Happy New Year everyone!!
We had a great Holiday. It was very exciting and the kids were great. The boys took it all in stride and seemed to enjoy all the new activities. The little kids went to see Santa and Blake was soooo excited he screamed SANTA for 10 minutes. The Big girls got two extra days off school for snow the week before Chirstmas when we got over 12 inches. They all had a ball. Blake will turn 3 on January 19th and he is very excited. He has definitley figured out what Birthdays are all about. Syd and B are back in school and we are all tring to navigate the very cold temps the best we can. Here are some new photos. God Bless and Happy 2010!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Merry Christmas to ALL!!
Merry Christmas everyone. I can't believe it has been 2 months since I posted last. I guess I know what one of my New Year Resolutions will be. We spent Thanksgiving week in Orlando visiting Mickey Mouse. Jeff's Parents gave us all the trip for an early Christmas present and we had a ball. We rented a house and it was super. It had a heated pool, game room and plenty of space for all of us. Jeff and I are still in debate who had more fun, the kids or Poppop Howard. We had some family time, big kid time, grandparent time and an overall great time.
Travis turned four the day we returned and got his first taste of an "American Birthday". We loved seeing the big smiles and joy on his face. He is doing really well. His English is fluent (well 4 year old fluent). We wish he was putting on weight faster but he is growing wonderfully. He is never still and we are just afraid he will try to rewire the Christmas tree before we take it down.
Blake will be 3 in January and is packing on the pounds. He loves to eat and I love to feed him. He is growing well all around and is a generally happy kid. He is speaking well and loves to learn. He can count, knows colors and is learning shapes.
Devon is a trip. She has grasped language skills with a lot of flare and keeps us laughing. God knew what he was doing when he made her cute. She has her own ideas about how things should be done and what pace they should be done as well. Needless to say, she is our challenge right now. She is very loving and it is so great to hear " I lob you too mommy".
Sydney is just growing up so fast. We put in her application for Sussex Technical High School. I can't believe she will be in High School next year. Her grades have really improved this year and she is finding her way in a teenage world. Her sense of humor keeps us in stitches. We are really enjoying her these days.
Branagh is doing Irish Tap dancing this fall and loves it. Her first recital is next week and we are looking forward to her performance. The middle school transition has proven to be quite a challenge for her. She seems to be settling in and hopefully will show improvement the second half of the year.
The weather has not cooperated with Jeff in November. All the rain has made it difficult to get corn and soybeans out and get wheat planted. He has kept a brave face and moved forward the best he can. He has been very busy with 4-H with Sydney and Branagh and it is good bonding time for them.
Overall, Work is work, Home is busy and God is good. We are so excited to share the holidays with our family complete. It was just a year ago we got the referrals from Russia for both boys and they have been home almost 8 months already!!! We wish you all the Merriest of Christmas' filled with Love, Joy and most of all each other. Come see us if you are in the neighborhood. We don't get out much but love the company.
Travis turned four the day we returned and got his first taste of an "American Birthday". We loved seeing the big smiles and joy on his face. He is doing really well. His English is fluent (well 4 year old fluent). We wish he was putting on weight faster but he is growing wonderfully. He is never still and we are just afraid he will try to rewire the Christmas tree before we take it down.
Blake will be 3 in January and is packing on the pounds. He loves to eat and I love to feed him. He is growing well all around and is a generally happy kid. He is speaking well and loves to learn. He can count, knows colors and is learning shapes.
Devon is a trip. She has grasped language skills with a lot of flare and keeps us laughing. God knew what he was doing when he made her cute. She has her own ideas about how things should be done and what pace they should be done as well. Needless to say, she is our challenge right now. She is very loving and it is so great to hear " I lob you too mommy".
Sydney is just growing up so fast. We put in her application for Sussex Technical High School. I can't believe she will be in High School next year. Her grades have really improved this year and she is finding her way in a teenage world. Her sense of humor keeps us in stitches. We are really enjoying her these days.
Branagh is doing Irish Tap dancing this fall and loves it. Her first recital is next week and we are looking forward to her performance. The middle school transition has proven to be quite a challenge for her. She seems to be settling in and hopefully will show improvement the second half of the year.
The weather has not cooperated with Jeff in November. All the rain has made it difficult to get corn and soybeans out and get wheat planted. He has kept a brave face and moved forward the best he can. He has been very busy with 4-H with Sydney and Branagh and it is good bonding time for them.
Overall, Work is work, Home is busy and God is good. We are so excited to share the holidays with our family complete. It was just a year ago we got the referrals from Russia for both boys and they have been home almost 8 months already!!! We wish you all the Merriest of Christmas' filled with Love, Joy and most of all each other. Come see us if you are in the neighborhood. We don't get out much but love the company.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
October Already
Needless to say, things have been really busy around here. Sydney and Branagh are back in school and working very hard. The school they attend is very challenging. Branagh is in 6th grade and the transition is always an uphill battle. Sydney is having an easier time as this is her 3rd year there. Both girls are still riding horses as often as they can. Branagh is also taking dance classes in Irish Tap and is really enjoying it. Both have joined 4-H and are active in the Church youth group.
The "Toddlers" (as we refer to the three little ones) are all doing well. Travis had surgery to have his teeth fixed and is doing well. He is very proud of his new "dinosaur" teeth. Blake is growing like a weed and can not seem to get enough food. He loves to watch Mickey Mouse and is very loving. Both boys speak all English and are doing great. Devon is quite a handful these days. She wants things her way and is very unhappy when Mom and Dad see it differently. She is healthy and happy though so what more could we ask for.
Jeff has been crazy busy on the farm. The Corn has all been harvested and he has started on the soybeans. He has worked wonders cleaning out the woods by the house and it looks great. Please ask him about Pheasants. You will love the response. Things are the same for me, working 3 days a week at the Hospital and trying to keep up the rest of the week.
We are all going to Disney for the week of Thanksgiving. Not sure if we are brave or stupid but we will let you know when we return. Jeff's parents are going too so at least we have some extra hands. It should be a Turkey day to remember. Love to all, I will try and do better keeping up with this and I will post some new pics soon. XXOO Jodi
The "Toddlers" (as we refer to the three little ones) are all doing well. Travis had surgery to have his teeth fixed and is doing well. He is very proud of his new "dinosaur" teeth. Blake is growing like a weed and can not seem to get enough food. He loves to watch Mickey Mouse and is very loving. Both boys speak all English and are doing great. Devon is quite a handful these days. She wants things her way and is very unhappy when Mom and Dad see it differently. She is healthy and happy though so what more could we ask for.
Jeff has been crazy busy on the farm. The Corn has all been harvested and he has started on the soybeans. He has worked wonders cleaning out the woods by the house and it looks great. Please ask him about Pheasants. You will love the response. Things are the same for me, working 3 days a week at the Hospital and trying to keep up the rest of the week.
We are all going to Disney for the week of Thanksgiving. Not sure if we are brave or stupid but we will let you know when we return. Jeff's parents are going too so at least we have some extra hands. It should be a Turkey day to remember. Love to all, I will try and do better keeping up with this and I will post some new pics soon. XXOO Jodi
Monday, August 10, 2009
Has it been a month already? Time sure flies. I have been back to work for a month and everyone is adjusting well to the new schedule. The Boys have joined Devon at Miss Elaine's daycare and seem to really enjoy it. Miss Elaine says the boys are the best behaved in the place, Devon is another story. She is definitely acting like a two year old.
Sydney and Branagh went to East Coast Championship horse show in Lexington VA. Branagh won Champion for her division and Sydney finished with a top 5. We are so proud of them both. They are off to camp in North East Maryland on 8/16 and then school starts on 8/31. Jeff has been busy keeping up with the farm. All the rain dances he has learned have not helped at all. It is still very dry here and we are thankful for Irrigation.
Travis is scheduled for Dental Surgery on 8/24 so please keep him in your prayers. We are excited to finally get his teeth fixed. They are very decayed and we are sure he is in constant pain. Travis has not gained weight as fast as Blake and we are hopeful this will help. Both boys weigh a little over 26lbs and look so much healthier. They love to be outside and have a great tan. I will post more pictures soon. Love to all, J&J
Sydney and Branagh went to East Coast Championship horse show in Lexington VA. Branagh won Champion for her division and Sydney finished with a top 5. We are so proud of them both. They are off to camp in North East Maryland on 8/16 and then school starts on 8/31. Jeff has been busy keeping up with the farm. All the rain dances he has learned have not helped at all. It is still very dry here and we are thankful for Irrigation.
Travis is scheduled for Dental Surgery on 8/24 so please keep him in your prayers. We are excited to finally get his teeth fixed. They are very decayed and we are sure he is in constant pain. Travis has not gained weight as fast as Blake and we are hopeful this will help. Both boys weigh a little over 26lbs and look so much healthier. They love to be outside and have a great tan. I will post more pictures soon. Love to all, J&J
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Happy 4th of July...
Hello everyone,
I realize that I have been falling down on my "blogging" responsibility. Things have been very busy but everyone seems to have adjusted to our new state of controlled (and sometimes not controlled) chaos. The boys are doing well and are really enjoying having their big sisters at home. Blake has grown 2 inches and gained 2.5 lbs since the beginning of May. Travis has grown 1 inch and gained 1 .5 lbs. They still have a lot of catching up to do but are off to a good start. Unfortunately, my leave time is coming to an end. I have to return to work next Monday so we have begun yet another adjustment period. They started daycare this week with Devon at Miss Elaine's. The did well the first day but only stayed until lunch time. Today they will stay through nap and we will see how that goes.
The farm has been so crazy. Poor Jeff has been leaving for work at 5am and not returning some nights until after 9pm. He is trying to catch up now that the weather is cooperating somewhat. The big girls have been my saving grace. They are growing up so fast. We are leaving for the Region 15 championship Horse show this Thursday. Both are showing in 2 classes and are really excited. I love the time alone with them but dread leaving the little guys behind.
Hope everyone enjoys the 4th of July Holiday. J&J
I realize that I have been falling down on my "blogging" responsibility. Things have been very busy but everyone seems to have adjusted to our new state of controlled (and sometimes not controlled) chaos. The boys are doing well and are really enjoying having their big sisters at home. Blake has grown 2 inches and gained 2.5 lbs since the beginning of May. Travis has grown 1 inch and gained 1 .5 lbs. They still have a lot of catching up to do but are off to a good start. Unfortunately, my leave time is coming to an end. I have to return to work next Monday so we have begun yet another adjustment period. They started daycare this week with Devon at Miss Elaine's. The did well the first day but only stayed until lunch time. Today they will stay through nap and we will see how that goes.
The farm has been so crazy. Poor Jeff has been leaving for work at 5am and not returning some nights until after 9pm. He is trying to catch up now that the weather is cooperating somewhat. The big girls have been my saving grace. They are growing up so fast. We are leaving for the Region 15 championship Horse show this Thursday. Both are showing in 2 classes and are really excited. I love the time alone with them but dread leaving the little guys behind.
Hope everyone enjoys the 4th of July Holiday. J&J
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Summer update...
Hello all from Chaos grand central,
Summer is finally here. Both older girls are now done school for the summer. They both did well and are ready to move on to 8th and 6th grade. Somehow it does not seem possible that they are both in Middle school. We will start looking at High Schools for Sydney in the Fall. WOW, where are our two little girls.
We are heading off on Wednesday to Lexington VA for a horse show with the two older girls. Branagh will ride Saddle Seat this year. It will be a little different for her but she looks great so far. She will ride Mr. Holland LOA (the horse Syd showed last year). Sydney also shows saddle seat but they are in different age groups still this year. Syd will show X Factor, a new horse we purchased this winter. He is working well for her so far. I will be sure to post pictures when I can.
Devon is doing well and is getting very proficient at expressing herself. She told me this morning that I was using Nina's cup. She is definitely acting her age and expressing herself and her opinion at every opportunity.
The boys are doing better everyday. We are still working on attachment issues which are foreign to all of us. The social worker gave us some great tips and assured us it just takes time. Travis needs some pretty extensive dental work and will have to go the the Operating Room at AI Dupont to have it all completed. WE are still working through some medical issues but so far no major surprises. Blake is doing really well with his glasses and his eye is improving already. He leaves them alone for the most part except for the day he thought they needed to be cleaned and placed them in the kitchen sink. Took me a while to find them (only after tearing the car, yard, living room apart looking for them).
I will update soon best wishes to all....... J&J
Summer is finally here. Both older girls are now done school for the summer. They both did well and are ready to move on to 8th and 6th grade. Somehow it does not seem possible that they are both in Middle school. We will start looking at High Schools for Sydney in the Fall. WOW, where are our two little girls.
We are heading off on Wednesday to Lexington VA for a horse show with the two older girls. Branagh will ride Saddle Seat this year. It will be a little different for her but she looks great so far. She will ride Mr. Holland LOA (the horse Syd showed last year). Sydney also shows saddle seat but they are in different age groups still this year. Syd will show X Factor, a new horse we purchased this winter. He is working well for her so far. I will be sure to post pictures when I can.
Devon is doing well and is getting very proficient at expressing herself. She told me this morning that I was using Nina's cup. She is definitely acting her age and expressing herself and her opinion at every opportunity.
The boys are doing better everyday. We are still working on attachment issues which are foreign to all of us. The social worker gave us some great tips and assured us it just takes time. Travis needs some pretty extensive dental work and will have to go the the Operating Room at AI Dupont to have it all completed. WE are still working through some medical issues but so far no major surprises. Blake is doing really well with his glasses and his eye is improving already. He leaves them alone for the most part except for the day he thought they needed to be cleaned and placed them in the kitchen sink. Took me a while to find them (only after tearing the car, yard, living room apart looking for them).
I will update soon best wishes to all....... J&J
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Hello all,
SO sorry it has been so long since made a post. We are doing very well with our new family. Sydney and Branagh are almost done school for the year and we are all looking forward to summer vacation and a slightly slower pace. Travis is doing great. He is inquisitive and does not miss a thing. He can sing the alphabet and count to 5 in English. We are working on shapes and colors and he is a fast learner. He speaks about 75% English but still rambles in Russian on occasion. Blake is doing great with his english as well. He has come into his own and shows it with temper tantrums. Devon is still the queen B but really enjoys playing with her "brodders" and bossing them around. Here are some new pictures. Enjoy!! J&J
SO sorry it has been so long since made a post. We are doing very well with our new family. Sydney and Branagh are almost done school for the year and we are all looking forward to summer vacation and a slightly slower pace. Travis is doing great. He is inquisitive and does not miss a thing. He can sing the alphabet and count to 5 in English. We are working on shapes and colors and he is a fast learner. He speaks about 75% English but still rambles in Russian on occasion. Blake is doing great with his english as well. He has come into his own and shows it with temper tantrums. Devon is still the queen B but really enjoys playing with her "brodders" and bossing them around. Here are some new pictures. Enjoy!! J&J
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