Anyone?

I am feeling a bit like giving this whole 'blog' up.
Is anyone out there?
Is anyone reading?
I feel silly typing away at no one...

Photogenic Baby 2011

Sunday afternoon, I took the boys to have their pictures made for a little contest we enter every year. It's a little bit of a modeling thing. Lots of fun and I get some great photos of the boys. PLUS the proceeds go to the Children's Hospital. I just wanted to show a few of the shots that they took. The boys did great!

Trying to "Fly"

I have tried many times to follow the FlyLady program. It's a great tool to use when trying to keep your house in order, without going crazy or getting overwhelmed. I was pumped when I saw that the FlyLady and Cozi have combined forces and NOW I can add all my tasks to my planner/to-do list. Easy-peasy. All I have to do is keep my iPhone with me and I always have my lists with me, too. No more scraps of paper. There is even a place to keep my recipes and grocery list!

Lazy Sunday

We are having a very lazy Sunday after a fun-filled Saturday. Paul Vincent had his first T-Ball game! It was a lot of fun to watch. Everyone had fun seeing him play - he hits and runs like a champ. We'll work on fielding and being 'baseball ready'. That same afternoon, we went to see his cousin play ball. It was great to see the big kids play, too. Christopher and I are having a pajama morning and we'll head to mass this afternoon.

Reece's Rainbow

Andrea just posted a blog regarding Kirill and his fight for a family that loves him. Please follow this link to the
Reece's Rainbow
blog post. Thanks!

For Kirill

A 'neighbor' here in Alabama has an urgent need for prayer. Tesney, a mommy in Tuscaloosa, and her family are fighting for the rights of their son, Kirill. Kirill is an orphan and he has Down Syndrome. Tesney's family went on their second trip to visit (and officially adopt) their son and they were DENIED! The judge told this sweet, loving family that he should not be adopted and should live in an institution! Please - take a moment - pray for Kirill. Pray for the judge. Pray that their appeal is heard and that the decision is reversed!

Tesney's Blog

Read this...

This is why I am so passionate... about spreading the word about special needs adoption. Children are dying and not enough people know about it! If you click on the link, you will be directed to another blog where someone shares this same passion. Please read and learn about these precious souls. Then pray for those that are dying today, while they wait for their families.

Prayers for Carrington

Please pray for precious little Carrington and all of the orphans that are in desperate need at this moment. If you click on the link, you will be directed a blog that will tell you more about this sweet child. Please refresh their site for updates.

Spring Break 2011 Picture Share

On our way - Stopped at the Country Mall.

Ellie and Christopher

Christopher - my little sand crab!

So happy!

This child LOVES to swim.

Beautiful Boy!

Splash! Splash! Splash!

Sunset

Lunch at our favorite spot. Lime's at Baypoint.

Such a sweet thing.

Christopher... 'just like my big brother'

What a week! I love the beach. I love the sea breeze, the warm air and the bright sun shining on me while I watch my children playing in the sand. They are in their element here. Everyone plays hard, eats well and sleeps! Well, I have had some trouble with the sleeping part - I have been sick since Monday. First it was a sore throat. Then it was a headache. The next day, it was a cough...cough...cough. Thank goodness it's getting a bit better. Unfortunately, both boys are fighting another germ and have runny noses. Yuck. But - we didn't let germs win. We really have enjoyed our vacation.

My birthday wish...

Please consider taking a moment to donate to Phoebe, the precious little chunk on the right. She needs a forever family and I want to help find them. Adopting costs a LOT of money, so help with this aspect of getting her out of that orphanage! $10, $100, $1,000 ANY amount helps. If you work for a company that gives grants, please pass on some information on Reece's Rainbow. It's such a wonderful opportunity to do some good in this world. AND you would make me super duper happy on my BIRTHDAY!

Prayers for Japan & Hawaii

I woke this morning to Christopher's calls... "Mommy, MOMMY!" and then "I poop". LOL. So, good morning to me! After a diaper change we went to the den and started learning about the horrific earthquake in Japan that has led to a very large tsunami forming in the Pacific Ocean. Watching the videos replay on FoxNews is quite traumatic. Paul Vincent is so interested in the strength of the waves and how the wave carries things across the land. Tom and Ellen (my uncle and aunt) live in Hawaii and I am hoping that all is well with them and with their employees. They live well above sea level, but their offices are located near the coast in Honolulu and Hong Kong. News reports are telling of the ocean 'pulling back' up to 150 ft... Prayers for the people that will be impacted by this wave.

Ash Wednesday and Beyond

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. It was a miserable, dark and gloomy day. The cold came back and I am very unhappy. High of 40' is not good for me. I spent the day home with Christopher and only left the house two times - to pick up Paul Vincent and to go to mass.

I think that I will reconsider ever going back to the bilingual mass. I LOVE my Spanish-speaking amigos, but you guys don't do enough discipline. And it stinks for the rest of us. Last night I giggled as I saw a helium (mylar) balloon float down the aisle with a little person. YES! Someone thought to themselves... "Sure, my lovely child - bring your balloon to mass!" HAHAHA! Jesus loves them, but my ADHD tendencies are not good with these types of distractions. And I could tell that type-A personality, Fr. B, was not loving it.

On a side note - The noon mass let out at the same time as we were picking up our kids from school. To the lady with the car full of children that needed out of the parking place NOW, as we were picking up our children from preK...you needed to remember the point of the mass and chill out and make a little sacrifice to be a little less annoyed.

Today was day2 of being Facebook Free. My home is slightly cleaner (thanks to Bonnie) and my children have had more of my attention. Except for right now. So, I will go. Dinner is on its way. PF Changs! Yummo. Tomorrow night is date night :)

Vomit.

No, not actual vomit. Mental vomit. I heard through the grapevine that they made a new test to determine if your baby has Down Syndrome. Earlier detection of DS during pregnancy - now even as early as the 11th week! With just a simple blood test.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/womens-health/articles/2011/03/06/noninvasive-test-may-identify-down-syndrome--early-on

A little nasty tidbit...
"It also can identify Down syndrome in the 11th week of pregnancy, early enough for a woman to end her pregnancy if she chooses", Patsalis said.

See? BARF.

But then there is this...
Skotko said, "The overwhelming majority of family members say they can't imagine their life without their family member with Down syndrome."

Lent.

Next week begins the 40 days of Lent. I have a few ideas of what to do/not to do...

Number one was yesterday's post - giving up my thoughts of adoption to God. No more pestering my husband.

Number two - giving more to those who ARE adopting. Not gonna pitch a fit and be all woe is me. I can participate in the joy of others!

Number three - be THERE for my children. Off of Facebook. I will blog - but only when the children are sleeping.

What else? Any bright ideas? I might start some type of daily devotional. Any (Catholic) resources out there? Maybe I will check Kimberly Hahn.

Now, time to go get that King Cake!

I have come to the realization...

I don't think that it is the right time for us to adopt. I know God has it all under control. God can change hearts. When he does, I will dance! For now I MUST find homes for some of these sweet babies. First on the list is my darling, sweet Phoebe. If you know someone who is considering adopting a little girl, PLEASE let them know about Phoebe. And then, send them to me. I want to help the family that wants to save this sweet one...

We can make this happen!!!

Who is it going to be??