It's all Good

Buddy is happily sharing his guitar with Brooklyn. He is too busy with his AM/FM hand held radio (that he found in a box in the garage). We're not sure where it came from, but it has become a treasured possession. Buddy likes to hook it to the front of his bike, turn up the volume and race around the yard. The only drawback is that the only station that comes in clear is in Spanish. Some days it drives me loco!

The Fair

Several things come to mind when I think about the Ventura County Fair. Growing up we didn't visit the fair. My dad, being a police officer, had to work at the fair every year. He knew what was best for us, so we stayed away.

Now it's up to Mike and I. We take the kids...ONCE...they want to see the stuff the entered. As for Mike and I, we want the food!!! This year we went all out...in this order-
Corn Dogs
BBQ Tri-Tip Sandwiches
BBQ Corn on the Cob
Churro
Funnel Cake
Chili Cheese Dog with EXTRA onions
Cinnamon Rolls
Cherry Slush

By the end of the night we were completely satisfied, until next year!

As for the kids, here were their entries.

Brooklyn made a Table Setting. She hunted through the Thrift Stores downtown for all of the pieces and then used some flowers from Aunt Karen's garden for the center piece. she also made the place mat and napkin.


She won 2nd place!


With Grandma's help (and our homegrown vegetables), Brooklyn made Zucchini Coconut Cake.


Daddy was so proud when he saw her 1st place ribbon. She had to call Grandma from the fair, it was a team effort after all!



This was Bailey's 2nd year entering Strawberry Freezer Jam. Bailey uses my Mom's recipe, it's the best! Bailey loves spending time with Nonnie.


For the second year in a row she won Best in Show. I guess the judges REALLY like her jam too!


Bailey also entered a book that she wrote about adopting Tate. It is called My New Brother. She worked many long hours putting it together. A special thanks to Mrs. Brown for helping Bailey.


Although her book won first place which was very exciting, we were a little disappointed that it was placed in a viewing case. Bailey had hoped that the book would impact someone and save another orphan. Maybe next year she'll have to enter Tate. :)

Glasses?

No, Tate doesn't wear glasses. I just thought you'd like to see how cute he would be if he DID wear glasses. Glasses with a little tuft of hair in the middle.



Come to think of it, he has NEVER been to the eye doctor. Maybe he DOES need to wear glasses! I don't know if we could handle this much CUTENESS all of the time.

A message from BUDDY BEAR

*he still thinks we need to get his ears and tail!

Grandma's Visit

Grandma came up for a visit this past weekend.


My favorite part of Grandma's visit was when she brought out Brooklyn's EARLY birthday gift.

Here is Brooklyn thanking Grandma for the gift.


This is me...using Brooklyn's birthday gift (my camera has been broken for 2 months).


Remember the guitar??? PAYBACK!

Future Musician?

Buddy's friend, Griffin, gave him a new guitar for his birthday. The problem is that Buddy's sister thinks it is the MOST WONDERFUL thing she has ever laid her eyes on. The first thing she asks in the morning is if she can play the guitar. On numerous occasions she has even asked to sleep with it. We'll see how long it lasts, but at this point my girl is hooked. Poor Buddy, he is OUT of a really great b-day present. ;)

2nd Grade- COMPLETED

Bailey completed her final project for this school year today- The 50 STATES. To celebrate her hard work we went on date that included the purchase of an ipod shuffle. Now we can both listen to our music while we are running together- it doesn't get any better!



To My SWEET BAILEY GRACE,
I had so much fun on our date tonight. Thank you for hanging out with me. I loved that let me choose where we would go for dinner- CORRALES! You are always so thoughtful. I know I said it already (a few times :)), but I am so proud of the work you did in school this year. Your attitude was excellent and every project you were given was finished beautifully. You have many special gifts that are nearly indescribable. You a intelligent, driven/passionate, artistic and compassionate. The thing that I love most about you is your heart. You are tender with your siblings and are always thinking about others. I am excited to see how the Lord uses your unique spirit; and all for His glory.
I am blessed to call you mine,
MOM

Target Practice

He did IT again.

I suppose MOST of you do not need to be updated on Baby M's potty accomplishments, but this post is really so much more than that. YES, he did use the potty again (and this time went poop- for those of you who are detail oriented) but what I want to share involves the rest of the crew.

Last night after spending the day at the beach I sent the kids upstairs to get ready for bed. Mike took Baby M to his room to change into pj's when he announced that he wanted to sit on the potty. On a normal evening we probably wouldn't have gone to great lengths to make this happen, but Daddy was feeling extra generous with his time. *** This might be a good point in the story to explain my potty training philosophy. Ready, it's complicated.... I DON'T POTTY TRAIN! Ok, so maybe it isn't super complicated, but from my experience the kids that have been most successful in our family learned under this rule. No accidents, no crying, and most especially MOM stayed sane. *** I added that part so that you can understand just how excited the kids are to finally see Baby M sitting on the potty.

So there he was on the potty smiling as big as his little lips would stretch. His siblings (who were also trying to waste time so that they didn't have to get into bed) were cheering from the sidelines (i.e. peaking in the potty and giving words of encouragement). When the 'DEED' was finally done our house became PARTY CENTRAL. I am not exaggerating when I say that the neighbors could hear us. We got into a single file line and did a dance through his bedroom ending in the bathroom. I am giggling just thinking about how excited the kids were for their baby brother. And this story is one for the books, or rather one story that is going to be repeated everyday for the next month (yep, it has been repeated 3 times today already!) ;)

20/25

Shouting it from the rooftop... Carolyn is seeing 20/25! UNBELIEVABLE, less than one day post-op... from 20/750 to 20/25. GOD is GOOD!

I once was blind....

This is probably very close to what my sister, Carolyn, sees all of the time. Her vision this morning was 20/750. It wasn't until 3rd grade that she realized that she was the only one in her class who couldn't see what was being written on the chalkboard. To say that her eye sight is REALLY bad would be a stretch. Carolyn cannot even see the numbers on a large clock right next to her bed. She needs her glasses to help with that one.

Today is a different story. She has waited over 30 years for her eyes to mature so that she could be a candidate for laser surgery. She is with the Doctor now. Please join me in prayer for her surgery. Perfect eyesight (or nearly perfect) is something that many of us take for granted.
Update coming soon!

RINCON

I didn't get a chance to post about our visit with the Leach family yet. I was waiting for the pictures that arrived today. These picture tell a much better story than my lazy brain on this hot day. We had such a special time reconnecting with them. I'm hoping they will plan another trip REALLY soon! HINT HINT HINT ;)

ONE GREAT DEAL!

This is silly to mention , but I thought I'd share it anyway. Last week I took the kids to the Carter's Outlet to look for onesies for Tate. We tend to think that he will be in them for quite some time. Thankfully they had a huge supply and a good selection that didn't look to babyish. He wore one to church today and I couldn't stop smiling at how cute he looked. Once my arms were full (of onesie and children) we headed to the cashier. On our way Baby M stopped and grabbed a pair of shorts off a rack. I just happened to glance at the price tag as I was hanging them back up- $3.50 and wait...40% off that. Ok, I know you can find great deals all over the place but this was unreal. My boys LOVE athletic pants and shorts. They practically LIVE in them most days. I bought SEVERAL sizes and colors (remember, I am buying for 3 boys). Here is M on Friday...LOVING his shorts (and, yes, that is his belly hanging over them!).



Thought I'd mention it so that it wasn't weird when the boys are wearing these shorts in every picture for the next 2 years.

Dancing

The girls have been dancing all over the house for the past few weeks. Five days at dance camp will give you the bug and it's hard to let go of. I tried to get a little video at the performance to share, but wouldn't you know we had a lady sitting in front of us that couldn't sit still. I'll save you the nausea and instead show a clip taped at home (minus the crazy lady). This was their sign language song.




The girls weren't the only two that had a blast. Tate joined in on the warm-ups every morning. Dancing is definitely his 'thing'.

Calling all LADIES..

On Saturday we were asking the kids what they want to be when they grow up. Here is the latest.

Bailey- (she wants to be all 4 in this order- starting now) Famous singer, Famous Actress, a Mommy and a Missionary.
Brooklyn- A Mommy and a Orphanage worker.
Emmett- A soccer ball (you've got to love 2 1/2 year old boys)
And BUDDY- "I want to be good with the ladies!" Nice one son.

FIVE LITTLE LOVES

*** BREAKING NEWS ***

Big Boy BABY M used the potty today for the very first time! Now don't hold your breath, it was only one time. But hey, it's a start!

Pucker Up

Check out Tate's new trick. He has finally figured out how to pucker up and kiss!

CHICAGO

Daddy left for Chicago today. He's gone for only 4 days, but you'd think he was going for MUCH longer. Bailey spent the morning in her room writing him a letter. The perfectionist in her asked me to proof read it before she rewrote it. She slipped the final copy into his bag right before he left this afternoon. That's when I caught a glimpse of a little tear in her eye. Bailey LOVES her daddy!

Diving

I'm posting this short video clip for my Uncle Boone. I know he will be very proud!

Chicken Pox???

Buddy woke up on Monday morning with some very suspicious looking spots on his face. After canceling our plans for the zoo, we sat at home waiting for his body to erupt. Well, no new spots. And these few are going away, not blistering like Chicken Pox. So, what could it be? Maybe it was a allergic reaction or heat rash? Any ideas?



(The photo was taken this morning so he has fewer spots than Monday)

Gone Fishin'

Buddy: "Mama, can I go fishin'?"

Me: "Sure, Buddy" (Except we don't live on a body of water!)

Buddy: "Mama, can I get my pole?"

Me: "Sure, Buddy" (I was busy, not really paying attention to his question)

Several minutes later I asked Brooklyn where Buddy was.

Brooklyn: "He's out fishin'." She says it like he goes 'fishin' all of the time.

Then I look out the window and sure enough, he's fishin'.

TLC

With five kids 8 and under our home is practically a war zone. Someone is always getting a bump, bruise or scraped knee. One of my favorite things to witness is how all of the siblings know exactly what to do when someone gets hurt.

Step One: One child runs up stairs to retrieve the favorite 'night-night'.

Step Two: One child immediately holds/hugs the hurting sibling.


Step Three: One child runs to the freezer for the ice pack.

If steps 1-3 fail, Step Four ALWAYS does the trick.

*Squeeze your siblings buns until they giggle.

MUSIC

I have been trying to post this video for the past few weeks. Unfortunately, our Internet service has made everything on the computer very challenging. If you are picturing me crouched over the computer on the ground in the corner of the school room, you've got it right. Thanks to my dear husband, last night the issue was resolved (did you hear the cheering?). The computer is another story, this post is about MUSIC; precious, beautiful MUSIC!

My Aunt and Uncle in Idaho packed up their van along with their eight kids and came to California for a visit (yep, more cheering!). We haven't seen Aunt Jo since our trip to Ukraine. And the rest of the bunch, well, it's been a long time. One of our favorite nights during their visit included a family concert. They are ALL extremely musical.

The following is a song WRITTEN by Katie(21). She is singing in three part harmony with her sisters Grace(16) and Ruthie(12).



(Chills? yea, me too!)

Check this out...

http://www.whatshannisaw.blogspot.com/

They keep getting cuter!

SNEAK PEAK

Stacy and Jeff's ENGAGEMENT photo!

I'm a SUCKER...

for my kids anyway. So when my biggest boy looked up at my with his piercing blue eyes and asked me to catch a snake for him a COULDN'T refuse. I tried to think of an excuse why I should trap the the cold-blooded creature slithering up my driveway, but Buddy was too convincing. He REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to show it to Daddy, and secretly I did too.
So, I sent Buddy running inside the house to find me a plastic container. When he returned with something big enough for a few tablespoons of salad dressing, I sent for reinforcements. Bailey was quick to find a slightly bigger tupperware, approximately 4inx7in. It was small, but at this point we were wasting time. I quickly got on the ground next to the snakes head and carefully pushed his body into the other side. No, I am not BRAVE, I am CRAZY. If I had taken more than a second to think about it I never would have attempted it, but those blue eyes beckoned.
Our new snake sat at the top of the driveway all afternoon until Daddy came home. Ans what do you know, he was DEAD. Yep, I can obviously catch them, but I would not do a good job keeping them as pets- THANK GOODNESS!

Here he is... just looking at the picture make me shiver. What was I thinking?

REECE'S RAINBOW

The Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry (www.reecesrainbow.org) was begun in June of 2006 to promote the international adoption and rescue of orphaned children with Down syndrome exclusively. We are a registered 501(c)3 organization, and seek donations as adoption grant funds to make it possible for families to afford the high cost of international adoption. Children with Down Syndrome and other special needs are often institutionalized at the age of 4, and there is simply no place in their own societies for them at this point in history. There is no shortage of American families wanting to adopt, they just lack the funds necessary to do it!

Our 3-Year Anniversary Celebration is a special opportunity for you to make sure that Reece's Rainbow can be a voice of hope for these children for many years to come! Even if you are not in a position to adopt, you can still make a huge difference by financially supporting the continued life-saving work of Reece's Rainbow!

THIS JUNE, we celebrate three years of service to orphans with Down syndrome (and now other special needs, as well).

In that short time, Reece's Rainbow has:

* found adoptive families for (190) children in (32) countries around the world
* disbursed more than $250,000 in adoption grants for children with Down syndrome and other special needs
* been responsible for positive social change and streamlining of official adoption procedures in foreign countries
* financially supported therapy and educational projects for orphans with Down syndrome
* encouraged the development of new birth family support groups in Ukraine and Bulgaria
* expanded our family service to include adoptions by Canadian families!
* built an official Leadership Team which includes a Post Adoption Family Care program

100% of your donation goes to the child, adopting family, or fund that you designate, meaning that we rely completely on separate donations to our VOICE OF HOPE fund to remain operational. This ministry has grown exponentially, and along with it, the needs and costs to *meet* those needs have too! Our ability to serve our children and adopting families, and to expand our advocacy projects and new country programs, depends entirely on the availability of funds in this account to do so.

Please share this announcement/opportunity with everyone you know, so they too can join this celebration and become a part of this very special and successful ministry! Reach out to your Yahoo groups, Facebook and MySpace, your family and friends, your colleagues and church congregations....there has never been a better time to GIVE THE GIFT OF A FAMILY. There are no faith-based limitations on donations nor on adoption grants, so ANYONE can adopt and ANYONE can give! Just $20 from everyone you know can go a long way!! With more than (200) children on our website waiting for families, your gifts now are crucial! Click here to learn more and make your donation now! (www.reecesrainbow.org/3rdanniv.htm)

YOU ARE TRULY THE FUTURE of Reece's Rainbow! We can not do any of this without your gifts, your prayers, and your advocacy efforts.

Hey Man

Did your mom forget to pack your beer hat?

Singin' in the Rain

Bridal Shower

Thursday afternoon I hosted a bridal shower for Stacy. It was a very sweet and simple. A menu of Summer salad (grilled chicken, spring mix, gorgonzola, raspberries and candied walnuts) with warm homemade scones and artichoke dip was followed by fresh fruit with a chocolate sauce. The fellowship was just as sweet and at times down right HILARIOUS...



We were cracking up because Papa told Buddy to 'make the ladies laugh', and Buddy turned around and swatted Papa on the buns. Oh Buddy!

ONE DECADE

SWEETS,

It's hard to believe that our Wedding Day was 10 years ago today.































YOU complete ME.


All my LOVE,
FOREVER.

Sweet Lips

That's my BABY. He has the sweetest kisses on the planet. And right now at 2 1/2 he happily and eagerly passes them out to everyone. Once you get him started, he doesn't stop. After every kiss he repeats, "MORE?" Seriously folks, could you say no?