Bragging On My Girl & Some Updates

So, I took a blogging break. School has really been cramping my free time! But I have 6 weeks off for the summer.

I have to start out with a little bragging on my girl. I took the munchkins to the park last week. We've had pretty sketchy weather for the last couple months- it's been either hotter than blazes, or raining. A LOT of raining. Like 2 straight weeks + a day here, a day there. And hot. Did I mention hot? And raining? So, when we saw a day without rain, and a decent temperature (read: our skin wasn't melting off of us), we ran to the park!

While we were there, a girl came up to Xandra & Milo. I'm guessing this girl was older than Xandra- she was taller & bigger (but that doesn't mean much, as Xandra is pretty dinky- 40 lbs at 7 years old). Anyway, the girl apparently made fun of Milo's arm. Xandra told her "it's just the way God made him." Then Xandra led Milo back to where I was sitting (having no idea this was going on- I thought they were all just playing together). Xandra went back to the girl & told her that she'd hurt her brother's feelings. The girl apologized. Finally, Xandra came back to Milo & I and told Milo that if anyone hurts his feelings again, he should just walk away. 

I'm not sure if I've ever been more proud of my girl. It almost made me teary-eyed. She loves him so much, and the feeling is very mutual. They have the most amazing relationship. I'm not sure how exactly I fostered that, or if I should even take any credit. I just love that they will stick up for one another, and show the world their love for each other. 

I'll post a few iPhone pics, as I haven't gotten my big-girl camera out lately (other than for paying customers- but that's another post). 

Proof of all the rain. Milo's pretty sick of it, as are the rest of us.

Milo washing his car, in the rain

Milo & Xandra got into some of my photography props

Did I mention we got a puppy? Her name is Lucy & she's a pug/shitzu mix. 

Xandra is head-over-heels in love with her.  

Xandra lost a front tooth. & the other one isn't too far behind. 

646

646 days
as an orphan
without his family
waiting...

He waits no more
He has a family that adores him
(as well as a first family that we will continually honor)

He has officially surpassed his time spent in the orphanage
with the time he has spent within, and as a blessed part of, our family!
********
Dear Milo
We have spent almost 2 years with you, getting to know you, loving you. You have brought our family into a new dynamic, a new burst of energy. Oh the energy you bring to us! (You could tone down that energy any time you see fit, to allow your mama & daddy a chance to catch our breath!) 

We couldn't have hoped or prayed for a more perfect son than you. You have touched more hearts and lives than we ever thought possible - you've taught others what it is to see past a "special need" and find the person beyond the physical appearance. You are truly incredible with your infectious laugh and sparkle in your eyes! 

There is no obstacle that you can't overcome- you've shown us that time and again. You are destined for big things, I just know it. 

We love you to the moon & back, baby boy!! 

Picture-palooza!

Nothing really specific here...

Just some pictures I don't want to gather dust

I've taken these over the last couple/few weeks 

Love Love LOVE!
My beautiful babies!

Milo lovin' on his panda bear

Preparing a proper tea time

Oh Milo! This is the best tea!

Littlest Pet Shop Animals are her newest favorite thing in the world
(they're all over our house)

Climbing up to his big-boy bed!

She's almost always up for a photo shoot
& posing for me is her new thing!

One of the coolest books we have-
a magnetic Cars activity/story book
Milo just discovered it in our collection

"How many cars are there Milo?"
"Two, two, two, TWO!!"

Bead explosion in Xandra's room
Clean Up Time!

Oh, how he loves noodles!

Linking up with Stephanie today!

Donuts

I adore donuts.

So I never buy them.

Because I would totally eat them.

(Yes, I would even stoop to stealing them from my children... I have a problem)

So, the fact that you see my kids with donuts in these pictures is an exception to our daily lives.
But there was a good reason.

I was unexpectedly thrown into "single parent" mode for a few days.
And I was desperate.

The Sunday before New Year's (12/30/12), Matt started having pains in his stomach.

Severe pains.

He dealt the best he could for a few hours, but by dinner time, the pains won.

And I had to take him to the ER.

We got home after 10.

But he was still in pain.

Even after taking his ER prescribed pain meds.

Even more severe pain than before.

So at 1 am, I began calling friends to see who was crazy enough to answer their phone.

One finally did, and we were back off to the ER by 2 am.

I stayed with him until 5, and then came back home to relieve our sitter crazy friend angel who answered her phone.

I finally picked Matt up at 9:30, but the pain meds they sent home this time knocked him out, and he slept for the next 4 days.

I however, had only had about 2 hours of sleep.

So, donuts were requested by the kids, and donuts were served up.
The doctors *think* Matt had a kidney stone. Or maybe gallbladder issues. Or who knows what else.
Basically, they have no idea what was wrong with him.
His symptoms indicated a stone, but they never found one (CT scan & ultrasound).
We don't know... probably will never know.
He's still in pain today, but it's a bit better.
So, a lot of stuff I'd wanted to do on this last week of my school break didn't get done.
But that's ok.
We made it through.

And the kids thoroughly enjoyed their donuts!!!

 

Snow Day!

It snowed!! Milo has been home for a year & a half, and this was his first real snow! We had a slight dusting last winter, but no real accumulation. So, this was great for Milo.

I personally do not care for snow. At all. I really pretty much hate it. I don't do cold very well. Xandra follows in my footsteps. But the boys LOVED every minute of it!!

Even the dog got into the action! She is 10 years old. I can honestly say I have never seen her act this way.

The majority of Milo's time outside was spent like this... laying in the snow. He ran, jumped, and purposefully fell down over, and over, and over, and over.

Wet Butt!!