tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69489017608566657782023-11-16T11:43:55.405-05:00The Poe FamilyNookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-18965024279610432962012-01-03T21:58:00.000-05:002012-01-03T21:58:18.248-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey! The Poe Family Blog is going into indefinite hibernation. ZZZZzzzzz. Keep up with us over at my new blog...<a href="http://www.mycozylittlenook.blogger.com/">Cozy Little Nook</a>. It's better! </div>
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Love,</div>
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S</div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-44849385007240673822011-08-10T16:46:00.003-04:002011-08-10T17:10:56.638-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">Heellloooo!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm still here! Took a little blogging break for a while. Stay tuned for a Desi-centric blog post about wrapping up our first year home! </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just wanted to show you something that I've been working on! You may remember from <a href="http://thepoefamily-in.blogspot.com/2010/12/trash-to-treasure-shes-done.html">this post</a> that I've begun to fancy myself a bit of a furniture-restorer-type. I'm falling in love with reupholstering old treasures and turning them into something new, fresh and wonderful. Well, I'm broadening my horizons! Here's what I took on...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found this not-so-little treasure at the Goodwill Store by my office...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIHphODHgi5qkofTnXZhhVT40wWr0nyeC-hdoIgi9gntnWnBZaG_9w-AIk9E9563vC_vzl2ldNLWV6CFw66tIX5DpBObn9cyLO1SyU-3UCn1BOE80TH_wYem8WDA_-aHMTmWvIMfYXcz6/s400/DSCN0622.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639333071628129890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Awfully pretty as-is wouldn't you say? Look at the original hardware!!! Seriously!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-GtmbcDSsPaDLFLCg8O2_NwFpZWhKBj2f0VPhgbChPLjqBCI9_qG0LP-uBnequLLDMb4nTBMFTBtRU5GHOS4olPcNckc8TGbY7JbJgqlrmil8TGQXf24IymbtTpkZjYWP7tIplkAWizz/s400/DSCN0623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639333074013138082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">But I wanted more for this piece. It needed a makeover. So I downloaded an ebook from a wonderful blog that I happened upon called <a href="http://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com">Perfectly Imperfect</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> (I believe I discovered it through Pinterest...have you heard of it? My new addiction!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center; ">
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span>So, with a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of sweat (it's hotter than Hades here in Indiana) I managed to transform this piece into this.....</div><div>
<br /></div><div><i>Drum Roll Please!</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1FM5PI4XvECcn0cBTkvkzUYiz7OxN6-n8Pf4yP393mUrEpWGtMCfVjvH1MgD1A6vkcbF0m0R7o3ZOaLWdnTMVpXcFgWJv4gIo2mHJHj9sRiGuiKnCFM_fHVJFMT0kD0PyKqOmj1PKnZ_/s400/DSCN0701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639333080404001010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNXqmbkvjCXC2gF9KZ4V6czG-g0_oENRFVRrJscXZOV7ME6MKyF7pumRDyq0KtADBk794_fDCYuAb7wn4PrTMLRVVpHZKeeYUOcZJMPW99fYhilpUZsJH4CbOp7l0oguETB51bRlifX66/s400/DSCN0705.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639333087589272258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH_7wKdylKdpXHpkBtdOyw0Kkr6x6q7lhvFzQDtuF5XmwePO4tbmkt903venN5tqJ1AjX31C9DPfYCqXpNeF7yAGUCFjFkuhmwC6N1oPXZ9Z4GaJOsf11aOyljsWcJp1hMTDlm9q2MeNt/s1600/DSCN0706.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH_7wKdylKdpXHpkBtdOyw0Kkr6x6q7lhvFzQDtuF5XmwePO4tbmkt903venN5tqJ1AjX31C9DPfYCqXpNeF7yAGUCFjFkuhmwC6N1oPXZ9Z4GaJOsf11aOyljsWcJp1hMTDlm9q2MeNt/s400/DSCN0706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639333094415227922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a>I picked the color, <a href="http://www.sherwin-williams.com/do_it_yourself/paint_colors/ideas/color/SW2848_roycroft_pewter/">Roycroft Pewter</a>, from my favorite paint place, Sherwin Williams...LOVE my SW! </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm telling you, I feel like a proud mama. I think it really turned out nice. I'm selling it by the way...on <a href="http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/fuo/2540166177.html">Craig's</a>. You might wonder why I wouldn't keep it for myself? It was never my intention. I'll be sad to see her go, but it's meant to be. I have nowhere in my house for her anyway! </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So that's it! That's what I've been doing while not-blogging. I do promise to give you a recap of our first year with Desi...soon. </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love,</div><div style="text-align: center;">S</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>PS: stay tuned because there's a new blog in my future...less about the Poe Fam and more about design, refurbs, yada, yada, yada. I hope you'll follow it! </i></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-84201205278250485062011-04-08T08:14:00.002-04:002011-04-08T08:40:35.132-04:00One Year Can Make A Big Difference....<div align="center">Today marks the 1 year anniversary since we saw this sweet little face.....</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZrqj6fCNR-MoZmDJ6LLpNu3D5_8kBCUwWCp8FJStCVHpw2NTgNIWvYVpVPLDosTQskcL7673wiGsSPEz9bEPQr_UTcLMl3HF-P6difNio7NEBa22RnQPFHv5uoFvb1wp7EkPzB5PHEqZ/s1600/Desi-referral.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593185334914867794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZrqj6fCNR-MoZmDJ6LLpNu3D5_8kBCUwWCp8FJStCVHpw2NTgNIWvYVpVPLDosTQskcL7673wiGsSPEz9bEPQr_UTcLMl3HF-P6difNio7NEBa22RnQPFHv5uoFvb1wp7EkPzB5PHEqZ/s400/Desi-referral.jpg" /></a>Of course, looking at this picture brings up some strange feelings. We knew nothing of her except for the small amount of information that our referral offered. A beautiful tiny little girl, just 14 months old. She weighed less than 17 pounds and was 28" tall. She was a bit older than we were expecting for our referral, but we prayed and talked about it and decided that we accept the referral and make her ours!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">For the next 3 months we could only imagine about what she was like. We really knew so little. We only received one update on her the whole time we waited! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">So what kind of difference can a year make??? Well, she saw Dr. O. yesterday for her 2yr. Well Baby Check-Up and all I can say is...this girls is definitely getting adequate nutrition!!! She now weighs 30lbs!! That 75th percentile, people! She wasn't even on the chart when we took her in for her first visit in August! She is now 34" tall, which is 25th percentile, so she's a shorty. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">So here she is today...a sweet, cheerful and LOVING little girl! And her new birth certificate arrived too with her new official name! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYZExbPS7anRtMUdsgZmXlvhggSYuL09cDSmnQ0MJbeT8FFBRjkKsu6EaaRVuLN1dH17PPYbscL_xG5NV6MHR1_1lPi7LJN697WmJlN9qo-r9poaFzlKj5vCiGBGkwDICSmpYCHLWj_aY/s1600/photo2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593185331503416002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYZExbPS7anRtMUdsgZmXlvhggSYuL09cDSmnQ0MJbeT8FFBRjkKsu6EaaRVuLN1dH17PPYbscL_xG5NV6MHR1_1lPi7LJN697WmJlN9qo-r9poaFzlKj5vCiGBGkwDICSmpYCHLWj_aY/s400/photo2.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLySI3KJgKwIKZZ6_LPj9iuc-OMR8P3VukCnYhB54Z3isch_oHS_fSfTXfynJZHb3GxYlPzCZT95rvPtxaZ5G4QWuPGHwvARXjfP5-K8h3-8dWHu_QFkGviVmBJhT4vlWRs67X2Nic_mkY/s1600/DSCN0391.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593185320356297762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLySI3KJgKwIKZZ6_LPj9iuc-OMR8P3VukCnYhB54Z3isch_oHS_fSfTXfynJZHb3GxYlPzCZT95rvPtxaZ5G4QWuPGHwvARXjfP5-K8h3-8dWHu_QFkGviVmBJhT4vlWRs67X2Nic_mkY/s400/DSCN0391.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center"></a>You gotta love the fro!</p>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-53325017774193008582011-02-06T13:42:00.004-05:002011-02-06T14:39:49.543-05:00Oh Joy! We Have New Friends!<div align="center">The world has a funny way of getting really small sometimes. And of course, the internet and sites like Facebook [which I love and am obsessed with] keep my world nice and small and I like it that way! But this post is not about social networking...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Another world-shrinker would have to be adoption. I mean, before we adopted I felt like we knew very few people who had done it and now? It's like everyone we know is adopting! We also know a lot of families who are doing Ethiopian and African adoptions which is great since we really want Desi to have friends who she can relate to and share her adoption experience with. And it looks like she's going to have plenty of friends just like that! <em>[not to mention a couple of solid prospects for a future husband!]</em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I think it's incredibly amazing that Desi's crib-mate at the orphanage in Addis was adopted by our good friends, the Fousts! And now she gets to grow up with <a href="http://www.ryan-foustfamily.blogspot.com/">this little cutie</a>!<br /><br />This week we made a new friend...make that, new friends. This new friendship came about after my world started shrinking and shrinking and shrinking! Here's how it went...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">After we were about a year into our adoption process I found out that one of my good friends, <a href="http://freudenthaladoption.blogspot.com/">Ali</a>, from my hometown in Missouri was also adopting from Ethiopia. We were using Bethany Christian Services, they were using Holt. We traveled to get Desi in late July, they traveled to get their little guy in late August. At some point Ali had told me that there was a family from our area that was in her travel group....</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Well, not long after I got home I got a message from a work colleague who knew of our adoption. He said that his wife had a friend who had recently returned from picking up her son from Ethiopia and he wanted to pass along my info...I said, sure! All I knew was that her name was Joy and she had my info. <br /><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The wheels in my brain started turning and I wondered..."what if this could be the same person that Ali knows?" so I emailed Ali and asked if her travel cohort was named Joy. Wouldn't you know? It was! This had to be the same person. Small world, eh? I still didn't have Joy's info but I was hoping that she would contact me. What a crazy coincidence! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Some time passed and I hadn't yet heard from this Joy. So one day I show up at my dentist appointment and my friend, Shannon, is there. She just stopped by to see her mom who works in the dentist's office. We are chatting for several minutes before the receptionist interrupts us and asks me if I <em>think</em> that I have an appointment. I'm like, "uh, yeah." She checks....I'm a week early!! I'm not suppose to be there. Before I go, Shannon tells me that she has a friend in her Bible study who recently adopted from Ethiopia and that she told her about me. I say, "Is her name Joy?" and she tells me it is! I'm like, "seriously! This girl just keeps dropping on my radar! I have to meet her! I think it's meant to be!" </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">When I got home I emailed Ali and told her I needed Joy's info because I was going to contact her! I had to! Well, I got in touch with her and found out that she had been having the same situation where people were telling her about this girl named Shannon who adopted a little girl from Ethiopia....isn't it hilarious?! <br /><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We finally got to get together last week and it was so fun! Since it was the snow week from hell I had to take all 3 of my kids to her house! <em>[I was a little worried that we might not get invited back! after a whole week stuck in the house together the kids were starting to act like wild animals! They did great, by the way] </em>Turns out that Joy has 3 kids herself and they were each one perfectly matched to my kids so everyone had a playmate for the play date! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><em>[side note: Joy has an awesome play room! My kids were in Heaven!] </em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Her little guy is so sweet and handsome! </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570660195804344706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JleyzmiGSsQs1Wtfrmo_yuVUj4dLHZDzRMLvQoxA1nwmFkRDX3Dqoq3DgT44O-whaxAsbSwaOBc7UR3Fbhsq-Kc2ugV_QrH95ZHcYwgEdi8JuqjhnNsaOaBfIOg1nVc0fjm6bAHozuHU/s400/DesandLuke.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570660199279143810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYpUwEuKG79hQLKo4AJYTepxMmSgqkP3Z2qKzdNBYlEKyezFcptfaSRyEzg4NwiS-Ygd0ONRI-SA-NnbEyl0tQU4Gu3AYBdtvs7uhKUL7syJOlmckwDQEELkhN8A8HMwubFNPXB3pUhj9/s400/Kids-1.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570660188589049490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHsYoB5QSwO5tocvIUO__eT8WqSmLyqWosfg9wtiiyJoeP0M7SOrm5uWIo-ucR0i-9tPl6Zu_aQGVb-vC5FWizbfOrvEjAxw99meIOqN9Z2H0QgnVfaM8oxrYW2JlkJJQfwFMxGaOt_x_/s400/Kids.JPG" /> <p align="center">I'm looking forward to lots of fun dates with this crew!</p>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-36388079529467299032011-02-02T10:07:00.002-05:002011-02-03T15:55:45.354-05:00<div align="center">I think I might be going crazy!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">...like thinking about doing something that will surely get me in big trouble with myself! </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">I got this idea in my head. An idea that I have already promised myself I should not and would not entertain! But here I am...thinking about it and I've already acted on it! I want to say, "stop it!! just don't ever do it again! Let it go!" And yet, I can't.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The idea?? The horrible horrible idea???</div><div align="center"><em>[I'd love to know what you THINK it is....]</em></div><p align="center">Well here it is..."hey, I think that I might be able to potty train Desi. I mean, sure, she's only just turned 2 (so we think) and according to adoption professionals she really more like a 6 month old to us...and she can't speak English, and I don't actually know how much English she understands, and there are those other issues <em>[the ones that haven't made it to the blog yet...]. </em>But she's smart and I think that if she would just go on the potty a couple of times she'd really get it! Yes, I think I can and should attempt to potty train Desi..."</p><p align="center">Go ahead and say it...."what are you thinking, Shannon?!" Ryan has already tried to convince me that it is a bad idea. I don't actually need convincing that the <em>idea</em> itself is bad. I know this. I need convincing to STOP TRYING TO POTTY TRAIN HER! </p><p align="center">So, if you know me, then you know that I am not a potty trainer. I tried to train Jake and it was a disaster. I gave up and waited. He figured it out on his own and he wasn't 5 or anything. <em>[39 months in case you were wondering and I can count on 1 hand how many poop-in-the-underpants moments I've had to endure.] </em>So I'm not really much for the try-it-before-they're-ready method. In fact, I follow more in the school of "I'd rather just change a diaper a few times a day than have to worry about my furniture, carpet, clothes, etc. getting pooped and pee'd on." </p><p align="center">I didn't potty train Emily either. She learned it on her own, or maybe big brother inspired her. She was barely more than 2 when she figured it out! So, I've had it pretty good. Maybe that is why I'm being such a fool about this...I don't really know how bad potty trainging can be! Maybe I'm in denial. </p><p align="center">I have myself convinced that if I can just get her to poop on the potty a couple of times then she'll just figure it out and start doing it on her own. But in order for her to poop on the potty, I have to get her on there at just the right time. And how on earth do I know when she's about to poop? The best clue I have is that after she poops she grabs her diaper and says, "stinky". But it's too late by then. So what do I do??? I stalk her. For the last 2 days I've been following her around hounding her about not pooping in her diaper and asking her if she needs to "make a stinky??" I've also tried sitting her on the potty in the morning and after nap to hopefully catch her at just the right moment...which really means that the poor kid has to sit on the potty when she doesn't have to go...</p><p align="center">Here's the other problem...she's super stealthy about pooping. She makes no faces, no "going off by herself" no grunting, NOTHING. She's just playing and carrying on as usual and then BAM, your nose lets you know that she's done it. This is something I am not used to. Jake and Em made epic drama every time they pooped! Case-In-Point...</p><div align="center">Just look at this adorable picture of Emily. Awww....how cute! She's doing a push up! Is she trying to crawl?? </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIEyRvT8bXDBzf2Y9PkM69bopj3sNoUZ7uDAGaynRJALo_MPMinL8ifLFPEWdEp_gPRBVXHF74nhKAwX0zPrdTB3-5lQJaLNX7hd9yPSL4R8CYQ8uj51YHiPplx3rkqmvJLrjjhMgzBRl/s1600/pushup.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569109770451540066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIEyRvT8bXDBzf2Y9PkM69bopj3sNoUZ7uDAGaynRJALo_MPMinL8ifLFPEWdEp_gPRBVXHF74nhKAwX0zPrdTB3-5lQJaLNX7hd9yPSL4R8CYQ8uj51YHiPplx3rkqmvJLrjjhMgzBRl/s400/pushup.jpg" /></a> No! She is pooping! They would cry and grunt and push for like 30 minutes <em>[and believe me, I'm kicking myself for not buying stock in Miralax when she was born...] </em>I had tons of time to get them to the potty, no problem!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">But not with Desi. The other evening I had spent quite some time sitting in the bathroom with her on the potty. We played peek-a-boo and patty cake until I was bored to tears and my bum wa numb from sitting on the side of the tub. Finally I had to make dinner so I got her down. We would try again after dinner. I hadn't even cleared the dishes before Ryan's telling me that at some point during the meal she pooped her diaper! What??? Are you kidding me??? All that time in the bathroom and she poops in her diaper at the dinner table!! NO WAY. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><p align="center">We did a couple of small victories. When I got her up from her nap and her diaper was dry I put her on the potty and after a while <em>[by the way, she doesn't seem to mind being on the potty....I think I could leave her there for hours and she wouldn't fuss...don't worry, that's not the plan.]</em> she pee'd! I clapped and cheered. And a couple of days ago she was on there long enough to get a little poopoo out! <em>[claps and cheers again].</em>...although about an hour or so later she finished that one in the diaper...<em>sigh</em>.</p><p align="center">So here I am. I feel like on one shoulder is a little mini-shan saying, "just stop. It's too early. it's not going to work! You are going to get yourself in trouble! NOT WORTH IT!" But on the other shoulder is another mini-me saying "she's smart. she'll get it. just try for a little longer. It will be SO worth it!" </p><p align="center">What to do? WHAT. TO. DO?</p>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-2869909387033706052011-01-30T14:58:00.002-05:002011-01-30T15:18:41.504-05:00Hair! Not sure I'm ready for this!<div align="center">So, during the months before we left for Ethiopia to get Desi, I spent a lot of time thinking about her hair. ...did a little research, but mostly just felt like I was going to be totally inadequate with her hair! Now, you may not know this, but I am not a fussy mommy. I will ALWAYS choose comfort and ease over frilly and fussy. Emily hates for me to even touch her hair, so even if I wanted to put bows and pretties in it, she wouldn't let me! I suppose I'm the reason she got that way....I digress.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So, back to Desi and wondering what I would do with her hair...well, when we got to Ethiopia the point became moot [or at least delayed] because here's how she looked.....</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568072563774784098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPGf3FbhS35RKn9xis_M4SIoM33Eo07HJrD9Bfs12lSRRZUTCwZuDu4KaNopPGP-F6YY1J5sxtGT6yLVC9OvYkXL8-q0BaonfQgQVfktTn6ymt0ItfTKDOP7mp_YXjEWsoii0bSEXDGgE/s400/DSCN2209-1.JPG" /></div><div align="center">One one hand..."whoa! they shaved her head! Was that really necessary? How will anyone tell that she's a girl?" </div><div align="center"><em>[the answer is, yes, it was necessary...she had ringworm on her scalp. ew.]<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center">On the other hand..."well, at least I don't have to cross <em>that</em> bridge right now!" </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So we started from scratch.</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jLnfWreLYrYRO19DRNyTpW1TcI7fb1DC8r_B3E48fLL_XoIh5S13CYE22ngTl0VCUIjO7xjPx3O1LwiaPq6pKnj7ujXvhoDUxjLyw3wvvOK1qfbcUWYibv02929soOgoYSeJ6-cqw6vl/s1600/DSCN2283.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568072568500686274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jLnfWreLYrYRO19DRNyTpW1TcI7fb1DC8r_B3E48fLL_XoIh5S13CYE22ngTl0VCUIjO7xjPx3O1LwiaPq6pKnj7ujXvhoDUxjLyw3wvvOK1qfbcUWYibv02929soOgoYSeJ6-cqw6vl/s400/DSCN2283.JPG" /></a> 6 months later we have a HAIR DO! It's not much, but it's the first time I've gone beyond a hair band!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568072552232335442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk9mX4x78gVbigLKEqOTsEGzJZDZDnGDkW0Pz6t11h_UdS_eF7nGLQNgs8lFaUwNZz8Z-jTQZMFSmA24uLVCdysHs6O6_v32OcULaZo48gGCobhQ7p_7ofX-DiHxapxl7TortItxd91g5/s400/DSCN0341.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrepeZTJy-yV7ss24fP-0DiF3Sn9YygfYJibdFrwYYSKzJIaRKjpPTcArSoqE3zKZhTfPmKY5O7zNsIA4-wtOAXgZ1gKQyNpE_SMF2MPyVymfU3fzqH43ytYZ0U6-lzbQ5t0OdgNVk4i1/s1600/DSCN0342.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568072558140281202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrepeZTJy-yV7ss24fP-0DiF3Sn9YygfYJibdFrwYYSKzJIaRKjpPTcArSoqE3zKZhTfPmKY5O7zNsIA4-wtOAXgZ1gKQyNpE_SMF2MPyVymfU3fzqH43ytYZ0U6-lzbQ5t0OdgNVk4i1/s400/DSCN0342.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-4iCP2ZVqStvNAItEAAJd4TINmJIP12a913cJ3IpfvweLfbnK7BtLuaxxW2CrFoC9lvUJfh0azdlozl2KZ7L4u27pVUM0AWaIF6Umtcyoanmfw-BV7e3TI7-wkaC5XN2AbP0dAnzS_Vr/s1600/DSCN0337.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568072539827358546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-4iCP2ZVqStvNAItEAAJd4TINmJIP12a913cJ3IpfvweLfbnK7BtLuaxxW2CrFoC9lvUJfh0azdlozl2KZ7L4u27pVUM0AWaIF6Umtcyoanmfw-BV7e3TI7-wkaC5XN2AbP0dAnzS_Vr/s400/DSCN0337.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">I know this is just the beginning....pray for me!</div><div align="center"><br /><em>[by the way...it's really hard to photograph little afros! these are the best of about 15 shots I took! ]</em> </div></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-57318971024928762822011-01-25T21:18:00.006-05:002011-01-27T12:09:05.996-05:00First Steps...<div align="center">....when we went to Ethiopia we didn't know if Desi could walk. It was kind of crazy. Luckily, I got to see her "first steps" in Ethiopia. What a relief!<em>[not technically her actual first steps, but the first steps she would take in front of me to prove that she could walk. Sadly, Ryan missed it because she was being a major booger at the time, which was understandable....]</em><br /><br />But this post isn't about that kind of first steps. It's about Indiana First Steps. Our state's early childhood intervention program to get little one with developmental delays help. Our pediatrician recommended we have little D evaluated right away, which would have been a huge mistake, but within my adoption community I was encouraged to wait and give her a little time to adjust and get more comfy with her new environment. Since I am a fantastical procrastinator, I chose the latter advice and put off the eval until after the holidays.<br /><br />On Monday morning a couple of really nice and helpful ladies stopped by the house to do the evaluation. They played and interacted with Des to see how she was doing developmentally. I was kind of worried about how D would do...she tends to go stone cold around strangers. But to my surprise she seemed very at ease with these ladies and did really well! Yay Des!<br /><br />Really, my only concern about her development has been her language delay. I know I'm not suppose to be comparing her to other kids, but I was starting to get pretty worried that she wasn't picking up more English...I'm still not sure that she's where she could or should be. But my real motivation to have her evaluated was to see if we could get her some low cost speech therapy. After the evaluation I had this gut feeling that they weren't going to qualify her....they seemed a little befuddled by her.<br /><br />The outcome of the evaluation was that she is really doing very well! They had no major concerns at all! Even though I really wasn't worried, it was very nice to hear them say it! Puts my mind at ease.<br /><br />Oh! and by Wednesday I got the call that she qualified!!! <em>[hands clapping!] </em>So we are going to get to take advantage fo some sessions with a professional! I think it will be excellent to have a 3rd and impartial party work with her. Takes a lot of pressure off of Ryan and I, I think.<br /><br />...to completely bring you up-to-date, <em>[since I'm struggling to get 2 blog posts out in 1 month...sorry!]</em> I also filed the paperwork to finalize our adoption here in the states and legally change Desi's name. I'm waiting for the official documents to come back so I can get her a SSN and be DONE DONE DONE with paperwork!<br /><br /><br />Also, since I'm on a roll with the up-to-date stuff...check this out....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566320509647860114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiro0_1WSPnD6ETCdCsEMjDZ5cS4sp693ZFkez8bEfT2lL5BBMqu18ltRm1yJ1ppKaZaPs7iXtv0-Y5XevH5410Gd53L93z6WxQiqZz8pl1OrToUAfADabRVscdipucBNZkWVQP2Nn84KjR/s400/DSCN0311-1.JPG" /> I actually sold her a few weeks ago. It felt good to see her go to a good home! I'm on to a couple of new projects....one is a sweet little Craigs List treasure that I'm very excited about! Maybe I'll show you sometime soon.<br /><br />Okay! That's it. You are pretty much caught up! Maybe I will try harder to not wait until I have a pile of random thoughts to post...maybe. Let me treat you to a few pics from January 2011. I can't believe that it's almost February! What??? And we are almost to the 6 month anniversary of being home with Desi! This blows my mind. Crazy! Where is the time going?<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Here are a couple of shots of Desi reunited with her little ET friend, Amaya. Desi was kind of a dud at the playdate. I think that she is somehow confused by Amaya. I'm sure she'll become more comfortable with time. The second picture really captures her demeanor....<br /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566320530595902322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue_352j7uxKLUF3C1N7EPE3avCucqEOhJmQXTeq0s2HZTJyLUZpLFcEVorR5lNv2UDMDLnJHKMkiEoQyS5gbk_XqlIZNKS-buN2KZUVf6qWJwAFGDU39wpTGJqAeNFLmd8IFjTisWrmLL/s400/DSCN0324.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566320535124407954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTDjC3S1d97RA3D8ZvLOwpwXczj1CNVr9nYtM2kow-ZssbtIXP8zq0Dw7piWogvwW7vG4-nGpBqNHmJ_0JexPEP4gu5DouEN1lErwZSxzMlVZzI2x-uVZuWV3SPxG2gXzsulucMOvAEyT/s400/DSCN0325.JPG" /></p><p align="center">Little flowers....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyS16sAW_2Y6FXlqcMmHD_r-hmQDjddcA32K7YJwi_-iJh-YIC-Ah8ydX4KoktmI59rvqHo-Q83B88_jl3CFlIIEFFqHDXvvst7yyKYaUCc_O55n4kwmMjx-fm2ENjDHVWh_TbnXd1vTd9/s1600/DSCN0317.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566320524185792162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyS16sAW_2Y6FXlqcMmHD_r-hmQDjddcA32K7YJwi_-iJh-YIC-Ah8ydX4KoktmI59rvqHo-Q83B88_jl3CFlIIEFFqHDXvvst7yyKYaUCc_O55n4kwmMjx-fm2ENjDHVWh_TbnXd1vTd9/s400/DSCN0317.JPG" /></a></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayOZlmFYx68ot0IWBVGcX__14hQwPFUgYWLYD4-WM3gZVBzDhIqzYU05YQvzRbOlSjdbr_t1oY5dv2wJ6aCezamR9gfssjsR032MtuOrT6aoWKF8HLFUfeE-70ykVF6M4XtRe6IkBfBQD/s1600/DSCN0320.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566320518069408642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayOZlmFYx68ot0IWBVGcX__14hQwPFUgYWLYD4-WM3gZVBzDhIqzYU05YQvzRbOlSjdbr_t1oY5dv2wJ6aCezamR9gfssjsR032MtuOrT6aoWKF8HLFUfeE-70ykVF6M4XtRe6IkBfBQD/s400/DSCN0320.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Bath time fun...bubble beards...this pic of Em cracks me up.</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566879609988963090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXz7YRYs3GVXxMe6t9-ltVS6SGSgLvzMvFBocA8dh6fiBQfNwxrVzY0lpKHK8o3DIqJovXfLRWdVOrWSH39PKtx4_YdF2w6BwSSqtW2Q3KHhGDwrBfo6E0obkYmGINfkFY25waIU-TUfG/s400/DSCN0331.JPG" />Had to edit this one just a bit to make it more G rated...but seriously the best part of the pic is under the heart....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvXTsQ_ujEyI_cwxlY1iSfPuM5D6CpFBK3HKyMvnpdczq-StLpnw9KLL6XtADfl7IILkBbU2QZjXQ_CCiNz7sdbMXf1DRaQZpRN_IWQ3PMrzZGnx_7Y1coWxrl2ERjHhc1w_cG-SVt2EF/s1600/DSCN0334-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566879622270169042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvXTsQ_ujEyI_cwxlY1iSfPuM5D6CpFBK3HKyMvnpdczq-StLpnw9KLL6XtADfl7IILkBbU2QZjXQ_CCiNz7sdbMXf1DRaQZpRN_IWQ3PMrzZGnx_7Y1coWxrl2ERjHhc1w_cG-SVt2EF/s400/DSCN0334-1.JPG" /></a> I feel I must apologize for the lack of Jake pics in this post...I'll try to get more shots of his cuteness to share. He really is so handsome.</div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-7348380634498108022011-01-05T16:15:00.006-05:002011-01-10T09:26:31.312-05:002010 Wrap Up!<div><div align="center">Well I'm exhausted! </div><div align="center"><br /><em>In fact, I've been working on this blog post for a while and kept getting sidetracked! Latest </em><em>obstacle...the nasty flu! Blast You, flu germs!!<br /></em></div><div><br /></div><div align="center"><div><div>We certainly ended 2010 with a bang! What a year! It's hard to believe that the excitement started all the way back in April when we received our referral for a sweet little 14 month old girl. We decided to make her ours and by the end of the year we were celebrating her First Christmas and her 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> birthday! </div></div></div><div><div><br /><div align="center">Des has really grown and changed so much since we stepped off the plane in early August. She's put on a ton of weight [maybe setting some sort of record.] and grown a head full of hair! <em>[One of my new years resolutions should have something to do with learning how to style her fro! ] </em>Plus she's really letting her personality blossom as well! The only thing we wish we were gaining more ground on is speech. But we're getting her evaluated for Indiana First Steps and hoping she'll qualify for some speech therapy. </div><br /><div align="center"><div align="center"><div align="center">I hadn't written about it before, but in October we ended up hiring a friend of ours, Emily, to nanny for us for 2 half days per week when I went back to work. We thought it would be best for Desi to be at home when I'm at work and we kept Emily home with her. It's been so good and the girls adore Miss Emily! She is a huge blessing!</div><br />Des got home just in time for a whirlwind of holidays including Emily's 3rd Birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and her own birthday! She's probably thinking that all we do is celebrate and party around here!<br /><br /><div align="center">December ended up being quite the month! I did a lot of baking, which is one of my favorite parts of Christmas! As usual, the Christmas shopping got me really stressed out. I swear that every year the shopping is "this close" to ruining my Christmas! There must be a better way! I also loved having Jake home on Christmas break. I've missed having him around during the day this year. Big 1st grader. <em>One positive of him being at school is that it's given me, Em, and Des some girl time! I think that only having each other to play with has been good for both Emily and Desi. </em></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Here are some pics of our Christmas Celebrations and Desi's birthday! If you're my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span> friend you can check out more pics over there on my page! </div><br /><p align="center">The kids all dressed up before the Christmas Eve worship gathering....<br /></p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558819624590669378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJiyOAsnPP7v3d7-khyphenhyphenK3CSlOKMbXJgwqfxLqlliHsfNljbtyIfreRblJxnq3K5MLSfvnUYzdGmiqi4NUmol6B1JSbML-fhzhvo_5vYfP5_bEe9Hn1IOq6E18P-li9auKAJtTFaMAYwJ8/s400/DSCN0155.JPG" />Emily in her new leotard and tutus...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEGvpJulEyBMsgk7LPL2MxNg_nC9E5uYWznwH0AZs8yrBDIJ0j0f7KNqh1nxYceaNhAmCOGewuqxiPFZ0tpJ9HLOj4MlmUUK9PwECjl9s3__ac0A3XzFYmJd97en-8PVHNzr11TMrLr2o/s1600/DSCN0203.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558819644691469890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEGvpJulEyBMsgk7LPL2MxNg_nC9E5uYWznwH0AZs8yrBDIJ0j0f7KNqh1nxYceaNhAmCOGewuqxiPFZ0tpJ9HLOj4MlmUUK9PwECjl9s3__ac0A3XzFYmJd97en-8PVHNzr11TMrLr2o/s400/DSCN0203.JPG" /></a> Jake's favorite...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">wii</span> games.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPyVRJ9z_R7rytgM_ssPrY5_OamIUhOOABqhHIlF9cy0nu_c_Bnh1oE95qg0seDOh72uvIV1I55BFlDfCHBxqPn522Gyc-zKwnjY_GSiEQZOzNhFRoSm6KN2iQzyyLMb2C8_4VB04C3xU/s1600/DSCN0201.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558819639018543826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPyVRJ9z_R7rytgM_ssPrY5_OamIUhOOABqhHIlF9cy0nu_c_Bnh1oE95qg0seDOh72uvIV1I55BFlDfCHBxqPn522Gyc-zKwnjY_GSiEQZOzNhFRoSm6KN2iQzyyLMb2C8_4VB04C3xU/s400/DSCN0201.JPG" /></a> Desi did great with all the presents!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleABXJAd9nt3BfaX8Q3UVc1WaG11PZQRhakSbRgcA_IAxUjzBXILWo78ZdslZvEK8UPz9q0kcj_-28bZlWYA96EoARPfH6KITjiwyjM4Dd5QazVhTTYwGF1TCoToSj-JnPo_WRyP1KE6H/s1600/DSCN0195.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558819635571862706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleABXJAd9nt3BfaX8Q3UVc1WaG11PZQRhakSbRgcA_IAxUjzBXILWo78ZdslZvEK8UPz9q0kcj_-28bZlWYA96EoARPfH6KITjiwyjM4Dd5QazVhTTYwGF1TCoToSj-JnPo_WRyP1KE6H/s400/DSCN0195.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>On the 26<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> we loaded up the van and drove to Missouri to spend time with my family. The kids had a great time with their MO cousins!<br /><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="center"><em>[and by great I mean LOUD.]</em><br /></div><div align="center">Em and Desi with Papaw <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whitten</span></div></div></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljNN6oudlHm9p70GWW8lveRkeLACaIjG3Fd5t4u6VGgfSbUEGnyGy9-EkODcakr3HH6AO2Wqxsjfr4gAm3sg5bz-dV9NvKRsx5udTBh5Z2gYdw9hOZXxOmRNSF3S3v2GBNdWQT_JPLUpt/s1600/DSCN0222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558821286612816226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljNN6oudlHm9p70GWW8lveRkeLACaIjG3Fd5t4u6VGgfSbUEGnyGy9-EkODcakr3HH6AO2Wqxsjfr4gAm3sg5bz-dV9NvKRsx5udTBh5Z2gYdw9hOZXxOmRNSF3S3v2GBNdWQT_JPLUpt/s400/DSCN0222.JPG" /></a>Hanging out in the TV room. Des and Hay were like peas and carrots all week!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK39_QuuX7RSENC1mChRZ3eQZMLF7jaTUhZ_zYuRmr3tVadHFi1NAaiONUu4xyi9oTPje1PgSkWhjiQlEL5p1L18dzdgK2iggGSZPOk1axH5yl5H-PyG9-Th_lqfykXVzujpvs_s_iDTRn/s1600/DSCN0220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558821284838225154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK39_QuuX7RSENC1mChRZ3eQZMLF7jaTUhZ_zYuRmr3tVadHFi1NAaiONUu4xyi9oTPje1PgSkWhjiQlEL5p1L18dzdgK2iggGSZPOk1axH5yl5H-PyG9-Th_lqfykXVzujpvs_s_iDTRn/s400/DSCN0220.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Opening presents...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWWYzW-Q2C74eM94i0MdhYd0LJtCtAkeYj9Wsl2WZigIf0Njh__HY6B9T0J_fQkHciUabpUU1Ck4Sr4eWoNJ250Ew2PJDac0YoPFGyJf8Ah-tqS1g1q765yDS3pMFagVUojs7eAx5cNau/s1600/DSCN0211.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558821277331478162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWWYzW-Q2C74eM94i0MdhYd0LJtCtAkeYj9Wsl2WZigIf0Njh__HY6B9T0J_fQkHciUabpUU1Ck4Sr4eWoNJ250Ew2PJDac0YoPFGyJf8Ah-tqS1g1q765yDS3pMFagVUojs7eAx5cNau/s400/DSCN0211.JPG" /></a> <div>Em and Papaw Vinny.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS0J2ehR_Pvslt5DschOTKpeKHzuuSDT0RrTipFee7jeGFg9AgK_aYX5coTiB4UN1gtO3zB3VJbKp4lIJGG2QOX62XyYzNGxiLvI5kPo_wJd4rhQJecp3wnzGPs_q6iznyr0SIOMQlPq6/s1600/DSCN0208.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558821266379059714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicS0J2ehR_Pvslt5DschOTKpeKHzuuSDT0RrTipFee7jeGFg9AgK_aYX5coTiB4UN1gtO3zB3VJbKp4lIJGG2QOX62XyYzNGxiLvI5kPo_wJd4rhQJecp3wnzGPs_q6iznyr0SIOMQlPq6/s400/DSCN0208.JPG" /></a>That's a pretty crazy look that Des is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">shootin</span>' at Cody!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Pw8dvezfjSOS0aacw59y7_XqvJMFqUbl7qwEk8Vmk0Ns7gVY2prK-wFXmWArQQCiBa7L1_jN_LYwst8dNeRF4VXk2mjoEQh7X3_Qn4XYHZKCPO10drOEXjnUttLjH0J_espCeuaV7VH2/s1600/DSCN0207.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558819649179498930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Pw8dvezfjSOS0aacw59y7_XqvJMFqUbl7qwEk8Vmk0Ns7gVY2prK-wFXmWArQQCiBa7L1_jN_LYwst8dNeRF4VXk2mjoEQh7X3_Qn4XYHZKCPO10drOEXjnUttLjH0J_espCeuaV7VH2/s400/DSCN0207.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Desi getting snuggles from Papaw Vinny.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2xhNCWJKcYoqwHsOGihMvBmBInTlOJGRLt_5zY2bb_OWcAYWKMCxJNTtejiZiXJm9b40oQ_0c2bcBziSoTqDUWzmXrxoc8yIpQYIhWu5Jd6CYKZBGhQFrasopyuigtuOCk3NmlHyEVZN/s1600/DSCN0235.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560559803859027058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2xhNCWJKcYoqwHsOGihMvBmBInTlOJGRLt_5zY2bb_OWcAYWKMCxJNTtejiZiXJm9b40oQ_0c2bcBziSoTqDUWzmXrxoc8yIpQYIhWu5Jd6CYKZBGhQFrasopyuigtuOCk3NmlHyEVZN/s400/DSCN0235.JPG" /></em></a> We also got to go visit some good friends who also adopted from Ethiopia this year! The world really can be rather smallish. This is Ade. If long distance relationships work, this might be the beginning of something beautiful!</div><div><div align="center"><div align="center"><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LalamsdP1lDK7tcbX8o6SDArmknnC1rr8TBkUZygYGfx_sjEEWS0S53CsEiLAbIYZzdHiezguZk6hlYly5fFoRc9qAiQWFEpoTn9iQlTBp4rvOOhzp_ArK7-PT85csGLwbHdzz2QaTvR/s1600/DSCN0229.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560559800665045442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LalamsdP1lDK7tcbX8o6SDArmknnC1rr8TBkUZygYGfx_sjEEWS0S53CsEiLAbIYZzdHiezguZk6hlYly5fFoRc9qAiQWFEpoTn9iQlTBp4rvOOhzp_ArK7-PT85csGLwbHdzz2QaTvR/s400/DSCN0229.JPG" /></a></div><div>And this is the face that I refer to as the "stinky face". It makes frequent appearances..especially when cameras are involved. While you can't see it in photos....the right eye actually twitches during "stinky face"....nice.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k6TltN5XxpdOqQrEFc3Rag44TxNsTkTjqwR95C4PGQVMzoFXsXI85CRnAvzoQhnTHGuhp1rXk7dJJz5jvpmdLam6Sg_FY8ll6wk32bgbxl41A98fqXSm4xLXHew2WCVE4gzLgEWxLhtq/s1600/DSCN0223.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560559790391360562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k6TltN5XxpdOqQrEFc3Rag44TxNsTkTjqwR95C4PGQVMzoFXsXI85CRnAvzoQhnTHGuhp1rXk7dJJz5jvpmdLam6Sg_FY8ll6wk32bgbxl41A98fqXSm4xLXHew2WCVE4gzLgEWxLhtq/s400/DSCN0223.JPG" /></em></a>Desi's birthday is December 31st. We spent it in the van...oops. We did have a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-birthday celebration in MO with my family and a post-birthday celebration back home with our Indiana people.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><div><div><div><br /><div>I made the cake...kind of ghetto, no? <em>It's not that I didn't try...</em></div></div></div></div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560554912496386082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLty2RphHlqC48OXT-8864WIGo8cDTnKmUuXrbisbYmNskp08lrYuUFS_2j-Hw75QPdYPKcxUMfRsroLNHdbGv5Znf5o0sbLu4sOn7NoIKrOvVdc0O2V4_WMn0suHhl3dAFrP1IN7oblT_/s400/DSCN0290.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560554921902610178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Yd8TIjZjeh4tvHGcr6kbcwtVZjuekutCSKMeNIX8J5iV_zGgtC080TgRqyK35BWxKo-9Z_kLzyagvh8O1lt5VWfbHHiiFCUeZKNSdIglo_D5Y_tISIY4Jk-YVahEYtAu7sQn2bKr4Feq/s400/DSCN0298.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560554916015960402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpizy0_j091ioQxaS3dPYvxz8VAQ72whvujv-uJqGskKPN5IwpKOliex1JUPJef0T9OgKgLzfkI8J6OFDS1QbDo52iXAE5chqpRMGfx9LhQj73Z6EGZfwu8z5FS8f7LHnnRtsopFWVqNS/s400/DSCN0294.JPG" />Desi with Papaw Sonny.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560554899947852290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aeDb_96HAP89eWC_1SMyVR8jHMye1icY-8WWN-yQ63am84Ahp9oVnnlwNmcd2l6tRG6al720DSiUg48_fqnCP3Xi-RLOm81Lc0kniOn77QP-Nk4kAyaWjbgqfjeXL-_e1JW9nLSgsusF/s400/DSCN0289.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560554932463608194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrcTxnThFHb5Qvdlz_Sqqhk9lD8klgdiUKN8aPqXWdkY-PRg9BVr_swgpSX-1unD5AZf48HKfQ52WI3jcmK0oJLVEldtFUgX8NgpyR8Pf-gIjoPFTa2DobBWvtr0231LgwTrJy9-mwAyD/s400/DSCN0299.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div align="center">Another highlight of the year was when our good friends, <a href="http://www.ryan-foustfamily.blogspot.com/">The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fousts</span></a>, brought their little girl home from Ethiopia. <em>[I told you the world gets small-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">ish</span> sometimes.] </em>I'm sure in previous posts I mentioned that their daughter, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Amaya</span>, was Desi's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">bedmate</span> at the orphanage in Ethiopia? Yes, super cool, I know! I can't wait for our first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">playdate</span>! <em>[which would have been TODAY had it not been for the blasted flu!!] </em><br /></div><p align="center">So that's the wrap up on 2010! On to 2011! </p></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-83477700109607284602010-12-10T13:22:00.005-05:002010-12-10T13:55:27.012-05:00Trash to Treasure!!! She's Done!<div align="center">Something came over me....</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">...something crafty. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Like the spirit of Martha Stewart possessed me. </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">I found this on Craig's List....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549121802523937090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLvMk4elOWXBhLfiaobZtdwTTKVYPghnwZIrngHfxyaHOlffS6NJ5iLW4OP1kJb97cX48ZSsmR3JH3D9CF1FFQkiUb9K7IkfqBQOYnoYK8ggO1UkKmQV7pf2m_xBXzwEbzR4FsOAiJI8f/s400/DSCN0419.JPG" /></div><p align="center">And I thought, "what if?" </p><p align="center">What if I can take this trash and turn it into a treasure? </p><p align="center"><em>[okay, maybe it's not "trash" but I did find that it had been allocated to a large dog to lounge on. Luckily, said dog had a blanket and my soon-to-be treasure wasn't all doggy smelling.]</em></p><p align="center">So I got to work...this first part was hard! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549121815358775458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRf_eQhcPKCHmL-sk2tUbjRlS0vSXANybVvD7z85cMQKS7IWq4txWMP2bFbJ2tISCGOa5wY_W25TIRM4iWNj8xbQxB2elafGm8d3QmKmBctdTe5yH2g9NYryDUeJVKoIMX91PoTcYcrUJ/s400/DSCN0432.JPG" />And after a while...it became this...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549121822778344706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tcR8RAfaP5gNhow9AKQUl2hOg5OzTP-IhOI9VEeuyyRsx7C4dD3RPP_r4WDzs8bXz0AAaXcovAIyg1e99IIOnwtBJ3qoMZ-VGbP0XUpXSDa6XDrSPBGpqk1hAaO0CRx3elc9FYbt8AIm/s400/DSCN0446.JPG" /> I found a really fun fabric for a great price and got to work figuring things out. Thank goodness, Grandma Joyce got me on the right track. She is a retired professional in this line of work. So before I knew it I had accomplished this....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549121790198591314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnPOppiIoXCcReSS3PN7fY2m997AVng3_3Uj-6azHmo2ykUSqUeOmY-3DjRc8D6n_nHCUe-sXsVbB91mcSp8HhnIwikV0x4bYaAsBmg2TJTs3Fy6SHn4ADTKzryaah2Adr5qZ8VXqUcE1/s400/DSCN0001.JPG" />Yada Yada Yada...and then finally....</p><p align="center"><em>[Drum Roll.....]</em></p><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549123769385263506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bzTR7C0ZOaD5dmCVvjRI5N7nkTVe2Gp-11I1Oxmmfk_MWDa2NL_TWa_f-qgTYBjGL-IuM7yTMyKwn5uzedxFbS2BUNfgurYbA4MvEvJJuaAh621MI8vGN3odY_HLKluA9V8m0xDFKQpx/s400/DSCN0092.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549121824439748626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23TX7_LMLNMECJjL70-8BwqAZRQQYHVayvU2Ij8tqRtK9n_e1RGiLVCyZ-WhKpZrG55qD_N6LiXbx7ugmzALa7hyphenhyphencJ5ByqrDEno5u6YIVmp8FuRVAqFS63LhpAv0KsbVdg8_KMIbVWSMa/s400/DSCN0090.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549123759039367554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OH84beD-OrBdAlLx6FWYRX1QC8MbDnG6I4fwoOna8BNbYj7VnR8PQwOuY41xU7iaGMJEebke2HwJYD6mb3LUJAmMZiRTWq9YL1ygH_JTcfBiGVQYe0Q8g3D0B09arFeFn0ry5EDf5Av4/s400/DSCN0091.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549123780421225490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBRTxdD3nLAOUTCgihqnn0fZGKFyX33OBd-ONwVxRdLVdv-RiUOVRj2NlRUxq3qmMi7g2X2C2DEIsU1c1rW2mT0zgE_RYt8O3tTi2ma0XV2HETyYKKkxspeSs4P7xPFbaF2HZ1lyzqS9a/s400/DSCN0093.JPG" /> Ta Da! I think she's purdy! </p><p align="center">Not too shabby, eh? And I had fun. And I learned how to do something totally new. It's WIN-WIN-WIN.! And it will be really nice when I turn this baby back around and sell it on Craig's.</p><p align="center"><em>Should I send these pics to the poor schmoe's who let this little treasure go for a mere $25? </em></p><p align="center"><em></em></p><p align="center"> </p>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-75613184817339140742010-12-07T09:33:00.009-05:002010-12-07T10:41:34.347-05:00<div align="center">Wow! It has been quite a while since we had a new blog post! Why? I'm not sure. I guess it's because life just started feeling a lot more normal. Which is good. I was ready for some not-so-blog-worthy days, you know! </div><div align="center"><br /><div>But, for anyone who wants to know...November was a good month for the Poe Family. The weather around here was pretty much perfect all month long, which I LOVED because I HATE cold weather. <em>We've had a little snow in the last w</em><em>eek, but it's okay because it was the pretty/fun kind and not the yucky-afraid-to-drive-to-the-grocery-store kind. </em></div><div><br />So what were we up to?</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Most of November was pretty ho-hum. I dove into a new hobby...reupholstering. I happen to have a bonafide professional in my corner here. Nannie Joyce had her own very successful upholstery business back in the day. So she's been showing me the ropes. I may have picked a pretty (and by pretty I don't mean beautiful) challenging first project...a love seat that I found on Craig's for $25.00. I'll show you the before....</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58HyoJNjeUUdGL2dsnI2ak1flp0zh_45HlMed81T9y3OpiS-Tf_WZVHozyyLtOxJpfg3opaf8nHhOXwNQ6H2bTKEAtkenOr_WLBP8kPKoAIBMMf0irafRZq20WCXqQOYPFT7sVBxtcucM/s1600/3k73md3lb5Y25T25R4ab6c64c6524a6b11b71.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547962536034343858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58HyoJNjeUUdGL2dsnI2ak1flp0zh_45HlMed81T9y3OpiS-Tf_WZVHozyyLtOxJpfg3opaf8nHhOXwNQ6H2bTKEAtkenOr_WLBP8kPKoAIBMMf0irafRZq20WCXqQOYPFT7sVBxtcucM/s400/3k73md3lb5Y25T25R4ab6c64c6524a6b11b71.jpg" /></a>Here's a sneak peak of the finished product....</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547962532026842450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffBAR5PD6pIXvV6Ojbr1ALtqBGlUsG_Vhbznh80SxTJ4bjitSPdWUi1OoNWLG4LncOoKwKxuibg1n2GZ2ygMp35aYDh7ipjhKYg8chdnuYu0pOe-DOIGVhfhdYK6qvUqwYAkUoqmzX5GX/s400/DSCN0001.JPG" /><br /><div>The "after" is soon to come because I'm almost done! I've got some ideas in the wings about future projects that will seem like a breeze compared to this! My plan? Not to fill my house with my "trash-to-treasures" but to turn back around and sell them on Craig's. </div><br /><div>We had a great Thanksgiving too. I had started training about 3 weeks early to run a local 4.5 race called the Drumstick Dash which benefits Wheeler Mission. I was so excited, until the forecast said that there was basically 100% chance of rain on Thanksgiving! So bummed. I woke up that morning and realized that while it was raining, it was also unseasonable warm. So I decided to go for it and ended up running the race in a drizzle of rain. I was SO glad that I did it! It felt really good to set a goal, train for it, and accomplish it! And for a nice bonus...I felt totally justified in pigging out for the rest of the day! </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547962528554726658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlKSM_gA1Nbgkkw5mZCppY0tfSntx8J_jVRtnWPnpcLi2Vg-GyRCvtw6m0i3VVlcTR0asuvUZL4SAAajv-72NLORo0s9z3UXrRlMJ-dEoBBzYdxCWGfkxIyNnY1hUvYqWLW_T97WS9WQR/s400/DSC02017.JPG" /><br /><div>Desi loved her first family holiday! <em>(I don't really consider Halloween a holiday even though we do celebrate with the costumes and the candy...)</em> She ate like a champ and we had a great afternoon with the family! I love Thanksgiving! It may be my favorite holiday. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I spent the next couple of days Decking-The-Halls, and most every other surface in our house. I love to decorate for Christmas!!! I find it hard to stop! </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547961150788860210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4jrTqKOM7gbIcPz7mDn7ivkuxXqbTmApndqyrfbtS9j7-wTtWBh6hKSveJAnk8xm9xal8SWWDEQ7CcVk7fjDGRHryrdVmB0_s_DVbYEvZfdzpKvwjCWcXsswOpLgUIv5nLRMCYVB2swA/s400/DSC02054.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqicC8bw8WS2yGUSDhW6FNSZW7JHFdGtaD32vJlIffIR5jzydFJH9BEWZkEG8YYJh18z2UL_YQMIYN2tYuVGELGBQi1H_yJWBJexMqZfop0yaYl7tRIX7WxWYRRvDpZ_g-s_LR7ZbZ1OJs/s1600/DSC02083.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547961152100577762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqicC8bw8WS2yGUSDhW6FNSZW7JHFdGtaD32vJlIffIR5jzydFJH9BEWZkEG8YYJh18z2UL_YQMIYN2tYuVGELGBQi1H_yJWBJexMqZfop0yaYl7tRIX7WxWYRRvDpZ_g-s_LR7ZbZ1OJs/s400/DSC02083.JPG" /></em></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>This past weekend we had our baby/child dedication service at Trinity. We dedicated our sweet Des to Jesus. The whole family attended the sweet little ceremony and then we partied hard at MCL afterwards! <em>Thanks to Sonny and Joyce to treating us to a nice lunch and to Jenni for making an adorable and DELICIOUS cake to mark the occasion!</em> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547958384342672674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfntZ6K8o6hRO25DePgkwTLkvcpPBJw100SCAEV8DWsRHjMbbEncnaCpsvvfdBixJz2uifma47nCbnog4jpVkhMMcX6xJR8Cqkzu50_SneikXPk8r37qd5cWvR2r3Z5P5gbo8Z3rTNYKy/s400/IMG_4193.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547958363934314082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulBWxjv0JJGPNvBg8WUOuahqrd9RYR9JhVzvzUYsHJdU2ZlKUmp1bPtbqZrK1vfOArOJI7T1bpb7sZ51ndXOJKjrW6RK2U8c9x6-r09_zmstJg-wk_x5Gph6vpR_q2o1H7outIdDnHGid/s400/DSCN0060.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Jake happened to be the reader of the Advent prayer that morning at the worship gathering too. He did such a great job! Everyone was telling him he did great! I was proud! </div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547958372123928370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nm8LgbYdiupYtcR-X-ufALXHBlOkMo88dTOWArHHLd_IiQzaJKIAaoWPc1tEsSq9cMK4w1EZROT-9DThAiY4HR_7Qv9fA7IaBjH0N9E_07IUHZ72GKfcL4zvdvafOb10dCfxy0axFhmb/s400/IMAG0799.jpg" /></div><br /><div>We had our first real snow of the season. The kids were chomping at the bit to get out in it and play! We got them bundled up and were excited to see Desi's reaction....one word...anticlimactic. I think we were hoping for something in the "giddy/wonder" category. She was like, "why did you bring me out here?" After standing like a statue with a dead pan look on her face we just brought her in. Oh well.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547958348184526802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXC5r62PXe1P8-hHb117jyLprG6oJdkI8SwqqKHYkZNH5f3hUj3aEJhzjhpHI2de6goKeYtq9I9N7NDrs7HeMHiDND_LOwiINff1nH8B1S86bzLIu6ZZ1tC_GwgJdRdAZoBu_7jumC2som/s400/DSCN0017.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9sa1iWQCAPETrudz8QRhg-ElkNVAZrZFPuBxLAUuO5i8GdAgO1viLkyX0kJ8t2OLDBdiOgEDaF4jWb0baD28TI1ly2uF6xnLYYvSpzXNR2lnnRHZsJU9BxExBqFx20JceEjwdxpjiktJ/s1600/DSCN0021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547958359823311106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9sa1iWQCAPETrudz8QRhg-ElkNVAZrZFPuBxLAUuO5i8GdAgO1viLkyX0kJ8t2OLDBdiOgEDaF4jWb0baD28TI1ly2uF6xnLYYvSpzXNR2lnnRHZsJU9BxExBqFx20JceEjwdxpjiktJ/s400/DSCN0021.JPG" /></a>Now we are looking forward to Christmas! I actually have presents under my tree, which is so crazy because I am a procrastinator! The kids are excited! This year we are observing Advent in our home. So each Sunday night we light a new candle and teach the kids about what it means and then the rest of the week at dinner we relight the candles and talk more. It's never to early to talk about what Christmas is really all about! </div></div><br /><div>So that's pretty much it! You are officially caught up on the Poe's! We hope you have a wonderful December and a Merry Christmas! We'll button up 2010 with a much-anticipated-by-me trip home to Missouri and celebrating Desi's birthday on the 31st! I'm sure there will be lots to blog about in January! </div><br /><div>Love,</div><div>Shannon and the gang! </div></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-45100641435529351912010-11-06T08:54:00.002-04:002010-11-06T09:37:26.949-04:00<div align="center">Who is this kid?<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So we got J's 1st grade pictures back and my reaction was, "Wow! Great picture buddy! Good smile!" I mean, I did pay about $16 for a 3x5 and 2 wallets, so I was relieved that they came out good! <em>[don't get me started on the rip off that is "school pictures"!] </em>But it wasn't until Ryan brought home his kindergarten school picture that it hit us! He's growing up! Just look for yourself....</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><em><br />[The big pic is just 1 year ago. My baby boy...off to school!]</em></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536419679861865378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwSV0SkbBLX4dvF2Jwu-7faOKxxeEY1W8r8tkYmsoab9WmhzpYWdK2bbEyQ_MpWtfLokHgXC2ozlu614hmw5pHvwL3yPhYqYafG4jRYJLcXhqPEJfhxCxyntYUyaZ0-30-p9BQoHMrs7t/s400/DSCN0412.JPG" /> This year he's sporting a much more "mature" spiked hair style now, but the shape of his face has totally changed too! From day to day I just couldn't see the changes. But when a side-by-side comparison like this smacks you square in the face....it's kind of sad, no? I guess this one of the harder parts of parenthood....<em>sigh</em>.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">* * * * * * *<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">On a brighter note....Ryan and I got to go out on a DATE last night! A real, bona fide date! We hadn't been out on a date since before we went to Ethiopia to get Des about 3 months ago! It was great...except for the first snow of the season! <em>[Not a flurry...full fledged SNOW! Pretty? yes. Welcomed? NO!]<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center">We had a gift card to Canal Bistro in Broad Ripple so we had a deliciously free dinner<em> [with coffee and dessert...baklava..Mmmmm!] </em>Then we attended a house concert for an awesome/folksy/indie/sounds-so-good artist/friend, Bob Stamper...you can check him out yourself <a href="http://www.myspace.com/bobstamper">[here]</a>. We also ran into our good friends, Amos and Crystal, which was a bonus because the only thing better than a date with your husband would be a double date with these two!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">A special thanks to Gam and Papaw for coming to our place to watch the kids so we could remember what it is like to eat a grown up dinner!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><em>[The only picture from my magical evening is this one of Crystal and I, but I'm posting it because A. she's pretty and totally blog-worthy. AND B. can you see that beautiful baby boy in her arms??? He is 1 of 2 and so precious!! ]<br /><br /></em></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_Z7JpK_WIXg3gKrA9NDOAjeC7FrgwvDwLClSse5BpB8hrUyZg2JzOOjUeFu5oYGAJ0tdXbhE5HHZ_uC5lY0bvVsvMmVf6PdYNnwrwxz_3YEA4N6a_Ehk82EFZg2XuKKlZ4EChCMKOrkW/s1600/IMAG0455.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536419683688453122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_Z7JpK_WIXg3gKrA9NDOAjeC7FrgwvDwLClSse5BpB8hrUyZg2JzOOjUeFu5oYGAJ0tdXbhE5HHZ_uC5lY0bvVsvMmVf6PdYNnwrwxz_3YEA4N6a_Ehk82EFZg2XuKKlZ4EChCMKOrkW/s400/IMAG0455.jpg" /></a><br /><em>I think that we may host a house concert for Bob...it would be SO fun and I think it would boost our cool factor, don't you? Will you come? </em></div><div align="center"></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-17677591011275002262010-11-01T10:07:00.004-04:002010-11-01T10:33:55.988-04:00..Just Treats!<div align="center">Yesterday was Desi's first real experience with an American "holiday". When we celebrate Halloween around here it's just fun costumes, pumpkins and family....not all that scary stuff. [<em>No skeletons, corpses or haunted houses</em>.] </div><br /><div align="center">We took the kids over to Aunt Jenni and Uncle Andy's neighborhood to trick-or-treat with their cutie cousins and then went over to Gam and Papaw's for a family dinner. I really enjoyed it this year! I loved having the family together! Especially since the kids had some much fun with their cousins! </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534587668225112754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpVxFxprwGmHgcFJaSb1pn6MfpU00lO9s62PTCMdvVzpZavAlyrXLhZ_Iz0gRJBMwxCbfqt5si3iZPFfbWe_kxSjeajeTHuZXRii0jVfgKUx92hi1PIxeLQCCZhzgGNK3ve6insTDweVn/s400/DSCN0399.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534587656231938114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_W9j1RhMBUXGx4OJCk36s6WGgIii6TwDZmDFHdDnKlN73FSDJLGv4Fs4M5VKNbtX7H-z1fvdYSzFv23UqSwDkOv2z1LVjAuxstO7GZyUq7xUuUyTV44p-eq339OERluce8TGIe_KvUpj/s400/DSCN0401.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Our little African Lioness got to do a little trick-or-treating and was very good at saying "thank you" when she got a piece of candy.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534587644041384594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0afJdbkFo7qNyF1wUyVw-PSUCci17hiLM_uMR-bKRdRZLBwa3Vr43rCTdnBtJbW-rqooTZ3WsueekxtFusvnOu8AUc1PLptKWRGRr7ROCz8Y3mWXid2wpxepanMpQ45gVy3ERLHv9pqm/s400/DSCN0398.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Super Mario and the Princess were old pros! </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534587647480465714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NtTcIUY7lrB_HoSSHWW2YtpVvqgCYBBt-5mEcIcLHyJZ8F7PErVuMkVoNnnfrPYNKRhzAnp23YAbzmDCxPhkI9GYCdg-JTw77T5Y9qLToAyBUH3qWLzDtQymwG4QeayLfxS6JhVS6_mA/s400/DSCN0370.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534587651401200114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05bcdyf4EJxUEMWlNIdBV2mWkizZJfMZ8yeCFQ4RtocWc0jmgTsUbvG6xmNmwejmxMIEnwWM8IHTHOpfqE-D0n50IiJc_5ySiEqjzE-hAYpnxi8d6sqzGYZcy2G8tKQQtIF-eYrpR90CJ/s400/DSCN0377.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">This isn't necessarily my favorite holiday to celebrate <em>[I'm pretty sure it's in the top 2 for the kids!]</em>, but it was a lot of fun and I'm pretty sure Desi never experienced anything quite like it in Ethiopia!</div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-46248568120076385102010-10-27T15:28:00.008-04:002010-10-27T16:47:26.016-04:00Celebrating!!<div align="center">Today is a day to celebrate!<br /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Our very good friends <em>[and cohorts in this adoption journey]</em> are in Ethiopia right now and today they passed court and became <em>[officially]</em> mommy and daddy to a precious little Ethiopian princess! </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />Congratulations, Amaya, you are a <a href="http://www.ryan-foustfamily.blogspot.com/">FOUST</a>! <div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br />One of the most amazing things about our parallel journey with these friends is that Desi and Amaya were companions and crib mates at the orphanage in Ethiopia. Now, in just a few weeks these girls will be reunited and be able to continue their lives as friends/sisters!<br /><br />Isn't God's work just amazing!!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532810354339999282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOD4j7chq9HU5RAyu5IYUo7n-dw6FFSlByTNgzX6B54Bo-pJfIRgHCK3RxocrxQFUs5b5q6JHogXD88a0dJfy903-b7vht5uW7m6h16OVCauyrdMPzt5-ijnIZ4TIvXpVpWC8CbGFCyIV/s400/DSCN2050-1.JPG" /></div><p align="center"><em>[yes, it's a silly picture, but that is Amaya under the blanket! I confirmed it with the nanny.]</em></p><p></p>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-75234260524801278962010-10-22T12:00:00.007-04:002010-10-23T08:11:28.807-04:00Super Mom...for a morning.<div align="center">Today <em>[well actually it was Thursday] </em>I decided to try to be THAT mom. You know, the one who does all these fantastic activities with her kids like trips to fun places and crafts. And she only feeds her children homemade organic healthy snacks and her kids never watch TV? Ya, THAT mom. <em>I think that may have sounded a bit sarcastic and cynical....not my intent</em>. I actually would love to actually be THAT mom, but alas, I am not. She seems like a lot of work, no? I don't think I have the energy. But I envy her with her endless creativity and energy, wanting to squeeze the most fun and education out of every day with her little ones. You, go girl! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Anyway, Thursday was a beautiful day and I told Em that we could go to the library to try to find the book Little Red Riding Hood because she's got a pair of jammies with Lil' Red on them and she wants to know the story, but I don't know if I could tell it in it's entirety. <em>[doesn't Red's grandma get eaten by the wolf? I honestly can't remember how the story ends...]</em> Since I knew we were going to be getting out of our jammies and into real clothes and in the car...<em>these things being somewhat uncommon on my days with my girls</em>....I figured that I'd try to make a little more out of the trip. So I told Em that we could go to the park too. </div><br /><div align="center">So we went to the library to look for books and we happened to catch Ms. Bobbie's sing-a-long, which was really fun. Then we took a walk on the Monon from BR McD's down to the park and played. Then back up to McD's for cheeseburgers. <em>[I was pleased to find out that the there-and-back added up to 2.5 miles so I counted it as my workout...after all I was pushing a combined 50-60lbs in a double wide umbrella stroller...not easy, I broke a sweat.]<br /></em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center">Back home in time for naps and I felt like I needed one too! Quite a morning! Maybe it would have been wiser to ease my way into Super Mom. </div><div align="center"><br />But really, it's so much easier to just stay at home. <em>I am the ultimate home body, by the way.</em> But on these last beautiful warm days of the year I know I need to get out and let the kids enjoy the beauty of fall. I'll admit I was feeling pretty good about myself for getting out, like I chose something good for my girls over something good for me. And I enjoyed it as much as they did. I vow to do it more often for as long as the weather allows. </div><div align="center"><br />I'm pretty sure I'm not ever going to be THAT mom, but she still inspires me. </div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530909750773604834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3Zz53QePD-qSGol18tEPW-T8y5Uu98EzCWu-IXZDpmpXYUWuYp19WqR0LWosKOsz-dfL5ikoApaMw6_HzaFdKt2N3Wa20oPXi6TWzPeHD0sdCWDF5bOsAOTnoraKw9-49HF3ELjFgXlQ/s400/DSCN0358-1.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh8bdUbb7qbjCC9JcdlDoo1TQiiKRRbKhIoO9D8Lh6LQORScrGzHHAHGgghJ_m5IWKpnEhAhzk6Zi62Fdxd_9kSsXKMSmKex6dPXjr3vsN-ENMb84y941ONwYFj_9L6Ayu3v_-jHZd0S5/s1600/DSCN0369.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530909742533235826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh8bdUbb7qbjCC9JcdlDoo1TQiiKRRbKhIoO9D8Lh6LQORScrGzHHAHGgghJ_m5IWKpnEhAhzk6Zi62Fdxd_9kSsXKMSmKex6dPXjr3vsN-ENMb84y941ONwYFj_9L6Ayu3v_-jHZd0S5/s400/DSCN0369.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdbKnFlQv_-4c_1_iV9OsQ_RtercFdfjCFNI6-1EwIYd2rhbkRebPTtnJcqGtlZ7pzd_J34hErZj3fGZgXGBNvr2dto9wb83BM9D1eKykfmKpFQjYeANTXX8uDw84fElq0i0FsLB8BPuV/s1600/DSCN0364.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530909732876150114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdbKnFlQv_-4c_1_iV9OsQ_RtercFdfjCFNI6-1EwIYd2rhbkRebPTtnJcqGtlZ7pzd_J34hErZj3fGZgXGBNvr2dto9wb83BM9D1eKykfmKpFQjYeANTXX8uDw84fElq0i0FsLB8BPuV/s400/DSCN0364.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSL58PB8GKLn3ke65o_-5vLcHZOSuwIe4g1v1gh5ieVu6s5jwm7-rZHUuNgw1I4tE8En8aGE4hRai0rV4Ire0AQfbECVARybwejEJRrGU6hbWebOF4QT1OjlH3liQr_PAGBTJXa1__TVJ/s1600/DSCN0365-2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531212045157048514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSL58PB8GKLn3ke65o_-5vLcHZOSuwIe4g1v1gh5ieVu6s5jwm7-rZHUuNgw1I4tE8En8aGE4hRai0rV4Ire0AQfbECVARybwejEJRrGU6hbWebOF4QT1OjlH3liQr_PAGBTJXa1__TVJ/s400/DSCN0365-2.JPG" /></a> </div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-72482499559540629122010-10-19T08:10:00.008-04:002010-10-19T08:56:43.764-04:00I *heart* Family Visits!<div align="center">We had another great family visit this past weekend. This time my big sister, Erin, brought her family [Steve, Cody, Ethan] out for a weekend visit. I can't even begin to express how much I LOVE when my family comes out to visit....I won't even try. </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The kids just played and played. Jake and Ethan had a ball together...as usual. Emily did a pretty good job of keeping up with the boys too! </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">At the Children's Museum...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529731130526643314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvhl5ZHHSPZ1NyoyF6x88JJwCtSG3nC0DKNtfTMOEfvQR26RPeKUSZBHS_EARjvFgZ1UzAmuBgDuIU94d01OOvfsb1gv54l24GQFn2bT_hPW_KW5CkYf3IVfAcFQXNZr09To94i4FOXRl/s400/HPIM3132.JPG" /></div><p align="center">Ethan giving Em a lift....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529739600644497506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMSB_FW6fECOAmbBprqtGoXtmPdEUfVsq5zYBv9V8fhgeYT1mPa_jHnNwoLMha6p8cwrVwWkzaRB_xVjTudGmAbgwYAKcgucv4glY0bV7Y-0mb6DgyP7J8OrKLTt33xo5hGQqDl5mCw_V/s400/DSCN0330.JPG" /></p><div align="center">Speedway Museum....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZywnorxBGXTG_CjXgwtjdTg1HhYhqXu6WkLm1icaOAcYRdCzqBTq-EeSAJELwAnl8LwWyhurZ6GGLkkQvHdwSqdla6BT_yPakQuWXqYYj5Xvj-RfhaPiAvFy74wE8NPiQOtri_nfe0WmZ/s1600/DSCN0309.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529731117526136930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZywnorxBGXTG_CjXgwtjdTg1HhYhqXu6WkLm1icaOAcYRdCzqBTq-EeSAJELwAnl8LwWyhurZ6GGLkkQvHdwSqdla6BT_yPakQuWXqYYj5Xvj-RfhaPiAvFy74wE8NPiQOtri_nfe0WmZ/s400/DSCN0309.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-ZWpF7d-94EAFmDEqdf_BJxg79bQmXdscX_WPLDecqD2E4n0TC8l8yzSfnVkjJpwlaW0ZTKzFDgmOlvhzUMfBC3rBMw9qWvAuYKYOyQi4zTMVyxrw47aOj_LWzu64ck8YWe3HDhcslZl/s1600/DSCN0306.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529731115934520898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-ZWpF7d-94EAFmDEqdf_BJxg79bQmXdscX_WPLDecqD2E4n0TC8l8yzSfnVkjJpwlaW0ZTKzFDgmOlvhzUMfBC3rBMw9qWvAuYKYOyQi4zTMVyxrw47aOj_LWzu64ck8YWe3HDhcslZl/s400/DSCN0306.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">The weather was awesome for playing outside....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBzidOIgwMFIdJ2CVDrwf2DG406j3S5lvfk3XPcImrBTyWKqa51XyT6V1orHluqr2VK5DT_4iRUIoXhvER8-p7Zu3osRnUOFU4Vuey4aN4oPpnnz0HNpviu5A-tXwMS83_sCk_B7Lz3lr/s1600/DSCN0298.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529731108360201346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBzidOIgwMFIdJ2CVDrwf2DG406j3S5lvfk3XPcImrBTyWKqa51XyT6V1orHluqr2VK5DT_4iRUIoXhvER8-p7Zu3osRnUOFU4Vuey4aN4oPpnnz0HNpviu5A-tXwMS83_sCk_B7Lz3lr/s400/DSCN0298.JPG" /></a> <div align="center">Desi with her Auntie Erin... </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529732985442053730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPg1BT8ejcbBmzCtTt8iRj4IH6KMQcBFAmzAh67fK5IMITYjRGoU4ffbfitB-sKOxLh7qdHSuYTPZcL2A8LoI7lHFfkAjIP4n0-Qi-y7bd73mONOwsQp0I1-IjBNLm4zvVvCDCgst-Gaj/s400/DSCN0324.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Em and Desi reading a story with Uncle Steve...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529732995789019250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LOBwWUcbYnGhc7hMnzLeRhIyukEPy3hXwUvr9195lyRVB4pvseRPHj-7gAJ4P8uvirIwiAC20oerMJgK9We57dSuLxIr0vi5dZmZdHfotpvwZmzCmqnEtWZo8H4mJfiWzTtPgLaQs9Oo/s400/DSCN0332.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Desi was obsessed with Cody...she mauled him all weekend. He was a good sport...he even asked if we would consider trading Desi for Ethan! Ha.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529732991087622002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8DDoAKmUEutMawxI1I_d-Rg7RPF5dN5eE2un4r-VGcjYxOnIWJIaPeDj9oqrQBt4NKhdb8GTZC3JkIyWPL9pcRsB7Hten2lK-OsEL8DHzJOZ9Dl_-OKMmI1eX2maNH-KVmhZU4qXHTba/s400/DSCN0301.JPG" />There is no doubt that I would rather be able to call up my sisters and hang out any time we want... and I would LOVE it if the kids could see Papaw Vinny and Grandma way more often....but, living this far away and only getting to see them a few times a year sure does make me appreciate the time we have together. It is like a precious treasure. I want to make sure every minute of it counts! Like anything we treasure, we wish we had more, right?</div><br /></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-30731779086966182012010-10-08T13:02:00.003-04:002010-10-08T13:54:28.063-04:00Getting Along.<div align="center">Nothing wears a mom down quite like your kids not getting along...constantly fighting, at each other's throats, bossing, and tormenting one another... And then there's the whining, the crying, and the yelling...<em>[I admit that the whining, crying and yelling isn't always just from the kids...]</em> I mean, I can deal with a lot of things and keep my cool...<em>[vomit, snot, poop in the bathtub...] </em>But when the kids start at each other and won't stop...I lose it! I'm not always proud of the way I react...much of the time it's counterproductive. You know, angrily screaming at your kids to stop...uhm...angrily screaming at each other. You see my point? In fact, I often hope that they didn't learn their reactions to anger and frustration from mom and dad... Everyone knows parenting takes a great deal of self control! </div><br /><div align="center">The point of this post isn't to vent about "losing it" with my kids....it's really to say that for as much frustration that comes when your kids aren't getting along, there is so much JOY that comes when they do! </div><br /><div align="center">Jake and Em have always had their good and bad moments...Jake being the older brother likes to be "in charge" <em>[aka.. bossy].</em> He also likes to play the role of "teacher" which dovetails with "bossy". But Em is a strong-willed little girl and doesn't take being bossed lightly. So they have their tense moments. But they play really well together too.<br /><div></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Bringing Desi into the mix really shook things up for Emily. I've blogged about their "developing" relationship before. The thing is, when Ryan and I decided to adopt we didn't discard how it would affect Jake and Em, but we knew that even though it would be an adjustment for them, it's what God wanted for our family. <em>[at the time we were also not planning on bringing home a child only 15 months younger than Em. We were thinking i</em><em>t would be an infant...totally different situation.] </em>As much as we tried to prepare Emily that another little sister was coming to our family, and as much as she tried to understand and be okay with it, she just didn't know how this was going to rock her world! </div><br /><div align="center">The last couple of months have been a struggle for Em. Desi is also a strong willed little girl. I'm pretty sure that they both fancy themselves as the Queen Bee. <em>[what they don't know is that mamma is the only Queen Bee in this hive!] </em>So there's been a lot of competition for attention...especially my attention. But in the last several days, I think I'm noticing that things are really starting to change a little bit. For one, Desi never wanted to give or receive bedtime hugs and kisses from Emily <em>[can't really blame her...Em had made her fe</em><em>elings about Desi crystal clear!]</em> But now, she loves to kiss and hug on her big sister! I'm also catching them playing together more. It makes my heart so happy!<br /><br /></div><div align="center">I never wanted to rock Emily's world. She is my joy! I love her like crazy! It's been hard to see her struggle. I want her to spend her days happy! That compounds the joy and relief that I feel to see her open her heart to her new sister and start to welcome her into her family!<br /></div><br /><div align="center">We still have plenty of those tense moments that wear me down. But I need to learn to build my strength back up in the moments when the 3 of them are outside playing together or when I can hear them giggling and laughing together. Moments like these....</div><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525732089052231010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK0uOUrY-7UfOGeO5e0T0GLUI91X5uVMgQOCszxBIHGUMl0yaJ3yWlghITiA4dsEi85mvWUl8K52UYORsZ6NliYu44vrLyxeYUc5FhCubffs3oaJ9GW0IAfVqjYBMtNy8_QGnS43QMQWi/s400/DSCN0182.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525732094509106162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkJ1gyq6vBi4v03TAyUXhS1_TEABfF9atIq3cTPpuM9dA_8h83NKnMKI0j9GC624ZqLQm5jPTB4d1FN19UIEIuXGRrttemMWAvmfWR7S-VjIfUUV0zB4BbZdhkAk8n8RZ4bro5hd5Rz5g/s400/DSCN0191.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525732090538045042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkx1c2Sn5p7J99zGe2jOP1UrJVeXg4jam1GqjHw7NHnIBIW_PLqyxOSBXgBOlNytHDVn4V4zbx9PlPHceinSTRj8JOeIYjARY5aUxa24GPNMld6L1axVIGecIHr3XPL6qWFHtw3jcTERi/s400/DSCN0183.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525732097886668578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMAeflxiJK69H58Kn5ND6PLN5yI2NMq_L59Mi-ii3DNXpP-xtOadAay_v0c6cBstwTBF_kct92r_ZkS87YWDPcrLcQegNCpUJeMqXoVyyF17uIoiQhlz1IdoDCuCkN1t3urdNsk5zh640/s400/DSCN0223.JPG" /><br /><br />And here's something else that brings me a lot of joy...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525732108629005154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2S2CLswG6qIPDUkr78Po3OLjsVzIVGfcfsRs6lTDidD2RXnPnTF5Nj1jV3ybxnv5Rt2fMrnEaBkZ_WjG5S-TEQnJv6_QaMw4f_hf1AvFJp9U12AJvyHWS0mO1uQSwYdGGiidr7aAKwlP/s400/DSCN0187.JPG" /><br /></div><br />Love, S<br /><br /></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-39174294109091711552010-10-06T16:39:00.003-04:002010-10-06T17:09:25.319-04:00Growing!<div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center">So today I took Des to the pediatrician for her second round of immunizations. It's been about 8 weeks since our initial visit with Dr. O. Everyone in the office goes crazy over her! They all think she's gorgeous! ...she is. <em>[I feel totally okay with saying that because since I didn't actually <strong>make</strong> her and she looks nothing like me, I don't feel vain in saying that she is gorgeous. Unlike Jake and Em who are obviously my clones...it feels a little bit weird heralding their beauty as if to say, "look at my beautiful children who look just like me....so I, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">vis</span>-a-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">vis</span>, mu</em><em>st be beautiful too, no?" It feels like vainly paying myself a compliment. I do humbly accept that Jake and Em are beautiful children...the very best parts of Ryan and I and God did all the work. </em></div><div align="center"><em>But I</em> <em>digress...] </em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Where was I? Oh, yes....the pediatrician. Now, I've been hanging out with this child for a couple of months now and I realize that she looks different. For one, she HAS HAIR NOW! <em>[which, by the way has glitter stuck in it and I can not get it out! my first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">afro</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">dilemma</span>!] </em>But Dr. O was totally taken aback by how different she looks! She went on and on and on about it! All good, mind you. She's growing well and seems so much more adjusted...Dr. O even noticed how "lovey" she is with her mommy. <em>[having total strangers poke you with sharp things would make anyone cling a bit, don't you think?] </em>But the truth is that she is a very affectionate child, which I am so grateful for. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So, today's trip to see Dr. O. got us 3 shots<em> [<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ouchie</span>]</em>, lots of tears, a diagnosis of another ear infection<em> [boo!]</em> , a lot of oohs and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">aahhs</span> from the office staff, and we found out that she has gained almost 5lbs. in the past 2 months, bringing her up to a smidge over 24 lbs! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yay</span>!!! Since it wasn't an official "well baby" check up I don't have her charted on the growth curve, but no doubt she is making progress! And the bonus was that I didn't have to pay the $30 co-pay because technically it was a "nurse visit" for shots but Dr. O. was with us most of the time! Nice! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">To celebrate Desi's accomplishments I gave her a sucker in the car....as far as I know she's never had one. <em>[we are THOSE parents who try to keep our kids from having pure sugar or at least limit it...so what?!] </em>She loved it! </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525041284712652226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLNxWyi4KtuxU16cBxfEVi_kEmIdQ7LzD9MCN9jekr-DizaeEOo-Z9klbY3tsoZ4V0AlVxp-n9u6PVnjO4Ne9m-BOATXOgSF2O_IDS-lU1I1vpvEg3KR_9gDWbvwg8ewB900D4DJWJ7t_/s400/Photo10061512_1.jpg" /><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525041301831242418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSF3feqPvMwGfpEJ-AkK5M1y-3csLLaWU5S_yBtagJbpOnejwaGBpRU85NvEdplHx1LfGshJDW1WlRvIY38Y6WcNm1rrY79_sZBu_YElsHE-fcGNWVsZKZITZ7wIvofBYJLIg887sDm9o/s400/Photo10061516.jpg" /> <p align="center"></em> <em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Snazz</span>-y!<br /></p></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGHF1hJp3RrUjcSnGbBO3kGIWYpOskYdVcWQbGY86ykqIkrQDYNrY5M09hyphenhyphenTSdGJQiFhXfFn2TeFYk3vlcwDGjMtj7Fan9__Z0t6BEwVS4lb1qcVzZPwungP8SGtvDkul7XqeOuFwsXSj/s1600/Photo10061410_1.jpg"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525041280091539394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGHF1hJp3RrUjcSnGbBO3kGIWYpOskYdVcWQbGY86ykqIkrQDYNrY5M09hyphenhyphenTSdGJQiFhXfFn2TeFYk3vlcwDGjMtj7Fan9__Z0t6BEwVS4lb1qcVzZPwungP8SGtvDkul7XqeOuFwsXSj/s400/Photo10061410_1.jpg" /></em></a>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-57930549786304349172010-09-29T09:08:00.009-04:002010-09-29T11:01:32.449-04:00It's about time...<div align="center">...for an update, no?</div><br /><br />Well, there hasn't been a whole lot to report on around the Poe household lately. I guess that's good, right? Does that mean that our lives are starting to feel more "normal"? ...Maybe.<br /><br /><div align="center">Desi is doing great. She seems to be adjusting really well and seems totally at ease here with us. It's really amazing to look back at the past couple of months since we picked up this scared little baby from the orphanage and see how she has changed into a happy toddler! </div><br /><div align="center">I think she looks totally different! In the pictures of her the day we met her she seemed really small, she had NO HAIR and she had this stinky little scowl on her face. To compare that to the pictures of her now, smiling and happy with her little fro coming in...</div><br /><div align="center">...night and day, people, Night-And-Day! </div><br /><div align="center">Then...</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522335399876568370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMrbeETYfsZVhX72aRUdxzPOYv6ZFlNREHJztDn7zfnUtce-o6jgnCpDCKEpidaJ8H90eaJZTP-qE4iVGOuKfXTuHMAnf3VE19fdgDr77_gRWLKYgcizpaYIkHdpRCZxrg24HWHmeWqYG/s320/et3.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">Now...</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522335396591126962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91HrC_gf0ZIn05D50vFrqLiBAM_Q0CugTchNQqnJPo2wr4yvzNi8mSsx3THmI2SIe7A9O07GW-hyoY-B5tk_coR93-U5Yr-vLCANBKdWuHET5CBWfZsvXB6fqIxj82eKzyO5pPW7U4a37/s320/DSCN0078.JPG" /><br />She's still doing really well with the sleep too...takes a really good nap during the day and then at night she's going to bed willingly with little or no fussing and pretty much sleeping through the night...[most nights I do have to get up 1 or 2x when she fusses and lay her back down, but it only takes about a minute and then I am back to bed!]<br /><br /><div align="center">Right now I think our biggest hurdle is communication. I think that her understanding of English is really coming along. When you talk to her or ask her to do something she really seems to understand. And although we haven't been teaching her a lot of sign language, I think that she understands the concept of signing to communicate. She's got "please" and "more" down pat. I'm also asking her to repeat my words back a lot. At first she was so stubborn....it drove me crazy! But now I am finding that she is making the effort...it doesn't usually sound anything like the English words, but I can really appreciate her effort to "speak" when mommy asks her to repeat or say something...its a step in the right direction! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Words that I'm pretty sure she saying...</div><ul><li>Jakey</li><li><div align="left">Cheese<em> [as in "say cheese!" because I take so many pictures]</em></div></li><li><div align="left"><em>Mama</em></div></li><li><div align="left">Dada <em>[once in a while...]</em></div></li><li><div align="left">More <em>[it sounds more like "muh" and sometimes look like she's kissing the air...but I'll take it!]</em></div></li></ul><br /><p align="center">Some cute things that she's learned to do....</p><ul><li>wave goodbye</li><li><div align="left">blow kisses</div></li><li><div align="left">give kisses</div></li><li><div align="left">dance and sing to music<em> [she's got this arm pump thing that she does when she hears music...very cute!]</em></div></li><li><div align="left">clean up <em>[she's really good about cleaning up a mess that she makes or putting toys away at the end of the day...very different than Jake and Em, so I think it's cute!]</em></div></li></ul><div align="center">I might be willing to say that there is a little bit of progress in the girls' relationship...Em's baby stepping to getting along with her sister. There have been moments...glimmers of hope...where I thought things were looking up....these are usually short lived and followed up with some catty behavior on both sides. This relationship is definitely a work-in-progress...so I'll let you know as we make more progress! </div><br /><p align="center">We did have one big event...Em's 3rd Birthday! I can't believe that she's 3! This September has been unusually hot....exactly the way it was in 2007 when I was about to pop! We had a great celebration with the family [also celebrating the 4th birthday of Em's twin cousins, Lo and Jilli.] I channeled my inner Martha Stewart and crafted some fun and cute decorations and favors for the party...I hadn't been crafty in a really long time. It was fun! I might try to keep it going. Em got some really fun toys and adorable clothes for fall! I love dressing her up! Having little girls is so much fun! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522345742984933522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4Kej4zM9zAzWVy9NzWpnz19bU3BdQAhXdMmAq3qkcEwmU29_5YhnMp94oPXYEYN8FUIbHdw9uo2XGLiYwOM-m5M3RznXTZij_GvzIgZRkDgDPJVumnZ0VD_fAwNIF1OyTc-WES6l4hs-/s400/DSCN0139.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522345734991097442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjc5BSAuaDSMRBq-1m7iAmVVc0hsWy_hJqYSlMUwxXf8tfkHWItu9DNtwaGa90ompbkCIinvLLo0mDDVok7Einp3qxArATuxFDASMA8yxstLhsu2Gigx51e6p7sv4g89HvXRuvcJPEw65/s400/DSCN0069-1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522345745110034226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Q5dRY-zVegOjZ8hpwcsyxlN04H4QMTOGCtWJBqUB_5jv3GoPidsrf3cEipPP5Zfx9x9ODBYz6SyjxVYJzhqEyegljo7vhjPcoynsK78Cdm9NqKbI1nrxFWZRPzkfgSD0g99VUYYnAsj1/s400/DSCN0172-1.JPG" /></p>Jake is really thriving and doing well in the 1st grade. I can't believe how well he reads! And his penmanship has improved by leaps and bounds! He seems to love it and is doing so great! I'm always so proud of him...such a smart boy! I must admit though, that by 2:45pm, I can hardly wait for the bus to pull up! I miss having him home during the day!<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iCbAQQHy4e4T_vRO0H5Swp5netqny4cCMhvrPWUFf52vKffVCJXUGCuAnHk-FjlcOQGOKeOTOSnJgPcP75KMXqn6Hn4trGQgXELP_wHmT7ialHcenJf3088ENbR6xfY3flrsBJFhR3Pc/s1600/DSCN2277.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 239px; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522348442920903874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iCbAQQHy4e4T_vRO0H5Swp5netqny4cCMhvrPWUFf52vKffVCJXUGCuAnHk-FjlcOQGOKeOTOSnJgPcP75KMXqn6Hn4trGQgXELP_wHmT7ialHcenJf3088ENbR6xfY3flrsBJFhR3Pc/s200/DSCN2277.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">As for me and the hubs, we are good too. I'm back at work a few hours each week...easing back in. It's a nice break for me! Ryan's working from home during those times so he can stay with Desi...we're not far from being able to leave her at Sandy's house. She does really great over there and her bonding with Gam is going fantastically! Ryan's also getting started on his classwork to get his Masters of Social Work, so he's pretty busy. </div><br />I am so excited that it's fall! I love this season so so much! Can't wait to hit the pumpkin patches with the kids! I also love watching the Colts play!! The only thing I am not looking forward to about fall...raking the leaves! Last year was our first fall in a house with mature trees! The raking is crazy! Will you come and help? I would pay you in baked goods? Any takers???<br /><em></em><br /><div align="center"><em>This is one of my favorite pics from last fall's leaf raking...Em looks very helpful here!</em><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522345728833013186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1_tXmNOhLfkJ9j8-n2nFONgHP9gbw_vPyxLWaAVlAuk2basg2cilv2R4rHaQ9vm1Vf8Btp1Cubm4q-OlS3kULy2YB5pBCprrdjtXh9_w0WDgvD-yCxivuEqCiFYKoiGXFFIN-_Qapwdq/s400/DSCN1356.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">Happy Fall my friends! </p>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-45455961208926417082010-09-12T07:18:00.002-04:002010-09-12T07:28:45.777-04:00The Moment.....<div align="center">....I've been waiting for!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Last night I slept....IN MY BED!!!!!!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">IN MY ROOM!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">NEXT TO MY HUSBAND!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">It was a risky move. Was it too soon???<br /></div><div align="center">[<em>not for me! 6 1/2 weeks without a good night of sleep...need I say more?</em>]<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I took the plunge....<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">...and slept!!! Ahhh, glorious!<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><em>[The girls did wake up at 4:30 and I had to go in and tell them to go back to sleep...it only took a minute or two. They were up for good a 6:30...too early, but worth a night in my own personal paradise....my bed! ] </em></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-90320614755798013752010-09-11T11:09:00.003-04:002010-09-11T11:29:06.697-04:00Lifebook<div align="center">Our adoption agency <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.bethany.org">Bethany Christian Services</a> has recently started offering an amazing service to adopting families....it's called a Lifebook. It's a set of 2 dvd that provides our family with valuable information about Desalee's past and chronicles our time in Ethiopia. We received this treasure while we were still in country, but hadn't really gotten around to viewing it until just yesterday. </div><p align="center">I can only think of one word..WOW! </p><p align="center">It was like opening a huge surprise gift that you had no idea you were getting! The first of the DVD's is really the kind of thing that you would share with your family and friends. It starts with some interesting information about Ethiopia and the culture. Then it gives more specific information about the area that Desi came from, followed by photos and footage of her in the orphanage. The videographer was there to document our first meeting [<em>which is in reality kind of boring to watch because she was kind of catatonic!</em>] and the farewell ceremony the day we took her from the orphanage. It will be great to show this to the important people in our lives and with Desi some day. </p><p align="center">But the real treat was the 2nd DVD--her birth history. I blogged about our meeting the Desi's birth father [ <a href="http://thepoefamily-in.blogspot.com/2010/08/update.html">here</a> ]. We thought that we got all the info that this man was willing to give that day. It's really not that I felt like he was holding back, but in "the moment" it's hard to remember to ask all the questions. I spent the next couple of days thinking of things that I wished that I had asked and feeling disappointed that it was too late to ask if her mothers hair was soft or course? curly or straight? What was her birth like? Why did you give her that name? </p><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This video stunned us with all that it held! And so many questions were answered! Thank God! We had no idea that we would have this to give her! I won't share the specifics because this treasure belongs to Desi and we will wait for the right moment to share it with her and allow her to decide who she will share it with. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I am so grateful that we were offered this service and resource. <br /><br />I was skeptical at first as to whether it was worth the cost....<br />TOTALLY WORTH IT!! </div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-63272604412594815582010-09-07T13:33:00.007-04:002010-09-07T15:36:24.384-04:00A Change of Seasons...<div align="center">We have been home with Desalee for almost 5 weeks now! It's pretty hard for me to believe it! But the calendar doesn't lie. Summer is fading into fall and a new season is on the horizon. Something about the change from summer to autumn really inspires and invigorates me. I love how everything changes and kind of starts over, the world changes color, temperatures cool off, breezes start blowing. I love putting away all the summer clothes that I am so sick of wearing and getting out the snuggly warm stuff. Fall is my favorite season! I'm ready to cook chili and vegetable soup! Ready to watch football games with friends on Sunday afternoons! I want pumpkins in my yard and earthy, spicy candles burning on my mantle!<br /><br />This summer was hurried by anticipation and it flew by for our family, it's really almost feels like it didn't happen! But that's okay with me. It's good to have it behind us. I always look forward to fall!</div><br /><div align="center">I'm starting to feel the seasons change in my life too. this "summer" has been uncomfortable...[<em>you catch my drift?</em>] I'm ready to be done with it. I'm starting to feel the next season moving in and I'm ready! I feel like I've been out of town for a really long time and am finally home! And home is definitely where my heart is! It's a good feeling to feel like yourself again.<br /><br /></div><p align="center">I can tell you why it's getting easier and I'm feeling so much better....SLEEP! And I'm getting a lot more of it now! In the last week we've really turned a corner around here when it comes to sleeping! Desi's doing much better at night and we moved Emily back in to her bed. [<em>that puts me on the trundle mattress on the floor in the girls' room</em>.] We have our little slumber party every night...girls only! Hopefully as the girls get used to sleeping in the room with each other, it will provide me with the opportunity to get out of there and back to my bed!<br /><br />Our nap time routine has improved as well. I am no longer rocking! I'm now able to put Desi down fully awake and wait for her to fall asleep. In fact, today, I stood in the hallway wit the door open a crack so that she could see me. She didn't cry. I was really proud of her!<br /><br />It's really interesting for me to look back on the last few weeks...on one hand it feels like we're still right in the thick of the transition...we still have our share of daily challenges. But when I think of where we started, I can see how far we've come and it's pretty amazing. Honestly, I didn't know if I was going to make it there for a while! It seemed impossible! But now I realize that we did make it through <em>what I think is</em> the hardest part. [<em>Thank goodness for the prayers of our friends and family!</em>] She is such a different child than the one we met in an orphanage not so long ago...she's even a different child than the one we brought home to Indy.<br /></p><p align="center">Up next? Words. This kid needs to learn some ENGLISH! So, that's what we are going to work on. Sometimes I think working on something with measurable progress keeps me sane. So, here's hoping I'm blogging about all the words she's picking up very soon!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514252923517666178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0H01b7JndFSgZ_YwF8TD8ApZG-05HdYiEIYqC5wQVmGS0gGRypvpmXbmbEPvpWLBZ25tDfY7VlXnBnwEk9xl8QXogIksUu3n44LGWsrPlSHMFENLN7w2zgnxfcSORuHdS3NqLnV8ezmD/s400/DSCN0022.JPG" /> </p><p align="center"><em>[hey if you like this hat, you can get one <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50021036/knitted-africa-hat">HERE</a>. Proceeds support a family's Ethiopian adoption.]</em> </p>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-38535979091568880132010-09-02T20:45:00.006-04:002010-09-02T21:44:38.660-04:00Sometimes a girl...<div align="center"><div align="center"></div><div align="center">...just needs her momma! (and her daddy too!)<br /></div><br /><div align="center">This past weekend/week I was so happy to have my mom and dad come for a visit. Some people reading this blog may not know that I am the only one in my family to permanently break away from the pack and move long distance <em>[my sister, Kelly, ventured out for a few years but was drawn back in to the allure? of St. Jo Mo.]</em> I will say that my family is alluring and each time we have a visit I do have that pang of homesickness. <em>[but please don't tell my mom and dad this because their ultimate dream would be for us to move back and it's just not happening.] </em></div><br /><div align="center">So anyway, mom and dad drove out to visit us and meet Desalee for the very first time. I wasn't sure how Des would do....would she be freaked out by new faces or by my dad's wheelchair? <em>[a wheelchair can be a very intimidating thing for a kid...and it also begs the obvious question of "why don't you walk, papaw?" to which his standard answer i</em><em>s "because I'm lazy." The humor is surely lost on a child, but we all think he's funny.]</em></div><br />As it turns out, Des warmed up faster than either Jake or Emily did at her age! She especially liked my dad and we joked that it was because he was brown and she might be thinking he looked familiar.... :)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512487558830866898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX75DoWJ6f1ncAm0IJAgSzxtBEXvuo8RT4g5Rxhp4DzAOFEefoVtAey1S-atbNjnwhxXfpGHNEsqjlZyv5m1qeYXMO9EhklbujF_RkyrX9gT4T1PwGwiI463Kl2dxeWPg-OsHKyPKp_3T8/s400/DSCN0028.JPG" /> <em>[I know it's because he gave her a Famous Amos chocolate chip cookie!]</em><br /><br /><div align="center">The first night of our visit was the first chance that I really had to sit face to face with my mom and talk about how hard this adoption transition has been for us. I'm not a big phone talker, so we really hadn't had a good conversation about it. It was so good to be able to pour out my heart and hear my mother's wisdom! Like I said, "sometimes a girl just needs her momma." </div><br />I think that this visit is just what I needed...it felt a little bit like a vacation, a break. The kids were more interested in getting the attention of Grandma and Papaw Vinny than mommy. We relaxed outside under the shade trees in the front yard while the kids played, made homemade salsa, ate, talked, skyped with my sister, etc. etc. It just felt so good! It felt so good, in fact, that it felt really hard to say goodbye this time. Harder than usual. I can't believe that I have to wait until Christmas to see them again... :(<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512487580077305890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl_drqRVd_daHEJG3tPbU9Lr-ahBOVYGFtSu6v4OHYtci1cgqa-3JGYXaBEbtz-ihIkbvvsVIoTGETpf8buvqML-m2CfZpMB1y0p04rIdL-w79sCQ5lXbShDj6le6bfvIdfuGenmpAW3c/s400/DSCN0031.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512487587652516114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExwY91O8K0eaDQPMkta5U5BMUZbc-_qUoVqx2I0HdK0fcz_ICS7zsjIAQgboGuL41P3gcnFVL9iz91W5H-QpYC0fsMOD8ZKp7KoNbE12QvjqVHnTbpvEtZCbVD2hLb9A4MoV1wiZtJnzZ/s400/DSCN0034.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512487600949521330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVVWOEgZvTMXwysy03Uv-9nU_ICwThgkYWquEVx3yihhSJw4tL7bgUvOj8i7_eayRgB7B8gpfSy4EYlVGeEQvHzkcB7pjidt6wTFk2GwOEcnDgEZtkCsAMcGzGrnl7Snpw4PHFcAohBB8/s400/DSCN0036.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512487573926445634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwyH_bunBHQiMepoe-D1ko3IqtUUyxXwDi-gkpHUmZAXG_LbMGFMO9jqs5-TBTbvDY8EynEwucwq5ODpgkWSNIODWDZ2404bEti3vec1vemO-wlT8LX7ieArqKELXaR9VcnIfTKaA-Aj7/s400/DSCN0029.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrlWBjpYeGPmSK9F-3C4AS_MKxs3_hQB2mt7_kUtqhRmD3LneZ5D9uEW_EJwXy6VbTcB8C2Uv3-XF93TW0xl_511-ZLJOKU6FQHG2V5uBU-BxqCVK6u5lDr6C9AmsTqbjK-ZvAkFiloof/s1600/DSCN0052.JPG"><em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512491362747963954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrlWBjpYeGPmSK9F-3C4AS_MKxs3_hQB2mt7_kUtqhRmD3LneZ5D9uEW_EJwXy6VbTcB8C2Uv3-XF93TW0xl_511-ZLJOKU6FQHG2V5uBU-BxqCVK6u5lDr6C9AmsTqbjK-ZvAkFiloof/s400/DSCN0052.JPG" /></em></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e6ZzxX5GS5CVzj0m-8v4VaZOo-AtFRaSzqHQ9FEdLvkaMNxcHeUlK9dXJQX883NSTDgQeIcqOdIiWBuZhMXXTUCB1B6pNqwtk58nn4Tk6OApaOnjYXvldhwzisI5dkPrXQcmXx0FzRvX/s1600/DSCN0042.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512491351461401730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2e6ZzxX5GS5CVzj0m-8v4VaZOo-AtFRaSzqHQ9FEdLvkaMNxcHeUlK9dXJQX883NSTDgQeIcqOdIiWBuZhMXXTUCB1B6pNqwtk58nn4Tk6OApaOnjYXvldhwzisI5dkPrXQcmXx0FzRvX/s400/DSCN0042.JPG" /></a><em><br /></em><div align="center">While mom and dad were here Desi started a trend <em>[I hope I don't jinx it by calling it a trend...it might be too early for that.]</em> :she's really started to do better with sleep. I can almost always put her down in a drowsy, half-asleep state and get her to fall asleep. And in the night when she starts to wake up if I "ssshhh" at her from across the room she'll go back to sleep. This is great for me! A huge stride in the right direction. My presence in the room is apparently a very big deal to her because the times I've tried to leave while she's awake makes her go hysterical. Our next step will be to bring Emily back in and eventually I'll go back to sleeping in my bed....<em>oh, that will be one glorious night! </em></div><br /><div align="center">She has now also mastered the sign for "more" and does it quite willingly. I dare say that I thought I even heard her say "more" today, but I'm not sure enough to declare it her first audible word. <em>[I'm trying not to push to hard for her to speak english words yet...a session of trying to get her to say "mommy" left this mommy in a huff of frustration and her in a melt- down of tears the other day...choose your battles, Shannon, choose more wisely!] </em>We are now working on the sign for "please" which should come more easily since I think she gets that when we're sitting in front of her pantomiming like fools that she's suppose to copy us! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Today I took Emily to the meet and greet/orientation at her new preschool...which just happens to be at Papaw's church and where Jakey went to preschool for 4 years. When we got there we met Aunt Jenni and the cousins walking in. It was so cute when Jilli and Lo each took Em's hands and they walked in together! I can't believe I missed that photo op! She did great meeting her teachers and new friends and I am excited for her to start next week. <em>[I think it will give her something to focus on besides how much she dislikes her new sister. ;) We're still working on their relationship and looking forward to it becoming more of a friendship.] </em></div><br /><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So that's what we've been up to this past week....a wonderful time with my family and more progress in our journey back to a new normal. We are looking forward to the long weekend! </div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Happy Labor Day, friends!</div><br /><div align="center"></div></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-55576660410191098612010-08-29T18:34:00.004-04:002010-08-29T19:31:42.559-04:00The Last Few Days<div align="center"> We're still at the stage where I feel like every day is blog-worthy. Every day brings some kind of progress or surprise and no 2 days look alike around here, even though we are finding a rhythm and seeing our daily schedule take shape...at least for now while I am at home with the kids.<br /><br /></div><div align="center">I am very fortunate to have a job that is very flexible...very! In fact, I'm able to stay in contact and serve my clients from home even during this transition which basically boils down to 2 glorious words....PAID LEAVE! I really thank God for my job and being able to have this time off. After a visit to the office last week though, I have to admit that I miss my coworkers a lot and am looking forward to getting back there...eventually. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I feel like this week has been all about the sleep patterns...it is, of course, our biggest struggle. We are finding Desi to be doing really well during the day. She is less clingy and throws a lot fewer fits these days. [yeah!] I'm even being able to sneak some veggies in at meal time! So days are good. we are making progress every day. Nights are still a work in progress...</div><br /><div align="center">Every night is also a little different and we have yet to see any emerging patterns, so you never know what to expect. Here are the signs of nighttime progress that we have experienced these last few days....</div><ul><li><div align="center">She has on 2 occasions only woken up 1x the whole night! </div></li><br /><li><div align="center">I've been able to sooth her to sleep a couple of times without picking her up...rubbing her bare back did the trick...I hope we can see a repeat of this tonight!</div></li><br /><li><div align="center">On a couple of occasions I have observed her awake in her bed, playing around with her pillows and blankies...no crying! yes!</div></li><br /><li><div align="center">A couple of days ago, I rocked her at nap time and then put her down awake. I stayed in the room for over an hour as she fussed on and off before finally falling asleep. <em>I've suspended this until after my mom and dad leave, but am looking forward to using nap time as a time to start working towards putting her in her bed awake and letting her fall asleep on her own. [this is sure to be frustrating, but hopefully fruitful!]</em></div></li><br /><li><div align="center">To go along with falling asleep on her own...one night a very full bladder forced me to put her down in her bed awake...I expected her to start screaming but to my surprise she was quite still...even after I came back to the room she just laid there awake before finally just falling asleep...it was strange! But I was very encouraged. </div></li><br /><li><div align="center">She has also, for the most part, been sleeping later in the morning.</div></li><br /><li><div align="center">She can [reluctantly] be rocked to sleep by Ryan now! Yay! </div></li></ul><div align="center">These may seem like small steps and technically they are, but anything that gives us hope that we'll sleep again is big stuff to us!</div><br /><br /><p align="center">On another front, I think that we have finally mastered the sign language for "more". She was being so stubborn about doing it, even thought we knew she knew how. She wants to just point and grunt, a technique that must have served her well until now. Just today, we got her to really start signing it without having to make a huge deal about it. This little thing just means a lot when you have a language barrier. We just want to be able to communicate with her and for her to be able to communicate with us, so we are so happy that she's starting to get it! We can't wait for words, but signing is good for now. I think that the next sign we'll work on is "please". </p><div align="center">I am also super excited to have my mom and dad in town for a visit! We were a little worried about how a visit would go this soon after returning...<em>we originally thought we would have a couple more weeks before the visit, but we ended up having to wait to travel. </em>But Desi is doing great! She loves my mom and dad and having them here actually gives Ryan and I a little bit of a break! Jake and Em are loving playing with them too. Mom and I took the kids to Toys R Us today and she got them whatever they wanted! <em>[That's not something that happens too often!]</em> I really love having my mom around to talk to about all this adoption stuff, there really is nothing like talking to your mom! I wish they could visit more often! I'll just enjoy it and relish it while they are here! </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Here are a few pics of our visit so far....<br /><br /><br /><br />Dad finally gets a kiss off of Em...<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWmNkYSX9sfqzlIWw-lAO79tLdtCnez67DkYwQkhsxwa11kuLalLChemfvXXlCooIp9t_I7UsR7-RVXfXS8-060xe9ElB3GqXNDbnVubP_FAHtDUiaDTuXpUb-ueGOiL0YhInn4mjIQdr/s1600/DSCN0034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510974238562398578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWmNkYSX9sfqzlIWw-lAO79tLdtCnez67DkYwQkhsxwa11kuLalLChemfvXXlCooIp9t_I7UsR7-RVXfXS8-060xe9ElB3GqXNDbnVubP_FAHtDUiaDTuXpUb-ueGOiL0YhInn4mjIQdr/s400/DSCN0034.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a>...and Jake<br /></p><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510974232868870034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fN4vRiesYvih_5_YNCdf3lJ9kvoZPXEZuRAwIqkfjgIStPojL2XQmPNb4yDi5Yg6NahDuNdsJo10EKAf4EzHWivYiHp4YMOZnuboLP3VVr5o0TWtBUyjnYA7npCiFLn2lrrbwYzreCQZ/s400/DSCN0036.JPG" /><br />mom and Desi...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510974223565048514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAd1SXuLnAKG_5tX1UXCKIDA71FeednIsyZHpmzLY1J4_hiSzGHLe0SoFYTL5-U8jG1O7LSVjnU7Dt3Ss6PWd2coSUYXscdaO1ROflfFp_Hzf3ndYde7l39DO151adq7BHgSj_mX-vG3E/s400/DSCN0031.JPG" /><br /> Dad and Desi....<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510974208590386626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDGngNT1HnAh4fzbCj-riUiCU3jpnsDzgHr8xkAMEGVomYmeWuwoz1CNE-8LI2LsRkBsVT-knyLgTUcbhjuxHfyK50cbhIxrpDkQDr1mGRSpDNfidwnlcPAigoACzkfbMOm2EEPUQxv0P/s400/DSCN0029.JPG" /><br /><br />Dad and Desi reading books...<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510974195114053186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGYPBRk-Z2ZajVqVgLt8AMVlejNs9VfwgWUv7OFF5J0pdxCUWjoQazu1duOPwZeGkfH0owNAm1v_k8I2TOZHnd83q6fUwbo_x2HSJs7F7q90SQHKOcTEAl8niQTk6dqbqwQ7ucCpYlPH4/s400/DSCN0027.JPG" /><br />I might get in trouble for posting this one, but it cracked me up! Dad falling asleep under a tree in our front yard! We've got a pretty peaceful place here... :)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510975645583848322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwuxi2fBBHtf289xNxCnzSUrOMCKK9eliK5rSSi7a9PmYCJL2BsPqk7j3eWveBaKIY8BLqtfa9-VETfLao8lRk5G58DJyZPY49WwY5e-ZAdhDMgdtxhwQhoJ07k8W1xZ_mrbc3phEqRwj/s400/DSCN0038.JPG" /></div><div> </div></div><br /></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-15263432974432558902010-08-25T09:20:00.003-04:002010-08-25T09:40:18.133-04:00Unexpected<div align="center">Yesterday a friend from our church brought us a wonderful dinner. It was truly a blessing, as have been all the meals we've been receiving. But it was the phone call to let me know that she was coming that brought the biggest blessing...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Mind you, this is a friend that I have not gotten to know well enough...yet. But she told me on the phone that for about 3 weeks she had been feeling like she was suppose to be praying for me in a very specific way. It was because of her own experiences that she felt like she should be praying for me in this way. Even when she told me what it was, there was doubt in her mind as to whether this was God or not. <em>Did I even need this kind of prayer?? </em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The answer was and still is, YES! I was overwhelmed and amazed that God could impress on someone that I wouldn't expect to pray for me, ME! But He knew that she knew exactly how to pray for me. So he used her to help me, and I didn't even know it! Isn't is crazy how this brother and sisterhood works?!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The other great part of this story is that she also told me that sometime she struggles to know if she really hears God's voice and His prompting in her life. Because she had followed, even not knowing if it was really God, and was able to share it with me, we were able to confirm together that she had heard, LOUD AND CLEAR!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I promise that at some point I will post more about this another time down the road, but I felt like I had to share this little part of the story today because maybe there is something I am suppose to be praying for, or you are suppose to be praying for. And maybe it seems random or off the wall, but you never know when it's really God wanting to use you!</div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948901760856665778.post-3929169206977614072010-08-21T14:29:00.003-04:002010-08-21T14:59:37.078-04:00Small Victories...Part II<div><div> We have just passed the 2 week mark being home with Desi. And every day we are still seeing the progress as she continues to bond with our family and become more comfortable in her new world. Here are a few more "small victories" to celebrate: <ul><div><div> </div></div><li><div align="center">Desi's blood work results came back and everything was negative! Well, except that she's got a little stomach bug called Giardia...which translate to "the-nastiest-poopy-diapers-you could-ever-imagine!" A few days on a prescription should get that cleared up.</div></li></ul><ul><br /><li><div align="center"><div>As you know from previous posts, nighttime hasn't been going very well. Desi's sleeping more like a newborn than a 20 month old. And for now, it's all on me to deal with the night because she still isn't letting daddy rock her to sleep. I've resumed sleeping in her room with her in hopes that my presence will help her to feel less anxious and scared and allow her to sleep better. This actually means less sleep for me since every time she moves I wake up and start "shh, shh, shh-ing" from across the room. But, last night, <em>well actually this morning</em>, around 5:30am when she woke I did the normal thing of picking her up and rocking, shh-ing, rocking, shh-ing, etc. When I laid her back down she woke up....aarrgh. HOWEVER she didn't cry, just whined and fussed a bit. Hmm....maybe she was drowsy enough that she would go back to sleep so I patted her back and she did go back to sleep! This was the first time that she was awake in her bed without wailing! I was encouraged as I tiptoed back over to my bed <em>(aka Emily's fru-fru big-girl bed).</em> But the good news doesn't stop there! A couple of hours later when she woke again, she didn't scream and cry as usual. She just peeked up over the crib rail at me. I shh-ed her a bit, expecting her to start the wailing. but she didn't. She just kind of hung out in her bed for a while, rolling around and playing with her blankie. Again, I was so encouraged that she was in her bed, <strong>awake</strong>, and not screaming. Hopefully these are signs that she's becoming more comfortable with her new surroundings and that there could be a glimmer of hope that I can return to my bed <em>(which is one of my most favorite places to be)</em> and to getting a full night of sleep <em>(one of </em><em>my most favorite things to do!)</em> </div></div></li></ul><ul><div><div> </div></div><li><div align="center">Finally....yesterday I cleaned the bathroom! It is the most normal thing that I feel like I've done since returning home from Ethiopia 2 weeks ago. Normally I wouldn't consider cleaning a dirty toilet a "victory" but this time it feels that way. So, I'll chalk it up as a victory this once.</div></li></ul><div align="center"><div><div><br />This morning we had a little fun with a wagon...<br /></div></div></div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507938927230243618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOphAo93pAfXvx978eu6YA4CQcxPJjQhdRhiZ9-dvTrstO24QTgAIElH3WBDW_VtpRs2hT6IqxLRT_pdqx7o9kW0cYEWanMd6DmSTA8J0_btnA0P-bAc9DLNN_2S1hQk51R10LdeZWtt-/s400/DSCN2310.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507938919218541682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLb9SUOCGdEfoekdx7LPoemlsIkL4W9EYQn6d1DR-j7p9YzT7SWKMq2gcP1KqjL3Cu34mUd5YG35Jx8nIsK4Er6PeqWwgkzYhF9aq9TFDyB5mnkKmSB2rPVozQkZdQwr5V2BuU4lKdSI2/s400/DSCN2309.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507938933420622738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AFRgHnJDjIftxpk0F8DqdRqYsLoPRxxiGcvzvbd4qV13alaJCZT2Q6pnNBkvADsr49J5GtrUBdi1GvipMh39H1m6XqsLlC9OEAcCkAY_EOrgPpUurS1KUCONRAgzfZEKOZq-A8u3hxwz/s400/DSCN2312.JPG" /><em><br /><br /></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLb9SUOCGdEfoekdx7LPoemlsIkL4W9EYQn6d1DR-j7p9YzT7SWKMq2gcP1KqjL3Cu34mUd5YG35Jx8nIsK4Er6PeqWwgkzYhF9aq9TFDyB5mnkKmSB2rPVozQkZdQwr5V2BuU4lKdSI2/s1600/DSCN2309.JPG"><em></em></a> </div></div></div></div></div>Nookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10335234276674878347noreply@blogger.com1