Weekend Fun....

Weekend fun.....It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Gigi and her cousin Ashlyn, don't they look so sweet!
"Sabor Tooth Tiger and Santa! Doesn't his face look awesome!
Decorating cookies....YUM so much fun!

Separated by Oceans.....

A father to the fatherless,

a defender of widows,

is God in his holy dwelling,

God sets the lonely in families....

- from an Ethiopian Orphanage

The Grinch.....

Last night was movie night.....I must say, movies and popcorn do make winter a whole lot better! Quite honestly, there is nothing better than looking in the 'TV' room, seeing the blanket on the floor, kids eating popcorn, watching movies....

Last night the movie was The Grinch who Stole Christmas. When we started the movie, I truly didn't think much of it. Garyn and Gianna have listened to the book several times, so I thought they both would love it. Well, a few minutes into the movie, Gianna decided, she thought the Grinch or Grunch (her pronunciation of "grinch") was too scary for her. So she resorted back to the kitchen to watch Max and Ruby on the computer. Garyn, on the other hand, was VERY interested in the movie, and the message....which TOTALLY took me by surprise.

At one point in the movie, he asked me to rewind it, over and over and over....it's the part where the Grinch is being made fun of at school. After watching the part about 4 times, he asked me to come into Ryan's office, he wanted to talk to me. With alligator tears in his eyes, he asked my why the kids in the class were laughing and being mean to the Grinch. Although, I hated seeing my little man, upset, my heart was filled with warmth at the same time. I am raising a caring and loving son!!!!! He gets it. We stress the feelings of others, other people's differences, and how important it is to make everyone feel included, even if they are not "like" us. And, tonight, I realized, the message is sinking in!!! So, after we hugged and talked about it a little more, back to the movie he went....

The ending was equally as emotional for Garyn (Gianna still at table, eating carrots, popcorn, apples; great cooking on my part, I know.) When the Grinch's heart started to grow, the message hit home for him, and again with tears in his eyes, looked at me and said, "He's happy, Mom." Needless to say, my tears fell quietly as he finished the ending of the movie!! I have such an awesome little man!!

Simple thinking, the movie is over, time to go to bed. Well, as Garyn and I laid in bed together, he asked me 2 or 3 times, why the Grinch was being made fun of.....so we talked about how important it is not to laugh at people, their feelings, his feelings....different color skin, school. He never ceases to amaze me....he is definitely a typically 4 year old, don't get me wrong.....but his heart is something special!!!! Not all 4 year olds have the heart and compassion he does, I know that for sure!!! We are so blessed to have him.....and of course, the carrot eating, Max and Ruby little princess too! Our life ROCKS!

the beginning....

and, let the paperwork begin....words can't say how excited we are....

Long time...no write...

It has been a long time since I last wrote...we are having such a busy and VERY fun summer and I promise to update my blog with all of our laughs and pictures soon!!! But, today I am keeping it short, however as I rest this afternoon I want to say.....I love my life, I love my husband more than anything, and my children are my little miracles that make my heart beat!

International Princess....

http://www.intlprincess.org/

Take a look at the link....

Garyn's Show-n-Tell

Every Thursday Garyn gets to bring a Show-n-Tell to school and each Thursday has a different theme. It usually is a color, favorite item, holiday related, etc. Last Thursday in preparation of Easter, the Show-n-Tell was to bring in a lamb or something white and soft.

Well, it just so happens that Garyn and Gianna each have their own baby lamb at their Great Grandpaw's farm. So when I told Garyn about the Show-n-Tell, he quickly asked if he could bring his own lamb to school. After talking about it with Ryan, we asked the teachers and they couldn't have been more excited. So on the morning of the Show-n-Tell, Ryan went and picked the lamb up from the farm, placed it in a dog crate and drove it to school. We met Ryan outside and Garyn got to show all of his school friends his baby lamb. For some kids, it was the first time they had ever seen a lamb, especially up close and so touchable. They all decided to name the lamb Rainbow. As we were leaving with the lamb, Garyn so innocently asked if he could place the lamb under his chair (under the chair is where they place their show-n-tell.) It was so sweet and so fun. Garyn was extremely proud of his animal....(and so was Gianna.)

The pictures are priceless and it will be something Garyn will remember forever. Our children are so lucky to have such awesome Great Grandparents....Grandpaw always says..."every child should have an animal." And on this Thursday, all of the children did....