Friday, August 27, 2010

Our Family's Story

Our adoption agency, Sunny Ridge Family Center in Bolingbrook, IL has a new page of stories of families who have adopted a waiting child from China, to help encourage families who are considering this wonderful program. Our family's story is currently on that page. Go read it here!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

First Day of School, 2010 Edition

Yes, I've been totally MIA this summer. I'll come up with some good excuses at a later date. In the mean time, we've had school to think about!

Monday was Meet-the-Teacher, Supply-Drop-Off day. I managed to survive getting all three girls to their new classrooms and to visit last year's teachers, all with a wild toddler in tow.

Abbie and First Grade teacher, Mrs. D.

Rachel and Third Grade teacher, Mrs. L.


Hannah and Fifth Grade teacher, Mrs. S.


Two days later came the Big Day! As the girls put on their shoes and gathered their things to head out the door, David realized he needed his shoes and backpack, too!

Official First Day photos (to be seen again on the last day of school for comparison purposes)!

Fifth Grader


Third Grader

First Grader

Wishing he could go to school, too!




Waiting for the bus...



Each year, on the first day of school, I give each girl the option of either riding to school on the bus or driving them. Except for Kindergarten - I reserve the right to have Al and me drive the child to school and to have a good cry on the way home. This year, Hannah and Abbie rode the bus, and Rachel asked me to drive her to school.
Meeting up with friends.
Big shot fifth grader, ready to roll!
David ran to Abbie when he saw her in the first grade crowd. She was more than happy to give him a big hug. Made me cry...

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Abbie Cormier, Kindergraduate!





These Two Share a Special Bond...

Hannah's Birthday Portraits, 2010

Our lovely "First Girl" is eleven...





Rachel's Birthday Portraits, 2010

Our sweet Rachel is eight. Love, love, love the missing tooth!







Abbie's Birthday Portraits, 2010

Can't believe my "Baby Girl" is six years old...





Monday, June 21, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... cloudy, muggy, early summer morning.

I am thinking... about all the things that need to be accomplished this week, and how I can squeeze in a couple of fun things for the kids, too.


I am thankful for... the great Dad that Al is to our children.


I am praying for... David's first appointment with Shriner's this Wednesday. That I can keep straight all the information that I'm sure will be dumped on me over the course of one long day with the cleft team. And that David doesn't get frightened by the doctors (he has struggled with that).


I am wearing... the green flowered jammies I wore in China when we adopted Abbie (I don't get rid of anything sentimental!) and pink flip flops.


I am creating... an activity bag for David to bring with us not only to Shriner's this week, but whenever we have to wait somewhere. Also planning a few homemade Christmas gifts.


I am going... to do the grocery shopping for the week with all four children today. Pray for me...


I am reading... six books at the same time, the most notable being Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren (and discussing it weekly with my friend Dina who is reading it with me).


I am hoping... to make some fun summer memories with the kids, a little bit every day.


I am hearing... Charlotte running in her wheel, the coffee pot gurgling. Otherwise, total quiet and peace!


I am remembering... my Dad. Yesterday was Father's Day, and also the 10 year anniversary of his passing. I still miss him every day...


From the learning rooms... summer reading, lots of library trips, a few math facts drill sheets, a few journaling ideas, and a real cool book called The Anti-Coloring Book by Susan Striker and Edward Kimmel that gives kids unique ideas for stories and drawings, instead of just coloring in someone else's pictures.


From the kitchen... hoping to have time to try a couple of new muffin recipes, a chicken tenders recipe to freeze, and crockpot oatmeal. Hoping to improve my menu selections before the school year kicks in again.


Around the house... starting to collect things for a kids clothing and toy resale this fall. We have a desk to paint for Hannah, and I have a list of other small improvements I'd like to make around here.


On my mind... Shriner's.


Noticing that... this house gets awfully messy with the six of us home all the time! But that cleanup can go much more quickly with everyone pitching in (even David helps)!


One of my favorite things... saying "Yes!" to requests for push-up freezer pops! :)


Here is a picture that I am sharing...

My summer helpers!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day, Al!

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.
Proverbs 27:19


Our Dads

Al and I both lost our Dads much too young. On this Father's Day, we are missing them and appreciating them...