Smartest move I've made in a long time!!!!

All mom's know that balance in life is the key to a happy home. Well, I'd have to say that I haven't had a lot of balance since Grace came home. The transition from 1 kid to 2 was a little more difficult than I thought it would be. We have "playing together and going on fun outings" down to a science..... but finding time to clean, sort laundry, and tackle any type of home project has been a struggle for me. Grace is down to pretty much one nap now, so we do our together time, run errands, play, etc. in the morning and then she naps after lunch for a whopping 3+ hours. Now you would think I'd take advantage of those hours and get a lot done.... but Jacob doesn't nap and I use most of Grace's nap time to do activities with Jake. Hence the fact that I'm not getting a lot of chores done (and I'd much rather play than clean any day!!!) So, I have arranged for two of the sweetest 11 year old twin sisters to come to my house from 9-12 on Monday mornings to be my "Mother Helpers". They're in charge of the kids, but I'm still at home. It was FABULOUS!!!! The kids had a blast and I was able to sort through clothes in the kids' room, get bags put together for the Good Will, etc, etc..... I'm breathing a breath of fresh air today!!!!!!

**and I'm definitely open to any suggestions or tips as to what "system of cleaning and playing" has worked for you! Some days I really wish I was more of a Type A neat freak... but I just like to tell my husband that he married an Art Major--we're just a little more scattered than most!!!!

And... what's a post without a few pics??? Yesterday it was in the 90's so we spent the day at the lake!! Feeling lucky that Grace is such a water girl!!!! :) Lovin' the braids!!

Summer Happenings.... so far!

Well, I do believe that summer finally arrived in the Northwest. Do I dare say that I think it hasn't rained in a week!!!! So, we've been trying to catch up on all the outdoor fun that we've been missing. Earlier this week, we got to meet the wonderful and ADORABLE Abraham!!!!! What a love he is!!! (not to mention how fabulous his mom and big brother and sister are too!!!) We had fun playing at the park together.... 3 moms, 9 kiddos (4 Ethiopian beauties)-- it was a great time and one that I hope we'll repeat VERY soon!!!
And today... we spent the day with my sister! She lives about 30 minutes from me, but it feels like a world away! She lives out at the beach. Her place is up on the bluff in this small little neighborhood/community and you can walk the million stairs down to the beach. But once there.... you're in a different place. We didn't see anyone else down there the entire time! Jake collected crabs under the rocks while my sister and I chatted and entertained Grace. The next hot day, we're packing more stuff (if that's possible-- and even a small tent for Grace in the hopes she'll take a nap)... and spend the ENTIRE day in our own little world!!!!
On an Ethiopian note.... I met an Ethiopian woman and her darling 10 mo. old little boy at the grocery store the other day and they live in my neighborhood!!!! We exchanged phone numbers and we've already been invited to her son's 1st birthday party!! So sweet! If neither of us move in the next 5 years... the kids will even go to school together-- how great is that!! Meeting this woman, and her mother-- who had the traditional tattooing along the jaw line (Coptic Christianity??)-- well, it made me miss Ethiopia. One thing lacking here in the USA is feeling of community and the strength of the family unit! I could tell the older woman didn't really speak English, but once I said that Grace was Ethiopian, the grandmother lit up and walked over to Grace and smiled, kissed her hand, arm, cheek..... just so loving! I felt that they instantly accepted us as "family" and there's just something about that that just feels like that's the way life should be.... open and loving towards all!!

One year ago today...

...we received our referral for Grace!! What a year it has been. We have been blessed with the most beautiful and amazing little miracle that anyone could hope and dream for!!!!! Who would have thought that this little baby girl, born half way around the world, would capture our hearts the way she has. What an honor it is to be chosen to be her parents!

So, to commemorate our referral, we finally put together our "Journey to Grace".

I just couldn't resist!!

Between the morning "do" and the "put up your dukes" pose..... I just had to share!

From the mouth of babes....

Tonight Mike and I were talking about getting rid of some of the baby toys we have around here. Jake heard us and said that he didn't want to get rid of them. When asked why, he said, "because I want lots of babies from Ethiopia! Lots and lots and lots of them!!!!"

Ahhhh...... if only it was that easy!

Happy Father's Day!!!

I truly am married to a wonderful man who is also an AMAZING father!!! What a joy it is for me to watch him with Jacob and Grace. He can do no wrong in their eyes! It's so sweet to watch. He did have to share this Father's Day holiday weekend with both me and my dad! On Friday, it was my birthday-- the big 3-5! (not sure how that happened!!) Mike took me on a surprise birthday date night to the Seattle International Film Festival where we saw "Some Assembly Required"!! GREAT movie. And then he took me to the Melting Pot (fondu rest.) for dinner. The kids stayed the night at my parents', so we even got to sleep in!!!!! What a guy. Saturday, we celebrated my dad's birthday and Father's day. So, by Sunday we were a bit tired, but had a nice family breakfast, church, then a great BBQ take-out picnic lunch at the beach since it was finally sunny and somewhat warm here!!!! :)

So, Happy Father's day to my sweet, sweet husband and the world's best dad!!!
We love you!!!!!!

If only....

...we could all feel so good after a yummy dinner washed down with a bottle of milk!! Livin' the good life. :)