Our Subtle Chaos

Progress!

2012-01-30T16:12:00.000-06:00

Some GREAT adoption news!!!

Soooo…it is official we have Embassy dates which are wait for it wait for it…………..February 24th and 27th! It is estimated that we will be in the DRC or very close to being in the DRC in 6 weeks or so!!!!! YIP YIP YIPPY!!!! Have I told you how amazingly excited we are?!?!

This weekend we prepared a little more for mommy being away and the girls coming home! Some things I am doing to prepare and get organized are:

Generating a master packing list that I update almost daily. I have the majority of the list completed with the exception of a few items I still need to get:

• Matches for mosquito coils
• Carry on bags for each of the girls
• Pick up prescription for malaria medication from pharmacy
• Copy of all adoption documents
• Make shirts for Boys and Girls for homecoming at the airport
• Finish Letters/Cards/Trinkets for kids at home
• Finish financial overview spreadsheet for Dan
• Purchase snack/food items such as: Jerky Nuts, Dried Peanut Butter
• Print coloring pages
• Lingala word reference sheets laminated

Other than that I have several things that I have but still need to pack but for the most part I am almost done! There are several items that I can’t do until the night before/day of like the camera, cell phone, etc.

Some items I would like to point out for other adoptive families that may be traveling to distant countries to pick up their children are:

• Tide to go pouches. I had to order these online but…..it is detergent made for washing clothing in the sink! I imagine this is going to be a life saver for I am brining VERY limited clothing for the three of us! I am planning on bringing home only the bare minimum of clothing and leaving the rest for future travelers/orphanage.

• Hot Pot. Where we are going there is no access to microwaves-hot water through the day. I have been told these come in very handy. I am bringing things that I know the girls will like that are light and can be cooked in such a way with the hot pot; rice, pasta, oatmeal, ramen, dry soup. Our girls typically have hot tea for breakfast and a larger portion of rice and meat for lunch and nothing for dinner. So eating three meals plus I imagine snacks which I am bring (bars, fruit snacks, trail mix, crackers) will be a huge adjustment for them.

• Towels. When we traveled to bring Phoenix home from Ethiopia we stayed in the orphanage’s guest house which we thought was very pleasant especially all things considered. The only thing would be……..the size of towels given to use for showers were SMALL! I hear that it is the same way in the DRC so I am planning on bringing two bath towels and leaving them behind for future travelers.

• Zip lock baggies of all sizes. We used these to put liquid items in on our trip to ET and I am doing the same thing for the DRC. I had a lotion pop open on the way to ET but since it was in a baggie nothing else got ruined from it.

• Chap stick. I know I know but not only for your lips but things like your cheeks etc comes in very handy!

• Travel games. With Phoenix we didn’t have to worry about entertainment on the flight or the stay over in ET. With the girls it is something I am kind of nervous about. I found some GREAT deals on Black Friday which included a travel sized Hungry Hippo game and travel size Light Bright! I imagine and hope they will love them! Some other activities that I got to do are: beach balls, balloons, flash cards, string and beads to make jewelry, coloring pages, white boards with white board crayons, paper dolls, bubbles, stickers

• Laminated word reference sheets. The girls speak Lingala which is really nothing close to French like we initially thought….surprise! So I have made a reference of about 100 words or so with the Lingaga word, English word, and photo where I could. For example brother – leki – photos of the boys

• Letters/Cards/Presents for kids at home. If you are anything like me and leaving you children at home for an extended period of time your heart breaks a little! Although I am obviously SOOOO excited as to why I am leaving them and I am confident they will be ok I still want them to have something from me each day so they know that I am thinking of them, miss them, etc. So…..I have made a card for each day I will be gone-I estimated I will be in country for 7 days then 2 days to travel so 9 total cards. Each one goes with their little trinket for the day. For example there is a pirate card and they have a pirate lollipop, there is a train card and they have a train pez dispense etc. Then I made a package for them to open the day before we get home and the day of homecoming. The day before has the poster board, treasure hunt for the markers, animal stickers, letter sticker, stencils for the boys to make signs to bring to the airport along with wands for them to decorate for their sisters. The day of package will include shirts for the boys that I am going to make that say their name on them with a saying about adoption and family along with hopefully a photo or something of Iowa to ET and the DRC both. The girls will have the same shirt as well! I am also going to leave them each a little gift card for them to go to our local floral shop and pick out some balloons/flowers for the girls as well. I just want to make sure they feel included as well! I know maybe a little overboard but hey what do you do when you are preparing to have 5 kiddos 5 and under?!?!

• Financial information spreadsheet. In our house I do our finances. Daniel has his account and I have my account which our payrolls get deposited in separately. We each have our own designated bills that we are responsible for but…..Daniel has me use online banking to transfer the funds from his account to my account and from there I use bill pay/auto payment to make all the payments for our family. About half I do like this and about half are auto debited from my account when they are due. Well….due to this Daniel would have no clue where to begin if something were to happen to me. I have prepared and am almost completed with a spreadsheet that has every.single.item.possible that I can think of that he would need to know! I have included

Description on bill – owner – contact name and number – website – user name – password – account number – balance – amount due – frequency due – due date – billing method – account taken out of

I have included items such as: life insurance, All State supplemental insurance, Passport and Drivers License information, US Embassy in DRC information, contacts for the girls in the DRC, Tax information including what we are waiting for

• As far as packing everything into one check piece 50 pounds or under………..wwwwwhhhhaatttt? My best advice is be MINIMAL! Only take what you have to because you will be home in a matter of days and you can always purchase something from the market if need be! To save weight and room in our suitcase I am planning on using the shampoo/conditioner that I brought for the girls although it is African hair care products. I am also going to be using kids toothpaste, no flat iron etc. I remember going to ET and I was amazed by some of the things that people brought/thought they needed……hmmmm reality check? No offence to anyone here just my point of view-not saying I am right or wrong by any means!

Also as far as luggage I am using totes! They have more room and weigh much less than luggage! They fit the requires size as well! I am planning on paying the $50 extra for a 2nd piece of check luggage to put donations in as well.

More to come! Please keep the girls in your thoughts and prayers. It has been almost an entire year since we accepted their referral! Please pray specifically that our packet that needs to be assembled and sent to the DRC has all the required and correct information and gets there in time to make our Embassy drop off on the 24th---it will be close!

Words to live by

2012-01-28T08:27:00.000-06:00

Some of my favorite words to live by!

I want to put this in the upstairs hall between the kids rooms!

And these...words to live by

2012-01-27T07:04:00.000-06:00

The boys are prepared for Valentines Day! 2012 I am trying to be more 'on the ball' with holiday's and birthdays but that may be a little harder for me being I don't get reminded of those from the general public!

The boys made valentines to send, hugs, and personalized magnets! They LOVE them some craft time!

The boys got to 'help' daddy outside the other day-----don't they look so cute! Daniel said Phoenix LOVED it-Parker did well-Boston was not for it one little bit!

Polaroid Magnets---I love the ideas we get from Pinterest!

Playing with daddy is always fun!

2012-01-22T20:27:00.000-06:00

As I sit here and watch the boys work together to put together a puzzle and race cars on their tracks I can't help but think of how much has changed and how much is going to change. Although....three children three and under takes quite a bit of organization and patience - we are so blessed! I can only imagine how things are going to be once we get the girls here! The boys seem so excited to have their sisters home! They have helped get so many things ready - I can not wait to see them all together.

Growing up my father used to tell me 'you will never know until you have children of your own'. Oh how true he was. Now today, three years to the day, after his passing I would do anything to have him tell me advice about parenting.

I still with all my heart believe that all three boys are here because of him. The miracles that happened right after his passing couldn't be by chance. I think of him every.single.day and I know that will always be. I look at each of the kids and see him through them in so many different ways. I still have his cell phone number programed in my phone, his program from his services hung on our fridge.

Days have turned into weeks and weeks into months and months into years and it still hurts as much as it did that day. I strive to keep his spirit alive and will no matter how much time passes.

Until the day we meet again I will cherish what I have here on earth-the blessings that I have been given-and the lessons I am meant to learn. I love and miss you more than words can say dad!

Updates

2012-01-20T06:23:00.000-06:00

First off..........ADOPTION NEWS!!!!

We got a call that our I-600 Approval was issued yesterday! WAAAAAHHHHHHOOOOO!

We still need to get the paper copy to request and Embassy Appointment in the DRC but in the mean time they are making sure the girls have their passports and medicals done. Embassy Appointments are about 6 weeks out - BOOOOO that is way longer than what they have been running :( - then we will wait for the girls visas to be issued then we can travel for the DMG! So all in all it looks like 6-9 weeks until we can travel! Sounds like eternity HOPEFULLY it goes much faster than it sounds!!!

WE LOVE UNCLE B! Whenever we need a sitter he is always just a call away! And...he doesn't let the boys get away with everything BONUS! We are so thankful that the other night when Daniel and I had to work he was around to help out! I don't think the boys left his lap to often :)

This morning I tried to make the kids something different for breakfast that they would be interested in eating!

Sooooo...

Tortilla

Spread with peanut butter

Cut a banana in half

With one half of the banana cut the eyes-place a chocolate chip in the middle of the eyes

With the other half cut length wise in 4 sections and it will remain curved for the mouth

Chocolate chip noses

Flavored marshmallow cheeks

Sprinkles for hair

Lets see what the boys think :)

2012-01-17T05:36:00.049-06:00

Ok I had to take a picture of this because....Phoenix is eating! Rarely happens around here! Honestly! Today was an afternoon of cooking at our house we made:

BBQ shredded chicken on fresh yeast rolls - which is what he is eating and after sandwich #1 he went back for another and.....2 Go Gurts and almost an entire apple!

Sloppy Joes - Tried Betty Crocker recipe with Tomato Sauce- we will see how the kids like it!

Tater Tot Casserole - I use a lot of veggies in mine!

Apple Pie with home made e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g!

Sandwich Pinwheels

Homemade pizza

So......now we have meals for the week including lunches for the boys and dinner!

We had quite the productive weekend! Daniel rearranged the kitchen! It is amazing! We took a lot of our overflow couponing stash downstairs and organized a rack just for food items. Now we have room for canned and boxed goods!

I rearranged the craft room -- for the most part! I still have 1/2 a tote to go through but I am almost there! I also sorted all the boys toys and just need to make labels for them so they can start picking up their goodies at night and nap time!

I went grocery shopping and picked up a bunch of things needed for my trip to get the girls! It is soooo nice to get some of those things checked off of the list! Still A LOT worried about the luggage situation and amount! I don't know how in the world I am going to be able to take everything we need plus the donations that I have packed in 2 totes! Makes me sad because the donations I have packed are literally only half of the donations I purchased couponing! I just don't have enough room especially with only one of us traveling and only a 1 check item per person rule! I hope someone else traveling can take some items when they go! Coming back I am not worried I am only bringing home what I have to!

Speaking of adoption-----there is a family, Amy, that is there right now picking up their sweet 6 year old princess! It is AMAZING to hear how the trip is going and bonding is going, tips, etc!!! I couldn't tell you how valuable it is! I made Daniel promise today that he would e-mail me a picture of the boys every.single.day! I also started getting the boys packages ready for when I am gone! I am attempting to do something special for them each day. I made handmade cards and have gathered little items for them to open each day while I am gone just for something that they know I am still thinking about them and loving them from afar! I will post more on that later!

I also got most of our taxes done! WHHHHAAAT! Yes! I still have a ways to go but---we made it almost through the deductions list for Federal so we have made progress! I still need to check on items like -mortgage interest paid, PMI, interest earned statements because I know we should have them but don't yet soooo....but the brunt of it is finished! Which has lead me into organizing all of our finances ---- companies, account number, payment method, balances, etc. That way if anything should ever god forbid happen to me Daniel wouldn't be in the blue about anything! He thought I was very strange for doing this but........I think it is smart for me to help keep track and him for when I am away!

I also made these shadow boxes for the girls rooms. They are much more antiqued then they look! I still need to antique them some more and put a clear coat on them but.....for the most part I like how they turned out! I again, used my Silhouette machine to make my stencils then painted them! Took the vinyl off and voila!

The symbol on the side means Power of Love in some African Tribes still to this day.

This elephant......this was the first thing I ever received! This was from my father the day I was born! It has been through A LOT! Not only my childhood growing up but also a major house fire! You can see her ear is burnt on the top! I actually still hums a lullaby when you crank it and her head moves slowly from side to side! It....it is something that means so much to me!! I am going to keep it in the girls room on their shelf and hopefully one day it will mean as much to them as well!

Craft Time!

2012-01-13T05:42:00.000-06:00

Well....since I hardly ever post on the blog anymore and the last two posts that I have done have been heart breakers I decided to share some pictures!

We are practicing on Phoenix drawing stick figures. He gets really into it! We also flipped the board over and did the alphabet big and small and he knew every.single.letter he even said most of them before I started writing them!

Parker and Boston enjoyed themselves too! They got REALLY into drawing this time!

I asked all the boys to hold their pictures up in the air so I could take a picture with them and Phoenix wouldn't hold it in front of him, Parker complied with my request, and Boston wanted nothing to do with a picture!

We also made these plaques to hang up stairs. These are another craft I did with my silhouette machine!!! I painted the blocks to begin with then I cut the words out of vinyl then painted around them then put the final letters on and painted around them! Then I peeled them off, sanded and voila! they are more antique in real life than they look in the photos! I love how they turned out and the boys helped! They love to use 'tools' and help trow things away! These are gentle reminders as their parents what we think is important in every day life-help keep us on track :)

Seriously! Look at this thing! Daniel finished the Firetruck for the boys room and I am AMAZED! I don't know how in the world he does it! It is a mix of paint, charcoal, chalk and personalized! He incorporated: est. 2006, Alleman Fire Dept., 1040! There is so much detail in here I need to get some great pictures of it to show it off! I still think he may be missing his calling ;) he is available for hire! ;)

Theo

2012-01-12T12:06:00.001-06:00

http://oh-bla-di.blogspot.com/

Please take a moment to pray for this family and little Theo. Theo was recently adopted from the DRC and shortly after they discovered he was living with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Theo's long battle came to an end last week just seven months after coming home with his forever family. Please take a moment to lift them up in prayer and pray for Theo's warm embrace into Heaven.

Remember to be grateful for all our blessings-big and small! :)

This Breaks My Heart

2012-01-11T11:56:00.001-06:00

How in the world could someone do this!?! The fact that this happened and happened literally 2 blocks away from where I grew up sickens me! There are other options to unwanted pregnancies! The thought that these children were never held and loved and told that they were cherished BREAKS MY HEART! I only hope and pray that their welcome into heaven brings them the love and devotion that they did not receive from this evil person here on earth! There are so many things that I want to say but probably should refrain from saying on here.....I just hope the images of causing these innocent little lives to end are etched in her memory forever!

Huxley Mom Charged with Killing Newborn Twin Daughters - ABC5 WOI-DT News, Weather, Sports in Des Moines, IA

There will be a prayer vidual held for the twins on Sunday in Huxley if anyone else would like to attend!

It's Potty Time

2012-01-10T06:12:00.000-06:00

The little boys had some BIG news for me when I came home the other day! They both pottied on the pottie most of the day!

I can't wait to leave that diaper bag behind!!!

A Charity Project- Chrisco Adoption Travel

2012-01-05T16:06:00.000-06:00

We were able to set up a fundraiser page on A Charity Projects Website. Please visit

A Charity Project- Chrisco Adoption Travel Fund

to check it out!

The total cost of travel is estimated to be $6,000! Our goal is to raise $2,000 (1/3 of the cost) by February 14th 2012 (Piper's 3rd birthday!).

So.........here we go! Please consider donating and if you can't we understand! But.......either way PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD! Please post the link any where and every where you can! Facebook, blog, twitter, e-mail! A daunting task for one but if 200 people donated $10 the goal would be reached!

We sincerely appreciate everyone's love and support along the way! Here is to a wonderful healthy and happy 2012!

Projects around the house

2012-01-04T06:46:00.000-06:00

Well I am excited to say that we are only months away from bringing the girls home! Our USCIS I-600 Packet was sent last Thursday and should be in our caseworkers hands as we speak! Now I know with the Holiday's it is going to be delayed a bit but we are hoping, wishing, praying that we get our approval within the month! Typically they say 75 days.

I am also OVERLY excited because a sweetheart of a gal is going to be picking up their 5 year old daughter hopefully this week!!! She is bringing a video camera as well as flash camera so I am excited to see that and hear about the trip, their daughter etc!

That being said.....we are trying to get projects done around here!

The little boys finishing their Christmas Thank You's Man do they LOVE stickers!!!!

The girls room. Really wasn't going this direction it just kind of spiraled into it. I had all the materials on hand so I thought hmmmm why not right? I think it turned out cute, hopefully the girls think so too!!! We have more progress to make in their room but, all their clothes are put away, beds are up, bedding is out, the Butterfly Garden corner is almost complete. I still want to add a hot air balloon from the ceiling in the corner and we were going to put maybe a overloaded bean bag chair or their doll house or something in this corner----any suggestions?!?!? Then we also have 3-4' shelves we put up in their room that I need to figure out what to put on them----also any suggestions :) I really really want to incorporate Africa in some way!

This is Dan's project for the boys room. I painted these canvases this summer then couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with them! I knew that I wanted some vehicle on them but me draw....nothing but stick figures! So Daniel took it upon himself to complete it! This is just the start folks! I am BLOWN away but what he can do! What he has done thus far is simply amazing!!! So much detail and spot on! He got frustrated with himself and said "I messed up!" I asked him what he meant and he said that he should have moved the front up a little more on the first canvas so he could put a dalmation chasing the fire truck on the last canvas! Now sweetie with how amazing this is I think that is ok!

I 110% think with all my heart he is missing his calling! He is so artistic! When I say he can do everything I mean he can do E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G! With his new position he will be working weekends so hopefully the week days he can let his artistic juices flow and see where that takes him! I could totally see him doing customs as well as custom room's-especially kids rooms and play rooms!

Daniel also go our wall of pictures hung going up the stairs! Although we haven't painted yet-still the original peach from when we moved in-I think it makes it feel homey!

He also got the bookcase for the Entry done as well as refinished a desk for the kids hallway upstairs! Now to figure out what to do with that hallway hmmmm.....

Christmas!

2012-01-01T06:51:00.000-06:00

The boys helped make lots of things this year! Rice Crispy tree's and truffles were their favorite!

On our way to Jolly Holiday lights! The boys LOVED it! Phoenix got a little stir crazy but the twins did WONDERFUL!

Grandma Ranies house Christmas Eve

Christmas morning at our house. Phoenix was the first up and literally sat on my lap on the sofa for nearly and hour and didn't mention that Santa came!!!

Hank wanted to be festive too! He is picking up what santa left behind!

Grammie KK send a snowman kit! ADORABLE!!!!

2011 Family Photo's

2011-12-30T06:57:00.000-06:00

My girlfriend Jenn is a photographer and we just haven't used her enough! So.....this fall we got our family pictures taken! The day we went it was soooo nice out then all the sudden snap freezing! Which in turn made the boy unhappy campers so-our session was a 2 day session!

This was how it was most of the time!

Photo session take 2 at Jenn's studio!

My dad is moving mountains!

2011-12-20T15:32:00.000-06:00

Just the other day I was talking with my Aunt Annette (honestly one of the most sincerely good hearted godly people I could ever know-if only everyone strive to be a little more like her the world would be in a much better state but that is an entire other story!) But we were talking about my dad-her brother-and how there were so many signs when he first passed away that only could be from him and now it seems like there is nothing nodda zich zilch sings from him! We talked in depth about how blissful and pain free he is right now, how he still looks down on us but is in a pure state of euphoria and never could imagine hurt and pain and the longing that we do to have him back. I told my Aunt Annette that I would do absolutely anything to see signs from him once again........well we have gotten a couple of major ones lately!

Our adoption agency informed us that we were waiting for one form to continue onto the next step for the girls one darn form was it! With the elections in the DRC the government was closed for a length of time and we were told not to expect that until mid to late January! Well...........we got an email update today that it indeed was received and off for translation! We were told to expect 1.5-2 weeks then we could submit our I-600! YAHOO!! I was over the moon excited with that! I then get word that our translations are already back and we are now fully ready to file out I-600!!!!!!!! The only hold up is me getting the documents to One World!!!!!!! Hol Hol Holy Cow!!!!! I immediately started crying because honestly when you are dealing with the government especially governments in third world countries time is never an important situation for them! Obviously VERY unlikely to be ahead of time from our experience in international adoption! So that is mountain one.

Now mountain two........My sister whom had troubles conceiving and turned to IVF for their first child Olive, who is now a outgoing 1 1/2 year old, suddenly was pregnant by surprise. Through her pregnancy they muttered the downs word a couple of times which, I have to admit, had me on many pins and needles thorough her pregnancy I cant imagine how she felt! But.................My new NIECE Opal Mae was born yesterday and is VERY VERY VERY healthy and actually already home! THANK THE LORD!

So......dad keep moving those mountains and please keep giving us signs. Christmas was your time and I am ecstatic to know you have helped make our Christmas down here that much better! Although nothing could replace you being here with us I find comfort knowing you are still looking out for us! Love you endlessly!

Happy Birthday Baby Ryan

2011-12-18T20:10:00.002-06:00

Today we will have a new niece or nephew! Please keep my sister and baby Ryan in your thoughts and prayers! Can't wait to hear more news!

Check ups!

2011-12-14T21:20:00.000-06:00

The boys all had their annual check ups and I must say it isn't bad going to the doctor when you only go once in a blue moon! On the way up Daniel and I were talking one of the first times we had to rush Boston to the ER and his monitor had gone 15 times in a matter of 20 minutes! Don't miss those days! Our doctor even said "Can you believe how far they have come!" I am glad to say we are all over that now!!!

At 36 months Phoenix:

29.4 pounds, and that is
at the 26th percentile for weight.

38.5 inches, and that is
at the 76th percentile for height.

So..........we have a tall slender son here! I asked the doctor about him not eating and being so.darn.little! He said not to worry he looks healthy and he is not concerned! Looks like I may be asking Phoenix to get things down from the top shelf! He did have a hearing and eye exam as well. He did well on the eye exam but the hearing they were a tid concerned about his high pitch hearing so that is something we need to watch he said. He also said to work with him on drawing shapes and stick figures with body parts-neither of which we do now so sorry P for not giving you a chance to pass that test! Everything else he was great with! Letters, Numbers, his name, where he lives, he did awesome!

At 24 months Boston:

25.4 pounds, and that is
at the 17th percentile for weight.

33 inches, and that is
at the 13th percentile for height.

your child has a head circumference of 48 inches, and that is
at greater than the 97th percentile for head circumference.

So...although not as much growth as we would like to see he is still growing and following his trend line and hey.....he is on the charts! This is the first time he has ever been on the charts for all three categories! WHOOP WHOOP! He is amazed by Boston's progress!! At his 18 month visit we were a little concerned about speech but not anymore! He said there is absolutely nothing to worry about with either of the twins as of right now they are right on track (I think largely in part from Big brother showing them the ropes!)

At 24 months Parker:

27.8 pounds, and that is
at the 46th percentile for weight.

34 inches, and that is
at the 35th percentile for height.

your child has a head circumference of 49 inches, and that is
at greater than the 97th percentile for head circumference.

Parker did awesome as well!!! He is in the 'normal' range for term babies! He too was amazed by all the things Parker is doing! He said for twins they are rocking it not to mention for preemie twins! Parker does have a series of moles on his leg we need to watch but other than that passed with flying colors!!

Happy Birthday to our 'Little' Boys!

2011-12-13T05:48:00.001-06:00

I can't believe today is the twins' birthday! WOW 2 years already!?!?! Looking through photos of when they were born almost seems impossible that we have made it this far! I will remember that day forever! Never in our wildest imagination could we ever have expected them to join us 2 months early! They have come leaps and bounds and for that I am so thankful!

Boston-you are baby B through and through! You like to sit back and watch everything! You let your other brothers take charge and even pick on you a little but when you have had it you have HAD IT! You let it be known! You are such a snuggle baby! You LOVE to be held still and will scream at the top of your lungs to get the attention then act all sweet when someone finally looks! You have some pretty funny traits-your flirt with your eyes, your dance moves, your ability to pour out that bottom lip of yours! I am so thankful each and every day that God has given you the strength to pass over the HUGE hurdle you had in front of you!

Parker! You are through and through baby A! You are a leader and you are a rigid little boy who definitely protects his brothers! You LOVE balls and are really rather independent! You are trusting of 'strange' people and tend to warm up much faster than the other two boys. You talk quite a bit and remember things that I am amazed at! You are a pro at butt bounces and gymnastics! You are absolutely adorable when you do the Madison scoot and breath like a piggy! We are VERY lucky to have God grant us the opportunity to have you as our son!

We love you both with all our hearts!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY!!!!!

2011-12-01T08:15:00.000-06:00

Notes From a Young American in Congo: The Election

By AMY ERNST

Voters waited to cast their ballots in rural Congo on November 28, 2011.“There is no government in Congo,” Maman Marie Nzoli, director of the local non-profit organization COPERMA, said over a year ago.

“[Joseph] Kabila’s government is a government that doesn’t exist.”

This statement merely expressed a sentiment common among Congolese people. However, the Presidential elections that took place on November 28th showed that voting in a country like the Democratic Republic of Congo isn’t as simple as choosing a candidate who promises progress or change in a desired direction. For many Congolese, the decision comes down to risk assessment.

“People want to vote in a way that won’t escalate into another full scale civil war,” explained psychologist Jean-Paul Syatokaki. “Regardless of whose politics they actually support.”

Many Congolese people desire progress, but a population that has suffered over 6 million deaths in the last decade knows well that change in Congo means devastating risk. In cities like Butembo, where violence has generally diminished in the past few years, avoiding it remains the priority.

“It’s much better than it was before,” explained Paluku Hangie as his reason for supporting Kabila. “I would spend days under my bed because of the shooting. Now you don’t hear any bullets.”

Congo, however, is a vast and extremely diverse country in terms of tribal culture, quality of life, education, and violence. In areas still affected by violence at the hands of governmental and/or rebel forces, Kabila is a symbol of failure.

In Congo, an “agent electoral” showed Maman Marie Nzoli, a local activist, how to vote.“During my life, I can see when there is peace and when there isn’t,” said a young restaurant worker who wished to remain anonymous. “When people are raping and killing old women, that isn’t peace. How can you support the person in charge when that is happening?”

Rural voting also illustrates several other intricacies of instituting democracy in a third world country. Three middle-aged women in a village near Butembo all avidly said they would vote for Mbusa Nyamwisi, one of Kabila’s opponents. The primary campaign mechanism in Congo is the distribution of flyers and business cards with the candidate’s image, name, and candidacy number. Political histories, platforms, and objectives have extremely limited reach.

“Here we have a problem of media,” said Syatokaki. “Campaigns in [the United States] are connected to the media, the television and radio. But here it’s mouth to ear.”

The women, along with many other Nande people, chose to vote for Nyamwisi because he is ethnically a member of their tribe.

No matter whom a voter chooses there are still doubts that election results will be respected. “It’s already arranged,” Syatokaki added. “[The election] is a teatre and the real players are behind the scenes.”

As the elections approached, there was talk of ballots being pre-marked for Kabila, phantom voting centers that would churn out false votes, and even pens distributed by the United Nations Mission in Congo with disappearing ink. Rumors are impossible to distinguish from fact, but many Congolese are fully convinced there are games being played behind the scenes.

Kabila himself showed an overt disinterest in the will of the people by changing the two-part elections to a single round of voting. Kabila’s tagline, Na Raϊs 100% Sure (Presidency 100% Sure) assured victory prior to the vote, and his campaign speech in Butembo, which promised war if the people didn’t vote correctly, was taken by many as threatening.

Yet, despite the threat of war, marginalization by the current regime, and the lack of a unified opposition, the Congolese people turned out in droves to place their votes. At a voting center in Butembo, Maman Marie walked calmly through the various lines looking for her name on the enrollment papers posted outside until somebody informed her the lists had been disregarded.

Many Congolese people are illiterate, thus organization by name had resulted in a massive back-up and near chaos earlier in the day. Once the lists had been discarded however, voters waited patiently in line, there was no visible intimidation, and election agents thoroughly explained voting procedure to each individual who entered the booth. But this was just Nzoli’s voting center: there were, of course, problems with other centers and sporadic violence across the country.

Since many Congolese are illiterate, photographs of the candidates were used for the presidential elections, which took place on November 28. The red dot inside of the rectangle shows the number assigned to each candidate. Either finger prints were to go inside of the white rectangle, or any of the approved hand-written marks to the right of the ballot. Voters had one finger dunked in ink to signify they had already voted and also to allow them to place a finger print if they couldn’t write.When Jean-Marie Sirimwami, a COPERMA employee, went to vote at his center, he was told that he had to travel to another one seven kilometers away in order to place his vote.

A voting location change in the United States would be an annoyance. In Congo it means you’re probably not going to vote.

“I couldn’t afford the transport to go all the way there,” said Sirimwami , who ended up not voting. “How can you call it democracy if the people aren’t able to place their votes?”
The truth about where the D.R. Congo ultimately stands will come with the result announcements scheduled for December 6. That said, the election itself went more smoothly than most predicted. Congolese might be acting out parts in a play they don’t control, but they take their parts seriously. Despite the many obstacles and risks, they weren’t discouraged and actively took part.
“We voted because we’re Congolese and we have a right to vote,” said Maman J., a local school teacher. “It shows that we love our country. It’s a patriotic duty.”
After placing her vote, Maman Marie volunteered to help count and verify the votes. “I want to do my part in making sure the results reflect what the people want,” she said. She and the other volunteers worked through the night and into the morning, with no food or water and only one battery-powered lamp.
There may not be much hope for Congo if we only look to its current leaders to provide it, but hope is endless if we look to the engaged and impassioned people who voted peacefully under such conditions.
Stationed in North Kivu, Congo, for over a year now, Amy works with rape victims and other victims of war through COPERMA, a small non-profit. More of Amy’s stories and photography can be found on her blog.

Thanksgiving Recap

2011-11-27T22:06:00.000-06:00

The boys helped mommy make goodies for Thanksgiving dinner!

We celebrated at the church this year and the kids had a GREAT time! LONG day but GREAT time!

Since it was at the church our Aunt Annette was able to invite more people! We were so excited to see people we hadn't seen for a while!

Ahhh, Mr Pauligi- they are soooooo sweet!!!!! His wife sewed the boys personalized pillows for their baptism! So happy to see them!!

Playing hide n seek!

Avery was so great with the kids!!!! Parker never left her side!

Rosemary and Parker making Turkey magnets! Aunt Annette had EVERYTHING for the kids to do!

I don't know why but I like this picture!

Anything with a hook!

Putting up the Christmas tree! They were SOOOO excited!!! Daddy made them wait until Mommy came home---he is lucky they didn't over turn him!

Hmmm, don't know why these are out of order but.......anyways more Thanksgiving!

Most of the kiddos minus the Polich kids!

Getting ready!

Parker such an angel baby!

Phoenix EXCITED with James!

The elf watching to make sure they be good!

We had Christmas music going and they just danced and danced!

We were getting ready to get our pictures taken and Boston decided he wanted to try to dress himself!

WE HAVE A POOP IN THE POTTY! Way to go Parker! He was sooo excited!!!

Looking at the Sunday ads! They thought it was sooooo cool!

Each of them said what they wanted from Santa and said they would be good little boys for sure!

As far as couponing, I made a couple of BIG trips in the last two weeks!

Overall I got almost $1000 worth of things for $100!!!! It was a little over a 90% discount! I got things like

Razors

Toothbrushes

Fiber Medicine (Phoenix REALLY needs it!)

Therma Care

Advil

Hair Supplies for P which are normally $18/piece

Just to name a few

Bethany, thank you for the thought of what I can do with some of our stash! I am planning on doing that :) Keep the ideas coming!

And.....Daniel and I went to Toy R Us on our Annual Date for our Anniversary and today the new Toys R Us ad came out......almost every.single.thing we got was on sale! So price match here I come and $60 back in our pocket! So watch out for ads and price adjustments they can save you a ton!

Happy Birthday Phoenix!

2011-11-22T07:29:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Phoenix's 3rd birthday Friday! I can't believe that the little man we once welcomed into our hearts when he was only 2 months old is already 3! Daniel and I were looking through older photos this weekend and my goodness our round little happy baby is now a tall thin rambunctious toddler that is closer to entering school than closer to his bottle years!

Phoenix LOVES crafts so we painted!

He also LOVES balloons which grammie KK and grandpa Darell sent!

This was my attempt at decorating the stair way---I was doing it at nearly 2 am so please forgive me!

Opening cards and presents from Missouri!

New camo!

We had a small celebration Saturday with just Uncle B and Grammie after family photos (poor Jenn I am still so sorry that 2 of the 3 were not.quite.happy!) We will have an entire family celebration in December

Mommy got a BIG F for the candles! How could I forget a 3?!?! So......1 + 2 = 3 right---an educational cake!

Santa's elf's are ready for the Holiday season!

Sunday Phoenix got to help daddy plant trees!

Chrisco Happenings!

2011-11-16T13:30:00.000-06:00

I had some vacation time to burn since I stored every.single.day I could thinking, hoping, praying that the girls would be home before year end........well since we are still at a stand still I have to take it or I lose it so......YEAH for vacation BOOO for not having the girls home until mid 2012! That is an entire other post though!

So my mom and I took off Thursday afternoon and headed to IL to see my sister and her family. We came with baggage, lots of it in the form of three little boys! The boys were VERY out of their element while there! I don't have a scantest clue why but they were N.A.U.G.H.T.Y! Right when we got home back to normal, little naughty but mostly oh so irresistibly sweet!

We got a lot of things done while there (Friday-Sunday) wish we would have accomplished more but.....at least the new babe that is on the way has a nursery now! :)

My lil pumpkin Olive! She is sooooooo sweet and getting so big so fast!!! I won't say I blame her for being shy with the boys but.....when she would warm up from time to time it was soooo stinkin cute! Running around screaming, trying to do flips! If it is one thing I want, I want my kids to know their cousins, all of them! So this venture was a great start to hopefully an annual tradition!

Hmmm I don't think Boston moved from there most of the weekend! He has gotten a little demanding especially when it comes to HIS AMA!

A good way to start the morning, I don't think this lasted long though!

Parker

4 silly monkey's jumping on the bed! They just laughed and laughed! Phoenix REALLY likes Uncle Harry!!!!!

Gnome and Juliet-Love that movie!

Shriner's Circus. The first for all the kids! As you will see this is the only photo that turned out partly because I didn't take many photos because Phoenix was no havin it! He was SOOOOO excited to go see the animals and would say with such enthusiasm 'CIRCUS!' but after a sippy throw to a strangers head and a blow to the seat ahead of us, he feel asleep in my arms after rocking him behind the stadium! Poor (people around us mostly) Phoenix, he was so excited! We ended up leaving at intermission which is a GREAT thing because all.3.kids cried the entire 30 minutes home! Yep wonderful trip! Raedena said she could say with 110% certainty that her chance at a third child was vetoed with this trip! Yep it was that bad!

Pretty baby! It is hilarious when she walks around with her purse and stuffs every.single.thing in it and just jabber jabbers to herself!

Well......Olive was really good for the most part but.............she did manage to get some flesh from Boston when he went in fro a hug!

The boys made Thank you pictures for the Ryan's......I have yet to send them though of course!

Last night we got ready for our play date with the Waters!!!! I talked over and over with the boys about nice play, sharing, etc. and they all said when asked 'are you going to be nice' yes mommy so here is to wishful thinking especially after our trip to IL! (side note any toddler mommies have any hints PLEASE let me know!)

My girl friend Jenn, had her second (yes second) set of twins about 6 months ago.....they live literally just 3 miles away and have I seen them???!!!??? NO! HORRIBLE friend! I stopped by a couple of times and just missed them but honestly 6 months!!! Good thing their outfits I got them are for 24 months!

Sooooo......I am on vacation this week so we are having a much over due play date! I am sooo excited and so are the boys!

Finished product and..........I only had 1 the mini one I put in for me! YEAH for self control!!!!

Kids Bathroom Subway Art

2011-11-10T10:31:00.000-06:00

I used my Silhouette machine to make this sign and I LOVE how it turned out! I just simply designed the layout and cut the words out of the vinyl. Instead of peeling of the negative space on the vinyl though I left the negative space and took off the letters and painted in their place! Then once dry peeled off the negative space and had Dan sand and varnish it! Vola! LOVE it! Looks country but modern exactly how we roll!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-11-07T06:00:00.002-06:00

Friday November 4th my dad would have been 61. Hard to believe that nearly three years have gone by and even harder to believe that he wasn't here to share his 61st birthday with us! Endless things have been running through my mind, although I used to be in love with fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, since my fathers death I have lost the lust for the season. Although we do have children and we do celebrate things are different. September brings my parents anniversary, Halloween just means we are that much closer to another one of my fathers birthdays without him, Thanksgiving was always spent as a family together, the 25th is Daniel's and I's anniversary which make me remember some of the most special moments I had with my father, then there is all three boys' birthdays that he never got to see, then Christmas-his holiday! So although I look forward to seeing family and spending time together around the tree, I can't help but miss him even more.

My mom is getting ready to sell her house, the house I grew up in. Mom, I know you are reading this and YES I think it is the right choice, that being said doesn't make it any easier. I am sooo proud of her though, she has made so much progress going through 25 years of things, their things, his things. I can not imagine the pain she feels from it. This weekend I ran errands with P and P and Daniel and B went to Huxley to help my mom, Brian, and Kenny wrap up some odds and ends. Daniel said it was heart wrenching going through my fathers garage and tools. When I got home Daniel met me at the door and just hugged me and told me that he wanted me to do something. He walked me inside and there sat all 50 some of my photo albums that my father took of us when we were growing up. My mom needed us to take them, of all weekends, yes mom I understand, but.....I was already emotional enough this was just the icing on the cake. Daniel said he wanted me to look through the albums, remember him, show the kids their Grampie Rick. I sat on the sofa with the boys and just cried and cried. The boys all just looked at me and each took turns giving me a hug and kiss, then Phoenix rubbed my back and said 'You ok mommy?'. I don't want the boys to just know of their grampie when I am sad, I want them to know how incredible of a person he was. I want them to say remember when you and grampie did this when you were little mom. I know it is hard to get someone to love another that they will never even meet, I just hope it happens in time.

After the boys went to bed Daniel and I were sitting on the couch and he just said 'I know if he held on it would be different now'. I do too, if only he could have held on for a few more days things would have been different. thumbing through some of the albums we just laughed because we found several photos of me when I was a kid playing with several of the toys that my parents kept for our kids! My dad was a keeper of anything he could touch!

I was going through my e-mail just now, I am horrible at doing so anymore, and saw that I still have the e-mail my sister sent me right after he passed away. It was a recording of the voicemail that my dad had left her husband. I used to listen to it daily just to hear his voice and as I played it again I could feel him all around me once again. I just want to feel his hug and hear his laugh. I would do anything to have him back.

Although he isn't here with us for his 61st birthday, I hope you enjoyed your special day dad. We love and miss you more than we could ever begin to say!

overload of pictures! Post 1 of 4

2011-11-04T08:34:00.000-05:00

The Ryans were back for a wedding and we went to the pumpkin patch again for our annual visit!

lil Olive soooooooooo stinkin cute! We think she has corn allergies----not good for a farmers daughter!

YEAH a family picture!!!! This isn't to bad for 4 tierd kiddos!

There are SEVERAL more photos that should have been uploaded to this post I have no clue where they went!?!? Darn technology and old home computer anyways!

overload of pictures! Post 2 of 4

2011-11-04T08:31:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe Halloween has come and gone goodness! Last Friday we went to Night Eyes at the Zoo. We had been before but always during the day! Although it was neat to go at night we will probably stick to the day! The boys had fun though and that is all that matters! Phoenix LOVED his Monkey costume and would wiggle his little tush when you said what does a Monkey do! SOOOO cute!

Boston was just concerned about the candy!

We attempted to decorate and frost fall cookies but the boys like to eat the plain frosting instead! Sorry to all those who we were going to give the cookies to!

GNOMEO! The boys LOVE Gnomeo and Juliet! Arent they the cutest little things EVER!

overload of pictures! Post 3 of 4

2011-11-04T08:28:00.000-05:00

This little fella visited us one day in the afternoon!

Ahh campfire I miss you already!

Parker was such a BIG helper when we cleaned up the leaves! Honestly trip after trip loading and unloading! He is a little helper!

Painting our pumpkins and pinecones! When we were done we had them all on the table-Bella pulled one down and chewed the crap out of it! She may be small but she is mighty!

While Parker was working and Phoenix was pouting Boston was looking for Grandma!

overload of pictures! Post 4 of 4

2011-11-04T08:18:00.000-05:00

Playing outside! Wish it stayed like this all winter!

A while back we painted cards with sweetened condensed milk and food coloring! AMAZING solution EASY to clean up and does not stain a bit!

George liked this option as well!

Our friends from Wisconsin came for a visit! I think we are going to have an arranged marriage in our future! Love and miss you Patti and Christina!!!!

Camp fire! We loved the fire pit this fall!

We decorated pumpkins for the front porch! The boys LOVE the kitty!

We tried to make string balls for the girls room----------DID NOT WORK!

We had movie time with chips instead of popcorn! Only lasted about 10 minutes but was sure cute for that 10 minutes!

Gramie SueSue and Grandpa Leland came for a visit!!!!!

We went to the apple orchard! They had a blast although it was a little chilly!

Boston was reserved most of the time as always but he warmed up as the day went on! All he wanted to do is be held! Poor bumkin!

Money Monday is Back!

2011-10-10T09:42:00.000-05:00

Sort of! I can't promise that it will be back every Monday but it is today!!!

Daniel and the boys have been working HARD arranging the basement so all of our stash can fit comfortable which in turn enables us to see what we have on hand! Daniel is a master organizer-I will admit it he BLOWS me out of the water and I would consider myself organized (with most things) I am pretty sure the technique he uses is called K something or other! Whatever it is he is good at it!!!

This weekend I went to Wags at midnight to stock up on:

Covergirl Cosmetics

Toilet Paper-Charmin

Razors

Cough Drops

Mouth Wash

I haven't been taking pictures but here is how it broke down:

Transaction's for Charmin - purchased 2 - 12 packs TP at 2/$10 - (2) $1/1 Wags Book - (2) $.75/1 coupon = $6.50 for 24 Rolls - $3.00 RR received on next purchase ! Whoop Whoop I stocked up!

Covergirl Cosmetics - I had 7 - $8 off 2 items so:

Transaction 1 - purchased 4 eye shadows at $3.64 each = +$5.88 profit!

(Wags does not pay you out but....I put a Wags razor and Halls cough drops both of which are RR this week to even out to everything FREE on that transaction plus $4 in RR to use next time!!)

Transaction 2 - purchased 4 foundations/powers at $8.99 each = $10.98 - $4RR - $3 RR From TP= $3.98 for all 4!!

Transaction 3 - purchased 6 mascaras at $7.99 each = $7.98 for all 6

The Listerine mouth wash was a good deal and.....................it kept spiting out catlina coupons that I wasn't expecting like $2/1 or $1/1!!!! I told my favorite cashier Ashley that I loved it when the catalina couponer goes off in the middle of a transaction it is like Christmas and you never know what you are going to get!!!

Soooo all in all this week was a good week although there wasn't much free stuff! Ashley informed me though that in about a month there will be an overwhelming amount of free stuff!! I cant wait!!!!!!!!

A couple of people have asked about our 'stash' so here are a couple of photos....now they aren't the best! The isles are narrow so it is hard to get in but.....they are organized as I will get out!

The start of the 'stash'!

All home decor/candles/etc are located here

And the fun begins!

School/Craft supplies

There is an entire row of barbie and toy story pens that I am taking to the DRC for the kiddie bags!

Detergents. soaps, and lysol! Last weekend I hit the jackpot! Tide was on the clearance end cap for $2 down from $11 and.......I had $2 off coupons! Whoop Whoop!

These are all new toys/games that I have snagged great deals on! For example the elephant game was on clearance for $6 and I had a $5 coupon! Can't beat $1 for a game right?!?! Again I am going to take several non battery games to the DRC when I go! So excited to teach them how to play Candy Land and Shutes and Ladders!

Oral care

Shaving supplies and eye care

Deodorant

Soaps and Sanitizers- I am planning on taking several sanitizers to the DRC

Hair and make up

Girl supplies again I am taking several of these to the DRC!

Medicine! Everything you see in the picture was FREE! Yes FREE!

Halls cough drops, Coldcam, Cipacol, and Bengay!

Who doesn't need tissues all the time?!?!

Lotions and body wash

I hit the JACKPOT on children's advil!! Totally!!!!! I got a B1G1 1/2 off, then $4 off any Advil item in the Wags ad, then $2 off any children Advil in the baby book, then $2 any Advil coupons! So............they ended up costing $1.25 each!!! So.....I stocked up and I am planning on bringing over several to the DRC and donating several to the church here in town and my sister :)

Glass bottles-Again hit the jackpot on these! They were on the clearance end cap at Wags one day and I stocked up! All of these are going to the DRC when I go!

Typically we keep all the food items upstairs but.....we have run out of room and......the boys LOVE to get in the drawers and get things they aren't supposed to have so....the unopened non perishable items will now be housed with our stash!!!

I didn't take a photo of our TP stash I dont know why! That is what I am most proud of!!!! Either way we have almost an entire shelf devoted to TP! Wahoo

Catching up is hard to do!

2011-09-27T11:39:00.000-05:00

Well.........I have been MIA for quite some time now!

I am attempting to get things check check checked off of our endless list of things to do which in turn leads to little to no time for blogging!

Things in our world are going well! The boys are cute as ever and so.much.fun (when they are not whinging, biting, hitting........kidding :) )They all three have such personalities anymore! It is hard to believe in less and 3 months we will have a 3 year old and two 2 year olds-----where did time go?!?!

The girls..........oh our sweet beautiful girls how I WISH I had great news to share there is nothing....not a thing :( As I write that I get a sick feeling in my tummy and lump in my throat. Our case went BACK into cour two months ago--------yes TWO months ago and we have heard not a single word!!! My heart aches to hold them in my arms and tell them how loved they are! I know and understand that God indeed does have perfect timing but the constant lack of progress and updates is simply nerve wracking to put it mildly.

The house is coming along----I STILL an attempting to finish the 2nd level hopefully I can this weekend! Just a hint the girls room is going to be pretty purple floral! Dan is in the process of painting a desk for their room and I still need to paint their mirror and make a bow/pretties organizer. We also still need to get bunk beds!

The boys room is going to be 'Oh the places you will go' (train, planes, automobile) vintage style! I started doing their trains and I didn't like them so.......starting on a new idea :) Dan is also going to build the boys bunk beds on the wall (4 beds total ) that I can not wait to see! This may be in time though because.......little rascals I don't trust them to stay in their beds all night yet!

Couponing----is going GREAT! Our stockpile is piled high for sure! Daniel (my sweet husby) is actually organizing everything in the basement including the stockpile! He is doing an awesome job! Which leads to me ask-----does anyone know of some good charities that needs items like:

Children's Medicine
School Supplies

Hygiene products (oral, hair, feminine, etc)

Blankets

Hair Accessories

Children's Clothing

Plus much more!

I obviously am going to bring some to the DRC when I go but A. I NEED to get a missions airfare to carry more luggage B. even if I do I have WAY more than I would be able to bring! There is a clothing pantry here that I am planning on bringing supplies to but I have much more than they can take as well! My one requirement is.........they people in need DO NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ITEMS (ex. Goodwill, Salvation Army even though it is lower priced items there people still have to pay for them!)

Please let me know if there are some organizations that could use these items!

Last Sunday we did the Out of the Darkness walk to help raise awareness and prevent suicide. Anticipation of the day was horrifying but I am glad that we did it. It will be three years since my father died by suicide this winter so it was time. We got shirts made (pictures below) that I love and I think my dad would have loved too! The organization and the sponsors truly did a great job with the event! Although I am glad that we did it I don't think my dad was. In one of his letters to Keith and Daniel (his son in laws) he said if they didn't take care of us don't be to sure the next time it was raining he wasn't peeing on them from heaven! Kind of like the day that we went to the State Fair (the first time in nearly 5 years which my dad LOVED was there before anyone else and stayed until they kicked him out!) it rained, the walk for him-it rained. I may be silly to think that these are signs from him still but it helps me get through the pain of missing him so much!

The boys helped daddy bring scrap wood to the fire pit! He said they loaded, pulled, and unloaded the wagon! What good little workers!

We had a bonfire a couple of weekends ago (as well as one this past Saturday with Gramie Lulu!) an the kids LOVED it! It is so much fun and nice to do!

Daniel was teaching the kiddos how to play leap frog! They didn't do much leaping just laughing and let daddy do the work!

The 'Why We Walk Board' it was heart breaking to see pictures of ones that we have all lost to suicide. The people here know our pain and know that even years later things aren't better-things never will be better. The trama that one experiences when they have a loss of a loved one to suicide is compared to that of PTSD that soldiers experience. I still cry myself to sleep almost every night. I don't think my father could have fathomed how much he is loved and missed!

Mom writing dad's name with the New York Yankess NY---this part was hard to see, made it even more of a reality seeing his name written right infront of us :(

Connie, Mom, Aunt Rosemary, Mandy, Brian, Dani
Team Yank 2011

Love and miss you dad more than words could ever begin to say!

Garage Sale take 2!

2011-09-13T12:05:00.000-05:00

With the Iowa vs. Iowa State game being last Saturday we didn't have much traffic at the sale.....but we still made $303! I was blown away because there was literally maybe 6 purchases! YEAH! So we are doing a Garage Sale take 2! Honestly there is a TON of kids items! BOXES full! If you know anyone that has or is going to have boys they need to come to the sale! There is also endless decor items, home repair items, etc really something for everyone!!!

So Saturday September 17th! Make sure to pass the word on please :)

Blessings to all

FYI-We STILL

are still waiting on our revised court doc's that were supposed to be back VERY SOON (like 3 frackity weeks ago) I am going NUTS that there is NO.NEWS.AT.ALL! Literally no news! I have contacted our agency nothing they know n.o.t.h.i.n.g!

AND..........THEY ARE BACK!

2011-09-09T03:32:00.000-05:00

To say I was excited to have the boys back is an understatement!!! I MISSED THEM!!!! My sweet yet sometimes feisty babes filled our house with so their sweet giggles that I was craving by the end of the week! Their oh so sweet 'mama' was something I couldn't wait to hear!

So the blissful sweet embrace that I was so hoping for was nothing like I imagined....the oh so sweet 'mama' was to the way side by scared cries.....yes scared cries! Which...in turn lead to mommy broken heart cries! The boys got home about 8 pm last Friday the dogs obviously greeted them which didn't start the embrace off on the right foot from the get go. Sleepy, scared babies that just wanted their 'dada' was what the rest of the evening amounted to! Rest assured Saturday all things were back to normal-THANK GOODNESS!

All 4 boys had a great time in Missouri! Obviousley-they didn't want to come back right!

Parker before they left getting ready to help on the farm!

Going to see the cows---they were SOOOO excited to see cows! All they could talk about before the trip was 'cows-feed cows-where cows'

Grandma Sue Sue with the boys---Boston already had her number by now!

I love this picture! Grampie and P talking about life and the moo cows they both adore!

Going to the park with cousin John added to the mix! Rolla has this REALLY neat park that I hear the kids L.O.V.E.D!

John and P-aren't they so cute!?!

John and P watching cartoons!

If you make the picture bigger you can see Daniel back in his prime ---he is in the black frame

They LOVED their pools!

A group shot!

This was taken at the Springs---AMAZING place simply beautiful!

Phoenix loves to try to be a 'big' boy all the sudden!

I have been here before but I forget what it is called. It is a HUGE hill to climb to get up there especially with 3 kids in tow!

The boys LOVED the kitty cats a little too much! They wouldn't even let them close enough to touch them because they would just RUN after them every chance they got!

I am so glad - Daniel got to go floating one day and he said he was the only person on the river! He got to experience nature at its finest----isn't this so cute! Look at the little babe!

Time to go to Gramie KK's!

They enjoyed the ponds and throwing rocks!

Pool time! YEAH!!!

Yep-----Bossy is no dumby he knows 'up' all to well!

Labor day weekend the twins were TIRED so we put them down and headed outside to do smores with P. He didn't dig the roasted mallows but sure did love the plain ones! We also did......sprinklers! Dan was very hesitant. He once started a prairie on fire----a tree at our farm house----the ditch in front of our house.......need I say more? Dan and fire should NOT mix! P could probably teach his dad a thing or two about it!

Then Monday we went to the parade. The boys did SOOOO good!!

If you can see the bumps on Parkers head---yes you are seeing that right! On the way home from MO he got attacked by bugs and his skin doesn't take lightly to them at all! This is more than a week later-think of what they looked like when he first got them-Poor babe! He would say 'owie itch-medicine' Such a good boy!

Grammie Lulu with the twins

Phoenix was so cute before the parade he was just loving on daddy! It was so sweet!

Hmmm....this is the best that it gets!

Yes those are construction muffs! Phoenix's ears are so sensitive he CRIES when loud noises are made and covers his ears! So.....muffs! They work great and let him enjoy the parade instead of torture!

Do you see the dog on the back of the horse? Isn't he adorable!?!?!

Garage Sale this Saturday!!!!

2011-09-08T06:57:00.002-05:00

Spread the Word! Something for everyone!!!

MIA

2011-08-24T12:49:00.000-05:00

If you haven't noticed I have been MIA for a while. For many reasons.

A. I am just busy. Daniel is getting ready to (wipe a tear) take the boys for an ENTIRE week to Missouri! I am so excited that he is able/willing to do this but.....from the moment he said he was going to take them to Missouri I started to panic. I worry-I worry about them driving that far, I worry about Daniel stopping at unknown Rest Stops with three little kids on his own. I don't worry about them when they get down there just the drive to and from! So if you pray please say some extra prayers for safe travels! From the moment he said he was going I have been praying! It will be GREAT for them to go and all Parker and Phoenix can talk about it seems like is feeding the cows! Boston just says Mama KK mama KK. So they are excited! Now---if Kay, Sue, or Ashley is reading this PLEASE make sure Daniel takes pictures so I can live vicariously through them!!!

B. I have been MIA because with the kids leaving I have been trying to keep them up later to spend more time with them! I have been doing 'special' things with them like painting, coloring, puzzles, etc. I am going to MISS THEM!

C. My HUGE To Do list! I am attempting to mark things off multiple to do's at at time! We are getting there! I am almost done organizing the girls clothes and once I am done with that I will start to pain the upstairs (girls room, hallway bathroom, boys room) and decorate. That way it is all done! Some other things on my to do list while all my boys are gone are:

Organize/Clean the basement
Shave dogs and clip nails
Make 2-4 weeks worth of casseroles along with a meal plan for Dan
Start organizing/packing donations for DRC
Organize master closet/drawers/armour and start donation box
Organize craft the new craft wall in the kids play room (SO EXCITED about this but there are literally 20 boxes alone to organize here!)
Move computer, printer, Silhouette Machine, files, etc to new craft wall
Set out decor around the house (kitchen, dining, living, master BR and bath, down stairs bath, playroom/craft room, entry way, kids hallway-bath-and BR) and I say set our decor because I don't dare hand anything for fear it is no to Daniel's standards :)
Maybe try to paint every.single.room in the house again it depends on how my first room goes because it may not be to Daniel's standards :)
Start educational box for kids including flash cards, puzzles, mind games, etc. prepare for the long Iowa winter
Set up play room area in the basement for kids in the winter
Organize kitchen cabinets
DEEP clean especially Master Bath!
Convert all recipes to one organizational system (my goal is to get rid of the 100 cookbooks I have an don't use-take the recipes we do use/would like to use, write them on index cards and file them. Keep the sentimental books thought)
Finish sewing the 175+ blankets so I can sell them at a craft fair
Organize Adoption Garage Sale
Organize bills, receipts, budget, and NPMT list

I am really sure I forgot some items but you get the gist. Everyone is busy but it is my goal-my best attempt to get most-if not all-of these things checked off before my boys come home because.........less to worry about then!

I also have been trying to reconnect with myself. I feel overwhelmed sometimes-a lot of the times, and not with all that I feel I need to do but with guilt for not doing more. I am trying to reassess what is important to me, trying to figure out ways to impact those areas more. Obviously my family is a HUGE priority but what about the children, elderly, and animals that don't have a family? What about that little Lillana that I last posted about whom has literally spend every.single.day. of her life in an orphanage or mental institution just because she has a special need, Downs? She is 11 and weighs 10 pounds and the sad thing is that is 110% common around the wold especially in Europe. And why?!?

I keep think 'If I were to die today would I have been happy with how I lived my life?'

On that note I do know I ALWAYS enjoy pictures of my boys! Hope you do too!!!

I see you mommy!

Daylight Donuts in Ankeny are the BEST donuts! Hands down!

Well...if sissys do not like their shoes the boys sure do! They LOVE their boots and yes it is summer and their feet sweat but they don't care!

Nastics is a huge thing at our house! The boys LOVE doing hand stands and rolls! They all are actually quite good but Parker is a rock star! Watch out Shawn Johnson Parker Chrisco is the next Iowa Gymnastics Olympian!

Butt bounces are a huge thing too! They just WAY up them plop down like they were on a jumpoline! They just laugh and laugh!

Daddy hung their swings....finally.....and the boys LOVE them!!!

I think Phoenix was over it though time to get out!

2011-08-18T21:33:00.000-05:00

PLEASE I beg you go over to http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/08/because-it-is-our-problem.html to help bring this LITTLE girl home! Guess how old she is.......guess! I would have thought 2-3 years old...........SHE IS 11! ELEVEN YEARS OLD AND WEIGHS 10 POUNDS!!!! Simply due to her birth place she will literally starve to death in a crib all alone! YOU CAN HELP! There are some AMAZING giveaways to help bring this little girl home!

Little Lillana NEEDS A FAMILY to step forward to call her their daughter! She has waited and waited and waited and NOW IT IS HER TIME!!! If you believe you can not adopt at this time I beg and pleed please pass this on-please pray-please help bring her home! Please don't turn away Lillana DESERVES a chance!!!

Again the link you need to visit is http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2011/08/because-it-is-our-problem.html

LETS HELP FIND LILLIANA A FAMILY AND BRING HER HOME!!!!!!

Money Monday

2011-08-15T07:05:00.000-05:00

This weekend we brought all.3.kids couponing with us! Which they did great overall but they were REALLY ready to not be shopping when we hit Wags. So........a pit stop at McDonalds and then a quick ride home for naps and I headed back into Wags to finish up. I was so proud of Phoenix when we were walking into Menards I was carrying the twins and I said Phoenix please put your hand in mommy's pocket while we walk in. So he did and sure enough it stayed there until we got inside but once we hit those doors zoom he was off!!! He also managed to get to the top of the play place and then have no clue how to get down so......that meant me climing all the way up amonst tons of kids to get him down! So all in all couponing was an adventure for us yesterday! The twins did really well! They were quiet most of the time-except when they saw balls or balloons then they went nutso!

The numbers this week came up like this:

Wags
Total Spent $25.21 for $394.82 worth of merchandise.

Menards
Total Spent $0.00 for $240.79 worth of merchandise.

My highlights include-

Wags (total of 2 stores visited since I had to go back after I put the boys down):

20 boxes (they had a TON) of Special K Protein bars regularly priced at almost $5 per box!
8 boxes (they had a TON) of Fish Oils regularly priced at $17 per box ( I actually got paid to purchase this item!)
2 packs Huggies Diapers regularyly priced 2/$20
16 deoderants (Speed Stick/Dove)
6 boxes Pop Tarts regularly $3.50 per box
12 Skintamint Shave Gels
4 bottles of Pert
Plus many other items!!!!

Now there was no shelf clearing on my part! There were actually things out of stock when I went!!! I guess I am going to start going early with my mom....like midnight early. That way when the boys get up all I will have to do is Menards the bulk of the couponing will be done and hopefully they won't already be out of many items!!!

Menards:

Lotion
Reusable bags
misc house cleaning tools (rags, scour pags, etc)
Coffee and pop
Car wipes
Hand Sanitizer

With Menards there is an initial investment. You must purchase merchandise that is on rebate. Then when you receive the rebate credit in the mail to purchase more rebate items with that initial investment. But....they were offering 11% back on all purchases for 2 weeks. Daniel had to get supplies for the house soooooo I turned around and sent that in because the 11% was offered in a form of a rebate! If you have a Menards around I would suggest looking into it! They now have EVERYTHING not just tools and building supplies!!!

So total I spent $25.21 on $635.61 worth of merchandise.

The best thing is.....I am planning on donating a bulk of my stash! I am so excited about that :)

Happy Dance!

2011-08-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited I literally did a Happy Dance!

WE ARE DONE BEING AUDITED OUR REFUND WAS IN OUR ACCOUNT THIS MORNING AT 2.48AM! WHOOP WHOOP!!!!

It even included a little over $100 in interest for our inconvenience! It has taken 5 months but what a happy day!!!

Weigh in Wednesday plus much more!

2011-08-10T06:55:00.000-05:00

Although the end of this week I slipped a little I still managed to lose 7 pounds this week which brings the grand total for weight loss to 10 pounds!

I do REALLY well during the day my typical breakfast consists of a protein bar at 9:00 (first chance I get to eat) then at 1:00 I eat lunch which is either a frozen lean meal with added veggies, soup, yogurt, and fruit. The afternoon I typically have a snack-fruit or carrots. Then dinner---I do well at dinner it is around the 9:00 time at night that I just lose it! I think some of it is that I am tired. I have been staying up way past my typical night time to arrange the kitchen (it has so much more storage I will post later about that :) ), arrange coupons, make store runs, etc. They say when you are tired you tend to eat more and eat the wrong things I.BELIEVE.IT!

I also started jogging this week with the kids. It is actually bearable out! It is nice to get them in the stroller again and go! Now-I don't got a LONG ways but you have to start somewhere!

And the reasons why I want to get healthy are plentiful around here! These 3 have more energy in their fingers than I ever will in my entire body :)

They love this rusty old wagon we got from a garage sale! Phoenix was 'working' with daddy!

Parker weighs almost more than Phoenix does alone he had to work hard to get them around the yard!

Daniel is doing VERY well with daddy daycare! I am so proud of him! He accomplishes so much during the day I don't know how he does it! Last week they took down the dog kennel from the previous owners that was in the back yard. He said the boys had their play hammers, screw drivers, wrenches 'helping' daddy! Then it was time to spread the grass seed!

Probably not a good idea to eat it Bossy!

Phoenix found a new pillow after all the hard work Thomas was needed! Bella must have been tired also to let him lay on her like that for a long period of time!

Also....Bethany-Everything in the banking world is Monies vs. Moneys. I am not sure the truthful reason of this but yes - when it comes to banking it is Monies which is the only reason why I use it in my personal life as well:)

Money Monday and Some Adoption News!!!

2011-08-08T10:54:00.000-05:00

First off GREAT news!!!!!! We PASSED COURT!!! We are officially Ruby and Pipers parents!!! Now we still have a LONG ways to go and need lots of prayers to get them home safe before the new year!!! So lets get to praying :)

I did a trip to Wags on Friday night and one today along with Menards and Target. I tallied my receipts since I started this a little over a month ago and I am amazed!!! Shocked really!!! I have purchased nearly $1500 worth of merchandise for $200!!! WHOOP WHOOP!!! That is basically just Wags items I didn't include Staples, Menards, or Target (which those places I typically get free or next to nothing!) I am very proud to be providing for our family this way and...........to be providing for the kids at the orphanage when we travel! I have gotten plenty of goodies for them to call their own!

Daniel and I also made a trip to ReStore (the Habitat for Humanity store where all proceeds benefit the HFH!!!) We purchased more cabinets that are virtually like new for the Kitchen (we NEED more storage!) and we purchase literally brand new cabinets for the living room for a craft oasis, kids bath to make a counter top out of them, and the entry way to make a bench (they are cabinets that we will be using for these projects I can't wait to post the progress on them!) Seriously we got them CHEAP like I bought several cabinet doors that were all wood to paint and put expressions on around the house for $1-$2!!! If you have a HFH store in your area I would say go there for treasures!!!

I am working on one of the boards for the entry way. I will post pictures of that once I have it completed! I can't wait to use my Shilouette on it :) I will also post pictures of the new to us cabinets in the kitchen once Dan gets going on those! I picked up tinted paint today also for some projects so we can start working on painting the house! I will post more on that later as well :)

Endless blessings to all!

Happy Birthday Miss Olive!

2011-08-05T03:33:00.002-05:00

My sweet baby Olive turns 1 today!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY baby! Your Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins here in Iowa LOVE and MISS you so much!

Doesn't she look so cute?!?!

We put a cupcake theme party together QUICK! All turned out well though!

The banner I made with the amazing Silhouette machine that I have hardly used! LOVE IT! Worked slick like butter! It cut out EVERYTHING on this banner!
It said Uh O is 1

Note pad and cards that people could write note to O in. Yes these cards were made by the Silhouette as well!

O's dinner spot! The crown turned out cute and she actually wore it!!!

My mom mad a cupcake cake with HOMEMADE frosting YUMMO!!!!

Watermelon beverage server----simply yet cute for a summer party!

The table Daniel re-did! He made this entire table out of scrap lumber! He is going to stain the top this week! We LOVE the table!! LOVE IT!

Kara and O-actually letting someone other than mommy hold her!

Park man couldn't stop long enough to get his face washed!

Bubbles were a H.I.T!

Bossy says what you don't want the wand in your face?

Time to open presents!!!

All the kiddos got sunglasses-they thought they were cool dudes as my dad would say!

Carson was a hit with the boys! I love these pictures!

O saying I'm 1!

Yummy cake! She ate it all :)

I love these pictures of my sister looking down at her! Aren't they beautiful?!?

The family!

The boys post party enjoying their sunglasses!

2011-08-04T14:09:00.000-05:00

We just added several Taggies and Lovies to the Etsy store as well as some Extra Large Blankies! Check it out here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/danichrisco?ref=si_shop
Dont forget about the Tutu's and Headbands as well!!!

Weigh in Wednesday

2011-08-03T04:12:00.001-05:00

Well the first week went so-so. It was a rough first week I wont lie! We had a birthday party-work celebration-and.....lots of ymmo leftovers!

I do like the new Weight Watchers plan though! You can eat as many fruits and veggies as you want! If only I wan't madly in love with carbs and chocolate! Just like I got into this eating everything habit I am going to have to get into the eating healthy again habit!

Total loss for this week is 3 lbs.

Not as much as I would like but hey a loss is a loss and I will take it :)

I have read a lot about the situation in the African Horn. These people are going weeks and months without food and water and I have it too redily available to me! Our dogs literally eat more and drink more than these people do-not to mention better. Hopefully this will impact the results on week two. Eating should not be from habit it should be to live

Here is a post from yesterday about the conditions in Africa

http://danielanddaniellechrisco.blogspot.com/2011/08/drought-in-africa.html

And.....my mom is having surgery this AM-please keep her in your prayers for a speedy recovery :)

Drought in Africa

2011-08-02T21:05:00.000-05:00

The conditions in the horn of Africa right now are getting worse by the day. I beg and plead with you to start praying for the people that are located in the lands effected by this severe drought and famine and plead with you to consider making a donation to one of the many organizations that are on the ground serving these people currently. It is estimated that millions (MILLIONS) of children alone will die from this drought. Please I pray and beg that these innocent children get the fighting chance that they deserve!

Money Monday-late

2011-08-02T07:14:00.000-05:00

This weekend was mixed up hence why I didn't have my money Monday yesterday! I didn't get around to taking a picture of my savings either! When I tell you I got A LOT of stuff that doesn't even begin to explain it!!! Toilet Paper, Pop Tarts, Nutri Grain Bars, Vitamins, Protein Bars-you name it I got it :)

Instead of me listing it all out take a look at these little savers! They LOVE to put monies in their piggies!

adoption update!

2011-07-28T03:43:00.000-05:00

We got this e-mail from our adoption coordinator Tuesday……..I have never been so happy that it was just Tuesday in my life! I called to ask her what this meant because I had no clue and she informed me that there were a dozen cases submitted on the same day-two families have heard and they expect our ruling will be received THIS WEEK yet!!!!!!!! WAHOOO! I had just prayed literally moments before I received the e-mail that God would watch over our family-here and there-and help give us the resources for us to bring these girls home! I about jumped up and down when I heard we should hear this week!

So this is what our projected timeline looks like.
Case in Court (1-2 months)expected SOON
Judgment Received
Certificate of Non Appeal Rec'd (1-30 days after waiting period)
Paperwork Prepared for submission (1 week)
Paperwork Submitted to DFA (1 day)
Paperwork Approved by DFA (approx 4 weeks)
I600 Package filed in US (1 week)
I600 Approval Received (average 6 weeks)
Embassy Appt Requested /Set (3-5 days)
Embassy Appointment (2-4 weeks)
Visa Issued (2-4 weeks)
Paperwork Submitted to DGM (1 day)
DGM Letter Issued - final step (2 weeks)

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that our case is on the short side of this timeframe!!!!

Weigh in Wednesday

2011-07-27T03:22:00.000-05:00

Ok ok I know I know I have said it before 'I am ready to lose weight'. Well I have been ready-like 4 years ago but I keep putting it off - I just expect it to happen! Well I am very proud to say that my mother has lost nearly 50 pounds in less than 6 months! How awesome is that! Now that she is handing down her 'fat' clothes to me-I am ready to get my butt in gear!

Let me set something straight here. I am happy it isn't that. I don't base my self worth on the number that the scale shows - I am just always in pain. My back always hurts, I am always tired, my neck, I literally can pop my hips in and out of place along with my shoulders because I am always that stiff! I am ready to feel 'with it' again. Some of my symptoms have to do with my thyroid not functioning but since the medicine that they prescribed to me was almost $500 per month (that is correct PER MONTH!) I opted to try different avenues.

Today I am weighing in more than I have ever weighed in my life-and yes that includes the day that I gave birth to not a singleton but twins! Tell me that isn't sad! I am considered 'obese' and I am in the 90th percentile for my weight at my height.

So...here is to hopefully a new life transformation starting today!

I will post progress every Wednesday and through the week if I find something is working, tips etc.!

Daddy Daycare

2011-07-26T04:00:00.002-05:00

Our daycare provider was on vacation last week and Daniel had been wanting to see how a schedule change would work so what better time.

Before I was taking the kids to daycare before I went to work and Daniel was picking them up at noon. With the new schedule the boys don't have to go to daycare at all (unless Dan has a day meeting which he does every other week). I know my husband is capable of anything but....this is a lot! He would be working full time at night and watching the kids all.day.long! It doesn't surprise me though that he managed and did well at it! Every single day the kids got to play outside, help daddy around the house, a few days they went on 'field trips', he made homemade lunch and supper every day too! So this will be our new schedule! I take over as soon as I get home from work and he goes to be--he also tried to sleep when they nap but since they have been sharing a room napping isn't always going so well! So he gets anywhere from 4-6 hours of sleep per day. Not to much so I am thankful that A. he wants to do it and B. he is able to do it!

Money Monday

2011-07-25T04:36:00.014-05:00

I made several stops this week to save some major money!!!

This purchase was from Staples Spent $4.09 saved $19.05!

Walgreens spent $5.73 total saved $22.27!

Menards purchase total spent $18.94 (includes 1 gallon of paint and 2 pints of paint!) saved $141.51

Walgreens purchase spent $67.56 total saved $101.45 (this was a purchase of A LOT of items and includes a $40 ink cartaridge and 2 gallons of milk that were not special buys!)

Menards total spent $1.40 total saved $19.90

Grand Totals

Spent $97.72

Saved $181.61

(the saved figure does not include that most of these items are on sale--this is the total of the sale price not the original price which means that even more money was saved!!!!)

These are ALL items that my family uses! I feel very proud to have gotten such AMAZING deals for my family! I think I am getting addicted!

1 Pack of 50 Floss Sticks

12 toothbrushes

4 boxes of kleenexes

1 black ink and 3 colored inks for our printer

2 gallons milk

1 gallon washing detergent

1 pack of snuggle fabric softner

4 multi use tools

1 package of 8 pens

5 lunch boxes

2 back packs

10 packages of 12 rolls of toilet paper

2 chocolate bars

4 deoderants

2 shampoos

5 sets of 8 markers

5 sets of 12 colored pencils

5 sets of 24 crayons

10-3 subject notebooks

10-8 pk of tampons

2 body washes

2-8 packs of scrunches

5 hand sanitizers
1 gallon paint
2 pints of paint

Funday Friday

2011-07-22T04:30:00.010-05:00

Do these not make you smile??? Honestly?!?!

I would like to do this for a day! Every time someone was negative just whip.it.out! How could they not laugh at it really!?!?!

Growing up I had a mini hamster Emma and Ernie-a regular sized hamster (my sisters friend was going to feed him to his snake live but Ernie was to big......so my sister thought hey my tree huging animal lovin sister would probably like a hamster-game.set.match it was love and lead into many!)

This little party animal reminds me of Emma my mini hamster!

2011-07-21T13:06:00.000-05:00

Please check out How Great is our God

These pictures are of the same little girl. Teri Lyn. The bottom picture is of Teri Lyn pre mental institution. The top one is just two weeks after beng transfered to the mental institution.....simply because sweet Teri Lyn has downs. Teri Lyn is searching for her forever family!

PLEASE PRAY FOR TERI LYN!

If you have any interest and/or heart for adoption please consider this sweet cheeked baby girl! Her fate is sealed without a family to come forward and give her a chance!!!

This is from How Great is our God

A Princess in Need of Rescuing...

There is a little girl who reminds me of my Charlotte, and my niece Selah. She is 5 1/2. Her name is Terri Lynn and she is one of the many children with Down Syndrome on Reece's Rainbow. Last December when she turned 5, no one threw her a party, or gave her any presents. No one sang her a song or baked a cake.

In her country, children with Down Syndrome are kept in a Baby House until they turn 5. Then they are taken on a car ride- for most, the only one they will ever have- to one of the many Mental Asylums in the country. Here they will have their heads shaved and be assigned a crib that they will never leave. Some will have their wrists and ankles tied to the bars. They will not be changed, or taken to the bathroom, or played with, or given toys, or fed anything but porridge in a bottle. They will be drugged day and night with adult tranquilzers so they dont bother the "caretakers" with their crying or whining or asking to be held.

Research shows that about 95% of children with Down Syndrome die of starvation, neglect,or abuse within the first year in the Asylums.

After just a few weeks, she is not the same little girl. Her beautiful hair, her pink cheeks, that curious look in her eyes, is all gone.

No one cares that she wears boy clothes, or clothes that fit. No one cares how those bruises on her face got there, or what or who caused them.

But we should care. We know she is a child of the Most High God. We know that a child with Down Syndrome has so much more potential than what her current environment has in store for her.

There are many families trying to raise money for Teri Lynn. There are no prizes to offer, just the knowledge that by donating you are helping rescue this little princess from certain death.
Some matching grants have been offered at No Greater Joy Mom and the total is climbing.

Terri Lynn doesn't have a family yet.

Most times families who consider adoption end up not going through with it because the cost seems too great.
But, as we are singing in VBS this week, Our God is so BIG!
Soon, I just know it, her Mommy is going to see her picture and know this is the little girl she has been praying for. And she won't have to worry about how on earth she will get the money because it will already be there.
God doesnt need our help, or our money, but what a blessing it is that He gives us the chance to be a part of something like this. That He opens our eyes to see beyond our little comfortable bubbles and gives us the opportunity to do more than just talk about being the hands and feet of Jesus.

_____________
If you are not able to adopt at this time please consider making a tax deductible donation to help Teri Lyn's future family bring her home at Reeces Rainbow

Couple of quick notes !

2011-07-21T03:29:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to say a HUGE congrats to Ryan and Becky they just got word that they have indeed passed court and now are the parents of another darling daughter and an amazingly handsome son!!!

ENDLESS CONGRATS!

Becky has been a sounding board for me through this process. I admire her-she is so level headed and calm! When I am crying she is sane! I appreciate that more than I could say!

And....quick prayer request. remember James ? His celebration of life was held yesterday. Please pray that God welcomes him into the heavens with open arms and please please pray for this family. As his father said - their to do list is now over and the preoccupied tasks have now ended. My heart aches for them and James! They have set up a fund to help aid in the research of rhabdoid tumors (literally just starting to research them in the last 10 years! much research is needed so kids can get the help that they need when they are diagnosed with them!!!) If you would like to donate to this cause in James' name please visit Communities Foundation of Texas (all donations are tax deductible as well!) This little boy was such a worrier and I have hope and faith that his spirit and voyage will help pave the way for little ones that are diagnosed in the future!

Updates and prayers!

2011-07-19T11:26:00.000-05:00

The Boys had their 18 month check up last Friday and I am happy to say that the doctor assured us things were looking WONDERFUL! Dr Pachens was pleasantly pleased with their progress, which was great to hear!

Parker is in the 25% for height and weight and his head is in the 50%!

Height 32 ½”

Weight 25.5 lbs

Head 49 CM

Boston—little buddy! He is not on the charts still but he is making progress! His head is in the 50%.

Height 31”

Weight 23.9 lbs

Head 48 CM

The doctor assured us that their constant falls are due to their heads developing faster than their bodies! He said it happens with nearly all preemies!

Parker hardly cried at all! I was so proud of him honestly I was amazed at him being such a ‘big boy’ for us! Boston on the other hand….he just cringes when he sees his nurses and doctors! I cannot say I blame him though being in the hospital for the first five months of your life and nearly passing away will do that to you I guess.

I am so thankful the boys have made so much progress! We were talking with Dr Pachens about the first few months of their lives---would I have ever of guessed that we would have come this far this soon?!? No not at all! Our little preemies are little warriors and I am so thankful for that! Now if I can only rid them of my temper :)

Phoenix has become a very good big brother! He always wants to help. If one of them says baba Phoenix is right at the fridge getting their sippy out and handing it to them! His new favorite food for the summer is watermelon and it is so gosh darn cute to hear him say it!

The girls----oh the girls the girls the girls! We got one photo of them two weeks ago and that is it. We are STILL waiting to hear any court news! We are going on 3 months now! I talked to our agency today and we were informed that the translator was on Holiday for 3 weeks so everything is back logged. She thought we should hear any day now though. I know that it is out of our control but to be honest I don’t want to hear it should be any day now all I want to hear is CONGRATS you passed it is time to file your I-6oo! Everything is just getting longer and longer to process we initially thought the girls would be HOME in four months from being sent into court! Now it looks like it will take a miracle to have them home by December 31st!

So today I have been praying-I understand this is all in God’s time but---I praying for him to guide us and the people involved in our adoption along swiftly and in a timely manner. I am praying that the process becomes more efficient and that our case will move along with no issues. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers! Let’s get these girlies home!! Much appreciated!

Money Monday!

2011-07-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

My mom is a great couponer! My dad was too! Knowing that we will hopefully soon be a family of 7 I have started to look at ways to cut our house operating expenses (food, paper products, entertainment). What better resource than my mom! I have started to rebate at Mendards-if you remember I got all the paint for the house for FREE! But.....what about the other things!?!

Yesterday I organized my binder...it took me forever to complete! But...now it is done and I am organized! I wrote a list of stores that I want to start couponing at and I know they offer online store coupons as well as manufacturer coupons (Walgreens, Target, HyVee, Dahls, Fareway-if you know more PLEASE let me know :) ). After I put the boys to bed last night my mom and I headed to Walgreens (we were going to hit Target and Kohls too but who knew that everything closed at 9 on Sundays?!?!)

In my binder I had organized what deals I wanted to hit by what stores (I have the clear sleeves and one for each store labeled-behind that in my binder I have all the coupons organized as far as hair care-dairy-frozen treats-pet care-etc.)

Total Bill $63.81

Total Saved $39.50

Total Spent $24.31

Plus I will get a $4.00 rebate check in the mail from the shampoo!

1 Shick razor

3 boxes mac and cheese

2 bottles finess shampoo

3 boxes kellogs cereal

2 large candy bars

2 sharpie pens

12 bars of soap

Now not the extreme couponing level yet but give me some time :)

Thanks mom for the help getting things down!! I look forward to our weekly shopping trips!

Jamesie Beat the Tumor

2011-07-16T17:50:00.000-05:00

At 3.50 PM James Camdon Sikes went to be with Jesus. Please pray for him and his family at this heartbreaking time.

Conquer

2011-07-15T06:17:00.000-05:00

Conquer verb /ˈkäNGkər: Successfully overcome (a problem or weakness)

I have contemplated posting this for many reasons. But this is a place that I can be who I am and this is part of who I am....

For as long as I can remember I have had this overwhelming sense that I need to conquer all the sadness and wrongness in the world. I take things to heart---I have a very vivid memory that certain things will forever be etched in my mind. Believe me I wish I had the ability to forget certain things....the ability to shut off my emotions, my heart, my mind but I don't. As hard as I try I can't.

I am the person that will call animal control if I see animal abuse, I have been known to call the police when parents leave their child in the car-in the middle of August in Iowa.

Yet there are so many things though that I see that I am at a loss of what to do and to say. So many things that I just don't understand---that break my heart but also overwhelm me at the same time.

Last week I feel upon this documentary about the DRC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLV9szEu9Ag&feature=player_embedded

It is 26 minutes but I beg you to watch it. This is what millions of children and innocent people are living through right at this moment.

To summarize some things that stuck with me:

6 Million people dead & sustains no publicity

Half of those dead are children 5 and under! That is 3 MILLION innocent children dead!

Congo is one of the worst places to live if you are a woman or a girl

For Congo children tragedy is endless

The situation in the DRC is not just a Congo issue it is not just an Africa issue it is a global issue

Can you imagine?!?!

This---this is unimaginable for me! It is unfathomable for me to understand. I sit here in the comfort of my home-on my computer-with my doors locked-my dogs sleeping in our bedroom in our bed-and my children each tucked in tight in their own beds. Why does this happen---why is there such evil in this world.

There are just certain things for me that are hard---that I can't conquer that I can't get past.

What would you do----what would you do if your home was invaded, if your family was threatened, if you had no resources, no food, no water, no safety?

We live a life of luxury here--there is more that each and every one of us can do!

I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders right now. I pray every night for God to give the abused, abandoned, neglected, and oppressed strength to get through and to make each passing day better for them. I pray that God uses me in some way to help conquer these evils.

Then there is little James

His mother and father were faced with the hardest possible choice -something that no parents should ever have to make. I watched this video over and over and over again and just cried. This precious tiny amazing little boy is mearly 8 months old. How could this happen to such an innocent soul? I wish I had strength. I look into those amazing blue eyes and see a world of possibility. A world that is going to be cut short---way to short than it ever should have been.

http://vimeo.com/26432591

http://www.jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com/

Through this all his parents have such a faith in the Lord it is amazing. Their courage and commitment is pure devotion and love through and through.

A book for the girl's!

2011-07-14T06:13:00.000-05:00

Page 22-23 just fun little stickers!

Page 20-21 we wrote a letter to them the exact same thing in English and French Page 18-19 Their furry siblings pages Page 16-17 a picture and message about their new room

Page 14-15 Mommy's page with a message from her

Page 12-13 Daddy's page with a message to his girls

Page 10-11 Boston's Page

Page 8-9 Parker's Page

Page 6-7 was Phoenix's page

Page 4-5 was a picture of all of us here and a description

Page 2-3 was a picture of them and then a message from us

Page 1 I used English and French so hopefully they can understand it and/or someone can read it to them so they can understand it!

The front of their book---I ran out of time so I finished it before I sent it at lunch-I put "A daughter is a gift of love" Your Family Book

One of the OW families is traveling to bring home their child this weekend so....when they offered to bring something for the girls we jumped on the chance! I had to sift through about 15 boxes though to find scrapbook supplies but I did indeed find it! Not prepared I just printed pictures off our printer at home and well we started to run out of ink but hopefully the girlies don't mind! I can't wait to hear how the trip went for them! (FYI I was informed AFTER it was sent that we should wait)

Please Pray for James and His Family!

2011-07-13T10:40:00.001-05:00

I was just directed to this blog via my cousin’s blog I beg you to PLEASE read it and pray for this family! I cannot fathom being in their situation right now. Unfortunate way to remind us all to never take a moment for granted—hug your kids longer—hold their hands tighter! Tears are rolling down my face thinking of this child-I pray that God graces him and his family with any bit of comfort soon! http://jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com/

Sprinkler!

2011-07-13T06:30:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we got to play in the sprinkler! They LOVED it!

And.....Parker played train conductor!

Happy birthday Daddy!

2011-07-12T06:30:00.000-05:00

July 7th Daniel celebrated his big 3 0! I asked him over and over again what he wanted to do for his birthday and nothing but ice cream cake---I think he was rather depressed about the situation facing him! So the morning of I qued the boys to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" when he got home---they made a valient effort!!! I asked how it felt to be 30 and all he said was 'You will see in due time'. Little stinker! That night my mom came over and we had Pizza Hut and Daniel's only request Ice Cream Cake! Typically I would got to DQ and just purchase one but.......being that we will soon have 5 kids I thought I would try my hand at making one which is much cheaper!! I have to say it was scrumptious but......next time I will be adding crushed cookies and fudge to it as well!! 1. Line a bowl with foil 2. Cut HoHo's in 8-10 small pieces per individual HoHo (I used almost an entire box of 12 Daniel ate 1!) 3. Spread desired ice cream flavor on top of the HoHo's and up the sides of the bowl 4. Add desired topping flavor on top of ice cream 1. I used magic shell next time I will use fudge and crushed cookies 5. Add ice cream flavor 2 ontop of the ice cream topping 6. Freeze (I made this the day before so it froze 24 hours) 7. Pop the cake out of the bowl and remove foil 8. Spread additional desired topping on top of the HoHo's I am a Aldi's shopper so this cake as is cost about $8.50 and gave us about 16 generous servings

We are having a Thirty-One Fundraiser!!!

2011-07-11T00:06:00.001-05:00

Sweet Sweet Eileen who you may remember from our auction has generousley offered to host a Thirty One Fundraiser for us! I am SOOOO excited about this fundraiser because Thirty One is an AMAZING company that offers high quality products at an affordable price and.........there is something for everyone!! There is GREAT news for you!!! For every $10 you spend you will receive 31% off PLUS For every $31 dollars you spend you will get a ticket in a drawing to win all the benefits the hostess would! That means FREE products!! That means $1000 party=$100 of FREE product!!! Shop now at: www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E725208&from=DIRECTLINK

Spread the word! Great chance to prepare for the Holiday's!!!

Check out Eileen's amazing sites here:

kloseknit.etsy.com

kloseknit.facebook.com

twitter.com/skocdem

Adoption Tax Redund-WHERE IS OURS!?!

2011-07-08T06:02:00.003-05:00

We submitted our tax return in March, and we are STILL waiting!!! They gave us part of our refund minus the amount that we would receive from the Adoption Tax Credit. About a week later we received a letter requesting more information. Since then I have made nearly a DOZEN calls to the IRS which each one takes about 45 minus to actually get a REAL person on the phone. Even then the conversation goes "Yes Mrs. Chrisco we have received your supporting documents and are reviewing your case currently. You should get a letter in the mail about the decision by the end of the month". Really I have heard that over and over and over again! IT IS JULY! By the way we got no letter this month telling us you were unable to complete our audit that you will respond to us within another 30 days! Frickity Frack! And yes I just checked our online banking no deposit today---I check every.single.Friday in hopes of a surprise!

Catching up is hard to do!

2011-07-07T07:04:00.000-05:00

Well first off the house. We are all here! We are working on getting situated but that takes time right!?! We don't have to do anything really that is the amazing thing about this house! I think that may be why we aren't pushing it to get it done as well :) I did hit the JACKPOT on paint though for when we get around to it! I got $450 worth of paint for FREE! That is right FREE!!!! Rebates rock and so does my mom for helping me figure them out!!!!

The adoption is going. We got a picture of the girls on Tuesday with a case update---which unfortunately there was nothing to update! We are STILL waiting to hear about our court hearing! It typically takes 1-2 months and we are at the 2 month mark now. So hoping wishing praying we hear this week yet! The timeline for getting them home in 2011 looks sketchy if we don't!

The kids! Oh the boys! We have been up and down in and out with sickness this summer! We all have been fighting NASTY colds, fevers, ear infections now!!! That doesn't mean they can't get into trouble though!

It was quite that was Dan's first clue something was wrong!!! Notice what is coming out of Parkers mouth?!?!

This is Phoenix's hair oil *HAIR OIL AN ENTIRE BOTTLE OF IT!* Typically we let all 3 of them put some in their hair---never did I think they would shimmy up the counter, pull it down, open it up, and SLATHER it all over themselves! Literally they were greasy days after this even with baths and swimming!

Friday night we swam for a short time! Phoenix is a champ-Parker did great too-Bossy was a little cautious imagine that :)

Then we got pop rockets FYI they stain!

But they sure did LOVE them they ate an entire box of 8!

Squirt gun time! They thought they were so cool!

Saturday Raedena and Baby O arrived! YEAH!!! She is WALKING! It is so darn cute!! I keep saying she needs to get a blog to put this stuff on but no go so until then here is the little dolly!!!

She did AMAZING swimming!!! A little fishy!

The Morris' came over to play for a while!!! We love them!

Friday night BBQ--notice Phoenix over there with all the BIG boys??? He thought he was hot stuff!

Jordan and Cameron from Indi

Alex giving Olive kisses!

The babies

They loved the trampoline!

O thought Eric was her daddy!

Nathon doing a CANNON BALL!

An attempt at all the kids!

3 sleepy babes at this point!

Grandma's surprise party! So our family from all over came for the weekend for her party! Our immediate family surprised her before (hence the BBQ with everyone) then Sunday at her 80th Birthday Party we surprised her with the extended family