Zoo, Gymnastics, Life Book

Yesterday we went to the Zoo with our kids.  They have wanted to go for a long long time and this is really the first time it was possible that it wasn't raining.  And really, we ALL needed to get out of town and focus on other things!  It was great. 

So even though we were in Tulsa already, and I had a meeting in Tulsa in just a few short hours, we drove all the way back to Bartlesville because 1) the kids had gymnastics and 2) our LIFE BOOK was suppose to be on our front porch and I was very excited about the latter!

We got them to gymnastics only being 2 minutes late.  I had to wake them up from being asleep (as was I) and rush them out of the car.  All that and they WOULD.NOT.STAY. for anything, and I mean anything.  It was slightly embarassing, mostly just VERY frustrating!  But I dragged them both back out to the car barefoot by this point.  Only to have them start screaming, OF COURSE, as we are pulling out that they wanted to stay.  I was beyond frustrated, but felt that (and it helped that I was now going to be late to my meeting in Tulsa even if we headed straight home) this would be a great learning opportunity for them to realize that their choices have meaning and effects.  So we left, they cried.  But I am hoping that they never pull that again.

We got home and our Life Book WAS on the porch, yea God!  It was my prayer all week.  And I might add that it wasn't promised till sometime between Friday (today) and Tuesday of next week.  So, the fact that it was there, was truly a God answered prayer! :)  I love love love our Life Book.  Cheryl from CPO said she thought we had done a great job with it and her assistant told us we profiled very well! :)

So I sped (yes, illegally) all the way to Tulsa.  I was 'graced' with a very nice set of pace cars all the way there.  I got there exactly at 7pm.  Woo hoo! 

The meeting is for all adoptive families and it is a requirement that you and your husband attend at minimum four in order for your adoption finalization to begin.  So, even though Jeff wasn't with me, I was ecstatic to be there.  And personally hand deliver my Life Book! 

The other families that were there each were different, and each of us were in different places in the journey of adoption.  We were right in the middle.  That was a good place for me to be.  I felt I learned a lot.  I have questions.  I had questions that were answered...honestly.  Sometimes that was scary to hear.  But at the very same time, it was good.  I felt love in the room like I haven't experienced in that way before.  I felt a connection to people I had NEVER even met.  I loved it. I am excited to go to the next one.  I was invited to come as a volunteer to the Birthmom meetings which happen each Tuesday.  I do believe I will be trying very hard to get to one of those soon.

Cheryl said our Life Book would begin to be shown immediately and that there are currently 22 on hand.  Who knows how many girls will come through the agency, or drop in to the hospitals in the next few weeks and months, but if you'd join with me in praying for all of them, and specifically for the one that will be a part of our lives forever, I'd much appreciate that!

God is good.

What we've been up to: Part I, The Zoo

We met up with my college roommate, Michelle, at the Zoo the other day. I had a blast watching my kids interact with her kids and of course, meeting Noah for the first time. He's such a doll and a really really good baby.
This was towards the end of our day and Creighton was getting tired and Jackson was running on pure wild male adrenaline.

But cute, nonetheless.

The best one of at least 10 trying to get them all to look up. Malachi wasn't looking at my camera once. :( but 2 cute faces and one scrunched up Rae, and a somber looking-off Malachi = good enough.

They had a blast together. Malachi and Jackson are only 3 weeks apart, but Michelle is well over 6 feet and so is her husband. Needless to say he towers over Jackson in height and weight and maturity

I absolutely adore their innocence and sweet friendship...just look at the joy on their faces.

And then my sweet little girl...she just loves and adores her brother. Can you see how beautiful she is? I just melt with their smiles...especially the genuine ones.

Then this picture just cracks me up. I think I caught on film (digital) what happens when a little boy pulls his monkey tail too fast, too tight between his legs....ahahahah (I know I shouldn't laugh...but really...it CA-racks me up!)

Michelle and I didn't get a whole lot of good deep conversation in between the 4 of them running around, but it was good to see her and let our kids play. It was a gorgeous day too! We were asking ourselves "did you ever think we'd be doing this?" "watching our little boys have the time of their lives together..." It was good. Really good.

18,000 Words for our past week!

These are just a few of the pictures that represent our past week. It's been a good one and a busy one. I love the weather! I can't believe how much I love the weather. It's just been perfect.

Note to anyone: first good weather Saturday of Spring, don't go to the zoo. Or if you do go in the morning. When we were leaving at 2:20p in the afternoon and it was ridiculously busy. The line for entering the zoo was all the way into the parking lot...at least 200 people in line. And the park closes at 5 (I think). That is NOT worth it and by then it was getting really warm and people were just standing in the heat and babies and kids were SO cranky...I am glad it wasn't us.

Papaw playing with Jackson on the seesaw plane.
Nanah holding Creighton and playing dress-up with her hat on Nanah's head.

She was so sweet this day. Again, we spent a large chunk of our time at the playground at the zoo as opposed to actually seeing any animals. Well we saw a few. Their favorite this time was the elephants!

Here is Creighton totally passed out in the stroller. Jackson said he was ready to leave and I was occupying them with a snack on the way out. She didn't get but one bite and fell asleep with her hand up still in the air and her hat fell over her face. We put her hand down because she looked really uncomfortable.

This was our backseat on the way home from the zoo. Creighton never even knew we left the zoo, and didn't wake up till we were in the driveway. She was OUT COLD! That never happens.

Sunshine and the kids playing outside makes mommy happy!

My handsome man!

She loves to ride anything and everything and has NO fear! She was all smiles.

I really like this picture a lot!

They got these helmets for Christmas and Jackson decided today was the day they need to wear them...I thought they were cute though

First experience with washing Daddy's car (or any car for that matter) (at least that I can think of) They LOVED it!! Although they were both shivering furiously and their lips were blue after we were finished.

Creighton looked so cute in her little swimsuit. I didn't put either of them in diapers though, and her swimsuit you could totally tell...it was cute (but only because she is less than 2)
They have so much fun together (most of the time) and that makes me a very happy mommy!

I am not sure my kids will EVER get tired of swinging in these baby swings. I am so glad I found another at a garage sale for $5 that was brand new!
Umm...really?! I love this kid...and this face...and the fact that he loves his mommy! :)

This doesn't really look like Jackson to me...it cracked me up though!

She is becoming a Daddy's girl...and it is so sweet (and my heart's desire for her)

When Grammy and Pop were in town (and I was out of town) the "fair" was at the mall and my kids LOVE to ride rides...I can't wait for the Kiddie Park to open up! Thought this pic was cute with Creighton's hair blowing in the wind!

The Zoo!

I am sad we didn't get a pic like last years' family monkey faces picture. But we bought a year family membership so we'll have plenty of opportunity (hopefully) to get those throughout the year...here is a brief flash back pic from last year's trip and then a recap in photos of some of our day. It was really great! We were all exhausted after a long day by the time it was over. My dad got to join us and that was a real treat!

Ready to start the day! I was so proud of myself for putting glasses, hats AND sunscreen on them. They did okay about wearing the hats most of the day, but the shades didn't last at all...oh well! Neither really did the stroller...but I guess they were in and out throughout the day...

A fun re-enactment of last year (well, kind of)

Last year....Creighton was only 7 months old! My, my, my how they change so fast!
Jeff took some really great shots of some of the animals...

The flamingos were really stunning...its amazing the way they balance...
The tiger was growling and roaring continuously and you could hear him throughout the park!

Um...yeah...he was yawning, but lets talk about scary. He was so funny just relaxing there with his leg crossed over and just playing with the rope...until he yawned and we quickly snapped it...I didn't get out of the way fast enough though and you can see my reflection...sorry. The monkeys are ALWAYS my favorite at the zoo.

Apparently Jackson agrees with me. He really enjoyed them too!
This little guy was SO cute. He was only a year old. It was the second of two babies born within a few months of one another (2 different moms) but the first monkey babies born in like 16 years at the zoo. They were precious. A.dor.a.ble! (not a great picture...the windows were so thick and very dirty and lots of finger prints)

Aren't they SOOOOO cute in their matching shirts!?!?! Love it.

I think Jackson's favorite part of the Zoo every time we go is the park...which we can go to lots of parks for free (I keep thinking this might change, but so far...no) I had a lot of fun with him though

She really liked the giraffes a lot. She kept pacing up and down the rails and would stop and stare and then move on again to another stopping spot.

This is over by the Giraffes. I like this picture....a lot!

We, of course, did the traditional ending pose on the tigers out front! They would NOT look at us at the same time for anything. This was the best one...

I don't know why I think its fun to have him kiss the tiger and then ROAR really loud while he does it...is that sick? Oh well...cheap entertainment for mom and he laughs (after he jumps)....well and I knew I wanted to get it again this year!
Isn't he so sweet, precious...kissable?! :)

I can't believe he didn't fall asleep the WHOLE way home. His eyes were rolling back in his head the whole time but he never gave it up. He did sleep for over 2 hours when we got home though!

Creighton was out before we got past the gas station around the corner! She woke up when we pulled in the garage and then I nursed her back to sleep and she slept for about another hour! So that is a good nap for her.

We took naps when we got home (Jeff played Nintendo) and then I made eating well fish sticks and twice baked potatoes...they were really yummy! Even Jackson loved them...I recommend them both! (I added bacon to my potatoes and a little more cheese to the middle, not just the top)