November's Song

Logan learns a new song/chant each month. I never remembered to video the October one, but here's the new one describing Thanksgiving.

Not sure why he felt the need to be so loud, but he is my son!

Cereal Boxes=Hope (From 'Sit A Spell' Blog)

I am re-posting this for all of my readers and facebook friends to see. If you live near me and want to be a part of this, I am taking a collection and will be taking care of the rest for you! Such an easy way to be a part of God's redemptive process in the lives of Haitians!

It's an amazing thing to watch a cereal box...

become a beautiful piece of art.

What was meant for the trash pile and deemed worthless...

repurposed and given new life.

The first time I made the short drive down the road to visit The Apparent Project, I was not expecting to see my own story, your story, creation's story, and the gospel come to life through the process of making jewelry. I wasn't expecting to be reminded of how God redeems worthless people and with loving, skillful hands, fashions us into a masterpiece, useful and beautiful. And yet, walking through the artisan center, I was overwhelmed by God's grace, His goodness, and mercy.

At The Apparent Project cereal boxes are transformed into treasure, and the lives of Haitian families are restored and redeemed.

"The Apparent Project was birthed out of a desire to see impoverished Haitian men and women be able to raise their children with dignity and not have to consider giving their children to orphanages because of poverty. It can cost as little as $50 a month to keep a family intact.


The Apparent Project exists to provide creative means for families to earn a living. Our jewelry program started as a small operation of four women making simple earrings from native seeds in Haiti. Today it is a full scale operation employing approximately 50 men and women." (from the Apparent Project)

The number of orphans in Haiti has been labeled an "Orphan Crisis." Oftentimes, mothers do not want to give their babies away to orphanages. What they need are jobs, education, and skills so that they can provide for their children's basic needs. Places like The Apparent Project and Haitian Creations are giving families the skills they need to be able to keep their children. Organizations like these are fighting the orphan crisis at its most foundational level. They are preventing children from becoming orphans.

The Apparent Project considers itself an "Un-Orphanage." Isn't that beautiful?

Each woman and each man employed by The Apparent Project is working to learn a trade and create a quality product in order to help their families escape the brutal poverty that sits on this country like a thick, heavy blanket.

Each artist has a story.

Over the next few days I'll be talking about The Apparent Project. I'll let you know how you can buy jewelry, have a jewelry party (much like Heartline's Purse Parties), and how you can turn your empty cereal boxes into a way to help Haitian families.

Will you start saving cereal boxes? This is one of the easiest ways you can help keep kids in Haiti where they belong...with their parents. Will you dream big dreams with me for these families? Will you ask God to give you vision, passion, and show you places where you can use your voice and your contacts to redeem cereal boxes from the trash and get as many as possible to this program?

Will you spread the word for this ministry, and ask your friends, your schools, college campuses, churches, soccer teams, and neighbors to start saving their cereal boxes?

I won't lie. I get a little excited when I think of all the cereal boxes that will be recycled and repurposed. Isn't it always a joy to be a part of something redemptive? As image bearers of a God who longs to redeem this broken world, I think it's natural to rejoice when we get to imitate Him in this way. Suddenly, recycling is more than recycling, for God's children it's a montessori lesson for our soul, a visual of what God has done in each of our lives.

Beauty from ashes. I've had the sweet pleasure of getting a glimpse of God do His age-old work through ministries like The Apparent Project and Heartline.

Will you save your cereal boxes? Will you spread the word? Will you ask God how you can take this simple need, this simple request, use your voice, your connections, advocate for this ministry, and bring hope to families in Haiti?

Information you need to mail your cereal boxes to Haiti if you live outside the Bryan/College Station and Houston areas.

Ryan, 15 Months

Oh what fun this sweet toddler is! He is learning how to get into things, test limits and become a bit more of a handful, but what toddler doesn't do those things? And, even with all that extra effort that comes in the toddler months, this boy is SO sweet! He is very easily kept happy, loves his brother, and his personality is truly blossoming.

So many people have commented that until he turned one, he was so serious and passive that we wondered when the real personality would come through... well folks, it's shining now! This kid is a true joy... learning something new every day, working hard on his vocabulary and trying to communicate more and more, and really just LOVES people! He knows his grandparents and absolutely lights up when they are around... both sets!!!

Here are some pics of Ryan since he turned one!

Like most kids his age, a box is about the best toy you can give him... especially when brother will slide him around the room in it!

Our little turtle at Halloween (in a tree)















Playing with his newest favorite toy: baby brother!















All boy... he loves to chase, bounce, throw (etc...) all the balls he can get his hands on!















Fun wagon rides!















First time on a carousel... very serious moment!












This boy sure loves Grandpa!















I wonder why?











Riding his rocket















Enjoying his first lollipop
(note Grandpa's in the background!)
















Things he does at 15 months:
-loves to be outside... gets mad if the door shuts before he can slip himself out
-enjoys being bounced (very gently) on the trampoline (loves to be wherever big brother is!)
-can answer for yes with a nod and "es" when he wants what you are offering
-goes to the fridge and tries to open the door when thirsty
-loves the dog and likes to play chase with him
-thinks his daddy is pretty cool... lights up when he comes in!
-laughs... A LOT! He will just start laughing out of nowhere!
-loves to read books! He will bring you the book and sit himself in your lap like, "Hello, I'm here. Now you read to me. This is how it works buddy!"
-easiest way to soothe him, regardless of the reason? SING!
-says a few words... mama, dada, dog, go, bye bye, and the "es" for yes is a sometimes thing
-can sign all done, hat, airplane, and dog; and when he feels like cooperating he is able to do please and more, but it's not consistent!
-loves Praise Baby and Baby Signing Time dvds and dancing to the music
-still eats just about anything... favorite food is definitely yogurt!

It is so funny to me that he only weighs about 2 pounds more than he did at 7 months old... really, he has grown taller and leaner, but not much heavier! He's been sick a couple of times lately and I believe at the last dr visit he weighed in at 27lbs 4oz. He takes 2 naps a day and sleeps 12 hours at night pretty consistently... Usually 7 to 7.

Sidenote: This has not been the case since he's been sick... the hand, foot and mouth disease kind of did in our routine for the last couple weeks. He hasn't really wanted to stay awake more than 1 1/2 to 2 hours the last couple weeks, so naps during the day have been more frequent too! We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and he's made it past 6am the last couple of days, but of course, molars are working there way in so who knows how long this small success will last!

I cannot say enough how joyful this kid is!
He is just so pleasant and we love him dearly!


Dear Ryan,
Mommy and daddy think you are just the coolest little guy! You have been such a great addition to this family over the last 15 months and are loved by so many people. You love going to nursery classes at church and playgroup and are just adored by all your teachers there.
Seeing you sick has been heartbreaking for mommy and if I could take that pain away, I would do it in a heartbeat! In your short life, if it's been in the air or room, you've caught it... and I'm hoping that after this mouth thing passes completely, you can catch a break this winter!
May you always know how much you are loved and cherished and how much joy you have brought to our home and family! I love the way you look at Logan, how you giggle when he plays with you and how you just seem to think he hung the moon! I love that you adore the baby and find it to be very important that you get to kiss him at least 15 times a day!
You have created my favorite sound... the "oooohhhh" sound and face you make when you see an airplane, spot a food item you'd like to eat, or we start one of your favorite videos. That little noise is your trademark sound that tells us just how happy or excited you are about whatever is taking place!
Thank you for being the easy going little fella that you are! I know that when you are sick you like to stretch us out and test our patience on limited rest, but I also know that when you are healthy, you just love life and all it entails. May you always be that cheerful person in the room that makes everyone else happy to be there!
We love you little man! Happy 15 month birthday!!!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy

ONE MONTH!

Baby J has been in our home for only 1 month, and I just cannot imagine life without him. He just belongs here... it feels so right! Now, let's be honest... having 3 is a very different transition from just adding the second... especially when the second and third are this close together. But even in saying that, I will tell you that there is so much joy in each day and I am so encouraged by the hope of the real friendship that will be between these brothers as they grow up together!

It saddens me that I cannot share and post all the precious pictures of this sweet boy's face until he is officially our 'son' in the eyes of the courts... but let me promise you, they are all safe here in our computer (and the external hard drive!) and the post that will show you his development when the adoption is complete will for sure be full of all these great shots and memories we've made!

We took Baby J to the doctor very soon after receiving him to have him checked out by our pediatrician. He was just past 3 mo at the time and weighed 13lbs9oz. I took him last week and again today because he's been a little under the weather and he is currently 15lbs 4oz, at 4 months old. Today they did not do the height and head circumference because it wasn't his technical 4mo well check, but I did find out that he is in the 55% in weight! Totally middle of the road normal... and this is very new and enjoyable to me, as the other boys were off the charts huge! I loved my fat, chunky babies, but this boy is getting a lot more use of his clothes and is quite a bit easier to tote around!

So, in this month we've had quite a bit of fun. All the Halloween festivities were pretty enjoyable and he made the cutest little pumpkin ever... the hat that went with the outfit actually fit his head... it never fit either Logan's or Ryan's!!! I guess that's another advantage of 55%!

For those of you that don't know, when it comes to cutting the boys' hair, Jeff and I have a very different opinion on things. I liked Logan's curls when he was 2 and 3 (not as many now!) and enjoy him having hair that I comb and do. Jeff would just as well buzz it, making the hair cut easier to maintain, and what probably matters even more to him... FREE! Well, we finally have a kid that I agree, buzzing is the way to go!

Before
During
After

That was 2 weeks ago and it already needs to be done again! We are on a learning curve here though, because this is definitely different!

Dear Baby J,
Oh how we love you so! We love your giggle and how easily you smile and even that bit of temper you like to show when you are desiring to be held or removed from the carseat! You have filled our home to the brim with more love and joy than we even knew possible!

Logan thinks you are so special and likes to tell you often about our plans to adopt you and have you stay here forever... oh how I pray he is right! He enjoys talking about the differences between you and him and repeating how Jesus brought you to us! He tells everyone that he has two brothers now and is such a good helper for mommy!

Ryan doesn't really understand where you came from and how this all happened, but he does love you dearly. I believe he is under the impression that you were brought here purely for his enjoyment. When you wake from a nap and I'm carrying you downstairs, he giggles with excitement and wants me to lean down so he can kiss you. He likes to use you as a pillow (which sometimes makes you unhappy!) and really enjoys being as close to you as possible that sometimes 'on top of' is his meaning of 'close'. He is starting to see that some of his toys are for you and we are yet to see how he's going to be at sharing... but rest assured sweet boy, if you are in kissable rang, he will find you... and sometimes that kiss is more of a head-butt, but I know he means well... when you cry because it hurt, he just tries to kiss (or head-butt) you again! :-)

It sure feels like it's been more than a month since you arrived, you just fit in so well. So many people love you already... our family, our church friends and family, mommy's mommy friends, your pediatrician thinks you're pretty special... you have no idea! This week, you are going to meet your Great Grandmother... and she is going to kiss those cheeks more than they've ever been kissed! Next week, you are going to meet almost all of daddy's family as we celebrate Thanksgiving. We are SO THANKFUL for you! I pray that this Thanksgiving is one of many that we share as a family of 5! You have made my heart hold more love than I ever knew possible and I just know, without doubt, that as God was forming you in the womb, he was preparing you for my arms! My hope and prayer is that it's forever!

We love you more than you know!
Mommy and Daddy

Little Minds

It's true what they say... little kids have minds like sponges!

It amazes me the memory that Logan has. He has always remembered some of the strangest details (sometimes out-smarting mommy on things), can tell you all about trips and places we visited back when he was a baby, and knows the details to a T! We went to Sea World the summer before he even turned two, and he can still tell you every detail about the Shamu show! I just wish I could bottle up this time in his life and really take advantage of that little brain.

My new year's resolution (which I'm starting early and don't really believe in anyway) is to really take time each week to tap into his memory skills. We are going to start memorizing scripture as a family... what better time to start knowing what God's word says. I didn't start really doing this until I met Jeff... and it's a lot harder as an adult! I'll keep you updated on our progress... I'm sure we'll use a system because that's what works for little Logan!

His preschool teacher has been working on tapping into this memory as well. When he came home telling me he knew the books of the Bible, I was impressed! I didn't learn these until I was teaching bible class as an adult to the 3rd and 4th graders at our church and we taught them using a song... and these 4 yr old kids are just saying them... not to tune or special rhyme... just by memory!



Oh to have that little mind back... I'd love to be able to absorb information again the way one can as a child!

Sidenote: Excuse him for his burp in the middle... oh the joys of boys!!!

Teaching Thankfulness

It is very important to me, as I'm sure it is most of you, that we keep the focus around the holidays on what they are really supposed to be on! My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, by far! I love that people are given time off work for the sole purpose of celebrating family and all the many blessings we've been given.

I am not a "crafty" person, but this idea was presented to me and I had to give it a go. It was cheap and easy, and something Logan is loving, so it's totally up my alley!

First, I bought a few things (total cost under $10, my friends!). Fall garland (already on clearance at Michael's!) and Thanksgiving placecards... add a few pushpins, safety pins and a sharpie marker, and you've got yourself a Thankfulness Wall!

Logan cut the placecards each in half

I added this to each one and numbered them 1-25...
number of days until Thanksgiving!

We discussed our blessings and things we are thankful for and Logan added this to the first 5.
Notice how he phonetically spelled Jesus

And viola...

One of these is hung on each side of our entertainment center and added such beauty to the room for the holiday season! I'm so thrilled with how much he is enjoying this and look forward to this being a new tradition for our family.

Fall fun!

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year! Of course, I like this week of fall better than the last month we've had, but that's only because of weather! I want to feel fall... not just have football and Halloween and Thanksgiving, but actually feel the season change. Well, that's just happened this week, AFTER Halloween is over, but nonetheless... fall is here and we've been having LOTS of fun!

Having 3 kids now gives me very little computer time. I've done a good job of still keeping our busy lifestyle, planning outings and even taking tons of pictures... posting them? That's a bit less of a success. So, I'm going to do my best to catch you up!

Not the best year to be a UT football fan, but we aren't fair weather fans, so we're sticking by them as best we can. Here's the usual pics of the boys with their daddy!

At the beginning of October Logan went home with his Grana for a week between two of her visits here and I loved getting to have some alone time with Ryan. We had a playgroup outing to 7 Acre Woods and it was so nice to be able to give all my focus to Ryan and really see his personality blossom without big brother around to take the lead.

(This was just 2 days before receiving Baby J,
so perfect timing in my mind!)

SO HAPPY!

He's an active little fella!

Loved the tractors and mommy loved the pics we were able to get keeping him still on something so he'd look at the camera!

This was his first time in a petting zoo...
or, kissing zoo I guess!

This face was his attempt to sound like the chickens!

Posing with piggy! Piggy got kisses too I assure you!

Right after Baby J joined us, our church held a fundraiser at Incredible Pizza for a ministry that Jeff is on the board of. We wanted to go and support them, but the idea of introducing Logan to this place (he'd never been) and having all 3 kids with us was a little overwhelming. So, Grandma and Grandpa did some babysitting and we got to have a night out with our big boy Logan. He had so much fun and has been planning a return trip since about 5 minutes after we left!

Bowling was a favorite! We did this twice!
Playing air hockey!
Race cars with Daddy!
First time at miniature golf...
gonna take some practice, but he loved it!
Ready to go home with his prizes...
The pirate patch (Arrgh!)
A toy duck for Ryan
A mouse to scare Grandma with!
(Gotta love boys!)

I loved that he wanted to get Ryan something... without anyone making the suggestion for him! He is such a thoughtful and loving big brother! I absolutely love getting to do outings with just one kid at a time... you learn so much about them as individuals when you can give them 100% of your attention for the time being!



HALLOWEEN FUN!

Halloween costumes were great this year for many reasons...
here are 2!
#1- They were all FREE! Yes, Logan got his Buzz costume from our neighbor for his birthday and I made the executive decision that he would be Buzz Lightyear for Halloween! Our dear friends lent us Ryan's costume, one that her son Levi wore when he was 1, and Baby J? He wore numerous little onesies that acknowledged the holiday as well as the pumpkin outfit that Ryan wore last year. We were handed down a skunk costume for him too, but like I mentioned above, we didn't exactly have the cool weather for any of our Halloween celebrations, and the space heater that he is didn't need to sweat anymore than he already does!
#2- We got a lot of opportunities to wear them. The first time was 2 weeks before Halloween!

My Mom2Mom group had a party at a local park
Buzz Lightyear ready for action:
Cookie decorating is always fun and yummy!
My little turtle with his 'Superhero' big brother


The week before Halloween, our church held it's
Annual Fall Festival

Aunt Kelley was in town and joined in on the fun night!
Ryan thought he was participating in the cake walk.
He just liked the music I think, but it was cute to watch!
Levi and Logan
Aunt Kelley with her turtle nephew
The turtle kissing his pumpkin!
He was a pumpkin that night, but in the wrap it was hard to see!

And, we LOVE these two families!

The Pates
The Turners

Logan's preschool held a storybook parade. Each child dressed up and brought a book with their character in the story. It was quite cute and I was happy to get to see Logan in his school element and enjoy this morning with him. Grana was in town, so she and the boys came along too!

Entering the building with the parade!
He was SO happy to see all of us there!
Waiting his turn to present his book



Grana and Ryan watching. Ryan liked the donuts!


We went to a pumpkin patch and took some great family pics (Grandparents too) but Baby J is in every one of them, cute and clear. This is the pumpkin we brought home.
Carving is messy and he still is a little taken back by that. Weird for how "boy" he usually is with everything boogers and toilets these days, but he really wasn't interested in the grossness of this.
Our (well, really 'my') masterpiece!
In all seriousness, he wanted to pick out the face we'd make and then was off playing while I carved away. As soon as I was done, he was happily announcing and showing off "his" pumpkin. I'm glad I could be of service! :-)


The night before Halloween, we attended Trunk or Treat at the church affiliated with Logan's preschool. It was a great time and I plan on it being an annual thing for us!

This one shows our 'pumpkin' a bit!

Family Hayride- The 5 of us!
Bounce house fun... Logan and Kyle

Ryan loved it too!


On Halloween night, we changed our tradition and went to my parents' neighborhood. It was SO MUCH better than last year, on so many levels! For one, Logan never got scared (even went through a haunted house!) and there weren't people roaming around on a mission to scare little ones! Logan loved the whole trick-or-treating experience and came away with lots of loot! My dad and Jeff took Logan and Ryan around and my mom and I stayed doorside with Baby J handing out candy! A great and relaxing Halloween!

Oh, and one more way it was better than last year... Neither of my kids broke out in fever that night with Swine Flu!!!! Thank goodness!

Logan has started climbing trees at Grandma and Grandpa's

And little brother likes to copy big brother...
Our turtle in the tree!
Checking out the loot!

Logan actually took this picture of Baby J (unplanned that his head would be cut off) and this shows his ghost costume!

And Ryan wanted to give us a good shot that was acceptable for the blog too, so I'm sure he did this on purpose!

So, that's the fall we've had so far! Now on to my absolute favorite time of year... Thanksgiving and all things FAMILY! I am so looking forward to this year's family celebrations and all the joy that will come with 3 boys! My Grandma will be coming from NY for my side's celebration and I am SO excited to have her here... she'll get to meet Baby J and spend some good quality time with all of us! We surely have so much to be thankful for!