Regular everyday ordinary life....

I am a terrible blogger in that I am not good at journaling. So this is short and sweet, but I will add some pictures! Pictures mean a thousand words right?

Mother's Day and My birthday weekend

....just starting to realize it's a camera!

I remember clearly thinking last year, how would next Mother's Day be....I can visualize my traditional mom and kids picture from 2009, wondering who would be in 2010 Mother's Day picture. Well, here they are! I'm so blessed, so thankful and so thrilled with my family! They made me feel so special. Mark had all the kids put hand prints and footprints on a happy mother's day sign and they all made me beautiful cards. Mark surprised me with a replacement camera for the one that broke on our last trip to Ghana. Wow. Never expected that. I had a great birthday as well....even got some time to myself. God is good!

Grandma and Grandpa Andy

Meeting Grandparents!

We recently drove to Canada, we being myself, Mallory and Akor. The boys went down to NC to visit the motorcycle relatives, so we went to surprise my dad for his 70th. When we get a bigger vehicle, we'll all go somewhere together! Anyway, it was a LONG trip but I did it...all 13 or so hours. It was fun surprising mom and dad and Akor bonded with everyone. It was fun to watch her with Uncle B and Grandma, as well as the aunties, and all the cousins! Hopefully we'll see them again soon~Somehow I didn't get a picture with Grandpa!!! Coming soon......

Easter Eggs

We focused on the real meaning of Easter initially this year and had a wonderful talk with Peter and Mary, as much as they could understand and they both prayed with us to ask Jesus into their hearts. It may be a child like faith in the truest sense of the word, but they pray daily and we trust and pray they'll grow in their faith. Here are a few pictures of decorating eggs!

Catching up a little bit on life...

Easter....even though Jake had already gotten out of his nice clothes!

Peter's 8th Birthday

Sisters

Playing with his new toys!

Peter's 8th Birthday Cake

........can't get enough of their hugs...........

.....opening Easter goodies!!!!!!!!!!!

.............brothers....so much alike!!!!

I am wanting to spend so much time updating and adding tons of pictures but I have five kids! I have NO time! I have not done ironing for my poor husband since before we left for Africa. Yes, that is over two months ago and yes, that means that I have two laundry baskets full of ironing. I iron now on an as neede basis. I have to catch up! I have had some wonderful people come and watch the kids, give me a break, teach Peter and Mary, fold laundry, and just be an ear. It is wonderful to have such support. Peter and Mary are just doing so well. Mark and I often look at each other and smile, over their heads, as we just simply enjoy them. Mary makes us laugh all the time. Literally. She is just a scream. Not too many people get to see just how much she talks and entertains. Peter has a funny comment for everything and that little boy knows his cars. He watches every car we see and knows what cars match the hotwheels we have at home. He's pretty sharp! The kids have even been able to talk to their cousin Lydia, in Washington, via skype. It's fun to see how animated they are as they watch her and talk to her. They have been able to skype others too...so amazing. Well, I hope to post more pictures and video soon, but I thought I'd give a quick update!

Local Newspaper Interview

Here is a link to an interview our local paper did. Someone told them about us and so they called up and wanted to do it. It is fairly accurate and hopefully might inspire someone else! Tomorrow I hope to include pictures and videos for Peter's birthday!!

http://www.journalstandard.com/lifestyle/x12617765/International-Adoption-A-Freeport-couple-shares-their-story