God gives good gifts...

Great start to the holiday season...

The regularly scheduled "Choosing of the Christmas Tree" is being postponed due to:

a stomach bug.

(no, I'm not that horrible of a mom to take this pic while my child is in pain. He was standing up straight and smiling when I started the picture. I promise.)

(But I am the kind of mom to broadcast the moment across the internet for all to see.)

(ya know, since I accidentally caught it.)

(the moment, not the bug.)

5 years.

5 years ago:

I only did half as much laundry.
I only picked up after one male.
I had books and books on running your own business.
I only cooked for/fed one male.
I never checked the floor to watch for matchbox cars just to get from one room to the next.
I slept more. A lot more.
I'd only been to Guatemala once.
I'd never considered the foster program here or there.
Being naive about adding to our family was my M.O.
My house was actually decorated and my furniture kinda nice.
I carried a great purse.


But...

I now have 3 males who make me laugh.
I now know Sharon, Melissa, Alaska, Nikki, Emily, Virginia, Jackie and Tina.
I have a house full of baseballs and swords and cars and baby gear.
Petunia Picklebottom is now on ebay.
I have a little guy who makes sure my hands are warm if I forgot my gloves.
I have an even littler guy who smiles the biggest toothless grin the minute he sees me.
I have a better, deeper definition of who I am.
I have a much fuller couch...

Well-rounded?

*Lots and lots of posts on facebook filled my newsfeed on Orphan Sunday. One friend posted this video (before you watch it, know I didn't love this one, but my issues with it are for a different day):

Hope is Fading – Orphan Sunday from Allan Rosenow on Vimeo.

As I'm watching it, Eliot started watching over my shoulder.

E: Mom, why is that girl sad?
M: Because she doesn't have a mom and dad.
E: Why doesn't she have a mom and dad?
M: I don't know, something must have happened, there could be lots of reasons.
E: Dad? Why doesn't she have a mom and dad?
R: I don't know, Buddy.

*Pause*

E: Does it make you guys sad?
Yes, it is very sad. That's why someone made this video, hoping to encourage other moms and dads to think about adoption so that girls like her can get parents.
E: Oh.

*Pause*

E: Mom, do YOU have a tear? (rubbing eyes)

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Unrelated but cute pic of Senor:

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Another day, in the car with all four of us:

E: Mom, you have 3 stinky boys...
M: Yep, 3 very stinky boys!
E: Hey, boys! Let's all toot!

Friday Foto Fun.

(again, a regular Friday segment...)

Friday link

Just one link for you today (do you like how I'm pretending like I do a Friday Links segment every week? Just roll with it.)

My friend Amanda sent me this link called "How to be the Village" from Jen Hatmaker's blog. It's funny and spot on. It's a little long but a quick read and so worth it. Read it for my sake. For these two crazy boy's sake.


Click here to head over.

Flash and Prince.

This was our best attempt at a sibling pic. You're welcome. =)



Not sure who Dez is? Russ is convinced he looks like Prince Fielder from the Brewers, so made him a little jersey. Eliot had a baseball build-a-bear that we stole the mitt off of, aaaaaand whalaa! or something.