Art Co-Op Kick Off

One of the great advantages of the whole stay at home mom business is the option to opt into and out of projects. My work experience to date is full of many rewarding project management moments but mostly it is a long list of boring, dull and mostly mindless tasks. What a refreshing model this SAHM gig is!

Art Co-Op is my latest opt in project. There are two other lovely, well behaved, and delightful home schooling families that make up the Co-Op members. We are planning on meeting once a month with three extra holiday special meetings. Guests, new friends and even enemies are encouraged to attend the special sessions. We meet for 2 hours (9:45 am to 11:15 am), and we complete a creative session, snack time and some playtime in that time. Truth be told I love Art Co-Op because I get to be in charge and it's fun to be messy.

The kick off was a huge success and I think everyone will be back in October for another round. We completed two projects today: contact paper stain glass and salt water color paintings. The snack was grapes, string cheese and crackers (not such a huge hit...I think next time I will serve something more exciting).

The salt water color was the favorite of all the artists.

Family

I love family photo time, especially the first one after a new one joins us. We finished up our photo session this Sunday and I could not be happier. Our sweet friend has an amazing talent for capturing the emotion in a family. Head over to her site and check out the rest....

Brian's dream come true

During our R&R from the War in Iraq, Brian and I enjoyed a few weeks in Italy. Brian's favorite part of the trip was not sex but something else that started with an s...the scooter.

Brian's best day in Korea and maybe his life was last week when our friend, Wayne, called and asked if brian was still interested in his scooter - his free scooter.

(Please note: Noah only rode around the parking lot with Brian, and he will never ride on the street until he is a G.A.M.)

There is a little store maybe one block from our house with candy and a small selections of grocery items. Brian now drives the scooter to this store just to have a little more excitement in his life. It makes us all happy to see him with that kind of happy smile on his face all the time.

We were starting to get a bit worried (but not really) about our family transportation when the new family member arrives. We can now fit two more kids in the KIA as long as Brian follows up in the scooter ;)!

Happy Family Day

First a shout out to family day celebrations from the past because it is really cool that WE have a past and that we have each other!

Day One as as family

Happy 1st Anniversary Family

Happy 2nd Anniversary

We've been together for what seems like forever! Happy 3rd Annual Family Day sweet Noah.

The Cake

Nothing better than celebrating with great friends

The present

The Family!

Making Room

It took two weeks but it's finally finished! We successfully converted our storage closet into a first rate art studio. Can you believe that just 14 days ago this great space was full of storage bins and other useless items? What can I say, I love to collect treasures and I brought way too much stuff to Korea. Nothing a quick trip the the thrift store cannot cure. And once all our useless crap becomes useful to another family, we will have a ton of extra cash to deposit into the new F.M. fund! Noah and I do most of our school work in the studio. He loves to have alone time with me while Myra finishes up her afternoon nap. It makes me happy to think that getting rid of all my treasure turned into such a sweet treasure.

The part of the studio that you cannot see houses my little secret - a sewing machine. I know what you are thinking - Leah? Sew? What? But I think this time it will be different. I have motivation (Myra's cuteness) and a strong desire (more cute clothes). I'm almost finished reading the manual and I purchased my first pattern this week. So, there might be a new dress by Christmas?

Post Placement and other news

Our three month post placement report was yesterday. It was really fun to count the wonderful ways of our sweet Myra to a complete stranger. Brian and I are so amazed at her progress and growth. We are thankful, so thankful, for her. It was fun to report that she is almost 20 lbs and growing more each day. I loved listening to Brian describe her fun loving personality and her never ending supply of energy when there is a party. I loved praising both Noah and Myra for their kindness to each other and their growing love for each other.

Even cooler both kids took a surprise 90 minute morning nap during the entire interview! Noah and Myra woke up for the last five minutes of his visit with clean, smiling faces. Brian and I looked like super parents.

During this interview we kicked off our home study. I was an emotional disaster Sunday morning prior to our SW arrival (don't worry nothing a fresh coat of lipstick could not hide). I could not understand why I would be so sad/mad/etc etc when both Brian and I are unified in growing our family in this way and at this time. Ah ha... another point hidden point of grief. What can I say, mentally I understand and totally agree with invasive nature of a home study. Emotionally, I just want the "normal" of an easy pregnancy announcement. I'm glad to uncover this and work through it. I feel like each time a find a point of grief and work through it, I get a little closer to my justice. Brian and I decided no count down. We are just going to take it very slow, pray more and submit to the plan that God has for our family. So far, I like it this way SO much better!