Adam

Today, I noticed when AA was getting ready for school, that his pants were too short, his socks don't cover his heels,let alone his ankles and his shirt sleeves are getting smaller. While, I would like to rationalize this with shrinking in the dryer, I believe my boy is getting bigger. While, I have enjoyed every season with AA, it is sad because the seasons are too quick.
I am reminded of the Biblical passage....to everything there is a season and a time and a purpose under heaven. While easy to remember God in times of joy like this, I want to be able to remember his joy and love in times, when AA has spilled all of the playdoh onto the floor, accidentily stepped into it, and mashed it in the carpet.
So this morning, I took the extra time, to enjoy the season. I watched him getting ready for school. I watched him talk to his sister from a far and help her to get her things for daycare. One thing is for sure, AA has his heart in the right place. It is on his sleeve for all the world to see, that he has a good heart. One that pleases God in the kind things that he does everyday.
So tonight when I am off of work, I am going to not only try to make an effort but I am going to watch my kids, from afar. In this, I will delight in the fact that I have been blessed with my children, that I was made for moments like these, and when I kiss them goodnight tonight, I will thank God that I am in this moment.

What type of Car are you?

I'm a Porsche 911!

You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite,and you know it.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

What type of shoes are you?

One of my favorite bloggers www.classicmama@blogspot.com recommended going to this site and finding out what type of shoe you are. Here is mine:

You Are Clogs

You are a solid and down to earth person. You seek – and almost always achieve – a really sound balance in your life. You are stylish yet comfortable. Mellow but driven. Excited yet calm. You are the perfect mesh of contradictions. No matter what happens, you have the ability to stay well grounded in your life. People know that they can truly depend on you. You should live: In Europe You should work: At a company dedicated to helping the world

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Home sickness & Heavy Hearts

My husbands oldest son. Eric, is in the Air Force, married to a GREAT lady, whom we love dearly. It has been a year since he has joined and they are currently stationed in Florida. My husband's oldest Daughter,TT seen below, has just left for Germany in the Air Force. So our youngest son, AA is feeling a little blue. Our nightly prayers consist of constantly asking God to bring them both home....now. Not in God's time but AA's time (which if possible would be tonight). So as our daughter-in-law visted this past week, she brought along an absolutely PERFECT gift for AA.

When she gave him this photo, she didn't get to see his face. The wonder that comes with 6 year old imaginations that his big brother and godfather, dicovered a T-Rex. For AA, dinosaurs are it. He has loved them since he was able to speak and in cleaning his room this weekend, I would believe we have them all.
So, Eric and Megan thank you for the gift. He carries it with him. He told all of his friends at school and at daycare that his brother discovered a REAL T-Rex. Oh to see the wonder in his eyes. Thanks for making AA feel loved in this time of change for our family.

To Drive or Not to Drive

As many of you know, BB was to get his license today, but mother nature seemed to have different ideas. With all of the snow and ice, they canceled the test. Whewww!!! While we can breath a sigh of relief, Brandon is heart-broken. I can remember being a teenager and thinking that driving meant freedom, it was like a get out of jail free card in the game Monopoly. Everyone wants it, some get it, and usually people are envious of those that have it. So as we wait for Monday morning to reschedule the driver's test,my husband and I found ourselves having four hours to putt around until BB was to get off of work. So we went to Value City, the mall and my husband got to see his favorite person of all time...."THE PENN STATE NITTANY LION". For all of you that know my husband you know how important PENN STATE is, and can attest when you see the photo, why he has the biggest smile. What is even more hilarious is the first photo of Adam with the Nittany Lion, then my husband was like, here, here get one with me. Just like a kid in a candy store.


To top the day off, my son has been asking for a pair of HEELIES for almost a year now. To a six year old, heelies are the cool thing, "everyone has them" don't you know? Since they were on sale I splurged and bought him the heelies. Well, to say the least, I have never laughed so hard in my life. Here we are walking in the mall, and my son, is trying to ride the heelies and he is falling. To complicate matters, it was the American Cancer Society Tele-a-thon in the mall so it was packed. He was persistent in trying to learn, and they will not have to clean the floor tonight. Here he is in our kitchen, trying to use his new HEELIES!

Loving on the Kids

Today, there was snow in Pennsylvania and the kids were the only ones that were excited. I would rather be on a deserted island than here when it is wintery conditions. But despite the nasty weather, these are special days, as I get to play with the kids all day and have a good time. My son and I got to play games like Connect 4, and my daughter and I dressed up baby dolls. In these moments, I am gratful to be a mother and when my kids laugh and then tackle me, not only am I reminded that I love them, but that they love me.

Changing Locations

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill,
that we shall pay any price, bear any burden,
meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe,
to assure the survival and success of liberty." - John
F. Kennedy
Today, we took my step-daughter to the airport and watched her leave for an oversea's assignment in the United States Air Force. As her first assignment it is a little scary that she is half way across the world. We wanted her to know that we love her, we are proud of the choices she has made, and we support her in her endeavors.
We are planning a trip for August to travel to Germany. We miss her, but the technology of webcam is absolutely amazing and is helping everyone with "home-sickness".
Aim High

Chinese New Year

From ancient times, people have believed that ones destiny depends on the time of ones birth. Chinese astrology has 12 animals representing a 12-year cycle based on the Lunar calendar: Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, and Dragon. Each animal has different underlying personalities that are supposed to be present in people born during that year. Not all the animals have the same symbolism that they do in the West. (For example, few Westerners would like to be considered a pig or rat. In Asia, however, these animals represent success and ingenuity, respectively.) It seems like the year of the Rat is holding true on its promise in our household.
It is a year that new changes and beginnings are to happen. With two children and three step-children there always seems to be a constant state of change in our household. If you are lucky to be born in the year of the rat, here are your characteristics:Rats are perfectionists. They communicate extremely well, are quick-witted, level headed and always alert. They choose their friends carefully and dote on children. Rats are great strategists and make good politicians, but most importantly, their intuition enables them to suss out the enemy quite early in the game. Rats are shrewd and know how to amass wealth. They’ll gladly spend on their loved ones while outsiders will find them miserly. Their adaptability and clever manoeuvring will see them thumbing their nose at even the tightest spot. But they can be quick-tempered and overly critical, making them edgy, nervous and a downright nag with things don’t go their way. They have an opportunistic trait that will see them wheeling and dealing in exploiting situations for self-benefit.

While, I am not totally sold on Chinese Astrology, I do know that Chinese New Year is a time that we can share with our daughter a part of her heritage. So, a couple a days ago, we packed up and met with a great couple that adopted with us at a local Chuck E Cheese. The girls look more and more alike as the time passes. One thing is for sure, the bond that these two girls share is a lifelong one. One filled with memories before we knew them, a bond that will keep them close through the years. I am reminded of this biblical passage when I see these beautiful children and am reminded of our promise to fulfill our covenant not only to our Father but to our daughter, and all of our children. You see, God's covenant was not made to last only a few days, or for a short time. When he adopted the children of Abraham, He took them under His keeping forever."
We will embrace our daughter, her heritage and teach her the blessings of our Heavenly Father. Happy Chinese New Year!