We have been very busy.  School is going full force and we are on schedule for my goal at the end of the year. 

Princess and I went to an Above Rubies ladies retreat in Arkansas last month.  One of Nancy's daughters offered to braid Princess's hair.  It was so cute.  But when she walked outside she decide it was cold on her head.

We had a nice Thanksgiving with Shane's parents grandparents and a family that has no family nearby, so they joined us.  Shane smoked turkey.  Princess made 2 pumpkin pies, Bubba made Grandma Rose's Sweetheart Salad and Little Bit made the Green Bean Casserole.  I also made Sweet Potato casserole, cheesy corn casserole and Stove Top stuffing.  We had Nadine's noodles, and butterhorn rolls, and mashed potatoes, and Janet's Pecan pie.  Since we had a mid-afternon meal, we also made "twirlies" cream cheese chopped black olives, and green onions rolled in tortillas and sliced.  And had a relish tray, and friendship bread to hold us over. I forgot to take a picture of the dessert table-- drats.

A few weeks ago we painted the great room.  The back wall is a deep red, and the other walls are kind of a chocolate milk color.  We also ordered a Scripture verse for our walls from Fruitful Vine Creations  It is a version of Deut. 4:6 Shane and I hung it today.  Well, mainly Shane because I was gasping too much when the vinyl was coming off too soon.  It is too big for a picture.  But it says

"Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and might" on the first line, under that it continues:

"you shall teach your children you sit, walk, lie down and when you rise." 

It is over the doorway into the dining room.  And we LOVE it! 

We are having a 4-H cookie exchange Wednesday.  So we made cookies today.  My Grandma's Peanut Butter cookies and Spritz cookies.  AND I'm so excited... I remembered the press in the cabinet and we used it. 

 So we made star, diamonds, butterflies, doggies, and camels among other things.  Tomorrow or Monday we will make my other's Grandma's Easy Toffee Bars.  YUM!  I think I'll make a double batch... they go fast at our house.   

Here's sweet cheeks helping... Okay, she's really just sitting cute in her high chair --it's the only place that we know she'll stay confined :)  And yes, she helped us eat cookie dough and cookies too...  She has new glasses too-- her prescription is 1/2 of what it was nearly 2 years ago, but she still doesn't like to keep them on for very long, so we're working our way up... I'll post a pic soon of her new glasses.

Sorry about the sideways pictures... remember I'm on dial up and have been trying off and on for several hours to get these to upload at all :)

Mom here, we went by the 4-H fair today and found out what color ribbons the children received. 

Princess received a blue ribbon (good) on her ladybug cake.  She was very pleased and was excited about the feedback she got.

Bubba received a red ribbon (fair) on his castle cake.  He is disappointed, he was really hoping for better. 

We are thrilled with their efforts and their awards...

if you are making a castle cake with fondant and royal icing...think twice.  Fondant is the HARDEST icing in the word. Royal icing hardens fast.  I hate the rules because you have to use these items to make the cakes.   Here's a picture of the finished products:

We've been really busy lately.  Little Bit had cleft palate clinic, he's doing fine.  It's time to start the orthodontic work so his jaws can be built.  But first we have to jump the hoops of the almighty medicaid for approval to have an "early ortho eval"  Good grief... the child has a bilateral cleft palate... he's GONNA qualify

We have a new Uncle, Joshua Daniel.  His adoption was final on April 4th. 

The other day I got a new Dyson vacuum.  I took it out of the box and Bubba says "Wow Mom looks high tech"  It is high tech.  Love it. 

We've been studying the Tabernacle for our family worship time complete with a model to put together.  Last night we put together the ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat.  Including Aaron's staff, the stone tablets and the manna.  It's very interesting how these things give us a glimpse of Christ.  The most interesting thing from last night I found was that, the yearly scapegoat that carried the Jew's sins out of the city gates is in many, many ways like Christ. 

Little Bit has been doing his schoolwork with very little problems.  He is ready very well and is almost done with his 1st grade math. 

Princess is taller than me now... yikes how did that happen. 

Last night I told Bubba to take off his socks (he's been wearing them for 4 days he says).  After I told them how gross they had to be after wearing them outside in the dirt that many days.  He says "cool!"  Oh the joys of having boys.

Sweet cheeks had a runny nose a few weeks ago, finally gave in and took her to the dr.  He gave her this potent antibiotic that gave her nasty diapers for nearly 3 weeks now.  And there's apparently nothing to do but give her accidopholis and yogurt.  A couple of days ago I increase the accidopholis to 2 a day and we're finally getting back to normal.  We went through enough diapers and wipes to normally last for more than a month in about 2 weeks.  

I made some delicious wheat bread the other day... 4 loaves.  It's wonderful.   

Gotta go it's breakfast time... whole wheat coffee cake... yum.

This is Bubba on my first blog entry. (with MOm's help)We had a fun day a couple of weeks ago.  After church we home to find my hamster, Laura, was missing.  I was really upset and I started to cry.  My Mom said she’d look on Craigslist for a new one.  Someone replied, she had several baby hamsters.  So we decided to go get one.  When we got there, I picked out a cute little girl and named her Jane.  Then she said we could have another one if we wanted.  My Mom said yes.  So we picked out Mandy.  When we got home, lo and behold we found Laura.  So now I have 3 hamsters.  But we’re going to give one away to my newest Uncle to be, Tyler.  Today we found out that Jane was none other than a boy, so now his name is James.  I’m hoping Mandy is pregnant. This is Bubba on my first blog entry. We had a fun day a couple of weeks ago.  After church we home to find my hamster, Laura, was missing.  I was really upset and I started to cry.  My Mom said she’d look on Craigslist for a new one.  Someone replied, she had several baby hamsters.  So we decided to go get one.  When we got there, I picked out a cute little girl and named her Jane.  Then she said we could have another one if we wanted.  My Mom said yes.  So we picked out Mandy.  When we got home, lo and behold we found Laura.  So now I have 3 hamsters.  But we’re going to give one away to my newest Uncle to be, Tyler.  Today we found out that Jane was none other than a boy, so now his name is James.  I’m hoping Mandy is pregnant.

Then, Dad was putting the chickens to bed and heard them all in a fit and went out to see what the problem was.  Look what he found.

Here's a couple of pics of Sweet Cheeks in her new glasses.  She does like to take them off when we're not looking-- usually in the car.  Amazing how much better her walking is when she's wearing them.    She's talking more and more too.  Says "uh-oh" so cute and "cheese, please" and "drink, please" and others.  Can't believe how big she's gotten over the last few months. 

that's a 2 drawer file cabinet behind her to give you an idea of how tall she is now. 

Here's one of us at the State Fair with a giraffe at the the "Exotic Petting Zoo" 

Finally!  I have been unable to log into this account for several days.

Here are some pictures:

My friend Kellie and I (the ones from CA that are moving here

All the children -- aren't the cute?

And the babies

Some people on my email list has been unable to see or open the pictures I sent a few days ago.  So, I'm going to post them and maybe more here.  BTW, the foreign adoption has not been recognized yet.  The court date is May 22nd.  It is already final.  This just makes things easier.  Like her citizenship/social security card, etc.

You can see how tall she is getting in this one. 

This one above is one of the african outfits that Shane brought back for her.  It almost fits now.  It was so huge on her when she came home, that she couldn't wear the skirt. 

This one is just too cute. 

Hi

Today I'll tell you about our stay at Chateau on the Lake in Branson.   We left on Friday morning before Easter and spent one night there.  Dad was offered the gift certificate from work on Tuesday and it had to be used that next weekend, so we decided to be spontaneous and off we went. 

We went to the IMAX theater and saw "Roving Mars."  The screen was 10 times bigger than a normal movie screen.  Afterward we went and checked into the hotel.   They asked if we wanted milk and cookies at bedtime and of course, we said yes.  We rode the glass elevator to the 10th floor before going to our room.  I was a little dizzy the first time, but by the time we left, I wasn't dizzy anymore.  After getting settled in, we went swimming in the indoor pool and had a great time.  Even little sis had a good time.  We met a really nice family there too.   We went to a buffet dinner at "The Plantation"  when we returned to the hotel room to find our milk and cookies waiting on the coffee table for us.  It was deeeeeeelicious! 

Saturday morning, we fed the goldfish at the hotel and then we checked out of the hotel and saw "Celebrate America" before we left Branson  It is a play about our country's history.   On the way home, we stopped in Springfield to visit 2 great used bookstores, yahoo!  We found some really neat books.  Ate dinner at a chinese buffet and got home in time to go to bed and get up for church Sunday morning. 

Here's the joke for today:

What goes peck, bang, peck, bang?

A bunch of chickens in a field full of balloons. 

That's not really funny is it?  Shall we try another one? 

Two farmers meet on a dusty country road.  One of them is carrying a big bag labeled "chickens."  "Chickens, huh?" says one farmer.  "How about this, if I guess how many chickens you've got, will you give me one of them?" 

"If you guess right, I'll give you both of them"

The other scratches his head and guesses," ummm, 4"

Goodbye for now. 

This is dictated to Mom because Princess had typed an entire entry and it got lost before it was posted. 

Last weekend we watched "Singing in the Rain"  afterwords, we were talking about how much we enjoy old movies and Princess said,

"The only thing better than old movies is old books" 

We went to the library Thursday afternoon.  We were all enjoying the quiet and reading through our books enjoying ourselves.   Bubba exclaims,

"I just love books!"

This morning, he was reading "Curious George" to Little Bit. 

Now, if we could just get Little Bit to want to read. 

Hi,

This is Princess.   From now on, when the word "Hi" is in that color of green; it means Princess is writing. 

Friday, Papaw came and spent the two nights with us.  Saturday, we had tickets for CYT's play  "Wonderland".

Now about the play.

It was an adaptation of Lewis Carrol's "Through the Looking Glass".  ( I never really liked the story line of it; but the actors made it more interesting. ) The costumes were very colorful, the music was okay, and the actors and actresses portrayed their roles very well.  Papaw came and saw it with us.  

We bought "opportunity tickets" to win baskets that CYT does to raise funds.  I put 10 tickets in the "family adventure basket" hoping we'd win it.   It had all sorts of fun things in it.  Like a chess game, the movie "The Princess Bride" and several Jim Cosgrove CD's. 

 Afterward, we went to ''Fritz's And Company'' to eat.  I got to order from the adult menu.  I ordered a club sandwich with fries.  It was big, so big that I shared with Bubba since he was still hungry after eating his corn dog bites.  And, I even had some left for lunch on Sunday. 

Then we had a sleepy drive home. 

On Monday Mrs. Chipchase, from CYT called.  We won the basket. 

Here's today's jokes:

Two caterpillers were crawling on a twig when a butterfly flew by.''You will never catch me up in one of those things,"said one of them.

Why did the man toss his toast?

To watch butterfly!

This is Princess to tell you about our weekend. 

Friday night Mom was feeling sick.  That made me a bit worried because Saturday Mom usually has time to herself because she goes shopping and we get time with Dad.  Dad kissed Mom's forehead and said she should probably go to bed.  Saturday morning Dad woke me up and told me that we would have to do the shopping.  He gave me the shopping list to put several other items on the computer. 

Just as I was finishing Bubba walked by and said "Princess, wouldn't it be funny to add something to the list?" 

It was like a strawberry in lemonade, an arrow set straight, a devious plan in motion. 

"What should we add?"  I asked him. 

 "Peppermints or lifesavers"

"How about gummy bears?" 

Bubba said "suuuuuure" 

So I gleefully typed gummy bears onto the list. 

And guess what?  Dad bought them. 

Joke of the day:

Which animals didn't obey Noah on the ark? 

When Noah said "go forth and multiply" the snakes couldn't because they were "Adders"

This is Princess; just to tell you about our day.

We had eggs and toast for breakfast this morning.  Then we started on math(Groan).Mom got in the shower ,and we were off to go skating. Skating is one of my favorite things to do.  It always takes me about 2 minutes to get used to the skates.  However, 5 minutes from the skating rink.   "Oh, Mom, I forgot to get your skates!''   Mom turned a bright pink and said ''Do you know how long it has been since I have worn rental skates?''  No,Ididn't.

Skating was really fun;even if Mom had to wear rental skates.  We did the hokey-pokey and the Limbo,and all sorts games.

Here is today's joke:Why didn't they play cards on Noah's Ark?  Because Noah sat on the deck!

Bye!  

Hi everybody,

This is Princess.I just want to tell you I can type on the computer now, so I can write blog entries!

Today we are not doing very much...just school and reading.  And watching the snow fall.

Would you  like to hear a joke?

Where do eggs go on vacation?

New Yolk!  

Bye! 

Maybe it's time for a little update on Precious.  She is now well over 20 pounds.  Is outgrowing almost every bit of clothing we have for her-- time for a day shopping the thrift stores-- lol.  She is crawling all over the place and trying to pull up on everything-- including the dogs!  They just take it-- and eat any leftover food off her face :).  The other morning she ate an egg yolk with a little cereal, a large carrot, a small peas, a large applesauce and part of a large peach, banana, rasberry.  I think she has a hollow leg  I do have to say that this is not ordinary. 

She still isn't sleeping through the night-- getting up twice.  Amazing, any other time I am a light sleeper, but when a baby is in the house, I sleep right though it.  Did the same thing with Bubba.  Glad Shane doesn't sleep though it.

Here is a picture of her trying to pull up:

And here is one of her standing-- one of the children put her here.  You can get an idea of how tall she is getting.

We're having a nice family evening with the freezing rain mix coming down around us.   The children are playing quietly together-- ok, not so quietly but getting along well until...

Princess complains to daddy that Bubba called her a "skimpy niggle" 

Us:  What is a skimpy niggle?

Bubba says "It's in Calvin and Hobbes"

Shane reads as Calvin watching TV home sick from school one day "Oh Mary you look ravishing in that skimpy negligee" 

So that dears is a "skimpy niggle"

The blog host has been down and we haven't been able to post.  Have lot's of neat pictures of our trip to TN, but don't have time to post them right now.  Check back soon.

Here are some pictures of our new baby sister.  Mom tried to email them, but some people got them, and some didn't.  Go figure. 

We wore our African outfits to church Sunday but forgot the camera.  Fortunately, one of the ladies had hers and took our picture in them.  Hopefully she'll have them for us Sunday and I'll add them to the blog. 

We were finally able to have Bubba's birthday party (although close to a month late).  Unfortunately, several of the families we invited had other plans, but we had a good time regardless.  Shane's parents and children and one other family with 4 children came.  We thanked God for the beautiful day in the middle of 2 rainy days. 

Back in the summer we went to a "tacos on the table" dinner.  Bubba LOVED it!  He said "Dad, that's what I want to do for my birthday!!!"   Shane thought a knights and maidens theme would be appropriate to go with eating with our hands. And that's what we did. 

I also went to Sams and got a big can of nacho cheese and chips.  We left this in the crock pot and served it on plates.    For dessert-- pumpkin pie with cool whip.  (last year he wanted mock apple cobbler maid with zucchini-- go figure.  I've got a weird boy). We ate this on plates with forks, mainly because it had gotten chilly and we went inside.

A few weeks ago, I went to the thrift store and bought all sorts of mugs, heavy stemware, etc. for drinking glasses.  (I think I spent about $5 for about 12 glasses).  This was one of the party favors.  We had 4 left-- one for Dorcas when she's old enough. 

Shane went to the U.S. Toy store nearby his office and purchased floral headveils for the girls. 

 The boys were a little more difficult.  He has been on the lookout for metal hubcaps for a couple of months, but had been unable to find them until Saturday morning.  He started calling junkyards.  Would you believe that some places wanted as much as $10 a peice--crazy or what?  It was worth the wait-- he got 7 for $5 at a place about 20 miles down the road. 

You might be asking what he wanted with hubcaps--  Every knight needs a shield.

Amazing out of 8 different hubcaps, the boys end up with the same kind.

Shane drilled holes and attached cheap handles from the hardware store.  Painted them silver first to cover the scratches, then painted the cross on them. 

 Shane talked about 3 things every honorable knight and maiden needs and then asked the children questions related to those things.  Bible knowledge, Integrity (what you you do if...?) and endurance.  They had to do 25 jumping jacks run down the yard, around the hedge apple tree and back. 

After that, he presented the children with their headveils and shields.  Shhhh don't tell anybody, but even the older boys wanted a shield.  Amazing how pleased children can be with a cheap glass from the thrift store and hubcaps!

A great time was had by all.