Can you tell I am growing weary of our winter here in the northeast? I needed to change the scenery a bit, so I bring you daffodils! Aren't they lovely.

It is suppose to snow again overnight and tomorrow, but I know those daffodils are there under the frozen ground, stirring, and building until they will break forth and bring dazzling color to the dreary landscape. Yes, it is going to snow again, but I can dream of warmer days to come, bright flowers, sunshine and green!

The Little's Plane Day

I started this post on Monday and here it is Saturday already. I need to start making my blog a bit more of a priority. As it is a journal of sorts of our family life, I need to work on it more.

Monday was the Little's 3rd Plane Day. Three years! How the time has flown by and how much we have all changed.

Here is the first photo we took of our whole family that day when we were at the airport. The Littles were all so tiny and serious looking. We weren't sure what to expect and I guess that was a good thing in many ways.

We have walked each day as best we could, learning as we go about each other, about life as an adoptive family bringing in older children and siblings. It certainly has not been boring, each day has been full of new challenges and blessings.

Here is a picture we took on Monday. Quite a bit different. They have grown so much and are so happy and healthy. They continue to adjust well to life in our family and we to having them with us. We are making a lot of memories and each year brings remembrances of things we have already done. I am finding that to be one of the most significant bonding things, shared memories of family experiences.

I wonder what this year will hold for us. We always try to be open to God's plan and be willing to follow his lead. It is never the same and we are always surprised in one way or another.

And because the children always want to show the "real" us, one one photo...

Skating

Last Friday, while the younger children and I were at our co-op Valentine's party, one of the moms took the older children ice skating and out for lunch.


Bessie loves to skate and is quite good. She took group lessons when she was younger and enjoys going whenever possible, which isn't very often these days.


Here she is getting to do a spin. It was a wonderful treat for her to go. She enjoyed being with her friends and had a great time on the ice.

Weekly Daybook

This week I remembered to work on this during daylight hours. Brian is home and we are enjoying a day off from our usual activities.

Go to The Simple Woman to read more daybooks from other blogs.

For Today...February 16, 2009

Outside My Window...it is a lovely day, cold, but with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. The birds are busy at the feeders and seem to be enjoying the sun and the longer days. It is starting to feel just a tad like spring might be coming after all. Some of the younger children are sliding on the ice that was formed when we had a warm up and refreeze last week.

I am thinking...how much I enjoy working with my hands. Whether it is stitching, quilting, scrapbooking, crocheting, knitting or something else. I love taking material of one sort and making something out of it, preferably, something appealing to the eye.

I am thankful for...my temperament that allows me to do some of the fun, spontaneous things in life and not fuss over the "should dos" too much.
From the learning rooms...quiet today, but there are still books being read and lessons being learned, even if not in a formal setting.
From the kitchen...very quiet today. Maybe later.
I am wearing...gray sweats, a green long-sleeved shirt and knitted vest sweater (my favorite).
I am creating...many things. I finished up a crocheted doily this week. I'm just starting the hand quilting on my mystery quilt and have cut and prepared fabric for two block of the month projects. I always have a cross-stitch block going for my LDI ladies.
I am going...to pick up Bessie later from a day out with friends.
I am reading...a few books on older child adoption.
I am hoping...for a good mix this week of work and play.
I am hearing...pages turning, gerbils chewing and children laughing.
Around the house...pretty quiet right now. Everyone seems occupied in their own pursuits.
One of my favorite things...dreaming of future adventures and wondering what God has in store for us next.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...no appointments this week. Bri might take a day off and we'll do something special.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Gabe and Dan sharing a few books and the chair.

Co-op Valentine's Party

Friday we had a Valentine's party at our homeschool co-op. We have these little celebrations in lieu of our normal classes for special days. It is a wonderful change of pace and the children and mom's enjoy the variety.

We had crafts. Here is Dan working on a project with his pre-school group. Dan sort of floats between the pre-school group and the younger elementary group.

One mom came up with some great games that got the children up and moving. This one was very fun. The children all held hands, but in and under each other. They had to try and get untangled without letting go. This one was very funny to watch.

The game below required each child to put their head on the tummy of another child. It made a long chain, then the 1st child had to say "HA" (it makes their tummy bounce) and each consecutive child had to add an "HA", until the last one had about 18 "HAs"...it was very funny and quite noisy by the end.

The children decorated bags to hold their Valentine's, exchanged Valentine's, played pool, air hockey and foosball. These days are great for more relaxed interaction with the children. Gabe brought his Pokemom cards and so did a few other boys. They did some swapping.

We had pizza and punch for lunch and then they decorated scrumptious heart-shaped sugar cookies that one mom made.

Rachel's 10th Birthday

We celebrated Rachel's 10th birthday this last week. She has been so excited at the thought of her upcoming birthday. The Littles are especially aware of when their birthdays are, or at least which one is coming up next and they talk about it for weeks before it actually arrives.

This year, Rachel was able to give us concrete ideas for gifts. It was very hard in the past for her to come up with more than simple suggestions, like toys or books. She had some very specific ideas this year and it was fun shopping for her.

We actually had two celebrations, the 8th, which is her actual birthday and the next day when Mom and Dad came over and had dinner with us.

Earlier in the day on the 8th, we had picked Brian up at the airport. He was returning from simulator training. A trip to the airport is always a treat.

We had yellow cake with pink frosting and sprinkles. The children all pitched in to frost the cake.

Bessie and I both had commitments back at church that evening, so we had cake and ice cream in the afternoon and let Rachel open her gifts.

Rachel was so thrilled with her gifts. We got her a few things on her list and a some not. I love to surprise the children.

It is exciting for me to see the change in our Filipino children. They are becoming so much more open and willing share their feelings. I think they are finally feeling secure in their family and home. They have certain expectations now for how things work in our family and they can feel confident in knowing those expectations will be met. Birthdays are one of those things. They know they get to choose their dinner and dessert and that we honor the birthday child on their special day.

We have seen Rachel blossoming, coming out of her shell, becoming less nervous and timid. She can more openly share her struggles and victories. She is developing (or perhaps we are just seeing it) a very distinct personality that is all her own.

Happy Birthday, Rachel! We love you!

Weekly Daybook

Go to The Simple Woman to read more daybooks from other blogs.

For Today...February 9, 2009

Outside My Window...it is late again. It is beautiful as the moon shines on the snow bathing everything in white sparkles and blue glow.

I am thinking...that I think I have caught the children's cold...can I throw it back?

I am thankful for...a wonderful evening with mom and dad. We had a terrific meal to celebrate Rachel's birthday. We laughed so hard we cried. A very nice time.
From the learning rooms...not much today as we had several appointments.
From the kitchen...baked Mostacolli and ice cream cake.
I am wearing...my comfy lounge clothes.
I am creating...still working on my cross-stitch block, a new crochet project and a block of the month project.
I am going...to go to bed early.
I am reading...When I Lay My Isaac Down and a Mrs. Jeffries mystery.
I am hoping...that I don't feel worse tomorrow...too much to do.
I am hearing...the last of the children going to bed and Brian making me a cup of tea downstairs.
Around the house...there is less clutter today...slowly, slowly we are whittling away at the piles.
One of my favorite things...flannel sheets and a cozy bed to crawl into.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...hoping for a play day with friends, but we will see how everyone is feeling. We also have a Valentine's party planned for our co-op on Friday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... Meet Sweetie and Cutie, two of our gerbils. They are so cute and fun. Gerbils have become one of my favorite pets.

What Lord of the Rings Character Are You?

I found this quiz on another blog and thought it was fun.


"You are most like Elrond. Although you are very serious, you're not above having a good time. It's just that your definition of a good time is pretty different from other people's. You're very smart, so use your knowledge to help others! At least your not so pessimistic. People may think you're hard nosed, but all your friends know better. "

What LoTR Character Are You?

Weekly Daybook

I almost forgot to do my entry for this week.

Go to The Simple Woman to read more daybooks from other blogs.

For Today...February 2, 2009

Outside My Window...it is dark now, but I can here the owls and the coyotes.

I am thinking...how important prayer is in my life.
I am thankful for...friends that I know will pray for me at a moments notice.
From the learning rooms...a lot of basics today.
From the kitchen...nothing interesting today.
I am wearing...my plaid flannel nightshirt, fleece pajama pants and fluffy socks.
I am creating...several things, my latest cross-stitch block, a crocheted doilie and a new sewing project.
I am going...to meet with my on-line Bible study group.
I am reading...a Christmas quilting book and a cozy mystery.
I am hoping...for more breakthrough tomorrow.
I am hearing...quiet, except for the owls and coyotes.
Around the house...all are settling in for the night.
One of my favorite things...so many projects to dream about.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...a trip to the airport and the orthodontist.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... This is the view from the window where my sewing machine is set up. I love to pause in my work and look outside. Brian hung up a birdfeeder for me yesterday, so now I have regular visits from my feathered friends to cheer me.

Sunny Winter's Day

Today was a deliciously wonderful day. The sun was bright, the sky blue and the temps teased us by climbing into the 40s...a veritable heatwave by recent standards.

After church and lunch the children headed outside and for the first time in a long time, the snow was packy enough for snowballs. They stayed out for a few hours, sledding, building forts, throwing snowballs and soaking up the warmth and sunshine.

Despite the warm temps, Rachel is still bundled up. Poor dear, I don't think she is ever really warm, until mid-summer. Dan was content to eat pails of the white stuff.

Hannah and Gabe worked on a fort. They often team up for building projects. And yes, Gabe is in short-sleeves. He is always warm and most days wears short-sleeves and goes barefoot in the house. Today was so nice and warm, he shed his coat quickly and seemed quite comfortable with bare arms.

Brian and I made a quick run to the feed store for chicken feed, bird seed and shavings for the chicken coop. I also picked up a new birdfeeder for the window near my sewing table. Brian made a few modifications to it so now it holds birdseed, suet and peanuts. Hopefully the birds will discover it soon.

Even our Kittie enjoyed the sun today. When we first brought him home, the folks we got him from told us he was a she. We named her Tiger Lily. We soon discovered she was a he and have been sort of calling him Willy...as not to confuse him too much. Well, Bess started calling him Punchy Larue after a character in one of her Nancy Drew games and it has stuck. He is definitely a Punchy! He has lovely markings. Isn't he gorgeous?