So long Preschool....Kindergarten here he comes!

Yesterday was Hunter's last day of preschool. He brought his teacher some flowers to say Thank you for the wonderful year. Hunter's teacher was a retired principal and came out of retirement to teach preschool. She raised 3 sons so she understood the energy that Hunter has....thank goodness! The preschoolers put on a program for the parents. It was quite entertaining! The preschoolers taking a bow at the finale of their program. It's official...he completed preschool! Come Fall Hunter and Brylie will both be in school....I can hardly believe it!

Who makes these things?

Okay, the McDonald's happy meal toys are often cheesy, but usually keep my kids' attention for the 1/2 hour ride home so we splurge and get all 3 kids a Happy Meal and a toy. Well, last week we ended our trip to town with the usual McDonalds stop. They were excited to see new toys....SHREK toys. We pay for our food, distribute Happy Meals properly and start to enjoy our own lunch when we hear 3 SHREK toys start to BURP! Of course all 3 kids thought this was HILARIOUS, so they continued to push the button that caused SHREK to let out a gigantic BELCH. I tried to ignore it, turn up the radio, and just tune it out, but about 10 minutes down the road I yelled "Stop making SHREK burp! It is driving me crazy!" The quiet lasted about 5 minutes until the curiousity sparked again and so did the BURPS. I found myself questioning the insanity of the person that makes these toys to torture parents. It is obvious that the maker of burping toys does not have any children of their own. Although I would like to strangle the maker and distributer of these toys, they are successful in keeping the attention of kids. I will tell you that the BURPING SHREKS in our house will soon be disappearing one by one.

Mother's Day with the Arnold's

Here's the Mother's Day 2007 photo. Family photo at Grandma Corinne's house after church. Hunter and his best buddy Sage. Brylie playing ball in Grandma Corinne's yard. Kennedy loves to help take care of Gage. Daddy and his little girl. We ended the day by planting some flowers at home. All in all it was a relaxing, fun filled day with my family. Daddy was in charge of changing all the diapers...Yeah! (That's really my favorite part of Mother's day!) The weather was a little hot and pretty windy but we were still able to enjoy the day outside.

Mother's Day

Since Mother's Day is right around the corner I thought I would ask Hunter and Brylie a few questions about their mom. It's alway entertaining to hear what comes out of their mouth. What makes a good mom? Hunter: "YOU" Brylie: "Jesus makes good moms." What is your favorite thing about your mommy? Hunter: "I like to go for walks with you, eat with you, play with you, read stories with you, drive to town with you, help you make brownies and my favorite thing is snuggling with you." Brylie: "I love you because you are the bestest mom in the world, you play with me downstairs, make me lunch and take me to my favorite store, Claire's." What do you wish your mommy did better? Hunter: "She could give me more presents!" Brylie: "She could clean my room for me." What have you learned from your mom? Hunter: "about Jesus, and how the government in China doesn't let their people worship Jesus, and how to be a good person and that dinosaurs are all dead" Brylie: "so much, like how to make my bed and how to be good to other people"

OOPS!!

Don't ya love how I ask you to share your opinion and then don't have a place to comment!?!?! I was just so proud of myself for figuring out how to add a link that I didn't even notice that the comments were turned off. Anyway, I hope things are working better now. Heidi also brought it to my attention that Mommyzabs posted about this same article not too long ago....sorry. I found the article through other adoption blogs as it sounds a lot like what is happening in China. Pretty scary if you ask me!

What's your take?

I recently came across this article and wanted to know your opinion. I'm all for saving the planet, but this seems quite extreme!

Favorite Photos Friday

This is Gage's sneaky attempt at getting to the treat bowl! He was moving very slowly as to not get my attention. I had to capture it on film! :)

I caved!

I have to admit that I am not one of those nice moms who buys their kids the fun band-aids. It just drives me CRAZY that they cost twice as much as the boring brown ones and they mysteriously bring on frequent ailments that require band-aids to heal. Well today the kids and I went to Walmart and needed band-aids and the kids spotted the "fun" ones and REALLY wanted them. I immediately grunted at the thought but then noticed that they were on sale for LESS than the ugly brown ones. Well, you guessed it, I caved. I mean kids should be able to wear character band-aids on their owies right? I felt okay about my purchase until 5 MINUTES after arriving home Brylie got a scratch on her finger and "really needed a Strawberry Shortcake band-aid!" Oh, what have I done?

As I am knee deep in adoption paperwork I find myself getting so frustrated with the incredible process that adoption entails. There are over 1 million orphans in China and only a small percentage of them are getting adopted. Personally I don't think that it takes four months worth of paperwork and mounds of money to determine if a family is "fit" to care for a child! The love that I have in my heart for this child, that is yet to be born, is incredible. I try to focus on the end result, but some days I have trouble keeping my mind off of the fact that my 4th child will have to spend the first year of her life in an orphanage before her mommy and daddy are allowed to come and get her. Robb and I know that adoption is God's plan for us and we believe that he will carry us over the many hurdles along this very long path. Until the day that I get to hold our precious daughter in my arms, I will keep signing on the dotted line.

Drumroll Please.......

Here are the results of the haircut yesterday...

Favorite Photo Friday

What do you think?

Tomorrow Brylie and I have a date at the salon. Brylie usually just gets a trim, but lately she has really been wanting to get her hair cut "short". Part of me wants to scream NO because she has gorgeous hair, but I think a little bob would be adorable too. Her hair grows really fast so I know it would be grown out in no time and it would be a cute cut for summer.....I just don't know. She also says she wants "no bangs" like her friends, but that sounds like too much work right now. Maybe if her hair was shorter we could think about growing out her bangs. Anyway, I know this isn't thinking blog material...just something I am thinking about today. I would love to hear your opinion.

An email worth sharing

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING. IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE. WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK. 'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST,' HE BEGAN. 'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.' THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY. THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION. THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT. THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES. AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED. BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. 'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS.. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. ' HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.' WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL. WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. 'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM,'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.' 'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME. YOU SEE... I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'

Signs that I am getting old...

Brylie: "Why don't I have lines in my forehead like you mommy?" Hunter: "Were stores invented when you were little mom?"

Big news at our house

After a lot of prayer and guidance from the Lord we have decided to add a fourth child to our family. We recently began the process to adopt a little girl from China. This has been a long process of praying and waiting on the direction of the Lord. Robb and I felt led to China and believe that is where our little girl is. We have such a peace about the whole process and are so excited to embark on this journey of a lifetime. Hunter and Brylie are thrilled and can't wait until she can come and live with us. Brylie asks everyday when her sister will be here and comes up with about 10 "perfect" names for her daily. :) The reality is that we won't have her in our arms for about 2 years and there is a lot of paperwork to get done to get her here. We will see her picture and get information about her 2 months before we travel to China to bring her home with us. I am excited to share with you all of the milestones along the way. "Do not be afraid for I am with you, I will bring you children from the East and gather you from the West." Isaiah 43:5

It's my turn

Birthday Blog Filler

Instructions: Go to Wikipedia and type in your birth date only -without the year. (Mine is December 23, in case you all are wondering). 1. List 3 events that occurred that day: a) 1913 The Federal Reserve Act is signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson, creating the Federal Reserve.

b) 1972 Pro Football Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris makes the Immaculate Reception, perhaps the most famous play in American football history.

c) 1972 The 16 survivors of the Andes flight disaster are rescued after 73 days, having survived by cannabalism. 2. List 2 important birthdays: a) 1946 Susan Lucci, American actress b) 1971 Corey Haim, Canadian actor 3. List 1 death: 2006 - Charlie Drake, English comedian 4. List a holiday or observance:

• Festivus - A holiday made popular by the sitcom Seinfeld. A festivus for the rest of us.

5. Tag 5 other bloggers: This filler is getting kind of boring so the tag is off. No pressure :)

Real Mums

Just mom tagged my to share my thoughts on what makes a real mum. So not to be a fuddy duddy, I will play along. :)

A REAL MUM:

****Never forgets the pains of childbirth, but would do it all over again in a heartbeat to bring their precious child into the world. ****sacrifices new clothes for herself to keep her kids dressed nicely. ****uses bribery in the grocery store. ****makes friends with the dust bunnies. ****loves her children unconditionally. ****still cringes when she hears "I'M DONE!" coming from the bathroom. ****never passes up the opportunity for good snuggle time. ****loves their daddy with all her heart. ****cries on the first day of school. ****teaches her children about the Lord and the importance of a relationship with Him. ****needs a break to pamper herself. ****serves cereal for supper once in a while.

****knows the importance of her job and doesn't take it for granted.

Here's to all you other "real mums" out there who are just trying to do your best, just as I am!

You call this SPRING??

The point of insanity is getting close! It is too cold to drag all three kids to town just to get out of the house, the snowpants are packed away, and the forecast is showing another round of snow tomorrow! UGH!! Any suggestions to keep me sane?

Easter with the Arnolds

The Easter Baskets waiting for the kids! Hunter and Brylie dressed in their best. We got all the kids to keep their eyes open and then Robb closed his! Uncle Tyler with the gang! Brylie opening her Easter eggs after the big hunt. Hunter is excited to see what's in his eggs. Gage thought it worked a lot better to just steal the eggs in the other's baskets when no one was looking. :) We had a wonderful day at my Mom's house. We enjoyed good food and good conversation. I hope you all had a great Easter!

Favorite Photo Friday

Have a blessed Easter!!

Just Thinkin'.....

Yesterday on the way to town Hunter was sitting in the back seat looking at his Bible when he said, "hey mom, could you keep it down up there" as I was singing along to the radio. "Yeah sure, why?" I asked. "Well, I'm thinking about something." he replied. "What are you thinking about?" I asked. "I'm thinking about a gift I could give to the Lord," he said. I said "Well, you know the best gift you can give to Jesus is..." Hunter interrupted with "yeah yeah I know.. to tell other people about Him, that's what I'm thinking about, mom. You know we're even supposed to tell bad people about Jesus right?" he asked. "Of course" I said. "Well, I'm thinking about how I can tell a bad guy with a gun about Jesus without getting shot." Hmmm you got me there!

Why???

It never fails that every time Robb is out of town one of the kids gets sick. Brylie woke up in the night throwing up and has a fever this morning. Ugh! Because Hunter had school this morning I had to wake her up and hurry everyone out the door to take him to school. It might be a long day! Robb is gone until tomorrow night. Mommy might need a long back rub when daddy gets home!

Zoo Extravaganza

Last night the school hosted a Zoo Extravaganza. The local zoo brought in animals from all over the world. The kids thought it was great, they were even brave enough to touch a few of the animals. I had camera trouble half way through the show so I missed a few animals. I did get a few good shots to share with you though. This cockatoo was very entertaining and even shared a few words with all the kids. Brylie loved petting the very soft chinchilla. These cockroaches totally grossed me out!! This is our pastor and his daughter Emma checking out the snake. Ewwww! Robb is deathly afraid of snakes but didn't want to wimp out in front of his kids! Ha! Hunter and his friend Jack thought this Walking Stick Bug was so cool! What did you do last night? Was it as exciting as the Zoo Extravaganza? :)

Don't ya love it when....

you are going through the pictures on your camera and find a picture of your butt that one of your kids took.