Va-Kay Day Dos

At the pool today, I had a revelation. I think I know what Creed is going to be when he grows up. I think he might be an engineer. He is obsessed with how things work; levers, guns, buckets, pulleys, etc.etc.

Okay, so I have to say on this post I have more pics of the Roos. This is simply because she is not on the move as much as Creed. It's nearly impossible to get a pic of that boy because by the time I get him focused in the shot he has already moved out of the frame. So, enjoy my little red head (she is cute, you have to admit).

Finally, we got him to stand still for .5 of a second.

At the Cub Club we made silly putty. My kids always love arts and crafts. Of course, Reesers chose pink. 

Great Wolf Lodge Vaca Day One

Riding the train. What a fun way to travel. Way better than flying. The kids loved it....so did we.

My gramsey used to say that swimming makes you hungry. Apparently true for my kids, they ate better than I have ever seen.
Mac N Cheese, Popcorn Chicken, and grapes....what could be better in life? 
The dessert bar was awesome. Creed got a brownie and a cupcake (mommy gave in!), Rinn had the same. Mom and Daddy had a brownie, a blonde brownie, a rice crispy treat, a fried cheesecake with chocolate fondue, and chocolate pecan pie (it's sick, I know!)

This is the crazed look Rinn gets on her face when it comes to anything chocolatey or sweet. I'm serious, she really gets crazed. 
After enjoying the sugar high.
My kids raced this little guy down. They both love guys like this. Rinn is just mad about them. It's hilarious.
Creed loves making pictures funny, he is constantly on the lookout for a funny pose. 

KK and Will

We had some great fun with KK and Will this week. I'm so glad they got to come hang out with us the last few days. I'm even more happy that they are moving close to us!!!!!Yippee. I love hanging out with them because I just love em' so much. And, well (a little bit selfishly) Makenna makes my life so much easier. She provides direction, sweetness, a little mother, and fun. William-oh also helps because he provides someone for Creed to say "look at this, Will; watch this, Will, lets do this, Will!" (these are phrases that are usually followed by the name mommy). 

We are trying to cram several months of summer into one month, since we schooled through June and July. We are taking off the month of August and have been going non-stop to enjoy some time off. I know it was the right thing to keep on working, though, because that way when baby "k" comes home we are going to take off TWO whole months to play, bond, and giggle. 

As a side note: I am just so thankful to God today. I have learned more about God in the last few days that I have learned in a very long time. I love Him and he loves me, so obviously. In addition (at the risk of sounding all gooey) I have fallen in love with my husband even more this week to watch him (as always)stand firm, be peaceful/peacegiving, calm, and even. The other night I said "I sure am glad God put us two of us together vs. two of me together." Instead of the obligatory "Yes, babe, isn't God so good..and you, in addition, are such a balance to me." I got this comment from him "Yep, because if there were two of you, you would just go ahead and off yourself!" That was such good encouragement, don't you think? Oh well, it is actually true....it is good that God put us together.

Happy Birthday, Dear Rinny

Pre- "Birth" day

First day home from the hospital
First Birthday

Age One

Age Two:

Age Three (almost)

My little baby is THREE years old today (as of 12:33 am this morning!). I am so madly in love with her. I have been telling her all day "you are my baby, Rinny...you will always be my baby, no matter how big you get." She keeps saying back to me "No, mama, me a not a baby, me a big girl." That's terrible! She did give me a gift yesterday by letting me rock her to sleep and sing songs to her. I cannot believe that she is three. 

Lord, 

Thank you so much for the gift you gave me three years ago. From the moment I knew I was pregnant I was so in love with her. What a sweet, tender, kind little sugar you gave me that I held in my arms for the first time three years ago. I love everything about her; her little personality, her hair, her sweetness, her smell, her "huggings", how she carries her blankie in the morning, how she says "I love you", how she looks like her mama, how she says funny things, how she loves our family, literally EVERYTHING about her. I am blessed, very blessed all because of you. Thank you, Lord..you are great and greatly to be praised. Amen

Hanbok

Rinny is loving her new Hanbok given to her by our friend Kira and her family. I'm not exactly sure how we are going to get her to take it off but none the less, she is loving it. 

The hanbok (south Korea) is the traditional Korean dress. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines withough pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing," hanbok today often refers specifically to Joseon Dynasty-style semi-formal or formal wear that is worn during traditional festivals or celebrations. You can read more here. 

Can't wait until the whole family is wearing these for baby "k"'s Tol celebration on their first birthday.

Play Group

These are some of our buddies that we have had for a very long time. Jacq and I were pregnant together with our first through the whole thing. Heidi and I have been friends for nearly as long. Even though we don't see each other as often as we used to, I still just love em' (and their kiddos) a ton. Plus, aren't their kids cute? Good grief. I cannot believe how big they are getting. 

Adoption update: Tough couple weeks still. Reading a few things makes me believe that the process of getting our child home will take a little longer than we expected. Way frustrating. I really, really, really, really (did I say really?) want baby "k" home by Christmas. Looking like that is getting more and more like a stretch. If not, I am really thinking about postponing Christmas until baby "k" comes home. Afterall, we are really supposed to celebrate Jesus every day, right? So, what's the problem with waiting a little while? 

Really, if you think of it, please pray for us. These last few weeks it just seems like we are bombarded with sad news articles about adoption, other sad adoption news, etc., etc. Trying not to focus on the negatives, but this adoption thing is hard, hard, hard. So thankful that we know we are called and know that the benefits WAY outweigh the costs....still hard none the less. Thanks guys.

New puppy and guinea pigs....HEAVEN!

Nora was the ticket taker.
Creed and Rinn in the show.
Madalyn was in the show, as well.....she was great at high 5's.
The bows at the end of the show (always a favorite!.

Our buddies are babysitting some guinea pigs and they got a new puppy. What could be better in life? Too bad it was a rainy day so no outside time with the new puppy, Winston. So, instead we opted for a broadway style show (who would've guessed?!?!!?). 

These kiddos are sweet, sweet friends (plus, they go along with Creed's antics, and enjoy it!).