Indiana Dreaming ...Again

Several times a year I get the bug to go (move) to Indiana! I start looking at Realtor.com dreaming of a small farm or maybe a little cottage on the lake or how about a cute place right on main street. I envision the littles running barefoot through the grass and playing with their Old Order German friends. It's such a pure way of life. OR at least in my mind it is. We usually head to the grandparents farm around mid July and stay a few days. I even love the drive to Indiana. As we get closer and closer I get the butterflies. The only other time I've had the butterflies and still do sometimes is when I met Lambert. SO... Lambert and Indiana have the same affect on me. I often wonder if we actually lived there if the romance would go away. I think not. Like I said Lambert still gives me butterflies 25 years later. (we met when I was 12... you do the math)My Dad says, "just do it... sell everything, quit work and move". I so wish it was that easy. Instead I pray. If that's where God would have us, then it will happen. I've even looked at colleges up north for the kiddos. Maybe someday... Oh maybe someday. Until then... I'll be Indiana Dreaming



















































Thanks to these two for making our Indiana summer experiences all that I dream of!! Can't wait to come again!

Kindness Take Two

So... last week Lambert got a call from an old friend we used to go to church with. She asked if she and her roommate could drop by to deliver a gift to Libbie. This seemed a little odd to me because we weren't really close with either of the gals and we (i) hadn't seen them in quite a while. I didn't know they even knew we had The Doll.(should the "T" in the be capitalized? I don't know... can you tell I'm nervous? Keep reading...)Sometimes when you leave a church you wonder if anyone knew you left... it's funny to see people every Sunday/Wednesday for years and then leave and they're never seen again. We live in a pretty small community and it's strange not to run into people. We miss y'all FBCH readers. So... Lambert told me they were going to drop in over the weekend. Sunday after church our two friends stopped by and I was COMPLETELY blown away. COMPLETELY. They are both VERY talented, artistic women so I knew the gift was going to be great and probably created by one or both of them. I'll get to the gift momentarily there is more to this story...

While we were visiting it came out that they followed the blog... I had no idea. You just NEVER know who might be reading and might be touched or blessed through the posts. Sometimes I forget that it's not just my family and friends following along. Now one of the roommates is "that" English teacher... you know the one... so smart and intimidating you find it painful to move the pen on the paper because you know you're doomed.(I think I'm showing my age... do kids WRITE papers anymore? Probably not...) I am cringing at the fact she reads the blog. My grammar leaves much room for improvement. I'm flashing back to high school English papers covered in red ink...

Really I'm just SO honored that either of them care about our life and our newest addition. I was beyond blessed by the visit. My cup was truly filled by the love and kindness they displayed. It wasn't the gift. It was the fact that they came to our home and told us that they missed us and thought of us. I am truly amazed. For a couple of days I've thought about how to write this post (obviously I didn't work on my grammar). What should I say? How can I express my gratitude? It's hard for me to put into words what my heart feels. Their act of kindness and love ministered to me and to Lambert in a way I truly can not express. When they left, we just sat and looked at each other. No words. They were the hands and feet to our family. K and K, we thank you and love you.

John 13: 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Now to the gift... it could not be more perfect. The colors K used are colors I would have chosen myself. The prints are just darling and the details are unbelievable. The pictures don't do it justice. Now if you are in need of an heirloom quality baby gift... my friend has opened up shop and you WON'T be disappointed. This quilt will be passed down for years to come. I know it's intended to be used, but my little Doll won't get her grubby fingers on it until she's married. Okay I may let her take it for a sleepover IF I chaperon.

Not sure if K has a website, but if you're interested let me know and I will get details. I'll get details anyway and post later.


The Doll doesn't give out kisses to just anybody... she likes K.

It's really hard to see in the photo, but the squares have little "L"s stitched ever so sweetly.




Chocolate Pie Quilt Studio... It's really a work of art.

Catching Up

So we've been busy with all the end of year happenings. We had a wonderful visit from the Indiana grandparents.


My sister and niece came to visit while the grandparents were down. The kiddos loved having them here and we did too. It was the Dolls first visit from Papa and Granna and boy was she spoiled. She's coming out of her shell so I was glad they got to see her in all her glory. It's taken a while for her to warm up to strangers, but she's pretty comfortable now. We made a trip to Kemah and then went to a car show in Tomball. Lambert and my dad are both car junkies so anytime dad is town a car show is a must! Granna brought me hydrangeas and hosta all the way from Indiana!


This is the sweetest little ballerina you could ever meet! Libbie adores her but wasn't too sure about all the guests! She had more fun playing with Scout... the family dog.

Granna got to attend Kate's Ballerina Birthday party and meet my friend Kim and her family. Kim's mom was in town from up north so Granna got to talk to her about peonies and poppies that were probably blooming while they were both down south visiting family. The flowers up north are too die for. I so wish we lived in a climate that would tolerate beautiful beds. Really I wish we lived in Indiana... but that's another story. I have the bug to visit, but it may have to wait. Our trip to China ate up most of my vacation time and most of our budget.



Hoot graduated and is now an official first grader! He is so proud and so are we. He also performed in his third piano recital and did AWESOME!!! He played two songs from memory and he was the first one up to play. I thought he was nervous, but afterwards he told me he told himself, "now Owen were gonna do this!" and then he just walked up the stairs to the stage and played his heart out. I love it when he takes a bow after he's done. It's just so sweet to this mamma!






No FEAR



Wiped out... they were so sweet together.


We had a great Memorial day. We visited a new resort in Conroe. Hoot and Libbie LOVED it... Me not so much... I think Lambert has spoiled me with Hyatt Hill Country... I also love Galveston and would have preferred The San Luis over this resort. We did have a great time as a family and for the VERY first time... Hoot wasn't terrified of the fireworks display. Libbie was an old pro... she isn't afraid of ANYTHING... she would stand at the edge of the pool and fall forwards or backwards... she really didn't care if anyone was there to catch her either. She's a maniac.. she can't swim so I don't know what she thought would happen if we didn't catch her. It's GREAT to see the two kiddos play together. She adores her big brother (GUGU) That's what she calls Hoot. She fits right into our family and I really can't believe we've ever been without her. It feels like she's always been with us. Everyday I thank God for her and for giving us the courage to follow His plan for our family. He has other big plans for us on the horizon (i can't talk about it now) but He is at work. (no...were not adopting again right now)...

AND..... Drum roll.... Hoot learned how to ride a bike MINUS the training wheels... I know he's almost 7 and he should have learned a couple years back, but as I've said before... he's just like his mamma... he can't help it.

I know... the bike is for a three year old and where in the world is his helmet?? I never said we've won any parenting awards...

Kindness

Sometimes I am amazed at the kindness I have experienced from fellow bloggers. I have met (not really met) so many wonderful women through this blog. When I began the blog my intentions were just to journal and connect with other moms on the adoption roller coaster. I have formed wonderful friendships both with women I really have met (in person) and those I've only conversed with through the blog. I love that I feel a kindred spirit with so many of you. You have encouraged me when I needed it most and inspired me to do more with my life. When I'm feeling overwhelmed it never fails I come across another woman that has more on her plate than I can imagine and juggles it all with such grace. There are a few blogs that I have followed for years and continue to read today. One friend calls it "blog crack" you get an introduction to one innocent blog post... it's just the gateway to all the others... before you know it you've been on the blog crack for three hours, dinners burnt you can't find the kids and you've lost track of where it all started. I've cried with these women, celebrated with them and literally laughed out loud. Four years ago I didn't know what a blog was... I think I googled china adoption moms Houston.... there it was... Three Peanuts... http://3peanuts.blogspot.com/ I still follow this blog today and love this family. Through Three Peanuts I discovered Lucy.... http://ourlittlechinagirl.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-08-28T15%3A36%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=50I was smitten by both Kate and Lucy. They are both just precious and have such sweet personalities. I could not wait to meet Libbie and experience all that comes with being a mommy to a little girl.


This week I was BLOWN away by a package we received in the mail. I've read this family's blog for about three years now and have been so entertained (truly entertained) by this kiddo. When Libbie came home... she was entertained too. We spent HOURS sitting at our PC watching Lucy OVER AND OVER again and again. Libbie's first words home were, Lucy... gin.. (again). As soon as I would stop the videos or say it was time to move on the crying (whaling) commenced. We enjoyed Lucy's videos before Libbie came home, but we had no idea just how much we would appreciate Lucy until after Libbie arrived. I remember a photo of Lucy when she first came home and I actually saved the photo in my inspiration file...


Is she not the cutest?!?!?!?! I just want to pinch those cheeks!

I planned on having a seersucker dress made for Libbie and taking it to have a little L monogrammed on it... you can't imagine how big and disorganized my inspiration file is... well needless to say, I lost the photo and never had the dress made. I guess it was meant to be... guess what was in the package?? I sure can drag out a short story... My point is... how precious you sweet blogger friends are to me.



I (WE) want to thank Lucy and Dawn for passing along this precious little dress to Libbie. She tried it on this weekend, but it's still a tiny bit big... we'll post photos of her in it soon! PS I have much to catch up on... we've had a great visit from the Indiana grandparents, kinder graduation, piano recital and lots of Memorial Day celebrating going on! I am over my head and WAY behind!

Bad Blogger

I got nothin... I do have the crud. I started feeling bad yesterday evening and by late last night had fever,chills sore throat and runny nose. I felt terrible all day today and did absolutely nothing but lay on the couch. It's hard to be at home and not get things done. I have ZERO energy. We have family coming on Thursday and were really looking forward to it. However, if I don't get feeling better, they won't have fresh sheets on their beds! Well... I'll have Lambert do the chores for me! (hope you're reading this Lambert) We've been crazy busy with all the end of school year fun stuff. Hoot is beyond ready for summer. I can tell he has summer fever. He wants to stay up later and can't seem to wake up in the mornings. The weather has been beautiful and we've enjoyed the past few weeks outdoors. Libbie has mastered the skill of driving Hoots Jeff Gordon's race car around the driveway. She is SOOOO proud of herself. She can finally steer and push the gas pedal simultaneously. I think she feels so free when she's driving. She's very intense and takes it very seriously.




Hoot is loving his basketball goal and plays almost every evening.
He's about as athletic as his mamma!

I've tried a couple new recipes and have a tomato garden growing! I really need to find a method for keeping STRAY cats out of our yard. I purchased some spray at Home Depot and almost gagged applying it around our yard only to find three cats lurking when I came out an hour later. I don't want to hurt them, but I can't stand having cat poop in my flower beds. They also get in our garage and spray if we leave the door open for any amount of time. We've had to purchase two new car seats due to these pests! Sorry cat lovers, they stink.

Dixie LOVES Libbie, but she always seems to knock her down. Libbie isn't afraid of Dixie at all, but she's constantly mad at her for making her fall. She's shouts, "No No Dixie bad gul (girl). Go in Kunnnel (kennel)





I think Libbie usually has food on her face so Dixie enjoys licking her. She just yells at her to Stop dat!!


Hoot is an amazing big brother. I sooo love hearing the two laugh with each other and bicker with one another. Libbie has already learned how to tattle (even though it's in Cantonese, we know she's tattleing) She's pretty bossy too. I guess it just comes natural for us!

Glory In The Highest

What a Mother's Day! It was just glorious! I have no other words to describe what a wonderful weekend we had. Lots of swimming, eating and relaxing! We went to my moms for the weekend and celebrated mothers day as well as birthdays. We didn't do much of anything which made it all the more wonderful. The kids spent most of the time in hot tub or the pool and we lounged around watching them! We did go to church Saturday evening and I got a few shots of brother and sister since I totally missed Easter photos. We came home rested and relaxed. We also came home to a surprise! Our adoption story made the FRONT PAGE of our local news paper. The story is great, but the photo... not so much. We didn't know the reporter was coming so none of us spruced up. We had been outside playing... the photo just made me realize, I need a haircut, highlights and lap band (or some other drastic weight loss measure). Oh well. I have the best family and loved having my kiddos in my nest this mothers day! It was an extra special day having both my chicks in my nest!

You can see from the photos Libbie loves her Hoot!











I tried for a kiss... this is what I got...


Instead I got one from him




The sister and niece

The girls


The kiddos




James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Thank you Lord for your perfect gifts!

Spring

Last year I purchased two plants to bring home from our Indiana trip. I was certain they were DEAD after the last mini freeze we had here in the South. I love Hosta and I love love love Hydrangea. I dragged my mother in law and step mother to nursery after nursery looking for a SPECIFIC type of hydrangea. They are the most beautiful shade of green and have the fullest blooms you've ever seen. I saw a garden full of them when we first arrived and the obsessive search was on.
You don't see blooms like this in our neck of the woods.



But look whats in my flower bed this year!!!

AND....


We finally found them the day before we left and My mother in law and I each carried one back to Texas. I carefully planted fertilized and watered hoping it would survive in our zone. (i'm not a gardener by any means) A couple of weeks ago I noticed little leaves!!! My Hosta came back too. I'm putting in an order for more Hosta when my step mom comes later this month. I have the perfect spot for them. We've been spending a lot of time outdoors and we even planted a small (tiny) vegetable garden. I can't wait for tomatoes. We're enjoying the beautiful weather that will surely be long gone in just a few short weeks. I'll be complaining of the heat and the mosquitoes before you know it!