Papa J.R. and Mama LaLa (aka Mama YaYa) visited a couple of weekends ago. The girls love spending time with all of their grandparents.
The red glitter shoes from Jaidyn's Dorothy Halloween costume have become one of Addy's favorite items in the dress-up box. It doesn't matter what she has on, you can bet she is going to pick the red glitter shoes to wear.
Papa Dave and Nana came over last Sunday night to try out a batch of Chicken Adobo. They liked it too (or at least they said they did). It has been awhile since they have been to our house to visit and we definitely owed them a meal as we eat at their house several times a week. With preschool, gymnastics, dance lessons all in Lebanon it sometimes is convenient to show up at their house right about dinner time. :)
Just wanted to share an updated family portrait with everyone. It is really hard getting a good picture of everyone in our family and it has been awhile since we have had a picture of our family of 4. I think Jaidyn did a great job of capturing everyone looking their best.
I found this quote tonight and I love the way it describes adoption. Just wanted to share. :) "It has been said that adoption is more like a marriage than a birth: two (or more) individuals, each with their own unique mix of needs, patterns, and genetic history, coming together with love, hope, and commitment for a joint future. You become a family not because you share the same genes, but because you share love for each other."
Our yard was a solid sheet of ice, so Wes took the girls sled riding. This was their first time sledding. They had cold, rosy cheeks and hands, but loved every minute of it.
Sisterly Love! Moments like this don't come very often.
Emily and Cole are showing off their heart tatoos that Jaidyn and Addy sent them along with their Valentine's. Too cute!
Jaidyn loves her preschool teachers and her classmates. She looks forward to Fridays each week.
Cute Songs! Jaidyn and her two friends danced to the "Freeze" song. Jaidyn even pulled me out to twist with her to a Wiggles song. Lucky me!
We hope everyone is getting to spend time today with the ones they love. We had a nice little Valentine's Day. Earlier I took the girls to story hour at the library and they made a cute little dinosaur craft with heart scales. For lunch I attempted to make heart shaped pancakes with chocolate chips. They were good, but they looked more like big blobs instead of a heart. The girls enjoyed their Valentine surprises from their grandparents and relatives that they received in the mail. They also received a balloon and red rose from their dad. We progressed on in to the evening with a nice romantic dinner of leftovers and while Wes and the girls ate, I cleaned the bathroom. We also spent time in Wal-mart tonight as I had a few extra things that I needed to get for Jaidyn's Valentine's Day party at preschool tomorrow. We decided to spice up my mom and dad's Valentine's evening by dropping off the girls while we went to Wal-mart. Can anyone else beat our night of excitement?
Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth founded the Shaohannah's Hope foundation. This foundation helps many families experience the miracle of adoption by providing grants that help reduce the financial barriers that many families face when adopting. Steven Curtis Chapman is a Christian singer and songwriter. He is a father to 6 children, 3 of whom are little girls adopted from China. Nearly 15 years ago when I was in Jr. High I went with my FCA group to Springfield and had the opportunity to experience one of his concerts. In fact, it was the only concert that I attended until I met Wes.
He recently wrote a song about his little girls titled Cinderella for his new album, This Moment. I absolutely love it! It reminds me so much of Jaidyn and Addy. They pull out their princess dresses spinning and dancing to whatever song is currently playing on TV or their Leap Frog Kareoke toy while begging Wes and I to twirl around the room with them. Each and every day they become more beautiful (can they possibly become anymore beautiful than they already are) and more grown-up. They continue to constantly amaze me. As I watch them, I can't help but dread the thought that one night "the clock will strike midnight". This song is a reminder to me to cherish each and every moment with our children.
Listen to the song here.
Here are the lyrics to Cinderella from Chapman's CD, This Moment.
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays Without a care in the world And I’m sitting wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders It’s been a long day and there’s still work to do She’s pulling at me saying “Dad I need you! There’s a ball at the castle and I’ve been invited and I need to practice my dancin’ “Oh please, Daddy, please!”
Chorus: So I dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms ‘Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh I will dance with Cinderella I don’t want to miss even one song ‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she’ll be gone
Verse 2: She says he’s a nice guy and I’d be impressed She wants to know if I approve of the dress She says, “Dad the prom is just one week away And I need to practice my dancin’ “Oh please, Daddy, please!”
Chorus: So I dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms ‘Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh I will dance with Cinderella I don’t want to miss even one song ‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she’ll be gone
Verse 3: But she came home today with a ring on her hand Just glowin’ and tellin’ us all they had planned She says, “Dad the wedding’s still six months away but I need to practice my dancin’ “Oh please, Daddy, please!”
Chorus: So I dance with Cinderella While she is here in my arms ‘Cause I know something the prince never knew Oh I will dance with Cinderella I don’t want to miss even one song ‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight And she’ll, she’ll be gone
Since there won't be a lot to blog about on the adoption during our wait time for our referral, I have decided to do a "Photo Friday" on a couple of Fridays throughout each month. Enjoy!
Future Rock Stars!
We are definitely experiencing crazy Missouri weather. One day it snows and a couple of days later it is nearly 70 degrees. I personally am enjoying the warm days.
Jaidyn could hardly wait for her Daddy to get home from work so she could play in the snow!
Wheeeee! Addy loved sliding down her slide into a pile of snow.
Jaidyn is so proud of the row of snow angels she made.
Jaidyn begged her Daddy to make Frosty the Snowman for her. This is his attempt at a grand looking snowman. Needless to say Frosty didn't last very long. Poor Guy!
