Hanging Around

Lacrosse anyone?  Owen has been ready to play Lacrosse for over a year now, thanks to the older "cool" neighbors down the street that are always in there yard practicing.  We decided that it may be a good fit for him after all because it is a rough sport and to be quite honest, I think Owen feels the need to just hit somebody with a stick.  He is very aggressive in basketball, so if we channel that to a sport that is more of a contact sport than we might have a winner.  The kid is fearless. 

Just the other day, Wills came running inside saying "Mom, Mom, Owen needs help.  He is in a tree and can't get down".

Being the calm mother of boys that I am, I finished up cleaning the kitchen and slowly made my way to the backyard.  There we find Owen hanging , by his jacket, from a tree branch 5 feet off the ground.  He  supposedly fell but his (brand new) jacket caught a limb and he was hanging there from it.  (it was like in the cartoons!!!)  He was a little shook up, especially because his jacket was ripped and his pocket knife fell out, but quickly forgot because I have seen him climbing many trees since!

Here is my little guy in his lacrosse gear, that carriers a very high price tag---might I add!  Ouch!

 One of Avery's favorite things to do is to read books....She loves to be read to!

I finally took her to the Library and she loved it.  I checked out lots of books in preparation for her surgery.

 Sisters!

She also loves to smile for the camera!

I have said it before by Kate really is such a wonderful big sister.

 Gray is trying really really hard to be a good big brother, but it is so hard when you are 3!

 Brothers!  13 months apart and completely different personalities!

They are as Opposite as opposite can get!

 We also spent a good portion of our Sunday at Boy scouts Pine derby race!

I must say I was ready to stop the pine derby races after hour 2, but the boys had fun with it!

The big boys mostly (dads)

Matt and I were too busy chasing around Gray and Avery and keeping Wills and Kate happy to really watch any of it.

Owen's car is the blue one.  It was totally upstaged by all the other cars.

Clearly we missed the memo to spend hours and hours on it.

 If you are dying to know who won this race....Owen came in 3rd!

Hike, Dance, and Play

We have had some really good, fun family times lately.  With 5 kids, things get so busy that finding time to plan something for the whole family to do together is far and few between lately.  With basketball, cheer leading, school, work, therapy, etc...life is flying by!
Big shout out to MLK because not only am I able to teach my kids about equality and how God loves each one of us, (no matter our skin color, shape or size),  his legacy also allows for my very hard working husband to take a much needed day off and doggone it.....I was going to make him take it!
We loaded up the car with our bikes, scooters, backpack for Avery, picnic lunch and then piled the kids in!
Matt was a little worried because it was overcast and sprinkling, but my IPhone said...sunny skies, so we were off plus, if I get my mind on something, are doing it!
We headed to the most amazing state park that is practically right in our backyard.  My Bham peeps, take advantage of Oak Mt State park! It is a hidden treasure.
We drove back to a trail that would lead us to Peavine Falls and we hiked it as a family.  I have so many great memories of me and my sisters hiking with my dad.  There is something about being outside where the kids can run free, scream as loud as they want and explore, that makes me want to take family hikes weekly.
The kids had a blast.  We ate a hearty lunch of PBandJs and went to the trail to ride bikes along the lake.  It was so fun to not worry about cars, and the kids just went straight along the trail with no stopping or turning around.  We topped a fun family day off with Yogurt Twist ---which is our fave treat spot lately.
Now I want one!

Wills is in the news these past weeks at our house.  He got invited to a par...tay....seriously, it was a Party with a capital P.  It was a girl in his class and Wills wasn't too thrilled to go, but once he got there and saw the DJ and dance floor (yes, he is 8) he was rolling with the homies.  At one point, and I am not kidding....he was in the middle of the dance floor, with a circle formed around him, of his classmates (and their parents) clapping and cheering as he showed off his very interesting dance moves.  I have video, but I am honestly too embarrassed to put it on here.  He wouldn't be embarrassed.  In fact, he has watched the 3 minute long clip of him dancing many times and is quite proud.  I will add that all his moves are defiantly from his Daddy!
Later on in the week, he toned it down for square dancing at school.  He promenaded and do se do ed his partner so and clapped and stomped , not one bit traumatized by the fact that he was square dancing with a girl.  It really was cute to watch! 
Owen has already told me that he will NOT be square dancing next year.  He will be sick or in his words "maybe we can just do school at home in January"

 I took Avery and Gray to McWane Science Center and they had so much fun.  I knew Avery would love the water station and she stayed there most of the time.  She had blast!  look at her face!

Surgery is on the horizon for Avery.  It is going to be quite the journey.  My heart breaks thinking of all she will have to go through, after already been through so much!  She is a strong little girl though.

Please keep her and our family in your prayers as we prepare for what is sure to be a challenging few months ahead!

2012

We spent NYE at the beach.  Amazing weather and a great time spent as a family. 

It was Avery's first time to the beach.  She had to get used to the sand, but eventually warmed up to it.

It was one of the best trips we have had in a while.

Here is our annual pic on the big chair...Avery is finally with us!

 Here is Spiderman asleep one night!

 Matt and I thought she resembled Tom Cruise here!

 And Spidey on the beach.  I think Gray made lots of people laugh that day.

We had to draw the line when he jumped in the pool wearing the mask! 

Who Dat?

IT'S ME!!!
I am back, although I will only commit to 1 (maybe 2, if I am feeling it) posts a week.  Why you ask? 
Well, between juggling 5 kids (one new to our family) a very needy, old dog ---who is like a 6th child lately, a husband who works way to hard and trying to fit in teaching boot camp, spin, and other classes at the gym, I am just trying to keep my head above water.
No pity party for me....I love staying busy.  I fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow and I have sweet dreams of folding laundry, loading the dishwasher and cleaning toilets!  Ahhhh.....the life of a mommy!
So, lately we have been recovering from a wonderful Christmas.  Avery's first with our family.  I wish I could say it was amazing, but she was not a fan!  Way too overwhelming and just too much to handle.  She has only been home a little over 5 months now, and although life seems somewhat normal and we don't remember life without Avery, I still see the baggage of spending the first year of her life in an institution.  It is heartbreaking when I think about it...how much babies need love and touch and a family and that she didn't get it.

 Kate asked me tonight whose tummy Avery was in because she wasn't in mine (praise the Lord for that---first off, if I birthed a Chinese child I would get some fame for sure and
second...been there done that..this shop is closed!)
I simply told her another mommy had her in her tummy and couldn't care for her, so God thought we would be a  perfect family for her .  Thankful for His plan for her life and the honor to be her Mom!
The rest of the gang is doing just fine....
Gray still thinks he is a super hero and is still layering his clothes.  He wore 5 shirts to school this week!
Kate is as girly as they get...thank you Lord!  She is the best big sister, and babysitter!  Really, she helps me with Avery so much!
My sweet Owen continues to make me laugh (and cry).  Oh, how I love that child and pray that God uses Him to do great things one day!  The other day he fell out of the tree and I literally did not flinch!  He got right back up and climbed again!  He also pulled out a tooth that was not even loose to start with.  He worked on getting that tooth out for 2 days straight.  I must admit, it was impressive in a weird way!
Wills is loving school and his friends.  He is super sensitive, which is complete opposite of his 13 month younger brother, but we are working on solving problems without crying!  He loves to sneak downstairs after everyone falls asleep and hang out with Mom and Dad at night.  We get some special time with just him and he loves it.
The boys are playing basketball and they are still young enough to not care that their coach is their MOM! 
It is so fun.  Really!  I have way more fun than they do!
Avery is still not walking.  She has gotten so much stronger with therapy, but she will need to have surgery on her knees this month.  I will go into more detail in a later post.

I am teaching quite a bit at both the gym and for Extreme Fit Boot camps (owned by a friend of mine).
I love to teach and I love fitness , so it is a great fit for me.  Doing something outside of  Mommy-hood (although that is most important) has been good for me!.  It is nice to meet so many new people and help people reach goals and get healthy. 

I am actually taking all my earnings and saving for a Disney World trip for our family next Spring Break. 

Do you know how much it costs for a family of 7 to go to the most magical place (most expensive place) on Earth?  Ughh...

When you have 5 kids , vacations aren't really in the budget, so I am saving a % of my hard earned cash for

our trip. Matt thinks I should just open up another account, but I like the old school jar idea!

I also have another jar for heaven on Earth....Costa Rica!  Just Matt and I---maybe one day.

So, there you have it!  A summary of life lately! I know I have most of you on the edge of your seat with ALL the excitement and happenings of our family. 

No really, I love all my blogger friends. 

Please let me know you are still with me and haven't given up on me!

Week in review

After 3 failed attempts to get a Christmas card picture on 3 different occasions......

I took about 80 pictures in all and all of them looked somewhat like this...

I finally got a semi-good one today at church!  Big sigh of relief there!

We spent Saturday making Gingerbread houses at the kid's school!

It was suppose to be one house per family, but they were kind enough to allow us to have 2!

I DO have 3 kids at the school! 

 My parents came over for Avery's dedication at church today! 

Isn't this a great picture of my mom and Avery?  I love it!

 Gray and Avery

 Tonight we used our brand new fire pit to roast hot dogs and smores! 

It was so fun and so messy!

I am proud to say I got this massive fire started! 

 I have a feeling this fire pit will see many fun times and good memories down the road!

TidBits

We bundled the kids up a few weeks ago and headed to Light Up the Summit!  It was a fun short parade complete with Batman, Santa on a Firetruck, and Fireworks!  The kids all enjoyed it and Mommy and Daddy survived.

That same weekend, Kate also got her ears pierced.  I honestly did not think she would go through with it, especially after Daddy went into graphic detail about it, but she is a persistant one...just like her mommy, who is just like her Dad!  Once we get our mind on something...there is no truning back! 

Onto Sisterly love! 

Kate adores Avery.

Avery adores kate. 

Challenges

Challenges of 5 kids!

1.  It is very difficult to go ANYWHERE!  especially on time!
2.  I cannot quite remember to snap pictures as often
3.  My laundry has tripled with 1 additional child?!
4.  Daily trips to Walmart for something I don't have or that I forgot yesterday.
5.  Lots of sibling rivarly
6.  An ridiculously high grocery bill  (see #1 for why!)
7.  getting 1 full uniterrupted nights sleep, MAYBE once a week. 
8.  We are very cozy in our mini van
9.  The noise level in the house has seemed to double
10.  I can NEVER finish what I start, finish a complete sentence or a complete thought for that matter.
11. I cannot seem to keep my eyes open past 9:00!

A List

The 3 month mark with Avery home has brought about a huge change in Avery.  Keeping in mind that she spent the first year of her life in an orphanage, these are some major milestones, blessings and God's amazing grace we have seen in the 3 short (but long) months she has been part of our family!

1.  She can walk behind her push toy!
2.  She WANTS me to rock her and sing to her before I lay her in her crib.
3.  She loves her Daddy and can now say Dada!
4.  She will let our dog come close to her.
5.  She doesn't want to get in her crib anymore!  She use to love to be put down because she felt safe and secure in her crib, but now she shakes her head when I tell her it is time for a nap!
6.  She nods back at me when I say "I love you"
7.  She climbs on EVERYTHING!
8.  She can say Mama...to ME!
9.  She doesn't scream and cry when I pour water on her head in the bath.
10. She doesn't have a constant snotty nose...thanks to allergy meds
11.  She tries to sing along with me
12.  She lets me walk out of the room without her crying hysterically
13. I can get really good pig tails now!
14.  She will wear bows and shoes!
15.  She LOVES her siblings and looks for them when they are at school and squeals with delight when they get home!
16.  She cries out for me when she wakes up...she used to just lay in bed until I would finally check in on her and see she was awake!

Strides

We have made huge strides with Avery!  We finally figured out she needs to be on a daily dose of allergy medicine..hence the runny snotty nose we have dealt with since her stepping on U.S. soil. 
She is also allowing me to leave her with others a lot easier. She stayed with my mom for a few hours while I ran some errands and we had a babysitter on Saturday night and she did great!  It has been a big relief to know that she is ok when I am gone and happy to see me come home!
One more HUGE stride is she is walking when pushing a walker.  It is amazing to think she came to us just starting to crawl and now we are seeing her take steps while pushing a walker.  She is still walking in an unconventional way, which we will address at some point, but to see her up and walking is amazing!
Up date on all my other sweet kids...

Gray is on a batman kick.  He refuses to wear anything other than shorts and hates to wear underwear.  He prefers to wear his batman shirt or any other shirt that is way too big for him!  He also is really into layering his clothes...a few shorts on top of one another or 3 shirts is pretty common around here.  I pick my battles and believe me, this one is not worth fighting.  He has a unique fashion sense!
Kate is begging to get her ears pierced!  I have no idea why!?  We are planning to go next weekend.  I tried to scare her and told her it was going to hurt, but she said she didn't care.  She drew a picture of her with earrings on and they were BIG red hoops with dangles on them!  She might be very disappointed when she gets her gold studs.
Owen is all over the place....hence the nickname "hurricane".  I feel exhausted just thinking about writing about him.  He is my extremely logical and gifted child which makes it quite a challenge to discipline and parent.  I am doing my best and am so thankful he is also my child who needs lots of touch and hugs.
Wills is as naive as ever and such a sweet kind little boy.  He is growing up on me, way too fast. 
I pray daily that he will rise up as a leader in school and with his friends.  We started basketball last week and he has gotten a lot more coordinated this year, so I hope we can find something he enjoys doing...and yes, deep down inside I hope it is basketball!  ha!
As I write about my kids, even though at the end of the day I am tired, exhausted and want to crawl in bed....I am reminded of how blessed I am.  5 healthy children that God has entrusted Matt and I with.
I know I am doing exactly what God has called me to do at this time in my life!

Where have I been?

I have never gone this long without a post!  Where have I been?  Right here!  I just could not find the time to sit and blog and when I did have the time, I was way too tired to pull out my computer and "think" or pour my thoughts out.  I hope I am back.  I hate to think all the wonderful, funny, frustrating things that have happened over the past month, that I will probably never remember again because it is not in print. 
Oh well....I am not going to focus on what I haven't done....for now we move forward!  Coming up on my favorite time of year and lots of new memories to make as a family of 7.
Enjoy some pictures from October!

She Did it!!!

So, look who took a few steps FORWARD with a walker today!!!!
She did it.  She moved her feet , as if walking forward, a few steps. 
It made all the therapy worth it!  It was amazing to see and to know that she will walk one day--SOON!!!
Her muscles do not have the strength to go very far or very long, but that fact that she took some steps is HUGE!
Avery's PT let us take home the walker to practice at home.  It has been a big hit with all the kids!  It is like a new toy and Avery is very protective of it.
Look at these pictures...and big sister to help along the way!

I am so proud of her.

Happy Day

Kate had her very best friend spend the night.  The first for both of them and guess what?  They did it!  She stayed the entire night and they actually fell asleep at a decent hour!

There were lots of giggles.

 This past Saturday, we also got to celebrate Lifeline's (the adoption agency we used) 30 year anniversary.  There were 22 Chinese delegates that attended and lots of families, those who have adopted, those who are going through the process, and even those that have not all celebrating the lives that have been changed over 30 years.  It was very cool to see so many other families that look like ours.  There was a ton of stuff for the kids to do and we all had a great time hanging out as a family--even amongst the craziness of our kids all over the place.

AND  I got pigtails in her hair for the event!!!  YAY!

 so glad she is ours!

 This is actually the V.P. of adoption affairs in Chonquing (the providence where Avery is from).  She spoke Chinese to Avery and I could see the look of confusion on Avery's face....I am sure it brought back some memories for her upon hearing it.  As you can see, Avery was not too thrilled to be next to her.

 Can you believe I am in a picture? 

Here we are eating lunch!

 Kate and Owen

 These 2 (wills and Kate) are by the far the sweetest with Avery.  They love her to death and give her lots of attention.