Princess Annabelle is 9 months old

Today we had Annabelle's 9 month check up

She must be starving, she weighed in at 21 1/2 pounds!

Do you think she'll be tall? She is off the charts at a whopping 30 inches!

She is Crawling, pulling herself up, eating everything (except pistachio pudding)

She's a happy happy girl.

GOTA LOVE MY PRINCESS A!

what a memorable day

What does St. Patrick's day remind me of? ECUADOR and this little guy that I fell in love with. 9 years ago I got on a plane with 15 other strangers who soon became my friends. It was March 16th, we spent the first night in the nicest hotel in Quito, the next morning we flew into Cuenca and that is where my story is told. . .

(drinking green milk with my first meal at mi casa).

I am so grateful to my heavenly father that I got to go and learn a love like no other, the love of a mother, before I ever had children of my own.

I was still very immature but selfless service does a lot for a persons soul. I know I left being a better person and I know I made a difference in children's lives. This is just one of those children that I loved. (he was my baby) There were 19 babies in the cuna and at least 30 girls in the other orphanage. Isn't he beautiful? He is 10 years old now. . . One day in heaven I hope I get to meet him again.

Vicente Gabriel Born aprox. October 2, 2000

Pictures weren't allowed so I had to sneak in the bathroom with a disposable camera to get this picture of my baby.

Can you imagine dropping your child off at an orphanage?

I witnessed one mother doing so, at least she had the dignity to bring the baby in instead of ringing the bell and running. She looked so heart broken. 3rd world countries bring quite different circumstances than what we have here. I'm glad to be an American.

Seriously

I wish to Squish!

I want to play tea

Every day we have a tea party. Jace is learning how to properly hold his tea cup. He has learned that we don't drink bad tea, but mommy tea is ok. In fact for our party he gets us water and it usually comes out of the bathroom sink. Yesterday he served us "bubble water." I made him promise he didn't put soap in it, but there was definitely a faint soapy taste. So all you girls come on over. Jace is a great host, and we can talk about rainbows and puppy dogs!

Jacersarus is FOUR!

My little Jacer is 4. I can't believe how fast the time really goes by.

I literally stink at this blogging thing. I can't get the pictures in order but at least the invitation is the first pic. Saturday we have an amazing family who joined us at thanksgiving point for a great dinosaur experience. Then on Monday Jace celebrated with his neighborhood friends. Thanks to My mom, Dana and Mindy I pulled it off. I think I forgot that 15 little people are a lot of work and a game takes about 5 minutes max before we lose interest. I also didn't realize that there is a HUGE difference between a 6 year old and a 4 year old, especially when the game is tug of war! Jace had a great day and I want to thank all of you for enjoying it with him.

Thank You Friends!

On my birthday these lovely friends of mine took me to breakfast. They showered me with gifts and made me feel loved. I had a great birthday and I don't feel a day older. I love the new twenties! I feel alive!

30 years ago today!

I don't think it was snowing.

I don't know any facts about the day or the year.

But March 5th I was born.

Here I am at age 3, just the age you might see a resemblance. . .

Who looks like this in my family?

(I think I see Paige)

Who has those cheeks and that double chin?

(Annabelle for sure got the chub from me)

Brothers. . . I wasn't bald until I was 3. Look at those locks!

not again!

On Monday I came home from Costco to Mike yelling, "we gotta go to the hospital, will you take him?" Mike is petrified of cuts, blood, wiggly teeth etc. . . While diving onto the love sac to pick a book Gabe smashed into the corner of the closet and once again we make our way to the doctors office for a few sutures. Gabe is so tuff, he didn't even flinch. Just like when he pulled his tooth out the other night so he could get a dollar.

I am happy to report that he does NOT have chicken pox. I don't know what it was. Just a few spots I guess.

Gabe's cute thought: He is fascinated with his body, questions about what is under his skin. We got a book from the library to explain but he still keeps asking what is under his bones. Finally yesterday I said "bone marrow" His reply: "Like a bow and arrow?"

No mean people

Jace has been collecting the elastics off of the asparagus and putting them on the door. He tells me, "I am locking the door so no mean people can get in." It is actually getting pretty strong. It might just hold out the bad guys!

Jace's cute thought: after naming off about 5 different things he wanted for lunch I told him his eyes were sounding bigger than his tummy. He thought for a bit then hopped off the chair. "I want to see in the mirror."

I can't get enought

of this face. She is so special. I am so lucky to have my little Annabelle. Grandma Liston told me a quote I just love.

A son's a son 'til he marry's a wife.

A daughter's a daughter her entire life.