AMY WON!! WOO HOO!!!

She won!!! Amy won the Macy's Million Dollar Makeover! Thanks so much for helping her win by voting for her.  I know my kids and I got some callous's on our fingers, but they were well worth it! ;) Haha...We are so excited for her.  Watch the video and see ALL the amazing things she gets on top of the MILLION DOLLARS!!! Click here to see the you tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbCfRBVHrbY&feature=share

VOTE for AMY!!

*** Update! Amy made it to the final 2 of the Macy's Million Dollar Makeover.  Voting ends tomorrow night and this address below attached to the NEW video is WAY faster! Go to this link to vote faster! http://www.facebook.com/Macys?sk=app_127966423934872

Please spread the word! Thanks! ***

My friend Amy, who is now a real friend, but used to be just a cyber friend ;), who also adopted from Ghana,  is now in the running to win a MILLION DOLLAR MAKEOVER from MACY'S! She was selected as one of eight out of almost a billion (maybe a slight exaggeration) people to compete in this contest.  The only way you can vote for her is to go onto Macy's Facebook page, so if you don't have Facebook, but want to hear all about it, you can click over to Amy's Blog here.  If you do have a Facebook account, you can also click over to her blog to learn more about her family and what she plans on doing if she wins...OR just click here to go right to the Macy's Page.  Please Vote! She has a few days left and you can vote as many times as you want! (Plus, every time you vote, you get your name entered in a $500 Macy's gift card).

A few fun facts about Amy to leave you with:

* She has lost 60 lbs in the last year (lots of it by playing the wii and dancing, WITH her kids!)

* She is a Kindergarten teacher and her husband is an art teacher

* They adopted 3 siblings from Ghana to add to their 2 biological!

* She is very FUNNY!

* She has a big heart and plans on 'sharing her wealth' by starting after school enrichment programs AND assisting in raising money for older children and sibling group adoptions.

AND LASTLY......

* They will need to move back into their 1000 sq. home with one bath soon, UNLESS we help her win this!

Adorable Handmade Dolls & More

Meet Thaddea!

If you are an etsy fan, you may have already seen this great new shop that has opened.  It is called Apple Strudel  and they make some of the cutest and most creative dolls and more!  Full disclosure: The owners of this shop are friends of mine, but I have always been amazed by their creativity. Candace has been making some of the most beautiful hairbands for the my girls, as well as snack bags, and her work is fantastic. Then recently, my other friend, ChristyAnn, made over a dozen brown skinned dolls to donate to an African orphanage and I think after all the feedback she got, she got the itch to keep going! Now, the two of them have joined creative forces and are working together as Apple Strudel! 

Check out their shop! I especially love all the dolls with brown skin, as I have had a hard time finding cute, unique ones! There are so many cute white dolls out there, but it is hard to find ones that look like my beautiful Fia. Remember that they are all handmade, so if they are out of a certain style, they will continually come out with more. And...if you know you want a doll with a certain hair color that you don't see, I would email them and ask if they have any in production. (Hopefully, if they read this, they will agree and not hate me!) :)

A Month in Review

Well, I have gotten very bad at keeping up here, but there is still so much that I want to document, so that when I look back at these blog posts, I can remember all that we did as a family.

At the beginning of February, we celebrated the Jag 7 two year anniversary! It was two years ago, on February 6, that my mom and I brought Fia and Kwame home from Ghana to join our family forever.  The time went quickly and at the same time it feels like they have always been a part of our lives. We are so fortunate to have them in our lives and all our kids are such blessings individually and together.  They LOVE each other so much, and I am proud of that. To celebrate this year, we had a Super Bowl Party! ;) I felt bad at first that it was the same day, but then I realized that there is nothing more that our family would like than to hang out with friends and family! So, it actually was really fun and special.  We also asked Fia and Kwame what they would like for a special breakfast and they chose Swedish pancakes (too bad I don't have any Ghanaian pancake recipes!).  We also gave them each a soccer ball that we had been saving from when we were in Ghana.  They were so excited to have their own and they couldn't wait to go and play with them.  



 

Love the slogans on all things 'Ghana'!

Later in the month, Mary and Maynad (Grandma and Grandpa Farm) came to visit from MN.  It is always a highlight for our family to have them come and visit.  This time they stayed at a hotel for the first couple nights for the kids to be able to take turns sleeping over, use the pool, and take part in the extravagent buffets that they have at this casino/hotel.  The kids loved it (and so did we)! We also got to take them to Greta's soccer game, Justus's basketball game, marimba practice, a OneStepIn project for church, and take part in a romantic(haha) Valentine's Day dinner(king crab legs) at our house.  One highlight for me was that they took us to a chinese restaurant.  I don't know the last time that I had been to chinese and I don't think the kids ever had, so it was so much fun for us all to practice eating with the chopsticks together, as well as try out some great new food.  Basically, they spoiled us with things we don't always get to do, so I was thankful.  Daron and Maynard also took care of some of our odds and end projects that needed to be done, so the house looks SO much better with the upgrades.



Looks like they had fun at the movies!



How lucky to have both sets of grandparents together in one place!



Ella, pretending she is a OLD! :) Cracks me up!



 These wonderful ladies came one morning, instead of us doing our Bible study, to help me clean out my garage.  It was AMAZING how fast we got it organized and straightened up so I could (for the FIRST in 4 years)get our car in the garage.  Very impressive! And, I have to say that three weeks later, the car is still in the garage! :)

 Last week, I took Greta for her bi-yearly check-up into the Children's Hospital to see how her growth plate was healing in her elbow area. Well, we had GREAT news.  They said that it looks totally normal now and we don't have to come back any longer.  When this happened, two years ago, they said she would have to come back every 6 months until she stopped growning and then she would need surgery.  Well, it's HEALED and we are thrilled.  The only problem...Greta and I were liking our guilt free trips that we had to go into the city for...we might have to keep it going to celebrate.

 We also got to throw a surprise party for my niece's birthday.  The cousins had so much fun and I think she was excited after the initial bewilderment of the surprise.  She didn't realize that all the questions about her favorite food and dessert were for this.  Super fun! And no, the adults didn't eat the mac n cheese, we got some delicious sliders that Brad made(right Dad?)!

 Overall, we had a fantastic month, full of family and fun.  Coming up this month....Alive Covenant Church is celebrating our 5th anniversary this Sunday! I am so excited.  If you live in the area and have ever wanted to check it out, this is the Sunday to do it.  4:56pm at the Sons of Norway!

Daddy Daughter Dance

 (Do I have posers or WHAT???!!)

 It's that time of year again and the three girls just left on a date with their Dad for the annual Daddy/Daughter dance.  The girls got ready without Daron seeing them and he drove around the block, rang the doorbell, and whisked them off to the dance.  I am sure they are having a great time together now dancing away with all their friends (and their dad) and I can't wait to hear all about it. The girls were so excited and they all looked beautiful! To be honest, the primping part was a little crazy and I can definitely wait to have three teenage girls getting ready for a dance!

Another Year....Another Birthday! Happy 37th to Me!

So, I just had my birthday and I had a great time! Fortunately for you, I didn't get a picture of my breakfast in bed! Yea, I know you really want it, but luckily, they forgot. Ella did video me, but I think I will save that for our personal video collection. In case you are wondering,  my family treated me to some eggs, toast, grape juice(ha ha!I think it was left over  from communion), coffee, and the new favorite....browned jalapeno cheddar summer sausage! :) It is a new hit!

My birthday fell on a Monday, so Daron and I actually went out to celebrate a couple days before it for dinner.  An amazing family from our church actually gave us gift cards to a Seattle restaurant for Christmas AND offered to take ALL five kids overnight! I asked what time she wanted the kids and she said noon! Seriously???Yes! Then, she said to come back the next day to get them around 11 and she would have brunch for us too! Wow, this woman is a saint and I am SO thankful for their generosity.  They really treated us to something special.  Daron and I had a great time in the city for dinner and I even went in early for a haircut, where they also pampered me with a complimentary foot massage/soak.  The next morning it was such a treat to wake up to a quiet house, enjoy our quiet breakfast, and QUIET coffee(are you catching my drift?).

The day of my birthday, after my breakfast in bed and kids were off to school, my mom took me to Port Townsend for the day.  My dear friend, Johnene, watched the littles, and we were able to get away for the majority of the day.  It was blissful! (Now, I know I keep saying that it is wonderful and blissful to be without my kids.  I need to let you know that I LOVE having my kids around the majority of the time, but I also enjoy some alone time too-so thank you to those that made it happen!) I love spending time with my mom, so it was wonderful to just take our time, enjoy our lunch, coffee of course, and do a little shopping too!


For my birthday dinner with my family and parents, I got to have a favorite; London broil! Daron made a delish meal with yummy potatoes, salad, beans, wine, etc....and finished it off with a creme' brule cheesecake that was a hit(for everyone but me since I don't like cheesecake or creme brule-shhhh!!!)  But, in case you are feeling bad for me, don't! My friend Tracy W. (lucky for me!) took pity, and the next day when she realized I didn't have a chocolate cake(my favorite), she whipped one up and dropped it by. It was delish! A homemade chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate shavings...can't get any more chocolate than that, huh?

I am thankful for my family & friends.  It was great to hear from so many.  I know Facebook is overwhelming and time consuming, but it was fun to get messages from lots of people that are from my past and present, how fun is that?! On the flipside, I guess I am also still old school, as I really appreciated the phone calls I received from family and friends.  It was especially cute to hear my nieces and nephews sing to me! Thanks to all that called, messaged, and sent letters.  It meant so much to me on my 37th birthday!



Don't mind my hair, I just took my hat off!



Have You Decorated Yet? I Have!

So, I am just feeling the need to brag a little.  I think I am the first person to already have Christmas decorations up.....anyone else? Didn't think so. Well, to be honest, I don't have a tree yet.  I think we will wait until at least November to purchase the tree, but I thought if I keep up the decorations decorate for Christmas now, I will be ahead of the gang and not get heart palpitations the day after Thanksgiving when everyone declares on Facebook that they already have the house decorated, Christmas cards sent out, and presents bought and wrapped! So there.  I am ready and proud.  One more thing to check off my list (actually two if you count putting away the decorations-shhh).

What else is on my list you ask? Well, I am trying to go from room to room de-cluttering and re-organizing.  Now that I have said that on here, I am now accountable to you! So far, I have gone through a HUGE basket of papers in the kitchen, as well as the back-up basket because the first one was so full.  I now have only 5 papers in the basket and they are supposed to be there! For most people this might not take that much time, but I am one of those people that has a hard time getting rid of things...I think it might come in handy later. I am sure most of the stuff I will never use again, but lucky for me I did keep some of my favorite clothing items from Ella and Greta that Fia can now use even though I thought we were only going to adopt a boy.  I also saved some of my professional suits and now the jackets are in style again...OH OH, and probably my best save are my high school cowboy boots that made a certain cute lady pretty popular last year at the auction(and it wasn't me)! My suspenders haven't come back in style yet, but when they do, I am ready. 

Are you a saver or a pitcher? What do you still have that you are glad you didn't throw out? Or, what did you get rid of that you wish you wouldn't have?  And don't worry, I won't be on Hoarders anytime soon!\

Okay, I got distracted in this post.  I just wanted to let you know that if you come to my house and see Christmas decorations up, don't pity me.  Don't think, wow, she can't keep up with her house, she has alot of kids, or she needs help.  Don't judge me.  Just be impressed with me.  Be impressed that I am so ingenious and that I have already decorated for Christmas!

First Words to Chapter Books

My kindergartner has had a hard time memorizing her letters and beginning to read, but it is fun to see her finally get it and feel proud of herself. At the beginning of the year Fia only knew a few letters and would get SO frustrated if she couldn't remember them. Now, she remembers all the letters and is starting to sound them out. After sitting for over 30 minutes yesterday(tears and all), we finished her homework and I think she really understood what she was doing! It is a huge breakthrough! The smile at the end was priceless. After we finished with the homework, I had her go and show her dad how she was sounding out 8 of the basic first words in kindergarten. She came back and said, "I read them ALL to dad. Should I start reading chapter books now?" :) Gotta love her determination! Soon Fia. Very soon!

Post-Bedtime Snowextravaganza

Let me start out this post reminding you all that we live in the Pacific Northwest, so when snow comes, it is usually gone the next day, so you have got to take advantage of it if you want to play in it.

The other thing about living in the Pacific Northwest, is that you realize that many people freak out about snow here. Like *go stock up on groceries if 1 inch of snow is in the forecast* kind of freak out. Not everyone does that, my friends are tough! :) Well, to add to the everyday freak-outers, the news has been having a heyday with this storm prediction for the last couple of days. They said snow would come today around 4pm and then rain in the morning with 40degree temps. Well, 4pm came and went and no snow(even though many school districts had already cancelled all after school events)!

We ended up putting the kids to bed and then POW!, it was crazy snowing within the hour. So, after I was done cleaning up the kitchen and it looked like at least 2 inches outside, I said to Daron that we should wake the kids up and go for a walk and play in the snow. He agreed and we surprised the kids. All but Justus thought it was a great idea. Justus was confused and said he was tired. Ha! He just kept saying, "I don't get it... why?" I told him I thought it would be a fun memory and the snow might be gone by morning. He finally agreed! :)

The kids loved it! We spent about 30 minutes sledding on the hill(road-haha!) near us, then went back and made a gigantic snowman! The kids loved it and kept saying thank you. It was so cute! Hopefully we will still have snow in the morning, but if not, they got to enjoy this time together....and, they may have part of a snowman to show for it in the morning!

My Smorgasbord of Life at the Moment

Okay, I need to write a new post. I am just completely overwhelmed though, so I don't know where to begin. I don't want to complain either, because in the grand scheme of things, my family is healthy, we have a house, we have food, I have a loving husband, good friends, etc, etc...but I am just tired! I don't know if it's my age(I am almost 37 you know...), or having a large family(7 is large for me), post Christmas depression(I want a snow day!!!), or just all the stuff that is overflowing on my plate. And honestly, I don't really have anything big on my plate, just a smorgasbord of life. And sometimes, some of those meatballs on that smorgasbord plate are piled on more than I can handle. I guess that's how I feel right now. I like looking at my plate for the most part...I like the lingonberries and the meatballs, I like the korv and the lefse, but on my Swedish/Norwegian smorgasbord plate, there is a bit of pickled herring on it that I don't like, as well as some lutefisk. And they are really stinking it up! I need to get rid of the stuff I don't like, or at least figure out how to make it so I enjoy it better. I know life isn't all about being happy. Life is hard. We have to make choices. I just am tired of the lutefisk right now.

Ahhhhh...now, I feel better! I think just getting it out there, even if it is in a bit of a riddle format with my smorgasbord analogy helps. Sorry for the downer, but it is real life.