Sweetness

Here is cute story about our kids we got from Hilda, one of the traveling moms meeting her daugther in Ghana right now:

" On Sunday when we went to church, the little ones including your two, went up front to little rugs and kind of sat down or laid down while the older kids had to sit on wooden benches. Nana (Kwame) was standing by me for a long time, but then went right to where Mefia was laying down and laid next to her. She automatically reached over and put her arm around him. It was so sweet and just shows how close they are."

Gotta love that as a mom! Thanks for sharing this Hilda!

Update on kids

We just got an update on our kiddos in Ghana from one of the traveling parents that were bringing home their FOUR sweeties! She brought our kids part of their welcome bags, which included these little stuffed animal blankie things and a photo album book of our family, home, and their new rooms. Here is what she wrote:

"Kwame and Mefia- Kwame ran up to hug us when we walked in, he was all smiles. Mefia was a little quieter, as usual. She was wearing a size 12 months shirt! Seriously, she's small, but not that small!! I'd guess 2T/3T. 18months/2T for Kwame. But don't quote me!(oops, I just quoted her!) They gave them the bags in another room, but I got a pic or 2 of them when they came back out. They loved their lovies, and the Aunties read their books to them over and over. They seem to feel just fine, and looked great. They both took part in preschool, an Mefia knows some of her colors, and was joining in on the singing which she didn't do last time. "

Oooohhh!! It is just so much fun to hear about your kids, especially when you haven't met them yet!! I love to hear that they loved their lovies and picture books. How fun that they wanted to read their books over and over again. Justus, Greta, and Ella were also all smiles hearing about this. They are so excited that their new siblings now know about them and they can't wait to meet them-almost as much as Daron and I!

Happy Tuesday!

Hi Jennine. I just wanted to be at the top of your blog tonight!

Happy Birthday Doodles!

Just want to say a quick HAPPY BIRTHDAY to BRADLEY DOODLES HAL.........!!! Happy birthday brother bear!
If I think back, you have always been a wonderful big brother to me!!(that is, except when you locked me outside the sliding door without shoes on during a Chicago winter with lots of snow when you were supposed to be babysitting and taking care of your innocent little sister, or when you were supposed to make me a pb&j for me and you put butter on it too even though you knew it would make me gag, or...if you were supposed to pour me some apple juice and instead your poured extra large glasses for your other siblings and a teensy bit for me, before placing the apple juice on top of the fridge out of reach of your much, much, much younger sister).

Some of the wonderful times included you teaching me how to drive a stick and more importantly do doughnuts in your GTI, sending me letters from your years in Norway, letting your high school girlfriends braid my hair, buying me a "footlocker"(remember those??), getting me just the right gift for my birthdays growing up, arranging for your middle school sister to be a cheerleader on your college campus, taking me out to lunch when a boy broke my heart(he later became my husband), taking time for me, praying for me, being an amazing listener and example of what a sibling should be! You are a gift to me and I love you very much!

Happy Birthday Brad,
Love,
Keeker

Chicken Pox & Ghana

One adoptive mom just came home with her three beautiful kids from Ghana last night. She went on a whirlwind trip last weekend to bring them home, after being there already for a couple of weeks earlier last month. Last night she sent an email saying that our two kiddos, as well as others in the home, have the chicken pox and they were miserable! I am so sad for them! Today I saw pictures that she took of them. :( It is a weird feeling to know that your kids are sick and you can't take care of them. I know that they are being very well cared for at Eban House, the adoption center. But still, I want to hug them and start to learn what makes them feel better when they are sick. I love how God is weaving my heart to theirs already. Please pray that they get better soon and for all the other kids in the home as well. I suppose we better pray for all the Aunties' sanity too in the home. I am sure they are going crazy with this outbreak!

The Last of the Real Men!

Well, thanks to Daron and Thys, the outside of our house is painted with a bold new coat! The trim isn't finished yet, but it is looking great. So far I have noticed that the younger generation of neighbors is liking it, but the seasoned isn't quite sure why I wanted to move away from the 80's look we had going.

One of our seasoned neighbors was riding his bike by and said that Daron was one of the last real men out there (since he was painting his own house and didn't hire out). To Daron, that was the ultimate compliment! Lucky for me, I have got myself a real man- the last, no less!!

We decided to do a little of "you scratch my back, and I will scratch yours" with our friends, so I believe Daron will be painting again soon at Thys's in case he needs to exercise his manliness again soon!

A Day in the Life of a Mariners Groundskeeper

Daron got to be an "Honorary Groundscrew Member" the other day at Safeco Field. Our friends gave us the tickets to do this and Daron was thrilled. He loves baseball and it was icing on the cake that he got to go for a Twins game. We thought that Daron would have to do some dance that the groundscrew usually does halfway through the game, but Daron didn't end up doing that. They said that they never do that with the volunteers, but he wasn't sure if that was the truth! He thought that they took a look at him and didn't think that he could dance. Either way, he had a blast. He got to see such and such a player that has been the best such and such and talked with another player that is someone that I should know. Don't get me wrong, I know the sport. But ever since we moved, I lost track of my favorite teams. Which move was that? I don't remember.

Justus and Greta got to go with and had the time of their life. Daron's cousin, Mat, and his daughter, Claire, also went to the game. They got to go on the field before and after the game. If you watched the last game of the Mariners/Twins series, you may have witnessed Daron running across the field to water the bases.

Thanks again to our amazing friends that shared a fun gift like this!

Family Fun

The guys on my side of the family recently had their annual fishing/golf trip together. While they were doing that, the women of our family had their annual "Watch All the Kids Event!" My sister was up from Cali with her kids and my sister-in-law came over for a few days from Seattle with her girls to hang with all of us. We had some great days at the beach, fountain park, and just playing with cousins. I love to see them all together and now we get to add 2 more to the group!!

After the guys were done with their part, we lovingly ditched handed off our children and headed into Seattle for a spa treatment! Very nice! We also got to shop around for the day and eat at two fabulous places: Shuckers and The Purple Cafe. In between our very important agenda, we just had to take a break at Von's Martini House for a blueberry lemon drop! Yum! What a great memory and time we had together -thanks Mom and Dad for making it happen!!

We ended our time together the next day with our H. Family Fantasy Football Draft! Very fun. Go Lady Wildcats!!! (that is my team and no, I am not as exuberant as I sound right now).

Cyber Shower!

I have to tell you that I am at a cyber shower right now!! My cyber friends from AAI have thrown me a shower to celebrate our referral. I am so blessed to have this group to go through all the ups and downs and ins and outs of adopting from Ghana. Jennine is throwing it and she is just hilarious! She told everyone to bring recipes to share and assured us that we wouldn't gain any weight from it since there wouldn't be any real food! She also asked anyone to shares stories of our two little ones if they have already met them and people are giving advice on what to bring to Ghana and what not to bring. I asked if there was hot water so I could make some espresso. Well?........it is important to me!! I think the three biggest things that were mentioned to bring was toilet paper, a watch (I don't own one anymore now that I carry my phone everywhere), and some sort of cereal or granola bars. Well, I better get back to the shower in case there are still some people I need to mingle with....

5+1=6...BUT 5+2=7!!!!

Yep! It is official. The Jag's have a referral for a little boy.....and he has an adorable sister! We are so thrilled here and can't wait to meet our new children. Ahh! We are going to be a family of 7!!! I was trying to make our family number even, but this is how we roll! We still have a few months in the process until we can bring them home, but we wanted to let you know about our new additions as soon as we could. Our little guy is 2.5 yrs. old and as cute as can be. He has got the cutest little smile and by the look in his eyes, will be able to keep up with his big brother and sisters. Our little girl is 3.5 yrs. and just has the most beautiful eyes! Ughh- I just want to squeeze them both!

I just wanted to let you know how blessed we feel to be bringing these children into our home. Thanks SO much for all your prayers and thoughts during the last year while we have been awaiting a referral. As soon as we can post pictures, we will. But until our case goes to court in Ghana, I can't post it on the blog. (If you want me to send you a picture- this proud mom will eagerly do that)!

(Sorry I didn't call everyone today, but we wanted to share as soon as we could and didn't have enough hours in the day to call anyone except immediate family)

We love you and would appreciate your continued prayers!!!