Just the Kids

Haven't been writing much lately, mostly because time on the computer is pretty short lately. With the "sign" just about ready to go in the front yard and teachers reporting back in only 13 days my goal has been to finish all my big projects by tomorrow so I can devote what's left of our summer to the kids. I have to say they've been troopers; instead of mom playing wii games and Barbies, going on little adventures, fun cooking projects in the kitchen and pretty much just hangin' out with them they've been left to their own devices to entertain themselves. I think they've heard a million times - not now guys, mom's busy. So, next week we will do something special each day in order to end our summer with a blast. Nothing huge, but I'll keep things a secret for now and blog about it later. I missed them this summer!

Update on Stellan

9 mo. old Stellan is doing much better! Hop on over to twitter here http://twitter.com/MckMama to see how he's improved (along with some adorable pictures) He's not out of the woods yet, but yes- doing much better. Keep those prayers comin' !

"Wordless Wednesday"

The Fab 15

Here we are with a first time intro to the crew that provide us with an abundance of unconditional love and affection every day. Yes, they even have middle names. Most of'em anyhow.


Gideon Steve

4 yrs

Loves the sink.

Prefers to sleep in the basement, alone in the dark.

Could melt you with those "bedroom eyes".

If I were a cat, I think I'd marry him.

Tinkerbell Louise

13 yrs.

Loves only two people - me and Pop Pop.

Prefers to stay in the upper level of the house, away from the action.

Could be the tiniest 13 yr. old cat ever, she never grew.

She gets the award for having the most expensive vet issues as a youngster @ $1000.

Annie Barbara

12yrs

Loves food. Period.
Prefers belly rubs to ear rubs.
Could find a piece of candy the kids have dropped all the way across the yard. Blind. Because she is totally blind.
Has spent 90% of her life in this position.






Oliver Winston


14yrs

Loves to sneak outside to chew grass
Prefers to snuggle with Boo
Could probably solve the world's problems if he could only speak.
The most human of any animal I've ever known





Boo Linda

11 yrs.

Loves her main man Oliver.

Prefers to eat seated at the dinner table alongside people.

Could possibly have the most beautiful eyes in the family- yellow with blue rings.

Will find even the tiniest speck of sunlight on the carpet and lay in it.

Arwyn Betsy

3 yrs.

Loves to make trouble.

Prefers couches and chairs to floors.

Could be found trapped in the upstairs bathroom by two cats guarding the doorway, a few times a week.

Possibly a contortionist.

Rebecca May

2 yrs.

Loves to chase a shoelace around the house.

Prefers her treats to be thrown down the steps to be chased rather than on the bed.

Could've died. Had to be resuscitated at birth.

Has a secret crush on Gideon.

Luna Tuna

6 yrs.

Loves to be in control.

Prefers to come to you. Do not try to come to her.

Could be the grouchiest animal I know and may actually be related to the badger.

Has literally "thrown" Arwyn down the steps.

Sirius Black, Harry Potter, Ron and Fred - our Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches

about a year old

They really are very sweet. That's all you have to know.

Daisy and Gypsy

2 yrs.

Sisters who love to eat. They will eat anything I tell ya!

They like to flaunt their sexy legs.

MoonPie

Age Unknown

Our "stray" that made friends with the dogs in the backyard first before warming up to the lady with the paper plate full of scraps.

Has tried the indoors, but is claustrophobic.

Unequivocally a part of the family now.

Lots Of Prayers Needed!

Pray for baby Stellan right now- he is being airlifted to Boston with some serious heart issues. Stellan belongs to MckMama at "My Charming Kids" They can use all the love, prayers and support they can get! We are all to go "orange" today on Stellan's behalf!

Keep up here http://httwitter.com/MckMama for updates on his condition

Looks Like a Family Reunion!

Just a few of the good-lookin' family members on my husband's side!

Someday.................

..........we'll have a photograph to put here on this shelf; along with the momentos that we've collected over the last several months to remind us we have a daughter waiting for us in South Korea.

In about 5 or 6 months that picture will come by Fed-Ex from our agency. We'll probably get a call to expect it and I'll probably take a personal day to sit and wait for it. She'll be propped up (remember, she'll be about 7 months old) on a very ornate chair- gold with a red seat. It is the chair that all of the babies are photographed sitting on. Of course it won't just be a photograph; there will also be her detailed medical history as well as information about her mother and father if it is known. She will have a name and we will probably decide to keep it as her middle name. We have yet to decide on a name for her at this time. It's mind boggling to think that she's here already, probably born in June, maybe May - if the timeline continues to be correct. We think about her everyday, and I also think about how heartbreaking it must have been for her mother to give her up. I can't imagine the immense pressure she felt to give up such a huge part of herself - but I will be forever grateful that she made that choice.

Looking For Some Great Blogs?

After waiting until the kids are in bed to check in on a few of my favorite blogs (see list to the left), I often wonder what other blogs are out there waiting for me to discover. Perhaps another Christian mom like me preparing for an adoption? A 987 mile move? Maybe just a mom enjoying her family (pets included)! I've learned so much from these other women just in the short time I've been "dropping in" on their lives- so I know there's much more out there to be taken in! Lynnette over at "Dancing Barefoot On Weathered Ground" has come up with a way to share all of our favorite blogs. Click on the "Getting To Know You" Button to the left to find a huge list of blogs on her site. Post yours so other bloggers can find you! Have fun!


And since I rarely post without a picture.....here's one from today-


Is this a happy mutt or what?

"Wordless Wednesday"

The Top Ten Reasons to Move to Minnesota..........

.......as revealed by the kids.

Reason #1 The Food

They sure love to eat, and enjoyed eating at some local places such as Bridgeman's for breakfast, Grandma's Bakery for a mid afternoon snack and Randy's for lunch.

This giant peanut butter and chocolate rice krispie treat in the food court of M.O.A. at only $2 is reason alone.....

....and our second was particularly fond of this sign -

Reason #2 Fun Friends

The people are friendly! Our kids were quick to make friends wherever they went.

There were even some furry ones hangin' around in the toy store!

Reason #3 Strange Artsy Bike Festival with Even Stranger Dressed People

Not sure what this was all about (maybe some of you local readers could fill me in?) but we enjoyed it for the few minutes we hung around none the less. Our oldest was the only one brave enough to test out the "art bikes".

Reason #4 Evidence of Some Hills

This one reminded us of "Little House on the Prairie". Not as big as our Maryland mountains but they're there if you look hard enough.

Reason #5 The Mall of America

Very magical when it's where you buy your first pair of "dangly" earrings!

Reason #6 Big Parks, Lots Of'em

Daddy really loved the trees. I loved the art here and there. The kids wanted to stay forever at every one we stopped at.

Reason #7 Water, Water, Everywhere

Reason #8 Interesting Little Towns to Explore

We covered a lot of ground, drove through many nice areas. The kids enjoyed seeing each town's sign.

Reason #9 Convenient Restrooms

Our second took comfort in the fact that the state had taken his bladder into consideration and placed convenient restrooms here and there. You know, construction sights and old abandoned trucks and the like.

Reason #10 The Weather

Although we kept hearing that the weather was uncharacteristic of this time of year for Minnesota, we loved it! Sunny, breezy and mild.

And just for good measure, momma's gonna offer up...

Reason #11 Loved the Flowers!

Where ever we went, there were beautiful hanging baskets lining the streets and bridges.

And here is the last bank that Jesse James robbed! Probably because of the mean ol' lady behind the counter. She's still there don't ya know.

Yep! We all enjoyed our time in Minnesota. The kids were definitely sad to go home. I had to keep reminding them that it wasn't like other vacations... that one day Minnesota will be our home!