2 Years and More Easter Fun!

This Thursday marked the 2 year anniversary of the first time we saw Luca's face, the day we received our referral and in our hearts became a family of FOUR.  The memory of our caseworker's voice on the phone is burned in my memory forever...."There's a little girl in Shashemene," she said, and instantly I thought, "oh my gosh, my child is in SHASHEMENE!"  (Not that I knew what or where in the world "Shashemene" was, but instantly I felt her presence there and she was real...and she was mine!)  Our two paths had parrallelled in a way only God could orchestrate, and it was crystal clear she was predestined for our family.  I literally shook the rest of the day in an adrenaline rush, and then the painful wait to November began, during which I would stare at these pictures TIRELESSLY, praying that God would protect and comfort the broken heart of this precious lamb. 

This is the very first image that popped up on my email after talking to the caseworker, the first time I ever saw Luca's face.  L-O-V-E.

I stared at this one so long, I began to notice minute details like the pair of dirty footprints on the wall (can you find them??)  If I could have walked to Ethiopia to hold this girl for even a moment, I would have left yesterday.  The wait was long, the road hard, and the reward unfathomable. 

More Easter activities this week too...won't write too much...I think you get the gist! 

Love this one my sister took of these silly little punks!

The girls' eggs had lots to do with sparkle...

...and frill.

And then there were the boys' eggs. 

Girl egg. 

Boy egg. 

Any questions? 

:-) 

Oh yeah, and here's a conversation we'll be having at

our house every day for the next 2 weeks or so: 

Kids:  What's for breakfast? 

Me:  Hard boiled eggs. 

Kids:  Again?!?

Me:  Yep.

Happy Easter Everyone! 

Severely Out-numbered

My sweet nephews spent the night last night so their mama could go to work early this morning.  Danny also had to work, leaving me alone with FOUR kiddos!  The odds were definitely NOT in my favor (4:1 !!!!), so I decided to plan some fun activities to keep everyone sane busy.  ;-) 

The party began with a campout in our living room,

complete with a tent, a scary story and s'mores!

Snuggle toes!

The weather was a bit cool today, but Easter was on our brains, so I hid some confetti Easter eggs in the back yard for a hunt.  Afterwards we headed to the park to break them open in an egg war. 

We then headed to the local grocery store where the Easter Bunny was making an appearance and then back home to try out our new sidewalk paint! 

Just a routine traffic stop (Garret was speeding and forced to pay...

you do the crime, you do the time, buddy!) 

An exhausting and super fun time spent with all 4 kiddos,

and a reminder of how much I love each and every one of them. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We celebrated our St. Patrick's Day on Monday this year since Danny has school tonight.  My folks came over along with my Gram and great-uncle, and all the traditional fixins were prepared...mmmm...mmmm! 

Mom's Irish soda bread

Danny's cabbage & red potatoes...the kids just gobbled this cabbage right up (yeah right!)

Corned beef

Brenin's gold "leprechaun" coin which happens to fit just perfectly in her eye (oh joy).

Beautiful Lukes Bazookes

We all adjourned to the music room following supper for some Irish music! 

As you can see from this picture, we're all a little nuts,

but boy did we have some laughs anyways! 

Brenin & Dad on the guitar & banjo

Brenin & Mom on the guitar & mandolin

Luca on the drums (oh yeah, and somewhere during the course of the evening, my children decided to put their Chinese outfits on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day...they're a little confused)  :) 

Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL St. Patrick's Day, Irish or not! 

Race Day Photos!!!

St. Patrick wishing us luck before the race!

A few minutes before the start! 

Not every day you see THIS walking down the sidewalk! 

Mile 1...Do I look like I'm struggling for breath...because I AM!!! 

Shannon at mile 2...she was a great encouragement and even ran with a thrown-out back!  Ouch! 

Almost home!

Sweet, sweet finish line!  36 minutes later!

The weather was absolutely perfect as old man winter took the week off!  We had such a great time getting "greened up" for the occasion and had many laughs along the way (in between, of course, gasping for life-giving air!)  Best of all, the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County was richly blessed! 

Run, Cari, Run! (read with Forrest Gump accent)

I’ll be running my first 5K tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.!

 Here’s a little summary of the week’s thought process on the matter: (just in case you were dying to know)

Sunday:  Oh look. That 5K’s only a week away now. That sure came up fast.
Monday: Ah, a good solid week of running ahead. I can DO this!
Wednesday: Is it Wednesday already????
Thursday: Ummmm...guys?  I think I might be in a little bit of trouble here! 
Friday:  I think I'm ill.
Saturday am:   help
Saturday pm: (trembling in the fetal position).



Pray.  




Seriously.





In honor of the event and the ridiculous boredom which ensued on a treadmill in preparation, I wrote this poem.  It's painfully good, so prepare yourself.  ;-)  (just kidding)


Pedometers, speedometers, Spandex, oh my!
Signed in for a 5K, why oh why?!? (I blame Shannon, by the way…)


My feet hit the pavement and I feel a little wiggle.

Things begin to jiggle that never used to jiggle!

Ne'er an athlete, at least I could skip.
I tried it this week and threw out my hip! 

I'm beginning to think this idea wasn't so great.
There must be a better way to lose this baby weight. 
**Disclaimer:  The author is fully aware that her first baby was born 7 years ago and her second on a completely different continent but still reserves the right to call it "baby weight...it's called 'artistic license,' people!"

What more can I say?  What more can I do?
Maybe I can say I came down with the flu!

Or measles or mumps or chicken pox galore,
Or the dog took my running shoes right out the door!

I'm digging deep now and know I'll find the strength, 
To run this first race, no matter it's length.

I'll see my babies cheering me on in the crowd,
And make them and their mommy ever so proud.

They'll see me struggle adn work for my goal.
They'll tuck that lesson deep in their soul.

I'll breathe a sigh of relief when I cross that finish line.
I'll check my pulse rate at five-ninety-nine. 

Collapsed in a pile on the blacktop bare, (I'm just being realistic here, folks). 
I'll thank God for that moment, so proud and so rare!


Pictures to follow!  Happy Sunday everyone!