More Birthdays

Sharing a birthday cake and a kiss!



Oh the fun you can have with cake!

(puppy cake was courtesy of Daniel:))

Cake with a family must feel as good as it tastes - we love you Emie and are so thankful that you are a part of OUR family!!

With seven kids - birthdays have a tendency to come around often! The most recent set was David (2) and Emie (5). Davids' was on 2 March and Emies' was on 5 March. We celebrated on Friday night.

Emie really likes Elmo - so several her gifts feed that interest - in fact most trip to Wal-Mart are not complete without a stop in the toy aisle for some time watching Elmo say "Elmo loves you!". It is especially fun to push each of the 10 or 15 that are on display and see them wiggle, giggle and do their thing.

Emie also loves books and videos. She was fun to watch - other than Christmas - I am positive that she as never had a present in her life. She knows just what to do and was very deliberate in her unwrapping. She has a career as a confetti maker! Hundreds of tiny pieces those little hands made in the process of unwrapping.

David enjoyed a very thoughtful gift from Sam - carrot bunny and some veggies to go along with the bunny. Believe it or not - David was most excited about his carrots and veggies - he loves 'em!

Kind of amazing isn't it?

Happy Birthday David & Emie -

Love

daddy

Sam turns 8!!!

 

Happy Birthday Sam!  

 

You bring our family so much fun and laughter!   No one else comes up with as good as questions as you do!  You make our life so interesting!  We thank Jesus for you!  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A look back...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lovin' your sister Anne :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No one dresses up quite like you do, Sam!  You are definitely, my superhero!  I love you honey!  -MOM

 

 

 

 

While we were...

 

Every single day, I look at my 2 little, Ukrainian girls and imagine what life would be like for them if they would have been sent to a mental institution....

 

Below is a poem, written by my friend Meredith.  She wrote it after learning of the passing of 2 little girls living in a mental institution in Eastern Europe...2 little girls that Reeces Rainbow has worked hard to find families for...but instead the Lord called them home to Him.  

This is from Meredith's blog...

Wednesday, February 11

While we were... in memory

While we were eating...
... they were hungry

While we were playing...
... they were restrained

While we were tucking our kids into bed...
... they were alone

While we turned up the heat...
... they laid in the icy cold

While we wrapped our children in blanket sleepers...
... they laid in their own excrement

While we sang songs and listened to music...
... they listened to the screams and cries of those around them

While we rocked our babies...
... they silently rocked themselves

While we hugged our kids...
... they scratched at their own faces and pulled their own hair for stimulation

While we cried over scraped knees...
... they moaned in their loneliness

While we brushed our daughters' beautiful hair...
... they had their heads shaven to stave off the lice

While we fought off the flu with love and nourishment...
... they got the flu and went Home.

No longer suffering... but so many more still are.

In memory of those that have never felt the love of a family, but have passed away alone. Today we learned of the passing of these two girls in Eastern Europe.

Margarita

Katarina

The Final Count...

 

Well, I think we have survived the dreaded stomach flu. In the end, only 7 of us got sick.  Guess who didn't?....my little, hardy , Ukrainian sweethearts never cease to amaze me!   They are certainly sturdy little girls.

 
Thank you so much for praying for us last week!  During the worst of it, my in-laws were here and went above and beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions!  What would I have done without you, when I walked around in a post-stomach flu stupor for 3 days, you took care of the kids!

 

Thanks Papa and Nana!

After an infinite number of loads of laundry we are starting to settle back into a routine again.   Stay tuned for more pictures of Sam on his birthday....

Why does it always happen at night?....

So, why does the stomach flu always hit at night?...right after everyone is neatly tucked into their beds, you suddenly hear those all too familiar coughs, gags, cries, etc......

So far this winter, I think we have hit every major winter illness... some multiple times. But, as yet, had escaped the dreaded stomach flu monster. But alas, it was not to be. And this time, believe it or not, it was actually me who succumbed first! Hard to believe considering I never go anywhere...except last Wed. night I went to Wal-Mart and voila...24 hours later I am sicker than a dog. And this is not the light variety mind you....it pretty much takes everything you've got for 12 hours straight, then you walk around in a stupor for 3 days, wondering who you are.

Then, last night, it hit Annie. I didn't even bother trying to sleep much - spent part of the night watching "The Count of Monte Christo", on TV, in between the bouts of throwing up, etc....

Apparently tonight, it is David's turn....I am watching the clock...his little tummy upchurn is at about 20 - 25 minute intervals. I'm getting pretty good...I listen and when I hear his tummy rumble, I quickly pull out his binky and slip a towel and bowl in place. I wonder what old movie I could watch tonight?

So, as the count stands now....3 are down and 6 to go! Thank you for praying for our family this week! It's hard not to be overwhelmed at the prospect of days of the yucky stuff.

And of course, I'll spare you any pics on this post, unless you want to see really scary looking people with hair matted down, still in their jammies, for days on end.

How to Make Lulu

Emie, Katie and Annie all enjoy cooking (both with mom) and pretend.

Tonight Emie was all on her own making lulu - which is her word for cereal - and one of her favorites. She and Katie are doing amazingly well - I had them in the church toddler room today - and they just played - like all the other kids - in very constructive and fun ways - it was a joy to watch.
- Daddy

Is there "lefse" in Heaven?

 

 

Of course.   Any respectable Norwegian knows that.  What a silly question.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thankfully, Emie and Katie have adapted quickly to this Norsk delicacy!