Goodbye, 2010. Hello, 2011...

Does it make us old that it's New Year's Eve, not even 10 PM and I'm settled on the couch in my PJ's with no intentions of going anywhere? In my defense, Kenny is sick. I have my theories, but I'm thinking it might be the dreaded F-word. He is quarantined. And I'm armed with my trusty Lysol.

The boys and I did venture out with some friends to see Southern Lights, but to our disappointment, they had already closed all the indoor attractions. We went to grab a bite to eat and of course, visit the little boy's room. Here lately, Sam has to test every toilet between our destination and home. And when I say test, I mean poop. Charlie announced to everyone, "Good grief, Sam, you stink!" The funny part is he's never said that phrase before. Add to that his little accent and his shear disbelief that the smell was really that bad. All that being said, it was time to wrap up our New Year's Eve excitement before things got out of hand.

So, 2010 wasn't quite the year I imagined it would be when it started almost a year ago. But who guaranteed that things always go as planned?

God handed us many blessing and many trials during the year, but I'm learning that if I can see God's hand in every situation and allow Him to guide me through each one, no matter how painful, that I can get through even the most difficult circumstances.

January allowed the boys to play in their first snow. They weren't huge fans of the fluffy mess, but it's definitely growing on us. Daddy turned 30 and we surprised him with a new grill for his birthday!


February just provided more snow. And it's such a short month, who really remembers what happened anyway...


March we celebrated the boys first birthdays in America. They turned 7 and 3 and decided that birthdays were so fun, they didn't mind if they came every month. I did have to veto that plan as it wasn't quite in the budget. I also had my tonsils taken out and had to depend on Kenny, Mom and friends to function for the better part of 3 weeks. It was the worst surgery ever (just like they say it is for adults), but it did cure the need for my once-a-month round of antibiotics.


April brought out the competitive side of Charlie. As we tried to teach him the story of Jesus' resurrection, he fought to find the most eggs at the Easter egg hunt. Not worrying about taking out anyone in his path. We've come a long way on our manners since then. We also went on our first family vacation with the Jolly's to Tennessee. Charlie's love for roller coasters grew. And I decided that it's more fun to play in creek than to go to Dolllywood. And cheaper. Remember, I'm frugal. Not cheap.


May is the month I would like to erase. We got a phone call in the early hours of May 8th that Katie had been in a car accident. That day I lost a best friend. A sister........And God has had to teach me over and over again that His timing is best. And while 22 years wasn't long enough for me to have her, He was ready to bring her home.


June brought the boys first trip to the beach and their first wedding when we joined Kenny's family for the marriage of his sister. Thumbs up on the beach for Charlie! Sam just prefers to play in the sand and leave the water to the fish. We also had VBS at our church which is always a fun and exhausting week.


July was spent just enjoying summer and heading to the pool. It was really too hot to even be outside unless you were in the water, but this is the time of year Charlie decided he needed to practice his soccer skills, so almost every afternoon found us outside in the sweltering heat chasing soccer balls. It makes me sweat a little just thinking about it.


August included a second trip to the beach with my family and Charlie started school. He loves school, but won't tell you that. He's really too cool for his own good sometimes. And he has the highest English grade in his class. How ticked would you be if the kid that was on his THIRD language had a higher English grade than you? Yes, I know it's 1st grade, but just let me brag a bit. We also celebrate the boy's 1 year Gotcha Day on August 24th. Join me in being completely blown away that they've been home over a year...


September let Sam start preschool a few days a week. He doesn't have an A in English, but we're working on it. He can count to 30 and recognizes the numbers up to 15. He can spell his name. And he does it faster than I've ever heard anyone else spell Sam. That's just how we roll. Really fast.


October took us on our first family mission trip to Lynch, Kentucky. Introducing the boys to "helping people" (Charlie's words) and missions at such an early age is something we've always wanted to do. The boys had a blast on the trip and really did pitch in and help. And by the way, white paint is terribly difficult to remove from hair. No matter how short that hair is. And Kenny and I decided we still liked each other and are going strong on our 7th year of marriage.


November. November? Did I sleep through November? Between the craziness of October and December, I'm not even sure November happened. Except for Thanksgiving. We did do that. We spent the boy's second Thanksgiving with friends in Southern Indiana. Canaan, to be exact. And he's a pastor. Does anyone else think that's funny? I digress.


December was a blur. I feel like a majority of the month was spent in Alabama with little brother getting married and multiple Christmas celebrations. I'll be honest. Christmas and all that entails without Katie around really stunk. I won't go into details for my own personal sanity, but it was just plain hard... But the boy's had a blast! I'm a little worried since we got started so late on this Santa deal, that I'm gonna have to break it to Charlie when he hits middle school that it's just not as he really thinks. He just got really wrapped up in the whole Santa thing this year and I hate that he missed so many early years of believing a jolly fat man breaks into his house and leaves him presents exactly like what he asked for. Shouldn't we all just believe that's how it happens?


So, there ya go. A quick 2010 Cook Family review. If you've made it this far, I'm assuming you didn't have New Year's Eve plans either. Join me basking in all our coolness.

May God bless you as you enter 2011! Happy New Year!!

Ethiopian Knees

My big little brother got married the weekend before Christmas.


To his precious Heather. They started dating shortly after she was potty trained. Ok, ok...last joke about the age difference. I promise. Maybe.


It was a great ceremony and the boys first wedding experience. They were junior groomsmen and cousin Tristan was the ring bearer. Kenny performed the beginning of the ceremony so Heather's dad/pastor could walk her down the aisle.

They did great for their first wedding experience. Until Sam decided to show the congregation the better part of his legs by pulling up his pants to mid-thigh while on stage. And during the serious part of the vows, might I add. The only thing that would have made that whole showing even better would have been the white socks he had on before the wedding. They forgot to put in black socks with his tux, so Mommy had to run to Dollar General and buy black ankle socks at the last minute. Yes, ankle socks and Ethiopian knees. What more could you ask for at an Alabama wedding?

Enjoy a few more pictures and remember us for your next wedding extravaganza. We don't charge extra to show a little leg.

Our favorite pose. He wanted me to do like him. Can we say ham?

Charlie with his namesake...Charles Nuredin and great-grandfather, Charles Thomas. They also share a birthday!

Can we please do something more fun than this? We promise to obey.

This is how you entertain three rambuncious boys who need to stay perfectly clean. It worked. We all entered the church spotless. Can't say the same for after the reception.

Gotta grab a family picture while they are all dressed and in smiling-mode.

Happy Wedding, Cliff & Heather!! And sorry Sam's knees made an apperance while Heather was saying her vows. It won't happen again.

A Tardy Santa

Santa just came yesterday at our house. Yes. We are special. He comes when we tell him to come. Which was two days after everyone else. We are just trying to help him spread out his work load. Charlie fretted that Santa wouldn't be able to get into the house since we were in Alabama on Christmas Day, but Santa's smart and he left the boys a note that he would bring their presents on Sunday night. But only if they were good. And obeyed Mommy & Daddy. Fortunately for us, it worked!

The boys enjoyed their delayed Christmas morning and I can honestly say that some of the most excitement came from the batteries in Sam's stocking and the scotch tape in Charlie's. I don't know why we bother buying real toys...

The highly coveted Bumblebee Transformer. I have no clue when it comes to this stuff. All I know is he was extremely happy!!


And THE train. Just to clarify. We have at least a million and a half trains. This is THE train. Move over Thomas, there's a new engine in town!



Thanks Santa...even if you did have to rearrange your schedule for us. I know two little boys who were really happy!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, make it a special day! Merry Christmas!!

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:4-14

The outtakes

Christmas card photos.

Every kid's worst nightmare. They just don't know it.

Until they are wrangled into clothes they would rather not be in and forced to smile while Daddy makes silly faces and Mommy bribes with candy. I'm not saying that's what happened at our house. Or maybe it did.

Sam was first. Are we really doing this? I'm bored already.


Really. Where did he go??


I would really rather play in the leaves. Does this make a good shot, Mom?



Did you really just put me in a tree? You know I don't like heights. Even though I just begged to climb the tree. This is my nervous smile...Get me down, please. Now.


We really tried hard to smile, Mommy. But it's hard to have a pleasant look on my face for more than 3.4 seconds. So, good luck.



And of course, some favorites...


From our silly house to yours, Merry Christmas.

And good luck with those family Christmas pictures.

The Card

If you were lucky enough to make the cut, this fantastically beautiful card landed in your mailbox earlier this week. Those that didn't receive, don't take it personally. I didn't get your address from Stalker, Inc. in time to include you on the list. Or more simply explained: I just ran out of cards. Sorry. The love is still real. You can continue your stalking activities.

So, Merry Christmas e-style! Enjoy.

Splendid Tree Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly.com for elegant Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Outtakes to follow. Believe me. These beautiful faces came only after much prompting.

Marching on...

Happy Birthday, Katie.

We all went to your favorite place to eat tonight in your honor. And Kenny ate a mushroom for you. I'd say that's payback for the time mom made your birthday dinner sans mushrooms just because Kenny doesn't like them.

It would have been way more fun if you had been here. Still a little ticked about you leaving me. But I guess me crying about it isn't really gonna make a difference.

And I'm accepting birthday gifts on your behalf. But no one has given me anything.

Bummer.

EDITED BY AUTHOR: Your favorite brother-in-law and my favorite husband just walked in with my favorite caramel Frappuccino. Said he had gotten a text saying that "someone" was accepting presents for you today. I have NO idea who might have sent that...

Eye-beards

"I have a beard on my eye!"

Nope, that's called your eyelashes.

"But I have a mustache on top of my eye?"

And those are your eyebrows. Some ladies would kill to have eye-beards like you, Charlie.

Oh, my. We are gonna have one confused boy on our hands when he starts shaving...

Driving me crazy.

Here's the scenario: All four of us in the car, on the way home from our annual Christmas-time visit to Waffle House. The boys are hopped up on sugar from too much syrup and Charlie has just began to sing "Do You Know The Muffin Man?" for the twelfth time. And at a pitch so high and off tune, that it is literally painful to listen to. I, personally, have had enough of Mr. Muffin Man.

"Charlie!"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"It's time to stop singing, please."
"Why?"
"Because. It's very annoying."
"What's annoying?"
"It means you're driving me nuts! Crazy!!"
"Mommy? You not driving. Daddy is driving."

Long pause as Kenny silently laughs his head off at me. I try to explain, without laughing, what that expression means. Without much luck, might I add. And Kenny still laughing.

Charlie's response a few minutes down the road: "I think you driving me crazy!"

Of course I am. And this is all from the kid who asked for a helmet this morning since it was snowing outside. What he really wanted was a just a hat.

You tell me who should be the crazy one?

Elf What??

Just to officially kick off the Christmas season, here's Charlie & Sam and our buddies Grace & Emma doing a little Christmas Ho-Down!

Let me tell you, the boys have laughed and laughed at these and had a great time making it! So, go here and ElfYourself!

Hey Katie!

I’m from Alabama. Which means when I moved to Kentucky, I felt like I had taken a giant step north. Never mind that Kentucky is no where near the northern reaches of the United States. I was out of my element in my new northern city.

I’ve now retracted the thoughts that we live up North since seeing a neighbor sitting on his couch. On his front porch. Seeing kids drive their tractors to school. And seeing more than one person at a time in the grocery store wearing mullets and moo-moos. That kind of stuff can only happen in the South.

But at any rate, Kentucky still sees far more snow than Alabama even dares to think about. And I love the snow. Don’t really know what to do when it comes. But I love it.

At the first mention of snow and the very moment I lay eyes on that first flake of the season, I send a text to Katie to let her know. She has always been terribly jealous that we get a little snow and they don’t.

So, what did I do last night when we ended up with an unexpected 2 inches of snow? I picked up my phone to send a text........

Instead, here’s a giant text to the world.

We had snow today, Katie. But I’m guessing you saw it before me this time.

I miss you.

(Picture taken several years ago on a family trip to KY that Katie missed out on. And she missed a whole bunch of snow!)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The boys enjoyed our unexpected Thanksgiving snow! It was good packing snow, but we still really need to work on our snowman technique. We don't quite understand that a snowman is made from big snowballs. We've just been sticking with the mounding technique...

Rammer Jammer Yella Hammer...

We're not bragging. Not boasting. Just standing behind our team 110%. We'll give it the 'ol college try. May the best team win...



ROLL TIDE!!!!!

Glue, Jesuse & Freshly Baked Cookies

What are you thankful for? At our house, it's glue, Jesuse & cookies.

In preparation for Thanksgiving, I've spent the majority of my mornings this week and last making hand print turkeys and colorful cornucopias with 2-year-olds. And I decided that there is a reason that Elmer's Glue doesn't suggest use with individuals under the age of 25. Seriously. Pair glue, boogers, snot & slobber with the leftover goldfish cracker crumbs from snack time and all you have is a mess. A mess that only a parent can appreciate until they realized how many germs are actually pasted on that beloved paper. I am thankful I'm a mommy on the receiving end of some of those goopy messes.

Charlie brought home an Indian headdress from school, complete with construction paper feathers that stated "I am thankful for family, jesuse and cusins." I am thankful he's at a school where it's okay to be thankful for "jesuse".


The boys and Kenny made chocolate chip cookies, including a giant one for each of us. I'm thankful I have a warm house and that it smells like freshly baked cookies.

Sam continues to keep us rolling with his demanding tone and use of all the words he knows together in one sentence. And Charlie with his literal interpretation of everything. I'm thankful for the laughter of two boys who are only celebrating their second Thanksgiving (and still don't quite understand why we are eating a giant chicken).

We enjoyed a great Thanksgiving Worship Celebration this past Sunday where our biggest problem was too many volunteers! And frankly, that's a problem I'll take every week. I am thankful for a great church family when ours are miles away.

And the guy that I share all of this with. The one who works long hours for us. The one who cleans the house (and the boys) after passing along strep throat to me. (Thanks, by the way, for your giving spirit.) The one who always makes sure I'm taken care of before he is. I am thankful I am blessed with a spectacular husband.

I have an eternal hope. One that without, I'm not sure how I would get through each daily task. (Especially those including glue and 2-year-olds.) I am thankful to be a child of God.

Be thankful. Have a great Thanksgiving Day. And eat plenty of good stuff.

See y'all on the other side of a turkey-induced coma...

I LOVE my Sparkly Chcolate!

Just a portion of the evening conversation last night that actually kept us rolling, documented by Nicole. Between discussions about our ears hurting when we have the hiccups and trucks having "truck butts", our kids are actually fairly entertaining. Who needs to spend $37 per ticket to the movies when you can watch a comedy routine in your own living room?

Kids are so much smarter than us. I love that they don't see people as different races. I have no doubt that unless taught otherwise they just think we are all the same, just colored a little differently.

Last night the Cook and Jolly kids are having ice cream. Charlie looks around the table (Sam and Emma have already moved on) and says, "hey, you are all vanilla and I am chocolate." Very true. Then there was some discussion about whether or not Sam and Charlie were the same color. Apparently the kids believe Sam is a little darker. Grace told Charlie that she thinks Sam is a little shinier than he is. Charlie's response: "well, when I take a shower and I am still a little bit wet, I have sparkles."

There ya go. There is no black and white. There is, however, sparkly chocolate.

Speaking of sparkly chocolate, we've had much discussion lately about adoption and the many issues that surround it. The boys know they were adopted. And are proud of it. It's kinda obvious. Despite the many questions that we received before the boys arrived home about whether or not we would tell them they were adopted. I'll spare you all the ridiculous comments I wanted to answer that question with. Just imagine my face with an "are you serious?" look on it.

"Adopt" was recently one of our phonic words and to see Charlie say that word and grin really big at me just melts my heart. Kinda makes me tear up right now. He has recently recognized the differences in people around him, hence the above mentioned conversation, but he will tell you him being "sparkly chocolate" and Mommy vanilla is no different than him having brown eyes and Daddy having blue. It's just all part of God's plan for some good looking people!

But Charlie told me the other day, in his cute little accent, "I'm really confused about how I was born." Weeeellllll...I assumed that wasn't a literal question and decided to save the whole "where babies come from" talk for some other time and we talked about his birth mom and how much she loved him, but that God knew even before he was born that we would be a part of this family. We aren't so confused anymore about how we were born, but now we are just a little skeptical that Nicole was actually adopted. (She is, if you are wondering. Just domestically.) After all, she's just plain 'ol vanilla and looks like her mom. Not my words, by the way.

Faker.

The Cute Ethiopians

Recently I've been asked to share our adoption testimony several times and since being the organized fool that I am, I had to type it out all professional-like.

And since it was typed out, I decided to permanently display the story of the Ethiopian side of our family at the top of the blog.

If you know us at all, the story will be familiar. But if you are new to The Commentary, then check out the synopsis of the arrival of the cutest Ethiopians this side of the Atlantic.

Now. Go do something productive. Like adopt.

Four Peas in a Pod

Piles 'O Crap

I’m on a cleaning spree.

Don’t tell Kenny yet, because he may not actually be able to tell. It’s a work in progress.

But when I’m done, everything will have a place. Whether that place is the trash, the Goodwill bag or a shelf in the closet, I will find homes for all things.

My problem. Piles. I think I’ve inherited this genetically linked ailment since my mom recently admitted to the issue as well. The house may be generally clean and the neat little piles of school papers, mail, laundry or crap I don’t know what to do with add to that thought. When I put my stuff in a neat little pile, it gives the allusion that all is neat and orderly, but in fact all that has happened is I organized the crap. The problem is still there. I’m going to do a pile-ectomy.

I have set a self-imposed timeline of the end of November to have all piles removed and crap placed in their appropriate homes. I’ll hopefully meet that deadline providing I can keep the Tonka trucks and 4.5 million Lego creations contained in the meantime.

I’ve gotten a good start since it looks like a dumpster exploded in our bedroom. But each and every drawer has been sorted through and cleaned out. Now to take care of the piles that came from the drawers…

Fantastic.

So, my linguistically challenged 3-year-old has started repeating everything he hears. The TV. Me. His older brother. His daddy.

Just beware. You have been warned. If he's within earshot, he may repeat things you had no intentions of him hearing.

So, my lack of a filter, has become his lack of a filter. Oh, my. This could be really funny.

Charlie has the measles.

Don’t call the CDC. I’m just joking. And he has been vaccinated. You can hate me if you want.

But he did have a case of the sticker-measles on Wednesday night. Self-induced, in fact. You see, the kids got “measles” (aka stickers) to place at will on their own bodies (and no one else’s) based on the amount of verses they have said so far this semester.

And wouldn’t you know it, our little Sparky has said the most verses out of the entire K, 1st & 2nd grade class! Way to go, Charlie!!


Now, no one said anything about him understanding all of what he is memorizing, but we are working on that too!!

Don't be a dummy.

Who ever told you nothing in life is free, didn't check the sale papers.

On one of my most recent trips to Kroger I spent $78. But I saved $112. I'll save you doing the math and let you know that was a savings of 59%. Yeah. A lot.

I got a huge bottle of Olay body wash that was normally almost $7 and some Secret deodorant for FREE. I paid $3.99 for an 8-pack of Bounty paper towels that was normally $10.99. I got Swanson chicken broth for 29 cents can. Campbell's Chunky Soup for 74 cents a can. Hormel Chili for 49 cents a can. Betty Crocker fruit snack for 99 cents a box. A $14 Stouffer's party-size lasagna for $5. And many more great deals that I can't remember because I threw away my receipt. Though I was tempted to frame it.

Now. I don't consider myself cheap at all. Even though I only pay full price for an item as a last resort. I just consider the rest of you dummies for paying full price.

I know I've mention using The Grocery Game before, which is how I obtain my groceries at such great prices. But I have a new obsession. Mama Cheaps: where frugality meets family. I haven't gotten to fully explore the site yet, but I can already tell it's going to be one of my favorites! For instance, free products from Vistaprint. Yeah, for serious!

And she already has the Target Black Friday ad listed! Talk about being on top of the sales! I've never ventured out for the 4 am shopping on Black Friday, but I'm thinking that if I can talk someone into going with me (any volunteers?), I may just try it out. After all, it does fit my shopping MO of searching for great deals. I haven't decided if I'm ready to fight off the crazies to save some money. But I'll do most anything to save some money...

And while I'm mentioning getting great deals, head on over to Shutterfly and check out their super cute Christmas cards. I LOVE being on the receiving end of Christmas Cards...especially ones that have the smiling faces of my family and friends!! (Hint, hint.) Most of their stuff is on sale right now, including free shipping if you spend $30 or more. If you're a fellow blogger, they are offering 50 free (yep, said FREE!) Christmas cards just for blogging about their services. Go check it out!

So, don't be a dummy. Do your research and I promise you can really get by without ever paying full-price again.

And check your mailbox. You might just get a Christmas Card this year...

Drama.

Just what is so entertaining to a 7-year-old about acting out an entire Tom & Jerry episode? Except that I think someone was feeling a little left out since the entire family had taken a nap but him (his choice) and when we all woke up, the need for some extra attention prompted this version of "Charlie's Theater".

If this is the first time you have been around Sam, you will probably walk away from him either thinking he is a huge pansy or we are beating him. Neither is true, but the kid says "ouch!" more than anyone I know. He walks around the corner. Ouch! Climbs into the car. Ouch!! Sitting on the couch. Ouch!!! The freckle on his thumb. Usually a double ouch. But he can fall down and bust his face open and we're done after a few tears.

In the throes of Halloween, Charlie brought me a goody bag from a friend and wanted to know what was in this "exabus" bag. Huh?? Sometimes we just make up words when we aren't real sure how to say the word actually needed. Which in this case was skeleton. Also, a "kabus" which is a chimpanze. And my favorite and the one that actually makes sense, "candy cot" for cotton candy. For the record, it's just not fair that all the other kids had candy cot and Charlie didn't. Never mind that he had already eaten his.

Sam's language has exploded. So much so, that he isn't sure exactly which word to use, so he just uses all of them in one sentence. For example, "What's that where ya going?" which translates to him wanting to know where we are headed. And a few more: "Whatcha doin' looking at?", "Whatcha doin for?", and "Who's that kind is it?" My personal favorite. "Where's the put it up?" Because I just told you to put your toys up and you need further clarification as to where to put them.

A recent conversation between Grace (9), Charlie (7) and Emma (5) on the way to school: Charlie's class was going on a field trip that day to a farm. And Emma's class had gone the week before, so they were trying to out-do each other with their farm knowledge. Charlie exclaims that he had fed the chickens and the porkchops the last time he went to the farm. (In Charlie Land, porkchops are peacocks. See here for explanation.) Emma could top him. She had gotten to pet the cows and some of the other kids had been given permission to touch the gutter. I quietly listened as she continued to explain that the cow's gutter was where the milk came from. Finally Grace piped in with her 4th grade knowledge to explain that it was an udder, not a gutter.

We had some rough weather a couple of weeks ago and were under a tornado watch which prompted the schools to go into tornado-mode. I instantly worried about Charlie since he had never done something like that and I was certain he would be scared. And a little background information. He is scared to death of bad weather. Even rain. And especially thunder. So, when I asked my customary "how was your day?" when he got home, I immediately got, "I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE!" as he demonstrated on the floor how he had to sit. Just a touch dramatic, don't you think?

Confessions.

I have a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old.

I'm still new to this parenting thing and I don't have a clue what I'm doing.

You probably already knew that based on simple observations.

But, seriously. I know that it was in God's ultimate plan for us to start our parenting years with older kids. Sometimes that makes me laugh. But sometimes I just feel a little in over my head.

I'm not sure if it's because my expectations for a 7-year-old boy are just too high. Should I really have to tell you to use soap EVERY time you wash your hands?

Or if learning English is still affecting our day to day routine more than I realize. I told you to put lotion on your hands and you are standing there looking at me like I just asked you to eat barbecued lizard tails for dinner.

Or maybe the patience I've always felt I've had, has already been used up. Did you just spill your milk for the fourteenth time today even though it's just breakfast?

And maybe expecting a 3-year-old to obey ALL of the time really is unrealistic. I asked you to take off your clothes and get ready for bath, but instead you are spinning around in circles and making snake sounds.

We have really well behaved boys. For the most part. They do have their moments. Yes, you have to pull down your pants PRIOR to going to the bathroom.

They do make us laugh. A lot. We may not have full use of the English language, but we can quote commercials with the best of them. And at the most inappropriate times.

But after a recent conversation with Charlie where I realized that he wasn't following directions because he thought he was going to get in trouble, I realized that although we have made huge strides in the last year, we still have a long way to go. (Let me add that while he has been disciplined, it is a rare occasion and usually after given many chances to make the right choice.) I pray that fear wasn't fueling that choice not to obey, but just a simple lack of understanding.

I probably just need to chill out. It's okay if the laundry has been sitting on the couch for 3 days, dinner isn't ready at 6:00 and Sam has dried snot smeared across his face.

Make more time to go through our daily routines. Is 30 minutes not long enough to eat your pop-tart?

And stop and ask the Lord each day, many times a day, to fill me with patience, wisdom and respect for my children.

Dear Lord, please...

Stay healthy and bring home an orphan.

All at the same time. Yep. At the same time.

I'm not usually prejudice about who I am writing to, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for only the local folks (including Louisville and all surrounding areas). Sorry, out-of-towners.

Since I know you are all super health conscious and you would also jump at the opportunity to support a fellow believer in her family's adoption journey, I am recommending that you all go get a flu shot from my friend and church member, Angie Melton. (She's a real, live nurse, in case you didn't know.)

Angie's employer has graciously given her flu shots to help raise funds for their adoption. She is selling them for $15 a shot which is about half of what you will pay any where else. And you will be helping to bring home a precious child while protecting yourself from the yucky flu.

She has a couple of clinics set up next week in Taylorsville. She will be at Country Mart (913 Taylorsville Road) on Thursday, November 11th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. And at County Wide Lawn & Garden (4760 Taylorsville Road, beside Barrel Smoked BBQ) on Saturday, November 13th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. She will be there giving shots as long as she has them to give and is accepting cash or check.

If those times don't work for you, leave me a comment and I'll get you connected with her. I'm CERTAIN she will work out a time for you guys to meet. My family all received theirs yesterday sitting at her kitchen table. And we are all better for it, except for Sam who is still a little ticked off by the surprise attack from Mommy and Angie. He'll thank us later.


So, get your flu shot. Help bring baby Lydia home. And put a huge smile on the Melton's faces!!

And go here to check out the latest updates on their adoption!!

Treat!!

Meet Baby Mario and Superman's dad. Bet you didn't know they shared a dad. Or that he was quite so handsome. He has mad superhero skills...

On another note, it seems that young Ethiopians don't hold their sugar well. Even after their non-superhero-mom closely monitors their candy intake because in the past, sugar has done bad things to our tummies. Let's just say the carpet in the hallway may never be the same. But Sam slept great last night! Now y'all know why I have a strict "one doughnut rule" on Sunday mornings. His tummy just can't handle more than that!! And neither can the carpet. Or his mommy who was also on the receiving end of that fun.

And as promised, Trick-or-Treat on Main Street via pictures. And check over here for more details of the night. Let's just say we're lucky I still have all 10 fingers. And cotton candy machines are not meant to have your hand stuck inside of them...

Trick...

Halloween at our house has become a Daddy-duty.

Don't get me wrong. I get the costumes together, but the task of dressing them and bringing them out for Trick-or-Treat falls to Daddy.

Our church participates in a community-wide event called Trick-or-Treat on Main Street, so while I run around in chaos, pretending like I know what's going on down on Main Street, Daddy brings the boys down to the mega-Fall Festival event. Hopefully I'll have pictures of that soon...maybe here...

We did dress up on Wednesday night for AWANA's, so here's a few shots of Superman, Baby Mario and Mario & Luigi (aka, Nicole & Jana). We had a Halloween costume meltdown in Target when we couldn't find the right Spiderman, which is why Sam ended up being Baby Mario. That was fine with me, because I think I spent less than $2 (plus a boat load of glue) putting together his costume.


If you are local, see ya tonight at Trick-or-Treat on Main Street!!

Multi-tasker

I'm sure I'll get in trouble for this later, but I just wanted to make sure you all knew how to make sure you don't miss any Alabama football while simutaneously grilling dinner for your family. Both can be done at the same time, as Kenny demonstrates for us here.


Now, next weekend can you clean the bathroom while you are playing golf, please?

Soccer Mom Status?

Okay, so I have a kid that plays soccer, but I don't have a mini-van, so that doesn't make me a full-fledged soccer mom, does it??


Either way, Charlie LOVES playing! We had a slow start to the season. Read as: I just kicked the ball, now I'm gonna stand here until it rolls back past me. We finally got him to understand the concept behind the game and now he is right in the middle of the action the whole time. He even scored a couple of goals this year! Go Charlie!!





Until next year, I'll work on my soccer mom status. But I would rather not drive a mini-van until God blesses us with so many children that I don't have an option.

Join me.

The last of the Lynch posts have been added to the Spencer County blog and I thought you (all 3 and a half of you that read) would like to see the pictures from the last day. You are going to want to turn up your speakers for this one!

And this is random, but I read this verse the other day and I just keep coming back to it. I'm also going through the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan with our women's group at church. It's definitely a book that will put you in your place and I have enjoyed it, but this verse seems to some up what I've taken so far from the book.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

I'm still a tad bit (OK, a lot bit) overwhelmed that there is such poverty just a few hours from my own home. And I'm sure it's also as close as my backyard, just not as widespread as entire counties. I'm pretty sure I saw people living better in Ethiopia than in Lynch and that's just shocking.

Please join me in keeping the city of Lynch and the surrounding counties covered with prayer. From what we've been told, people just feel hopeless, as if they can't shake the devastation that they feel they live in. It's disturbing to know they feel like they have no hope, when hope is so close. If they would only embrace it. Specifically, pray that the people there open their hearts and are receptive to those that are trying to share the love of Christ.

Lynch or BUST!!

Sorry to have been MIA for the last few days, but we have been in Lynch, KY (Eastern Kentucky for you Alabamians) on a family mission trip with our church this week. Think Black Mountain's coal experience at its finest!

A little synopsis of what we were doing and why Lynch. Back in it's day, Lynch was the coal mining capital of Kentucky. While most of the country was going through a depression, Lynch was a town full of employed coal miners and their families, all living a pretty great life in houses built by the coal companies, enjoying the perks of living in a city that was seeing great economic times. But sometime in the 1960's (don't quote me on the dates), the mine closed and the city just went downhill from there. Houses and building were abandoned and for the ones that stayed, there was no work. No means to support their families. And so begin a cycle of poverty that seems to have spiraled out of control. The mine still basically owns the whole town, but is doing nothing with it in case they want to ever come back and mine in Lynch again. Buildings sit empty and basically falling down around the ones that do still live in the little town. So, we are here working with the different ministries that have been set up to help support the people of Lynch. Things like helping with house repairs, working at the clothes closet or working out at the horse farm where they encourage the kids to learn about horses, but also hope to share the gospel with them, too.

It has been exhausting, rewarding, frustrating and enlightening all at the same time. I have loved introducing the boys to missions early on, but it saddens me to realize that a mere 4 hours from our comfortable home are people who live with out running water, heat or a stove to cook their food on. Their houses are held together by cardboard and they have trees growing through their living rooms. They are excited about getting free hot dogs or having plastic put up on their windows so that they aren't quite so cold through the winter. And I sit on my comfy couch in my heated home with more appliances than I know what to do with and complain that my cable bill is too high. Have to say that it knocks you down a step or two to see people so close to home living like this. I'm not talking about a third-world country. This is our own state!

Of course, Nicole and I have the whole trip documented on our Spencer County Children's Ministry Blog, complete with a mini-movie for each day's adventures. So, instead of me rehashing it all here, take a little time and check out each day and what we where up to. We had a blast, but will be heading home tomorrow. Pray for safe travels!! And enjoy the pics...

Day 1: We have arrived!

Day 2: Freedom Center -- We made it out alive!! (video)

Day 3: Need your prayers! -- Update -- Uses of Mayonnaise (video) -- Lessons learned today...non-mayo related

Day 4: Our Last Day -- Gotta love the kids!! (video)

Seis

Six years ago we made our best friends and family miss the Alabama homecoming game and forced the ostracized Auburn fans to sneak in a TV and watch their game in a tiny room in the back of a church.

I make no apologies for planning a wedding smack in the middle of football season. I just wasn't going to wait any longer. And I refused to schedule a wedding around a football schedule, so I didn't even look at that when we picked a date.

So, October 16, 2004 may have been the day we were hated by many football fans, but it's the day Kenny pledged to the world that he would put up with me for all of eternity. Plus, my dad told him their were no refunds in the Hill House, so he was just stuck with me.

Six years of maritial glee later, we do still like each other and love each other most of the time, too. I know we have a long way to go to be like those with 50 years under their belts, but I just hope the next years are as fun as the first ones! We by no means have a perfect marriage, but we know how to have fun. Mostly due to my tendency to take nothing seriously and Kenny's ability to keep me in line.

God knew what he was doing when he brought us both to Tuscaloosa, Alabama 11 years ago! Love you more, Pookie!!