Happy Birthday Korey Isaacs!

We went up to the farm this weekend to celebrate my niece Korey's birthday. She is turning a whopping 4 years old! She is at that adorable stage where everything she says is SO cute and funny, and we are all biting our lips to keep from laughing our heads off! You can't help but love her instantly! My mom had planned such a special weekend for the kids. She had an animal themed weekend planned. For the party the kids got to: use flashlights to find the "escaped" pets hidden all around the yard, garden, and trees, have a pet show and win a trophy for each animal, play pet shop and have the adults all buy an animal, play pin the tail on the donkey, play instruments, dress up etc. Eli had a blast playing with his cousins. They all enjoyed swinging on the tire swing, riding the 4-wheeler, searching for the cows, having a bonfire and roasting hot dogs and making smores, having a tea party in the special lilac bush fort etc. Destin spent the weekend catching snakes and "Daddy long legs" spiders, and a stinky turtle. I don't think I ever saw him without a snake or spider. What a cutie! Cora just soaked it all in and enjoyed grabbing for everyone's faces and hair! She started blowing raspberries at my mom too. I made an extra effort to make sure to tell each kid individually that I love them and think they are so special and give them some extra snuggles! I can't get enough of these spunky kids!

We're really enjoying the crisp and cool Fall mornings around here! Eli is talking more and more every day and it's a lot of fun to see what he'll come up with next! I'm just trying to enjoy every moment with the kids and treasuring watching them love and play with each other!

State Fair

Our band played at the Kansas State Fair yesterday. We had a great turnout (for our no name band) and sold around 14 cds. Most importantly though, I got an amazing message from someone in the crowd that I'd like to share. First, I should mention that I have been so stressed and dreading this show, not because I don't love doing it, just that it has gotten really hard with the kids. Practicing for this has been disaster. Trying to deal with the kids and do music just causes me a lot of anxiety, since Cora is a baby. Once she's Eli's age it will be a lot easier. I just have to accept that right now my kids are my ministry! Since both kids have been sick I just have been figuring I would be sick with this show and probably have to cancel because I usually lose my voice with a cold. I told Brandon yesterday that I couldn't believe I wasn't sick and that God probably really has a reason for this show. Turns out He did. Here is the message I received:

"Today me and my 2 adoptive children attended one of your performances at the state fair. My daughter who is now 27 has PTSD because of childhood abuse. She came to our home at age 13. She fit right into our family, my biological children have accepted her with open arms. We all understand that we will always have to care for her. She has never shown much emotion she does not call me mom and she has never shown much attachment to any of us. In the last 2 years there have been some very hard times and some suffering for me related to her. This has been so strong in fact and she has had so much anger (the only emotion she does freely show) that I have wondered if I was doing right by her and by me. Today at the Kansas State Fair the combination of 2 of your songs for whatever reason spoke to her, she cried! When I asked her why she was crying she told me that "Miracle" reminded her of what we all went through with the birth of Angela (my youngest child) and "Africa" made her think about some stuff and then she laid her head on me to hug me (she has only hugged me 3 other times) and she told me "I love you". She has never told me that she loved me! At that moment I had my answer to my own struggle, yes I am doing the right thing she is still growing and she has bonded to me! Her love is the most valuable gift I could ever get from her and I never believed I would ever get. I just wanted you to know that your group played a part in bringing out something in my child that in 14 years nothing else could. We bought your CD and I can tell you that those 2 songs will also bring tears to my eyes. Thank you."

Humbled and blessed is all I can say! As far as the kids go, they had a BLAST at the fair. My parents and Kurt Chapman babysat while we played and Eli had a great time! He wanted to see all the animals, so they spent their time at the petting zoo (where Eli kissed a cow's butt....yes you read that correctly) and enjoyed feeding the goats one grain at a time :-). The rest of the time he spent with the cows and sheep. It was difficult dragging him away from his beloved sheep. He didn't want to leave! My mom has all the pictures and videos on her camera, so as soon as I see them and get the photos I'll post some of him with the animals! I can't wait to see them myself!

Cora's 4 month Stats.

Cora had her 4 month appointment this week. These are always nerve wracking for me. As a homemaker, raising these kids is my job and my priviledge. I want to make sure I'm doing a good job. I love our pediatrician (and so do my kids...considering she gives Eli fresh baked cookies when he comes). Dr. Barker is upfront but also encouraging. She's GREAT! Cora's stats are as follows: 14 lbs 4 oz (75%), 23 1/2 inches (25%), and her head was 15 3/4 (30%). I glanced at Eli's baby book to compare. He was a pound less, the exact same height, and a bigger head :-). Anyway, Dr. Barker thought Cora looked wonderful and is very strong. She thought she'd probably be crawling by her six month appointment (YIKES)! Cora can already sit up on her own for a short time before toppling over. She discovered her toes and is playing with toys like crazy. She sucks/chews on her hands and fingers constantly and still takes a pacifier at sleep time. She loves watching her brother and has started laughing at his goofy self and especially when tickled. She has started making a new higher pitched squeal as well as growling constantly. She loves reading books with her brother, Peek-a-boo, and bounching on my knees while I sing "Pop goes the Wheasel."

Happy Birthday Miss Precious Isaacs

We enjoyed a quick trip to visit my sister's family in their new house in Pittsburg, KS. I've missed my nieces and nephew so bad! I already feel like I missed out on some of their childhood (considering they were just adopted 5 months ago) and I don't want to miss any more!!! The trip was great. It's about 3 hour if you stop, 2 1/2 if not. We laughed so hard because on the way there we had to stop like 4 times for Eli to poop/pee in his potty on the side of the road. What were we supposed to do? It's just a beautiful drive of trees and fields, but that's about it. There are a few gas stations but no major places to stop. It was actually my first time to drive to southeast Kansas and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Eli was so excited to see his cousins. He spent most of the couple days we were there jumping on the trampoline and playing hide and seek in their new giant house! I was thrilled to shower little miss Precious with attention and love for her 6th birthday. She soaked up all the attention and loved all her gifts, games, and fun. My mom put on a fun birthday party for her, which included a puppet show, a few games, and fishing for prizes at the end. The kids loved it! I already miss my sister, Joel, and the kids. I love their kids as if I'd known them their whole lives. It's amazing! You can see a big difference in the kids from when they got them to now. It's amazing what good care, a good home, a good school, and a LOT of love will do!

Professional pictures

I have two sick kids and no time to write, but hopefully soon I'll write about our great weekend visiting my sister's family in Pittsburg, KS. Here are some pictures in the meantime!

Cora's Dedication

We had a very special weekend because it was Cora's dedication at church! Brandon's mom came up to visit and my parents, Will, and Kurt Chapman joined us on Sunday at church. Terese Crouse is our new children's pastor and she did an amazing job at making it a special time for us. We read Cora's verse which is Lamentations 3:22-26: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Then, Terese shared what God had shown her while she was praying for Cora. She said she saw Cora wearing lots of dresses, that she will have a different perspective than others and we need to take the time to see her perspective on things, and that she will be known for her compassion and service to others. The congregation then joined in prayer for her. It was definitely an emotional time for us all! Terese was so sweet to give us a special dedication certificate that I can put in her scrapbook. We had fun celebrating the day with the family! Having these two wonderful children has made me RICH indeed!