MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CUTEST BABIES IN THE WORLD!!

May your Christmas be filled with "Christ", love and family.

My little Alligator

This will hopefully make you smile. Noah loves putting this hat on and being a "lalligalor" (translation- Alligator). He acts like he's scaring me but then takes the hat off and says "don't worry Mommy, it's just me. I'm pretend". Just like my little funny man. Always trying to be responsible. ;)

CHRISTMAS CHEER

All dressed up for the Christmas party

Dadat, Noah and Mama in bed

Brother & Sister

A reindeer deep in thought

The "huge" track Noah commissioned Dadat to build

It has been a while since an update. Things are going well but very busy as you would imagine around the holidays. We love doing Christmasy things and seeing them through the babies eyes. We picked out and cut down our Christmas tree and then went to a Christmas parade. Noah's favorite part was the tractors. The next night we put up our tree. Our family tradition is to have hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies and play Christmas music as decorate it. This year we watched Polar Express while decoratinb (Noah's request). It was a little hectic with a 2 yr. old who has never seen any of this running around but we managed to get our tree and decorations up.

Lovin' the Outdoors

Isn't this the COOLEST tree?

Not sure what Noah was thinking about

Thanksgiving was great. We ate lots of food with lots of great people. In between we attempted to take some walks to help walk the calories off. Noah and Laurel are doing great being brother and sister. They are each others best friends and frequently each others worst enemies. Oh well, the circle of life I suppose!! If you'd like to know what's coming up with Laurel this week, hop over to her blog..... www.bringinglaurelhome.blogspot.com.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I ask your humble forgiveness at the delay in updating this blog. I know the frustration to pull up someones blog only to see the same pictures you've seen for 2 weeks! What can I say?? Life happens? :) We have been very busy with appointments with both babies but Laurel especially. Noah is still being a great big brother but is definately asserting himself more with Laurel and showing her "who's boss". I'm ok with that. Someones got to be in charge :) Anyway, I am so thankful that my babies are here in my arms, happy, healthy and beautiful. I'm so thankful for my life, my salvation, my family and church family. I want to thank each and everyone of you who play a part in our lives and pray for us. This is truly the happiest of Thanksgivings.

Funny Babies

Busy Busy around our home but we have found time for some fall fun. Noah and Laurel especially have enjoyed riding around in the tailgate of Noah's tractor. She has finally mastered it and can ride around in the back without falling out- even when Noah slings her around curves!

The two are getting closer and Laurel just loves her big brother. She wipes his face, tries to wipe other parts, kisses and hugs him and tries to feed him. So much so that he does sometimes get a little tired of being so pampered. He's adjusting pretty well though although they do have their days.

Noah is down today with a stomach virus and a fever. He's laid around all day, whined and cried over strange things in movies. Yep, definately not feeling good. Monday he goes to the allergist (is that what you call them??) to find out what his allergies are and why he is having acute allergic reactions. Hopefully we'll be able to find out his triggers and help them avoid his wheezing attacks. Feels like we live at the Doctors these days. I know this too shall pass!

PS: Check out Mike's blog. (husband on sidebar). He has updated after many months.

I love Fall!

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR

Blowing Bubbles in the field

Oh yeah! Fall is definately my favorite time of year. I'm beginning to think it's Noah's too! The babies dressed up for Halloween and we went to a local churches outdoor carnival. They loved it. Noah said "Mommy, what is this place? I love it!" I would love it too if I were a little boy because it had about 8 moonbounces, and 2 Hayrides pulled by tractors! Anyway, Mike blew a huge pile of leaves for the babies to play in and when Noah wants to go outside he says, "Mommy, let's go play in the fall."

Brothers, Sisters & Birthdays

The "after" Pic- It's a love/hate relationship :)

Awww... don't be fooled.... this was the before picture

Stuck in the old chicken coop

The moonbounce was bigger than my house--REALLY!!

Thanks to Nana & Poppy, the each got a birthday cake!!

Noah looks like he's in pain

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOTH MY BABIES. Noah is 3 and Laurel is 2. Who would've thought I'd have 2 so close in age?? Certainly not me. It's funny how the Lord works. I was worried for a while there that they would hate each other. But, they've come so far in the last 2 weeks and actually hug now, hold hands and kiss occasionally! They even are playing together some instead of just around each other. I think they are getting over the whole "each other are a threat" thing. It's been so fun to watch their little relationship grow. Not to say we still can't have meltdowns and some knock-down drag outs over toys. But definately progess.

Saturday we had a big birthday bash for both babies. Nana & Poppy rented a huge moonbounce/slide and we were so thankful everyone could be there to celebrate!! Thank you all for everything.

Monday, I took the babies to my Grandmothers house about 2 hrs. away. They loved playing on the farm and it was so neat to see everything through their little eyes. Laurel's world is getting so much bigger!

GOING TO THE FAIR

It's official! Fall is finally here because the Fair is here!! We were brave (or crazy) and took the babies to see Rach and our cousin Cole show at the Fair. We then took them to eat, play and ride at the Fair. I'll have to be honest and say a lot of the excitement was lost on them but they really enjoyed the corndogs. We brought more than candy back from the Fair however. Sunday night Noah got awful throw up sick. Thankfully he was better on Monday. But on Tuesday Mike and I payed for it with our own stomach viruses. That was fun. Anyway, CONGRATS to Aunt Rach who won "Best Scene in NC" with her beautiful pic of Noah running through the tobacco fields. It's a BIG deal!! Congrats to her.

If you'd like to read about Laurel's newest news hop over to her blog at www.bringinglaurelhome.blogspot.com.

FALL FUN

Spice, Noel, Noah and Mike

Deep in thought in the Corn field

Noah led us through the Maze

They really were having a good time even though

Noah looks miserable. He was just mad b/c I made

him sit there and smile.

Fall is definately here. I love cooler weather, football (yes I said that!) and the activities that go with fall. This weekend we took a walk on the farm and introduced Laurel to the horses. Also, we took the babies to a Corn Maze. Noah loved running through the maze. He was so proud that he lead the way. We haven't picked a pumpkin yet though. Maybe we'll do that this week.

Newest Noah ism: Us (after church on Sunday): "Noah, what did you learn in Sunday school?

Noah: "That Jesus died on the cross"

Us: "Really? That's right. Who did he die for?"

Noah: "West Virginia"

WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TEACHIN' MY BABY CORA & KAREN?? ;)

Too funny. That's what he is. We are pretty sure Justin must be writing the Toddler curriculum now.!

KIDS SAY THE STRANGEST THINGS

I have to share a few "Noahisms" with you. I'll preface by saying that this has been a tough week for the babies. Last week Noah got another ear infection and has been on antibiotics. Sunday he started getting a fever and the last 2 days he's felt awful. Last night he was up for several hours with a temp of 102.5 with a stomachache and an earache. Needless to say we were pretty tired this morning when we had to get up early to make it to Laurel's audiology apointment. But today he just made me laugh!! He and Mike were laying in bed talking and Noah said "Dadat, Laurel's ears are broken" But, Dr. ____(our Pediatrician) will fix them. And Jesus will fix them too. He has a screwdriver!!" He really said that!

Next, Mike was building him an obstacle course in the house to play on. He ran up to me and said "Mommy, Dadat is making me a Popsicle of Course" :) Even on hard days that little boy still makes me smile. I'm so lucky to be able to watch him grow up and be his Mommy.

Laurel's appointment went good. Go over to her blog www.bringinglaurelhome.blogspot.com to see more detailed info.

SETTLING IN

The babies are settling in quite nicely. They hug each other now and today Laurel actually held Noah's hand!! Without screaming! She actually had a smile on her face. They love bathtime and splashing each other. Noah came down with another ear infection this week. He'd been acting grouchy since Sunday and Tuesday his ear turned bright red and he told me it was hurting. Our Dr. saw him right away and sure enough he had another one. He had a fever on and off for 2 days but didn't have one today. Hopefully he's on the road to recovery. It was Laurel that was suppose to catch everything and she's been healthy as a horse so far..... except for the parasites from contaminated water our Ped. just called us about. She said not to worry, they are going away. Gross!!!

Anyway, for more specific Laurel information, hop on over to her blog www.bringinglaurelhome.blogspot.com.

Brother and Sister

Oh I cannot tell you how blessed we are!! We have 2 beautiful children who yes, are completely different but truly belong to us. We took Noah & Laurel to Pullen Park the other day. It's one of Noah's favorite places because of the train and we wanted to see how Laurel would do with unlimited space to play in. They had a blast. Laurel loved the slide. They are both not crazy about the carousel. Noah likes riding the little boats but the look on his face tells me he may be outgrowing them. So, Dadat took Noah to ride the BIG paddle boats. He had a great time paddling around the pond while Laurel and I looked on from the bank. We had a wonderful time with our babies and look forward to many more.

THEY'RE HOME!!

Laurel and Momma on the Trampoline

My 3 Loves on our bed playing

Laurel and her playhouse

Cutest Pajamas

Yes the rumors are true. The plane has landed and Mike and Laurel are safe at home on US soil. I'll hopefully get some pictures from the wonderful friends and family that were at his homecoming to post soon. God's mercies were great during their 2 day travel ordeal but they are HOME and recovering nicely. We had a great day today with Laurel and are looking forward to a lifetime of memories with her. Thank you all for your prayers during this journey. I finally have my camera back from Ukraine so now I'll be able to post lots of pictures!

PS: Since they are home, Laurel's adoption journey blog is now open to public reading. You can read about our journey at www.bringinglaurelhome.blogspot.com.