Sickie and some Funnies!

Eden's been sick this past week so we've gotten some cuddle time while she stayed home from MDO both Tuesday and Thursday. Just started with cough, runny nose and then fever set in Tuesday. Her breathing sounded very labored to me so gave her a nebulizer treatment Tuesday night and took her to see Dr. Gulde Wed. She LOVES going to Dr. Gulde's office - the fish tank, stickers, the TV, the attention but she isn't always keen on the nurse or Gulde himself. She did great with him this time! So still and quiet. All in all she tested negative for RSV and flu but he didn't like what he heard before and after her in office nebulizer. He is treating for RSV and we'll go back Wed. for him to listen to her lungs again. She has been feeling fine since Friday but we've been diligent in our 4 treatments a day! Her is the little sickie with her turtle, blankie and crusty nose - I didn't ask her to smile - she did that one on her own!

And so now I must tell you two funny stories! One for Claire and one for Eden =)

Claire LOVES the movie Thumbalina and at the end she almost marries Mr. Mole which isn't her ideal match since she is in love with Cornelius. Just the idea of marrying a mole is supposed to be repulsive in the movie so jokingly Neil asked her the other night "Claire, would you marry the mole?" and as serious as could be she said "If I loved him" and that made this mama's heart smile!! Pray she continues to follow that heart and be true to herself!!

Moving on to Eden's story. I think she's a little confused - poor baby! She's been hearing about baby brother for a while now and she's also been around a lot of pregnant women and their bellies (I know A LOT of pregos right about now!) The other night we were sitting in her chair doing our bedtime story and she pats on my bre*st (yes, we use the correct terminology in this house) and says "Baby?" and I say "No honey" so she pats the other one and asks again "Baby?" and I tell her that mommy won't have baby brother in her body like she sees other mommies. It was so cute. She's done two more times since then. It's interesting to see her process all of this as well =) I wish she could understand it a little better but she will someday!

Growing up

There is just something I LOVE about watching my sweet girls learn new things! Although I want them to stay my babies forever (and they will!) I rejoice when I see those little light bulbs go off and them get giddy with excitement! It's almost like reliving childhood when you get to share these moments with them. This past week seemed to have a few of those moments that I want to remember.

Eden sat on the potty! Of course it might have been a delay tactic to going to bed, another thing she's learning quite well, but none the less she did it! Nothing happened but we can see that she is getting interested. She is choosing to read the "Bye Bye Diaper" book we have before bed time. Not sure how easy this will be with her strong willed spirit but we will be easing into it until she is really ready.

Eden asked to put dress up clothes on and loved this Cinderella costume that Claire wore when she was this age. She also got her first taste of lip gloss (YIKES!!) because Claire was putting it on with her costume. She twirled forever once she got it on!
Nothing really new with the drawing department - still loves it and could do it for minutes on end. Just loved this picture =)
Claire has been really growing up right before my eyes. The other day she said "Mom, you want me to read you a book?" and I said yes not thinking she would actually be reading it. I was shocked that she could read most of it (Strawberry Shortcake 1 level reader that she read with Daddy the night before)!! I had to help sound some things out but she initiated it and even when it got long and hard, she persevered which says a lot about Claire. She even did it later that day for Uncle Billy. SO proud of her! Here she is pretending she was a monkey with a long tail - she stuck the jump rope in her pants =)
This girl's mind is always going. Back on Friday we were reading in her Jesus Storybook Bible (which is AWESOME!) about Jesus in the garden crying and then being taken to die on the cross. As Jesus is speaking to God she got such a puzzled look on her face and says "But He IS God" and when I tried to explain the Trinity as best as I could, she kept saying "That just doesn't make sense" - I spoke to her about how it might not make sense to us and we can't fully understand it but that we believe and have faith because that is what the Word tells us. Wow - she continues to amaze me with her questions and wanting to understand as much as she can at this young of an age.
And here is my cowgirl sporting her new boots and her hair cut (Kid 2 Kid has boots for great prices!) She has always wanted some kind of boots so she is loving them! Her pose cracks me up =) You can't see it but her other hand is on her hip!

"Martha Kingdom"

This is what Claire calls "Martin Luther King Jr." which we certainly don't ever want to forget (him or the way she said it!!) She had the hardest time saying it correctly while she anticipated this year's march. =) Too cute!

Last year was our first time to go to the MLK Jr. March and we're so excited to now make it a family tradition. It's amazing that San Antonio has one of the largest, if not the largest, march in the U.S. How cool is that?! In light of soon becoming a transracial family, we love living in a city that comes together to celebrate a man who stood for and spoke boldly about his dream of love and equality.

"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." MLK Jr.

It was a chilly one but we bundled up. Even Claire's monkey "Hannah Banana" came for the event =) Oh, everyone was loving Claire pushing her stroller along side everyone else. I have to admit, it was pretty darn cute!
There are a TON of groups that march together and bringing up the back are the horses! Loved this woman's sign for the underground railroad.
Claire remembered that people wore buttons last year so she was more than excited when we all got our own buttons this year!

We were a little late so we didn't have to wait in the mass of people which ended up being better with an antsy 2 year old on our hands! We eventually caught up to the crowd and enjoyed being with everyone.

"I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word." MLK Jr.

On our way there and back (we don't go the whole way because we have to turn around to walk back to the car) we cross the MLK Freedom Bridge.

And here are the loves of my life sitting on the bridge! Oh I can't WAIT to see our son sitting on that bridge next year (thinking positive thoughts here!)

Next year I hope to also have a group of our own!! Hoping we can get friends and family to march together - mark your calendars!

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
MLK, Jr.

A big day

Today was a BIG, significant day!! Our sweet little Claire had her first sleepover at Leyna's house and she couldn't have been more excited. When Lezlee called about it I hesitated because I thought, "My baby isn't ready for that!" But it was just my mommy heart - she was more than ready with her bag packed days in advance and after talking to Lezlee tonight, she didn't have any problems with going to sleep or being away. What a big girl (tear)... she's growing up too fast!

Neil and I took Eden out on a date to eat and while out we bought our first item for our baby boy!!

actually, we bought two at Kohl's and we were giddy with excitement! We are planning on doing the Hungry Caterpillar theme in his room so this is perfect!! We will have them around the house to get our scent and when we find out who our baby boy is, we will send one to him at Hannah's Hope - our agency's transitional home. Oh wow!! I've been tempted to buy things but have been so good not to yet. This was the perfect first buy for the son of our hearts!

Road Trip!

Guess who we got to see?? Our sweet little Jed and his amazing parents, Stefany and Joe David! (They moved from SA back in May and very dear friends of ours!) It was a long drive to Longview last weekend but SO worth it! We had the best time just hanging around letting the kids play and catching up. It was seriously just what I needed - a vacation where I actually relaxed for 2 whole days and didn't feel like I had to go here and there to do this and that! I think Neil enjoyed the down time too =)

The heated jacuzzi (not hot tube temp!) was the hit with Claire and Jed!! Eden dipped in the first day but was the smart kiddo the second day =) It was SO cold outside but super fun for them!
Eden bundled up testing the water on day 2!
Claire adores her Jedi Boy!
We had a fun stroll around the neighborhood - sisters!
Jed and Eden having a serious convo

Our almost 5 yr. old!
This cat attached himself to us and the girls LOVED having him hanging around. Sorry Stef and JD!! Hope he's still not looking for us at your house!
The kids LOVED playing in the leaves in the backyard!
Priceless

Eden was caught doing this a lot! She didn't have a stroller so her baby was pushed around in Jed's dump truck - it was too cute! The girls really liked Jed's trains and cars - we need to get some of that at our house!
JD plays the guitar and the first night he got it out Eden disappeared to Jed's room and returned with this! She wanted to play too =)
Thanks Bowers for a wonderful time in Longview! Can't believe we missed that 2 inches of snow on Sunday =( We miss you SOOO much and can't wait to see you again soon!

A Train Ride

Two videos from our New Year's Eve day with the Zorn's at the zoo! Had a great time but riding the train and feeding the ducks were by far the girl's favorites! LOVE the giggles and screams of joy on the train ride =)

Untitled from Kathryn Lewis on Vimeo.

Untitled from Kathryn Lewis on Vimeo.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Connecting

A couple weeks ago we got to spend some time with the Matheny Family! We met the Matheny's when we were first married and started attending Northside. They moved shortly before we were expecting Claire. The blog world is amazing! We've kept up with each others families for years and have now reconnected even more now that we are both expecting from Africa! They are expecting a little one from Burkina Faso which is in West Africa. We had a wonderful time catching up, talking about our adoption experiences and the kids had fun playing =) There is nothing like connecting with families who are going through the same thing!

Eden, Claire, Emily and Titus after church
Monday evening we met for dinner. Claire was such a goof that night! She loved the giggles she was getting from Emily =) Here is my crazy daughter with her new friend!
Claire and Eden sporting their Go.Seek.Love. shirts that helped the Matheny family with their fundraising!
And I couldn't resist this one - she has the longest legs!
Praying that the next time we get together we will have a group shot of 6 kiddos!

This is the Stuff

School mornings (Tuesday and Thursday) always seem a little crazy around here. No matter how early we start, I always feel pressed for time and anxious about getting the kids dropped off by 9a.m. Now this anxiety is something I'm REALLY trying to let go of because I don't want to pass this along to my girls. I HATE being late - not that I'm never late because I do have two kids but I still get anxious about it.

This morning we were out the door and Claire's jacket was nowhere to be found. Now it was 39 so I HAD to find it. I looked everywhere thinking about the last time she wore it yesterday. The more I looked and didn't find, the more frantic I got. The girls were in the car and I was triple checking the car while I was on the phone with Neil "WHERE IS CLAIRE'S JACKET?" and this is what my sweet little almost 5 year old said "Mom, it's JUST a jacket" (isn't she amazing?) I quickly spouted off why it's NOT just a jacket but something she HAS to have and now we're going to be late (all while I found it in the very back of the car - freezing) Half way to school I was still anxious about being late but calmed down enough to tell Claire she was exactly right - it WAS just a jacket and mommy shouldn't get so worked up over silly things. I thanked her for reminding me =)

Oh wow - I was convicted! And even better I heard the most PERFECT song on the radio this afternoon that I have to share. I laughed out loud and got teary while thanking God for sending it my way. It was just what I needed to hear as I remember not to get caught up in "the stuff" but rest in the much larger picture. You gotta listen to it - really fun, a little silly but SO me - just the first line "I lost my keys in the great unknown. And call me please cause I can't find my phone" HA!! That is so me =) And my favorite part "So break me of impatience, conquer my frustrations, I've got a new appreciation - it's no the end of the world"

Breath in, breath out... He's got it all under control!

January #

Got our official number and we moved up 3 spots this month =)

A lot of slow down but at least there was movement! There were some delays for a lot of families traveling this month due to the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia requiring more investigation into adoptions before visas were issued. Each family has since traveled but many were delayed by one-two weeks. Praying that this will help smooth out the process from here on out.

9 years

Today we celebrate a VERY special day - our 9th dating anniversary! Not the anniversary of our first date because well, we had an interesting start. We pretty much confessed our love for each other BEFORE our first date!! It's the anniversary of when Neil and I met at Jim's with the same agenda - get the courage up to tell each other something was different between us - let's take a chance - and we never looked back! It was a HUGE risk but well worth it to spend the rest of my life with my very best friend. We never would've thought 9 years ago that we would be here - two girls and on our journey to our son.

And as we sit here on the couch tonight watching the LSU Tigers (my alma matar) and the Aggies (Neil's alma matar), I remember that a Tiger AND an Aggie both won that night 9 years ago! (chessy - I know but I just couldn't help myself!!)

We couldn't be more blessed! Next year we will be celebrating another special day on Jan. 7th - Ethiopia's Christmas - Ganna!

9 months

Today our adoption ticker at the top of the blog sat at 9 months - 9 months since we started this adventure and journey to our son. We are only a little over 3 months on the waitlist and unofficially #48.

Although I know it's really 40 weeks for pregnancies, the 9 month marker has been emotional for me. Having been blessed with two pregnancies, I KNEW when my babies were supposed to arrive (well, an estimate as they both came early!!) I expreienced their progress, felt every kick, heard their heartbeat. This time around everything is different and I have been challenged. I LONG to know when my baby will be coming home. I wonder if he will be here for the holidays of 2011? Will he be home before his first birthday? When will we first hear his name? see his face? kiss his cheeks? experience his birthplace? So many questions and unknowns which can create anxiety but as we wait, I must hold onto the truth:

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

HE already knows the answers to all my questions so to Him, there is no unknown. He is our beginning and our end and everything in between. With every challenge, I know there is joy. I've already expereienced that! I wouldn't change where we are for an INSTANT because although challenging and different than my expecting expereience in the past, where do we grow and learn the most? That day I hold my sweet boy will be all that much sweeter and that much more special and unique. I will not have expereienced THIS with any of my other kiddos (well, unless we adopt again some day!) How awesome is that?

I rest knowing that our baby boy will be with us someday and we can continue to wait upon Him to give us our strength.

2 Cor. 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

HE is doing amazing things in us as we have been waiting and wait we will! 9 more months or however more it will take to have him home with us.