Our Crazy Life

A Day at the Beach

2011-09-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

So we decided to take a day to play Labor Day weekend, since we have been either traveling back and forth between Bellingham and Newberg, or have been working to get unpacked and moved in. I made the executive decision to find the nearest beach on Saturday, so we traveled the 65 miles or so to Lincoln City. It is a great Oregon Coast town, complete with tourist shops, seafood restaurants, and best of all... a beach or two. (There is also an outlet mall, but fortunately for my pocket book when Nicholle asked to go, the kids were already wet and sandy, so we were in no condition to shop!) We did however notice one particular difference between Oregon coast beaches and the beaches of Bellingham and Birch Bay, SAND! Usually the weather can be a little unpredictable, with fog and cool windy temperatures being the norm. But Newberg was over 90 degrees, and the weather in Lincoln City was 80 Degrees and sunny with only a hint of a breeze, the perfect day! (annecdotally, I guess Sunday and Monday the fog was pretty thick all day) The kids had a great time!

The big waves from afar.....

Franny's "fear" as they approached (notice the size)

Juan doing what Juan does best.....we're just not sure what it is...

Happy kids that slept well on Saturday night!

We have decided to do more beach exploring in the future, and should anyone else decide to go, feel free to stop by, we are on the way!

Thirteen Months????? Really?????

2011-09-11T19:46:00.001-07:00

Now that's just ridiculous! Our lives have changed dramatically in the last 13 months! The kids are all a year older, I changed jobs, we moved and for the first time in 16 years plus neither Nicholle or I have any callings in church (probably soon to change however). There is no way I can cover the last 13 months, so I am vowing right now to be more regular about updating this, especially since most of you who at one time followed us are no longer around us every day.... Suffice it to say, we are now living in a small town about 20 miles southwest of Portland called Newberg. It is small, about 25,ooo people but we love it. Originally a Quaker community, Newberg is home to George Fox University, a private liberal arts college sponsored by the quakers. I commute to Beaverton for work each day, not a bad drive at all, compared to the last 10 years of driving to Everett and back. Work has been getting better each day, and I finally feel like I am fitting in after 8 months. The kids all just started school and seem to be making friends, since both Mario and Franny have birthday parties to attend next weekend after their soccer games.

And then there is soccer. This seems to become our lives until November. And they are only playing rec league soccer with the parks and rec department. Fortunately they all have great coaches and are learning a lot, especially Juan, He even scored a goal in his game on Saturday! Having 3 children in sports is just plain crazy, and I have a new found respect for my parents and what they went through with several of us playing baseball at the same time! Fortunately for us, all three coaches scheduled practices for the same days of the week at the same field, so Nicholle just picks the kids up after school, gets them changed and hangs out at the practice field, Kindle in hand from 4 to 7 each Tuesday and Thursday. What a trooper! The kids really love the game, and Dad is finally figuring out the rules, having chosen baseball over soccer as a kid.

We will try to get some pictures posted in the next couple of days, and try to be better about keeping this thing up and going!

Summer Vacation- Did you get a picture of that?

2010-08-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

I am such a lousy mom!! We just went on a vacation to Terry's family reunion and I somehow got home without a single picture. HOW DO YOU DO THAT???? We went to Umpqua State Park along the Oregon Coast. It was cold but we had a ton of fun playing with our cousins, and on the beach. We flew kites, made sand castles and went for walks. It was a blast, thank you Grandma Jones for the fun adventure.

Better Late Than Never

2010-08-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well, Franny was baptized, and we are all still alive. It has only taken me 6 months to get this picture on the blog. Franny did great and had a great baptism. She wore a dress made for her by "Grandma Lori". And has used the dress to attend the Vancouver, British Columbia Temple Dedication where she was able to see President Monson wiggle his ears. She was quite amazed by that.... Both Grandma Lori and Grandpa Jones gave talks at her baptism, and our friend Christa Daily played the song Baptism out of the children's song book. Franny felt like a princess on this day, and I am so proud of her for making such a good decision to be baptized.

Now we are awaiting Mario's baptism in December......

Happy Birthday Franny!

2010-01-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

Guess who turned 8 today!!!! Franny had a great morning, painting a unicorn statue with her friend Thirza, at Creativitea, a paint your own pottery store. We then joined the boys at Red Robin for lunch. How much fun it is to be a girl turning 8! Her brothers even wished her a Happy Birthday. Then we get to have a little family party tonight with our little family. Then on Saturday she is getting baptized and we are having a celebration. And last, but not least, she gets to have a party with the Jones family at our weekly Sunday dinner. Is she spoiled or what?????? I think really she is just very loved!

Franny's Baptism

2010-01-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

Franny is getting baptized on Saturday the 23rd of January at 11 am for anyone that would like to come. I am so proud of her, she is making great choices in her life, and has really blossomed into a beautifully sweet little girl. She had her interview with Bishop McKell yesterday, and passed (like we didn't think she would:)). She is ready and excited for the next couple weeks. A great birthday, and then a awesome baptism day!! Then we get to do this again in December with Mario!!!!! I am so proud of all of my kids.

So, I started my math class that is online. OH MY GOSH!! My brain is being taxed. I have had straight A's since going back to school this time.... this class may kill that record.

Franny's smile

2010-01-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Franny's dance costume. I tried to upload the vidoe, but it never works. She performed the song from Annie "Your Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile. Thanks Miss Jamie for the fun class. She has really enjoyed it, and we enjoy watching her!

New Year's Resolution

2010-01-03T18:13:00.000-08:00

Okay!!! So I have not been so great at the blogging thing since this summer. This fall has been crazy for us, and to tell you the truth, I was lucky to come up for air once in a while, with all we had going on. Life is settling down a little now, at least for a while, so I am recommitting myself to trying to post at least once a week. I am so blessed, and I need to be more thankful and let people know that I am thankful for all I have. I also would like to have a record of my very blessed life.

A thought- I Am So Blessed

2009-07-14T00:05:00.000-07:00

So, have you ever had a day when you realized that you were a very lucky person? I realized that today. I am going to school and loving what I am studying. I am married to the best guy on the planet (and as of lately he has proven this a million times over), I am able to work when I want, I have the best kids in the world, I have a home, and family that love me. I really have nothing to be complaining about. I know that I am definately loved by my Heavenly Father, and I am truly blessed. While I was at work tonight I was listening to Pandora, and Martina Mc Bride's song Blessed came on, I think this lead me to ponder how lucky I am. I am so blessed. Thanks you Heavenly Father!!! Many people are not so blessed with a loving family, a home over their heads, a supportive husband, and family. I am also blessed that I am able to chose to do what I want and that I have my freedom. We are all blessed... May you count your many blessing today!

Smores and More Smores on the Fourth of July

2009-07-13T23:57:00.000-07:00

We went with Grandma Lori, Grandpa Terry, and Aunt Carolyn to Birch Bay for a picnic on the fourth

of July and had a picnic. Aunt Carolyn was a favorite because she brought the goodies to make Smores!!!

Ballet Recital

2009-07-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

I have a great video of Franny in her ballet recital, but I can't get it to upload, so here is a picture. She did an amazing job in the recital even though she was scared to death. I am so proud of her and all the challenges she has taken on and done great at. She is a very talented little girl. I just love her so much.

Birch Bay means crabs, rocks,barnacles, and lots of fun!

2009-07-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

Our kids had never been to the beach before, so one Saturday Terry and I decided to take them to the bay. My mom has always had a special place in her heart for Birch Bay, and has passed that love of the ocean on to me. I wanted my kids to have a similar experience. We were there for a full afternoon, and our kids asked to go back lots of times. It was a day we will all remember for a while! We have been back a couple of time since then and they are always excited when they hear it is Birch Bay we are going to. I loved hearing them yell "A crab, get it. hurry get it get it. It was a great day. We even found a star fish on a rock. I haven't seen one of those there before. What a fun day!!!!

more t-ball

2009-07-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

Isn't she so cute!! I love this little girl! It was interesting the difference between t-ball and softball, but I loved every minute as did she!

T-ball

2009-07-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

Franny had the oportunnity to play t-ball this year. She is taking after her mom and her Aunt Shanna and is quite the little t-ball player. Ironically, Mario was originally signed up, but then broke his arm on the trampoline. So we could either lose our money or pay $15.00 and let Franny play. She did great. She looked forward every week to getting to play her games. We even had grandma and grandpa's come and watch. I think she flet like a real star. I was very proud of her and her efforts. I also loved that this gave her lots of daddy/ daughter time.

2009-07-13T16:11:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I have been hearing about my lack of posting, sooooooo get ready here they come!!!

Mother's Day

2009-05-15T14:25:00.001-07:00

Here it is almost a week after mother's day, and I am submitting my post. I am so behind!!! This was the best Mother's day of my life. I have had quite a few, where I wallowed in self pity, and had quite a few tears, but not this one. I was able to see my mom on saturday, and spend a good protion of the day with her. We were working, but it was a blast. I love my mom, she is my rock, and I owe all that I am to her. She is amazing. I really mean that too, because I know that she will never see this(she is not that computer savy). I got to spend Sunday with Terry's mom, and his sisters, who were also celebrating their first mother's day. I also was asked to speak about how motherhood realted to the proclamation in sacrament on sunday. I did not realize it was mother's day when I had agreed to talk, but I am so thankful I got the opportunity. It made we reflect on the path I took to becoming a mother. I realize that I had a very curvy path, but that it was the right path for me. I also realized how blessed I was to get to care for Ashton and Nikita for the short time that I did, and what a blessing they were to my life. With out them I probably would never have gotten to the spot where I was ready to adopt Franny, Mario, and Juan. The decision to adopt them was the best decision I have ever made, other than marrying Terry. It is also one of the most difficult roles I have ever taken on, but I love it. Motherhood is amazing. I do have to say though that I have gained so much respect for those mother's out there. It is nothing and everything I expected it to be, it is harder, and so much more rewarding than I expected it to be, but most of all it is a great blessing. I said in my talk that our children are really only "rentals", they really are our Heavenly Father's children, we just get to rent them while they are here on earth. I am so thankful that I was worthy to rent my three. They mean the world to me.
Go moms!

Quiet Play

2009-05-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Look I have proof, my kids do actually like each other, and they can play quietly together. I was at the kitchen table, and I heard the boys talking quietly to each other in the bedroom. I was a little nervous because I had not had to settle a dispute in over 5 minutes, and I had not heard ...You're a meaner, or I'm not playing with you, or your are dumb or I not play with you... in over 10 minutes, but just quiet talking. I started wondering if they were plotting something, and then I walked to the hall way and listened. To my surprise, they were actually just playing together nicely. I had to document the occasion because I knew without a picture Terry would never believe it.

Messy Messy Ribs

2009-04-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

We had ribs for sunday dinner. The kids really got into it!!!! I think I cleaned up BBQ sauce for about 20 minutes afterwards, and they all went directly into the bath!!

Easter Best....

2009-04-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

Here is our Easter best. It was fun getting to get all dressed up and going to church for Easter Sunday. We also enjoyed seeing all of the other kids in primary with their Easter attire on. We woke up and the Easter Bunny left us candy, new sunday clothes, and quite activities for church. We then had boiled (decorated) eggs for breakfast and went to church. We can home changed our clothes, watch Madagascar (so mom could take a nap), and then we went to the Jones' for Easter dinner. We got to play with our cousins and have a delicious dinner!!! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Jones for the good food and fun.

Happy Easter

2009-04-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to all....

We had a fabulous Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma Jones'. Thanks Auntie Shanna and Auntie Liz. We had almost all of the Jones cousins. (We missed you Lucy=( ). All the Uncles had fun hiding the candy, and the kids had fun finding it. If you know the Jones Family Uncles you know that this was not ordinary Easter Egg Hunt..... We also had a wonderful Easter dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Jones. More about that later.

I LOVE MY KIDS!!!

2009-04-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

I LOVE MY KIDS!!! We just finished Spring Break, which I was dreading because I wasn't going to get any "free time", but it was great. We watched cartoons in bed. We went to the park. We played with cousins. And we got to play with Dad on his day off.

I love that my kids love me even when I have a bad day. I love that they like to snuggle me. I love that they want my attention. I love that they try really hard to be good. I love that we have our own secret good night routine. I love that they love me even when I am yelling and losing it. I love that they are mine, and that we can be together forever as a family. I LOVE MY KIDS!

We made it 7 months, that's not so bad?...

2009-03-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

SO..... Yesterday we went to Grandma and Grandpa Jones house for dinner... just like every week. Terry went out to tell the kids it was time for dinner. Mario decided to crawl over and climb down the step ladder beside the tramp. Some how, we are still a little fuzzy on the details, he fell off the tramp and his arm and the step ladder became very close friends. He began to cry and like all parents we were not sure whether this was drama or real. We gave him a pack of ice and laid him on the couch, hoping that the draw of dinner would help "heal" his arm. We knew something was a miss when 10 minutes later he was still crying and not interested in the dinner. (Anyone that knows Mario, knows that food is his best friend, he is ALWAYS hungry). Terry took him to the hospital emergency room and 5 and a half hour later we know that he has an "acute right supracandylar elbow fracture". I felt so bad for him...It's his right hand, although he has managed to still control the remote to the tv, play his game boy, and eat. I guess 7 months isn't so bad, although Terry's mom is claiming 37 years of no broken arms, legs, or such.... but I know about a call to 911 by a 5 year old, and a few broken noses, and a mailbox and head instance, as well as a kazoo instance. So... I don't think 7 months is so bad???... What do you think?

Pool Party

2009-02-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks Brooklin for turning 1. We loved the swimming party. Mom loved that we all crashed on the way home, and slept in until 8am the next morning. I can't believe Brookie is 1. Happy Birthday!!!

Deep thoughts????

2009-02-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

So... It looks like he is deep in thought, and he might actually be...

What does a four year old think about when he is deep in thought...

1) how do I get my brother and sister to do what I want them to

2) how do I trick Mario into letting me play with his big truck

3) how do I get gum (at least 4-5 pieces a day)

4) how can I have candy without eating the "healthy food first"

5) how do I take a bath without actually washing anything

In all actuality he was just hoping to be the first one with some of Brooklin's birthday cake. I thought these were cute though. Sometimes, I wonder what a four year old actually thinks. When I figure it out I'll let you know.

What the Heck!!!

2009-02-20T14:27:00.000-08:00

What the heck is wrong with my kids these days? This is the question I keep asking myself. Today Juan is crying if you look at him the wrong way. Mario can't seem to walk past someone with out hitting them, and Franny is very weepy. As I pondered this question I realized that... We have been up late every night this week. No wonder they are all a little out of sorts. It also couldn't be that I am also tired, and it is crunch time at school to get things done.

The counselor also told me a couple of week ago, that this is a hard time for kids, their counseling appointment double the 2nd week of January through to the end of Feb. Maybe it's a full moon, I don't know. All I know is that we are all going to be early!!!!!

Doctor Doctor

2009-02-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

So.. our kids have been effected by Terry's injury. The other day, I told the kids to go play dress up, and they decided to play Dr. Of course Mario was the Dr., and poor Franny was the patient. (Juan started out as a patient too, but his attention span allowed his injury to heal in less than two minutes =). If you notice Mario felt the need to take Franny's blood pressure on her leg, and by the way she needed to have about eight shots too. I think we need to have some first aid lessons, from Chris Taylor. Can we put that on the family reunion agenda?....

My kids love to play dress up and I never know what they will be, it is so fun to watch their imaginations bloom and experiment. I sometimes wonder if I was that creative?...

Mt. Baker sledding New Years Day

2009-02-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

So... this is a little late, but I am taking over for Terry with regards to posting about our kids.

This picture is when we went up to Mt. Baker to go sledding on New Year's Day. We had a blast and nobody was injured. I am not sure Juan every actually went down the hill on the sleds, but he had fun. Mario (is anbody suprised) was the daredevil. He went down more than the rest of us combined.

I am sure enjoying the opportunity of being a mom. It is a blast to play with our kids. I am not sure how I feel about the discipling part of parenting yet, but I LOVE!!!! the having fun part.

Our MJ or should we say Mario Jones

2009-02-13T18:41:00.000-08:00

Okay.... so he is not Michael Jordan, but he sure tries. About half way through the season, I actually explained to him why he was holding his hands up, and he looked at me and got a smile on his face, and said,"OH!!!". Most of the season Mario complained about going to the practices and games, and then was so excited (because he had fun) after they were over, he couldn't wait to play again. When we went with the rest of his team to Lafeen's (doughnut shop) after the final game, he told his coach he was sad that they were done playing.

He is going to be starting T-ball mid-March, maybe he will be more interested in practices for that. I am proud of him and his efforts, and trying his best. I also love that he was able to turn the experience into a game of tag. Watch him and the girl he is supposed to be guarding (she has on a yellow wrist band just like Mario's). They had a great game of tag.

I really didn't want to be that mom, that forced their kids to do sports, so I told him that he didn't have to play anything that he didn't want, but that if signed up and committed to a team he needed to finish the season out. I am glad that I stuck to my guns, because I think he really did enjoy it, he was just a little nervous about the experience. He did great. Grandpa Terry would sure be proud.

Nicholle

And so it continues.....

2009-02-11T21:19:00.000-08:00

So another update.... I have now seen two Orthopedic surgeons, one in Bellingham and one in Bellevue. Apparently I have a torn MCL and a torn PCL, in other words, one on the inside of my right knee and one in the back. Somehow I hyperextended and twisted at the same time. The guy in Bellingham indicated that I didn't absolutely have to have surgery but that if I wanted to ski or play basketball or anything like that I would have to wear a brace. If I did surgery, I could probably get away with not wearing one after the physical therapy. He then said that noone in Bellingham reconstructed PCLs, and referred me to the Group Health clinic in Bellevue. There the doctor, who by the way hadn't read the Bellingham doctor's report or bothered to look at the MRI, said I didn't need surgery just PT. I am more than a little concerned that he is looking out for the insurance company (his employer) instead of me. He did agree to look at the MRI and the other doctor's report and give me a follow up phone visit. That happens tomorrow at noon. I really hope that I don't have to get a third opinion tie breaker..... Mean time I am wearing a brace with a joint in it that goes from mid thigh to ankle...lovely!

On another front, Franny said something hilarious the other day. She was complaining of her lip hurting, and when we looked at it, she had a canker sore almost the size of a dime on it. When we asked her what happened, she said that it got really big,but when she would bite on it, or rub her tongue on it, it tasted like ketchup!!!!, Nicholle and I just about fell over laughing, and then told her to stop doing that.....

UPDATE...

2009-01-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

So I guess last night's post wasn't super clear...Annika, it wasn't actually my first time skiing, just the first run of the day. We have been skiing for several years now...

Now for the update... I had an 8:00 a.m. MRI and by 3:00 had been referred and scheduled to see an orthopedist. Apparently there are, and I quote "several torn ligaments" in my right knee. Yeah!!!! I can't wait for this next appointment, I can just hear it now... "Mr. Jones, we need to operate to repair the ligaments....." Awesome!!!

2009-01-26T20:58:00.000-08:00

So it has been a while, but there are good reasons.... so last Monday, Nicholle and I dediced to go skiing for the first time this year. After the stress of finding a baby sitter for the entire day, and trying to organize everything we needed, we finally pulled it together and were off. After dropping the kids off at the sitter at 7:30 and the hour plus drive up the hill, we finally arrived and were anticipating some great spring skiing, as it had been 62 degrees the day before and was promising to be the same this day. After standing in line for twenty minutes to spend over ninety three dollars on lift tickets, we headed down the hill to the BEGINNERS chairlift. Once we got to the top, we stopped to talk to a friend we met on the way up the lift. Nicholle wanted to head down the right side of the lift, so away we went. because it was icy, I was a little tentative, but took off and in trying to make a turn, caught the back edge of my ski and went over the top. My left ski released, but the right one didn't, and I found myself kissing snow. I found it very difficult to stand back up. My knee was killing me, so we very gingerly made our way down the hill. (There was no way I was going to let ski patrol put me in a sled...)Unfortunately, we had to ride the chair up again to get back to the lodge. So we tried that, and my knee was killing me all the way, so we packed it up and came home. Two lift rides....$93, messing up my knee on the first run....Priceless!

That afternoon the doctor's examination indicated an acute MCL strain. She told me to wrap it, ice it and stay off of it, but I'm not so good at following directions. So I found myself back in the doctor's office again this morning and am scheduled for an MRI tomorrow morning first thing. I guess my ski season is over.....

Early Church....

2009-01-11T21:44:00.000-08:00

So, for the last few months, the family has had church beginning at 1:00 in the afternoon, but beginning the first of January, They moved to 9:00 church. This may have been a blessing in disguise, at least for Nicholle. She now gets the kids up early enough that I can help get them ready for church. It adds a little stress to my morning, but relieves a lot from hers, at least I like to think it does. There are unintended consequences, like this morning.....

Luckily, he didn't fall over in his Fruit Loops! I love the everyday adventures we are facing, at least after the fact, when Nicholle and I can laugh about them! Just one more sleeping photo... Juan tends to sleep very warm, he will often wake up about an hour after going to bed in a sweat having nightmares caused by the heat, but insists on sleeping with a fleece blanket next to his skin, and then his covers over top of it. So the other night, when he woke up, I put just the fleece back on him, intending to put anther blanket over him before going to bed. I forgot, and here is the result.....

Maybe I will remember to cover him up next time to avoid turning a 4 year old into a fleece Mummy......

2008-12-28T22:09:00.000-08:00

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and we have had quite a season. I don't know that I am quite sure where all the time and money went, but judging by the haul the kids took in I have at least an idea about the money. We learned a great lesson. Our kids have Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, and cousins. We don't need to take care of their entire Christmas!!! They were entirely spoiled. But it was fun nonetheless. Probably my greatest gift came on Saturday, when I was able to take my little family to the Temple in Seattle and have the children sealed to us for time and all eternity, completing the adoption process, at least as we view it. It was great to have friends and family there to celebrate with us. It was truly a gift the Lord has given us to be organized into families and to have the love and support he intended for us. I am always troubled when we ignore that, or take it for granted, or when we do things that void the family bonds. But when it works, that is nothing less than miraculous.

Marioisms

2008-12-07T22:17:00.000-08:00

So I spent every night last week in meetings, but it seems that when I came home each night, Nicholle had a new story to tell me about something Mario had said or done... I'll share two of my favorites.

First, on Wednesday, as she was helping the boys take a shower, Mario was already in the shower, and all of a sudden she hears this WHUMPF!!! followed by OOOOUUUUCCCCCHHHH! Mario was completely upset thatthe shower had betrayed him by tripping him up while dancing in the shower wet.... Then after she got him out, and sent him to the bedroom to dry off and get dressed, he asked why the mirror was fogged up. after explaining it he said "cool" and she turned around to focus on Juan. all of a sudden she hears another WHUMPF! followed by another OOOUUUCCCHHH!!! Then followed up by "The stupid counter pushed me off!" It seems that the fog on the mirror was just too tempting, but naked wet feet and bodies don't mix with countertops. He couldn't quite figure that out...

Then she told me about another conversation. She was wrapping Christmas gifts for our Niece and Nephew and when he asked what she was doing, he said "Wait!!!" as he was cutting paper and stapling it together, he stated, "I want to make Mackenzie a Diarrhea!" Nicholle looked at him and said "What?" He said "you know the thing you write your secrets in!" After picking herself up off of the floor she explained that it was a Diary.... the following day in the car, she overheard him telling Franny that he wanted a Diarrhea for Christmas, Franny Said "Huh????" then he said "I must have said the wrong word again...."

Sunday Best!!!

2008-11-23T21:35:00.000-08:00

So, today was a typical Sunday at the Jones house...Sort of. I did the typical Bishop thing, Leave for church before everyone is up and don't get home until just in time for dinner, Especially now that we have started Tithing Settlement. This Sunday was a little different however. Nicholle called at Noon and said that she and the kids wouldn't be at church. They normally attend our home ward which meets at 1:00 while the YSA ward over which I preside meets at 11:00. We had had a pretty late night with Franny, so she had put the boys in front of a movie this morning but didn't wake up until right before she called me. So there was no way to make it on time. When I got to Mom and Dad's for the normal Sunday dinner and to celebrate Liz's Birthday, I was met by Batman, Spiderman, and Cowgirl. The kids really love to play dress up, the problem for me is that normally Mario wants to wear the dresses and be the Queen!! A little nerve racking for a dad of boys, however Nicholle and her child development books assure me that this is normal behavior for 5 year old boys and not to worry. If he does this at sixteen, I am writing the publisher!!! But tonight was pretty normal. Although we didn't get any pictures tonight, I thought I would post some of past dress up days just for fun...

Juan plays Spiderman

Mario's Homemade "Batman"

Juan started acting like a lion, so Mom made it official

Franny in "Hollywood" Diggin' the shades!!!

Adoption Day!

2008-11-15T21:50:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday was the big day!!! And what a day it was!!! National adoption day in Longview Washington is a big thing! In all the Cowlitz County Superior Court handled 30 adoptions that day, and we had 10% of them!!! They don't even hold court in the courthouse on this day. We all went to an annex building of the Catholic church, where they had gotten permission from the state court to hold court. All of the families were there together, with extended family and important friends. They had enough cake and cookies to create a sugar buzz for the entire city, I'm not sure that was such a good idea. Give kids of all ages candy cookies and cake, then expect them to go into a courtroom and sit through an adoption hearing. Fortunately, the hearings are only 10 minutes or so. They did them in some kind of order, and while we were waiting, they had a magician, 3 televisions set up with Nintendo Wiis for the older kids, toys for the younger kids, craft areas where the kids could make Christmas decorations and ornaments, (Franny made 5) and a coloring station for those who weren't about to go into a carb coma and had the attention span larger than a gnat...

As we sat in front of the judge and signed the paperwork, I was impressed by how great this all was and the attention paid to the children. During the program at the beginning, after Judge Johanson spoke, they actually had all of the children get up on the stage and give their name, and age, and talk a little about adoption. Of course, our children who are never bashful, clammed up and wouldn't say anything.

After the hearing, we got to take a picture with Judge Johanson, and then each of the children got a stuffed Teddy Bear, a mylar balloon with their name on it and a gift bag built especially for them by their case worker. Nicholle was given a single red rose as well, and I thought to my self, "yeah this is great, the kids get gifts, Mom gets a rose, and Dad gets 20 years worth of bills!!!" I'll tell you though, I wouldn't trade it for the world!!!

Sea Life Rocks!!!

2008-11-12T22:27:00.000-08:00

So, since yesterday was a holiday for those of us in the banking world, we decided that, since the kids didn't have school, we would find a new adventure. So a couple of days ago we told them we would go to the aquarium in Seattle. They were very excited and Mario kept asking, "are we going to the Macquarium tomorrow?" Apparently it is an Irish aquarium... So the night before, as Nicholle and I were getting ready for bed, all of a sudden we here Mario crying. Assuming he had a bad dream, I asked what was wrong, and he all of a sudden decided he didn't want to go, because he was afraid of being eaten by the sharks. We solved that problem, and so yesterday we took off. As they entered and explored, there was no containing the enthusiasm. I only wish I still had that sense of wonder and excitement! It was fun living vicariously through them however, and other than a couple of timeouts due to overstimulation, we had a great day!!! They didn't even get eaten by the sharks! The higlight however was the touch tanks and the fact that we were looking in the underwater dome when the scuba divers came to feed the fish and sharks! Awesome! Maybe we can find some more adventures like this!

The beginning of something great!?!?

2008-11-11T20:27:00.000-08:00

Well the sisters finally talked me into it, we are now on the Blogosphere! Just a quick first update, we have had a crazy summer!!! As most of you know Nicholle and I never do anything half way, and since all 3 of my sisters had babies in the last year, we were not to be outdone! We will be heading to Longview Washington on Thursday to finalize adoption of 3 children. Take that, Shanna, Liz and Bonnie!!! Franny, Mario and Juan came to us in July and have been living with us since then as foster children and we get to adopt two months early!!! What a rollercoaster!!! I am still trying to figure out if I am cut out to be a dad. I can handle teenagers and Young adults, but am having a hard time understanding the logic of a 4 year old. And his brother and Sister aren't too easy to figure out either!!! But life is full of ups and downs for us, and we are loving having them in our lives to share our lives and love with!!! The fun part is that within 1 year's time, Mom and Dad will have gone from 2 grandchildren to eight!!! This is the reason for the title of our blog!!!