I Love you more than Cookies !

Tonya has a family !!! other sweeties, & disruption

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:12:00 +0000

sweet LUCY IS FROM MEXICO AND VERY WELL CARED FOR :) Not the best photo but man is she a cutie :)

SWEET MAX IS BEAUTIFUL !

LITTLE BARBARA :) IS JUST A BITTY

LOOK AT SWEET DAVID. HE LOOKS SO SWEET :)

HOW CUTE IS THIS LITTLE CHEEKY GIRL :)

These little sweeties still do not have ANY pledges for the "christmas angel tree"

Could you be a sponsor? A little bit adds up and WILL save a childs life.Literally. This is NOT a play on words. It is fact. 80% of children transferred to INSTITUTIONS, WILL DIE IN THE FIRST YEAR. That is 8 out of 10 children (see I can do math :) 4 and 5 yr olds...they are just babies who need mommies. Be it lack of staff, health care, or simply love and human interaction...the end is still the same. We ,in the adoption community are an amazing bunch of folks. GOD has called us to do things others would not even think about. We follow the whisper of the LORD in our hearts. We can make a difference.

Click here REECES RAINBOW :)

~I have heard of a beautiful 8 yr old Ethiopian little girl who was adopted into the states but is not adjusting. She is not violent at all but can be sullen and defiant, she is struggling to adjust. This would be a private adoption. If you know any one interested , shoot me an email and I will send you the info :)

~I am so happy to report sweet Tonya has a family that has commited to adopt her !!!

Praise God. This beautiful girl is going to THRIVE in a family :):) IF I hear who her new family is , and they have a blog I will let ya'll know.

I know so many folks were dreaming of adopting her, and to not be able to , for different reasons is hard. It hurts. But you never know what God has planned for you and your family ;)
My little cuties are doing good. We had a Christmas concert for Bug at church. She had a small speaking and singing solo :) She also has a dance recital coming up at a nursing home with her dance studio, which should be fun.
My little baby girl is starting to sleep a bit better...waking 2 times a night vs 3-5 ;)
so we are getting there. I cant bear to let her cry so this mama is up :)
~The turd who stole my sons christmas decorations FINALLY got arrested last night for domestic violence for breaking his step-dads nose (eek) ! So happy to see him head off with the nice police man :)
Thats it~
Happy Thursday :) :)

Is this YOUR daughter?

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:19:00 +0000

tonya :)

"This gorgeous, healthy little girl is waiting for you to save her from life in a mental institution. Tonya is HEALTHY, very active and playful and capable. She has brown hair and big brown eyes. She is already 4, so she is living on borrowed time.

An adoptive family who visited with her recently tells us her orphanage loves her dearly and can't bear to send her away. Tonya very much wants a Mama and Papa of her own! "

Can you believe how beautiful this sweet child is? Look at those sweet doe eyes, and that creamy skin ? This beautiful child is alone , without a family because she was born with Downs Syndrome. Not because her family was poor, and could not feed her, or because her birthmom was ill, but simply because SHE was born "not" perfect ....
She has lived in an orphange where she is blessed that her care has been great and she is loved and lives with other healthy children (which is huge for her development). BUT....her time is running out. The orphanage director has been keeping her safe by not sending her off to the institution but her time is running out. 4 years old is the age when children are transferred. They are on borrowed time, and they know it. So many wonderful people have stepped up and donated to help Tonya find her family .

SHE NOW HAS A GRANT OF $6000 TOWARDS HER ADOPTION COSTS !!!!!!
That is $6000 her family DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY!!! AMAZING THE WAY GOD WORKS TO SAVE THE WEAK :) :)
oH MY GOSH!!!! THIS BEAUTIFUL child has soooo much potential. She is high functioning and will blossom even more in a family with so much love :) look how healthy and soulful she is. Lets find her family !! I know we can .

Email me if you have a ??? or contact andrea directly at reece's rainbow .
email her at bamaroberts@comcast.net

I know this baby girls family is out there some where !!!

SAVE US

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:18:00 +0000

THESE CHILDREN ARE ALL 3-4 YRS OLD. THERE TIME IS RUNNING OUT....
THE FIRST LITTLE SWEETIE I CANT GET OUT OF MY HEAD....

Saving just one

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:43:00 +0000

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

(Direct link if you cant view it, its a bit big is here )

Reeces Rainbow is an amazing ministry that helps the truly helpless and forgotten. These sweet children age out of orphanages at 4....and are places in MENTAL INSTITUTIONS with adults. AT FOUR YEARS OLD ??? Are you grasping that? 80% of these children will DIE, in the first year.
DIE. FORGOTTEN.ALONE.
I had no idea. I am stunned...

Can you call one of these beautiful angels your own? Can you send $5, $10 or $50 to help another family rescue one of these amazing kids ? any amount.

Go to Reeces Rainbow :)

"it is not the will of your Father, that one of these little ones shall perish" (Matthew 18:14)

"whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes Me" (Matthew 18:5)

Happy Saturday :)

All I WANTED For Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:22:00 +0000

THIS IS THE VERY FIRST PHOTO I OPENED OF OUR SWEET
BABY GIRL :) THOSE EYES....OH YOU HAD ME WITH THOSE EYES.

LOOK AT THIS LITTLE TINY FOOT ;)

LOOKING AT THIS HAPPY LITTLE BABY,

I KNEW HOW BLESSED WE WERE.

HAPPY REFERRAL DAY MY SWEET BABY GIRL :)!!!!

ON December 4, 2008 I had just laid down to take a little nap, when my phone rang.....I looked at the number slowly. I answered it knowing our whole world was about to change :) It was Christy , and she told me she had awesome news for me !!! We were only #4 on the girls list, so it was a wonderful surprise. She explained all about baby girl and my mind was a blur, I was just so happy and couldn't wait to open the pictures !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love at first site :)

(( For those of you who believe in signs like I do, we were #4 on the girls list, we received our referral at 4 pm , baby girl was our 4th child, and it was Dec 4th !!!! ))

Hiwot (Hewitt) was only 11 weeks old ,teeny and perfect :)

She came home in April at 17 #s and today is a perfect and still teeny at 20#s & 15 months old.

We love you more then life our beautiful Ethiopian princess !

We thank God for you each day, and thank God for your birth mothers brave,selfless choice :)

Adoption is truly Gods work. It is just so amazing...

Happy Friday :) :)

Hey, this thing on?

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:15:00 +0000

Our First Thanksgiving as a family of 6 !

I know I have been a slacker. Please forgive me :) Life just kinda gets in the way some times ya know? I wonder if everyone cares about what is rolling around in my head, so I just keep the random thoughts to myself for a bit :)

~The bad neighbors we have across the street from us, have been so much trouble. Today as my son was setting up his new Christmas reindeers that a sweet friend gave him, the nasty teen, who punched out his step-dad last week (charming I know) stood in his driveway

GIVING MY SON THE FINGER !!! This is the same kid who STOLE all our decorations last week ! Ugh!! I wouldnt care if he flipped me off, well thats not true, I would flip him back ;) but doing that to a little boy ? just wrong.

~Yay!! Got my first Christmas card today from THE JOHNSON FAMILY :) :) thank you Kristi and Lucy lane :)

~Have you seen the amazing out pouring of support for sweet Darya ?? This little girl who happens to have downs syndrome,is in an institution and is getting her family !! Her soon to be sister who is 11 !!! Raised over 26,0000 in ...... (your not gonna believe it )

10 days to bring home her new baby sister !! Unbelievable what the whisper of God in a child's heart can do :) :) I am in awe of this amazing story.

~Did you know that in this country , 90% of pregnancies that are carrying a child with Downs Syndrome are ended/aborted?
I am plain stunned over this. My husband and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt no matter what our unborn child's health we were having our babies. God gave us this baby and we would care for them.

This statistic just shocked me.

~Our agency All Gods Children is going to start facilitating adoptions for children with HIV. I think this is just amazing and so wonderful :) So many more children will have a chance for a family :)

~ On a lighter note, DID ANYONE really believe Tiger Woods wife smashed in his REAR window to save him, from hitting a fire hydrant?!?! Seriously people. They had a fight. A big fight. Moving on :)

Boo celebrating her 2 different shoes :)

Baby girl LOVES her baby puffs :) So does the pup ;)

Boo came out dressed in 2 different shoes, AND on the wrong feet ~!

me ~ "Boo who in the world wears 2 different shoes and on the wrong feet ?"
Boo ~ (with hands out to the sides ...) "ummm, they do in Guatemala!"

ohhhhh my cheeky girl !!

Love love this outfit :)

Ok. Ya' ll know my son is a master baker right? well for thanksgiving he made a

CARMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE ....and GINGERBREAD -PUMPKIN TRIFLE !

YOWZER !! I am going to be rolling down the road if this keeps up ;)

My amazing sweet boy

it is so cool to see Bug mothering baby girl :)

Oh my cheeky girl ! (with her shoes on nana's couch eek)

~ HAVE A HAPPY TUESDAY :) :)

Pageant Day Princess

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Pageant day. Sleepy princess :)

Aunt meme came over to do Bugs nails

Before....

After :)

Bug snuggling with Pop-pa

Mama and her girls , this was Bugs outfit of choice. She

was so cute doing her little cheer leading routine.

Papi and his pretty girls

When the day was done Bug won~

~Pettiest smile

~Most photogenic

~runner up in her age division

She had such a wonderful time with her her friends, and that is what was most important.

Bug and her best friend who won Queen in their age

division :)

Bug and Aunt meme

Bug and her modeling coach

Look at that happy face !

Can you say beautiful ? ( I am the exhausted one in the back :)

Over all it was a nice day but man, a lot of work! I dont see us making a habit out of it.

Things are good, I have been a bad blogger. Trying to get back into it, my Internet has been dragging.

We have some changes in our household coming in the new year, so we have been busy...more to come on that.

!Oh, if you follow me on fb you know that our neighbors across the street who rent, have some super horrible teenagers. They have been causing so much trouble it is awful. I have had to call the police on them, several times which is not my style, but drag racing in front of my house at 2am...not cool. Graffiti on the street, loud parties , cars all over etc. Anyway they stole all my sons Christmas decorations he worked on putting out for over a week. Blowups, spirals trees and lots of little goodies. Many he bought with his own money :( We called the police, but knew we would never see the stuff again. Well, a patient of my sisters went to goodwill and bought my son new light up reindeer's to replace the ones that were stolen!! HOW WONDERFUL WAS THAT? He learned how rotten folks can be and how good :) Then...the day after thanksgiving his Santa blowup and his little snowman were back by our front door!!! I am sure the step father of the teens from them in the garage, they are packing and moving out :) seems all those calls to the police and the rental company and finally the owner of the house (who is shipping out to Iraq in a few days ) paid off. I hope their new neighbors are more there speed so they dont have to move again ;)

Happy Sunday to all :) :)

"Check it out!"

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Cutie outfit :)

After we met at the lawyers office to start Boo & Baby girls re-adoption
we went to a park that was just beautiful. The kids had a ball playing.

Love this face :)

"You want me to walk ?"

Papi and his baby girls

My handsome boy (he will be 11 in 4 days !!)

My 4 swinging cuties :)

THIS is the life with my little Ethiopian

princess. Each day she finds a new adventure,

her joy at throwing all the books down over and over is hillarious!

We have a little fountain on our porch, which baby girl has

decided is her personal spa !! She even knocked down the baby fence

I put up to keep her out :)

My sweeties watch Baby Einstein videos :)

That is Boo's new favorite saying. I hear "Check it out, I love apples"

"Check it out, I hate ketchup " "Check it out, you a little bit crazy!"

All day long :)

~finally started the girls re-adoption paperwork. Yes i am a slacker.

~Bugs just entered her first pageant and did really well, and had a ton of fun which was the real point :) If you follow me on facebook , you already know this, but pageants? Seriously HARD WORK FOR MAMAS!! I was exhausted after the day ended. Bug won for -Most photogenic, -Most beautiful smile, and runner up in her age division. She came home with 3 trophies and was just thrilled with the whole day.

~The other day while shopping, my dh stood by the babies in the cart while I went to grab something off an isle. I hear an older gentleman saying to the babies "are you here alone?" I look over and he smiles at me, so I assume he is kidding, Michael is standing next to the cart...Well he says it again, as I walk up. Then my hubby tells him they are his daughters LOL! The man was surprised :) He says to me, i thought they were alone so I was going to take them home. Ummm, I dont think so !

~Did you buy your mayan families christmas basket yet?? Dont forget to :)

Weekend update~during the week

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:01:00 +0000

I am so behind in my blogging duties.
I am sorry.
Moving on :)

Several folks asked about our camper, this is it. It fits the kids nicely in the back bunks, my son sleeps on the fold out couch, and baby girls pack n play fits where the table goes. Over all nice & cozy. We eat all our meals outside so the table isnt needed much.

This week has been crazy busy getting ready for Bugs first pageant with her modeling class. I had planned to put Baby girl and Boo in the beauty part, but Boo didnt care for practicing at the studio (only at home, and kinda winging it :) and once all the stress started from Bugs many practices and dresses etc. I decided one kiddo at a time :) I have to embellish Bugs dress with crystals , should go great considering I am OH SO CRAFTY :( give me a room to decorate, I am excited! Tell me to craft something and .....I look for something pointy to poke myself in the eye with :P

After MANY EARLY mornings of fishing with daddy on the lake peanut FINALLY caught A TROPHY BASS :) :) he was so excited he ran back to the rv to get the camera (gave me a heart attack at 6 am) while daddy trailed the fish in the water. Pretty fish :) ***no fish were hurt in the capture, he was promptly let go :)

Baby girl sportin her bow :)

Trying to get a cute photo-op ,someone wouldnt play

Bug waitin for a squealing baby girl !!

Cheeky girl

look at her cutie sandals !!!!

I love them !!

It was so hot last weekend. 95!! Seriously.

Strikin a pose

Handsome ALMOST 11 yr old...eek..

Best friends at their dance show

Love this face. I was looking at baby girl standing in the yard today banging blocks together. I was over whelmed with a feeling of pure love. This is MY child. This is OUR child. GOD brought me this child. From across the oceans...on a different continent. I could have gone my whole life without meeting my daughter . My heart just aches at this thought. IF we didnt follow the aching in our heart placed by GOD. My daughter. Our daughter. Oh baby girl ...we love you. period. but not that simple , it is oh so deep:)

******PLEASE PRAY FOR VINCENT. PLEASE PRAY FOR ABBY. AND PLEASE PRAY FOR A DEAR FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. This family is amazing and kind and loves the LORD. CANCER IS SO EVIL. It hurts my heart to see so many wonderful, kind families hurting.

*****Miss Debbie Weeks. Please email me :)

Britax on sale ~

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Quick post :)
BRITAX carseats are on sale with FREE shipping here ~
http://www.albeebaby.com/closeoutitems.html

I have bought both my seats and a stroller from this site and love it.

Fun times around here

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:03:00 +0000

Boo :) I let the babies play in the field while the big kids are in their class at the co-op, boo loves picking flowers :)

Baby girl on her first chilly morning :)

Bug had her first dance show, they were all so cute

on stage. She did pretty good :)

Pretty girls :)

After her show :) she was so happy!!

Mama (with a crazed look..) an baby girl

I love to let the kids be creative, whether painting rocks,paper or pumpkins. I let baby girl do some finger painting but ..I dont think it was a hit :( she thought it was weird , didnt really want to touch it, an tried to eat it. Yuck! Then she was mad because it was gross ! Oh well i will try again :)

"Mama, do you REALLY want me to touch this?

"Oh I dont think sooooo...."

"YUCK!! IT IS ICKY!"

Playing outside with the water table :)

October in florida

Look at those lashes. Melt me :)

Bug added bubbles :)

Our week has been great. So happy to hear about all the FAST court dates in Ethiopia now that the courts are open :) Congrats!
~a lady came up to me , after bugs dance class and asked for $2 for gas, said she forgot her wallet. I gave her $4 (that or a 20 :) and wished her a great day. Bug says " how do you know she was telling the truth?" I said I dont. but if she needed it , and I didnt give, that reflects on me. If she lied well..that reflects on her. I would rather do the right thing . She says " Oh mama I bet you made God happy" love my kids !!

~We are going to take another little vacation. Off to do some serious r&r...be back sunday

~my head hurts from all the thinking we have been doing around here...we know God has a plan for all of us. We feel we heard part of it , while in Ethiopia...we all live with so much "stuff" that we dont need and it starts to define us. We dont need these things to be happy or to do God's work. We are trying to see the plan. God & family and bringing glory to God. Those things matter. Big house? cable? many tvs? tons of toys? ignoring those in need? These things are not part of big plan.

Have a wonderful week everyone !! Pray us some cool weather k? Please continue to pray for sweet Vincent and Abby :)

Siblings-forever

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Beautiful babies with a special bond :)

Cheeky baby!!!

OOPS! Trying to escape the hug :)

Got her !!

Boo loves her big brother. We hear everyday~

"Peanut, will you marry me?" It is so sweet !

Big sisters are awesome. Bug is the only one

who can calm baby girl , other then me.

~Hope you guys are having a great week. Our cold weather has gone

and it is almost time to put the ac back on :(

22 years = 2 homemade, 2 heartmade !

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:26:00 +0000

My hubby and I have went on a sorta blind date, on October 16, 1987 for a Halloween bonfire :) I remember going to the bank and cashing my paycheck, from Wendy's ( yes I was a fast food worker :) then heading to the mall. My girlfriend and I headed straight to the GAP. We needed new fluffy white hoodie sweatshirt for our bonfire date :) It was actually cold in October . I was looking pretty stylish in my new white hoodie, my jeans , Candie shoes and BIG hair with just the right amount of Aqua-net hairspray ;) no wonder he fell for me . He looked so cute in his Gap gray cords and nikes. He had long flowing shiny hair. Super cute and shy :)

We have been together ever since. Count em....22 years, 4 babies and many ups and downs...with God's blessings and guidance we are going strong baby!!
Pumpkin~ I love you. Its that simple :)
For my hubby...a little party music he loves :)
(gobble)

Boo Flu..and a tea party

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:07:00 +0000

Well. The word is in. The fever/ick the older kids have had for couple days is..... THE FLU. (cue scary music :)
Poor babies. They are on tamiflu and antibiotics for their infected throats. If I can keep the babies and my hubby and well...ME from getting sick , I will do a happy dance :)
Not fun when the mama is sick.

The girls all got dressed up the last week for a tea party. So girlie :) of course Cookie was invited.

Pretty little princess :) She has just started to learn to boggie a bit. It is so funny to watch her just giggle and try to dance. She mostly does head wiggles :)

How stinkin beautiful is this baby?

Tea parties have to have a dance session too!

These dresses I had bought in 2006 for Boo and Bug. Now Boo and Baby girl are wearing them. I love them. I should have their pictures taken.

3 Princesses. Bugs dress is my sisters , so its a bit big but very twirly and girlie :)

Pretty girls. How fun are tea parties and dress up?

This is how we roll. On our way for our weekend away last week.

Mama and baby girl :)

My princesa HAS to dress for the woods :)

3 of the 4 babies :)

Have a wonderful Friday. Hope everyone stays healthy! I am off to bed ..the ibuprofen/Tylenol rounds start pretty early...then there is the baby girl wakings ..and Boo also wakes now since she is afraid of Halloween. Seriously!?! Do they have to put so many scary commercials on tv?

GOOD NIGHT :)

Curly Girl !

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:16:00 +0000

As much as I love the big bows, I gotta say I love this look too.

Baby Girls curls are just beautiful.

Cheeky smile I love :)

~Court is open in Ethiopia ! Can I get a "woot woot !!"

~huge Congratulations to Theresa, Baby Orange is coming home!!Go peek at some beautiful eyes. (fixed the type-o..of course she has 2 eyes !)

~2 older kids are running fevers :( boo hiss. I think a dr's appt is in our busy future. Fingers crossed babies dont get it.

~I turned around tonite in the kitchen to find Boo and Baby girl running and squealing around the island trailing a roll of toilet paper behind them!! LOL...I love having babies close in age it is so fun seeing their relationship grow :)

Happy week to all (psst..I found my camera wire so watch out :)

Prayer Warriors Needed !

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:43:00 +0000

I had asked everyone to please keep a sweet little boy, Vincent in your prayers a few months back. Well..more then ever we need every pray and positive vibe sent his way. I know so many of you truly believe in the power of joined prayers , so please will you help ?? I have copied this text from my dear friend Angie's update on our Guatemalan adoption board. Vincent has a sister born in Guatemala and the family lost a young daughter...they can not lose their son!! There isnt much I could add...a MIRACLE IS TRULY NEEDED.

From Angie ~
***you may remember i posted awhile back about Jennifer's son Vincent in need ofprayers, as he was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer calledrhabdomyosarcoma... it is a soft tissue cancer and V had tumors in manylocations on his body (legs, pelvis, spine), with the tumor of origin being inhis calf. he has been doing amazingly well through the 1st 7 rounds of chemo &was due to go in last Friday for round 8, but his blood counts were not goodenough - those got up on Monday good enough to start chemo this week, but hewas/is having this horrible pain in his legs - they thought it could be due tothe raditation (which, yes, he is now simultaneously undergoing) or the virusthat he had last week that wiped him out (he was very ill for several days).when they went in Wednesday morning to start round 8, the drs decided to do somescans before they started to try to get an answer on this continuing very badpain in both legs - since it seemed like it should be just in one if it was fromthe radiation (they are only radiating the tumor of origin in the one leg) andif it was from the virus that should have passed by now...well... it is with a heavy heart that i must share that the news was not good.the cancer has spread to Vincent's brain and the prognosis, which was alreadyvery slim (10-15%) is now very difficult to bear... as Jennifer's latest messagewas titled "in desperate need of a miracle"they are keeping faith-focused and I just humbly ask, PLEASE that everyone say aprayer and share with anyone and everyone & ask them to pray and add VincentVillacci to every single prayer list that you know of and ask God to grant thismiracle for this family that has already lost one child...i can't remember if you have to be "added" or you have to create an passwordaccount to get in, or how it words, but, here is Vincent's care page if you are able to access...https://www.carepages.com/carepages/vincentvillacci

Bye Bye Bunny

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:35:00 +0000

Rest in peace Buttercup

This morning Bug's first bunny, passed away. No idea why it was his time but he is now in heaven.

Man I hate this. I hate to see my kiddos so sad.

Bye sweet little guy...

Seriously...

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:43:00 +0000

If kids do not get healthy at my house VERY soon and stop whining.....

I may just jump out the window.
(ok. It is a first floor house, so climbin out the window will be the most dangerous part...then flinging myself in the bushes will be just wierd. I may do it anyway)

SERIOUSLY. 3 WHINEY KIDS.1 GRUMPY KID. 1 VERY STRESSED MAMA..

ADD WINE :)

Yummy recipe ***

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:10:00 +0000

** I had to edit the recipe...I forgot to add the tomato paste :) in case you care and I know you do ;)
I swear I havent run away. Since the camping trip, I have misplaced my camera wire to download. And we all know a post without pictures is ...well...not as much fun :)

I made this recipe this week and had to share. It came out yummy! I changed it up a bit so I changed the name ;) seemed fair. The original is posted on my facebook page. Oh yeah! I was guilted into joining fb :)

**Ria's Bar-b-q Brunswick Stew**
6 ounces diced salt pork
3 pounds chicken tendorlions or breast meat (if you like dark meat , you can use that and just take out the bones and skin)
12 cups water
4-1/2 potatoes, cubed
4-1/2 onions, chopped
1-1/2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
3 cups frozen whole kernel shoepeg corn
1 yellow squash cut into thick chunks
1 bag frozen mixed veggies
1-1/2 (10 ounce) packages frozen lima beans
1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper *more or less for taste
2/3 bottle sweet bar-b-q sauce ( I used Sonny's)
1 tsp vinegar
1 can tomato paste**
1 handful fresh spinach torn with stems removed

Feeds 18 servings so plenty for dinner and to freeze for later

boil the chicken and pork, when cooked remove to cool then shred chicken and take out any super fatty pieces of pork. If you dont mind them , leave them in :)
add all veggies and ingredients except spinach , add that at the end. Put meat back in and let it all simmer for 2 hours :)
serve with a loaf of hard bread.
YUM.

I am sooooo excited fall is in the air !

Things overheard..

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:49:00 +0000

This is a few of the little gems I overheard today when I treated myself to MUCH needed haircut and highlights, Which I LOVE!! I had never been to this salon before so I just sat back and enjoyed all the wisdom.....

1*"I'm sorry but you are not black"
(talking about Pres. Obama and her cousin who is bi-racial)
2* "You are not black!" "you were raised by white parents , lived a white life, you are not black!" (speaking of her black cousin who was adopted by a white family, now getting a break on college costs due to be....hmmmm.black)
3*"why do indians get everything for free? You are not an indian...do you live in a tee-pee? No? then you arent an indian !" The folks with indian heritage might not agree...(again irked over free college)
4*President Obama is the first bi-racial president NOT the first black President! (I do agree with this)But not this-
"Funny how he had no black friends and pretended to be white until he ran for President" (hmmm...HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE BLACK!)
5*How do we even know they are poor? Maybe the mexican government just shows all these little small mexican indians to the world so they can get money for them" (ok. those "little small mexican indians are either aztec or mayan...mayan indian being my daughters heritage and they are truly THAT POOR)
6* "you know mexico treats the indians like the bottom of the pile ,they probably get free college too!" ( I DOUBT IT)
and the last bit of wisdom over heard in a beauty salon...
7* "all gay people have been abused as kids and this makes them feel better"
AHHHHH!!!

I have no problem saying what I believe , but honestly this was so entertaining to just listen to these 3 women ramble on and on , I didnt say a word. I wanted to pull out pictures of my beautiful black Ethiopian daughter (who CLEARLY will not be black since she is raised by white parents..yup. good to know ;P ) and my beautiful Mayan Princesa but didnt think they deserved it :)

****HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO MY FELLOW FLORIDA FRIENDS THE BOYCE FAMILY FOR THE REFERRAL OF THEIR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER TODAY!!!!***

~We are off for a quick camping trip. Enjoy your week :) Be back sunday :)

Baby Girl is ONE !!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:38:00 +0000

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATIANA :):)

WE ARE SO PROUD AND HAPPY TO BE YOUR FAMILY AND FOR YOU TO BE OUR DAUGHTER. YOU ARE A TEENY PACKAGE OF PURE JOY AND LOVE :)

AFTER DIGGING INTO HER CAKE
(eek...messy :)

AUNT MEME AND CRAZY GRAN-MA

Peanut wanted so badly to bake a birthday cake for his baby sister. I gave him free rein and he baked (from scratch) a double chocolate ,3 tier cake with fudge icing...yum. He also baked baby girl her own little cupcake to dig into. What a sweet boy he is :)

Me and my friend jess, she has 8 kids and my kids all have a friend their age in her happy bunch.

Mama getting a squeeze in on the birthday girl

First bite of yummy watermelon

Birthday girl :) this dress is a

size 3-6 months and fits great HEEHEE!

My kiddos and friends

All the toddlers :)

Cheeky baby enjoying her party!

First trip to Toys r ** to pick out a birthday gift :)

Birthday morning Aunt Meme brought over the traditional

birthday munchkins :)
she is so sweet, she does this

for each childs birthday.

We woke Baby Girl singing "Happy Birthday " and she

looked at us like we were a bit kooky.. :) then she just kept giggling :)

**The quilt on the back of her crib my mom and I made . Well, she did all the sewing I did the designing ;) it has a matching pillows, pillow case and crib skirt. Both Boo and baby girl have one. Their room is going to be sooo pretty once its done. Pictures to follow ;)

LAST NIGHT AT 11 MONTHS OLD :)

My teeny girl turned 12 months old at 19#s wearing 3-6 month and 6 month clothes ! I love my itty bitty baby :)

(I know the pictures are backwards..sorry about that )

HAVE A WONDERFUL MONDAY :):)

I lied...

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:57:00 +0000

My next post will be Wonderful Birthday pictures of sweet Baby girl I promise :)

I have a lot of thoughts , lots going on in the adoption community right now, but dont feel up to being thought provoking ;)

So enjoy the cuteness instead :)

How lucky am I to be their Mama ?

Are there many things cuter then a beautiful toddler in a tutu??

Boo wears this tutu under or over EVERYTHING!!

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone :):)

P.s. I am thrilled to hear the little baby boy who came home with many special needs has found a new VERY SPECIAL family !! GOD is GOOD!

New Year, New Busy Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:21:00 +0000

Boo striking a pose :)

Baby girl hanging with mama while the kids take classes at the homeschool co-op. Her bday post is coming next I promise !

I admit I am a bit of a homebody so this new busy schedule is taking a bit of getting used to but we are loving it !

Bug and Peanut on the first day of school. I signed them up for homeschool co-op this year on thursdays. Bug is taking violin and peanut is taking Chefs apprentice :) Way cool.

My sweet Boo finally taking ballerina lessons (as she calls them:) She loves "Barbie and the 12 dancing Princesses" so she was thrilled to take ballerina and tap lessons :) they are too darn cute ! Bug is taking HIP-HOP and Modeling classes. I didnt get a picture of her yet. So that is 3 classes just on saturdays....

Baby Girl is wearing a lil ducky towel that all my kids have worn. My son (10 yrs ago) received this towel as a gift. She is pretty cute no?

MUCH needed updates~

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Couldn't you just gobble this baby up? Oh she just steals my heart :) (heck she OWNS it :) This is baby girl when we first arrived at the sleep study institute , it was almost bedtime....

Daddy and bug drove us the hour to the office then had to leave us there ..sniff. I HATE being away from my family. Btw~the chair I am sitting in-that was my bed. C.O.M.F.Y.

OH MAN. By the time we reached this point baby girl had TONS of wires and tape on her and had cried so hard she was just hiccuping and squeaking...it was awful. I felt like crap :(

she kept pulling her blankie up over her face :( poor baby.

She fell asleep quickly after her bottle. I slept next to her in the chair. All night the tech would come in and check her many wires...if baby girl sensed her in the room she would go from sleep to screaming ! How she got any sleep in beyond me.

Finally ! 5am rolled around and the tech came and woke us up and said it was time to go ! Yippee!! But..now she had to take ALL THE WIRES AND TAPE OFF- imagine ripping many

band-aids off your baby over and over. And the gunk they put under the sensors on her head was awful, thats why she had to wear the little cap. It kept the yucky stuff in and the electrodes in place.

Her beautiful curls were all sticky and full of yuck.

She didnt care about the yucky stuff in her hair, she was just so happy to go home !!
She was doing this silly giggle and cracking herself up :) I was still in a bit of a fog, at 5am :) But so happy to have my happy baby back :)

Look at all those wires, those all came off my teeny baby :)

Her hair was so messy , I put the cap back on so her car seat wouldnt get ruined. I HAD to accessorize with a bow :)

So happy to be home with Papi

How cute is she ? I had to wash her hair 4 times and really let the shampoo sit then it all finally came out. It took a several days to get the results and they were .............................

NORMAL!

I felt really mixed feelings when they told me nothing showed up. Why in the world did I put her through this? I certainly dont want anything to be wrong but I was really hoping for an answer, Finally after 5 months of no answers. Ugh. Now the dr doesnt want her to come back for follow up , he wants me to take her to an Ear , Nose and throat dr. Hopefully this will be the answer. I know we are so blessed that nothing is really wrong with her. I just wish we had an answer to this frustrating noise.

~Oh my gosh. Can you believe my teeny little Ethiopian baby girl is going to be one!! September 3.....

Not lost..

noreply@blogger.com (Maria and Family) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:05:00 +0000

I am here. I am pooped. I am trying to find time to post. I wonder what to share? Kids are great. Life..overwhelming at times.
btw~I took Baby girl for her sleep study on tuesday night.
F.U.N.