Hello Winter! You're Back.

 If it's going to be cold, we might as well have snow. 

'Cause my kids were trying to make do.

 Yesterday, I ran around town in a long sleeved shirt and a vest.

 Winter made a comeback today.

 Complete with chapped cheeks and runny noses.

 About 4:00, the troops rallied for clean-up. 

This is one snazzy car mover.

 Erik owns the snow blower these days. 

We all (gratefully) let him.

 I believe he's been wearing that hat since about age 4. 

I love that he is a worker-bee.

 Grateful for the big kids home today.

 Their enthusiasm went a long way towards making my day better.

 Photo flops.

Erika gave a thumbs up.

What was I thinking? My artistic streak needs a revamp.

I thought this one was cool 

but the photographer said the flash was obvious.

At least I got outside for 10 minutes.

Welcome back winter.

White is much prettier than brown.

My "Boring" Week

Project 365 got me thinking.

11 people hanging around here and I have nothing to report.

Nada.

Nothing.

Thought I'd show you the pictures that didn't make the 365 cut.

Here's the latest: Erika told me her nicknames for the boys.

Joshua is our "Asian noodle."

Trey is our "How now brown cow."

Micah is the "American shrimp."

Alrighty then. Three amazing brothers.

Cora found a leaf frozen in the ice and begged me for the camera.

Last Saturday Bob took a nap. That old softy loves the kitten.

We took 11 kids to the pool. 

Most everybody else left and we had the place to ourselves....

Pool pull ups.

Joshua loves helping with just about anything.

It's a good day when this one takes a nap (about once a week).

This one takes a nap every day for about 2 hours.

Then there is this one who sleeps whenever possible.

Cora has beautiful lines.

Amazing green eyes.

Erika asked me to take a picture of 

Derby with her front legs crossed.

My swimmer wanna-a-bees.

Explanation?

We play lots of games.

"Do NOT take my picture!"

Pig pile on Erika.

My personal favorite because of the four individual expressions.

There you have it. 

A glimpse into my boring every day life.

I couldn't be happier.

Really.

New LIfe

 We had a very special visitor this weekend.

Her name is Grace.

 And she became a big sister for the third time.

 Is there any greater privilege than a front row seat to new life?

 LOVE those 8 pound babies. Something to hold onto.

 Of the six siblings, we all agreed these two are look alikes.

 We took turns holding Levi.

 Welcome to life precious boy. 

Your brother waited a long time for you.

 Are you winking at me?

 Another big sister waiting for her turn.

 "Mom, can I hold him?"

 "I take my baby holding responsibilities very seriously."

 "He sucks his thumb just like me."

"Kisses."

"Levi, I love you."

Ugh. Another Diagnosis for Joshua

As I was cleaning my workspace yesterday, I came across the paperwork from the pediatric GI doctor and took a closer look.

Ugh.

The diagnosis: FAILURE TO THRIVE 

Just like that. In bold capital letters.

I took that kind of personally.

Even though biologically and environmentally, I had nothing to do with the first 8 years of his life.

My son is not thriving?

In China, maybe.

(Although I will always maintain that the orphanage he was in did they best they knew how.)

But here and now?

Does this kid look like he's not thriving?

He is definitely making up for lost time.

Emotionally. He asks for hugs and cuddles. He kisses me goodnight, a big fat juicy pucker.

Spiritually. Joshua wants to go to heaven. He's hungry for the Word and what it represents.

Academically. He is learning a new language, letters, sounds, reading, idiomatic phrases,  numbers, clocks.  He is very smart.

Physically. We've got some work to do. We need Joshua to grow.

We'll get there. 

Lord willing.

I Gave Myself a Hobby

A hobby?

I haven't had a hobby since before child number......can't remember.

One of my short term goals (if I had any) would be to learn how to use my camera.

Better.

I jumped on the bandwagon and decided to give the Project 365 a try.

No promises. My follow through these days is poor at best.

I'm excited.

The excitement quickly faded on day 2 when I realized that taking a perfect picture every day was impossible.

I also don't have to worry about representation because over the course of 365 days, I imagine everyone and everything including the fruit bowl at 10:30 pm will get airtime.

The pictures I have chosen this week aren't necessarily the best pictures of the day but they tell the story as I remember it.

Day 1 through Day 7:

 Rosy Equals Love

1 / 365

We started off the new year having Miss Rosy for the weekend.

  Bob and Micah

2 / 365

Late afternoon at the pool.

  Roadside in Maine

3 / 365

Slightly offtrack in Maine we came across this sign, an ode to Lindsey that we turned around and went back for a picture. Karate, Dr in Portland, Children's Museum, BJ's, Buffet equals a grand day out.

Three Skin and Bones

4 / 365

Boys will be boys and I celebrate that in this season they don't mind looking alike. We call these "skin and bones."

Karate Kung Fu Style

5 / 365

My own karate kids. 

They have been taking lessons since October 2011.

Sledding Fun

6 / 365

It only takes a dusting for the kids to have fun. 

Not too cold in the high 20's today.

Clutter

7 / 365

How real life is. "Before" picture of today's project.