Family Christmas photos (aka, "If you smile and hold still, Mommy will give you a Smartie!")

A month or so ago, I asked my dear friend Ferrill if she could take some photos of the kids for our Christmas cards.  She brought her photography gear and her patience, and I brought six rolls of Smarties as bribes.  The older boys were told to "just keep smiling or else", while the younger ones were promised sugary treats for appropriate picture taking behavior.  

Who am I kidding-- everyone was promised sugary treats for appropriate behavior, even the hubby and me, who decided to sit this year out.  ;)

Here are some of my favorite shots from the day.

Jason likes to play, "I dare you to make me smile."  I think he won this round.  Must've been out of Smarties. :)  

Thank you so much, Ferrill-- you did an amazing job!

Operation declutter

Every night, Jason and Sarah each choose a book (or 2 or 3!) for a bedtime story.  As they've added more books to their collections, we've been having a harder time keeping them organized and neat. 

Lately I've been on an organization/declutter kick (which doesn't happen often enough!) and so I decided to look for some ways to better display and organize these books. 

In my classroom (I teach a half day session of kindergarten), I have a wooden bookshelf that displays books with the covers facing out, which is nice.  First of all, because kids are much more likely to pick up a book if they can see the cover, and second... well, I just love the art in children's books.  :)

As part of my "operation declutter", I've been selling a few things on a local classified site.   One day when I was posting an item to sell, I discovered this little gem.

It came from a daycare center.  It's smaller than the one in my classroom, but for $30, I was all over it!  Jason and Sarah love the new shelf and it's so much easier for them to find just the right book.  So now our books are much more organized...

I also found some GREAT ideas for cheap display bookshelves that you hang on your wall. 

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/organizing/diy-book-displayreader-project-105770

My original plan was to buy/make these shelves, but Ikea has been out of the size I need for the longer shelves.  You could also easily make these shelves if you are a handy person. 

And then I ran across this blog.  This mom made raingutter bookshelves.  Brilliant, and very cheap.  She even gives step by step instructions.

http://raisingolives.com/2009/07/raingutter-book-shelves-tutorial/

And then here are some more raingutter bookshelves in a very cute room.

http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/2009/08/rain-gutter-bookshelves.html

So, if I can find the time and energy, I am still planning on making some of these shelves.  I'll keep you posted.  :)

{sixteen!}

Sixteen years ago, we were blessed with our first child.  A healthy and big baby boy, weighing in at 8 pounds, 14 ounces!!  

It seems like just yesterday that we were toting around our little guy, trying to figure out the whole parenting/baby care thing....and then suddenly... our little guy isn't so little anymore. 

His deep voice booms, "Hi, Mom!" when he comes home from school... he towers over me, and is almost as tall as his dad.  (and sometimes he even "wins" the wrestling matches with Dad in the living room... shhhh). 

We celebrated Justin's birthday this week with cake and presents at home...

A "late night" party with some of his friends...

and an extended family party at Grandma's house. 

Of course, like most 16 year olds, Justin is excited to finally get his license and spends a lot of time cleaning up the truck.  (I included this shot because it's a rare event to catch him actually cleaning something voluntarily!)

Happy birthday to my sixteen year old son!  We are so proud of your righteous example, the good choices you are making, and your determination to do your best!

Giving and receiving...

Stephanie at Ni Hao, Y'all has just started 30 days of Giveaways!  Her blog is GREAT, and this giveaway will be fun, for sure!  Head on over and leave a comment to be entered.  :)



  Also, my amazing travel buddy Sarah is fundraising for a sweet girl named Genevieve who needs eye surgery.  Sarah met little Genevieve on a recent trip to India.

Click here to read about Genevieve's story and how you can help.  (and you might get some Christmas shopping done in the process!)

Flashback Friday (Halloween treats!)

My all time favorite fall treat.  Not just a carmel apple... but a carmel, white chocolate, dusted with cinnamon apple.  So, so yummy.  And I'm not ashamed to admit that I hid this tasty morsel from two teenagers and other assorted youngsters.  ;) 

Not to worry... the kids had a few treats of their own.  Here's just a small sampling of the large amounts of loot the kids brought home on Halloween.  So much sugar...

But, to my surprise, I also found these little gems in their trick or treat bags.  Very cool, I thought.  (The kids were not as thrilled.)    "Scarrots-- eat 'em like junk food."  :)

Two years with Sarah!

Two years ago today, on November 2, 2008, we met our daughter for the first time.  After ten months of paperwork, more paperwork, government red tape, and WAITING, we had the privilege of visiting  New Day Foster Home on the outskirts of Beijing.  This is the amazing foster home where Sarah was lovingly cared for from the time she was six weeks old.  I was shaking so badly (nerves, excitement) when we met Sarah's sweet foster parents that I couldn't hold the pen I was using to write down information about Sarah!

This is right after we met Sarah.  Karen and Grace are standing behind us.  Sarah was sound asleep!  I had dreamed about the moment when we would meet for so long... and never imagined Sarah would sleep right through it!  ;)

This is our baby girl on November 2, 2008 in the Beijing International terminal.  We were preparing to board a flight to Nanchang, the capital city of Sarah's home province (Jiangxi).  The goldfish crackers were a big hit!

First bath in the hotel in Nanchang.  Despite the tentative expression here, she loved the water.  She still loves the water!
 

Sweet dreams, little one.  (She is sleeping sideways in the crib.)

And now, exactly two years later... this is our baby little girl! 

Happy forever family day, Sarah!  We love you to the moon and back!