This and That

Halle Grace had an eye doctor appointment on Friday. The doctor was very please with the improvements he saw after 6 weeks of glasses. He said that with this kind of improvement, he thinks we will be able to avoid surgery! :) Now we have begun the next step, which is patching her eye for two hours a day. They are like giant band-aids. But she has been such a trooper about it, poor little thing! She helped me pick out some cute princess patches online. We go back in 3 months and hope to see more improvement.

Grant had his turn at a special doctor this week, too. He had his first trip (of many)to the orthodontist! We were so pleased with the office and the doctor, too. It turns out that Grant is missing several permanent teeth and will need lots of work done. For now, they are just keeping an eye on things and perhaps pulling a baby tooth here and there. In another year or so, we will begin with spacers. Thank you, Lord, for good insurance!

This weekend, Halle Grace and Garrett have enjoyed the simple joy of playing with colored pipe cleaners. Halle Grace has made a whole collection of jewelry as well as little people to play with. Garrett prefers to create airplanes and rocket ships. I forget sometimes how easy it is for kids to have fun. It really doesn't take much. Of course, now I keep finding pipe cleaners ALL OVER the place - stuck in furniture, behind doors, under the rug... :)

Today after church we tried a new place called Firehouse Subs. Halle Grace was a little disappointed because she thought it was going to have something to do with the movie "Firehouse Dog". She loves that movie! Scott had their chili with jalapeno peppers on the side. The kids were asking what they were and we told them they were hot peppers. Scott then told the kids that he would give $10 to anyone that could eat and swallow one. I tried to take him up on it, but he said I didn't count. Grant was tempted, but couldn't quite pull the trigger. He had the pepper on his fork inside his mouth, but that's as far as he got. Garrett decided to give it a try. He just popped that pepper right in his mouth and started chewing. No reaction. We thought he was home-free, when started drinking Sprite and spitting it out as fast as he could. Just a little delayed reaction - poor thing! We watched Mythbusters last night and learned that milk helps put out the fire in your mouth. We didn't have any milk, but Garrett decided that Oreos worked pretty well. Scott have him $5 for a good college try. He was so proud!

Grant orders a grilled cheese sandwich at every single restaurant that offers one. We talked about how he should start a website comparing different grilled cheese sandwiches. This idea expanded to a website where Grant could compare kids dining experiences in different restaurants. So look for Grant's new project coming soon!

This week, all the kids are home and we don't have anything on the calendar. How great is that! My goals are to get back to some of our home-schooling and get the house back in order. The kids goals are to have friends over for sleepovers and spend more time at the water park. Oh the joys of summer!

Lessons Learned

Yesterday morning, I got up at 5:15am to head to Amarillo to pick up Miss Halle Grace. I knew the flights were tight and that there was a big chance we would be spending the day at the airport. I began the day before praying that God would open up a window for us and we would get a flight out quickly. I really felt that he answered me and told me that we would be home by noon. That's what I kept hearing in my head...home by noon. I arrived in Amarillo at 8:45, but Kathy and Kenny weren't there yet with Halle Grace. They had forgotten her glasses and went back to get them. This would put them at the airport just about time for 9:10am return flight. It was full, so chances were slim of getting on that flight anyway. I waited at the gate to see what would happen. They assured me that everyone was there and there was only one empty seat, which of course wouldn't work for us. So I left security and went to meet Kenny, Kathy, and Halle Grace. After chatting for a bit with them and saying good-byes, Halle Grace and I mosied over to the gate. Just as I was getting her bag off the security belt, Scott called me on my cell. "WHERE ARE YOU? THAT FLIGHT HAS SEATS FOR YOU!" By this time, I could see out the window that the plane was still there. We ran to the gate just in time to see it pull away. The gate agent told me that they had a seat open up at the last minute and they had been looking and calling for us. I was just sick. The rest of the flights were oversold. I knew this meant a long day at the airport. If I had just grabbed Halle Grace and ran in the first place, I'm sure we would have made it. It's one of those moments you just think if you try hard enough, you can go back and change it. Ughhhh!!!! I knew we had missed our miracle opportunity.

So...what time did we finally get home yesterday? 7:25 flight. Delayed by 20 minutes. Arrived to our door at 9:20pm. It was a long day.

The message was clear. I thought that God had spoken to me about making a way for us to come home early. When the gate agent told me it was full, I doubted what I had heard and gave up. The word I received from the Lord over and over on the way home last night was this...when I doubt him, the cost is high. This was just one of those days I felt like God wanted to teach me something specific. I failed the test and paid the price. But I learned the lesson, and I will recognize his prompting more clearly next time.

Whew! Enough preaching. Halle Grace was SUCH a trouper at the airport. I was more cranky than she was. She spent the hours playing with her new baby...dressing her, making beds for her out of toys from her bag, and making up songs for her. She also spent some time practicing her gymnastics on the airport chairs. I wanted to put a sign on her that said, "Give her a break. She's been here since 9am". :)

She was so excited about her time with Kathy and Kenny. She told me all about her adventures. We feel so blessed that our kids have this special aunt and uncle that sew so much into their lives. I know this time at their home will be something they will always remember, and it's nice for them to have a few days to be the "only child".

Blog Slacker

I'm such a slacker! (do people even still use that term, or am I totally 80s?) My friend April had a horrible thing happen to her home while she was on vacation (a vacation she was blogging about). She didn't think the blog was the reason their home was ransacked, but she cancelled her blog just in case. I admit it just turned me off to blogging for awhile. I'm still a little unsure how I feel about it. Maybe I'll go private again. We'll see.

Anyway, we've been staying busy and enjoying our summer. Garrett got to go visit Aunt Kathy for a few days last week and just had the time of his life. They went fishing every day, visited Uncle Kenny at the fire station where he got to ride in the fire truck, and took a trip to Wonderland. A little boy's dream week!
Halle Grace really wanted a turn, and we weren't sure she'd make it past the driveway. Boy were we ever wrong! Truth be told, it was harder on me. She's having a grand old time! She loves talking to all of us on the phone and telling us all about what she's doing in Amarillo. Such a sweetie. It's just not the same around here without her, that's for sure!

Grant has football camp this week, and he is just in heaven. Now that July is winding down, it feels like school should be starting, but it's still another month away. And it's crazy hot! Almost too hot for the water park. Grant got Rock Band for his birthday, so we have have a new toy to enjoy in the air conditioning!

More later...hopefully not too much later. :)

Happy Birthday to Grant

What a weekend! After our fireworks and fun on Thursday night, we spent a great day at my parents house swimming and eating. Lots of eating. Pioneer Woman's Flag Cake was one of the best things I have ever tasted. That thing is pure evil. It's one of those foods that make you understand the temptation to become bulimic. (Did I really just say that?).

Anyway, a great time was had by all! Saturday was spent cleaning house, then we rewarded ourselves with a trip to the movies. There isn't much better than sitting in an air-conditioned movie theater on a HOT Texas summer day. The boys finally saw Indiana Jones while Halle Grace and I saw Kit Kittredge. We LOVED Kit! It's just one of those movies that makes you proud to be an American. However, it's the marketing geniuses at work again. I really want a Kit doll now. :)

Then today is Grant's birthday! He's eight years old, and you've never seen a kid so proud to be eight. With his new age comes 2 new milestones...a later bedtime and the new chore of helping Daddy with the yard work. He feels so big! Here he is modeling a couple of the gifts he opened first thing this morning (hence the great hair)...a Romo jersey and a Dallas Cowboys watch.

Today we took 6 kids (including our 3) to Texas Stadium for a tour. After seeing a suite, the locker room and the "tunnel", we got to play on the field for about 20 minutes. It was a kid's dream-come-true. Scott would throw the boys passes and they would run for touchdowns, followed by a little dance. So fun! After that we went out for pizza and had birthday cake. It was such an easy party, and one of Grant's favorites.

Happy birthday, Sweet Boy! We are so proud of who you are becoming. Your energy and your passion for life are contagious. Your kindness towards others always amazes us. And your love and pride towards your family is inspiring. We love you G-1, and we can't wait to see what God will do in your next 8 years!

Happy Birthday, America!

In just a few minutes, it will be the fourth of July! I know I have said this before, but I am so much prouder to live in America after spending so much time away from my homeland this year. We are so blessed to live in such a great country. God bless America!

Tonight we went to see our favorite local firework show with good friends. We thought it was Halle Grace's first time to see fireworks, but she said she remembers seeing them out the window of her orphanage one time. Fireworks are pretty common in Ukraine, so I'm not that surprised. However, I'm sure they were nothing like what we saw tonight. Southlake really knows how to put on a show!

By the way, our friends happen to be friends with one of the Dallas Cowboys and his wife. They ended up joining us tonight! To respect their privacy, I won't name names, but I will say that Grant was THRILLED. I am sure that he will remember for the rest of his life the 4th of July he got to spend with a Dallas Cowboy! For this soon-to-be 8-year-old, it doesn't get any better. "Mr Cowboy" had lots of little fans come by for autographs throughout the night, and Grant (with his friend Caden) enjoyed organizing the fans. They would tell Mr. Cowboy, "you have 2 more fans heading this way". So cute! When it was time to head home, walking to the car, Grant said, "I can't believe I got to meet "Mr Cowboy" just 3 days before my birthday! It's just the greatest ever!" (Have I mentioned that we are taking 5 little boys to tour Texas Stadium for his 8th birthday party on Sunday?).
Anyway, Mr. Cowboy and his wife were a really sweet couple and we enjoyed getting to know them. Scott didn't exactly hate getting to talk a little football with him either. HeHe. :)

Our little Ukrainian-American had a great time tonight! Everything is still so new to her, and life is just a big adventure. She was mesmerized by the fireworks, and had so much fun playing with all the kids, especially her friend Adi.

Garrett, in true Garrett fashion, wandered off a little at one point. I looked up and saw this giant "Uncle Sam" on stilts CARRYING Garrett! He was trying to find who he belonged to, and said to me, "Hey, watch your kid, lady!". It was so funny! (Don't worry, he hadn't wondered more than a few yards away). I think it was the highlight of Garrett's night! Also in true Garrett fashion, at one point all the kids were playing together, but Garrett was off by himself building a little house out of sticks. He is really something else. I can not WAIT to see what that kid will be when he grows up!

Tomorrow, we're headed to my parents' house for our annual 4th cookout/swim party. I am bringing 3 dishes from Pioneer Woman Cooks. Fresh Corn Casserole, Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad, and Flag Cake. I just couldn't help myself after seeing them on her blog. Mmmmmm.

Here are some pictures of our fun night. As usual. Grant didn't stand still long enough, so their aren't many pictures of him. :(

Happy 4th and God bless!




By the way, doesn't Halle Grace look precious in the new outfit Stephanie sent? Thanks, sweet friend!

The little things...

This week, I am reminded that it's the little things that really make life special. I seem to noticing more of them this week after being shaken up by recent events (see previous post). Here are some of the highlights that made me smile and brought me joy.

- After cleaning up at my neighbors house the night her husband died, I went to another neighbors house to pick up all the kids. We couldn't find Garrett anywhere. I assumed he had already headed home. It was around 11pm and everyone was wiped out. I walked in our front door and found him asleep right there on the floor. Poor little thing couldn't even make it to his room!

- Today, I spent the day with one of my dearest friends, Lyndy, and her sweet boys. She is visiting from Hawaii and it was SO good to catch up (even it is was at the water park!). There is nothing like being with old friends - the kind that know you best. They are such a gift.

- Yesterday, Halle Grace and Grant set up a little tea party in the dining room. Garrett joined in the fun after he saw that they had real food (slices of bread, nothing fancy). Now that's a sight I never saw before a little girl came into our world!

- I bought ice cream this week. Real, Blue Bell ice cream. I NEVER buy REAL ice cream, so this was a splurge. I knew we were going to need some comfort food! Try Blue Bell's Birthday Cake and Blackberry Cobbler ice cream. YUMMMMMMMMM!

- Last night, saying prayers with Halle Grace, she prayed that M and R's daddy would come home soon (the boys next door who just lost their father). After her prayer, we tried to explain that he would not be coming home, that he had died. We felt the simplest answer for her was to tell her that he was now with God. Her eyes got as big as saucers and she said, "With GOD?" She was amazed! It was so neat getting to explain a little bit of God's plan to her - it's all so new to her.

- I have started growing my own herbs, and it's actually working! They are not dead yet, which is truly amazing. I have used the basil quite a bit already. I feel so accomplished!