Get up and MOVE....

I love to run, I love to exercise!!!

Sound crazy to you?? 

Well if you don't already do it,

I strongly recommend trying it!!!!!!

So here's the story....

You might already know...

I love to swim, bike and run...

Well, my body hasn't treated me very well the past few weeks...

My back has been on the fritz....

and well.....

I have just been OFF....

Feeling lazy, moody, eating junk (food that I never eat)

So my back is better...

 I stepped on the treadmill...

and I run...

Instantly, I felt better!!!!!

EXERCISE INSTANTLY FREE'S MY MIND, BODY, AND SOUL OF NEGATIVE FEELING AND THOUGHT.....

SO.....

If you don't already do so....

GET UP AND MOVE!!!

It does your mind and body good!!!!!!

You don't have to run, you don't have to swim, you don't have to bike....just get up and dance this one song....and then you be the judge....I guarantee you feel alittle "lighter" on you feet....(PUN INTENDED!!!)

So here is a song.....

Dance AWAY!

Happy Birthday Garyn!

2-23-2006

Is one of the BEST days of my life...

It is so hard to believe....that day was 5 years ago.

Where does the time go???

Garyn is growing everyday....

everyday he amazes me...

I blog often about him....

So on this special day, I wanted to show Garyn exactly what his Daddy says about him...

(Ryan and I had to write personal statements describing our children....and this is what he wrote about Garyn.) His words capture Garyn PERFECTLY!!!!!  

Ryan writes: "Garyn is a typical boy, full of energy.  Rough and tumble, ready to explore the world at all times.  He is very resilient.  Garyn has been thru a lot already; 7 weeks premature and a very tough battle with Kawasaki's Disease at age 3.  Garyn is very persisent; his mind is always racing.  He likes things structured and has an unbelievable memory.  He has a contagious laugh.  He loves animals, especially dinosaurs.  He loves to read books and watch movies.  He loves to play outside and go on adventures.  He is very social with other children.  He has sort-of a "ring leader" personality.  He is a perfectionist and can sometimes be frustrated easily.  He is VERY loving and has a very strong sense of compassion.  He understands there are others less fortunate then him; very 'above his age' in this regard.  He is a strong and good kid."

This is our Garyn...

He is pretty close to perfect in my eyes...I would have him be NO other way!!!  He is special, unique, smart, stubborn, loving, understanding, and GROWING WAY TOO FAST!!!!!

Happy Birthday my beautiful boy....

You surprised me 5 years ago by coming early....

and 5 years later....

you still surprise me.....

I love you!

Mommy

 Garyn's Birthday

2-23-2006

3:20am

Garyn turns 1...

Garyn turns 2!

Happy 3rd Birthday Garyn!

Garyn is FOUR!

Happy Birthday Garyn....

I have been teasing you about turning 5.... I tell you that you have to stay 4 forever so I can hold you forever....

but the truth is...

I can't stop you from growing...

And I won't always be able to protect you from hurtful things in this world...

You are growing and learning to experience this world in your way...

But regardless of how old you are, how tall you are, how far from me you are....

 one thing will NEVER change....

My arms will ALWAYS be open for you....

I will never leave you alone!!!!

Weekly Review

So here is a brief week review.....

1) Ryan was out of town

2) He had to come home slightly early because I hurt my back and could barely walk...(still hurting!!!!!)

3) Had an impromptu fun coffee date with some preschool Moms.

4) Listened to some of the funniest things my kids say....


- Garyn and I were playing games on the way to school and I wanted to change the game, so I started talking about the letters of the alphabet....he shouted Adyelem Mom.  Talk about excited...I have been teaching the kids Amharic words and Garyn used one (without be asked) all by himself.  So, I asked him to repeat what he just said and thinking he said it wrong he looked at me and said in a frustrated tone...."You know Mom, No in Ethiopian. "  Gotta love him!!!


-Gianna is going to be my rebel child...I have no doubts about that...so the other night while taking a bath she asked her dad, "Dad, can I say a porcupine word?"  Ryan looked at her and said okay...so she picked up a toy from the tub and said, "This toy is STUPID."  She giggled and said, "Daddy, I love saying porcupine words. (porcupine words in our house our ugly, bad, mean words.)


- Gianna while in the car...."Mom, can I take my shoes and socks off?"  I reply, "Sure, honey go ahead."  Gigi very frustrated says, "NO Mom, you have to say NO."  So we start the conversation over....and this time it goes like this....."Mom, can I take my shoes and socks off?"  I reply, "NO, Gianna, Do Not Take Your Shoes Off."  She takes them off and sings...."na na na na....I took them off Mommy...."  This girl loves to be defiant.


-And on that same note of defiance....Gigi likes wearing jammies that are tight on her....she tells me they are Baby 'Opia's jammies.  It is so funny where she gets these ideas.  Anyways, when I ask her what Baby 'Opia will say, in the cutest pouting face and very high pitched voice, "Those are my jammies."  I think this is here way of practicing the role of a big sister....


5) The weather was warm and the kids got to ride their bike...and YES....Gigi can now peddle her "big" wheel!!!  It's gonna be a good summer for her....she will have so much fun trying to keep up with her brother....

6) We sent a few more papers into the agency and are ready to have our homestudy completed!!!!

7) IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!

Words for Wednesday...

in music, of course.....

HE DID IT!!!!

Garyn has been practicing so hard....and on Monday, his hard work finally paid off...

Last Friday, Garyn earned his red tip!!!  He stood proud and counted to 10 in Koren!  It was such a cool moment for him (and for me....)  We have been working on counting for the past few weeks but regardless of the practice, he was nervous walking into Tae Kwon Do.  He told me he didn't want to "not be able to do it."  So when he was asked to stand up and count, my heart stood still for 10 seconds....

And when he did it......my heart pounded with happiness!!!!!

Garyn warming up at the beginning of class

 Garyn earning his Red Tip

 Garyn proudly showing us his new tip...

Monday was the BIG day....after you earn 4 tips, you earn different color striped belts.  When he sat on the mat, one of the instructor's reminded him to focus today and have a strong class....because he was ready to earn his new belt.  Garyn had a great class and at the ended was awarded a new belt!  I am so proud of him but more importantly, I am so happy that Garyn has found a sport he enjoys.  

Garyn demonstrating a horse stance with punch 

 Garyn's white belt with yellow stripe waiting for him

Master announcing Garyn's advancement

 Master changing his belt

 Garyn receiving applause for his new belt

 One proud and deserving boy!

Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day....

Gianna had a great party last Thursday!!  It was fun for her and it was fun for Garyn too.  They played games, exchanged Valentines's (Gigi passed out Tinker Bell cards with matching pencils,) and they all nibbled on heart shaped Rice Crispie treats.  She is my sweet Valentine....

Today was Garyn's party....I had a wonderful time watching him interact with his friends.  They played bingo, made cookies, and created a heart puzzle.  Every morning Garyn is dropped off at the door to his school...it's nice because it is much less chaotic, however as a result, I do not know any of his friends or their parents.  

So, it was very nice today to finally put names and faces together!!!!  Garyn is growing into such a big/little boy.... I have a wonderful little Valentine....his name is Garyn!!!!

It has been a great celebration of St. Valentine....

.....I love you Ryan.....

Adoption Update....

A quick adoption update....

Thursday night completed our last home study meeting.  Cindy (our adoption specialist) came to our home, evaluated it, and met and interviewed our kids.  The kids were very excited for Cindy to be here.  So, for the first 40 mins or so, they needed to be reminded to calm down....but overall, I was very satisfied with the  meeting.  

Cindy asked Garyn different questions about the adoption and the new baby...it was nice to listen to Garyn talk with excitement about the baby.  She asked him about his feeling on having a new baby, and he said he was happy to get a new baby brother (we did not pick a gender, he just wants a brother.)  Then she asked what it will be like and he said it will be hard.  So, she asked why, and he said," Babies are hard to take care of...."  She also asked him if he understood the baby would look different. He was very clear that he understood the baby would have brown skin.  She probed him about his feelings on the difference, he was sure that it was fine!  There were many other questions....including how we displine him, he said he has to go to time out on the steps, things he likes to do, if he will like sharing his toys with the baby, helping the baby not feel scared....

And my Gigi.....poor little thing thought Cindy was bringing Baby 'Opia with her.  She was quite disappointed when there was NO baby.  We explained to her that Cindy was working to help bring Baby 'Opia home and we still have a little time to wait....she was okay with the answer, until the next morning.  Friday morning she was sitting at the table eating breakfast and she said...."Mommy, is today the day, is Baby 'Opia coming today?"  It was very sweet and yet, a little sad that I had to disappoint her again!!!

The remaining homestudy papers will be submitted this week, Cindy will complete our report, and then it will be submitted for approval.....

ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO BABY 'OPIA 

Song of the day....

This song just makes me happy.....

Life's too short.....

Keep it simple....

and make it what you want.....

If you don't know....LOOK IT UP!

PODOCONIOSIS......

Do you know what it is????

If you don't, look it up.....

It is 100% preventable....can even be reversible...  

TOMS

Patience....

Did you ever have a day when all you felt like you did was reprimand???  Yesterday was one of those days for me.....bad day!

I am trying to keep in mind that the kids are trying to get "back in the swing of things..." but geez....

Things that drove me banana's yesterday...

having to repeat myself NUMEROUS times.  For example, "Garyn it's time to get dressed." Garyn's reply, "Mom, 2 minutes."

(Which brings me to another quick note.....this 2 minute warning stuff is bologna!!!  I use it apparently TOO much... thinking I was doing a 'good' thing by giving them a warning (that's what all the professionals teach us to do...) but WOW...has that turned on me.  Everything I expect to be done immediately, now turns into, "2 minutes, Mom."  It is driving me CRAZY.  It has even trickled down to Gianna....yikes!)

Okay, back to my main points of my venting...

So, yesterday, I decided....I am finished repeating myself numerous times.  So I responded to Garyn's 2 minute request with, " Garyn, I am ready to help you, if you do not want help, fine, I expect you to be dressed before we leave for school.  If you are not dressed, the 'bus' leaves without you."

I really hate to play hard ball...but I am tired of the constant negotiating....I am not going to have the "extra time" or the "2 minutes" when another little person enters our world, our routine...so I am preparing them and myself now....

PLUS, he will be turning 5 in a less 3 weeks, and I feel it's time for him to have more responsibility....

Next matter of business, the bickering and fighting and possessiveness over toys during playtime!!!!!!!

This is enough to want to make me go off the edge....

 They could not get along yesterday so, toys were put away and they spent time in their rooms...

I DO expect them to get along.  I mean, I know there is going to be the occasional, or more than occasional sibling fight...but their treatment to one another is...., well, I don't know, it just makes me sad that they can not play together.  They both have their own play agenda...and are both so stubborn!

I would be able to put up with it (for the most part,) but I am fearing their "play style" will and is seeping over into their playtime's with friends, and that is UNACCEPTABLE, so this time, I am stinking to my guns!!!!

I am trying my hardest to teach them to be loving, helpful, respectful little people....and yesterday I felt like I was FAILING miserably.

Here's hoping for a better today, CHEERS (as I raise my strong glass of tea....)

Home Sweet Home....

We are home....and were welcomed by 4 inches of ice and topped with 6 or 7 inches of snow....

Amazing...

Obviously, we picked a great week to be away!!!

The trip was great....I journaled the entire vacation, so I will post my journal soon... 

But here are a few pictures until then...!!!

The kids had a blast!

 Arriving at destination #1

 Dinner with the Dino's, he was in heaven!

 Does it get any better???

 Welcome aboard...

 Formal night....look at these little models...

 Princess Tianna.....Loved her!!

 Breakfast with the characters was a favorite

 Beach love!!

 Pirate Party

 amazed by room service

 Gigi LOVED all of the princesses

 love that little tan line (the butt crack is an added bonus.)

 Our wait staff was amazing....and compliments to them, I added a few extra lbs.

Yes indeed....it was a wonderful vacation!!!!