happy to score two books and three stickers from the nurse that he charmed!

I Miss Fall!

Here in Texas we really don't have much of a fall.  It is one of the things I mist most about the Midwest.  The chill in the air, the leaves turning colors, the crunch under your feet, sweaters, bonfires and apple picking.  I miss it all!  To get in the fall spirit here - we usually visit a pumpkin patch every year.  However, do you notice the shorts and short-sleeve shirts?  It was not exactly fall feeling weather, but it was a beautiful day.   This year we visited the Helotes Pumpkin Festival. 

All the  kids enjoyed a ride in the barrel train.....

At the petting zoo, the girls had a blast with all the animals.  Both of our girls are major animal lovers.  While Pixie loved on the baby cow, Twinkletoes lead the llama all around the pen, until I had to tell her to allow another child to have a turn.  As you see, she also enjoyed feeding the goats.  My girls would be so happy to live on a farm.  Pixie says she wants to be veterinarian when she grows up.

Bumble, wanted in on the action as well.  He just couldn't quite reach the guines pigs - so he needed a little help!

We enjoyed the pumpkins but decided against buying them there, due to the expense.  We'll have to go pick some up this weekend at HEB, so we can decorate them.  It was a fun family day and it gave us a taste of fall with all the pumpkins and decorations.  We have had a cool front move in over the past few days, so it has gotten a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings.  Let's break out the sweaters!

The Little Flower

“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”  - St. Theresa de Lisieux

October 1st was the feast day of St. Therese.  She has become one of my favorite Saints of late, her and Blessed Mother Theresa (who choose her name due to devotion to St. Theresa of Liseaux and St. Teresa of Avila).  As I ponder her little ways, little actions done with great love, I desire to show the Lord my love by following her example.  As the quote above states, she strove to be faithful in all the little things of each day and use them to bring glory to our Lord.  In my busy days, I try to remember this.  I have so far to go, but ask for St. Therese's intercession to aid me in developing this virtue.

As these days of transitioning to a new normal of life with our newest addition become at times difficult and overwhelming, I struggle to embrace this call.  I know it is what the Lord has called us to, and I wouldn't change it, however there is often temptation to become discouraged and distressed.  On a blog that I like to read for encouragement I came across this quote and it really spoke to my heart: 

"If I did not simply suffer from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient; but I look only at the present moment forget the past; and I take good care not to forestall the future. When we yield to discouragement or despair it is usually because we give too much thought to the past and to the future."—St. Therese of Lisieux

 

I need to keep my eyes on the here and now.  I need to not dwell on the past or worry about the future, but embrace today.  Patience is something I have prayed for for years, and the Lord has definitely given me ample opportunity to wrestle with and strengthen this virtue in my life - and continues to.  Instead of looking at the hurdles in front of me, I will strive today to live each moment - the joyous and the challenging - with my children and my husband.  I will thank the Lord for their presence in my life and all the richness they add to my days.  

A little secret I hold in my heart, is that one day the Lord will bless us with one more daughter named Therese.  I know you probably think I am crazy, and many overwhelming days I do too, but it's a desire that I believe the Lord has put on my heart and it has been there for many years.  I just can't explain it.  I trust that if it be his will, it will come to pass in His timing, as each of our children have.  OK - I'm looking forward again.  Back to the here and now and schooling and encouraging these six blessings through today.  I'm off to listen to Twinkletoes read, see if Bumble is calmed from his tantrum - I think he fell asleep, and check on Pixie's progress with the dishwasher. :)  St. Therese - pray for us!  God Bless!