Christmas program - school

Garret as a reindeer - with "deformed" antlers!

Damien, second one in, is an elf.

Serena singing "he knows when you are sleeping..."

Hunting at Uncle Steve's

The auction for cancer research

Here is Mike Commodore - Columbus Blue Jacket hockey player - with my painting - he paid $1000 for it - does he look pleased? He made the painter pleased!!!

fall colors

Fall is short but beautiful here - you have to be prepared to be blasted into winter at a moment's notice though - don't know if I'll ever get used to that!

Our new joy!!

I came out of the hospital with a grin plastered on my face - nothing like seeing & believing! Watching the little person move around thrills the heart! I am 23 wks now - so over halfway - and everything looks good - even got a good guess about what the little person is - although the nurse wouldn't say! Ahhhhh!

a new hairstyle

With lots of gupe, we can tame the hair! Even letting her hair go natural is beautiful, but it is fun to do Serena's hair - she takes such pride in it, hugs me, thanks me and even sleeps on her face, so not to mess it up!

"baring" our bellies!

Am I going to regret letting the world see this? This is 5 months along!

The mom can't help but to be proud of these kids - who wouldn't be?

A painting of the "Double Eagle" golf course - near Columbus, OH

I am so happy!!!! This 16 x 20 painting for my brother, Davy - just sold at a live auction for $1,000!!!!! My brother paid me to do it, and donated it to a fund raiser for cancer research - and a Blue Jacket's hockey player bought it! Wow!!!! Yeah!!!!!

US!

congratulations bouquet from Bea and San

Our thoughts about our "news".

A few of you wanted to know if we were happy with our news, so here goes:

Yes! Of course!

A lot of different emotions come across, especially at first, but simply reflecting on my pregnancy with Kira helped me get a handle on this. I had a hard time emotionally when I was pregnant with her - it happened after a difficult time in our lives, and I did not want to be pregnant. But - when she was born, we #1 were delighted she was a girl - our first girl, and #2, she has brought so much joy into our lives, we couldn't love her more.

During child rearing, I often am amazed at how much enjoyment kids can bring, to me. No one else is around most of the time that they are being so sweet, interesting and funny - it's truely like a gift personally for me to enjoy. That of course is on a good day, right?

Realistically there will challenges, but we know that we will love the little squirt.

Stu and I couldn't think of any reasons we wouldn't be happy to be pregnant again, except for selfish reasons - (vacations will be harder to take, more work at home, etc.) So besides those selfish wishes, we are happy - surprised, but happy.

Our "news"!

Last night Serena very embarressedly commented on my stomach, saying, "sometimes when I look at your tummy, I think you might be having another baby!" Although I let it "hang out" more at home, I'm thinking soon the world will know our news too, so we decided to tell them. They were all having a slumber party, watching a movie, and I paused the movie and told them we have a surprise for them. They started to guess, "popcorn, etc" and when we told them it was something that would be with us forever, Damien guessed, "a baby?" When I said yes, the response was so sweet. Kira kicked her legs and squirmed with the most pleased expression. Garret asked, "why, did you look?" (look at what?) Serena was amazed and said, "I've never ever in my life got to see any baby come out of it's mother before!" (I went on to explain she probably wouldn't get to see this baby come out of it's mother either, usually we get a babysitter to watch the kid's at home.) And Damien surprised us by saying, "Oh, now the pieces are coming together! That's why there was a pregnancy test in your garbage a few months ago!" (he pondered that all this time?)
For the facts, we are due late January. That puts me already past the 1rst trimester. That will be 6 kids - (4th pregnancy)! Thank goodness for my wonderful husband - he knows how to help and loves to play with kids. I couldn't do it without him! (of course I wouldn't be in this situation without him either!)
:)
15 wks. Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).

Damien diving for rings.

Dad's birthday

Damien made his cake - and gave him the Callaway golf ball on top - got to save that one for when there's no danger of hitting in the water! Dad got rollerblades for his birthday - and can her ever cruise! It wears me out trying to keep up with him on my bike!

kid's fighting over chair in "church" (museum)

On Sunday, we thought we'd have a little "service" in the church museum at the park. I don't think the kids got much from it.

our kids playing at the beach

The cry of my heart.

1. If you've read any of my testimony recorded here, or know me at all, you know something of our history. We are "withdrawn from" a certain religious group, which includes 9 of my brothers and sisters and my mother. (my only remaining parent) We left the group 7 yrs. ago and in doing so, our relationships have been severed.
   
   We know we couldn't continue in that group, and we know we will never return, and we've been blessed by God in our decision. But that doesn't stop the pain. There is nothing like your own family. Just thinking of them being there going on with their lives, and longing to share with them parts of our lives, and not being able to do so, hurts. I miss the camaraderie of my sisters, the support of my brothers, and the wisdom of my mom. We've had our adopted kids for 15 months now, and they've never seen them, or expressed interest, in spite of our trying to keep them informed.
   
   Although computers weren't allowed when we were there, if that has changed, and any of you read this, know that I love you, miss you, and would love to hear from you!
   
   I pray every night for you, and my hope in the verse in Joel 2:25 "I will repay you for (restore) the years the locusts have eaten - "
   
   I know God isn't done with us yet!
   
   xxoo

Lemonade!! Granola bars!! 25 cents each!!!!

Beautiful spring.

Our girls - I am amazed when I think of one of my fears about adopting a girl was how Kira would get along - having to share her special spot with her dad. She wouldn't be daddy's only little princess anymore. My fears turned out to be fruitless - Serena and Kira LOVE each other. They have respect for each other and they share their dad. Each night when Kira prays, her prayers are mostly thanksgivings - "thank you SO much Lord, for my precious, most handsomest Dad..." and they are sure to include "my beautiful sister who came all the way over from Ethiopia..." This has been a gift from God - it's something we couldn't have forced to happen - it just is.

Gabe's new words.

This is one of the funnest things to experience as a mother - listening to the little guys learn to talk. Gabe is going to be 2 next month, and all of a sudden, an explosion of words come out. For many months, he has recited all the members of the family, except Serena (the one no doubt who would like to hear her name the most from her beloved blood brother). He says "Damien", "Garwet", "Dira" (Kira), and for Serena he has called her either Damien or Dira. Yesterday was a glorious day, because when he realized Serena was coming in the door, he said, "Rena!" We were all thrilled and amazed. He has called his cup of milk, a "nigh, night". (connecting it with going to bed). We tried our best to break the habit, even putting him to "bed" when he would insist on having a "nigh, night", while pointing to the fridge. He is one kid who you cannot force him to do anything he doesn't want. But - when we give up trying, he comes out and asked for a "ilk" - and while shaking his head no, he says "nigh, night", then nods and says "ilk".
It is so exciting for us - he seems so much smarter and "in the know" once he starts to talk. He is becoming more and more one of us!

baseball season!

Damien up to bat.
Dad & Gabe looking on.
Serena visiting while Mom runs the concession stand.
Serena came in the house excited, showing me what they used to do in Ethiopia - lick and stick leaves onto their fingernails!

Melaleuca Products.

http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.mainPage

I'm signing up to get these products that my sister-in-law has tried and really likes. Just passing on this message from her - just IN CASE someone else is interested.

Hey Rose – do you know anyone that would be interested in the Melaleuca Products??? I am just spitting this out there! If you wanted to you could put a link on your blog to my website http://themomteam.com/kas There is huge support for anyone wanting to be part of it and build a network of Moms helping moms work from home! The cool thing about it is that it is all products we buy at Walmart (detergents, etc.) or wherever only these ones are not harmful to the kids or the environment. Also, they come right to the door! For anyone wanting to build a business with it there is an incentive this month – if you sign up 8 people you can win a Nintendo Wii or a colored laptop computer!!! It is also half price til the 20th to become a member – so only $14.50. I am just giving it a whirl to see what I can do with it! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love me

Graduation

Serena gets her diploma for graduating from Kindergarten! Kira in her cap and gown.

Serena in Steve and Kim's backyard. We spent the past weekend with Steve & Kim for Ricky's graduation and Memorial Day.
Ricky graduates - posing with Scott.
Gabe and "Duke" - Steve's dog.
Ricky & Stu

Ricky with Serena & Garret.
Steve & Kim with Ricky.
Damien & Rick.
Gabe wants to make a basket.

bowling

Kim strikes!

almost!

When we feel like complaining, look around.

This is hard to believe, as we sit in our homes here in America, THIS is happening.
Please take the time to read this article about the current crisis in Ethiopia. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24731042/
Maybe we should all ask God what He wants us to do about it.

A little talk with Jesus...

The amazing men @ our church - (mainly my husband:)

Hint: pause my other music, before playing!

Maria Sue Chapman

Our hearts are breaking today for the Chapman family. I scared my husband this morning as we were drinking our coffee and watching the news, when "tragic accident" came up on FOX news, I yelled, "NO!" as I read about Steven's son running over his youngest daughter, Maria. I went and lay down with my own 5 yr. old, still warm and sleepy, not ready to get up for the day. I held her and thanked God for her, as I tried to imagine the pain the Chapman family feels. We love them, and their testimony to this world. They have played a part in why we adopted ourselves. We went to a concert of his years ago, and have been impressed by him ever since. He is a humble man, yet vivacious in serving God through him music.

After telling our kids what happened, here is their impressions:

Damien said "at least he got to write a song about her." He is referring to the Cinderella song where he is trying to put the girls to bed, and they are dressed in Cinderella dresses and they ask him to dance with them, so he puts down his work, and dances with them "before the clock strikes midnight, and she'll be gone..." That line is extra poignant now. I agree with Damien - at least Steven realized that these moments are precious, so he took the time to enjoy them. Damien also compared it to how it could be like him in a few years, driving over his much loved baby brother, Gabe. wow.

I was brushing Kira's hair, and her eyes started getting red and puffy. I asked her if I hurt her with the brush, and she said, "no, I was just thinking about if it was Serena who died."

Please join in prayer for the Chapman family.

The weekend to celebrate Jodi! (Home on leave from Iraq.)

The beautiful Symington ladies. From the left: San (married to Rod), Jodi, Cheri (married to Beau), Jacqui (Rod & San's daughter), Mom, & Bea (married to Cy).

Beau playing Stratego with Garret - our game lover.

Stu out playing ball with the big boys.

Cousins and best friends: Luke (Cy & Bea's) and Skip (Rod & San's).

Rick (Steve's) waiting his turn in the tennis "tournament".

Before & after pictures of Serena's hair. Kim & I tried something new - & it turned out!

Kira trying out her cousin's guitar hero.

Scott (Steve's) helping make eclair cake!


Goodbye to Jodi! She's off to Iraq today - for another 9 months. Prayers go with her!