caught red bottomed

Speaking of our three year old who's trying his hand at lying.
Here's a fun one for ya:

We're having pizza for dinner...  (An all time favorite food of ALL of my boys (Tim included. ;))
Megersa asks for another piece.
"Will you eat it?"
Yeah, I'm really hungry.  I promise to eat it all.
"Okay, because there are a lot of boys here would eat it if you didn't.  I don't want you to waste it."
The commitment to finishing it is made again.

tick, tock.

"M, why aren't you eating your pizza?"
He explains about how he couldn't possibly eat this pizza that has "something brown" on it.
A cheese bubble....
Cale, Miss Wendy and I tried to explain to him that it was just a piece of cheese that bubbled up and that it still tastes good, we don't convince him.

...

"I'm all done!  I'm gonna climb out of my chair"
Miss Wendy offers to help him, but M insists that he doesn't need help.
...Odd. (Megersa will usually ALWAYS take help with everything.)
She insists she doesn't mind and takes his tray from the chair.  I pick him up and out of his seat when he starts to burst into tears.

Underneath his bum...is his bubbled pizza.

BUSTED!!

time change

sleep deprivation and losing an hour of sleep produced this scenario:

the setting:
Tim's holding Neve in church (cooing over her), Bible open, he leans towards me....

his delivery:
"we should read through these together" (all accounts of Jesus' crucifixion in the gospels).....

the misunderstanding:
I stutter "WHAT?!"

he repeats....

my enlightenment:
"OH...I thought you said we should do THIS together again" (pointing to Neve)"
whew!

hahaha.  I suppose that adding Daylight Savings time to an already sleep-deprived mother of a newborn will get some crazy results. ;)

updates

Gosh...I have to do this quickly. 
And QUICK is the new magic word.  If I have 5 quiet minutes, then I need to start recording the funny, mischievious, or milestone-worthy things my kids do:

Cale:
Currently obsessed with playing Mario games on the Wii or his DS.  Noteworthy, why?!  Well, it's just that as he approaches 6, his mind is able to coordinate things differently.... All he talks about these days are his birthday and how many days are left and how much fun he's gonna have with his friend Wesley at his sleepover.  They're also going bowling.  He has a little buddy at school named Joel and they write notes back and forth to each other.  All super cute stuff like "you are the best.  you are osum. i love you...."  We had a parent-teacher confrence with his teacher last week.  She told us that he was a delight to have in school and that he tries hard and is doing well. ....Always nice to hear things like that. ;)
His struggles?  Finding things to do for himself.  If he's not engrossed with something of his own accord he will follow me or Tim around asking for food, or DS time, or for Tim to play Mario on the xbox or wii....  Oy.

Megersa:
Currently wearing a size 4T shirt.  Noteworthy because he seems to be shooting up in height.  And while he can still fit his skinny body into the twins clothing, it looks hilariously short.  He will play with anything the twins play with, but if you listen carefully, he's doing a play-by-play of the toys.  :)  His imagination is taking off.
With his imagination blooming he's recently been trying his hand at lying.  Though wildly unsuccessful - he holds on to his story like the twins hold on to their "monies."

 

Thaddeus & Shepherd:
Speaking of "monies" - these 2, unlike Cale, never seem to need to have someone tell them what to do.  They can always, always find something to entertain them...like chuck-e-cheese coins.  Often times it's something adorable like taking their socks off their feet and putting them on their hands to perform a low-budget puppet show...but it can also be insanely frustrating when they split up to make a mess - one dumps a box of cereal on the floor while his twin plays with a container of vaseline and toilet water...
They are learning new words all the times, but still do talk to each other (or themselves) in a coded 2 year old language.  If we didn't have 3 other kids, just those 2 would keep us on our toes all day long.
The challenges we are facing with them are somewhat different - while they take turns being the more difficult twin...right now I'd say it's Thad.  I swear he's a Diva at heart. ;)  If he wants to be in a good mood - he's adorable and happy as a clam.  If something is bothering him, there's nothing that will make it better unless he decides it will.  ...it's pretty frustrating.
Shepherd is just unwilling to hear or obey the words "no, no!"  Okay - he's dumping stuff on the floor - you get his attention, say "no, no Sheppy"...he looks you in the eye, and keeps dumping.  If you scold him he either covers his face, puts his face in the corner somewhere or lays on the floor with his face down.  Then he becomes a lump and we have to drag him to his new location. 
Joys of two two year olds, eh?

Our beauty girl Neve:
At 8 weeks old, I'd say she's probably close to 11 or 12 lbs.  She's getting pretty chunky! Awake for more periods of time each day, she is much more expressive.  She follows objects with her eyes and definitely loves to have someone straight on looking/talking to her. Her smiles are TO. DIE. FOR!  And she'll hand them out for a very little price.  For whatever reason she loves to have her nose tickled (or even picked) and gives us the best grins! :) 
Right now we're experiencing a vicious late night cycle.  Starting at about 9 or so, she wants to eat.  Falls asleep while eating, you can't put her down because she squirms or cries because she has a burp.  But for whatever reason it takes forever...  Then when she does - she wakes up...and wants to nurse back to sleep.  And on and on and on it goes - til around 1 am - sometimes even 3am.  Rough stuff.  Not sure how to fix it or if there is even a way to do it. 
Power through, right?  As with every other "struggle" - when this one is over it'll be something else.

But we love 'em all...and we'll keep 'em - warts and all. :)

Guess who!

Over the years these things have happened.
I can't disclose which parent has done which thing...
but you're more than welcome to let your imagination (or knowledge of Tim or I) make the decision.... :)

-One of us (in the same day) allowed one baby to fall off the couch, and the other to fall out of the swing.
-One of us backed out of our driveway and into our neighbors car.
-One of us then (either that day or the next) bumped into the back of another car while driving out of the NICU parking lot.
-One of us dressed our (then) 20-month-old in a pair of size 0-3 month shorts and almost took him out that way.
-One of us purchased a head of cabbage thinking it was lettuce.
-One of us let a candle burn a hole through the top of our television set. (still works!)
-One of us once insisted the peanut butter jar was missing while it sat on the counter in plain view.
-One of us threw 2 dirty baby diapers on the kitchen floor right near (or on the pile of) kitchen laundry that needed to be washed.
-The other scooped up those clothes...and those diapers, and washed them.

All part of the growing part.
No, it most definitely does not stop when you're an adult.
In fact, sometimes it's even funnier WHEN you're an adult. :)
(And more specifically a tired parent.) 

home forever

Megersa's been HOME for 3 years now!!
He's grown so much physically, socially and in the hearts and lives of his family and friends.

Here's an account of our trip to Ethiopia to get him:

Day 1, part 1

Day 1, part 2-4

Day 2, part 1

Day 2 continued-3a

Day 3

Day 4, 5a

Day 5 and homecoming


I know a lot of us can't really understand (and this is me included) what it is like to be adopted, because we aren't.  I had a conversation with my mom the other day and she was asking me things about Megersa's awareness at this point and what we will tell him in the future.  We discussed different scenarios and what he might "go through" in terms of acceptance and angst, but we remain positive.  Not to downplay at all the experience he's had or will have in adjusting to his family and his life as a transracial adoptee, but to work through it with love.
I am always grateful that I was raised in a Christian home and being the parent of an adopted child gives me another reason to love having Jesus as my background.  We can give Megersa Jesus as his background too.  The mere fact that Jesus was adopted himself is so awesome!!
When people ask about what we will tell him, I think the easiest, most simple answer to give them is (and M when realization comes into the picture) is this:
God chose for him to be born in a country that he wouldn't grow up in, God chose him to experience the things he has and will because HE is in control of all things.
Most importantly though - God chose Megersa to be in our family - he just grew in a different tummy. :)

splashing

 

 Tim gave the 3 littles a bath tonight, and he told me this happened: 

Megersa was covered in bubbles, so his eyes were closed...then he said this:
"Thad!...Stop splashing me!" 

...what he DIDN'T know was that Thad was PEEING on him!!!

 

if you don't think this is at least a little bit funny, you obviously don't have little boys. :)

 

slipping...

Remember when I said I get into "moods" - like cooking or blogging?
...I haven't done either recently.
Humph.
Meals aren't my fault - we've been fed very well thru our church and MOPS groups, so I haven't had to worry to much about it.
Blogging, however, is entirely my fault.
...Sometimes I blog in my head - but I'm aware it doesn't count.
1 post in Feb.
ONE?!
Shameful...
The twins turned 2 on Feb 27, 2013...should have been blogging about that!

Truth be told, because of the new baby, jammed packed birthday season upon us and the fact that they had a 1 year old party last year, we didn't have much of a celebratory fuss.
Instead they opened their gifts throughout the week and enjoyed (more) family time here at home.
...This past Saturday Cale had a sleepover with his buddy and the caregivers were patient and generous enough to watch Megersa too for a few hours so we could take the twins out.
Initially I thought we'd take the twins to the bounce house...and while they would have enjoyed it thoroughly, it requires quite a bit of energy from the parents who will also be doing the bouncing.
Turns out - energy is currently in short supply around here.  Truthfully we considered nixing the whole idea of going out at all, but decided we should do something.
We took the twins (and Miss Neve) to Chic-fila to eat (which went surprisingly well) and then went to the pet store to look at the animals.  Well, it was a huge hit!  Those two loved it!

What else?
Neve weighs in a 9 lbs 2 1/2 oz at 1 month old.  She is growing exceptionally well.  Haven't had to supplement her at all and she's doing a little better at night.  She CAN stretch for 4 hours at night, but usually it's every 3 or so, mainly falling back to sleep after - which is wildly better than it was even a week ago where we were having 2am parties back to back to back.

I can't say how much I love her because it's indescribable.  No, it's not just cuz she's a girl - but she is a girl...and that I do love.

There's a tenderness and a beauty in even the smallest little female and she's constantly melting my heart.  She's not nearly as needy as the twins are either.  She'll sleep almost anywhere when she's truly tired and is content to hang out and look around when she's awake (of course we WANT to hold her all the time...but she doesn't tend to demand it).  She does spit up quite a bit.  No where near the geyser that Cale was - but I have gone out recently to purchase new burp rags.  I see small changes in her every few days - chubbier legs, more frequent smiles, eyes that are getting brighter (we're pretty confident she will also have blue - like all her bio brothers).  It's a joy to have her here - even amongst the chaos.  :)

And as promised, here's the brotherly adjustment status:
Thad has loved her since the moment he laid his eyes on her.  That first day we brought her home he insisted on holding her.  He's the one brother who truly stares at her and loves her.  I wonder how protective he'll be of her as a teenager!
Shepherd had a bit more of a jealous streak going on.  To be fair he WAS the baby.  He's always been a momma's boy and it was a tough few weeks seeing his little face so sad.  But, he's warming up to her.  He's even held her willingly (I remained close by - and thank goodness - because after about a minute he pushed her off his lap)!
Megersa enjoys giving a play-by-play of everyone's day - so adding a baby sister to the mix gives him quite a bit more to talk about.  He's had a rough cough (like I have) for a few weeks so we've had him keep his distance, but he likes to kiss her head.
Cale loves to entertain Neve when she's awake.  This happened once when I was busy (shocker, huh?) and Neve was awake and upset.  He grabbed a bag full of gems and started shaking them near her.  He was so pleased with himself that she stopped to listen that he deemed himself her favorite brother.  :)  He also loves to kiss her and touch her face.  ....she is beautiful, I don't blame him.

I cannot say enough good things about my husband.

I've always loved him fiercely, but the way he's taken care of this family is just outstanding.  We are a BIG family too...but he puts each one of us first.  I feel so loved and cared for...as does Neve (she told me.) :)  I can tell he's already a big softie for her.
Tim's stated there will be no dating for her, no swimsuits and no dancing.
Can't argue with him...
Neve Eloise Nester will remain in our custody until her arranged marriage. ;)

my new OBSESSION.

Did I tell you we're moving?
Yep...again.
Starting to feel like a hermit crab.  Yes, a hermit crab. 
We're always moving...house to house...shell to shell.
But no...moving is not my new obsession.
With this new place we are going to be signing at least a 2 year lease at this place (maybe even more than that!), so I hope it will begin to feel more like home. 
I intend to do one thing with this new place I haven't really attempted in any other.
Design.  Decorate.  Make it "my own." 
And because I'm the only girl...I get to make all the decisions! :)
The house is actually a parsonage...but no, we won't be living there for free. ((That'd be awesome!))
It belongs to another church...a very tiny church in fact.  It's got 4 bedrooms...all upstairs (which will be a nice feature for Cale, who currently resides in our basement room w/o a door), and a living room, dining room, and kitchen (all separate spaces!).  In addition there is a "finished" basement - though I think the flooring is just linoleum down there.  Sounds nice?...it is.  Nothing spectacular though.  We wouldn't purchase the place, but as far as the needs we have now...it'll work. 
We seem to be able to make any space work.
The highlight (for me) is that they are okay with us carpeting (all rooms up and downstairs have hardwood floors), and painting.  Sorta like a clean slate. ;)
Ordinarily this would sounds sorta boring...and a big chore to try and decorate from scratch...again.
BUT, I've been watching a lot of the Nate Berkus Show.  I've gleaned some great inexpensive ideas...
I've been stalking all sorts of DIY blogs. I'm confident I can do those things!
I've been checking freecycle several times a day to see what I can find for FREE. ;) I've already scored a hutch, a free coffee table, end table and church pew (which we intend to use as seating around a new table!)!
I'm on a mission to create a lovely space for us.
I'm super excited about the upcoming projects I'm planning to do.
I've not been passionate about too much since we've moved here (besides my children, obviously)...
But, every night I find myself linking one blog to the next with such awesome spaces. 
Currently my "plans" mainly reside in my head, but I've jotted down some ideas for every room on paper.
I'll give you a sneak peek at some one of my design inspirations though:

here is a picture of the church pew we are picking up for FREE. :)

 I intend to use it in this sort of manner: 

(Will need a bigger dining room table - which I'm currently on the hunt for)

This may become a fun hobby, or might just be a one-and-done thing.  But it's kinda fun when something tickles your fancy.  :)