Are They Yours?

     Annabelle hammin it up!
              Andrew dipping his lemon in ranch dressing, what can I say?  He loves ranch dressing!

We went shopping at a little boutique today...  I know 2 two year olds in a boutique- good idea.  Annabelle needed a new silky and the only places to sell "Little Giraffe" are over priced stores where the "help" leaves a little to be desired.  Since I didn't look like I could put the entire store on my Black card the sales woman looked at me like I was a rodent.  After staring at us for a few minutes, she didn't offer to help us, she simply asked me if I was the Nanny.  When I said "no" and giggled a little bit she looked kind of confused and asked if they were mine.  I told her, yes, they were my children and promptly left the store (after spending over $40 on a blanket that measures exactly one square foot).  I ask, who is the crazy one?  I am sure at some point having people ask rude questions won't be such a big deal.  But for now , it is!

Here's Andrew...

Here he is opening presents, sort of

Please don't make me eat cake!!

Here are the pics of a sick Andrew on his second birthday.  I was also reminded tonight by my sweet babies that having a home filled with laughter is WAAAYYY better than having a house filled with order and quiet!!

The Big Birthday

"This present is blue, it must not be for me"

Annabelle tearing into the presents

Okay, maybe two isn't considered a "big birthday" by most- but we had a blast.  On the kiddos actual birthdays I couldn't help feeling a little sad for their birthmoms.  A day so filled with joy and excitement for us must have been marked with sadness for them.  As I tell myself over and over when I look at their beautiful faces, God must give them a peace and understanding that their sweet babies are loved to pieces.

We had a big party which Annabelle ate up!!  Andrew was not so thrilled, could have been the vomiting and explosive diarrhea.  Talk about "Mother of the Year"- here is some ibuprofen, go eat cake and have fun with your friends!  We had 12 1-3 year olds at our house for games and painting and cupcakes!  We did have a great time, and I was reminded once again how blessed we are to have such amazing children.  Although, now that they are two I am defiantly looking forward to bringing home another baby...  After trying unsuccessfully for over an hour, no pics of Andrew!  Just picture lots of crying and hugging his dad.  I will post later if the "blogger" allows!

A WHOLE MONTH WITHOUT A BLOG!

A WHOLE MONTH WITHOUT A POST!

Yikes!  Does that make me the worst blogger in history?  

Well, Bill finally headed back to work after his murder trial...  Okay, not Bill's murder trial, but he was has been on a jury for the past 2 months.  He didn't like being away from work, but loved the experience of being jury foreman.  When he finally returned to "The Rock", all of his hard work before the hiatus won him an award-Yeah!  Okay enough bragging about him (good thing he doesn't read this blog).  I have been knocked out with a pretty bad case of bronchitus for the past week (note the time stamp on this blog as really early, THE CHILDREN ARE STILL SLEEPING).  Justin has been a life saver!  He has come over everyday to help with the kids with reckless abandon to his own germ free zone- what a guy!

            Now on to the news people actually care about- The kids!  See, I put the news about Bill and I at the beginning of the blog because I knew most of you would scroll past it in search for pics- HA!  Andrew and Annabelle are quickly approaching their 2nd birthdays.  I can't believe it- "the babies" are officially inhabitants of the terrible twos.  It really isn't so terrible...  Andrew is learning how to better communicate as we put a lot of his favorite things out of reach so he would have to ask for them.  This is really helping with his language development!  Annabelle is becoming more independent as we are requiring she do more for herself.  She really is an Ethiopian Princess, she is still realizing that transfers to ZIP here in the states.  Annabelle would rather ask oh so sweetly, "Mommy, snack please?"  Andrew would just rather go get his own snack.  I just chalked this up to their own different personalities, which is true...  But life often dictates both types of behaviors, so the "twos" is providing some great life lessons (for mommy and daddy too).  Here are some pics of the "two twos" in their Valentine's outfits.  I promise not to make it another month between posts!

It's February Already!

I just finished a book

Love in the Driest Season by Neeley Tucker

Okay, I know I am probably one of the few people who truly has a heart for Africa who has not read this book until now (published in 2004).  AWESOME BOOK!!  It's a book about the political and social changes in Africa and specifically Zimbabwe from the early 90's to 2000.  A journalist and his wife decide to adopt a very sick infant they meet by chance in an orphanage.  The little girl, Chipo is abandoned as so many sweet babies are all over Africa.  The desperation their mothers must feel, the heart ache and  sorrow must be overwhelming.  I only knew Annabelle and Andrew for minutes and I started to realize the choice their mothers must have anguished over. When we saw the place Annabelle was abandoned, the "under the road" hole her mother left her in- just far enough away from the street to be safe, but close enough to foot traffic so that someone would find her, I was breathless.  Just thinking of Andrew's mother who had to kiss her tiny baby goodbye when he was literally seconds old, or she may not have even kissed him at all,  as she may have died during the process of giving him life, I don't have words.  We relay Andrew and Annabelle's story to people here and they say, "we could never make that choice".  Of course they couldn't, they don't have to. We pray for those brave women every night.  We pray that they would know Annabelle and Andrew are safe and loved,  smart and funny, all of the other things we hope for our children.  We pray they would have peace in their hearts and in their minds about the decision they made and the precious children they gave to us.  This book brought to mind that our children's stories are not unique.  There are millions of orphans just in Africa who need help.  You may not bring them home as we did, but there is something everyone can do.  Even just being aware is a start.

Here are a few pics from December 2007

We have had a busy month!  It all started with family pictures scheduled outside (but had to be moved in because of rain), then Cooper's 2nd Birthday Bash and of course Christmas (we celebrated Christmas a total of 5 times with all of the festivities).  So much fun!  We loved spending so much time with our families over the holidays...  We truly celebrated "the Reason for the Season".

Andrew in his Christmas church clothes- How handsome!

Annabelle and her best grin for family pictures!

Andrew posing for the camera-what a ham!

Andrew at Cousin Cooper's Second birthday party- he loves the slide!

Annabelle in her Christmas church clothes- How fancy!

Annabelle as the center of attention at Cooper's party- loving every minute!