A Winter Get Away...for a day!

The boys and I did our home school on Sunday night so that we could have a day to PLAY! I found out we could get into Ray's Splash Planet in downtown Charlotte for really cheap on Monday. They have Toddler Meet and Greet Days a couple of times a month. Stephen actually qualifies because he is 5! Most people look at me strange when I tell them his age....he can easily pass for a 7 year old. So, momma got in free, Stephen was $3, and Silas was $6. It would normally be $20, and I am on a "save all the money we can" kick because, well, we NEED to be!

Momentary brotherly love...

The Vortex...the boys loved the fast swirling water and stayed in there a majority of the time!

Look who's chillin' in the lazy river!

And this is what I did while they splashed! Loving the new Beth Moore study of the book of James! So far I have memorized verses 1-9 in Chapter 1, and I am hoping to make it through at least the whole first chapter...



Between Then and Now...

So, as you can tell, I've gotten behind again! Here is a quick recap of what we've been doing since I last updated the blog...

We participated in our Home School Co-op Presentation Night

Both of the boys were in a short play that told about the life of Jesus from birth to resurrection

Silas was the inattentive Statue of Liberty on the end!

We had Christmas Eve brunch at our niece Kristen and her husband Trey's house 

The cousins--Silas, Stephen, Taylor & Josh

 We left brunch and went to Freedom Park

(Yes, the weather was THAT nice!)

 We left cookies and milk out for Santa...

The aspiring chef got his very own waffle maker

Both boys enjoyed unwrapping some "shared" gifts from mommy and daddy

We had Christmas at Grandma's with the cousins

The Mario addiction got fed a little more...

 And finally, we started UPWARD basketball at our church, Lee Park Baptist...more pictures on that later!

Our Stephen's very first game....look at that BIG #11!!!

Christmas Town USA

On Monday night we made our annual trek to McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA. Leah and baby Kinsley came with us, along with Leah's brothers, Caleb and Clay. They didn't last long, Kinsley had other ideas about the way things should be! On the way home, we stopped to eat at The Dragon Buffet, making this our tradition for three years running. When we were coming out, I had a flashback to last year, calling Mom to let her know where we were. We always had to let her know when we were out and about so she would be sure to worry about us!!! I surely do miss my parents, but I know they are rejoicing with Jesus---their first Christmas in Heaven!

They came from afar bearing gifts....

Yesterday was our Christmas visit with Stephen's birth family. They had to come from three different parts of NC ranging from 2-5 hours, and they came with gifts! One rather LARGE gift, one that was very well received by the boys....

Wait for it....wait for it....

 

Surprise!!!!!!!!

 

It's a TRAMPOLINE!

N and her Dad "Grandpa S" hint: Stephen is named after him....

Let the fun begin!!!

Silas was the MAN...he pulled and tugged and got most of the springs in by himself!

First jump....didn't want to wait on the net to be put on....

More jumping fun to be had....

Thanks Grandma B!!

N with her gift the boys picked out....a UNC Tarheels pillow pet! WIth a house full of Duke Blue Devil fans, this was a VERY big sacrifice to even purchase....when Scott paid for it, he said he was like Superman buying Kryptonite! Ha!! He is SO funny, isn't he? N loved it, so it was all worth it!

It was well after dark when they finished installing the net and it looks like it's going to be a rainy day today, so I will have to add pictures of the finished product later! The boys are going to have a ball....

"What does Blood-related mean Momma?"

We went to celebrate Christmas with Silas' birth family today. I remember how nervous we were the first time we met them 10 Christmases ago. We were SO nervous and had no idea how we would be received. We were at the beginning of our open adoption relationship with R, and she wanted us to meet her extended family on her father's side. There were grandparents, aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins. They welcomed us with open arms, but I'm sure somewhat warily. I've never asked them, but I wonder if they were scared too. How would this work? Could it work? What would it be like for two moms of the same baby to be in the same room and how would we handle the scrutiny of a large family? I felt like I was on display, my every interaction with R and R with Silas watched by her family. Even though that is how I felt, I have no idea if it was really what happened. It was an emotional time for sure, but we got through it. We have not missed a Christmas since. They love us. We love them. We are invested in each others lives, even if we only see them a couple of times a year.

So back to the question. On the way home Silas asked Stephen if he knew how many brothers he has, and also did he know that he has a sister too. "Well", I said, "not exactly." Scott and I began to explain about biology and blood relations. You know, the technical scientific stuff. The boys know all about their birth moms, who belongs to who, I mean we talk about adoption on a fairly regular basis around here! I know that it is hard for their minds to make sense of it all. I know R has had the same kind of conversation with her step daughter about Silas not technically being her brother as he is to T and S.

The boys getting ready for presents!

Great Grandma M, Great Uncle R, and cousins!

Great Aunt T knows Silas quite well...and his love of all things John Deere!

The kids are the center of attention!

 S rocking her new Dora shoes!

 Cornhole competition was fierce!

 R and S

 The brothers fishing together

 ...and throwing rocks together!

 The siblings....I could NOT get the three of them to look at the same time!

R with her 3 babies!

So.... after all that, we just told them that your family includes all of those you love and who love you back. We are so privileged that we have been so warmly received and counted as family by those that WE are not "blood-related" to!!!!

This post also serves as a contribution to Open Adoption Roundtable HERE!

The Boys' new room!

The boys have a newly renovated room! It took a week of hard work, but we made it! Their choice of color was Duke blue. I have to say I like the IDEA of painting, but when it comes to actually doing it, I don't quite like it. I was good until about half way through, then I was ready to be DONE! Then we had to put together the beds. Silas is such a great little carpenter. I interpreted the instructions and he did all the screwdriver work. It took MANY hours to do, but the end result was worth it, and they are happy. Stephen didn't get a headboard because it wouldn't fit on his side of the room. He was SUPER happy with his Mario bedding---he is somewhat obsessed with that little Italian guy! Silas was stressing because his bedding came after Stephen, but it did finally come. I'm glad that they now have their own beds, the bunk bed was a challenge because they because they wound up on the bottom double together. Nothing like fighting boys at bedtime! Here's to less stress....or NOT!

Happy 5th Birthday Stephen!!

Our baby is 5 today! We had his birthday at a local bowling alley today. For some reason that was what he picked months ago, even though the only bowling he has ever done has been on Wii!

I'm not sure WHAT this look is for??!!

Stephen, you are five years old now! We can hardly believe it! It seems like just a short time ago we brought you home from the hospital. You are growing by leaps and bounds. You have such a kind and tender heart. When one of us is sick, you say "Poor Momma" or "Poor Silas". You sing along to the Christian songs we listen to in the car, and you watch way too much TV and play too much Wii. You can pretty much quote every product pitch you hear--at Costco the other day you saw the Oxi Clean and said "Gets the tough stains out!" I think you may grow up to be a great product spokesperson! You love people so much, especially girls! You don't really like to sit and do any kind of school work, but when you do slow down, you soak a lot in, more than I think we can imagine. Silas says you have two brains in your head because you can remember more than he can! Stephen, we are so happy that we were chosen to be your parents...we can't imagine life without you!