Future Pilates Instructor

We went outside to swing last night... which by the way Eliza HATES!!! Silas wanted in the swing, and that requires 2 of my hands so I sat Eliza down in the grass for a second. First she lifted on leg... then the other. She looks as if she is falling over, but she is not... she is perfectly balanced holding both legs up as high as she can.

Pull your bumblebee

I have to admit... since Eliza has been home, I have been in survival mode. I have been just trying to get by and get used to this whole 4 kids thing. I have neglected all of my years of child develompent training and my ability to discipline in a positive manner. Instead I have been more like the crazed mom you see in "Wally World" yelling almost obsenities at her children who are running circles around her crying that they want something.
I have good kids... I expect way too much out of them most days. But here lately... it has been pure chaos. My oldest needs structure and direction at all times or he decides to take matters into his own hands which means terrorizing his brothers through...well bullying them. The younger 2 just react as a 4 year old and a 2 year old do... swinging and yelling ( or screaming).
So today... I have had ENOUGH. Thanks to a stash of old teacher stuff in the attic and a Kindergarten teacher with a good discipline system, we instated today... the beehive.




The object is not only to stay out of trouble ( moving down the hive) but to do good things to move up the hive. The child(ren) who move to the top of the hive get to pick a prize out of the treasure box (still to be created) with all kinds of trinkets, toys, baseball cards, trips to Dippin Dots, alone time and anything else I can come up with.

I hope I can stay with it...sometimes I am bad about starting something and not following through, but just since we created this my children have magically transformed and are all laying in the floor beside me coloring with the SAME crayons in the SAME book... and humming and singing at that. WOW!

Momma the Homebuilder

Yep... I offically have a new title. I built a home. And I did it all during nap time. I love stuff ( ahem...challenges) like this and have to prove to myself that I can do it "ALL BY MYSELF". On this one I was afraid that I was biting off more than I could chew... but NOPE, I did it and the kids love it. Thanks to some of my friends who collectively went in to purchase this for Eliza. She is going to love it...that is when Callan and Silas let her near it.

We had to clear out the landing to have a spot for it


Welcome to Casa de Liza Belle de Dora

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Has it really been 9 years??? That is crazy. I love you..."too"!

Her favorite place to be...

Eliza's favorite place to play is under the kitchen table. I am not sure why, but it is. If she cannot get under there she will pull at the chairs and whine. I do not know if it is because she feels protected and covered, or if it because there is a bunch of stuff to pull up on, but if you cannot find her... you can be sure that this is where she is...

International Adoption Clinic

Yesterday was a tough day for our little princesea. We went to the International Adoption Clinic at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The Dr. visit itself was not bad, other than being trapped in a room with NOTHING in it but a Dr. table, computer and chairs for over an hour, it was your basic Dr. visit... BUT they sent us down to the lab to have her lab work done ( mostly to check the titers of her immunizations to see if she got what they say she got in Guatemala... my Dr. office would not recognize them if we did not do this... but they are also going to run test on all kinds of other diseases and conditions). Thankfully Brent went with me because when we went back for the blood draw there was already a screaming kid in the room and it sent me to tears. So, I had to leave the room and listen to her wail from outside the door. I did not see what went on but Brent said he never wanted to do that again. The drew 10 vials of blood from her little arm and she came out full of tears and dripping with sweat. The "blood taker" informed me that it was a small amount and only about 1 teaspoon in each vial, but to all of us... it was HORRIBLE. I gave her a bottle immediately and we went straight to the car where she passed out in pure exhaustion. When she woke up she was good to go... thank goodness.

"Momma, I am bored... there is nothing to do in here."


"What about these hanging black cords, they look like somekindoffun."

Eliza Casero Agradable

(Forgive me if the translation is not correct... it is supposed to be Welcome Home Eliza)

We had a little Welcome Home Party for Eliza at church on Sunday. I am not good at that kind of thing, but it seemed to me that a good time was had by all. Eliza enjoyed the attention (did not get too scared by all the passing around)and was exhausted by then end. Thanks to my family and friends for helping me with this and to Sonja for taking the only pics I have of it to put on here (it is hard to be hostess, carry a baby and take the pics)

Brown Belt

Baylor tested for his Senior Brown Belt on Saturday. We are so proud of him... it really takes a lot of concentration and learning to be able to learn and do all of this. He only has one belt (red) between him and reaching black belt.

Video

I wanted to share the video that my friend M made for me (she gave me permission). So if you have the time (about 20 min)sit back, relax and enjoy our precious angel and our journey.

*** Edited to say... it is not fitting the screen... I am trying to figure that out, but am off to take Eliza to the International Adoption Clinic.
*** Edited AGAIN to say I changed my layout so that you could see the full screen version!

Just a Shout Out

I wanted to give a public THANK YOU to my new friend ( and by friend I mean we have talked through the computer for almost a year, but today we met face to face). She is a very talented person and has created several masterpieces for me ( perhaps to be shared later). I just finished watching (AGAIN) her latest creation (a video slide show she created for me of our entire process and homecoming). I LOVE IT! Thanks M!!!! When you get your web site up and running let me know, I am going to post it on here!!!

Totally OT

OT: Off Topic




I had to tell you about our new Friday night ritual (if we are home, and by that I mean every Friday night-Ha). Brent and the boys curl up and watch Man Vs. Wild. It is a show on Discovery where a man (named Bear) puts himself in dangerous survival situations and shows you what to do to get out alive. He finds the most desolate and deserted places in the world and every time, makes it out alive. He does crazy things and gets a little extreme for me sometimes, but the boys love it.

By the end, my boys (who are not allowed out in the yard alone) will be able to survive the Rainforest (among other places) if they ever go there without anything but a knife and a canteen.

My Pete, Pete, Pete, Re-pete...

My little Silas... alas... has turned into a monster. Or maybe it fits his Frankenstein staple head????

His discovery... if he repeats what he wants, eventually he gets what he wants.
The reason why... he can outlast me! ( and I am tough)

Literally the boy can repeat the same phrase hundreds of times. Things range from "I want juice" before I am able to use my still asleep legs, to his new fave "I want bubble gum", or "I want my duck hat" that he left in the car,or "I want my baseball socks", or "I want my dress on" (explination: what he says instead of I want to get dressed) or the standard "I want to swing" which he repeated so many times when the social worker on Eliza's case was here, she finally decided her time was up. And if you do not answer him (the ignore tactic) he leeches onto you, stands on your feet, gets in your face, pulls on your clothes. And when I say repeat... I do not mean 10 times... I mean 110 times... NO LIE!

I am losing my cookies over this. It is sending me over the edge. He is my sweet boy (most of the time) and I just do not know what to do. I have tried everything. Telling him "NO" as firmly as possible with my mean mommy face, fully explaining to him why I cannot right now... to which he says "I want to swing". I even swatted his bottom today and it tore me up. But after he sat quiet for a minute he said " I want chips". He just cannot control it... and I am losing control... HELP... I need suggestions. ANY AND ALL ARE WELCOME!

Just Fun Stuff

Just a few from the past few days...
Because I am the pic taker in my house there is never one of me with Eliza( or anyone else for that matter) so I let Bay take one of us.


Evidentally we are growing snails in our yard. Bay and Callan found these... it took all I had to keep them outside. But I am sure it will be the first thing they will ask for in the morning, because I told them we would visit them in their real homes instead of inviting them into ours.


Here is Super Silas. We figured if you are going to try your hand at flying off furniture, then you at least need the propper attire. No really, it was what he picked as his prize for being such a big boy at the hospital getting stapled.

Finally, playing around with the camera... what better as my genre?

Blessed

What do you do when you turn... ahem...32? You look at this and you say I AM BLESSED! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

It is official

Eliza received her Certificate of Citizenship in the mail today. She is offically a US Citizen on paper. It came with a letter from George W. welcoming her. Only one problem... we have to do an official name change/ re-adoption and then apply for a new COC in her new name ( of course all of which comes with a cost) we have to get her a US Passport and Social Security Number... boy the paperchasing never ends does it???

I am a boy's momma

THE ACCUSED


THE VICTIM


THE CRIME
Standing on the arm of the chair trying to watch Daddy and Mr. Bryan install a new sink... a sudden slip and fall with head meeting the corner of the table.

THE MAJOR VIOLATION
Being wrapped in a sheet (ahem straight jacket) while 4 staples are placed in the back of your head.

I think Mommy cried harder. Thank goodness for Daddy who was able to talk him through it.

LESSON
Do not stand on the arm of the chair

blog

I was playing around with my blog today and found this... I thought I would share. It is kind of like moving houses... so I will try it out for a few days and see what happens... it may go back.

Shabby Tulips

Our Mountaintop experience...

You know I have been going back and forth on writing this... it is hard for me. But at the same time I know that so many of you read this ( since you have let me know) and I want to give my own little testimony. Brent got to give his a church and explain how missions played such a big part in our decision to adopt Eliza... but there is more to the story.

We have been way up high on the mountain top right as close to God as we can get, and frankly... I just do not want to come back down. It really is an amazing thing to get to see a plan work out... maybe not exactly how you had it all pictured, but in His timing and in His way. We feel like we have gotten to experience God working in our lives and we have felt His hand of guidance. We feel like we have been wrapped in His presence and I pray that we can just stay.

You see... I am a girly, girl. When they first told me that Baylor was a boy, I was shocked. Not because he was a boy, I just really did not understand that was an option for me. I pictured my life with lots of children, but for some reason the pictures painted in my head all had bobbing pig tails and bows. BUT God knew.

As we continued to grow our family it became more and more obvious that there just were not any girl swimmers (if you know what I mean). By the time Silas was born, we had 3 sons and 5 nephews ( and both Brent and I only have brothers... and 2 more nephews have been added since). You see God knows me. He knows my heart and he knows that no matter how much I love my absolutely perfect, heaven sent boys, I wanted the opportunity to share with a daughter what my mother has shared with me.God knew long before I did that his plan for our family was adoption. He had it all planned out. He knew how much I would fall in love with my boys, he knew that they would give me a life I never could have created in my dreams. He knew the happiness that they would create in me. But funny enough... he also knew what it would take for Brent and I to say "okay we get the picture" just to start the discussion to adopt and thus begin us on the roller coaster to His plan he set in stone before time. You could have asked me just 3 short years ago and I would have told you that adoption was just not something we wanted to do... and now it is our passion. The fullness it has brought to our lives is a God-given supernatural "high". I get chills when I think about all the things that I can see that God lined up just for us so that we would know that this was His calling upon our lives. My family and all their boys plays a big part in that, my friends who have gone through the toughest times in their lives with their children have been a part of that. Their families allowed us to look in and see what a blessing life truly is ( even when we thought we knew) and how each and every healthy baby is a blessing beyond imagination.

We know that Eliza was designed to be ours from the dawn of time and the plan for our family way before we even had an inkling of an idea. We are just standing in awe at the miracle that has been created around us and feel blessed.

My funny little man

Silas... there is no describing him. He is so sweet that Brent and I both have a hard time fussing at him or punishing him ( I am not really not sure why... as there seems to be no problems with the other 2 boys). He is a VERY verbal 2 year old and he is the most persistant thing I have ever met ( next to his brother Callan who can say "I want juice" about 52 times in a 30 second time frame). While I was getting ready the other day, I asked him to do me a favor. He responded with " I can't" his first response to everything you ask him.
Then he mumbled something else. "Excuse me" I say.
To which he responds " I can't I playing sorts with Yi-za"
( Translation: I playing swords with Liza)
I smiled so big I had to capture this on film... I guess she has been inducted into the Jones family.

Then he mumbled something again. He knew we were going somewhere so he ran to my closet.. within minutes he said "I bring you fwip-fwops". Well... almost... if only I could go out in public in my houseshoes.

And finally from Saturday. I came around the corner to find them both just chatting away hanging out at the stairs. Eliza is pulling up on her own and even trying to brave the stairs. I have caught her knee up all the way on the first stair. I can see it in her eye. Her mission... to get up those things when I am not looking!!! Thank goodness the gate is ready to go. I just was not expecting to have to use it already.

Hey Daddio....

And by Daddio... I mean my husband and daddy to my kids. HAPPY HAPPY Birthday! I hope your day is full of sweet tea, hunting and fishing shows, relaxation, pineapple upsidedown cake, hugs, kisses, and all around goodness. I LOVE YOU!

AHHH... LUNCH

Okay... I won't tell you why I chose this for lunch today ( long out and about story afraid it was my only chance) but I grabbed it because it intrigued me. Now mind you I have never really been a Reese's Cups fan. I am not sure why... but this thing... I had to try. I cannot believe it took... what... like 30 years to come up with this idea (since the KING of Rock-n-Roll died). I could not find a pic to post of it so I will send you to the Reese's site. If only Elivs were alive to try it now. I think I have found a new secret closet, hide so the kids cannot find me treat... YUMMMMM. It is limited edition, but I hope it hangs around for a while.

My side of the family

We had the opportunity to spend some time with my brother and his family this week. He is a Student Pastor at Village Baptist in Destin, FL and he has a beautiful wife and an absolutely adorable one year old son. Usually we go to Destin for summer vacation... but with Eliza and our trip to Guatemala our vacay budget was thin. So I was so glad that they came for a break from the beach and to meet our sweet Eliza.

We really enjoyed our visit... and wish it was longer and more often. I keep telling him to move here. I am sure that there is a church here that could use his services. But I guess I will continue to let God do the leading about my brother and his wife's ministry. ( I am purposely leaving your names out of this post... because I did not ask how you felt about it).

Here is "Bubba" spending some one on one time with Eliza.

The precious nephew I was talking about with a fresh first hair cut too!!!

Nommie getting a rare moment alone with Eliza (Silas has claimed her as his own and hardly lets her put him down).


The whole clan feeling patriotic in their red, white, and blue.



And my sis-in-law and little man watching the fireworks at our buddy's house down the street.

Happy 4th... Ya'll....

A day of celebrating a free nation takes on a new meaning for me today!




When Brent and I stood in line for our Embassy appointment, there was a line outside the US Embassy that had formed overnight many getting in line the day before. Sandra (our agency rep) explained to us that they were in line trying to obtain a travel visa (just to visit the US) that it was very difficult to even get all the documentation to do it. You had to prove certain things and prove that you had plenty of money in the bank ( to ensure you would come home) She said that out of all the people in line only a few would get approved... and the ones who did not would not even be allowed to apply again for 2 years. She said that her son (because he was a stable 20ish year old male) would never be approved for a travel visa becuase they see it as letting a good one out that might not come back. It occured to me... if he had the money and wanted to just go see the world... New York, Las Vegas, DISNEY... he could not because of where he was born. It really struck me. We get a wild hair... and go wherever we wish, whenever we wish.

Fun Day

Today we had the pleasure of entertaining company. It was a fun day for the boys. Jackson came over so his momma could go to the Dr. for her twin baby boys that are still in her belly, but only because she has been on bed rest for much too long to mention... ALMOST AT THE END TONYA!!! PRAISE GOD!
We hit the pool for a few hours, came home and put the little ones to bed and played games. Then when everyone was up we played some kind of dress up and hide and seek hunter. We tried to ride bikes outside, but it was too hot and too hard to share so we came in and then decided to play fishing off the back deck. A perfect day for the boys. They had a blast and did not want it to end.


Then we have another cute baby picture. She is changing to me already... which is good because the whole time she was away from me I do not think she changed much, but that may have been God protecting my heart. She is so happy... and we are too.


OH... and I have a blog lurker and family friend that I want to say thank you to. Momma Becky and Mike... you can see we love it! THANK YOU! ( I thought you might enjoy the blog shout-out)

Funny story

I am sure I have a zillion things to post... but I will start back with this. On Saturday, we went to the pool in the afternoon. Baylor put a snorkel in his mouth and the force of it going in wrong knocked his one loose tooth out. He was shocked and it was funny to find his tooth hiding in the bottom of the snorkel... ANYWAY... the tooth fairy came for a visit that night. Evidentally when the tooth fairy was "bumping around" under his pillow it woke Baylor up just enough to disorient him. He got up turned on the lights and the lights in the bathroom between his room and Silas room and proceeded to crawl into Silas' CRIB toddler bed with him squishing him off to the corner(Of course we knew nothing of all of this) Baylor came downstairs a bit shaken about 30 minutes later. He was scared to death and convinced that the Tooth Fairy was fed up with the whole treats for a tooth thing and decided that she wanted to play a trick on him... and it was the TOOTH FAIRY that carried him to Silas' bed just to mess with him. It took quite a bit of time convincing Bay that he was sleep walking ( he has not done that in so long he does not ever remember doing it) and that the tooth fairy could not carry him if she tried. It still makes me giggle.