I want to remember...

Something I've been thinking about ever since my evening last night is how this couple blessed me at Chick-fil-a. John took his POD (college ministry) skiing yesterday. To help make my evening with kids  pass I decided to take the kids to Chick-fil-a for dinner - this way I didn't have to cook. We could get out and be amongst other adults and people, and the kids could play and work off some energy before bed. 

We were having a great time. The kids had their nuggets, fruit, waffle fries and milk (well Jackson had a little of his milk before spilling it all over himself). Thankfully he was dressed in clothes that dry quickly. We'd already done the whole bathroom, diaper thing. I didn't want to have to change him again! 

Anyway, the kids ate and then quickly wanted to go play. I went in with them because Jackson still needs really close supervision. I saved the ice cream til the end - bribery for leaving. The kids played great, but the time was nearing close to when I thought we should be leaving. So I gave the 5 min warning. Well - suddenly I could tell Jackson was finished. So I quickly rounded up Abigail and carried Jackson out to get our ice cream. Well, the line suddenly was quite long. The couple in front of us had apparently not been to Chick-fil-a before, and she did not seem as if she was very impressed. FINALLY it was our turn to get our ice cream (with sprinkles of course). Jackson was growing antsier by the second. I was growing aware of the fact we may have played a few minutes too long, but I was hoping the ice cream would help us recover. 

After getting our ice cream we journeyed back to the table. I let the kids start eating. Abigail was thoroughly enjoying herself, but Jackson was struggling with the ice cream and quickly becoming irrational. So I started to quickly clean up our table - which was quite a mess. I threw away a huge handful of food, bags, napkins, etc etc. However Jackson was starting to lose it. So I strongly suggested to Abigail that it would be fun to eat her ice cream in the van on the way home. She was not quickly convinced, but was convinced nevertheless. I went to get Jackson out of the high chair and he lunged back. Now this kid is quite heavy these days, but he's also become very strong too! When he lunges back he makes himself so heavy I can BARELY pick him up. Sometimes I simply can't. So he throws himself back, and I couldn't get him out of the high chair. Suddenly I felt a firm hand (a very kind man) on the high chair bracing it so I could more easily get Jackson out. I thanked him, and tried to coral Abigail towards the door as I was trying to gather the last of our food and mess. Suddenly a lady swooped over and started picking up the rest of our mess (including the disgusting half eaten clementines, leftover, slobbered on grapes, etc. etc). I profusely thanked her and of course said - "o you don't need to do that." She quickly answered, "I've been there. Let me help you. I mean you only have two hands!"

I felt so bad, but I was so thankful to have that couple help me! They were such a blessing to me last night! It was such an example of grace and mercy. I want to be that couple for other moms who are struggling with a tough evening or situation with her kids. I especially want to remember it when I am no longer in the trenches of toddlers, tantrums, and so on. However, there are moments even now (though it feels like they are few) when my kids are behaving themselves in public, when I want to be aware of the needs around me. 

God bless that couple, and God bless those of you who bless and care for the moms with young kids simply in need of some extra hands. Sometimes I wonder why God only gave us two - but then it's also an incredible opportunity for others to serve and extend some extra, helping hands. 

Though he looks very angry and quite awful, he is really having a great time! :) He was having so much fun he refused to stop for me to get a picture.

Waiting!

Forgive this horribly blurry picture! A button got switched on my camera, and I was unaware until a few days after the picture was taken. Bummer. I've now got some good pictures that are completely blurry. Anyway, I did want to post this picture anyway, because these papers are near and dear to me (and horrid at the same time - such a love/hate thing). Anyway...these represent tons of time, money and frustration. However, they are complete!!!! These documents are those for our dossier! :) Many of you already know that we are hoping to adopt from Ethiopia. We actually have been wanting to do this for quite some time, but God had other plans for our family - 2 wonderful, beautiful biological kiddos. :) However, we are taking the plunge - using some alternative birth control methods (ha!), and we are officially being added to the wait list for a child 0-15 months, boy or girl. The child will need to be at least a year younger than Jackson, but given the length of time it took us to complete the dossier we should not have a problem with age restrictions.

Now we are officially yet on the wait list! :) Many ask how long the wait might be...well it will be a long time. :) We haven't gotten any real clear answers on wait time for referral. However, 12-15 months is the average time they are giving us. Then, after referral we wait for an appointed court date, then we travel (3-4 months after referral), we return to the US without our child, then we go back to get him/her. So the entire process I expect will take 1.5-2+/- years.

So I'm in this weird stage where I want to be prayerful; however, I kind of want to put it from my mind to ease the wait. I don't want to be anxious.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4: 6-7

Handy Man!?

Did God give me a handy man? Jackson LOVES anything hands-on. If it has buttons, he LOVES it - guaranteed.

Keeping warm!

After nap one afternoon Jackson and I cuddled on the couch trying to stay warm! Of course this lasted about 3.5 seconds. Jackson certainly does not sit still for long. However, it was fun while it lasted!

Abigail got REALLY creative one evening while playing her all-time favorite game - dress up!

Apparently Jackson felt warm enough as he refused to allow me to put a shirt on him! Thankfully on this particular day it was sort of "warm". I chose to not pick this battle (yet). He did eventually have to put a shirt on of course. Oh - and did I mention that he is obsessed with carrying his "blackberry phone" on his hip!? :) The kid is hilarious.

Run!

We had Braylyn, Morgan and Lincoln over to play this morning. I get such a kick out the girls. They love to play this game where they pretend the boys are trying to get them. So they will run from them screaming hysterically and then hide from them. The funny thing is the boys are oblivious! They have no idea what the girls are doing and they really don't seem to care. 

Here are the girls - all huddled in fright in the laundry room.

And here are the boys... as you can see they don't seem too concerned. :)

Nap, Nap, Nap

John's dad used to try to play this game with him and his siblings though he says it never worked. The game is called Nap, Nap, Nap. You can probably guess what the gist of the game is - you lay down to "nap" and whoever stays "asleep" the longest wins! Brilliant game for adults to play with kids (especially after a long day). Well - like I said - John's dad used to TRY to play this with John and his siblings though John doesn't remember any of them ever falling for it. However, our sweet, playful daughter happily obliges for two reasons: 1 - she loves to play! It doesn't really matter what the activity is. As long as someone will play something with her - she's all in. 2 - she is competitive!!!! She is so funny. She will hold out and "nap" until John finally extends mercy to end the game (allowing her to win). What kid wants to lay down and pretend to sleep during play time!? Well - I'll tell ya - a competitive one who loves to have someone play with her!!! Bless her heart! It's a good reminder to me how valuable it is to take the time stop my to-do's to just spend time and play with her.

Many, many times a day she does and/or says just the cutest things. Several times lately she has shocked me with how old and mature she is getting! A few times here lately I have teased her telling her that she is no longer allowed to get any older. I tell her she has "to listen and obey". Something she is VERY used to hearing OFTEN.  She gets the biggest kick out of this. She loves to tell me that she "CAN'T help it!"

Just yesterday we were having one of these moments. She said something just too cute, and I told her she was no longer allowed to get any older. Finally, she asked, "But Mom why don't you want me to get older?"I explained to her that she is just so cute and so fun and I love her just the way she is. She then said, "Are you afraid I will leave you? Because I'm not going to leave you!" I said, "Well, you will leave us someday!" To which she replied very maturely and matter-of-factly, "Mom, I'm going to be 4 soon, but I'm not going to leave you when I turn 4. It's going to be a while before I leave you. You don't have to worry."

Poor Jackson has been so sick lately. We had done so well with breaking him of the pacifier - at least during the day, but he's been so sick, I just let him have it whenever. Yesterday, I told him he could have just one (this was during the day), and he just cried and cried. If he has his way with it, he will suck on one and hold one or two others in his hand(s). Then, he just rotates them. So funny.

He is definitely the second child with a very dominating big sister! Though he definitely shows many of signs of STRONG WILL. 

The other day he was playing with a toy. I was busy getting Abigail ready for preschool, but I noticed that she took the toy from him. I scolded her and told her not to take toys away from Jackson. She replied, "But Mommy! He didn't scream when I took it! If he doesn't scream when I take something from him, that means I can have it." Seriously!? Where does she come up with these things?

Enjoying our Christmas presents

I have such a love/hate relationship with play-doh. I love it because it is just so fun and entertaining. I hate it because of the mess. However, when I saw the cake-maker set on sale, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get this for Abigail for Christmas. I'm glad I did too because both she and Jackson LOVED it. She played with it for hours, and he played for close to an hour, which is unheard of for him - to be occupied by an activity for so long. 

After a while I regretted getting this activity out - not because the kids were making a MESSSSSS but rather because I wanted to take them outside! It was such an unseasonably nice day outside, and I kept trying to get the kids to go out to play (which usually they LOVE to go outside). I finally forced the issue, and they were mad as hornets. They were fine once we were out, and it was good for all of us to get fresh air. However, I realized that I need to get over the mess and get this out more because it's great entertainment for us all (I loved the cake maker too! :))!

Jackson finally discovered that play-doh is a fun TOY, not food. :)

Christmas 2011

We had such a great Christmas this year! The kids were at such fun ages! They enjoyed and were so excited about all the gifts, but they aren't at that greedy, want, want stage (yet).

Abigail was so much fun this year. It was just such a blessing to be able to celebrate the birth of Jesus with her. We talked about Jesus and His birth all month long. It was so good for me to celebrate Him with a child-like faith.

Christmas Eve Eve went spent the day/evening with my Gudeman family.

For some reason this year Abigail, to thank her cousins for the gifts she received from them, would start with a gentle hug but end up pushing them to the ground for some good, old fashioned wrestling. We've always known wrestling was going to be a part of our Gudeman get-togethers (with 3 boys all within 6 months of each other). However, I didn't expect the wrestling to begin with the girls!

Finally something my size!

Why in the world we try to get these poor boys to pose together in pictures is beyond me...lol ;)

Christmas day this year was spent with the Sprungers in Bluffton.

Jackson hanging with Grandpa

Though Jackson looks less than impressed, he really did like his gift. :) Thanks, Sammy!

Abigail and "Luc"

And more wrestling...

We spent the night in Bluffton then had one more Christmas in Francesville with my extended Gudeman family. I have to say though it was a lovely evening, my kids were done. We managed to squeak out of there without too much catastrophe, but we definitely made a lot of noise! :)

The morning after we arrived home and were settled a bit we awoke to this beautiful sight...a White Christmas. :)