Perfect Day

There is no way to explain the relationship we have with Will's birthmother. I believe that everything I 've been given comes from God. However, sometimes certain experiences or relationships make it more obvious to me. Jon and I never questioned whether we would adopt... it was more when. Although when it came to the topic of the relationship with birthparents, we were ignorant and unsure. God showed us what our hearts were capable of and we never looked back. Open adoption became a part of our lives and it changed us forever. I'm not saying it is for everyone or that it is the right path for every adoption, but it was our path. We wouldn't have it any other way. She brought us our son. How do you put that to words? How do you explain how that feels? You can't... I can't... I love her. I care for her. I think of her often. I love Will. I know he was meant to be in our family. I know he belongs to God, as all our boys do and we are lucky to be their parents. I just feel lucky. I feel comfortable and secure.

Last weekend we got together with her and it was wonderful. She has an amazing ability to make everything natural and comfortable. She is easy going and fun to be with. We enjoyed our time together and I look forward to out next get together! Thanks you God for this experience and for everything you have allowed us to experience.

Splash City Baby

I've been feeling spontaneous lately and would really like to, "go away" for the weekend. However, with the little guys being so needy..two cribs...two high chairs etc.... and the dynamic of the three all together sometimes.... not that tempting to go too far or do anything too crazy. But.. I still feel the itch. So, I talked Jon into taking a mini road trip today to Dorbrook park. It is about an hour and a half away and FREE. He liked the FREE part, not so much the driving. The boys were game of course and I had our bags and lunches packed. So, off we went. The park was more impressive than I expected. It was clean and fun. The splash park was amazing. I wish it was a little warmer because Jake would have lasted longer in the water, but they had fun! Will could have played all day. Kevin was grumps so that added a little to the day. He is usually so chill so it throws me off kilter when he is grumps. I think his first tooth is finally coming in! Time will tell. All in all, it was a nice day "away."

Jakes Spring Concert

Last night Jake's school has their spring/end of the year concert. Jake did great! It was amazing to see the difference in him and our family from this year's fall concert until now. In October, I had just had Kevin. He was with us at the concert, but sleeping the whole time. Will had to stay home with the sitter because 7PM was WAY too late for him. This time Will was awake, calm and happy the whole time and Kevin was squirmy and noisy the whole time. How times change! In the fall Jake was silly, squirmy and watched the people around him more than his teacher. This time, he was focused, knew the words to the songs and looked so old and adorable up there. I was one proud mama. After the songs were sung, they had a little preschool graduation for the pre-K classes. Is it weird that I am already dreading that? I teared up watching kids I didn't even know... I'm not ready for real school yet! I want my boys with me forever. At least that's how I feel right now! 

Attempt Numero Dos

Hugs while we waited for the show to start

Will sat still the whole show and didn't make a peep... Kev- not so much!

Our little Jesus superhero

He was SO excited that we were sitting in the front row.
His tongue was hanging out and he kept giving me a thumbs up sign.

Tubes

Will has had ear infections constantly since October. The poor guy has an ear infection...goes on 10 days of antibiotics... then two days later gets another infection. I felt like I had tried everything then we got the okay for tubes! I am so relieved. He had an appt. at 6:45 this morning. The biggest struggle was probably not being able to feed him anything. Our little guy likes to eat! Will was such a good patient and the nurses and doctors just fell in love with him. He was groggy when he woke up, but happy. Thank you God and Aunt Janet for helping us out very early this morning!

Lately

Summer is in full swing over here. We have been staying busy with end of the school year happenings, house showings and play dates. This week, Jake and I went on his first real field trip this week. He was very excited to ride on a "real" school bus. It was nice having time with my Jakers. Thanks Aunt Janet for watching the little guys. Will got tubes put in his ears this morning..pics to follow... and he was a trooper! Here's to no more ear infections!! He is also talking a lot more and making us laugh as always. Kevin is a soldier crawling fool and can usually be found under a piece of furniture yelling, "dada." Our weekends have been very busy too. Tomorrow we don't have anything on the calendar and I am excited to just chill as a fam. Sunday, we are getting together with Will's birth mother. We can't wait to see her. She has not seen Will since his birthday, she will be shocked!

Pictures below are mostly from my old school phone!

Sorry, not much time to pull out the camera these days... hehe

With his best buddy on the bus

He got to volunteer during and was thrilled

This is what a quick trip into CVS looks like...not so quick!

Often occurence... stuck under something, but always smiling!

Playing pretend at the farm

Finally captured this face... suprise!

Something stinky in the car...

Round Here

Summer is here... YAY! I love summer for all the outside fun that it brings! I'm not so into the humidity or crazy heat, but enough with that.  We have been trying to stay outside as much as possible. Considering our house is staged and it feels like a lonely hotel... it makes it easy to want to be outside. Can't wait until this process is over. Jon and I have a deadline and if the house doesn't sell by then... We stay. Either way, we know God is in control and we are fine with it. I can pretty much talk myself into either house at this point and see the pros and cons to both directions. All I know for sure is that having showings when you have three little boys, is not so fun. I miss my house the way it was. The cozy, personal home. The place where our pictures hung on the wall and the toys were sprawled accross the playroom floor. Soon enough...

Onto the boys... they have been up to the usual antics. Having fun in the sprinklers, running around the house, pretending they are superheros, playing catch with anything and everyt

hing and of course swimming in the pool. We have also been loving the pool. Jake needed a day to re-acclimate with the water, but now he is back to his old self. Running off the diving board yelling," cowabunga!" And Will just can't get enough of it. I was sure he would be more cautious, but I have two little water babies. I love the water myself so I don't mind. Although, managing three out by the pool is definetely hard. I'm thankful for lifevests and my pool fence! Poor Kevin is usually put into some contraption so he can't escape (now that is he solider crawling!!), Will and Jake are in their lifevests at all times. Poor Will falls over sometimes from being top heavy when it is on. Couldn't be cuter. They want to play pool basketball, pool bowling or water guns the whole time. I'm often the, "ball girl," or," coach." Seems like I better get used to being a "sports girl," Argh... I'd much rather be playing house or teacher, but they will never know it. I just want to have fun with them. So, I guess catch and freeze tag it is!

Watching Jake Bake with Mommy

Baking a cake for our friend Mike's b-day

The last fews month or so has really brought out the," brothers," in my boys. I see windows of light where they are all smiling and laughing with each other. I see Jake truly wanting them to be around and thinking of them when they are not there. I see Will saying," Jay(Jake) where rrr oouuu?" And I see Kevin... soldier crawling as fast as he can to get to wherever they are. I just love it. Sure, they bug each other the very next second... but that is okay with me. They are comfortable with each other and I know they love each other. I tell them every day that brothers are a gift from God and should be treated that way. (a wise Mommy gave me that one) I also tell them they should act like best friends. Other friends will come and go, but brothers stay. When this house stuff is over... I want to have the phrase," Brothers who play together, stay together" put up in my playroom. I want nothing more than my boys to love and protect each other. Mama loves you boys!



Pop Pop's Bday in Bmore

We finally had a chance to celebrate my dad's birthday. It is not easy getting my whole family together these days... so it was nice to have everyone in one place. It is such a rarity that we actually took our Christmas card picture that day too! The weather was beautiful and as he always requests... it was a day of backyard fun and BBQ. Simple, easy and fun, just like my dad. GG cooked up a feast and we ate outside in the shade. The boys had a blast. Pop Pop and GG got out Courtney's old slip and slide and set up the sprinklers. Needless to say, they LOVED it. Even Will. He was a little more timid, but loved holding hands and yelling, "Ready, Set and Go!." I brought my suit because I heard word of a slip and slide... I couldn't resist. Happy Birthday Pop Pop!!!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Teaching them Early!

Car Wash Project Photo Update

My inspiration...

 The work begins...

The simplicity of sprinklers

I was so envious of my kids today. I watched them play with their cousins in the sprinklers. They looked as if it was the greatest moment of their lives. I wish I still had the eyes and mind of a child. Sometimes I do... like in my occasional food choices.. but, I wish I could find great joy in moments that are simple. Make more fun our of a seemlingly ordinary day. Ah, to be like a child...here are some pics of their innocent fun!

 Everyone yell." Sprinklers!"

 I love little feet... sorry

 Patiently waiting as I open the popsicles

 Superheros on the go

 Jake said he was on the look out for fire?

The jeep ran out of juice... superheros to the rescue!!