I just need ONE day...

If the world could just stop spinning for one day I think I could catch up. Catch up on laundry, e-mail, grading papers, packing lunches, lesson plans, cleaning house, science projects, filing, printing pics, reading for my Bible study...... the list goes on. I just can't seem to stay caught up because every minute that passes by brings more things to do. But, in the moments that I feel overwhelmed, I am also aware of how grateful I am to be such a busy mom. Grateful that I have happy children who are healthy and can play sports - which creates Mt. Washmore in my laundry room. Grateful that I have a job that I love even when I have to stay up late grading papers. Grateful that I have food in my frig to pack all of those lunches for all of those field trips. Grateful that I have good friends who totally understand me when I have "those days" when all of the "to dos" get the best of me. Grateful that my husband isn't above cleaning toilets and doing laundry to help our family out.

I'm thinking time isn't going to stand still anytime soon just for me, so I'll keep taking it minute by minute. Doing what needs to be done in the moment - and doing it with a grateful heart (most days :) )

Here are a few things that have been keeping me busy lately.....

My three big kids finished up their basketball season. So now we go from the gym to the ballfield. Here's Jillian with her team. These girls were by far the most improved team in the league. They are all such good friends and we had a great time spending time with them all.It is the year of milestone birthdays at our house. Jillian turned 10 and Trey will be 13 in April. WOW is all I can say......

I've been promising Jillian a sleepover birthday party when she turned 10. So, this year she invited 12 of her closest friends (yes, that would be a 13 girl sleepover) to her slumber party. They had a blast in the basement. Note the unfinished walls. I need the world to stop spinning for at least two days so that I can get to that project.

We also had another snow day that brought about 5 inches of snow our way. The kids had a great time getting together at Mamaw's house with all of their cousins to play in the snow. Bobby's family always seems to gather at his mom's house when there is inclement weather. It most likely has something to do with the fact that his mom is a wonderful cook. Here we are enjoying chicken stew at her house during the snowy weather.Nothing like family and good food to warm you up on a cold, snowy day. I'm so grateful. Now I'm off to tackle a few things on that to do list....

Lainie is 3!

Lainie turned 3 on Monday. We began with a big party with friends and family on Sunday at Mamaw Jackie's house for lunch. On Monday, we had a quiet birthday dinner at home. Afterwards Lainie opened her presents and had a special visit from her Aunt Michelle who enjoyed a birthday tea party with her. It was a great day ! We are so thankful for this precious daughter who has brought us pure joy! No birthday celebration is complete around here without a chocolate birthday cake made by Mamaw Jackie!
Posing with Mommy and Daddy! (Check out Lainie's cute cousin, Honor, sneaking up in the background of the picture.)
Her birthday cupcake from our celebration at home.A pretend birthday cake set for her kitchen. We "played birthday party" all night long!Cruisng in the Barbie Jeep!

More presents!

Birthday tea Party with special guest, Aunt Michelle.

"Enough birthday pictures already mom!!"


One last birthday kiss before putting my sweet birthday girl down for the night!

Happy Mushy Gushy Heart Day!

We had a great Valentine's Day. It is one of my favorite days of the year, albeit a little stressful for this mother of four. Let's just say the sermon today on Mary and Martha was a good reminder for me. I'm afraid I sometimes get wrapped up in the details and miss the moment. We did share some great moments together... Here are a few....

Trey had a Valentine Dance at school. I was a chaperone. He was such a great sport about that. He was also SO, SO sweet to his little sister (who was there with me). He danced almost every single dance with her and didn't complain once! He has the SWEETEST of HEARTS...


Who wouldn't want this cutie pie for their Valentine?

Will had his last basketball game on Valentine's Day.

He scored 21 POINTS! How SWEET is that?????

Will at school with his Valentine holder that we made together....

Jillian passing out her Valentine's at school. (yes, there are some advantages to teaching at their school). I get some great photos.....

We just LOVE this pretty smile.

Little Lainie, who has captured our HEARTS....

I hope that you and the ones you love got to spend some special time together too!!!

Happy Chinese New Year!

We had a very low key and casual Chinese New Year ! We read a book about The Chinese New Year, hung a red paper lantern, and helped Lainie make some Chinese New Year cards for her friends. She used the "name chop" that she was given as a gift from her orphanage. It is a beautiful stamp with her Chinese name in Chinese characters. It hangs from a red thread. It was one of the things that was given to us on the day that we met her in China. We are so grateful to the orphanage for this kind gesture. I believe it is a standard gift for all babies from Chenzhou SWI.

"Is this from my China?" That is her favorite question of late. Lainie's Chinese name stamped with her "chop".

Chinese New Year is actually a very family oriented celebration. Much time is spent celebrating with family. In fact, almost everything closes down so that families can be together. We like that idea! We are keeping most of our Chinese heritage celebrations low key. We want Lainie to care about her Chinese heritage, and to be proud of it, but we want her to decide how much she wants to participate in their customs and celebrations.

A Beautiful Sight!

Hooray! The weather-men got it right this time! We woke up this morning to several inches of snow. I was worried about how I was going to entertain 4 disappointed children if we woke up with no snow. Today was already a teacher workday so we were going to be home all day regardless. Thank goodness they were not disappointed !

Everyone had a great time playing out in the snow. It has been quite a while since we had a snow big enough to play in. Even Lainie didn't seem to mind the cold at all and she followed along right behind everyone else. We had great fun playing with all of our friends in the neighborhood too.

Now we have come in to warm up by the fire with hot chocolate. Snow clothes are all in the dryer - getting ready for the next venture out. Later tonight we are headed to Mamaw's for chicken stew. It doesn't get much better than this!!!I love this picture of Lainie and Will. So often he is following right behind her - always making sure she is okay and that she is having fun! He doesn't want her to miss anything!

Taking time out to warm up and play Knex!

Happy Birthday Will

Will turned 7 on Saturday!  I remember on the day he was born feeling so certain that our family was complete.  That was my plan.  God had other plans.  By Will's sixth birthday, he had a 23 month old little sister to help him celebrate!   He has been an incredible big brother.  He even let Lainie open all of his presents!

He had his first game of basketball season on his birthday.  He chose to be #7 this year since he would turn 7 on the day of the first game.  After the game we took everyone to an indoor play place to celebrate.  He, his two cousins and brother and sisters had a blast!   Then, it was back to the gym for Jillian's basketball game.  Later that night Will was very anxious to watch the Panther's in the playoff game.  It was also the quarterback, Jake Delhomme's birthday.  Will was sure that it was going to be a birthday victory.  That wasn't the case.  

Will brings so much excitement to our family.  He is always 100% into whatever he is doing.  Whether it is playing a one man basketball game in the driveway, having a Nerf war or just being silly, he is always giving it everything he has to give.  He is a great example of living life to the fullest - every moment of every day.  We are so blessed to be his parents.

Will loved his red cake - made NC STATE red by Mamaw!Opening presents is Will's favorite part!

Jillian and friends showing their Panther Pride at school on Friday.
Lainie is anxiously awaiting her birthday next month.  

Happy New Year 2009!

A few of the kiddos on New Year's Eve. A cheesy tradition - we always take a picture of the kids and Dick Clark.

Our Christmas was wonderful. We were blessed to spend time with dear friends and family during the holidays. We have especially enjoyed this week after Christmas. We are all a little more relaxed and have enjoyed staying up late and sleeping in!!! It has been great to be able to have so many free nights at home together. We've had Wii tournaments and scooter races, and Trey and Jillian have enjoyed having friends over during these lazy days.

We spent New year's Eve with our dear neighbors. We are so blessed to have such good friends living right across the street. Between our three families we have 9 children so it was a little chaotic, but tons of fun!

I've spruced up the blog a bit and am resolving to blog more in 2009. Mostly for myself as it is a great way for me to "journal" about what happens to us from day to day. Everyone seems to be growing up so fast around here. There are so many moments that I want to record so that I don't forget them... We're making beautiful memories around here every single day!

I hope that you are your families had a wonderful holiday. Check back soon....

Oh, and hop over to the Horton's blog. Sarah Mei was Lainie's orphanage mate as well as Lilly. She and her family have big news! Congratulations Hortons!

A few of our favorite things....