Little Treasure

These are Caitlyn's favorite kind of pics. For Mommy just to follow her around and snap. I kind of like them best too. Its challenging to get just the right shot. I loved the ones of her holding a flower and I loved the ones of her standing beside the grasshopper. She was so still and taking the park in for a minute and was completely unaware I was taking her pic.
We had the best weather at the beginning of the week. Very cool mornings and we were able to enjoy the park and it was so wonderful.
Here is a question for the week
When you are at the park with your children say 3 and 4 especially, do you stay with them or go sit on a bench and let them play? I am just curious. I am a very hands on and right there obviously or I would not get all of these photos. But often other children will ask me to push them on the swings or help them down and I am wondering where their mommy is?

Guatemalan Treasures

as you can see below, everyone does not seem to appreciate my love for learning more about photography:)
This is the "Can we PULEEZE go to the playground frustration of a 3 yr old."

Chloe and Jacob have learned its best to make mommy happy quick so we can go have fun.;)

Sunday

All things are possible to him who believes
Mark 9:23

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever
brighter unto the perfect day
Proverbs 4:18

Jacob and the winners are...

I thought I would let Jacob have the spotlight in this post since so often I scrapbook the girls pics.
Didn't this kit go perfect with the LollyPop? Twirl from Shabby Princess.
We don't eat Lollypops like this very often. I had a weak moment in Wa*lMart when we passed them and eveyone wanted one. They did make for a pretty good photo shoot:)
Thank you all so much for the book and movie recommendations! Fliss and Ohilda are the winners that random.org chose. Congrats!!!:) If you will go to my profile and email me your address I will get your CD in the mail.
I will try to think up another fun question and do this again in a few weeks, I enjoyed it so much:)
One of our favorite books, I have mentioned before... Flap Your Wings By PD Eastman from the Dr Seuss series. We love Mr. Bird because he feels if there is an egg in your nest, it is your baby and you take care of it and love it no matter what it looks like. The kids also love Bear Snores On for a fun story. Caitlyn still will not listen to ANYTHING but Goodnight Moon. When we go to the bookstore she finds it and asks for it everytime.

Happy Summer

Give away for Summer: Steven Curtis Chapman CD
Leave me a comment telling me you favorite kids movie or favorite childrens book and a reason why you love it. I will let random.org choose a number. Come out and play too lurkers:) I would love to meet you. I want to hear everyone's favorites! Regular commenters as well.

Sunday

For my sweet friend Kim over at the Byrd's Nest I thought I would post one of her favorite Psalms for her birthday.


Psalm 139
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall[a] on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;[b]
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
20 For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.[c]
21 Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

pics from our week

We went to the zoo and met our FCC friends. We had a great time. The kids all enjoy one another and us mommy's do too! The zoo had something new... a huge foam/bubble thing. The kids wanted to do it over and over. They were squeaky clean when we left, thats for sure!;)










Caitlyn loves going down to get the dive rings. Keeps her very busy. She tries to get as many as she can on one trip.

I know they call it the lazy days of Summer but somehow every night I go to bed and sleep very well! Our days have certainly not been lazy but seem to be extra full this year with activities that keep us busy and happy.

Happy Monday

Someone has learned how to swim in the past week way beyond my expectations! She can now swim the entire length of the pool with no help; coming up for air when she needs it and keeps on going! Handstands, dives, canonballs, you name it this little fish is trying it. We are totally amazed! We have not taken ANY time to coax her, teach her...nothing... She does it ALL on her own.




When I saw Annslee playing with her Barbie pool, I thought my girls would really enjoy one too.


Caitlyn loves for the girls to be 'nakey' but I found these dolls that have their suit painted on. So now when she takes their skirts off they still look like they have their suits on.;)















I loved this one, she just decided she would slide down their slide with them.;)



I love this one too! She always loves to take little breaks laying beside the pool and they had to lay with her. :)



Updated to add:
Look at this BEAUTIFUL creation Daleea created with my donation to the Starfish Auction! Is it beautiful or what??? and it could be your daughter's! Go bid for it!!!! 100% of the funds will go help a child in need receive their surgery.
One Child at a time

just a few pics and a bit of adoption ramble...

Just a little camera practice...



We have had a much nicer week as far as the temperatures go. The nice 80's reminded me of why I love summer. Sitting by the pool watching the kids swim without feeling like I am melting. We normally save swimming for the evening but yesterday the Treasures cousins came over and they swam from 11AM until 7PM! Non stop! Two snack breaks and a dinner break was it! Even Ryan joined in for most of the day...Today I have tried to keep them busy with other activities.

A few thoughts on my Jacob:


We had company at the beginning of the week for swimming and Jacob was wonderful. Not one close call on behavior. Perfect. Yesterday challenged his behavior a bit. I love opportunities at our home to work with him on his socializing. Much easier than being out and trying to guide and direct him. His biggest challenge comes from feeling any type of rejection such as children playing and not including him or losing any type of activity. I am so thankful God has shown me his weak areas so I can help him overcome in situations that are going to arise. One of my dear blogging friends did a post this week and it really got me to thinking about Jacob's situation. I am quite sure she doesn't mind me sharing:

What is trauma? For our adopted children,

*trauma is being separated from their birthmother. (yes, they realize at this young age that they are being separated from the person who carried them for 9 months, the familiar voice, smells, and movements.)

*trauma is not having your needs met when you cry. (huge!)

*trauma is living in an institution.

*trauma is being tied to your crib*trauma can for some, involve physical and/or se*x*ual abuse.

*trauma is being neglected

*trauma is being handed to strangers that have been waiting so long to meet you. the environment they have been in for a year or two or more, is all they know. It was not a good place, but they are too little to realize this. they are taken from all that is familiar to them.


Jacob had 5 of these in his life, that I am 100% sure of. He is actually doing marvelous when I sit and think about what a tough start he had in life. One of the biggest challenges in parenting sometimes, is not seeing positive results quickly when you are trying to work on certain issues. With Jacob I have always had to look at yearly development, versus short periods to see improvements.
He is a very loving child. He is very intelligent and is above average in every subject as far as school work.(except for handwriting and I really never push him in this area) His behavior challenges 9 times out of 10 come from one of the two above situations I mentioned. He just loses it when someone reacts unkind to him, or if he feels inadequate. He is always repentant and wishes he had not reacted in the wrong way. When I think about the list my friend posted, it really made me think about why these two areas are his challenges. It makes perfect sense in some ways.

If none of this makes sense or seems a bit rambly, I am sorry...Just some thoughts I really felt like typing out.
He still has GOT to learn how to react in these situations and I have got to pray for wisdom for the perfect action to take in correcting his wrong behavior and helping him... as well as complete healing for his little heart. I am so thankful for my little guy. He is my Treasure...

Summer Fun & A Memory Tag

We finally have a break from the high 90's today. We took advantage and went to the zoo for a quick picnic and a look at a few animals. I know we go alot. But what we do is focus on just a few things each time and so each visit is very different. Even though we planned to have fun in the sprinklers and wore our bathing suits, it began showering while we were there and we did not get to go to the sprinklers at the children's area. The Lorakeets acted really aggressive today, I think it had something to do with the thunder and weather. Jacob did not care for them today at all. One landed right on Chloe and she was thrilled.
Yesterday, even though it was VERY hot, we went to the park for a few minutes. One park has trees over one play area and it isn't that bad in the shade. I had to run a few errands and wanted to take a quick break for the kids to have some fun. We of course have swam ever afternoon as well but I will save those for next time and give you a mini break from the pool pics;).

If anyone wants to know about the kit with the Chinese Characters, it is brand new this week from Sweet Shoppe. Cherry Blossom.





















also my bloggy friend at Parenting Adopted Children tagged me to share a few of my favorite memories of China when we traveled. I did not get the honor of experiencing Caitlyn's birth country. We felt Jacob and Chloe were way too young for a trip of that nature and the expense of taking them would have been too much as well, for our family. We decided Daddy, big brother and Nana would go and I would stay home. I do have a memory that is my favorite however and thought I would share it. I have shared before how I was much more eager to adopt from China than my hubby. He was reluctant and thought we were busy enough. Understandably with 2 super active 3 yr olds. He often can't look into the future as much as I do and he was looking at the present, and overwhelmed at the thought of how we were going to do 3 car seats, 3 babies etc... So the sweetest memory to me is a call from him and he was probably the happiest I have ever heard him, in my life. He said over and over repeatedly, "she is perfect"
it was truly love at first sight. She attached to him instantly and has NEVER let go. It is a love story that I have the honor of watching every day and it is nothing short of a miracle to me. Please understand we love all of the Treasures. His special love for Caitlyn is something deep that comes from realizing he almost did not go get her. His gratefulness to God for having mercy and patience with him for not trusting and having faith in His plan. Even though she has been home over 2 years now, she is truly a reminder to him everyday of God's goodness.

our week

These are from one of our trips to the zoo in the Butterfly Garden. Caitlyn LOVES to try and catch the butterflies.





well this week we have swam, swam and swam.... That is it. It has been way to hot and humid to do anything else outdoors. Caitlyn has had a ball learning. She is such a little fish. You don't have to push or coax her to learn. She is so eager. She takes off her little life jacket and says "I no need it" and practices going down to get dive rings and ducking her head. She is beginning to jump off the side as well. I have no doubt she will be swimming well by the end of this summer. She has really amazed us this week with her progress.
In the pics with her arms up she is saying I did it!!!!! So darling...
Have a wonderful weekend. I have just been busy this week with the kids outdoors and not had alot of time to make a pretty scrap page. I am going to try and get creative and do a few over the weekend hopefully.

Our Monday

Summer has arrived. We hit the 90's this week. It was a beautiful day but hot and humid.
I took the kids to a new book store. Jacob found several Little Critter Books he has never seen. He was in Book Heaven all day.:) He LOVES Little Critter and will read them in his bed at night for as long as you will let him.





The auction I spoke of a few posts ago that supports children in China that need surgery One Child at a Time, has alot of new items. I thought and prayed about my part of the auction and I felt the right thing to do was give Daleea some money to make one of her beautiful creations. I noticed people seemed to love the boutique outfits that were auctioned but I certainly can't even sew a button much less make something grand. Please take a look, at the reversible outfit made by A Mother Singing. Daleea decided to share the money with Meredith Teagarden and she made a darling outfit! Daleea says hers is on the way and I am sure it will be adorable as well.
100% of the auction money is gong to children that need surgery in China.

our week

Golf anyone??

While we were on our uneccessary trip I spoke of a couple of posts below we decided to check out the zoo in the area because we knew they had something ours doesn't. PANDAS. Chloe LOVES Panda's. Papa joined us in the fun. The Treasures loved having him along.

Caitlyn loves balloons. I am thankful the dollar store has them for $1.00. :) Occasionally we get her one. You would think we bought her the most special present. She named this one Smiley. Very original.;) It was a HE. He went everywhere with us for a few days. He got tucked in at night. Of course she took him out one too many times and he went to Heaven. I thought of Maria when he did.

I never tire of the games they come up with by the pool. Last week was one of the first weeks it was warm enough to stay out until dusk, swimming. That is my favorite time for them to swim; then just come up, put on jammies, read a bedtime story, pray and go to sleep. I know some people think Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but for me, I love Summer...

Summer Fun

ok I made a summer look... I don't know how long I can stand it... My other look is like home to me and I miss it sometimes. I think it reflects who I am the most is why I love it. I do love these photos I used on the header though... they reflect alot of the fun we have had over the Spring...

Rainy today... The girls are playing dress up and camp out.
Jacob is on the computer.

Yesterday we made a quick trip to the zoo because my sweet Treasures have just become too "one with nature"... Saturday morning they walked in with a bucket and said, "look mommy we found this snake and we want to keep it." You all might have heard my scream of "get it out of here!" I then got a shovel and hit the thing repeatedly and got it off of my porch somehow. Daddy is never home when you need him.;) I tried to explain that they are dangerous and you must use caution and all that good stuff but Jacob just started crying and asked Chloe if she would take care of Allie when he died. UGH!... I continued to explain you are NOT going to die because you picked it up, I am just trying to get you to understand in the future don't pick something up if you are unsure if it is poisonous. I really attempt to not use fear when teaching my children and was trying to get the point across without frightening them.
So we usually avoid the reptiles on zoo trips because I do not find them very pleasant but I wanted to educate my little sweeties on the dangers of just picking up any creatures. I hope I got through their little noggins. They just love going on hunts for things, so I am definitely going to have to watch them and continue reminding them.

Sunday

Hope your weekend has been great. I love this pic, I could scrap it a thousand different ways I think.


Friday we had to drive to our local USCIS office for Chloe to receive her COC. I thought that it was odd and that it should be mailed but when you get these offical letters you do what they say!~And as always it says do not contact us, etc etc...
So anyway I am up at 230 AM to get dressed and on the road by 4 to get to the USCIS office by 830AM. We lose an hour when we cross the state line as well. They are an hour ahead. When we get there they do indeed say she shouldn't be here. But then wanted to torture us with a 3 hour wait before handing over the COC. Fun Fun with Caitlyn in a waiting room you know...
I just kept thinking though, how I am sure the Chapman family would love for that to be the worst problem they had...waking up to go on a needless 3 hour trip. They have been on my heart so heavily the past few days. I just know they are still hoping to wake up from a terrible nightmare, but everyday they wake up and its real...:( I ask you to all continue to pray for their healing, prayers for others do matter. My friend Lynn from Somewhere In the Sun who has gone through the terrible loss of a child, assures me we are not wasting our breath in praying for them, that it is indeed strengthening them. Also if you have not done so, please consider giving to the Maria tribute fund. Lets show the Chapmans how much they mean to us and how grateful we are to them for all they have done for orphans around the world...Even a small donation from several adds up. Jesus admired the widow that gave her last two mites versus the man who gave from his purse full. Maria's Miracle Fund. If anyone has not seen the precious video of Maria here is the link she is so precious... Giving to this fund is an opportunity to help a child find their forever family.
Bless you all...Have a safe wonderful holiday.