Work Looms

On June 16, I officially go back to work. Now, I know I shouldn't whine. I work for a great company and have a great boss who is very supportive... and most fantastic -- I work from home! And I'll have a nanny here, so Izzie will be here with me, albeit in the next room. Griffin, too, will be in and out (here and at various science, golf, swim, and vacation bible school camps). But oh have I enjoyed playing stay-at-home mommy for the last three months. I wish and wish and wish it could go on for a longer period of time. I wish I could win the lottery (guess I'd have to buy those little tickets!?!). I love the freedom and flexibility staying at home gives me. Laundry can get done, or it can wait because the beach or park beckons. Dinner can be a frozen pizza or something much more elaborate, and can be on the table by 5:30 so evenings can progress at a much more relaxed pace. Cups of coffee in the morning while Izzie happily plays with her toys, trips to the grocery store that are easy and whenever, walks in the neighborhood... and on and on. Sure it isn't perfect, but it is wonderful. Ah well, I am extremely blessed to have had these three months!!! Now, a few photos...

Bro and Sis



Dancing Queen



Sweet Sleep



Nina Bonita



Wotr Snacs aka Water Snakes




p.s. The snakes aren't real, but I did cave in to the boy's request for a Hermit Crab. Crabby, as the little fellow is affectionately called, moved in two days ago. So our family of four is now five: Mommy, Griffin, Izzie, Gabby, and Crabby.

Turning One

Happy Birthday Izzie! Our sweetness turned one on April 23 (sorry my post is so belated, she's now almost 13 months old!) Some of the milestones: she's taking her first steps, she gives kisses, she has about 13 teeth!, she has the start of a few words... hi/hey, leche.
She's fiercely independent, but prefers to be in the same room as others and not alone. She has a fiesty sense of humor. The other day, she reached into the dog's water bowl and I said "No No No Izzie." She stopped, then reached again but instead of putting her hand in the bowl she pulled it back, turned to me and grinned. Then, she did it again, as if to say... "tee hee hee mommy, look what I'm about to do. Ha ha! Just joking. Had you fooled, didn't I?"
She loves Griffin, who in turn loves her. He loves to make her laugh and giggle. He loves to play with her in the bath tub. And he loves to be the one that gets to teach her about things: "No No Izzie, don't pull the dog's tail. That will hurt the dog." or "No No Izzie, it is dangerous to climb up on the bed."
Griffin of course is also exhibiting typical brother behavior. He's declared a portion of the room they share together as 'his side,' in which Izzie is not allowed.
All in all, things are fabulous! Hectic, yes, but fabulous!
On a separate note, there are still many families waiting to complete their adoption processes and to bring their children home. The Guatemala system is hitting snag after snag. Please pray for everyone involved... that God will lift up the families and children as they endure this wait, that God will inspire the hearts of those running the show to put the children first and set aside their different political and idealogical agendas, and that God will change the hearts of those that have acted at best unethically and at worst criminally as they worked in adoptions.
I'll leave you with some super cuteness!

My first birthday cupcake tastes great and wears well!


Hosiery - More fun than a bag of toys!


Puppy Love!


A day at the beach.


Izzie's world-famous yoga pose: One-Arm Volcano Pose!


The most handsome mug at Wrightsville Beach!