I've already shared my personal opinion on snow, but there's something about the first snowflakes that fall each year...seeing the excitement on the kids' faces just makes me want to like it...just a little. This past week we actually had a little bit of snow stay on the ground. As you can see in the pictures...you can still see the grass, but that didn't stop the kids from begging to go outside and play in it. All the gear had to be put on including boots, hats and gloves. 
The trampoline made a nice ice rink for them. They stayed out there for an hour...so easily entertained.
Here are a couple pictures of my niece Emmi at four months. I could just eat her up...she's so stinkin' sweet! She's here every other Wednesday along with her sister Lexi. The kids ask almost everyday "Are Lexi and Emmi coming today?". 
I love the extra time we have with them and the opportunity the kids have to play with their cousins. 
I love the extra time we have with them and the opportunity the kids have to play with their cousins. 
One of my most favorite things to do is sneak into my son's room on school mornings to wake him. I love to smell him, kiss his soft skin over and over and snuggle close. You see, this is one of the few times he lets me do that, so I get it when I can. 
I wake him at 6:30 am on weekdays. Then after he gets dressed, we tackle that hair on his head...it's a work of art that I enjoy doing. :)
I see an eye.
This reminds me of something she said yesterday while Caedmon was at school. "Mom, you and me are both gorgeous!"
After dressing herself, Kaiya joins Caedmon for breakfast. Today we had blueberry waffles, orange juice and good ole Shaklee vitamins. I turn on the radio tuned to a christian station and it stays on the rest of the day. 
My goal in the mornings is to get everyone ready including myself so that when we get back at eight from dropping Caedmon off, we can jump right into our day. It doesn't always happen, but today it did. 
Shoes on. Coats on. Backpack ready with a banana for snack and library book ready to return. At 7:20 it's time to get in the van. Pull out of the garage and park for our morning prayers and then we're on our way.
It's about a fourteen minute drive to school in the country. We pass an Elk Farm and sometimes get lucky enough to see a couple of them on our way. We usually see several deer and try hard not to hit them. Today's conversation on the way to school went like this...
Julie's daughter, Kylie, is the same age as Kaiya and they adopted her a few months before we adopted Kaiya. It's been fun to see them grow up together as friends. This is a picture of the girls together as newborns. 
And now, we are both going through the adoption waiting period together again.
Meet Jack & Abby...the newest members to our family. 
As I woke this morning, this verse along with the song that's playing resonated on my mind. Yesterday has come and gone and God is still on His throne! He's the God of this city, nation & universe...nothing can change that. There is an amazing peace that comes in knowing that. Greater things are yet to be done in this city, nation & universe!!! 
He got home fifteen minutes before the kids were to be in bed, but we were still able to celebrate... jammies included. The kids and I turned all the lights off and hid behind the couch. I loved hearing their little giggles as they waited ready to burst from behind the couch to surprise their daddy. They love their daddy so much....and I do too! 
Happy Birthday, Kevin! Thanks for leading this house to serve the Lord! 
He is a bundle of sweetness!! 
The new family
It was sweet to see how their little two-year-old Karis reacted to her new baby brother. She seemed to just be soaking in all the attention of having all of her family together. We got to all sing "Happy Birthday" to little Jeremy at her request.
And here's a picture of Grandpa holding his ninth grandchild. Nine grandchildren, age 4 and under...no wonder he has a smile on his face!!