Aunt Jen ROCKS!!!!

Ya know, we have a lot of wonderful people in our life. Some really nice, cool, wonderful people. Then we have our Aunt Jen. If your kids do not have an Aunt Jen, then I highly recommend you go find one.

Technically, "Aunt" Jen isn't an aunt, but she has more than earned that title with all of the special attention she slathers on the kids. She and J have a very close relationship, and she's beginning to develop bonds with the little ones, too. I think after this weekend she has climbed a bit higher on the S and E scale of good people to know. Why? Two words:

King's Island. (A very fab amusement park north of Cincy.)

Through her work, Jen provided our entire family with free tickets, a parking pass, and drink wristbands. (The coolest thing: wear a wristband, walk up to a snack bar, ask for a coke/sprite/root beer, walk away with it for FREE.) Unbelievable. Added bonus: being able to hold the trip over J for good behavior. S and E, of course, had no clue what King's Island was, and we really had no context for them. (S pointed to the elaborate playground at the McDonald's close to the park and thought that it was King's Island. Uh, no sweetie, just you wait.)

Overall, the kids did great. One of my favorite moments came while standing in line with S for the little kid roller coaster in Nickelodeon land. There were a few different characters walking around, but S had no clue who they were -- we don't have cable. She kept calling Sponge Bob "Cheese Bob" because to her he looked like a piece of cheese. I think I would have to agree with her on that one. Anyway, Jimmy Neutron walks over and puts his hand out to her, and she dutifully slaps his hand and gives him five. She then looks down for a moment and then up at me and just giggles and giggles. It was a moment of pure little kid pleasure. In that moment, I thought about where she was last year and how far she has come. Once a child living in an orphanage 3 hours outside of Addis Ababa, then to a transition home in Addis Ababa, with little if anything to call her own, she was now standing in line to ride a little roller coaster and interacting with a cartoon character. She had spent the day eating pizza, running through a water playground, and riding on cars that went in circles. She was far from that land that lacked its secondary rains and, therefore, was facing a famine that may rival that of the '80s. A land running out of food and the doctors have to choose which kids get the PlumpyNut. Instead, she was smiling and laughing and asking what we call this and that. It was a hard moment, and I know, just like with J, I will have more of them.

On a lighter note, one fun moment was standing in line for a ride with J and watching him dance because he needed to go potty. Soon after, we actually had to get out of line at another ride so he could go go go. Yeah, I was happy about that one. E was maybe a bit overwhelmed by it all, but he really did great -- even took a little nap! We paid for this great behavior on the way home when he decided he just had to hold my hand for most of the trip -- that's with me sitting up front and contorting my arm back to him. Yeah, he needed to go to bed.

When we left the park, we completed the day with a little more junk food for the trip home -- Burger King. At one point, I looked back to see all 3 kids wearing their Burger King crowns. How appropriate, my friends. How appropriate.

So, we owe Aunt Jen the biggest thank you in the world. I never feel like I am able to do enough to repay her for her kindness and generosity. But someday, Jen, I will figure it out.

All kids should have an Aunt Jen because she ROCKS!!
:)

HOLY CRAP!!

I'VE BEEN MARRIED FOR FIFTEEN YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, June 19th, marked 15 years since I walked half-way down the aisle, took the arm of the love of my life, and continued on to the altar with him to make our vows, exchange our rings, and seal it with a kiss.

He still calls me his bride.

As with many things in our life together, I am sure there were many who thought we were nuts for getting married a month after my college graduation. But hey, it was just the start of our craziness together. So, neener-neener-neener to all you doubters out there!

So, what did we do to celebrate our FIFTEEN YEARS of wedded bliss? We got a babysitter (the magnificent Hannah) and went out on a date! Can you believe it?? We left all 3 kids at home and went out for a fabulous dinner at Rosendale's. Easily the best restaurant in Columbus. After our leisurely meal, we strolled the Short North and reveled in the hip-happenin' atmosphere of the restaurants, shops and galleries.

Ya know, our kids have such a non-conventional family: multicultural, multinational, transracial,
and parents who have only been married once, to each other, before they were all born, and now for 15 years.

How crazy are we??
Happy Anniversary to me and my hubba-hubba honey!

my sweet (big) boy

Eight years ago today (June 14) our oldest son, J, did something for me that only he can lay claim to: he made me a mom.

Born in Guatemala, J was already in the U.S. when he was placed with us unexpectedly. We had 5 DAYS to prepare for his arrival -- yeah, we had virtually nothing. Most babies come home to beautifully decorated nurseries that have been waiting for months. Our son came home to a crib (that he hated) set up in our study. Know what? He doesn't seem scarred by the lack of Winnie the Pooh.

On that day eight years ago, we were called by our attorney to get to court -- and to bring a car seat just in case. We nervously waited our turn to speak with the judge and to hear her decision. When we walked out holding J, we were in total amazement. As we drove to M's dad's office to introduce him (on his birthday!!) to his newest grandchild, I kept looking back over my shoulder to the baby in the backseat and saying, "How did this happen?? We really didn't have much to do with this did we? No, really. How did this happen?"

After a very long journey to become a mom, it was just plain shocking to realize that I had a child in the car and he was mine. He was beautiful, healthy, and mine. This is a child that looks nothing like me, that shares none of my dna, and who has gifts beyond my imagination. Regardless of our differences, he was born from my heart if not from my body and has a claim on a large part of my soul. When I think of what had to occur for J to become our son, I am in awe and wonderment. I thank God everyday for this gift of a child.

There really is more than one way to become a parent. Trust me.
"The Spirit moves in mysterious ways."

Love you my sweet boy.

clean up clean up everybody everywhere!

Alert! Alert! I think we have again reached a new stage!

Over the weekend, hubby and I started talking about things we wanted to do around the house -- mainly organizational. Many people know that I can't stand clutter and "stuff" piling up. Drives me crazy. (By the way, this is only in my own house; other people's clutter is other people's clutter.) My dream is the day when we can live minimally and not have so much crap in the house, which I inevitably have to clean. (It will help when J either stops being a pack rat or goes off to college. "No, mom! Don't throw away that paper/wrapper/toilet paper roll -- I'm using that!") I've lived with the clutter and accumulation of stuff over the past 6.5 months because I have had more important things to deal with.

But this weekend, while discussing some things we could do to reorganize and jobs we could tackle, it occurred to me that I was ready. I am ready to take on house projects again!! The ideas we have aren't big ones, but it makes me feel like the big ones can be done. I am sure this has to be meaningful. Please don't burst my bubble if it's not because it sure feels like a step forward.

Now here's the challenge: holding on to the motivation until the time when we can actually put some of our ideas into action -- likely next weekend. Oh, and trying to make it happen while refereeing the 3 kiddos. Now THAT would be something to crow about!

:)

latest and greatest mumblerrr news

School's out! Everybody shout!

Can't believe it. J is now a 3rd grader. Not sure how that happened. After a successful second grade year, we are hoping for more of the same in the fall. Although if we can get him to expand his vocab beyond certain body parts and functions, we will be quite pleased.

In other news. . .

The mama has gone back to work! I have recently taken a part-time position with a local university, and I love it. As a result of this employment, E and S have started spending a few hours at daycare. I was a bit concerned, especially with E and how he would do, but after a few shy sessions, he is jumping right in. "School" is a big hit with newest Mumblerrrs.

S comes home everyday with a new craft, or "crap," as she calls her creations. Not because it looks like crap, but because that is how she says the word. "Look at the crap I made today, mommy! It's a turtle!"

In more S school stories, apparently one of the teachers was asking for volunteers to play a card game. She was hoping for one of the slightly older kids, but S was the one who wanted to play. She didn't think S would get it, but she sat her down and explained the game anyway. The teacher then asked S to explain it back to her, and she was surprised when S did it. She told M that S was one smart little girl. Imagine her surprise when M said, "And you know she has only been speaking English for 6 months, right?" Uh, nope. Apparently that word hadn't gotten to her.

E, still the mama's boy, seems to be well into his terrible twos before actually hitting that magic number. S is in the "why" phase. Everything has to be followed up with a question. Have to admit, it is driving me nuts at times. J is showing more and more moments of enjoying his sibs. I was shocked the other night when S went to say goodnight to him and he actually told her he loved her. (insert scooby-doo reaction: huhhhh?!) It may have just been a mindless goodnight reaction, but it's a start!

Happy summer everyone!

:)