CHA CHA CHANGES!

Wow! Has time flown! Life has definitely been keeping me busy (mostly Craig, Jakob and Jada--all equally pining for my love and attention.) Poor Craig. . . the kids almost always win my attention first. We've been working on "enriching" our relationship as "husband and wife"--or at least giving it some more time rather than always being "mom and dad." It's definitely not as easy as it sounds with our busy schedules, lack of family in MN, lack of funds to pay for resources, and just that feeling of not wanting to take advantage of others. (Not to mention that I miss being with my babies almost instantly after leaving!) I'm not sure I will ever get over that!


I'm going to have to learn how to deal with it since Jakob will be starting preschool in a couple of weeks. I just look at him and wonder when the heck he got so "big" (as in age--he is still a petite child!). At least I will be in parent education one day of his preschool--so he won't be so far away! haha! He comes up with the funniest things. Like, Jada, mama and dada will be in school with me. He has really developed into a loving big brother. We were worried for awhile--if he would ever get over the jealousy, but as Jada keeps getting bigger and bigger and able to play better with him--it only seems that they are getting closer and closer. He is sensitive, shy, loving, obstinate at times, but happy happy happy! (as long as he gets his way!)


It will be amazing to watch his personality grow even more at school. I worry that it may be too overwhelming at times but it will be good. Big crowds are a bit over stimulating for him so hopefully his class isn't too large--and hopefully--he doesn't bite anyone! He has been "jamming" out to his radio lately, turning it up as loud as it goes. I picture a teen rebel dancing in his room to KTIS! :0) He is just so adorable and will run to turn it up if he hears one of his favorite songs! The Newsboys, He Reigns is his number one!

Jada baby will be in daycare for the two hours that I am in parent education. She will be in the room right next to me and it will be interesting. I thought that nothing would phase her, but we tried out church daycare and she only lasted 10 minutes and was wailing for her mommy. I would have thought that Jakob would have been the one--I was surprised--totally! She has been teething--molars--and they are really causing all of us some grief. I can't wait until they come through. Hopefully soon, so we can start the next round of teeth--the worst ones--the I-teeth. Jada keeps us on our toes--literally. In two seconds flat (or less) you will be able to find her somewhere that she really shouldn't be. She can climb faster than I ever thought a child could climb, is virtually not afraid of falling, and likes to run away really fast when you see her. (So, you really must be careful when you come upon her standing on a chair or sitting on the play stove!


I think she is a born Diva. . . . she loves shoes, and clothes, and princess stuff, and definitely knows how to get her way. I can only imagine just how loud our house is going to be in the later teen years--with all of the kids' friends. Loud music, lots of laughter, lots of whispering and plenty of all nighters! :0)



We tried a new church--Evergreen Community Church. We've only been there twice and it feels like we've been there forever. The people are great! We went to a free BBQ one weekend and thought we would give it a try. There is nothing wrong with the church we are members at. We were just looking for a church with more diversity and more young families. We are Lutheran and Evergreen is non-denominational. It is contemporary and seems to have a lot of really great programs that fit our needs right now. I cannot begin to explain how important it is for us to be intertwined with families of many cultures--as a multi-cultural family ourselves. I feel sad, in a way, that the church our children were baptized in just isn't meeting our needs--but I want my children to be a part of God and a church community and I think this one will be perfect for us!

I hope that summer has been good to everyone! I am looking forward to our changes coming and hope to have some time to share it with you! ;0)

Easter weekend was amazing! The weather was just perfect, no work for me (hubby had to go in for a bit on Saturday), and lots of things to do! We went to the zoo on Saturday (hubby's idea). Evidently he still doesn't believe me when I tell him it will be packed because of the holiday. Very large crowds tend to make both me and Jakob a little anxious. Maybe I'm just a little worried he is going to grab someone's face (which he didn't). I nearly flipped when I came out of the restroom and he was playing on the playground with a million other kids without Craig standing right there. I did see him push somebody and I knew something was up when the other kids wouldn't go up the ladder--so I went and got him and we moved on. We weren't there very long and I don't think we even saw any animals. No biggie--we can go back anytime with our membership!

We went to church on Good Friday and visited the nursery when Jada got a little loud for the very quiet and somber service. Things went well--so on Easter Sunday. . .the kids went to the nursery. Jakob could have cared less. I couldn't leave Jada there quite yet and brought her into church. It lasted about 10 minutes. She is just plain too heavy to try to stand and hold her in a very packed church. So I took her back to the nursery. All I have to say is hats off to working moms. Jada was only going to be in the nursery for probably 40 minutes and it still brought me to tears. What am I going to do when my kiddos go to school? It was strange to be somewhere with Craig without the kids.

My mind was wandering during the service and Craig asked if I was thinking about Jada. I was in a way, but thinking more about how our congregation was predominately white. Noticing things that most people wouldn't even think twice about. I saw one black man and one little girl who was most likely biracial--not that it matters--but her skin was like my daughter's skin. I was wondering if we would someday have to search around again for a congregation that better suits our multicultural family. It was a long search to find a church of our religion--that seemed to fit our personality and was reasonably close by. I guess we will have to reassess again and again--because, after all, once you think you've got things down--they change again. I will always pray that our children feel like they can talk to us about anything and will encourage conversation about adoption, race, culture, birth families, interests, dislikes, and whatever else I can get them to talk about. Sometimes I just don't want to think about it and hope it comes naturally--be we all know that isn't the way things work!

It has been a beautiful week! Hence the plain truth that I haven't been online a whole lot. Jada and Jakob went for their first bike ride together in the bike trailer. All I can say is it is going to be a fun summer. Jada fell asleep and Jakob just sucked his thumb and held NUNU. My sister and my nephew are here visiting. It has been so nice to have family around! You would think they would be tired of shopping at the mall. . . . haha! We hit up some rides on Tuesday night--that was a bit scary--but I survived! Well, I better go get the little rebel into sleeping mode or dinner at Chino Latino's tonight will be a nightmare!

You will have to settle for some random pictures as my Easter pictures are on my other computer and I am not nearly a perfectionist in making a perfect blog. I'm more into thinking about eating the rest of the malted milk eggs that are in the kitchen while my kids sleep! YUM!