More pumpkins!

This past wkend we went to the BIG pumpkin farm and wow, did those girlys have FUN!!! The weather was beautiful and some of our family got to join us too!















As soon as they saw the big pumpkins, they just wanted to hug them :)















(Literally) Running as fast as those little legs will go to DORA!!















They were both hugging and kissing those wooden cutouts (they're just so sweet :)




















"oh no" she does this for everything!! i can drop a paper clip and she'll say "oh no" and cover her mouth for the following 3 minutes (too cute!!)




















Riding on Daddy's shoulders















Another attempt at a family shot (sigh)















Trying to pick up the big pumpkin :)















Look at that face!















They loved to use the gourds as phones

Ok, so here is a Gabri and Addy update! They both go to see the doctor for a ckup this week (a little early for their 18 mos appointment). We are both guessing they are close to 18-19 lbs. I would LOVE for them to have hit that 20 lb mark, but they are just so petite and short, I don't think we're quite there yet (oh well :) I still can't get over just how much they grow and change every single day! They are both so, so smart. They love puzzles (addy can do a few on her own), dancing (finally got the booty shakin' thing down :), books and talking! Gabriella's new thing is the jack-in-the-box, she could sit there all day and wind that thing! They are both talking a ton, and i'd say are speaking around 20 words each. Cracker and wook (work, for "where is daddy at?") are the new ones this week :) They both take one LONG afternoon nap (usually 3-3.5 hrs) and they love, love, love food. Naaak, (for snack) is one of their favorite words. They also love "ah wa wa" (cross between agua and water :). They are running everywhere and when we tell them about Mommy's baby in her belly, they both put their finger to their mouth to say "shhh", I guess they're assuming the baby is sleeping! I cannot go to the grocery store without someone coming up to me and complimenting the girls -- just today a lady at Aldi told me they look like they belong in a movie (lol). I can't help going on and on, but for the sake of the blog I'll stop :) These girls are truly blessings straight from GOD, and not one day goes by that I cannot shake my head... how awesome that I get to be their mommy!!

How cool!

We got to hear our baby's heartbeat yesterday!! My official due date is May 25 and (promise) there is only ONE baby growing in my womb :) Sorry, to all those who were rooting for another set of twins :)

Pumpkins, blessings, goldfish

I apologize for taking so long to finally blog! We, of course, have been busy and honestly there's just been so much to say and not enough time to type it.

First, be sure to keep praying for Guatemalan adoptions.

Things are very uncertain right now, and my heart just aches for those families that are caught up with so many questions and have no answers. There are still so many Guatemalan children that need, want and deserve families.

We had lots of fall fun this wkend. On Saturday we took the girls to a small pumpkin farm right down the road from us, and i seriously think the best part was them wearing winter hats!! Yes, it was actually that chilly, plus we're all still getting over our third (yes, third) round of colds around here, so we made sure to bundle those girls up! They had tons of fun!




















Trying to get thru the hay maze
















Are you lovin' the hats?!?















Petting the pony















Two little pumpkins















Feeding the bunny hay















Sunday was such a special, special day for us. We had our Child Dedication service at church, and the girls were able to be a part of that ceremony. As we waited back stage, ready to commit our children publicly and officially to the LORD before our church family, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing (ok, I'm sure the pregnancy hormones weren't helping either :), but I thought about how Matt and I had sat in church thru the past year and watched family after family after family dedicate their child to the LORD. I remember longing more than anything for our girls to be home so that someday we could be a part of this ceremony and yesterday we were! True, our girls were probably some of the older kids being dedicated and i felt a tinge of sorrow that we weren't able to spend those early months of their lives together as a family, but above all my heart just overflowed with feeling so, so blessed! These girls are such a gift and GOD without a doubt knew how perfectly they would fit in to our family!















Up on stage















We were so excited that our family joined us to be a part of this special day















Trying for a family photo















Two little sweet peas















and had to include one of the ruffle butts :)


And lastly, thanks for all the CONGRATS comments! We are beyond excited about another new life! I am so excited for the girls to be big sisters and am totally looking forward to all the infant stuff (yes, even midnight feedings, etc)! I have my first doctor's appointment tomorrow and they should be able to confirm my due date, which is at the end of May. The girls turn 2 yrs old May 3, and our wedding anniversary is May 15. Soooo, May is turning into a busy month for us :) I have been feeling ok, but not great. Goldfish crackers, raisin bran and chicken noodle soup are about the only foods I can think about without feeling a need to run towards the bathroom. But, really I can't complain I know many, many woman have it much worse. I've not gotten as much done around the house, but that's probably because I've been napping everyday when the girls go down, hence not much is getting done, but i couldn't type enough about how awesome Matt has been -- helping so much and reassuring me I should not feel the slightest bit guilty. All in all, I am loving pregnancy and cannot wait to be a mom for the third time around! oh, and btw, yes minivans are currently on my list of things to be looking into :)

Pure Elation (ok, and a bit of shock :)

Seriously...

how is it, we go 4.5 mos in Guat with NO sickness and then in less than 2 mos of being home, everyone (but me thankfully) gets sick, not just once but twice?? (sigh) oh well, hopefully they'll all be feeling better soon, and in the meantime at least mommy is healthy enough to take care of everyone!

i'll let the pics show some of what we've been up to!














Mommy and one of her girls















Daddy and one of his girls




















Meeting Dora at the Hispanic Festival















The petting zoo















Mommy thought the best part was when the lamb sneezed on daddy's hand :)















Their 1st lollipops!















They were literally drolling all over their shirts (way too cute)















Finally meeting Uncle Jeff...















and Aunt Jen for the FIRST time (last immediate family to meet the girls!)















Reuniting with Bela (another Guat girl) this was the 1st time we hung out in the U.S.!















All 10 of us together for the first time!















Gotta take a goofy shot too :)















The twins (girls) with their twin uncles!

6 Months Together

6 mos ago today, Matt and I sat in the foyer of La Casa Grande Hotel, Guatemala City, Guatemala. I remember waking early, being way too excited to sleep! Although March 8th was one of the best days of my life, it was also filled with immense sadness, nervousness and uncertainty. We had seen the girls last only 1 month earlier, but the visit had been terribly hard and sad. The girls were old enough in February to recognize us as strangers and we could tell they were mourning and missing their foster mom. Addy, especially was greiving and it was heart breaking for Matt and I to watch. That visit and an incredible grant from Shaohannah's Hope starting the wheels turning about the idea of fostering. So, as the Lord continued to work out the details, I found myself cking out the foyer window every couple of minutes as our decision to foster was beginning!

6 months ago today, matt and I never had to say "good-bye" to our sweet children again! The girls came to us as tiny, uncertain babies. They were loved a ton by their foster moms and I know they did the best job they could. As our fostering journey began I remember being scared out of my mind about the "unknown". I am a typical type "A" firstborn, and planning (ahead (A LOT)) is part of my nature. To move to a third world country, knowing that in weeks I'd be alone with two 10 mos old children without my husband, was needless to say, a very stretching step for me to take. I knew I had GOD behind me and that alone is the only reason I was able to make that step! I couldn't write enough about how GLAD and thankful I am that I did take that step!

After being the girls caregiver for 6 months, I have been blessed to see them grow, mature and absolutely thrive! I couldn't imagine being a mom as any more amazingly awesome! I am completely blessed by two little girls who call me "Mama". What a great 6 months it has been!















My sweet tiny little girls 6 mos ago















My sweet adorable toddlers today!




















Gabriella 6 mos ago




















Gabri today




















Adelina 6 mos ago




















Addy today!

Labor Day

wow, where has the week gone? we decided to take the girls to the beach (with the rest of Chicago) on Labor Day. They (of course) have never been to Lake Michigan before and this was also their first time at a beach! They LOVED it! Loved the sand, the waves, the water, loved it all! They couldn't get enough of it! I think we've started a new Labor Day tradition!!!