Ate it Up

 

Despite our very busy weekend, Mason and I had a shoe shopping date. We had a special coupon to use during a specific time and he desperately needed new sneakers. Thankfully he is SO easy to buy for. The store had only a small selection in his size. He didn't mind and just picked the ones that felt best (all the while, hoping to impress his big brother). 

We still had plenty of time before the littles would be up from their naps so we enjoyed an ice cream treat. It was a beautiful afternoon and such a JOY to be outside with this middle man of mine.

He definitely ate up my undivided attention and we such a great conversation. He is an easy one to talk to under these circumstances. 

The ice cream was in celebration of some awesome choices he has been making in school. The academic part does not come that naturally to him, but he has been recognized several times this month for his character. We are so proud of him. The school work we can work on and practice, heart work is a lot more complicated ;) 

It's tricky finding quality time for EACH child. As they grow older though it is easier for me to see the ways they need to be loved. 

A treat for both of us for sure!

7 Months Since Gotcha

On the 7 month anniversary of Avery's Gotcha, she spent the night away (with Mason and Ryan) at my parents! (it was just coincidence and it occurred to me later) It was less than 24 hrs, but it was nice to be free from my little shadow ;) EJ and I attended 2 (adult) birthday parties. Avery did great.

Today, Avery found her squeaky sandals that we bought in China. Her toes were hanging over (hooray for growth) but she managed a lot of laps and laughter. Hardly the wobbly one anymore ;)

Practice Makes Perfect

If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try again.

 It will pay off :)

 He never complains about being a fan, even though I know he'd rather be the one the court.

Painting My Arm Off

Our tile guy broke his wrist two weeks ago at his day job, so the bathroom has been on hold :( This past weekend, despite 3 bball games and 2 bday parties, EJ managed to be the guy's "right" hand, just to get the job done. A little more grout and caulk (by EJ) and we'll be ready for the plumber to reinstall toilet and sink. Hooray!

I have been painting and painting and painting. Two weeks ago, I started loosing track of the # of coats on things. Most surfaces are requiring 3 coats. Starting from new construction is intense. I had avoided a "To-Do" list until then, fearing I'd be overwhelmed and avoid the basement all together. It eventually became necessary.At first, it was rewarding to cross something off. Then, it became apparent that each time I crossed something off, I was adding something new. I will spare you the list, but it's still very long :(

Last week, I decided I'd never be done painting. I spent almost every nap and evening painting and the list was still daunting. I have no reason to complain, we will (eventually) have an awesome space to welcome friends and family, BUT it's getting old!

Today, a painter is coming over to give us a quote for staining and painting the stairs. I can't even fathom that at my (slow) speed.

My hope has returned this week, and I am getting glimpses of the bottoms of my 9 paint cans. I may likely never want to paint again. Too bad when you paint 1 floor, you notice how bad the rest of the house (after 8 yrs) is looking. Oh, well!

Final Four, 2 Wins

The Ducks are going to the Championship, this Friday!! 

We are so proud of these boys (coaches too). They gave it their ALL and they played awesome this weekend. Saturday's win meant another game on Sunday. Sunday's win means they play the undefeated Syracuse team in the final championship game.

EJ and Carl are friends through church. It's been fun watching their friendship grow. 

They are a great pair out there.

Y'all do you see that choke hold on MY boy? I don't know how I am going to watch games as he gets older. It's getting crazy out there.

 He could NOT be more excited. It's going to be a long week waiting for THE game ;)

Mom was at our house with the other 3 during nap time so I could go, that's the only way I can take pictures and actually watch the game. Dad and I cheered them on.

Table Talk

On Valentine's Day, I decided to strap on our other booster seat and let Avery sit at the table with us. I figured it would be easier for the fondue, but mostly I am tired of our old worn out high chair. It has certainly seen better days. I am also tired of telling Avery to sit down over and over again. Our little acrobat can weasel out of almost any harness. I know this new sit isn't resolving the disobedience factor. It is merely delaying the inevitable. (This buckle works better) We are really choosing our battles wisely and extending as much grace as we safely can. We will have our work cut out for us, Avery loves sitting at the table with us. When it's the three of us at lunch, we have very silly conversations always instigated by Ryan. He continues to be our jokster and can tell a story about everything and nothing all at the same time. Avery basically mimics all we say and do, including how we sit, stand, cross our arms, etc. So you can imagine, the table talk is entertaining.

Outside Without Snowboots

We were all very excited to play outside and NOT because of snow. It was a lovely day.

 3 posing, 1 ignoring, but all captured ;)

These Two

They kill me... in more ways than one ;) Their bond continues to grow. It's not always pretty, but when they play well together, it's about the cutest thing ever.

She loves saying "bye," walking away a few steps, turning around and running back to say "hi" again.

 The older two were at basketball. That's the only way he could get away with strapping on a baby (my old one in a carrier my mom made when I was a child).

She is getting a little better at "playing." I have to stay very involved, but her attention span is a tad better (as long as she can keep moving).

Our baby doll collection is rapidly growing. This latest one was on the "take me" table at church. Someone spotted it and thought of Avery.

In Need of Love

In 2012, I did this for the days leading up to Valentine's Day. I look back at that post and think, who is this woman? Will she ever come back? Has 4 kids completely done her in, for good :) 

(2013 we all were recovering from the stomach flu). 

This year was low key, but with some planning involved.

The snow kept the kids home from school. We had nice breakfast together after opening their valentines from us and EJ's mom. Avery popped her lollipop in her mouth before the boy's even saw theirs.

My mom came over for awhile during the day. I was able to run an errand by myself and she treated us to pizza for lunch :) I also painted in the basement for awhile.
The day quickly went down hill from there. It was not pretty. While I was prepping for our fun surprise dessert and making dinner the kids were arguing, fighting and one took a frightening fall.
NO ONE was loving anyone but their self, there were lots of tears and shouting. Needless to say, I was very frazzled when EJ came home and I was ready to cancel the whole thing.

 

Thankfully God kept whispering reminders of his love and grace for me and my children. It was very apparent we desperately needed Him. Funny, how a hallmark holiday pointed me so much to the cross. I thanked Him for his mercies and kept pushing on. I also decided right then, that I would read the story of Jesus' crucifixion at bedtime. We all needed a reminder of TRUE LOVE.

Dinner was great and the kid's really enjoyed dessert. It was all worth it (I think).

 We've done fondue for valentine's before. It seems like the perfect occasion.

I think she thought she'd died and gone to heaven.

I choose to put Mason and Ryan to bed that night and we read from The Jesus Storybook Bible. The boys were a little confused by my reading of the "Easter" story. My decision was confirmed when we read this part, 

"If you are really the Son of God, 

you could just climb down off that cross!' [the crowd] said. 

And of course they were right...

But Jesus stayed. 

You see, they didn't understand. 

It wasn't the nails that kept Jesus there. It was love."

I can think of no greater love to celebrate on Valentine's day!

4th Snow

Much more fun with daddy home ALL DAY :) 

No school tomorrow! What a winter this has been.

Today, we got rain, sleet, thunder, and more snow.

More Snow

Four inches and it's still coming down. No school tomorrow! Good thing we saved our valentines til the last minute ;)

Basement Reno (Week 12)

Sadly, the blue still needs a second coat and so does the base molding. Last week, I gave it all I had during nap times and in the evenings and then my body HATED me and I had to rest over the weekend. We were busy enough with activities plus had the tile guy working, that I wouldn't have been able to do much anyway. It just seems backwards that I'd be most productive during the week.

My mom came over Friday to allow me extra work time.

The bathroom floor will hopefully be started this afternoon. The guy is working for us on the side, so he mainly works on the weekends and some afternoons. Thankfully we don't have a deadline!

My new best friends...well, at least until my arms hurt so bad that I didn't want to go near them.

When I wrote my post about "connecting" I had know I idea it'd be with a paintbrush and putty. Not exactly what I had in mind. Thankfully it has given me a lot of quiet space to think and pray more.

Yes, there is SO MUCH more to do. And NO, we do not have a "end date." That bothers some folks, including one of my children :)

Pinewood Derby

Mason joined cub scouts for the first time this (school) year. I know very little about it. It's been his thing with EJ. I don't hear much unless I ask questions and I've failed to do that. They meet 3x a month. It took me about 3 months to remember to put his patches on his shirt. 

It's not really part of our routine (yet) to think about cub scouts other than mtg nights. Meaning he is not ambitious about earning badges.

However, Mason and EJ have been talking about/looking forward to the Pinewood Derby. His car is the bright green one in the closest lane. The "Angry Eagle" (Owen suggested the name).

They worked on the car together, they didn't get crazy about it. Just had fun.

Each car raced 6 times, once in each lane (in case one lane was faster (ha!).
Mason's car won all 6 of his races! Shocking.

 He was thrilled. His car averaged the 3rd fastest time of the WHOLE event.

 

I had no idea they would give out trophies. Sure enough, he got one.

 

He is so often tagging along with his older brother's likings or experiencing something that Owen has already done. I am so glad he had this "first."

Working it Out

Yesterday, Avery and I went out on the town by ourselves! Everyone else was in school:) I needed to run an errand at a nearby mall. After a little shopping, I took her to the indoor play area. It was like old times (being a mom of only 1). She wasn't really sure how to play on the over-sized rubber car and ice cream cone, but another child showed up and she followed him around :) Afterwards, I treated her to some chinese noodles. Mostly for curiosity sake. She prefers all my other meals (even tacos) to my Chinese cooking :( She did eat these "chow mien noodles" and they were pretty bad as far as Chinese American food goes. Hmm...

 

I enjoyed HER and our time together and I am thankful. The day before, I was not enjoying her. I had a lot on my imaginary check list and her neediness was making it impossible to do anything! I wanted space to do my thing.

The winter is dragging us down. She loves to be outside or out (anywhere) and I don't love the cold. I also thinking she was tired of sharing me with her brothers with so many snow days in a row. Plus, she has a small cold. All that combined and she has been grouchy and impatient. She is a loud one when she wants to be heard!

All that to say, when EJ got home Tuesday, he could tell by the sound of my voice, that I was done. So after dinner, I disappeared to the basement with my headphones and music and did something productive. I cleaned all the walls and trim and vacuumed the last bits of dust in preparation for more painting. Not glamorous or relaxing, but just what I needed! I even broke open the paint for the den. I am such a dork, but I LOVE seeing a new color on a wall, even if its just cutting around the trim!

Strange therapy, perhaps, but it did the trick and I was a much happier momma the next day. This was also largely due to the fact that my house was professionally cleaned while she and I were at the mall. That does wonders to a momma too. Now if only it would stay clean ;)

Basement Reno (Week 10 and 11)

 

Slowly but surely, progress has been made.

The Ducks

I finally got pictures of Owen (#1) this season. Only took 9 games. My parents came to watch which allowed me the freedom to use my camera instead of corral Avery.

Both games this weekend, ended with buzzer beaters in their favor! The boys were ecstatic and are still talking about the game winning shots.

There are 4 boys on his team that attend our church and do not go to his school. I couldn't be happier that their friendships have grown over the season. 2 of the 3 are just as serious about sports as Owen. They make a great trio and I'd love if their friendships lasted beyond the court.

Celebrating the Chinese New Year

All the holidays we celebrate, I've grown up celebrating. To begin a new one as an adult, was a little nerve wracking. I really had no idea what I was doing. My friend Amy gave me some quick pointers at preschool drop-off one day, I peeked at some other adoption blogs and pinterest. My mom did quite a bit of research and made a trip to the party store ;) Between the basement reno and SO MANY days with all 4 home from school, I didn't do much prep work.

Our meal was a mixture of home-made chinese food and premade/frozen chinese foods. Chinese is a difficult meal to make in advance (I need more practice). Next year, we might just order take-out :)

 Ryan and Mason made a few decorations for the party.

It was fun gathering together to celebrate. We are so blessed to have family who have so warmly welcomed Avery into the family. CNY was a good excuse to celebrate all that God has done over the last year.