Summer, I LOVE you!!

Summer. Summer evokes so many amazing, adventurous, and dreamy memories for me. School is out, insects are singing, and the glorious colors abound all around. I don't care how hot it gets, I just want those lazy hot days to linger with a hint of Lou Armstrong's soundtrack in the back of mind. Doesn't get any better.

So, as I am raising my children I want to impart this passion to my kids. Encourage them to slow down and appreciate the lazy days of summer. It's hard. With nintendo ds's, iphones, laptops, and the like at all of our fingertips it becomes a challenge, but I keep trying.

We took our kids south of the border to a little town about an hour and half outside of Cancun. We rented a little casita and lived like the natives...or close to it! We had a blast!!


Here is our Casa! It was so adorable. 2 Bedrooms, 1 bath, full kitchen, and swimming pool in the back...it was perfect!


Our first morning we had breakfast here. It's Christina's casa and she serves you empanadas on her front porch...awesome? YES!


Here is Drew poolside...it proved to be just too much for the lil guy! Is he cute or what??!!!


Here is a fresh water cenote. The water was sooo cold and clear...perfect for enjoying after being in the ocean all day.


My big guy...MELT ME!


Malia our little Mayan Korean...we got so many double takes...what is this girl doing with these gringos?


Drew didn't love the ocean, but he loved the sand and naps near the sand!


Case and point.


Malia enjoying the view from the ruins in Tulum. My Goodness, God is sooo good!


My little family in paradise on earth...love this...


Look...no nintendo DS! No Disney movie in sight...ahhh!

We had a blast, but this......


This is what I want my kids to remember about their childhood....

May, already??

Ok, I'm just going to be okay about blogging every few months. I really applaud those of you who are faithful bloggers (I so enjoy your blogs!). I am amazed at how dedicated you are. I think if I posted regularly, you would unfortunately be subjected to a laundry list of to do's or vents of the day. Very uninteresting indeed!

Here's a quick update on us...

Malia ~ Well, she's great, but she's also 8. She knows everything and won't even let you finish your sentences without inserting as much. She only has two more weeks of school and then I've got to get with the program to keep that girl busy. We recently had Malia evaluated for sensory integration issues. The OT suspects she has proprioceptive and vestibular issues. Oy. Very interesting and telling about how she navigates the world around her. We've just begun so, if anyone has any experience on the topic..I'm all ears! This girl is one complicated puzzle, but I tell you what, I cannot wait to see the finished product! It's going to be a masterpiece! Love. That. Girl.

Cole ~ Cole is just cool. I've been doing some homeschool with him this year and he is beginning to read! Oh, what a gift to see those wheels turning...it NEVER gets old! He is also in swimming classes and Tball. He plays short stop and is just awesome! I've never been much for baseball, but I believe I'm officially hooked. Cole is also absorbed in all things under the ocean. To get him motivated to run the bases faster, we always throw in a "Cole, watch out...there's a shark behind you!" We are OK aquarium members and it's a good thing. We are there at least every week to two weeks. Cole will start kindergarden at the same school with Malia in the fall. I am so excited for him...he's gonna love it! I will also be soooo sad for me and Drew though. Wah.

Drew ~ Cutie. Patootie. He's doing well, although I will say that he has been sick or down and out since the beginning of March. We've had horrible, horrible allergy issues, skin rashes, fevers, vomit, runny noses...Ugh bug...not fun. Yesterday was about the first day I haven't had to medicate him with something. He's a trooper though. A skinny trooper! He's becoming a little chatty Cathy. Loves to try to say everything so we love to throw in some fun words for our entertainment!
He is still attached to my hip about all day long. He is still very anxious when I leave. Doesn't matter if its to the shower or to the store...he still gets pretty distressed. Kids who have been adopted, go through so much so we understand totally and try to follow his lead. Yes, he's been home for a year and a half...but his body hasn't forgotten what it feels like to be abandoned. So we do attachment parenting as much and as often as he needs it. We love him so much and he is learning new things all the time.

Chad and I are busy, but great. We have a vacation planned with the kids coming up and we cannot wait. We will be hanging out with some cool people on a beach just chilling...It cannot come soon enough!

Party time!

I tell you what, January is one birthday loaded month! I always know that when November comes and goes, the gift season is in full swing until February!

Today we celebrated the life of sweet baby Drew. Oh my. This kid has me totally spellbound. I love his hair, I love that right now, the back of his hair line is lopsided due to the fact that he wouldn't stop crying when he got his last haircut. I love how he follows his big brother around and copy cats EVERY sound and action he does and gets so tickled when we notice. I love how he answers every question with a "uh huh", unless you are asking him if he wants his milk in a cup, that is! I love that he still fits nicely into my arms and still rests his head in the crick of my neck when he's tired. I love that every time I hang up the phone, he asks "who dat"? and when I tell him he says "Oh!". I especially love the face he makes every morning after he sneezes and makes a O shape with his lips and then begins to say "Oh, oh, oh". It's like he's saying "oh, mom! hurry...this stuff is running down my lip"!! I seriously could go on and on. I cannot believe I get to know him, hug him, kiss him, tell him I love him. Seriously, I cannot believe it. I am so thankful that God saw fit to allow me this privilege.

Below are some pictures...most of these are for the enjoyment of my family who couldn't be here to share his special day...we missed you all!!!!


Drew's dirt cake...yum!



Party people over here....

Party people over there...


Drew found a worm...



Funny story...this is his 2nd pair of the same shoes...THE BOY LOVES HIS SHOES...wears them all. day. long.

This dude is for hire...need any lawn work, anyone? Give him a call...

Review in pictures...

Yes. It really has been three plus months since my last post. Yes. It will probably happen again. No tomatoes, please.

I really don't know where to "jump" back in so I think I will just let some pictures refresh my memory...


Ah yes, Here we have Drew and I getting ready for the hometown Christmas parade.


Here is why we went to the parade in the first place! My mom and dad came to every school function imaginable when I was in school, not missing one thing...how could we miss their big debut in the parade with their weekend car?! So fun to cheer them down the parade!

Drew's sweet little prayerful hands...He is a hugabug. Periodically, through the day, he'll come to me with folded hands and say, "Pray"? I always think of Steven Curtis Chapman's song when he does this, so we stop every thing and pray. So thankful for the heart of a child!

Malia preparing for Santa's arrival icing cookies.

A family picture where we are all looking at the camera...miracle.

Christmas morning

Christmas morning we decided to add a little intrigue to our day by braving the snow/icy roads to visit my mom and dad. We brought over our turkey to throw in their oven and had great Christmas memories to boot.

Malia happy about her pop the pig game...this is the one thing she BEGGED for...ask me how many times she's played it!

Malia's santa gift...was a hit...for all of us! Right now we are waiting on a part to repair the throttle....we already wore out the first one...

Cute boy with his baba...don't ask....

Malia after she received her award at school. Proud mommy moment...



Cannot believe she did it! While on a trip to Texas, Malia and her cousin decided that getting their ears pierced together would help give them courage. Boy, were they proud! Fun memories.

We took the Cowboy Stadium tour and had a ball on the field.

The boys...

Our man of Adventure turns 5...

Mr. C had his big birthday party today! He had a few friends over to help celebrate his most special day. What a joy to see your child celebrated, and knowing he feels celebrated.

Sweet boy~ you are one amazing kid. You have the patience of the likes I've never seen from a 5 year old. You are kind with both your temper mental sister, and your little brother who insists that all YOUR toys are his. You love with your whole heart and your tenderness melts me to my core. You totally changed my opinion of what raising a son would be like, and having the opportunity to know you makes me a better person. No, you are not perfect, but your heart is pure and ready to take good instruction. I love you my baby bird. You make me so proud!










Cole's holy grail... :-)