It's Been A Year?!

Wow... it's been almost a year since I posted last! I have no great excuse except for the real one, my Grandmother. The blog was largely for her, to help her see the kids growing and stuff. She loved it. But Grandma started getting confused last year and was then unable to use her computer... and now is in a long-term care facility where she doesn't have one. So, boo :(
But... I've decided it is a worthwhile venture and I am going to re-connect!

What has the last year brought?
PreSchool for Miss Carrie, no more bangs (what a venture it is to grow those out; she always has hair in her face, though I have to admit watching her push it away is overly adorable), lots of crazy conversations, lots of tears, a big bike with training wheels, swimming with her face underwater like a pro, and her first Disney adventure!! What a year!!

Drew started and finished second grade with flying colors and a bit more maturity, has taken up the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and is AMAZING at it (proud Mama, yep!), has lots of permanent teeth filling his mouth, loves art and has learned Paint on the computer and is working on a hardcover book about our NEXT Disney adventure...

Dan and I are trucking right along... the CF thing has been evolving to CF + asthma and I just got off a steroid highway that was bringing me down. I feel so much better getting these toxins out of me, but the lungs are feeling heavier at times.

19 years of marriage! I have a wonderful husband and I can't imagine going through this life without him. He has been keeping me grounded through all the craziness and stays strong no matter what. And summer time always means some outrageous project outside the house. Yesterday he made me a gorgeous stone retaining wall by the greenhouse and things are looking so much better out there!! Pictures will follow.
Okay, don't know who, if anyone is reading... but at least I'll have it all to remember :)

Conversations With A Funny Girl...

Before I forget them, I must post the two funniest conversations I've had with Carrie recently. She is too darling!!

Jesus Is With Me

While getting our shoes on to go out for ice cream... Carrie was very frightened the last time we went to this particular place because the fire station sirens were close by and were VERY loud. She has prayed about the firetruck for a couple of months now... it really did a number on her.

Carrie: "There won't be any loud noise from the firetruck this time. I won't be scared, Mommy."

Me: "There MIGHT be a loud noise, but you don't need to be scared. We'll be right with you and Jesus is with you, too!"

Carrie: "Jesus is with me! Is He going to have ice cream, too?!"

Baby or Little Girl?

Carrie: "Mommy, am I a baby?"

Me: "You're MY baby!"

Carrie: "And sometimes I look like a little girl!"

My precious little girl... you are my baby :)

Carrie is An American!

Today was Carrie's readoption day! We went to Family Court and were able to make everything official! Carrie's first and middle names are now her own and she is an AMERICAN! We laugh about the enormous debt that she has just inherited as an American citizen... though it's not really so funny!

Carrie was so great before the judge... and she was very proud of her great behavior! She continues to grow and learn. This past week brought the end of the high chair and pull-ups. Carrie now wears cute underwear and is thrilled about it. Hopefully her pants will stay up... she's so skinny!!

Here are some pictures of our morning!!

Carrie had a great day!! She got very excited when she learned that she'll be able to go to preschool two mornings a week starting in September! She immediately asked if she could have a backpack! Well, today she attended a "trial" day at preschool and she loved it! Here are a few pics of her and my other sweetie, Maggie! Carrie loves Maggie because "Maggie has pretty skirts!" :))

Christmas 2008

It's about time I get something posted on here! Christmas was really nice this year, despite the typical running here & there. It was so good to spend time with people and celebrate Jesus' birthday. Carrie loves "baby Jesus" and kisses him in all of our nativities. She will make a great mom someday! She adores babies!! We did a great pre-Christmas activity this year called "What God Wants for Christmas" (THANK YOU, Mike!). I highly recommend it!! Blessings to you in this new year!! If you're waiting for our Christmas card.... you have to wait a little longer. They were terrible and I have to order new ones. They will be "winter" cards instead at this point!!! Oh well!

It's Been A Year!!

How amazing! Carrie came home on Thanksgiving Eve last year... so today is officially Carrie Day!! What an amazing reminder of how God answered our prayers and brought our little miracle to us before Thanksgiving!

Last night she told me she wants Chinese food for dinner. Drew and I are going to bake her a cake and we'll all celebrate later! We are so thankful to God for giving us this little turkey... she is fun, smart and beautiful... and pretty crazy like the rest of us. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!!

My cowpokes! How adorable are they? We had a fun time trick or treating, but Carrie didn't have too much stamina and then we lost ours, too! Thought I'd share some photos!