Unpacking

Remembering some SD fun...

Fun in the sand...isn't it beautiful there?



Everyone having fun in the water



Sean...this boy LOVES water like noone I've ever seen



Naomi is amazing with little kids




Joshua enjoying the outdoors



Jonah cold...a storm came up suddenly and we had to leave


Lily enjoyed walking around free and playing in the sand



Annabelle taking a break



Elsie telling Mommy something


These are some older pictures of going to a local lake in SD during the month we were home after the adoption...we had alot of fun. Lily liked playing in the sand and Joshua loved being outside. I will try to put some recent pictures on here soon!


Last week is a blur..it went by so fast. We've been moving boxes to the right places (the movers didn't bother to read where they were to be put), then ones we don't need to open to the garage, then to storage. We've been unpacking and organizing our temporary basement apartment we are living in and being creative with the space.

Did you know that 11 people's clothes can fit into a big closet? We have a family closet which works really well for putting laundry away. Did you further know that 8 children can fit into a bedroom? We were going to have a boy room and a girl room and mommy and daddy on the couch futon, but the kids decided they'd rather all sleep together and make the 2nd bedroom area an office for Daddy (who will be able to work a little from home) and for homeschool! They were so precious his first day to work...they helped clear out the boxes and set up an office space for him and surprised him! It has been working pretty well...all are pretty deep sleepers except for the baby, who we put in a pack-n-play in the office at night, near John and I (he ends up nursing and sleeping with Mommy part of the time anyway). I'm so glad that they mostly sleep through as at times Joshua can cry --and his cries are so loud and distressing ...usually he will go back to sleep once he's been repositioned, thankfully. In case you're wondering how the sardines fit, we have a twin/full bunkbed (one on top, 2 and a little on the bottom, a twin mattress,2 pack-n-plays (for the 2 that need boundaries--yes, our 2 with DS), and a small mattress. Thankfully, it is only temporary but for now, it is working. Naps are a little more difficult...sometimes they nap, sometimes they don't!

We've been very blessed by our host family's graciousness to us, both in staying here, allowing us to use their laundry machines, freezer, etc and helping us with moving boxes and taking trash etc. The children are loving playing outside on their beautiful property with their new friends. The biggest challenge has been getting back into a routine...we haven't yet and have been having late sleepers (me included). We are working on getting back into our routine of chores, learning, play and eating, and learning how to care for those who need help. WE have 3 children who need to be fed, so it takes some coordination. We've also been looking at possible places to live in the area as John learns where he will need to travel and what would be best.

We were visited by my parents this past weekend which was WONDERFUL after not seeing them for far too long. It was a blessing to say goodbye knowing it will not be so long again before we visit again. For those who prayed for my dad after his heart surgery, he looked GREAT! He so thoroughly enjoys his grandchildren and I'm glad he will get to see them more often.