Happy Autumn!

Things continue to buzz around our house. So much buzzing, in fact, that I haven't been able to keep up with our blog. ;)

Not this past weekend, but the one before we all enjoyed a day in Shipshewana, Indiana. They had there annual Crafter's Fair. They had a threshing demonstration and made homemade ice cream with an old steam engine. We also were able to take a horse and buggy ride on a tour around town, which was a huge hit for all the kids! One of the booths they had set up in town sold elephant ears. As you know elephant ears are one of Heidi's favorites. I got a good chuckle when Isaac announced that he did not want an elephant ear, but an elephant NOSE!! :) My holiday shopping officially began that day in Shipshewana.

Jacob has been busy playing lots and lots of soccer! This game is a perfect fit for Jacob. He can run to his little hearts content and all that running serves him very well. The boy is all over that soccer field let me tell ya! :) He's fun to watch! My heart is just bursting with pride when I watch him. :)

Speaking of proud Mama moments. We had parent teacher conferences a few weeks ago and both of the kids are doing very well. Heidi Jo made the Pincipals List this marking period. The average of all of her grades was 93%. Way to go Heidi! Jacob received all A's and B's on his report card too. His teacher said that 3rd grade boys tend to be highly competitive and Jacob is no exception to that rule. lol! He can be first in getting his paper done first, but it comes at the expense of missing things that he knows. ;) We are extremely proud of both of them.

So bummed about the Tiger's game tonight! Come on TIGERS!!!

Love,
Wendy

Ready or Not...

.......here it comes!...Winter that is! We have woken to a nice layer of white for the past two mornings. Old man winter caught me with my pants down as I was not prepared with all of the proper winter atire for all 4 kiddos. Don't think anyone made it out the door cold though. ;) It did take some hunting and searching to accomplish the task of keeping all body parts covered! Donning the winter clothing was met with some opposition yesterday morning. After all, we just enjoyed a nice weekend in our shirt sleeves. This morning, however, was greeted with all members of the family searching for their own coats, gloves and hats with absolutely no complaints whatsoever. It only took one day to determine that ...it's cold out there!!

It's not time for snow yet. Our leaves have really just begun to fall. I'm sure that ole man winter is just teasing us a bit....reminding us of what will soon be upon us. Reminding this Mama that it's time to prepare and button down the hatches. I expect to soon see the snow off the pumpkin. We still have many Fall activities to be busy with. We will soon have leaves to burn...love that smell, Fall festivals to attend, hotdogs to roast around bonfires, apples to bob, and I'm VERY sure that the little ghosts and gobblins around here will not want to appear if there are any icicles in sight! You need to hold off old man winter........for just a bit! Please wait just a few more months. We will greet you happily...when we're ready! ;)

Play Group

Gracie, Isaac and I meet with a group of other families formed through international adoption for a play group twice a month. The kids have a fun time playing while the moms chat. Wednesday we had a birthday boy in our group. The kids shared a special birthday treat. The countries of Russia, Guatemala, S. Korea and China were represented in our little group on Wednesday. We attempted a trip to the zoo this Fall with this group, but it was rained out twice and now the zoo is closed for the season. If the zoo had still been opened, a trip to the zoo would not have worked this past Wednesday either because it was, once again....raining on Wednesday. Jacob's soccer game was cancelled again this past Wednesday because of rain. We are still trying to get in the first soccer game! Poor kid was SO disappointed to see rain again on soccer day!

God Bless,
Wendy

Go Go Boy on His Go-Cart

One day after many hours of summer fun the pull cord for the Go-Cart motor just gave out. It had been broken for several weeks. This past weekend Tom put it on his priority list for fixing and we had one happy boy all weekend. :) Jacob kept the Go-Cart trail blazing! The weather was beautiful! The other kids all got in on the fun as well.
I've learned to enjoy Jacob's energy and zest for life! You notice I said "learned".....it did take some getting used to. ;) The boy could plumb tucker his Mama out during his toddler years. Tuckered in an extremely good way though. :) Jacob is always willing to Go Go Go and Do Do Do! Motivation is almost never a problem with Jacob, which I am so thankful for because motivation can be a very hard thing to teach when it doesn't come naturally.

The one area that Jacob is lacking motivation in these days is spelling words. Spelling is a huge effort for Jacob right now. He has 28 words every week and we spend quite a bit of time every night working on these together. He is also working on his multiplication tables too, which is a huge effort as well. Unlike spelling though, he really seems to enjoy learning his multiplication tables and is up to the challenge on those! He is really working hard and I'm so proud of him. The other day when I told him it was spelling time he got that disappointed look on his face and when I asked him what was wrong he said, "Mom, don't ya know that I would rather be swinging from a tree somewhere than studying these spelling words!" LOL!! I had to laugh at that one because I know it is SO TRUE! I'm happy to report that Jacob received an A- on his spelling test last week. Pretty good for a Go Go Boy, who would much rather be swinging from a tree somewhere! :)

It's the little things

Today I celebrated my 41 st. birthday. 41 years ago today I made my Mama a Mama for the very first time at the age of 19. Now my Mama has 12 grandbabies.

One thing I know for sure after 41 years is that it's the little things that count.

Here is a list of the little things that blessed my life today, on my birthday:

*When I woke up this morning I was greeted by bright streamers and a big #41 and a Happy Birthday banner. Heidi was up after I went to bed last night decorating the house for my big day. (I must have been out like a light because I heard nothing!)

*An email from Tom wishing me a Happy Day

*When I got out of the shower this morning I was greeted by three very excited children. They were up 1/2 hour early with no prompting from me whatsoever. They were spinning and giggling and shouting "Happy Birthday Mama"

*As I headed into the Sec. of State's office to renew my driver's license that expired today I was attempting to keep two busy preschooler's corralled and my purse on my shoulder. A nice gentleman opened the door for us allowing us to make it into the office safely......without anyone getting run over! ;)

*I recieved a sweet card from a friend that was blank inside and in her writing it said simply "God smiled on the day you were born."

*My Dad called to wish me a Happy Birthday and shared his joy with me over the Detroit Tigers winning their game today.......Go Tigers!

*After school the kids were in the kitchen making me a birthday cake. I came in the kitchen and Gracie looked at me with a huge grin on her face and said "Mama, you go to your room and shut the door cause we're makin' you a prize"

*Gracie and Isaac singing as we made our way down the grocery aisles of our shopping trip today.

*I received a call from a very dear friend from church who has been in so much pain recently that she has not been able to attend services. She is on some heavy duty pain meds too, but today she remembered that it was my birthday and called to wish me a Happy Day.

*Sitting at the dinner table tonight Isaac took my hand and looked at my ring and said, "Dada give this to you cause he loves you soooooo much!"

*My sister called to wish me a Happy Birthday and provided me a shoulder to lean on cause at the time Gracie and Isaac were sharing the time out seat..... both in tears.

*Jacob's excitment as he eagarly showed me his English test from school today with a big red A- at the top.

*Heidi gave up an afternoon at a friend's house to come home and spend the afternoon with me on my birthday.

*The birthday card from Isaac filled with endless circles....."look Mama, I make you circles"

*My very yummy birthday cake made with love.......white frosting with lots of brown specks from the cake below.

*Tom helping me with the housework and homework tonight instead of working in the shop where there is an enormous amount of work waiting.

*A call from my Mom while on route to Columbus from Laredo wishing me a Happy Birthday

*Those buggies at Walmart that allow two children to ride facing forward, keeping the basket empty for food.

All of these little things add up to one big Zipa Dee Do Da Day!!

Big things are nice to receive occassionally as well.......especially on days like today. I sure do like my new dual control electric blanket!!! :) Thank you sweetie!

Love,
Wendy