WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON? (PART II)

The month of April went along quite smoothly, mainly due to the fact that Logan and Ciara spent most of it...OUTSIDE! And that is perfectly O.K.A.Y. with me. We had been cooped up all winter long and all of us had had enough of each other and needed some relief. It is the first question both of them ask when they wake up: Can we play outside today? As you'll see in the pics below, these two girls love the outdoors and they love to help with whatever chores we are doing outside.

We planted peas in the first two rows and the girls are now watering them.Taking a break for a little pizzaThe girls each planted their own flowers in these containers...unfortunately since then they all got left outside one night and the frost got 'em. We plan on replanting once the last frost hits at the end of this month, lol.

Logan also started playing soccer this year, and if she's anything like her mother, she's going to be a great athlete. The following pictures are not the best at all, but I couldn't use my flash inside the gym, and for some reason when I don't use the flash with this particular camera, the pictures come out blurry.

This really wasn't during the game, it was during the warm-up, lol.

And we all know that the most important part of any team is what color your shirts are, and in Logan's book since red is her favorite color, she was on the best team!GOOOOO, RED!!! And for the past few springs this little guy has been coming back to our feeders, at least I'm assuming it's the same one, it's the only woodpecker that has ever come around.Our evenings were spent doing various activities like...

Hair dressing...Or recovering from another grueling round of "Go get the ball, Lulu"...Playing with oven mitts...yes, we play with our oven mitts. Got a problem with that?

Generally lookin' cute...And we built a fort in the livingroom.Those are Roger's feet sticking outta that fort on the left, lol

There's more, but I guess I'll have to do a Part III, so stay tuned.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

SPRING FAIRIES 4-5-10

What little girl doesn't like to play dress-up? Well, Logan and Ciara are no exception. At any given time of any given day one or both of them are either dressed up in a fairy costume or a Disney princess dress complete with shoes and accessories. You all remember how Ciara likes to accessorize; right? This one particular morning it was extremely warm outside and, well, they just couldn't help themselves! Luckily my absentmindedness with my camera did not kick in yet and I was able to snap a few of them frolicking around the house.

Hey, even Lulu got in on the fairy action. She had just been groomed the day before and she was lookin' good!

Logan striking yet another pose!

Have I told you all how thankful I am to our Awesome God for these little fairies lately?

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

Today, May 4th, marks a day that I will never ever forget because exactly one year ago today I saw my little girl's face for the first time, and the story goes like this.

At the time I was working at the Warren County Courthouse full-time as the court stenographer (you know, the one with the little machine taking down everything everyone says in court). I had just walked into the judges' chambers during a recess from whatever proceedings were going on, when I was given a message by Sue, one of the deputy court administrators, that our adoption agency was trying to get ahold of me. I knew immediately what it was about. The new "list" from China had just come out the night before and I was hoping we'd be matched with a little girl from that list...AND WE WERE! I called Kim from our agency and she told me that she thought she had found our daughter and would I like to see a picture of her. Are you kidding me?!?! Of course I want to see her...but the recess was over and I had to get back into court. I know, I know, the court system waits for no man/woman. Truth be told, the judge had no idea what was going on behind the scenes and I didn't have an opportunity to tell him or I definitely would have!

TWO...HOURS...LATER...I finally am able to call Kim back and tell her that I'd be home in 20 minutes and to email me that picture ASAP! It was now about 3 PM. And, yes, I went immediately home and opened the email all by myself.

Now, at this point, let me explain something to you all. My husband doesn't get home from working until sometimes 8 PM. That would've been FIVE ADDITIONAL HOURS that I would have had to wait to see my daughter (and I did already know she was the one BTW). And since I already knew what his answer was gonna be, I called Roger and asked him if he would mind if I saw her for the first time without him. He of course didn't mind because he's that kinda guy and that's why I love him.

When I saw Ciara for the first time, my first thought was, "Yep, that's her, that's our little girl!" It was as if everything I had ever imagined she'd look like came together in that one little picture and it just fit. She just fit, she was our little girl from that second forward :) We love you very much, Sweet Ciara!

Then.And...NOW!"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

(Jeremiah 29:11)

CIARA TURNS THREE!

Okay, so Ciara's birthday WAS April 1st and the party WAS April 3rd, and yes, I am still a little behind in my posting, but c'mon guys, can't I get points for at least TRYING to catch up here? I mean, seriously, having a five and three year old in the house is very time consuming and exhausting, lol.

Shonni and Karin, at this point you both can get up off the floor and quit your hyperventilating laughter. (For those who aren't familiar with these two amazing women, Shonni is the mother of...is it 11 now, Shonni? And Karin is the mother of 10.) And they're both about ready to smack me about now for whining, lol.

I'll shut up now, here's what you want to see anyways.

Just one more thing, hehehe, thanks to my great friend Teri for having the foresight to actually charge her camera before coming to the party, something Ciara's Mama forgot to do ;)

Okay, cue the pictures!

Now, remember, it is April 3rd. This garden is supposed to look pitiful.

Ciara just dives right in to this whole unwrapping gifts deal!

The queen crowning her newest princess!

One princess that's not so sure of her crown.

It sure doesn't take long to get used to, though!

Is that adoration of the $$$, or complete shock it's not a toy of some kind?

Cake! That's what I'm talkin' about!

Ciara loves Elmo!

Since the next day was Easter, we had "the hunt."

What? I found these all fair and square!

I'll just take my eggs and go now.

Logan with egg...er, I mean, chocolate all over her face!

My friend Teri's husband Tony and his youngest son Vincent, and Roger and Ciara getting ready for a hike up in the woods.

Vincent's older brother Anthony and Logan leading the way.

What a goofball!

The oldest two are my niece Lyndsey and nephew Shane (sorry we had to do that to you two), and then Anthony and Vincent, and Logan and Ciara.

My friend Teri with her two boys, Vincent and Anthony. Niece Lyndsey with her mom, my sister-in-law Kathy.

Me and Ciara

EMBRACE LIFE

My sister-in-law Shelley sent me this video clip. All I can say is....WOW!!! What a message!!!

HE REIGNS!!!

Every day I am blessed to live on this planet, I become more aware of God's hand in my life and those around me.

He Reigns!

It’s the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It’s the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God’s holy fire
It’s every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir

It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise above the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this

It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It’s all God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they’ve just heard
‘Cause all the powers of darkness
Can’t drown out a single word

When all God’s children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God’s children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns