17 months

Croup... It's not a pretty site.

A little FYI: {Orapred makes one Extremely Grumpy!}

Not only did Zion hold that donut in her precious fingers for a good hour without taking even a nibble she also controlled the bag! I had to PRY that donut free at nap time...

On a happy note... We are done with the prescribed doses of the grumps and our cute little Z is well on the way to felling better!

I have been blessed to be Mama to this beautiful girl... As a result I have spent COUNTLESS hours learning and practicing different techniques for her hair.
So for you dear Zion... We sing... {I love my hair} Even if you are only one and sit in your chair for an hour while this white mama learns to twist and braid...

TWO

In Two minutes the school bell will ring... my baby birds will be in my nest for 2 days! I love nests... and birds.

Finding Joy in My Journey

I suspect that we we find TRUE JOY in our Journey... whatever it may be... Our Father Rejoices.

Never

See this boy?

He NEVER...NO NEVER!

Eats before he has thanked the Lord in Prayer.

Never.

I'm a lucky Mom to have Isaac as my son. He is such an amazing example to me.

ROCK STAR TREATMENT

It seem that lately the topic of though has been funerals and the planning there of... I'm all for that... My parents have there's all planned... Right down to the marker being set it place.
It was a bit eerie paying my sister a visit a few weeks ago to find my parents picture on a bench next to her plot with my name etched as their child.
My parents were both standing next to me...
how many times will this be the case?

There is a sense of peace knowing where my mothers white laced gloves she would like placed on her hands are.
Although I love her hands...
she wants them covered.
So before I put them on
I plan to take a picture of them.

I've never put much thought into my own funeral...
Yes,I know that one day a funeral will be thrown
with me as the guest of honor.
But I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal.
I seem to live in the moment... enjoy the seconds I am breathing.

Even with Noah Boy throwing a MASSIVE tantrum in Target today due to a non working dinosaur toy I would not buy for him... all the while Zion screams right along knowing that she may miss out on any attention while I care for the boy.

Not once in all the drama
did my funeral come into my thoughts.

I don't have a lot of reflective time...
Maybe that's why I haven't thought to make plans
to ease the mourning process...

But when I do reflect I reflect on the living....
And sometimes...
My reflections lead me to direct conversations with my God.

I had a lot of direct moments today...
WE talked a lot about my cousin, Robin and her husband Don.

Don's a doctor... and amazing... and perfect for Robin.
Really he's lucky to have her.
Because...
well Robin is a ROCK STAR.
She told me that herself one time walking to our cars in a large parking lot.
I asked where she parked. She said
"Oh, I have ROCK STAR parking."


Not everyone gets that you know.

Like my sister, Sharmayn, Robin was born with Cystic Fibrosis.
You know what I have learned about CF?
God gives it to the ROCK STARS.

My mom called me this morning and said that Robbie is in the ICU getting a little ROCK STAR treatment...
Which has lead me to a lot of refection today.
A lot of direct conversations taking place.
A lot of family and friends are "reflecting" on Robin and Don's behalf.

With all this reflection MIRACLES are bound to happen...
Robin and Don... seriously the cutest couple I know!

Greater Education

Today, I learned that
EVEN Dinosaurs
have a {thing} for
Diet Coke.

Bet my kids wont learn this at school today.

Good start to the day...

Each morning I am greeted by the most amazing 2 year old boy around... While I'm sure he is thrilled beyond belief to see his mother with a smile he quietly asks me.. "I watch Dinosaur Train." Some mornings I agree and snuggle in bed with him as we watch his favorite TV friends... Most mornings however my day has been started with a bang and I am on the move... On these mornings he enjoys breakfast at the table with the entertainment of his friends.Even Zion cashed in on some of the morning action today... As soon as Noah hopped off his chair she climbed right up and snacked off his plate...

Mollie didn't even require a plate!

For my Birdies...

Just the thought of my blog makes me feel uneasy these days...My palms start sweating.. My mind starts racing... I would imagine my heart starts beating so hard one may see the pounding on my chest.
We've been on 2 major vacations... finalized Zion's adoption... had an amazing sealing... laughed a lot... cried a bunch... you know... we've been busy... LIVING! I'm so behind on posting us living I feel as if I am drowning in memories... I have neglected documenting so many moment worth living... My blog isn't for you it is for my 5 sweet birdies that sing in my nest...
My dad recently sent me a study published in June this year by a couple of BYU researchers; it had to do with predicting when youth would participate in binge drinking. The study stated "teens who feel supported and loved and well as monitored by their parents were least likely to engage in heavy drinking."
I dare say our children are young and most likely would not be exposed to drinking any time soon... But recent events have learned that children are exposed much younger than I imagined... the sad reality is that PARENTS become a support of their habit.... The lesson I gleaned from this article it is good idea to provide both supervision and affection in your relationship with your child.
My hopes for my blog for my children to have a physical reference of the love I have for them... Each day I pray that they will feel this love from me... I also plead each day with the Lord to help me not screw them up due to my dumb mistakes!
Bear with me as I catch up on my love!

I feel a "blog barf" coming on...

It's raining today....

I sure Wish that Miss Sunshine would come out to warm up the streets... Dry off the grass... Heat the driveway.
Maybe she feels a bit blah inside... I've had days like that...
Days that I want to pull the covers over my head and sleep the day away....

Days that make me wonder "Does Anyone Even Care?"

Well Miss Sunshine...
I have a message for you!

I miss you when you pull the covers over your head. Hope you feel better tomorrow...

I am a MOTHER

and I am BLESSED.
We've been busy these past days... Playing and basking in the warm sunshine. I trudged to the library yesterday afternoon with my 5 birds following in a line behind me. Boy bird #4 was shushed only once by the librarian... Standing in the dinosaur aisle brings out the Dinosaur in the Boy you know.

"AND NOW!"... CRIED NOAH

"LET THE WILD RUMPUS START!"
At high NOON Summer begins!
I know that this baby bird will be happy to have his brothers ans sister around to play.

Before I even saw my Noah boy I was told his birth mother said he had "good hair." Good hair? What do you mean "he has good hair?" He's a baby... who thinks about hair? My Marc-a-Roni and I were given several articles on the subject the importance of hair in the African American culture... and a small direction of how to take special care.

I was and have been a bit overwhelmed and maybe some days take my desire to {DO RIGHT BY} a bit to the extreme. I have read and researched anything and everything on hair care. I have purchased item after item. I fear being looked at as a "white" mother that has no thought or knowledge of how to care for children hair. I find myself guilty of making apologies to people who drop in unannounced if we have not spent the 40 minutes with Noah to condition and comb out each day. And that is just the start of it... Miss Pinkie has her share of hair too... Frankly people...40 freaking minutes on my 2 year old boy's hair may be the dumbest thing I have been doing lately. He hates it... I hate it... but I want to {DO RIGHT BY HIM} Care for his hair so he will feel a sense of pride and self confidence...
I am in love with the look of my little guys Fro. When it is combed an conditioned it is absolutely a sight to behold. But this morning I woke with courage to take a step I have only walked once before...You can read about it here.
After making a few stops on our adventures today I made an appointment with Steven at Urban Views Barber Shop. To say I had butterfly's and hopes to feel no regret was an understatement.

My Noah Boy Before
1/2 way there...
And After
FRO or NO FRO I am the luckiest girl around...
This boy makes the world go round!

See you in a couple of weeks Steven... I think this look is here to stay!
Disclaimer... a small amount of tears were shed in this exercise...

Only 22 days until the 3 oldest birds are home for the summer!
Oh...I do love them home...
I miss them while they are at school.
Our nest is quite without them stirring and fussing.
I could not help but be reminded how much they all love me...
Being Mother's day and all...
I have made note of the small acts of "treasures" they do for me each day...
For example...

Leaving a jacket in a heap on the couch...

Or Stinky socks on the floor....
Oh and lets not forget the lovely well that was made at scouts....
And the endless amounts of flip flops...
(there are a lot of flip flops to be had in a family of 7)

As I fluttered around this morning in my oh so lovely apron and pearls
I was grateful to find these small "treasures" tucked about our nest...
Instead of picking them up and putting them all away I left them there...
each time I passed I noted...
Only 22 days left until my little birds are home with me...

Sticks and Stones...

Sadly, I have allowed the grains of "sand" to fester and become large pebbles. I have ended up collecting them you see... placing them in my pocket for safe keeping.... I'm not sure if the comments a person I am in contact with are meant to be unkind or if a naivety plays a large part. Normally, my "thick skin" protects my heart... but please... don't point out skin color to try to connect with me. I don't really like that approach... It has become a bit hurtful.

If this is where you have to go to try for my friendship please don't bother.

Am I glad that you are more aware of others around you?
Of course I am...

Do I care that you see someone that looks like us?
No, Not really.

Have I, myself naively opened my mouth with unkind words in my past hoping for a friendship?
Of course... A few weeks after Noah was born I approached another mother. She was white. Her baby was not. I asked when she adopted her baby. She snapped back that she had not adopted. I was so ashamed of my stereotyping... I was so embarrassed. My palms still break to a cold sweat each time I see this mother with her children. I choose my words a bit more carefully these days.

A needed chat with a friend today help me realize that there is a portion of the world that find the adoption world a bit peculiar. And that it's okay... I like this peculiar world I'm in...
So I am going to set this sadness I am holding tightly too go.... set it free and love is incredible life I have been so generously given.
So to sum this whole thing up ladies... "Sticks and Stones!

all photos are by the photo zoo and can be found here

You may just be able to avoid seeing the doctor...

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart only good for so many beats, and that it...don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all.. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.