Random Conclusions

A month has passed since my last "Random Conclusions" post.  I found myself looking at this past month's pictures and thinking of some conclusions.  It is a fun way to see your photos...try it.  (Be sure to leave me a comment if you post them on a blog so I can read some of your fun conclusions!)

1.  Carson snuck out the side door with a bag of popcorn the other week.  He was so happy to have it all to himself leaving me to conclude that there are times when it is ok to not make your children share.

2.  We have been squeezing in as much outdoor fun as we can before the weather turns colder.  I get tired just watching these three and the amount of energy they have, leaving me to conclude unless we have a whole lot of snow to play in, it is going to be a long winter!

3.  I found that I had become a bit of a closet baker/cooker when I need to get something made quickly.  In my older age, I'm realizing it is more important to "make memories" leaving me to conclude you can never have too many cooks in the kitchen!

4.  This was the last picture sent to me from my brother taken in Congo leaving me to conclude I just might have the cutest niece and nephew EVER!

5.  Carson has become increasingly affection with all of us leaving me to conclude we are raising one serious hugger.

6.  The girls each found a pair of shoes at the thrift store last week.  They were excited to wear them to church the next day leaving me to conclude that my daughters are on different ends of the fashion spectrum. :)

7.  Ethan snapped this picture of me doing some fall sunbathing.  I may or may not have been dozing when this was taken. :)  Seeing Carson mimic me in the this picture made me laugh, leaving me to conclude he is just too much!

8.  One of the benefits to keeping our fundraising site going is the large boxes that arrive at our house.  The kids love playing with and in them leaving me to conclude when it comes to toys simple is better.

9.  We have two serious archeologists at our house that are determined to find dinosaur bones by their 7th birthdays leaving me to conclude we won't be planting grass seed next to our shed anytime soon.

10.

 I took this picture one morning while working on a blog post leaving me to conclude facebooking and blogging is much more enjoyable when you can do it with a loved one rubbing your back. 

Boy + Pink Hanbok = Cuteness

I can't think of many things cuter than a little boy in a pink hanbok.

The duck pond at the end of our street is so pretty this time of year with the leaves.  We were heading down last night to ride bikes and fish a bit with the three little ones while the big boys were at Boy Scouts.  I threw Carson's hanbok in the stroller to attempt some pictures.  I had forgotten how hard this can be with a toddler.  He was much more interested in the leaves.   I don't think I got  great photos but did manage a few cute ones.

He slowly began to shed the hanbok and make his way to where the girls and Tim were fishing.

I hope you are getting to enjoy this great fall weather, too.  And speaking of weather, we all know that it won't be long before the cold winds begin to blow AND Christmas shopping will need to be done.  

My suggestion for every gal (and maybe a few of the guys on your list) is our new hot pink "got love?" hoodie.   Order yours today!

Long sleeve, purple tee and a hoodie, oh my!

Our fundraising site just keeps expanding.  I'm excited about our new design.  We've slapped it on three different style tops:  Long sleeve, short sleeve and a hoodie.

These three new tops are on sale this weekend only!  We want to gather up orders quickly so we can put in our first order because frankly I want this hoodie, now! ;)

Hot Pink Hoodie

Youth small through adult 3XL

$25.95 this weekend

Black Long Sleeve

Youth xsmall through adult 3XL

$16.95 this weekend

Violet t-shirt

Youth xsmall through adult 3XL

$12.95

You can and should shop HERE for these great prices and other great gift ideas!

Don't spend this weekend in a shopping mall.  

Get outside and enjoy the fall weather.

(Ben and Ethan on a recent hike.)

Who gets the award?

There is a mom that asks her toddler to go lie down for a diaper change.  She then runs downstairs to switch a load of laundry and gets summoned to help on an Algebra problem.  Approximately 8 minutes later, she comes back up the stairs to find this:

You decide...

Mother-of-the-Year 

or

Toddler-of-the-Year?

What Love Can Do.

I read this quote last week by Mother Teresa.  I can't remember where I read it, but I do remember thinking on it for a while.  It just gnawed at me.  I'm thinking out of all the people who could quote such a thing, Mother Teresa has the most validation.  She spent most of her lifetime seeing and serving those in poverty.

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think is a much greater hunger.  A much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."

I have read many heartbreaking accounts of mothers making "mud pancakes".  Literally using mud mixed with water to ease their child's hunger pains.  Un.believable to me.  And yet, unbelievably, sweet and caring.  

I try to imagine the faces of those who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for and forgotten.  I wonder what Mother Teresa saw in those faces that led her to the above statement.  But I am also reminded that in a beautiful way, adoption takes both those poverties and makes them no more.  

For many adopted children, it may be the first time they have ever had the feeling of being wanted, loved, cared for and remembered along with the feeling of a full tummy.   

My family rejoices this week, as my brother and wife have returned home with their new son and daughter from Congo.  Two more children who will now have their emotional and physical needs met by a family who could not love them any more or any less.

Fun Fall Game Night

Our family has always been big on game nights.  As the numbers and ages of our children increase, it has become increasingly challenging to find games that everyone can play AND truly enjoy.  The older boys are pretty good at participating even when the game is more on the girls' level.  However, I have figured out a fun and yummy way to make them a bit more enthusiastic.

I think most children can play bingo by age 2 or so.  We have had a simple bingo game set since Ethan was little.  Depending on the season and my mood (or cravings :), I purchase candies or treats to use as the markers.  We use one card, 9 spaces.  That is a good serving of something sweet.

The other evening we played and used candy corn as our markers.

 (Check out Carson's game face!)

When each person filled their card and after yelling "Bingo", of course, the got to choose one coveted candy pumpkin from the plate!

So it is fair to say that I'm not opposed to a bit of bribery and sugar to keep family nights fun!

Take a look at those excited teen and preteen smiles. :)


I've blogged before about family traditions and how important they are to me.  I think my children will never hear or see a Bingo game that they don't remember the nights we sat around our kitchen table playing.

I'd love to hear some other ideas on family fun nights, if you care to share.

Have a great weekend.  Pick up a bingo game and some candy corn and let the tradition building begin!

Hey Moms, "Say Cheese!".

A friend recently shared with me an article that I think is a MUST READ for moms.  If you don't have an extra minute now, then come back when you do.  It is worth your time and I know your time is limited.

The article was written by Allison Tate and is titled The Mom Stays in the Picture.  It is funny, witty and, honestly, brought me to tears!

Click HERE to read it.

After reading it, I decided there was a need for a change in my picture taking thinking.  I continually find myself scooting out of picture range or deleting photos that don't catch me in the perfect light.  I was a bit saddened when, after reading, I quickly glanced through our pictures on the computer.  There really aren't that many of me with the kids.  Granted, most of us would agree, that is because as the mom we are behind the camera capturing all those moments on film.  But, some of you might agree, that it is also because we tend to shy away from the camera--not liking how we will look.

Thanks to Mrs. Tate the tide is getting ready to turn on our photo albums.  I want my children to have pictures of me with and without them.  I could go on and on as to why I think that is important but I could never do as good of a job as the the author.

And so here is a picture taken last Mother's day.  My intention when having my husband take it was to use it for my facebook profile on Mother's day.  I didn't.  (I'm so glad that I didn't delete it.)

I'm not a super model or even a model at all.  I'm far from a fit athlete or glamourous movie star.  I am a wife and a mom.  I don't have a fitness trainer or a cook.  I do have a wonderful husband and five fabulous children.  And a Creator who's creation is "fearfully and wonderfully made".

I hope that is what my children will see and remember from all the pictures of me...that haven't been deleted. :)

Yo...

Gabba Gabba!

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Yo Gabba Gabba!

Yo!

Can you believe out of all the cute preschool shows available today, our son would choose the strangest, most ridiculous one.

Many of you, after the third clue, had a correct guess.

Clue 1:  The main character's name is DJ (music fanatic) Lance (mideavil knight) Rock (geological formation).  A bit tricky.

Clue 2:  His line at the beginning of the show is "Break it down."

Clue 3:  That was the best we could do for a costume.  I originally thought we would just have the picture of Carson but last minute threw in the picture of DJ Lance from the computer.  We have 3 episodes downloaded on our laptop.  I put it on so I could pause it on DJ for the picture.  Funny boy stood still with the wig on his head (the glasses weren't really cooperating) for the entire 20 minutes.  (Please offer me some comfort and let me know that my son isn't the only child that can't get enough of this show.)

The first time he saw this show I bet he was thinking, "Crazy Americans!".

And now for the winner:  Allyson Z.

Thanks to all of you who played along.  We get such a kick out of receiving guesses and funny comments.  One of my favorite comments came from Allyson.  It read, "Yo Gabba Gabba-if so, God bless you you for watching it with him."  Ha!!  I told her that was his siblings job. :)

We'll be placing the order for the new Tervis this week.  Preorder yours today to ensure we have the style that you like.  We are basing the number of each design on the preorder numbers.  We will order extra of each but not sure how many and when they are gone, they're gone!

Order now for Christmas, birthdays, Welcome Homes...www.gotloveadopt.com.