A few pics from the weekend...

We were so happy Ellyana got to see her friend, Jada, again! These 2 were at the same 2 orphanages together in Ethiopia & it is so special to see them grow! Ellyana was very happy to see Jada again too, hugs & kisses! (notice their same pants ;)
We were able to visit my Grandma in the nursing home, she is as "sharp" as ever & the kids brought much entertainment to her room!

It was great to have all the cousins together at Grandpa & Grandma's, #8 is coming in June...a boy to even it out!

As for what we are up to in everyday life...check out the post below...

Something smells like lemon...

I'm mostly recording this because I don't want to forget what it is like to live days like these...

I walked in this evening from being outside with the kids, "Boy, this place sure smells like "lemon", I wonder what it is?"

I looked at the kitchen counter...
*maybe the lemon dish soap as I had attempted to tackle the mountain of dishes today
*oh, maybe it was the Lemon Wet-Ones, as I had tried to sanitize hands more than usual...BJ had a 104 degree fever in the night...just a "virus" the Urgent Care doctor said today
*no, probably it was the Lemon Scented 409 cleaner that I used to clean the animal "poo" that both boys had managed to walk through yesterday (in different locations)
*or maybe it was the Lemon Clorox wipes that I had just used on the toliet & floor, as Ellyana had been back to her old toliet-swishing ways

Lemon does seem to be the smell of choice I pick, but as I thought about it "all"...it was not a good smell. What else is there to do? Pop a batch of popcorn to share...it smelled a lot better in here.

If only I was Mrs. Incredible

OK, here she laid on my kitchen floor & the thought overwhelmed me...wouldn't it be nice to be Mrs. Incredible? Yes, I am completely happy to be married to Mr. Incredible & have 3 Incredibly Wonderful kids...but if only I was her...I would have those Amazingly Stretchy arms...and I'm pretty sure that is just what I need...

Let me introduce you to the 1st true "climber" in our family...she seems happiest at the "highest point" she can possibly get to...and that is where the stretchy arms for the Mom would be so awesome to save her...on the table, swinging the light fixture, standing on the dishwasher door, on the pile of books on the couch, chairs, stools, end tables, trying to scale the bookcase...she has a true "talent"...but it makes the momma sooo nervous!

Oh, the brothers try to get her involved in other activities...

And she seems to be our Champion Winter Olympian...speed sledding by herself is a favorite, along with diving off the front porch into a pile of snow, then climbing back up & doing it again & again...thankfully the snow made soft landings & she often was giggling & asking for "more"

Oh, & she does love to brush her teeth (with ALL of our toothbrushes). Notice the random pantry items & mittens that she collects in her favorite spot (the bathroom!)

Yes, our precious beauty is keeping us busy, we love her so very much & never have to worry she will get left behind with keeping up with our boys!

Thankful for our many blessings and even the blessings of just being ourselves!!!

Picture update

We had a great visit from Grandpa & Grandma K a few weeks ago, we packed a lot of fun memories in...this was Sunday AM before church!

"Bust Brothers" as BJ calls them (aka best brothers ;)

Baby-on-the-go & still loving her "ba-ba" (aka bottle ;)

Cooking up some "apples" & fun

This little lady "hauls" things out all day long, it is better than "fishing" in the toliet, that is a habit that is slowing ending (thankfully ;)...I found her with one of the boys' Christmas candy...you'll notice a few shiny pieces that she had sucked & spit out...such a nice clean rug!

We have had a very mild winter here in Michigan, the kids (& Brian) have been able to go outside & play most days. Enjoy this video that captured Ellyana's contagious & adorable laugh!

Ellyana's Precious Dress & a heart for orphans

OK, this link is for these amazing dresses & lots of great links for supporting orphans as this family is on their journey of their 3rd adoption.

Check out this website, for beautiful fabrics & adorable styles (and absolutely amazing "customer service") Its not too early to order your Spring/Easter dresses :)

I have to say how happy Ellyana was to try on this dress (as you can tell from the pictures), it was so precious!

Here she is featured on the website,

http://itspoppydipblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/look-at-this-sweet-baby.html

(I put the link for "Its Poppy Dip" to the side of our blog also)

Enjoy!!!!

Is Jesus the Strongest!?!!

Brian's Grandpa Blume passed away unexpectedly on Wed. morning. He was ready to go & we were very thankful for the nice time we had with him at Christmas. We made a quick trip to the visitation & funeral & have answered more questions about death & dying from our boys than we can count (their 1st funeral in recent memory). We have tried to answer everything Scripturally & in an age-appropriate way...but sometime you just wonder what they are really comprehending!?!

Last night as Zach was eating his snack, he said....Mom, is Jesus the Strongest in the world? Oh, yes, He's the strongest of all! Zach then said, well, if He's the strongest is He going to be able to carry Great-Grandpa all the way to heaven in that tub?

Brian & I could not hold a straight face. After seeing Daddy & 8 other guys trying to carry the casket as pallbears... to a 4 yr old...heaven seems like a really far way to have to carry it ;)

We do rejoice that God's ways are above our ways & that Great-Grandpa can be in heaven!

Christmas & more

Our first "Christmas" was at home together before we left for 7 days to visit family. Ellyana seemed to enjoy things from the very start. It seems to be her motto, and we LOVE it! Christmas is always special, but it seemed extra special this year to see all the excitement in the kids!

We asked for "girly toys" for Ellyana for her for Christmas. She really knows how to push around little matchbox cars & make the "motor" sound just like her brothers...but she looks pretty happy with these new beads too! She is just starting to play with her baby dolls now, it is sooo cute to watch!

We enjoyed our final day with family at a hotel, the kids loved swimming in the pool!

Things have actually been warmer & less snowy here in Michigan than other places! Ellyana enjoyed a few trips down the really big hill at BJ's school with this week's snow. She was jabbering about the snow, who knows what she was saying, but she seems to really like it all!

BJ had fun at his basketball camp today. We had such a good time with our family & the few friends we saw over the holidays! Now it is back to everyday, busy life...praying we can keep Christ 1st in 2010!