One Last Visit to "Lindsey's Cows"

The dairy barn at Lindsey's university had an open house. 

Since she is about to graduate, we went for one last field trip.

 Joshua was very brave around the cows this time.

 "Miss R, do you like cows?"

 We enjoyed watching our daughter in her element. 

Carhartt must have had a par-tee the day she was born!

Yup. That's a hole. In the side of a cow. They can reach right in and get those awesome stomach contents. Bet you didn't know that?

 Kloey and Cora went down into the milking parlor to learn up close and personal.

 Cora was matched up with her big sister.

 Who was happy to step back and watch her strip those udders.

 The point of it all.

 A commercial interruption.

The kids taking a break from the cows.

 Sometimes I wonder what side of they fence they should be on...

 Hello little miss. If she were a person, she would be in preschool

 Now that little sister can talk more, these two love to play together.

 They connect in all the usual sibling ways. 

"I'm gonna get you."

 Oh, my heart.

Speaking of hearts, we ended our tour with a trip to the ladies in waiting. 

Most of us thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the barn.

The van now smells like cow poop.

We added some flies.

The usual.

They Didn't Know...

When they arrived, 

when we met, 

that moment that changed all of our lives, 

they didn't know.

He didn't know what "adopted" meant. He still doesn't understand "forever." At the time we thought he was so prepared, but I wonder if he unconditionally had to accept us when authorities told him so. I cannot imagine walking off with strangers into the unknown at age 8. I admire this boy more than you can imagine.

She didn't know that I cried, the day her birth mother stood before the judge and signed a paper relinquishing her parental rights to this beautiful little girl. I thought I would be happy that the years of abandonment and turmoil would be over but I was overwhelmed with the profound sadness of the day. A sacrifice by one so that another, her daughter, could receive a life that was beyond her grasp.

After blowing through multiple caregivers, many who were family, she didn't think that anyone would stick by her. Stuck we are. Like glue.

 She didn't know. Too little to understand all that had happened, she resorted to not thinking about it, the trauma and drama of her young life. Maybe that isn't all bad, but we must come to terms with our past to create a healthy future. She WILL break the cycle.

They didn't know that ultimately, they would learn 

to spell compassion with actions rather than letters.

He didn't know so many kids would be looking up to him, watching his every move, giving him the opportunity to be a leader.

 They think they grew in my tummy. They wish it was so.

They don't understand yet, that biology is one thing and love is quite another.

Pictures of the Week 4/8-4/14

 Have I mentioned how much I am enjoying this project?

Another little cheat on the first day. 

Lindsey took the picture with my camera.

 I figure I need to show up once in awhile.

Catching a Smile

99 / 365

Although I am done with babies, it is nice to know that 
I still got the magic to make a baby smile. 
Easter Sunday was spent with good friends.

Not Much of a Gap

100 / 365

First tooth is gone. He gets the award for the 
earliest tooth lost at nature's hand. Age: four years old.

Sunset on the Beach

101 / 365

We decided to catch the sunset on the way home. 
Absolutely beautiful night on the ocean.

Sister Joy

102 / 365

So loved!

Going Solo

103 / 365

Looks who is ready to go - go - go!

A Boy and His Bark

104 / 365

"Why does my boat keep coming back to me?" 
An afternoon at the lake was a good way to end the week.

Ninety Pound Newborn
105 / 365

One day old - up close and personal. 
What a treat for the kids.

Whose Tummy?

 Stopped in to see the siblings this week.

 Are they cute or what?

 Trey enjoyed bumper cars. Mr. J-Man? Not so sure.

 Aren't twins supposed to know how to look at the camera at the same time?

 Joshua enjoys little kids. 

I wonder how much time he spent with the younger children in China?

 Does Micah know that Mr. J is his brother?

For sure and certain, he claims this sweet girl as his sister.

Then came the statement begging to be a question. 

Micah and Trey said, "We grew in your belly Mommy." 

I've been wondering and waiting when they would ask.

"No boys, whose tummy did you grow in?"

And so it goes. 

A little sex education. 

A lot of adoption love.

Life In These Parts

What I like about having a large family: 

There is ALWAYS something going on around here.

 The girls are helping to paint the basement rec room.

 Nothing like painting a septic pipe. So fun!

 Homemade pizza rules. Once in awhile, it comes out perfect.

 Remarkable because these two are each others nemesis.
You won't often find them in the same room,

never mind the same camera frame.

 Poor guy. He has had a hard few weeks. 

A fellow classmate died in a car crash and he has been reeling ever since.

 Sisters that play together stay together?

 Lots of people have asked me if they are twins.

Aside from shared genetics, I think they are as different as can be.

 Sweetness for a mother's heart.

After hugging big sister, Micah hugged the cat crate good-bye.

 I heard the vacuum and the piano going at the same time. 

Guess she couldn't resist.

What do we have here?

 Four years old and the first tooth is gone. 

We were fooling around and it fell out on the kitchen floor.

 The replacement is well on its way.

 Who knew that Kloey would be the one to convince 

Trey that he could do IT.

 Once he figures this out, there will be no stopping him.

 Could he be any cuter?

I've recently decided that we had to keep going 

until we found the right one to be the youngest. 

And Micah is definitely IT!!!