Gun Show

Garyn was standing on his stool getting ready to brush his teeth,

he just got out of the tub and was still enjoying the nude,

he flexed his muscles, giggled and then said,

"Mom, look at this....they are dancing."

(he was flexing his muscle repeatedly)

That was a true laugh out loud moment....

it also reminded me that my little man is growing up...

So, tonight....

I cuddled with him just a little longer than normal!

words from Gigi with a few sidenotes from Garyn..

a few words from Gigi I never want to forget....

So the other night we were putting the kids to bed and the topic of death was came up.  Garyn was asking questions about how people die, why they die, does it hurt, what happens after you die, etc.  Ryan and I were very honest and told Garyn and Gigi different ways people die and we talked about heaven.  Garyn pondered, Gigi kept talking (shocking I know....Gigi talking, Garyn processing thought.)  Anyways, Gigi quickly responded that she wanted to die so she could go to heaven to be with Mylo (a dog Ryan and I had before we had children.  Yes, that means the kids have NEVER met the dog.)  I told her that I love having her here with us and that if she went to heaven I would miss her terribly.  Then she looked at me and said in a very honest, matter-of-fact way...it's okay Mom, I want to go to heaven so I can fly like TinkerBell.  WOW!!!

Today, at lunch we were talking about things we are thankful for....I was thankful to my kids and for Ryan working as hard as he does so we can live such a wonderful life.  Garyn, well, he has been grouchy pretty much all week so that is probably why I find Gigi's response so awesome.  When it was Gigi's turn to say what she was thankful for, she quickly looked up and said I am thankful that Garyn loves me....WOW!!!!

Tonight at our church festival, Gigi had to go to the bathroom and while she was going, her hands were folded and she told me she was praying just like Princess GiGi prays (she looks up and says, no Mom, not me, the other one.)  She started her pray with Dear Jesus, then she looked up at me and said, Mom, what else do I say.....

When we were leaving the picnic, we walked past the church.  She looked at me and asked if we could go be with Jesus because she wanted to pray for the girl who hurt her arm in the bathroom. (this is a little girl who bumped her arm about 6 months ago in our church's bathroom during mass on Sunday morning.  Gigi and I were in the bathroom when it happened.  It was a booboo that needed nothing more than a kiss from the little girls mom, but for some reason Gigi has never forgotten about her.)  With that being prefaced, Garyn looks at her and said, "really Gianna, I am sure her arm is healed by now."  That is my Garyn in a nutshell!

When you shower...

When you shower, what do you think about?

Do you think about all of the items on your To Do List?

Do you think about how good your shampoo smells?

Do you ever get mad if the water pressure is too low, or the water is too cold?

Do you just shower and get out and go about your daily routine and really not think too much about it?

Well, I must say, I am guilty of ALL of the above...

Until this:

Now, when I shower, I usually think of this little boy.... 

 or I think of this story 

http://ordinaryheroblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/team-2street-kids-find-many-blessings.html

If it doesn't make you think differently in your shower....you do not deserve one!!!!!!

extra......

So in life it's nice to have "things."  I mean, we work hard, so it's a reward, right?

Well, here at the Sanford's our approach, our outlook on life is changing.

We will still work very hard, but the amount of "things/stuff" we have will be much less (and it has become much less.)  Shopping use to be one of mine and Ryan's favorite activities to do together....now, WOW!! I can think of a million different things to do instead of shopping......

Our adoption process has opened our eyes to so much more in the world...

Really, how many shirts do you need, how many pairs of designer jeans are necessary?  Do my kids really need top of the line clothes to only grow out of them in 6 months....

So, we have decided to lessen our load.....

We are moving to a smaller home and with that we are selling ALL of our extra furniture.

Our kids will be together in the same room.....I mean, why not, they sleep in the same room, same bed every night at this house and we have 4 bedrooms... 

Some might think we are crazy, we are adding more people to our family and we are moving to a smaller home....

I think....it's awesome!!

(good thing I think it's awesome, right?  I mean we are closing on our new home in a few weeks.) 

I see it as:

Less space = little room for useless stuff.  

Less space = more time together.

It is a beautiful home with so much character...

Honestly, I think it is quite fitting for this time in our life....

it is different than what we are use to,

we are so excited to embrace it,

can't wait to learn more about it,

will love it forever and more....

The Lord our God is guiding our family on an amazing journey...

He is shining his light on us in such a BRIGHT way...

It would be sinful to walk away!

So we decided to follow...

NuAfrica

www.nuafrica.org

New post for the NuAfrica blog!

Can't wait to see pictures and here stories.....

the craving...

it will not subside
the craving
to
be
in
AFRICA!

i am ready
for my ethiopian babe
but
really
i just want to be there

holding a child, even if it is not mine

i am thinking it is time i go.....who's with me?

REQUESTING ALL READERS TO READ THIS BLOG POST!!!

If you follow me, you know this is one of my favorite bloggers....she is brilliant!

If you are reading my blog, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO READ ANYMORE OF MY POSTS, UNLESS YOU READ THIS!!!

Injera and Chocolate Gravy: Say WHAT?

food for thought this morning...

http://vimeo.com/13948413

wanting ethiopia

tonight i am wanting ethiopia
i wish things were simple
i do not want to wait any longer
i want to be there
my arms open
i am ready
please Lord, hear my prayer
i lay my open heart to you

my dear sweet baby 'opia~
i do not know you yet, but i pray for you every day and night
i love you
i want to know you
i want to hold you
i want you to see all of the love waiting for you
it will be amazing
special
it will be forever, my sweet baby 'opia.
always~ amaye

my life

Every good thing must come to an end...

This trip away came at the most perfect time.

Home was slightly stressful.

It was a busy; are we making the right decision?, lots of paper gathering, people talking, and risk taking kind of stressful.

so...

we came to PA to relax and recharge.

and...

that is exactly what we did.

the only clothes we donned were our swimsuits and jammies.

the kids shoes were never put on; they haven't been in a car since we got here....

it was perfect.

Full of family, food, and fun.

I can not explain my family... mostly, because it's too good.

We are open, laugh hard, share easily, and love well!

It is truly genuine!

And guaranteed that it is not often found.

I am so truly blessed to be surrounded by such loving people.

We traveled around the world this week (all while never leaving the back yard of my parents home.)
Every day we traveled to a new tropical location.
Each place had a special food dish and adult beverage.

We started in the Turks and Caicos.
Drink of the day: Ice tea vodka's on ice
Appetizers: A variety of chips and dip
Menu: burgers and dogs

Next stop was Monte Carlo.
Drink of the day: Orange Dreamsicles
Appetizers: fruit and sweet dip, guac and chips, bacon and cheese dip, and taco dip
Menu: creamy chicken and biscuits

St. Croix was on Monday
Drink of the day: Adult Rootbeer floats
Appetizers: veggies and dip and chips and taco dip
Menu: Rigatoni and Ribs

Final stop was Tahiti
Drink of the day: Frozen Watermelon Martini's
Appetizers: Homemade fried zucchini, spinach dip, veggies and dip, and soft pretzels filled with pepper jack cheese and dip.
Menu: Pizza

The kids learned to swim (face in and under water, jumping from side of pool solo.)  They played hard, and experienced, yet again, the family gathering traditions of the Caruso's.

It was the most wonderful time.
The kids do not want to leave....I do not want to leave.

But
we will leave today,
and
we will go home,
to
begin our new adventure.

Thank you Mom and Dad for giving us the opportunity to share in such a wonderful, relaxing and loving time!
I love ALL of you!

The Picture of the Day

Old Movies with PapPap...

So if you remember ...the last time we were home visiting my parents Garyn loved watching old movies with my dad.
Well, this visit proved to be no different.  The movie pick of the week was Mogambo.

He sat with PapPap on the couch, listening to the movie as LOUD as aPapPap, enjoying a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

I consider this a good morning!

Family is so good for the soul.....

Mommy's Helper

Look at my Big Helper....

Gigi loved helping me paint with "big girl paint."

We painted flower boxes yellow!

They look great....

Good Job Gigi!

Pennsylvania

Where ever I am...

Pennsylvania will be home!

It's simply perfect!

I love being home...

I love being home.

I love being with all of my family.

Family time; there is nothing more important in life...

 yep. that is garyn with his face under water!!!

 two of the best lookin' men i know.

 today, we were in Monte Carlo (everyday we visited a different area of the tropics.)

Garyn and his Unc.

two peas in a pod.

precious moments

After Garyn's long day at Summer Camp, they reunited in Gigi's bed.

Gigi missed him ALL day long, and it was clear that Garyn missed her.

He ran into the house, up the stairs and jump into her bed to wake her up.

He was immediately HUGGED!

They can't be apart.....she absolutely adores him!

And I think the feeling is mutual, even if he doesn't ALWAYS admit it!

Fun with Friends

Fair Time

It's County Fair Time.

good food,

DONUTS,

shaken up lemonades,

pigs, sheep, llamas, cows, goats, and more 

all to please the eye and sour the nose!

 oh the donuts!!! Warm and Sweet!

Gigi and her Uncle Mike!

And we ended the fair with a once in a life time experience....

The Demolition Derby

White belt- Red Stripe

Movin' on up,

Movin' on up....

Yep!

Ladies and Gents,

He has EARNED a NEW belt.

Introducing Garyn and his red stripe!

Congratulations Garyn!

if my eyes would stay open long enough....

I like to read.

Only find time to read at night.

When evening arrives.

I am tired.

I still try.

My eyes close in 2.5 secs.

And then

there
sits

the 

Book.

I will try again with this book.

Taking the baby to the zoo!

We love having baby Chase with our family.

Garyn wanted to take him to the zoo...

so we did, and everyone had a great time!!!

Chase loved the shark aquarium!  He ate with the sharks and was mesmerized by the blue silk flags hanging from the ceiling.  He also LOVED the penguins!

Chase rode on the merry-go-round with me and Gigi and slept the entire time.

Garyn loved talking Chase through the entire zoo explaining all of the animals to him.

It was a great day!!

We are so blessed to have Chase in our lives....

It reconfirms that our family is ready for a permanent addition to our family!

A Day on the Boat!

 Boating time...

Boat docked at the beach.

Beach time at Morse lake

Playing on the boat

Sleeping on the boat