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!)

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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)