Oldies, but Goodies

I think back longingly sometimes when life was simple with *only* two kids.

Here are just a few of many favorite memories that I have.

Howie and Erin with our lovely Charlotte. We had her less than a year, but she just required too much of my time and attention that I didn't have to give. Howard's boss ended up taking her before we moved to Okinawa. We love her still, but it was for the best.

A lovely spring day in Spokane at the park. When the weather was nice we went almost every day! Erin was 9 months old!

Two little kids up to some mischief in our apartment in Yomitan, Okinawa.

We knew it was time to search for them when it got too quiet!

Howie was 3 1/4 and Erin was 21 months.

They may fight, but they sure do love each other!

Howie was 4 1/2 and Erin was almost 3.

Adoption - It's About Love

I just wanted to let everyone know that Howard and I are wrapping up our final paper work in preparation for ADOPTION. We finish our last set of adoption classes on Feb 27th, and we just completed our home study. This has been something that Howard and I have considered for several years and we feel it is the right time now. It just breaks our hearts when we read horrible news stories about children being abused or neglected and we know we can change a life this way. Also, Howard was in "kinship foster care" as a teenager (We consider his Aunt and Uncle Mom and Dad) and that changed his life more than anyone can truly know. His life was saved and we want to do the same. We will be adopting through Oklahoma DHS an "older child" that is waiting for a family. We are hoping to adopt 1-2 girls between the ages of 2-7. Another reason why we chose adoption is that my body can not handle any more pregnancies, but we wanted more children. It was an easy decision to consider adoption. We do not know when we will be matched with a child, once everything is turned in and we are officially approved, then we play the waiting game. We will keep everyone posted as we progress through this exciting time in our life.

Thank you for your love and support in this matter. If anyone has any comments we would appreciate them to be positive and supportive.

Love,
Tina

James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Howie's Baptism

Howie was baptized on Friday night! It was a simple service, but we were so happy to have family there for the big event.

Howard's dad, Sam, came for a visit for the week.

My sister, Lisa, and her family also came for an extended weekend.

It was hard to get any "thoughtful" or "serious" pictures. It was a very happy occasion and just smiles all around, which is a good thing!

(Except Luke! He cried almost the whole evening and several kind ward members took him out so I could enjoy the service and give my talk).

So Much Excitement!

If I was more computer savvy, I would have made the past several posts just one post. I just can't seem to figure out how to add more than 5 photos at a time. So here you go, the last of it!

Jack really was fascinated by all of the machinery.

Luke really really wanted to be a part of the action, but he doesn't understand boundaries like Jack does, so we had to keep him in our arms, or in the house the whole time.

It was pretty chilly, so Howard decided to share the warmth.

Howard was able to stay home from work most of the day to oversee everything. He went into work in the late afternoon. I'm glad he was home to manage everything. We also had a tile man repair some faulty tile in the kitchen this morning. We REALLY had a busy day here at the homestead! The tile guy made the house really dusty, so guess who got to sweep, mop, dust, polish, windex and vacuum tonight? Me! At least the house is nice and clean once again.

Another Project

We knew there was a good possibility that they would have extra cement and Howard really needed it for another project he had.

About a month ago, Howard put in a concrete form to fill with concrete for us to house our trash cans. We've been so busy and it has been too cold to fill it up until today when Howard had his chance. He asked the Flat Safe company if we could use the extra concrete, and their response was "you paid for it, go right ahead!" We are so thankful that we waited until they came because it saved Howard a lot of time and effort.

They allowed him to use their tools and wheel barrow. What a blessing!

They even helped out! What kind people live in Oklahoma!!!

Howard's father, Sam, is in the yellow cap. He's here visiting for Howie's baptism this Friday. He's been a great help to Howard the past 2 days.

Flat Safe Part II

Here's the finished work. We're so happy with the professionalism and kindness of the workers who installed it.

Howard will park his car over it once the cement dries.

It's so easy to open, I can push it open with my foot.

The metal stairs swing back, so once everyone gets in, there's plenty of seating.

Sometime soon we will put our 72 hours kits, water, and MRE's down there.

Flat Safe Part 1

Howard and I are very blessed to be able to receive the new home buyers tax credit this year. A large portion of that has gone to this home project.

Our new tornado shelter!

Now I really feel safe living in Oklahoma!!!

Fortunately our expense is truly an investment since we have been told it will increase the resale value of our home by more than it's initial cost. Yeah!

They cut into the floor of our garage.

Dig, dig, dig.

Lots of dirty boys making a lot of noise. They all seemed to enjoy themselves!

Here's the shelter going in. We bought the mid-size.

It'll fit all of us with some room to spare.

Down it goes!

My Special Valentine

Luke and I had errands to run today and he even took me out to a special lunch.

What a sweety!

Sunny Days...Sweepin' the Clouds Away...

This was February 14, 2006 in Okinawa.

We woke up to snow this morning here in OKC. I love the snow, but I also miss the warm sunshine. I'm really looking forward to Spring! Just looking at this picture makes me feel warm.

Day 366

Since Luke was born in Japan, his birthday would have been yesterday.

So that makes him 366 days old.

I cried last night knowing that Luke was going to have his birthday today. I wish he could stay little forever! It is so different between Howie and Luke. We were so excited for Howie to turn 1 and do all the things a normal baby does, it couldn't come fast enough for us. Looking back, it went a little too fast and now I try to savor every moment that I have with the little ones. That is why this birthday is bitter sweet. Also, it will probably be our last "first birthday".

Luke really needed help opening his presents. I guess he forgot the concept from Christmas. Howie eventually took Luke's hands and they did it together.

Playing with his new dump truck. We had a hard time deciding what to get him, but we ended up getting this, an aquarium lamp (the perfect fish for us, the kind that don't die!), nesting/stacking blocks, and a homemade blanket. He was sitting on the blanket when he opened his presents, the top is fleece w/stars and the underside is a bright green faux fur. It's SOOOO soft and warm.

He was the only one of our babies that did not know how to blow out the candle. I've been working with him on blowing the past couple of weeks, but he just can't seem to figure it out. I had to hold his hands back because he kept trying to grab the burning candle. I'll have no baby burns on my watch!

He thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate cake! Nothing fancy, just plain good.

He even took the time to rub it in. I'm a super smart Mom. It's too chilly to wear nothing, so he's wearing a brown onesie. Also, I ran a nice warm bath for him BEFORE we had cake, so as soon as he was done we got him right in with no waiting. Yeah, it only took the 4th time to think of this kind of stuff.

Here We Go Again

This was Erin's 4th pair of glasses in 2 1/2 years! In Okinawa they did not provide a warranty, but fortunately for us they do here. We will be going later this week to get Erin's new glasses, but we are waiting until AFTER her optometrist appointment to see if her prescription has changed. This is the worst damage that we've had so far. They fell out of her back pack walking home from the bus stop. They fell in the road and I'm sure more than one car ran over them. We were only able to find one lens.

Extreme Makeover - Home Edition

Our family had the wonderful opportunity to see Extreme Makeover - Home Edition in REAL LIFE! Our home builder, Ideal Homes, was the builder that was able to bless the life of the Skaggs family just south of OKC. Since we are an Ideal Home homeowner, we were invited to a special dinner on location. It was a pretty neat experience and it had such a wonderful atmosphere. Everyone was so kind, and the general attitude was to bless this one family's life and help them out. From what I understand the family was currently in about 600 sq ft and their new home is just shy of 3,000 sq ft. I am so thankful that we purchased our home from Ideal Homes. They are truly a wonderful company, have exceptional employees, and make a superior product!

This line of trailers extended about 1/2 mile. This only shows a small part of it. We had to take a shuttle bus to the site because there was no where to park. It was seriously CRAZY!

Here's Howie with his VIP badge in front of the home. They really do work 24/7 to complete the house. There was mud everywhere and the working conditions were terrible, but almost everyone had a smile on their face.

Here's that gang, except of course Howard, since he's playing photographer. It's hard to see Luke's head, but he's wearing a black cap to keep his head warm and he's looking away. Yeah I know, Howie's going to be as tall as me in no time.

On the way home Howard and I were driving through a small town and Howard said out loud, "I wonder what the speed limit is? I should slow down." Not 2 seconds later we saw flashing lights! Too funny. Fortunately the officer was kind and gave Howard a written warning.

Pinewood Derby 2010

The Pinewood derby kind of snuck up on us this year. Howie joined the Pack at Church and was given his block of wood at his first den meeting. He had 2 weeks to complete it. We've been so busy, that we were lucky that Howard and him had time to complete it.

Howie drew the shape that he wanted. Howard cut it and did some sanding. Howie did the final sand and paint job. Howard taped off where the black stripes would be and Howie also painted on the black. Howard ensured that it was to its maximum weight. They spent a lot less time on the car this year, but it did surprisingly better.

One of many heats where Howie came in first.

There were only 2 heats that he came in second.

This was one of them.

The black car was ultimately the final winner.

Way to go!

Second place in the pack is pretty darn good!!!

Howie was able to choose which candy trophy he wanted.

He chose the third smallest one, so he could have his favorite candy.

He was so sweet and shared with everyone when we returned home that night.

He was also awarded "Best Design".

Luke was so tuckered out from a busy night he snuggled up to sleep on this nice patch of carpet.

I LOVE baby bums that stick up, they are just too precious!!!

My Lil' Scientist

We went to the Scout Shop today and Howie found some pretty awesome stuff he wanted to spend his birthday money on. He got started on his projects as soon as he was done with his chores. I love his interest!

Killin' me with those blue eyes!