Sisters

I have written many times on this blog how close my boys are. They are truly best friends (yes they can beat each other up but they love each other a lot).

I have been praying for the same thing for the girls ever since we knew we would have another girl. Well guess what? It somehow clicked last week.

Jordan just loves Emma. They always played together etc.

Now Jordan just runs to give Emma hugs and kisses.



I am sure that you would not notice but I can see the difference in the girls eyes. There is something more.

Yes they can get nasty to each other as well.

But you can tell they stick together.

They "try" to protect each other by raising their voices when they do not like something.

I feel so blessed to have them.

Is Spring In The Air?

The temperatures have warmed up the last few days here in New England. We think it is getting warm. It was 45 F today and the boys spent most of the day outside enjoying the sun

(actually made it to 65 yesterday). I can feel the spring in the air but it is still too cold for me. You can see the boys playing outside. They had a whole house going out there.

I believe Sam was taking a nap.

The girls went outside a little later to stretch their legs (they had to wait for me to go out with them).

Jo is so happy playing outside. I will have a very busy summer this year ( I am wondering if I can move my sewing machine outside while I watch the girls).

I hope you are all enjoying warmer temperatures.

Sunday Reflections (ONE YEAR)

Words fall like drops of rain

My lips are like clouds

I say so many things

Trying to figure you out

But as mercy opens my eyes

My words are stolen away

With this breathtaking view of your grace

And I am speechless

Im astonished and amazed

I am silenced by your wondrous grace

You have saved me

You have raised me from the grave

And I am speechless in your presence now

Im astounded as I consider how

You have shown us

A love that leaves us speechless

(Steven Curtis Chapman)

Last year we were in Addis Ababa

Do Cowboys Use Table Cloth?

During my cleaning and sewing in the basement the boys were busy playing the old west.

Sam made playing card for his cowboys and then he started snooping around my fabric piles and asked if he could use some. He got all exited with what he found and was very proud with his tablecloths.

Then he ask me with the most serious face:

"Mom, do cowboys use tablecloths?"

I have no idea. Anyway the ones in our basement do.

Spring Cleaning - Fabric closet

I wish I had a fabric closet. However, I do have a craft corner down in the basement with a closet that is full of .... well stuff. A big part of it is fabric. Once in a while it hits me and I want to organize that corner of mine. It works for a while and then the kids ask for something and it looks like Fil would say 'organized chaos'.

Anyway I got spring fever the other day (which is funny since it was snowing outside AGAIN and we have not seen the grass in our yard since December). As I was looking what kind of fabric I have down there I started a few projects. I made this fun spring quilt. It is not done yet I need the batting and to put it all together. I had so much fun. It has been a while since I made a quilt. I believe my last one was for Emma few years back. I did not follow any patterns It was just using scraps of fabric in my closet. I also made a few bugs that are a big hit with the kids. Well the girls love them and the boys requested ones with 'boys' fabric.

I got a book by Amy Butler with sewing patterns for Christmas from the kids and I am finally getting around to trying some of them out.

As you can see the girls had to turn the butterflies into accessories.

I sure hope the spring will come SOON up here!

One Last Visit From the Social Worker

About two years ago we had our first visit from a social worker. Our first visit was originally planned for another day but we had a big snowstorm and our plans changed so we called the social worker if she had a free afternoon and she did. It was the last minute visit and the house was not as spotless as I wanted it to be. When she pulled into our driveway every single child from our neighborhood was in our front yard sledding. This is not anything unusual but somehow I imagined our first visit differently. I told the boys earlier what was going on and I asked them not to bring their friends over (which happens often) and guess what. Halfway through our interview I hear tons of voices in the basement and sure enough all the kids came in to warm up. The kids went upstairs into the boys room and decided to play 'hungry hungry hippos' game of all games. (for those who do not know this game it can get loud) Not at all the picture perfect visit I was expecting.

However, the visit went well and we were more then happy with our first visit. We had two more visits in the following weeks (much quieter).



We saw our social worker again three months after Jordan came home with us. And then again about three months later.

Last Thursday was our last meeting with her. It has almost been a year since we came home with Jordan. Can you believe that? The time sure flies by. Emma was the same age Jordan is now when we first met our social worker.

Jordan changed so much since we came home. Mainly it is part of her growing up but it is also her attachment to us.

We feel very blessed that Jordan was able to fit into our family without any major problems. She is a smart 20 months old and she loves her sister and her brothers.

She loves mommy and daddy.

It seems lately we are getting more emails asking about adoption and

I wanted to let you all of you out there to ask us any questions you have. We will try our best to answer them all.

Sunday Reflections

We came into this world wretched, miserable, and undone creatures, in cruel bondage to sin and Satan, under guilt and under wrath, hostile toward God--the fountain of blessedness--and in a state of condemnation leading to everlasting destruction. But when a man is converted, he is brought out of that state of woe and misery into a sure title to glory, honor, and peace forever. When once a man is converted, all this blessedness that we have heard of is his; he has an absolute right to it. God's work is accomplished for it; His faithful promise is given. --Jonathan Edwards Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent,

nor of human decision or a husband's will,

but born of God.
(John 1:12-13)