A China update...

Joel is home safe and sound, he surprised me at 1:30 am Thursday! I was expecting him Saturday early afternoon, so it was a very pleasant surprise. I believe he and his dad scared our night nurse half to death, but she seems to have recovered!

I still haven't managed to look at all the pictures, or hear the stories that go with them, but I promise I'll put some pictures of his trip on soon.

I would like to brag that my hubby brought home not just one beautiful set of pearls for me, he brought two, and a gorgeous designer (knockoff) bag!

Most of all though, I'm just glad he's home safe and sound, and so are the kids.

Momma's little helper

Last night, Jake helped me with dinner preparations by setting the table. He did his best, but wasn't eager to have his picture taken.

For those who might be confused...let me clarify!

I was talking on the phone to a friend tonight, one whom I haven't spoken with in quite a while. I came to the realization, that while Joel and I had voiced our intentions to our families, the social workers, and her parents, we never officially announced to the world (okay, my small group of readers) our intentions for Miss Jazmin. Joel and I intend to adopt Jazmin and raise her as one of our own. We have know for a long time how well she fit in with our family, and felt like she always belonged. The very first time she came to stay with us, even though we knew it would only be 2 weeks, it just felt right. Every time we had to say goodbye, it hurt, and the days were counted down til her next visit. Joel and I love Jazmin very much and can't wait to make her legally part of our family. The boys adjusted quickly to her permanent change of address. Ryan was a little skittish at first, but today he said something that made my heart flutter, and realize he too loves her. I was closing a kitchen drawer, and Jazmin got her fingers in it. I quickly pulled them out, but as I did it, she lost her balance and landed on her butt. Ryan looked at me and said "momma did you hurt my sister?" "is my sister okay?". I think it's safe to say that he's on board with our plans.

First accumulative snow fall

We all know that this snow won't last, but I thought I would share what's in our backyard. Ryan desperately wants to go make a snowman. I think we might need a little more snow first.

Naughty Boys

It seems the boys have teamed up against me. This evening, Nana created a delicious meal that we were enjoying. Since we didn't think the boys would eat veal and artichokes we made them mac and cheese with hot diggity dees as nanny Jenny calls it. Well, they finished first, and were playing so very nicely together. All the sudden we heard a thump, then a louder one. You would think it would be followed up with a cry, or a scream. Not so when they are doing something naughty.

Here they are enjoying their time-outs together.

Has anyone seen my living room floor?

My floor seems to have disappeared. I'm not sure where it went, it was there one minute, and not the next. This seems to be a daily phenomena, it's there in the morning, but by lunch it's gone, it's there after naps, but by bedtime it's gone again. Sure wish I could figure out what is going on!

I knew he was too quiet

Jake and Jaz are in bed, Ryan is not. He's a night owl like his momma. I walked the garbage can up, came in, and was loading the dishwasher when I noticed how quiet it was. Never a good thing unless ALL your kids are asleep. He had taken the tops off over a dozen "saline bombs" and squeezed the saline onto his pants and the carpet. Thank goodness it was just saline, and that he picked them all up himself!