Blizzard 2008

The Blizzard of 2008!

That's what the news stations are calling all the snow we received - but we didn't actually meet blizzard conditions. We did set a new record snowfall for our area in a day - 20.4 inches. And poor Mike and Nathan shoveled every inch of it off of our driveway, and then some. We didn't do much traveling once we made it home on Friday, not even to church on Sunday. School was out again on Monday and then temperatures were warmer - so of course we had to play! Nathan, the girls and I had fun building snowmen while Mike was at work. But it was so warm that they were falling over by the time Mike got home. We had a great time though. Molly and Faith got to experience their first snow angels - which Molly loved and Faith endured. They had their first snowball fight with their brother - Molly absolutely hated it! But Faith kept it up all morning. You never knew when she would be throwing one at you! And they both loved the snowmen. Here are some pictures of our fun in the snow. Let's hope it is over and done for this year!

This was the second time the drive had been shoveled! 9 inches and falling!

You know it's deep when Nathan can get lost in the snow.

Molly's first Snow Angel

Say "Snowman"!

Molly and Faith's first snowmen. How silly are they!

I've been Tagged!

My friend Laurie has tagged my blog - my first time! She does such a great job blogging - I wish I could keep up with things the way that she does! See her blog here

Here are the rules:

List 7 random things people might not know about you. The rules are to link the person who sent this to you and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours. Post the rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my random facts:

1) I love to read. I have (and I really mean HAVE) to spend some time each day with a book. I just don't relax without some reading. I used to read much more - hundreds of pages a day. That was back before having three children to run around after. Now I am lucky to get a few chapters in each day. I believe it is not only important to your children to read to them, but also that they see you reading for enjoyment. My biggest fear with the girls is that they won't develop this love of reading. Faith, because she can't sit still long enough to be read to, and Molly because her comprehension needs to catch up with her. We are working on developing this - and I feel very fortunate to have saved tons of Nathan's books from when he was little, plus we have such a great library system in Columbus. I can't wait to read some of my favorites to them.

2) I hate to clean. Now, I love to have the house picked up and organized, but hate to actually clean it. My sister and I shared a bedroom for much of our life. I was the pick up and put away person, while she was the "cleaner". Boy, do I wish that I could afford a "cleaner" now. If I ever have an excess of money (now remember those 3 children - don't think we'll be seeing this!) - I would love to hire a cleaning service. Well, a girl can dream . . .

3) My most favorite of all foods is . . . bologna. Yes, I truly love it, and we always have it in the house. In our family it is definitely a girl thing - Mike and Nathan hate it! We visit an outdoor craft show most years in the fall (the Backwoods Fest), and they cook all sorts of wonderful food outside. I just love getting their fried bologna sandwiches - a nice, big slab of bologna fried on a grill - heaven. I know, guilty pleasure.

4) I am most afraid of the dark. I have never been able to sleep in a totally dark room. I will lie there awake, hearing all sorts of things that go bump in the night, imagining people sneaking in the room - my heart beating loudly in my ears. We have night lights all over the house - one in almost every room. I know that it is an irrational fear - but one that I just can't get rid of. I need to be able to see what is in my room at any given moment of the night, without having to turn a light on. When Mike used to have to travel, I would lie there awake at home alone, with the lights off, or I would have to turn the light on to be able to go to sleep. And to tell you the truth - I still have to do it today when he is away. I hate being the one to turn the lights off before going upstairs - I feel like I have to run up the stairs so the dark won't "catch me". I'll tell you, God and I have had plenty of conversations about this - and the resolution is still in the works!

5) I collect mice. No, not the little live ones (thank goodness), but little mice figurines. They are called Wee Forest Folk, and you can see pictures of them here. I have not been collecting the more recent ones, but I have over a hundred of the little darlings and most have a special memory attached. My very first little one was given to me on my first wedding anniversary by my wonderful husband (we've been married for 20 years now!) It was, of course, the wedding couple.

6) My secret vice is my love for bakery cake. I remember being pregnant with Nathan and having Mike running out at odd times of the night for cake from the bakery. I can pass up almost any dessert, but not a slice of cake. My very favorite cake (at least right now) is the white almond cake from Giant Eagle. It is delicious - so moist and their icing is just to die for. So I'll pass on the chocolate - just bring me cake!

7) Well, I can't believe that I actually made it to seven! My last fact that many people don't know about (and unfortunately my husband does!) is my addiction to scrapbooking. I love to find neat embellishments and paper and have about 50 projects going in my head. Well, here is the unfortunate part. Although I have tons (yes, containers and files and organizers galore), I have only put together one small scrapbook. While waiting for Molly, we sent her a small 8x8 scrapbook with pictures of us, our home, our family, etc, so that she would be comfortable with us when we met her. It is one of her most cherished possessions. So, if I ever find the time, I have those 50 projects to get out of my head and onto scrapbook pages. (Then maybe it will be OK to purchase more fun stuff!!)

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse of me! I decided that I didn't have enough to continue the tag - but sure loved participating.

Gotcha Day / Adoption Day Anniversary

Faith today (holding her referral picture):


Gotcha moment two years ago:

January 2008

The new year started with a beautiful, overwhelming gift from our friend Mindy. She asked long ago if she could give this piano (hers from childhood) to Faith. We have not been able to move it until Christmas break this year. Isn't it beautiful! We are so grateful, and the whole family has taken a turn on it. Faith is still a bit too young, but we plan to start piano lessons soon for Molly, once I try to teach her a few things and see if she catches on. Thanks again Mindy - we will cherish this!

The rest of the month passed quickly, as most do. Nathan had a band concert at school that went well. We were very pleased that both girls were able to sit through the entire concert (it helped that Faith fell asleep about half way through and woke up in time to hear Nathan play). We also enjoyed some quiet time at home after the holidays. Both girls were a bit overwhelmed and it was nice to get back into a normal routine.

Two loving sisters

Molly lost the rest of her loose teeth! 4 out since Christmas eve! The toothfairy certainly knows the way to our house. Molly is so sweet. We read a book about the toothfairy named Twinkle, that picks up the teeth for her job. Molly remarked to me, as her bottom teeth started coming in, that Twinkle had come back to visit her and given back her teeth. And they were growing! She was so excited. She loves all the stories and traditions - and asks plenty of questions. She then tells her dolls and Faith, and anyone else who will listen. I think that everyone at school knows about her teeth! My mom used to call me "Jabber Jaws" because I talked too much. I think that Molly is soon to be called "Jabber Jaws 2". She is always talking. But I love that she is so excited about life and I think she wants everyone to know it!

Molly was dedicated at church this month. She was so sweet about it - and so excited. Our pastor had called people up to pray for us. When we got back to our chairs, she turned to me, and in an awestruck voice, asked me if everyone was praying to Jesus for her. When I told her yes, she just beamed. It moved me to tears. It was such a precious moment for her - I knew she could tell she was loved.

The Rest of the Story

Unfortunately, I was not able to get the rest of December up earlier than this. Please enjoy the pictures and the brief explanations. We had a wonderful December and enjoyed introducing Molly to Christmas and traditions. She was thrilled (and overwhelmed) with everything. Faith continued to be her little self - happy and confident. She certainly knows what she wants!

CHRISTMAS EVE

Faith doing a little taste testing as she decorates.

Hard at work on Santa's cookies!

No, that isn't a halo - whatever
the picture might lead you to believe!

Molly showing off her cookie!

Putting out the food for the reindeer!

Molly's first lost tooth here at home. She put it in her little toothfairy pouch under her pillow. Imagine, your first visit from the toothfairy and first visit from Santa - all on the same night!

CHRISTMAS DAY

The tree after Santa had arrived.

Opening presents! The grocery store and cart were a big hit!

Nathan enjoying his stocking.

The room after presents.

A Visit To Nana and Grandpa

Faith meeting her cousin Blake - she was fascinated!

Molly opening her gifts from Nana and Grandpa.

Faith showing off her new pink sweatshirt.

My sister Karen, brother-in-law Rick, Blake and Abigail

Nathan and Blake

December 31st

Visit to Kaylei and her family

Nathan and Darrin playing DDR

Kaylei and Molly enjoying a spin

Enjoying their time together.

Our first blogger video

I don't know what to say about this except watch and enjoy a chuckle. Please understand that this video is in real time - you will know what I mean when you see it. Mike had a fun time putting this together, please enjoy his sense of humor.

Christmas at the Crists!

Ok, now say that 10 times fast! We celebrated Christmas at Mike's parent's house the weekend before the 25th. The kids had tons of fun and got so many wonderful presents! Nathan was very pleased with his Visa gift cards - he had some things he was saving up for and wanted cash or gift cards this year. By the way, his present to himself (and all his friends) was Rock Band for the XBox360. Of course, he is the drummer in the band, and his friends will be having fun singing or playing the guitar. It looks like tons of fun, can't wait to see it in action.

Faith drawing in her art kit prior to opening presents.

Oh, it's time for presents now?!?

Faith had quite a mixed group of toys. She received an American Girl Bitty Baby and some outfits. She is just starting to play with dolls, so we will have to see how this goes. She still prefers her stuffed animals. She also got a very cute outfit and a ton of Dora stuff from Mike's sister. She loved her Dora ball! She was also excited to get a Dora DVD - its been played over and over already! She is now counting in Spanish and using the Spanish words for up and open. She has a ton of fun - along with Molly.

Molly is very into dolls, and got an American girl doll also. She received Ivy, the Chinese American doll, with . . . pierced ears! We knew that she would be so excited to have a doll with pierced ears, and she was even more excited to have a Chinese doll with long hair! She has been playing with it every day, and I think the doll changed clothes just minutes after she arrived! Her hair has been styled and combed into multiple styles every day and Molly cannot get enough of her. She also received some very nice outfits for both herself and her doll, some books and a stocking full of goodies. She was very pleased with every gift!

Molly checking out her stocking from Aunt KuKu and Uncle Jack

Molly's new best friend - Ivy!

Here are pictures of the kids with all their loot at home. As you can see, they are very happy. And to think, Santa hasn't even come! Can you say toy room! We are taking down the tree and creating a toy room in our dining room (which has never had a table) once the furniture in the dining room has moved.

Decorating the tree

Here we are with a start to decorating our Christmas tree. This was Molly's first Christmas and she was very eager to help with the tree. Faith was also very helpful this year and the two of them had tons of fun putting ornaments on and checking out all the different ornaments. As you will see, they did not reach much higher than they could seen, so the bottom of the tree was quite decorated, where the top just had a few pieces put on by Mom. Once they went to bed, mom finished up decorating the rest of the tree, but we did leave the ornaments down low - it was just too precious. Nathan was happy for a reprieve this year I think. He just put a few of his ornaments on and was done. Mike hates hanging ornaments too, must be a guy thing!

Faith and Molly's section of the tree

Didn't we do a great job!

Long hair

I don't know if I have related this yet on the blog, so I thought I would tell you why these pictures are so important. When we adopted Molly, while the guide was still translating, we asked her if she liked her hair short (she has had it short all of her life). She indicated to us then, by using our guide's long hair as an example, that she wanted to grow her hair long. It has been the one thing that she asked for while joining our family - so we have been trying to be patient as it grows. I have tried a few clips and bows in her hair, but I don't think she feels they are fancy enough. I think she has been longing for me to do her hair like when I do Faith's - up in pony tails with rubber bands and pretty ties. Well, one afternoon I stated that we might be able to try some short pony tails - and I haven't seen her move so quickly as she did to get all the things we needed to put it up. Once it was up, she turned to Nathan and Mike, held up her hand and very firmly stated "Don't touch". There was no way that she wanted those pony tails ruined. So here are the pictures of the big day!

First snow for Molly!

Molly has been asking and asking about snow. They sing a song in school about what the weather is like today - and she couldn't wait to see a snowy day. Well, she finally got her wish! She loved the way the snow looked, but didn't really want to play much in it. It was too amazing to her, I think, after living her whole life until now in a warm climate. She definitely did not like even a gentle snowball hitting her cheeks (Mommy tried to introduce that fun pastime - but no way!!) Hope the next snow will allow us to make a snowman - that is more her style I think.

What is the weather like today? Snowy!
Can you see her delight?!?

A picture taken down our driveway