It is so cold in my house this am that I am in sweats! That is a little bit wrong, given it IS still August...at least for the rest of the day!
We are so ready to be back in a routine. E started back this am, much to his chagrin. I think he was still enjoying summer. The kids NEED to go back to school before they do each other in. The middles have taken up arguing as a competitive sport. It seems the first one to give in and cry wins. Mom is ready to give up the referee roll for a while! Time for them to have some space, their own friends, and have their minds expanded for a bit.
Overall, summer was good. Trips to the lake, Duluth, the cities, and more filled many weeks. The kids thrived on biking, football in the front yard and swimming. Sunshine has grown by leaps and bounds and though she started the summer as a baby, she is a full fledged little girl now. Wow. For me it was a really bittersweet summer. Selling the shop was hard, and I still have days where I am so sad that I had to give it up. But these days, more often than not, I am thrilled with the new slower pace of life. I love not waking up worrying and going to bed only to wake up in the middle of the night in a panic. I launched a great shop and hopefully it will continue to flourish.
The fall is going to bring nice routine. J-dog and dad out the door by 7:15 to get the bus to the 6th grade school, the mom mobile loaded and out the door by 7:50 with stops at the elementary school and then on to work at the Y. I am really looking forward to working in the preschool and seeing if it is something I want to pursue further or not. Then mom and sunshine home for lunch and nap then back to pick up the brothers 3 by 2:45. It should be a good routine!
We are quickly approaching Sunshines one year family day. It hardly seems possible that a year ago we were planning the final details of our trip to get her. What a year! She is such an amazing blessing and I can't believe how much she has grown and changed in a year. I am worried about her Ethiopia family. There is a horrible drought right now in the region where some of her birth family lives and famine is spreading quickly. I feel so helpless so far away. We pray that God is holding them safely.
That is all for now...I will be closing out this blog in the next week or so and moving on to one that keeps pace with our whole family! Stay tuned for the switch!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Updates, Updates, Updates!
Oops...so I fell off the blog-wagon again. I was going to be so good and try and write at least every other day...guess I was aspiring a little too high! So here is an update::
Miss Sunshine continues to dazzle with her smile and her 2 year old antics. She has been healthy ALL summer which is completely amazing after having her ill ALL winter! She is growing like a weed and will most certainly need a new wardrobe by fall as nothing from spring will fit any longer! I am not sure what she will do come fall when her beloved brothers are back at school and not at her beck and call. Poor kiddo! She is loving playing outside, playing babies and kitchen, and singing. She is also very fond of carrying the cats around...sorry kitties!
We have entered a very strange phase of life. It's called toddler and tween under the same roof. As I work on little one understanding the word no and contemplating potty training, the tween had his first visit to the orthodontist. Yieks! He is slated for round one of braces on Thursday. Not what he was hoping to hear. He has a traumatic overbite. Not what a mother wants to hear. I feel for him...but his 2 best friends also have braces, so he will be in good company! So nothing like braces and diapers all at the same time!
The other two are chugging along. The middle brother has had a fun summer and grown a ton. He is so good with his sister and has enjoyed playing hard and having fun with friends. I think he will be ready to head back to school soon to his own friends and a little time away from his little brother!
As for little brother...he is having a great summer with some big bumps. He is growing like crazy and just may surpass his brothers in time. He is soo strong and built like a linebacker. He ist he apple of his sisters eye and they have fun being silly together. His bumps have come in the form of friendships. In our neighboorhood, we have two kids across the street who are like siblings..but they are older then the little man and while he plays with them, he is often left out. Then there are the neighbors next door. They are his age and come from a home that has very different values from ours. While they play well together, what they play and the attiudes he is picking up are not good. We had to finally "ground" him from them for the week. He's just too good of a kid to follow the path I am afraid they are traveling. So since he is still only 6, mama put her foot down and now find myself with a 6 year old who needs some entertaining. He will be our right hand man this week!
The hubby has been very busy on projects the last few weeks and has lovingly gutted and rebuilt the kitchen. IT is fabulous!! Not sure what the next project will be, but his time is running out, as school starts in 2 weeks!
As for me...I am so happy. So much less stressed, so much nicer to be around! The store transition went well and is signed, selaed and delivered. I have a few loose ends to tie up, but not much. It is a huge relief! I just got a job this week working at the local Y as a preschool teacher. I can't wait. It will be a fun, stress free job! Yay! Miss Sunshine will be in childwatch at the Y, getting some fun kid time too. It will be a great fall!
So there you go. That's the update. I will post pictures later, but right now am getting the mom my turn on the computer look!
Miss Sunshine continues to dazzle with her smile and her 2 year old antics. She has been healthy ALL summer which is completely amazing after having her ill ALL winter! She is growing like a weed and will most certainly need a new wardrobe by fall as nothing from spring will fit any longer! I am not sure what she will do come fall when her beloved brothers are back at school and not at her beck and call. Poor kiddo! She is loving playing outside, playing babies and kitchen, and singing. She is also very fond of carrying the cats around...sorry kitties!
We have entered a very strange phase of life. It's called toddler and tween under the same roof. As I work on little one understanding the word no and contemplating potty training, the tween had his first visit to the orthodontist. Yieks! He is slated for round one of braces on Thursday. Not what he was hoping to hear. He has a traumatic overbite. Not what a mother wants to hear. I feel for him...but his 2 best friends also have braces, so he will be in good company! So nothing like braces and diapers all at the same time!
The other two are chugging along. The middle brother has had a fun summer and grown a ton. He is so good with his sister and has enjoyed playing hard and having fun with friends. I think he will be ready to head back to school soon to his own friends and a little time away from his little brother!
As for little brother...he is having a great summer with some big bumps. He is growing like crazy and just may surpass his brothers in time. He is soo strong and built like a linebacker. He ist he apple of his sisters eye and they have fun being silly together. His bumps have come in the form of friendships. In our neighboorhood, we have two kids across the street who are like siblings..but they are older then the little man and while he plays with them, he is often left out. Then there are the neighbors next door. They are his age and come from a home that has very different values from ours. While they play well together, what they play and the attiudes he is picking up are not good. We had to finally "ground" him from them for the week. He's just too good of a kid to follow the path I am afraid they are traveling. So since he is still only 6, mama put her foot down and now find myself with a 6 year old who needs some entertaining. He will be our right hand man this week!
The hubby has been very busy on projects the last few weeks and has lovingly gutted and rebuilt the kitchen. IT is fabulous!! Not sure what the next project will be, but his time is running out, as school starts in 2 weeks!
As for me...I am so happy. So much less stressed, so much nicer to be around! The store transition went well and is signed, selaed and delivered. I have a few loose ends to tie up, but not much. It is a huge relief! I just got a job this week working at the local Y as a preschool teacher. I can't wait. It will be a fun, stress free job! Yay! Miss Sunshine will be in childwatch at the Y, getting some fun kid time too. It will be a great fall!
So there you go. That's the update. I will post pictures later, but right now am getting the mom my turn on the computer look!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Birthday Princess and Officially ours!
Well, the birthday Princess is two!! We had a grand pink palooza on Friday night and a great time was had by all. She LOVED opening presents and LOVED pink frosted cake. She is all about babies and cooking, so it was a kitchen and babies for her!
This week, we got to officially make her ours here in the USA. A VERY short court appointment followed by celebratory bagels at Panera started the day. Then it was home to open her first American Girl doll. Rather fitting for the day I thought! Enjoy the pics!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
On one hand...and on the other
Okay so changes have begun. I have decided to close my baby boutique. The economy has really hit us hard. People are still shopping, but spending so much less. I just finally got tired of the worry, the headaches, and the constant stress. At times I am almost giddy with the freedom that is on the horizon, and other times I am so scared of what next that a whole new form of panic sets in.
On the one hand, I knew in my heart it was done and I was done and the dream that was the shop was turning into more of a nightmare.
On the other hand, I wonder if I really tried everything, explored every avenue, gave it my all completely because it was so close to making it.
On one hand I will be thrilled to be bringing in money instead of continuing to throw money at the shop.
On the other hand, I have no idea what I am going to do to make that money!
On one hand I am excited about the possibilities of exploring something new,
On the other hand, I have NO idea what I want to do and worry that nothing will come along.
The next few weeks will be crazy. We are on vacation right now, which is good and bad. Good because after I announced the closing, I headed out of town and didn't have to deal with the fall out. But, I am still getting calls and thinking about all that needs to be done. It just sits constantly at the back of my mind. SO while being away and busy has been good, I can't totally escape. Next week, the shop will be closed all week and I will prep it for the final sales. There are two people who are interested in buying it if they can get the financing. That has lots of "on one hand" and "on the other hand" as well. IF that happens, then I really am just about done. And now what? looms pretty big on the horizon. Yieks.
Otherwise, the kids are doing great. We are in Duluth and they are loving the big lake and rock throwing and sightseeing. Eric is teaching at a teachers institute all week, so the kids and I have grand adventures during the day while he teaches, then we meet for evening adventures after that. It has been fun but not too relaxing...the kids just want to go and go and go!
So, now you are caught up. If anyone has any good job ideas...I'll be looking!!
On the one hand, I knew in my heart it was done and I was done and the dream that was the shop was turning into more of a nightmare.
On the other hand, I wonder if I really tried everything, explored every avenue, gave it my all completely because it was so close to making it.
On one hand I will be thrilled to be bringing in money instead of continuing to throw money at the shop.
On the other hand, I have no idea what I am going to do to make that money!
On one hand I am excited about the possibilities of exploring something new,
On the other hand, I have NO idea what I want to do and worry that nothing will come along.
The next few weeks will be crazy. We are on vacation right now, which is good and bad. Good because after I announced the closing, I headed out of town and didn't have to deal with the fall out. But, I am still getting calls and thinking about all that needs to be done. It just sits constantly at the back of my mind. SO while being away and busy has been good, I can't totally escape. Next week, the shop will be closed all week and I will prep it for the final sales. There are two people who are interested in buying it if they can get the financing. That has lots of "on one hand" and "on the other hand" as well. IF that happens, then I really am just about done. And now what? looms pretty big on the horizon. Yieks.
Otherwise, the kids are doing great. We are in Duluth and they are loving the big lake and rock throwing and sightseeing. Eric is teaching at a teachers institute all week, so the kids and I have grand adventures during the day while he teaches, then we meet for evening adventures after that. It has been fun but not too relaxing...the kids just want to go and go and go!
So, now you are caught up. If anyone has any good job ideas...I'll be looking!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
One Year Ago
A year ago today, we officially became Sunshine's parents in the eyes of the Ethiopian Courts. I remember that day so well and being soo excited to finally share her picture with friends and family! There are so many points along the journey that are worth celebrating, but this one is certainly a biggie! She has changed so much from that little scared, malnourished baby who's eyes showed just a little glimmer of her spunky spirit. Now her eyes sparkle all the time, she sings, and dances and attacks each day with gusto.
It is days like today where I grieve for all she left behind. I ache for those that loved her and made such hard choices for her. And I am soo lucky and thankful they made the choices they did.
It is days like today where I grieve for all she left behind. I ache for those that loved her and made such hard choices for her. And I am soo lucky and thankful they made the choices they did.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Cha Cha Cha Changes....
Yep, there are some changes on the horizon. Can't really go into detail at the moment, but said changes have given me pause to catch my breath, and get excited for possibilities to come (and NO we are not pregnant, adopting again or adding any more mammals to our brood!) I promise more info will come, but keep us in your thoughts as changes are always interesting!
So far July has found us pondering house projects, but not necessarily accomplishing them. We have grand ideas, but the days just seem to get away from us! I did manage to get the boys room done complete with new bunk beds and at least 2 hefty bags of treasures removed! The goal for today is to tackle the toys belonging to the princess. Her birthday is in just a few short weeks and needless to say, the baby toys are no longer needed as she is on to much bigger and better things like baby dolls and shopping carts. So time to sort and pass down, and give away, to make room for more treasures!
The boys continue to thrive. J may eat us out of house and home. He is a sleeping, eating machine right now. I live in fear of him waking up taller than I some morning...not a totally unrealistic fear at that!
So for the moment, that's the story and I am sticking to it. I will feed you more info on changes as they come...just keep us in your thoughts!
So far July has found us pondering house projects, but not necessarily accomplishing them. We have grand ideas, but the days just seem to get away from us! I did manage to get the boys room done complete with new bunk beds and at least 2 hefty bags of treasures removed! The goal for today is to tackle the toys belonging to the princess. Her birthday is in just a few short weeks and needless to say, the baby toys are no longer needed as she is on to much bigger and better things like baby dolls and shopping carts. So time to sort and pass down, and give away, to make room for more treasures!
The boys continue to thrive. J may eat us out of house and home. He is a sleeping, eating machine right now. I live in fear of him waking up taller than I some morning...not a totally unrealistic fear at that!
So for the moment, that's the story and I am sticking to it. I will feed you more info on changes as they come...just keep us in your thoughts!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
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