OOPS

I forgot to mention we are off on a spring break trip.
We will be home on Sunday and I will have lots of cool pictures. I would download now but I forgot the cord.
It has been a fun time. Today we went to the Children's Museum. What a blast. I am tired from chasing two 3 year olds in the exploration exhibits. :) Sometimes being tired is the best part of life if you have a good reason. :)
Until Sunday.... Remember to tell someone you love them.
Cindi

THE DUCK AND THE DEVIL

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target.

Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it.

He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?"

So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Thought for the day and every day thereafter? Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life.

He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make a difference in someone's life today. Share this with a friend and always remember: God is at the window! When Jesus died on the cross; he was thinking of you!

YOU ARE APPROVED

Those majic words....

I have known about this for a long time but I was waiting until we had a good start on things. With Holy Week we were basically at a standstill.

I can't wait any longer------ JACOB IS OUT OF PGN!!!!!

We are thrilled. Our son is coming home!

When we received the news we were relieved then reality sat in. WE WERE NOT PREPARED. I refused to start getting ready and then have things fall apart but last week I decided it was time to get things rolling. That is why were were so incredibly busy lately.

Things I had to do:

1- We had a crib but the mattress was on Anabeli's toddler bed so we had to make a decision on a new bed or a new crib mattress. In the end we got her a new bed. She and Marvin sleep together on a sleeping bag on the floor anyway so getting a new bed means then can still sleep together.

2- I didn't have any size 24 month clothes at all. NOTHING. So I had to start thinking of that. Most of my smaller clothes I gave to my nephew. The bigger clothes are still stored but last spring, I gave away the 24 months because Brandon's chest isn't as big as Marvin's and I didn't want to give away stretched out clothing. So I had to buy new clothing. That was fun. I enjoyed picking out new outfits.

3- I didn't have body wash or baby lotion, diapers, or bottles. We bought all that kind of stuff last weekend at Target.

4- Of course there is the saga of the high chair and we also bought that too.

5- Marvin and Anabeli each picked out a new toy for their brother.

6- I am reogranizing Marvin's toys and putting the things that might cause choking up high where he will need to ask to get them down. Jake's toys will be within reach.

7- All bottles, cups and clothes had to be washed and ready to go.

The only thing I have left to do it pack his suitcase and I haven't wanted to do that since we are still a few weeks out.

Hopefully soon we will be leaving for Guatemala and will have our son in our hands forever. I told Blake a few days ago I can't wait to each black bean soup and Pollo Comprero.

GOD IS SO COOL

Sorry I have been so far behind but I have been incredibly busy. Can't go into all the details yet but soon. Also my big computer has a virus and I have spent hours of every day trying to fix it. UGH. It is still not right.
Last night was the start of spring break. YEAH!!! We have almost two weeks off when you count weekends. Lots of sleep to catch up on around here.
Ann and I decided to go to Home Goods and look around and out to Chipolte. We went by ourselves and it was wonderful. I love that store and Ann enjoyed looking so I was able to get things done.
Last week a furniture store in town had a going out of business sale and I bought Anabeli the most beautiful bedroom suit. It is off white and looks vintage. They called yesterday and said they would deliver it on April 3.
I haven't bought one thing for this bed and it is a queen size bed. So frantically yesterday afternoon I look on all the kids sites of a comforter, etc. and didn't find a thing. So then I suggested we go to Home Goods and look around.
I have thought for several months I was going with chocolate/pink because I liked it but Bell didn't really care for it. But I was going to get it. To be honest, it really doesn't match my spunky but girly little girl.
After searching for about 45 minutes for what I wanted I decided to give up and was leaving the linen department and once again I stopped by the children's linens and found this really cute little decorative pink pillow with an "A" on it. Of course I had to have it.
Then as I picked it up, behind some other things I saw it-- a pink, green and speckles of lavendar quilt. It was so pretty, fresh and girly.
Being the negative person I am of course I thought it would be a twin but I checked and it was a QUEEN!!!! It just looks like Bell and it was only $29.99 for a queen quilt. I decided it was exactly what I would call "Anabeli"-- carefree and girly.
I was so thrilled and the first thought that ran through my mind was "Thanks God for finding me this." As I continued to dig around in the kid's area ( I had already spent about 20 minutes doing this before), I found two pillow shams that went with the quilt.
Then I found a really cute rug to go with it. And if that wasn't enough I found a hand painted step stool for her big girl bed that matches perfectly and two sets of beige sheets that are the exact color of the background of the comforter. I am so excited and can't wait for everything to be done so that I can post a picture.
Yet another example of how God provides the little things in life that make us so happy. Big miracles are really neat but I think looking for the smaller things in life are neat too. God is so cool when he blesses us with the little things that show his love.
Even something as insignificant as matching a quilt to my daughter's personality is neat. Who can deny His love for us?
It is amazing to me that a God who is in control of the whole universe can and wants to take the time to show us just how much we mean to Him.

JUST CHILLIN

Today was a great laid back day. I love days like today.

My sisters called and went to Applebees for lunch. YUM. I think their tortilla soup is really good and so does Anabeli.

People look at us a little strange when we get a table for 7. Three adults, three 3 year olds and a 18 month old.

The older couple next to us didn't have a sense of humor. They were seated after us and you could tell they were not impressed with their seating. Oh well, we did our best and the rest of the restaurant didn't think the kids were too loud.

I am still on a hunt for a high chair. That is just the way I am. I would rather look for two months and go back to the original idea than just buy it to start with. Go figure.

Off to Meijer ( a superstore like Wal Mart). They had the high chair I wanted but they are out. So I guess we will just wait. With gas $3.45 a gallon I am not in the mood to drive 30 miles to Columbus in my boat that gets 13 miles to a gallon for a high chair.

We did of course look at the toys.

Anabeli is so easy to please. She wanted a "color book with paints." She was busy creating the rest of the afternoon.

"Want to color paint with me?"

The next Piccaso. This child gets into coloring. She thinks it is the greatest thing in the world.

Marvin's sad face. Marvin loves monkeys, gorrillas, apes, anything jungle-like . Today he was able to get the monkey house. He couldn't wait to bring it home and open it.
Now Marvin's next issue is that all of the arms and legs on his guys or animals have to just right. I have to move them until they are just right.
So he opens up the package and brings me a monkey to fix his leg. It was not "going right" he said. Well I worked for 1o minutes trying to fix this toy monkey leg and I couldn't get it right.



Do you see the problem?? I am sure everyone can figure it out before I did. Look at the monkey's left foot.

It was put on backwards at the factory!!! Isn't that funny? There is no possible way to turn it around.

Marvin was not a happy camper but I sure thought it was funny when I figured out.

While I was watching Anabeli paint the post-woman left a package for me.

I had been on ebay and bid on a batch of girl's clothes, size 4 for Bel Bel. They came in today. Almost all were brand new with the tags on them. I got 10 outfits and five extra shirts for (drumroll please) $42.51!!! Can you believe it for brand new and like new clothes?

I am so thrilled. They are name brands such as Gymboree, Ralph Lauren, Carters, Hartstrings.

I am so happy. Doing the happy dance.

Tonight I am looking for Marvin. This is just like garage sales but nothing like it cause you do it on line, get to look for exactly what you want and get brand new clothes. Fun, Fun, Fun.

HIGH CHAIRS

Today has been a good day. My throat is still a tad froggy but my energy is back and I am moving around. No more laryngitis or stuffiness in my chest.
After lunch we went to Wal Mart looking for a high chair. I didn't see anything I like. I am going to look on Babies R Us later tonight. Of course I didn't keep the high chair from the last two. That would have been way too easy.
Ann is cooking supper tonight and I will have her take a picture of her big meal tonight before she turns it over to her brothers. It smells delicious.
I have been thinking. It is my duty as a mother to make sure not only Ann but my boys are able to cook before they leave home. So we are going to have them cook one night a week too. Who could ask for a better arrangement? Three nights a week I don't am not responsible for supper, just helping out and lending advice. WOO HOO.
I guess there are advantages to older children. :)

I'M OFF

I am going to take the next few days off unless we hear some FANTASTIC news (hopefully).
I'm sick. I have lost my voice now and feel terrible.
The three older ones are picking up the slack and the two younger ones are playing so well together. My sisters and my father all volunteered to help with them today but they are doing a great job playing together and I really didn't want to have them leave.
We are doing fine and I will be back as soon as my energy is back.

Lil' B

I received a report a pictures of Lil B. He is growing like a week. He weighs 11 pounds now and is 22 inches long. He is definitely a chubby little guy. They also sent a picture.

He is the cutest little guy.

Lil B, just keep growing strong and big until your mommy and daddy find you!

WE HAVE A BLIZZARD

It finally happened. For the first time we received a large amount of snow that was predicted.
Yesterday around 10 AM it started and has snowed pretty much most of the time since then.

Ann spent the night at a friends five houses down and we had her wait until the winds calmed some to walk home. Blake and I went out to meet her halfway and stepped off the porch into a 2 feet of snow. It was a huge drift. It was fun though.

On the ground we have about 10-12 inches. The winds blew so hard last night but are fairly calm right now although they are expected to pick up again.

I will try to get some pictures tomorrow. My camera needs to be recharged.

It is beautiful and when the wind is not blowing it is in the low 20s.

We have a level three snow emergency which means only emergency crews are supposed to be out. Sam just doesn't get it. He has asked twice to go to the YMCA. Each time I tell him it is closed but it doesn't seem to stick.

Everyone else is off doing their own thing. Today has been really quiet.

My sweet brother in law came by a little while ago and plowed our driveway for us. Thanks Cory!

Marvin asked if tomorrow was "church day" and I said yes but the snow would keep us from going if the roads do not get cleared soon. He said "Maybe we can walk." It is about an 8 mile drive but in his little mind it is close.

I told him even if we did walk the church would probably be closed because people couldn't get there.

He lovces church. Last week M and A started a new Sunday School class. He thinks it is the greatest. Anabeli was not too excited about going but when I picked her up she ran out of the room with a big smile on her face and said, "You were right mommy. I like Sunday School. I like my teacher too. Can we come back?" Of course my sweet daughter.

We went to the grocery last night about 10:15 PM. Blake had an emergency patient and I dropped him off and stopped by the store.

It was the strangest thing I have ever seen. All the bananas, apples and oranges were gone. The produce section was almost empty. The bread section had 2 packges of chocolate donuts. That was all. No bread, no buns, no muffins, just two lonely packages of chocolate donuts.

I would say at most only 20 gallons of milk was left, that included skim, 2% and whole. Of course the snack and pop aisles were picked over. All of the hamburger was gone and the meat section was down too.

It reminded me of a movie. Very few people were in the store and there was very little food. It was very creepy.

By the time I came out snowflakes were at least 2 inches wide. They were the biggest flakes I have ever seen.

As I sat in bed last night listening to the wind blow, I became so thankful for the things God has provided. We were safe and warm last night with food stored away. It also reminded me of the number of people here in our own city who do not have enough food, a warm blanket or a warm house.

God has been so good to us. This weather has reminded me of His great provisions. It has also reminded me of those less fortunate, especially of the children and older people who are unable to take care of themselves.

Food banks will be busy when the roads clear. I have been reminded of the importance of such places in the community. Don't forget your food banks as well. Plan on donating a few extra cans this week. It is such an easy way to help others in our community.

CARNIVAL PART 2

I won't say it again. Do NOT touch my cotton candy.

Libbie enjoying Pizza and spending time with her mom.

Vickey and Brandon. I'm not scared when mommy is holding me.

Allie with her game loot. Nothing like plastic blow up toys to end the evening.

Maggie seemed to enjoy the carnival too.

Sam, Allie and Maggie all won a giant alien. Who could ask for anything more? We told them grandpa had an air compressor to blow up the aliens but the insisted on doing it alone. Of course, they are all still dizzy from that much air.

SCHOOL CARNIVAL PART 1

It is a cold, rainy, icy day in Ohio.

Saturday we went to Sam's school carnival. The theme was Western and it was so much fun. Unfortunately M and A were a tad overwhelmed. But I have so many great pictures I think it will need more than one posting to get them on.

We had a few issues in getting started but once we got there things were better. Blake took Sam as soon as it opened because he didn't want to miss a thing. On his way home to get us he was paged and had to go to the ER for a patient. No biggie except

1- Ann took my car to her babysitting job.

2- I forgot and left M and A's coats in the car.

3- Blake had picked up the money for the carnival at the ATM and I had NONE.

So we caught a ride with Vickey and Brandon and borrowed money from grandpa. We grabbed a few jackets out of the closet and we were on our way.

Lined up and ready for the walk into the school. Excitement fills the air.

Brandon says, "Bring on the fun!"

This is scary. There are too many kids in this building. I am hiding. I am an ostrich. I don't exist. You don't see me.

Let's get out of here!!! I am scared of the games and the people.

Sitting with daddy and eating pizza and cotton candy makes things all better.

(to be continued)

EAGLE'S NEST

Some of you have asked how to sponsor a child like out Lil B. The nice thing about Eagles Nest is I can tell you from experience this hogar does not "waste" money. Everything goes into taking care of the children and workers. The hogar is very clean and well organized. The children have lots to do and the babies get a lot of hands on love.
Marvin came from EN and I can't say enough about his wonderful care.
If you are interested in sponsoring a child, either all the way or partially, please go to eaglesnestint.org and push the adopt-a-child link for more information.
Thanks for asking. I know they have added a few more little guys and gals lately that need support. Please help if you can.
Thanks!

BLESSINGS

Everyone can always use a blessing. I am praying God gives each one of us a special blessing in the week ahead.

God gives us blessings big and small. Look around you this week. I guarantee if you look carefully you will find a little "love blessing" from God each day. Don't miss out on your daily blessing from Heaven!!!!