Ethan has learned all of these little “chants” at school that teach him different rules of reading. I knew they were learning them and I have heard him say a few from time to time, but every time I ask him to say them for me he never wants to. Tonight was a rare occasion. I caught him in the right mood and not only did he say them for me, he said them again for me so I could tape him!! I think this is an ingenious way to teach the kids all of the rules, it is obviously working for him!

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

9:40AM- My niece cheering at a basketball game

11:30AM- My nephew’s basketball game (he made 3 baskets!!)

The ladies getting pampered!!

First of all, I am so excited to even be writing that title. If you’ve read my sidebar you know that Sean and I are planning on adopting a child. At this point we have been seeking God’s direction. Since summer we have been connected with an agency. The next step would be choosing a country and completing our home study. The whole country thing has been our hold up. I mean, how do you make that decision?? We’ve thought this whole time that we want to go to Guatemala. But they are not allowing adoptions at this point. Predictions say it will be awhile before they open up again. We’ve been trying to decide if we just wait on this country or consider it a closed door.

The agency said that we could go ahead and do our home study without declaring a country, so that is what we are doing. We’ve done round #1 of our paperwork and are working on round #2. We will be meeting with our social worker soon for meetings 1 & 2. The paperwork we have to fill out is very overwhelming, but we are trying to take it one document at a time. We will have a 3rd and final meeting once this round of paperwork is complete. I am just so excited that we are moving a little closer every day to having our daughter home. Please pray for us. We need direction, courage, perseverance and not to mention we will need God’s help in financing this whole adoption. Thanks for your prayers.

Often the boys will pose for me when I get the camera out until I say ‘no more!’. I got a couple of funny shots this last time and I thought I would share them with you. On a side note, Ethan was sick this weekend. He had this crazy bug where it was just a fever. It lasted a whole 3 days. This morning he finally woke up without a fever and raring to go!! Anyways he had plans to have a friend over this morning. Well I got a call from the friend’s mom who said that the friend wouldn’t be coming because he had a fever. I then proceeded to call 3 other friends to try and find a playmate for him. 2 of which also had the fever and one was out of town. Whatever this bug is, it is ripping through our school with a vengeance!!

My personal favorite!!

This past weekend we had some friends in town to visit. It had been FOUR years since we had seen them. That is entirely too long to go without seeing someone. Our relationship with the Nordman’s is a unique one. When Sean was the youth pastor at a church out in IL the church decided (with much pressure from us) to refurbish the parsonage, where we lived. So we needed to find a place to live for approximately 4-6 months. The Nordmans were new to our church and when I say new, I mean it. They had visited a few times and then gone to other churches to visit. The Sunday they decided to come visit our church again they heard the plea to house the youth pastor, his wife and their 3 month old baby. As you might tell, not many people were jumping at the chance to have a newborn under their roof for 6 months. But these dear people opened up their home to us. They had 3 kids of their own, the youngest being one month older than Ethan.

We took them up on their offer and boy did we have a blast living with them. It could have been a very uncomfortable situation since we didn’t know them, but we all clicked instantly. Heather and I had so much fun together. Rob and Sean clicked also, but work sort of got in the way While we were staying at their home Sean felt the call to leave the church and head home to finish his degree. We listened and after four months with the Nordmans we moved out and into my folks house (Gram and Papa were thrilled!).

Even though we technically only had a 4 month relationship, it was a bond that was strong. We have visited periodically since then (6 years ago). We have emailed mostly. They decided to come down to visit this weekend and it was such a sweet time. Their kids are so grown up and have added a delightful young man to their family since we lived with them. I just adore this family that took us in when we needed a home and needed good Christian friend so desperately!!

Yesterday both boys had parties at their school to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I was fortunate to be able to attend both. That is the part I love about staying home. I get to do those extra things. I love the preschool ‘parties’ they are really just a glorified snack. Seriously, that’s all they are. The kids love it and think its so special! The 1st grade room had quite a bit more going on. They got to decorate cookies, play heart bingo, have a relay race and make some seriously girly Valentines crafts. Ethan was not amused!! They also had a snack, but it was much more toned down compared to the preschool smorgasbord.

In the evening Sean and I got to go out. Our friends Paula and David watched the boys for us, which was a huge thrill for them (the kids). I think Paula and David enjoy it too! Our church had a Valentine’s Dinner for the congregation. The youth group served and the money that was paid to attend went towards the cost of a youth convention this summer. It was a really fun evening. Sean and I dressed up (I rarely get to dress up, so I take every opportunity!) and had a very enjoyable evening. Kevin, our youth pastor, did a great job organizing and leading everyone in a very funny game after dinner.

We are getting really excited to have friends in town tomorrow!! It’s going to be a great time! Here are some pictures from the parties yesterday!

Eli and his good friend Evie

The fake smile Ethan loves, and Mommy does not!!

If you can’t handle hearing moms brag about their kids, you might want to stop reading this post right now.

Sometimes I just sit in awe of all that I have. All I can say is that I am so thankful to my Lord for giving me and my family this life together.

It’s amazing what a year and a half of school can do for a child. As I sit here Ethan is sitting across from me at the table writing a story. This is the same child who could barely read in September. And his writing was non-recognizable. We had his parent/teacher conference yesterday and I am just so impressed at the strides he’s made. She told us that he is reading at the level of a mid-year second grader (he’s in 1st grade). He’s continued to have some issues with his writing, but has made huge strides in the past 2 weeks because Sean and I have been focusing on it at home as well. Their little minds are literally like sponges. It is just amazing at the almost immediate response you get when you commit a little time to them. I know that the public school system isn’t always given the highest of praise, but from my limited experience I am very impressed with how they encourage, teach and empower these kids to reach their potential. Ethan is turning into a young man right before our eyes and although I feel a twinge of sadness…..I feel so blessed to be such a big part of his journey.

On a side note……..there is always something to keep me humble. We have been working with Eli on his letters for weeks……..he gets about 50% of them. When he doesn’t know one he says, “I give up”. Where did he get that? I’m trying to be creative with the ways I am teaching them now, any suggestions on what might work?

Made s’more again tonight. Eli really got into them!

Ethan said something about his “taste bugs” really liking them!

Ethan said something else funny the other day. My mom was asking Sean if he knew anything about the software “Quick Book”. Sean said “no”. Ethan said, “Oops is a quick book”. He was referring to one of our favorite books, I believe its real title is Blue Hat, Green Hat. The book is short in length We all started cracking up.

I had to add this other picture. Its of Ethan and Sydney. Ethan is not a baby person by nature. But he will talk to Sydney once in awhile. This particular day he was having a lot of fun with her. It was adorable.