Just some random pics

As we approach our 6 months home as a family of 5 tomorrow, I reflect back on the past months in awe. To think of where we were a year and a half ago, just starting our adoption journey. To one year ago when our dossier has been in Ethiopia just a few weeks. Then 6 months ago we were holding our new daughter and ready to bring her home! It has been amazing - good and bad - the past 1/2 year, but it all has been completely worth it! I look at the boys, so proud of their baby sister! They always make sure everyone knows her name is Addison and she is their little sister. They are always letting her know (and each other too) they love her so much and kissing her chubby cheeks. It's just beautiful, absolutely beautiful. All 3 of our kids have grown so much in the past 6 months, it's just amazing. Nothing is better than seeing so much innocense, laughter, fun and God thru a child's eyes!

Caleb loves his "new" bike
Trevor's smore
and his marshmallow on his shirt!
Addi in her braids
and her GO BIG RED!
Am I cute, or what?!?

Pumpkin Patch

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch yesterday. Weather was awesome!!

Trevor
Caleb
Addison's first pony ride!

Mark and the boys on the train ride
Addison was wiped out!!
But she woke up ready to go. Here holding on for dear life as we went thru the corn maze.
Loving the big rocking chair!

I've been Tagged

I have been Tagged by coffeemom. This is new to me, so we'll see what I can come up with!

1. I am a book fiend!! I love them. All kinds (except romance). Just the best past-time ever imaginable!

2. I am also a computer freak! If I'm not reading, you most likely would find me on the computer. Even just to check my email! :-) My degree is in computers.

3. I was the youngest in my high school class. I just missed the deadline having an October 12 birthday.

4. I am stepping out of my box this coming year and have volunteered to be the Creative Activities director of my MOPS group. Yes, I will be sweating profusely for the 2 minutes I'll be standing in front of my group of ladies explaining what they need to do for their craft.

5. I love the winter so much more than the summer. Although 60-70 degrees is perfect for me!

6. I am a person of VERY bold colors. The brighter the better. My favorite color is lime green.

7. As much as I dislike bugs, spiders, snakes and other things in nature, I LOVE LOVE LOVE to go camping!

8. I'll throw in one more just for good measure....I LOVE photography. I have started taking my own pictures of my kids and family. Not just cheaper, but it is SO fun for me to come up with different backgrounds. Different ways to set a picture. The best job, next to being a mom, in my opinion!

We have a walker!!!

Well, pretty close anyway! Addison has been taking a couple steps up to 6 or 8 at a time. She will let go of things and stand there for the longest time, till she realizes you are looking at her. Then she smiles, laughs and falls down on purpose!! :-) But she's doing awesome. Plus having the boys encourage her even more, that helps. Then she claps for herself!

Since the last post, Mark and I have also had our birthdays. Not a lot happened, due to some crappy weather here! We were planning to go to the big pumpkin patch last Sunday, on my birthday, but due to the rain that didn't happen. The week just seemed to get worse for me after that. Thursday was Mark's birthday, but since he has basketball and doesn't eat those days cuz of it, we celebrated his Wednesday evening. The kids and I decorated the kitchen lights with balloons and we had his favorite, cherry cheesecake.

So, tomorrow, we are planning to now head to Vala's (pumpkin patch). It's supposed to be decent....I hope so! Hopefully I'll get some great pics of all the kiddos tomorrow. It might be Addison's first time riding a pony if they are there!!! That'll be fun!!!

Also, just wondering.....does anyone know where I could find a good book on the Amhara tribe?? I have looked on amazon, but can't seem to find something that sticks out for me. Maybe I can get some recommendations???

BRAIDS!

Last week Wednesday I decided to do something a little different with Addison's hair. I didn't know WHAT for sure when she was sitting on my lap, but I wanted something different than all the ponies. So...I went searching on the internet and found a girl with braids and beads in her hair. I was thinking, her hair is just not right yet for cornrows, but I could do braids. Just no beads quite yet. So, below is the result! It turned out pretty cute. It took about 2 hours. We took one break, when Mark got home from work, before he took the boys to swim lessons. Seriously, she made NO peeps the entire time. She sat there in peace and played with 2 ink pens and put her cotton pony holders on her fingers like rings. Yes, for 2 hours!!!

Bless their hearts!!!

All out there may, or may not, be familiar with one of the families (Farmboy & Buttercup) we travelled with to get Addison. They had some news given to them a few months back that the twins they adopted, have a sibling that will be able to also be adopted. After much much consideration, a few days ago they have noted they WILL be adopting the babe!! If you'd like, please leave them a message congratulating them on their decision!!! You can read their posting thru the link above.