Happy Easter & a visit

We had a great (if not slightly chaotic) Easter. These little ones have just gobbled up hearing the story of Good Friday & Easter. We have been reading from this book (if your Jesus Story Book Bible has been given a workout, I recommend this one!) Andrew's parents had already been planning to come for Easter, so we're thankful they still braved the crazyness. :) It was great to have some extra hands around!

K & E LOVED getting dressed up for Easter.  (little one was sleeping.)

Target Dollar Spot Rocks.

 K loved wearing the red one and now asks to wear it every day.

G wasn't quite as excited about it. :)

 I wish I could  capture the excitement of getting Easter baskets brought by Mama & Papa. It was also a huge blessing for our visiting little ones to have some things to call their "own".

Some Outlet finds by mommy made this little girl quite happy for new shades & jewelry!

On Monday, our extra littles had a court hearing and it was a nice little break & outing to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

 They love all the dinosaurs!

Saying goodbye to Mama & Papa on Wednesday

I know many of you are wondering about our little visitors and hopefully I will have some time to write about our little life change soon. They are 5, almost 3, and 8.5 months. It looks like they will be with us for about 30 days. It's definitely turned our house upside down! The demands from 5 under 5 can definitely feel overwhelming, especially at meal time! But how amazing to see simple changes take place so fast. They adapted so well & so quickly to our routine & schedule. Last night was the first night baby A slept 7-7! She also naps for about 2 hours both morning & afternoon. What a blessing to have a good sleeper, makes me wonder if she had been on a good routine or if she just was tired and adjusted quickly. We've had throw up, diarrhea, been up multiple times each night, untold laundry, learning to get along with extra siblings (at almost same ages), and introducing them to completely new foods. Baby carrots & fresh pineapple? Initial reaction: EWWWWW. After tasting: YUM! One of our biggest challenges has been with Eden pushing or hitting all.day.long. She's feeling more than a little territorial. But wow, what a whirlwind it's been and amazing experience. We are so grateful for having a small part in these little ones lives. People have been so kind in offering meals, assistance, items to borrow, and just love, care & notes of encouragement. We are so thankful.

Catching up....

This little 'ole blogspot has been sorely neglected. A lot of crazyness happening lately. Momtourage consumes most of my spare computer time minutes. This month I got to do promos for University of Pittsburgh basketball, Harlem Globetrotters, & NCAA hockey tournament. It was the sports month apparently! Because I haven't had the time to go to all these events, I am able to pass extra tickets on to friends. It's so fun to see faces light up - who gets free tickets to events?! I love that part of my job!

We are going to see Harlem Globetrotters the day after Christmas. We got to go last year and Graham loved it.

My parents came for 5 days right after Thanksgiving. We had a great time with them and they helped decorate = double bonus!

I have found that a countdown calendar is non-negotiable for this stage of life. :) We turn around a number each day.  It's been awesome for Graham to know: on this date we're going on an airplane, on this date Mama & Papa come, on this date we go to your cousins and THIS date is Christmas!

We did get a brief dusting....the kids loved it!

A snowman marshmallow + hot chocolate is a perfect December tree-decorating kind of night.

Downtown to see the Christmas sights. I realized later, she couldn't hold her cracker b/c of her mittens and basically just knawed it down. I guess where there's a will, there's a way!

Andrew, Grandpa, Graham

Gingerbread spectacular

Yes, I will take that last drop of Izzy!

Best appliance ever. Happy birthday to me. Love, Mom & Dad. Love.

Many have asked where we are in our foster care process. Still in the middle of paperwork! However, we see the light at the end of the tunnel! We have one document to finalize and then have to go somewhere to be fingerprinted and have our home study....but we are close.

Parenting has been extremely challenging the past few months. I loved this post by my friend, Sue. This was also a timely reminder.

 

3 Christmas parties in 8 days? Check.

An unexpected gift arrived for travel funds, so slightly last minute, I am flying with Graham & Eden to this winter wonderland! First time flying with 2 kiddos alone. Wish me luck!

We are really enjoying this Advent calendar this year. (Recommended by Girltalk).

Love that it has a little book that comes with it and with each window to open, it has a short story & activity that is perfect for young ones.

Do not let anything steal your joy this Christmas season!

 

An extra special 4th of July

I am slightly belated in posting.....better late than never, I guess.

Andrew & I started our holiday early (as a late anniversary celebration). On July 3rd we were able to head out for the night, the entire night (!) & next morning. It'd been 18 months since we'd had Eden's "babymoon" it was lovely to have some extra time for just the 2 of us. Ironically Kristin did our babysitting both times. Whatever will we do when she leaves for Liberty this fall?!

We booked a hotel thru priceline and got it for less than 1/2 price - yay! We spent the evening walking, walking and more walking. We love that - reminds us of our trips in NYC & DC where we'd spend 12 hour days walking! We started out in Station Square where our hotel was, walked thru Market Square where we stopped for dinner, and on to the North Shore.

The Ragatta was going on and we caught some of the boat races.

Seeing a Pirates games from the outside

dinner!

our hotel

 beautiful night

As we were taking one more walk in the morning, I suddenly started cracking up. I realized we were wearing the exact same outfit (we're both wearing khahi shorts too). Ironically I had packed for both of us. Oh well, happy birthday America. :)  

and then it was off to the fireworks....

both kids have flags, though Graham couldn't keep his still long enough for a photo. :)

I did break down & buy G a light up sword which he loved.

it was an amazing display (and no, this is not my photo!)

Somebody was a little tired the next day. :)

Celebrating x2

So Sunday is a crazy day for us.... which is why we're celebrating Father's Day on Saturday!

Andrew is juggling a lot right now, but he always makes time for daddy duty. He gladly steps in whenever I need him to and takes over bedtime when I need to be somewhere in an evening.

His kiddos adore him there is no doubt. Both kids squeal when he walks through the door at night. Who doesn't love a welcome committee like that?!

 Happy Father's Day to one of the best dads I know!

I am also very thankful for Papa Hughes who taught by example.

And I'm glad I get to be with my dad in person, this Father's Day week.

Happy day to all the dads in our life!

Now that we've had Mother's Day & Father's Day, Graham keeps asking when are we going to have Boy Day. Apparently he would like to be celebrated as well. =)

*

ALSO on Sunday...................

Happy 7th anniversary to us!

Let's see, 10 hours in the car with 2 littles.....this might not feel like a celebration. :)

BUT my hubby is all over it and booked a little overnight get-a-way for us when we come back.

SO excited as it will be our first trip sans kiddos in over a year and a half. Can't wait!!

Thankful to you, Andrew, for always leading & pointing me to Christ.

I am one blessed girl!