When you have the time...

Amazing what you can do when you have the time!  ;o)

Finished a 10k on the treadmill yesterday.

Roman around town!

Things have been going slow...which most of the time is discouraging!  

However, this weekend a slow Saturday + beautiful weather = the perfect day!

After a very slow morning we headed out to a local college that has a BEAUTIFUL campus!  After driving deep into their campus we parked and began our walk.  First stop was the Swan Lake.

Note to self:  ALWAYS have week old bread/french fries available to fend off the nesting Canadian Geese!  WOW!!!  I knew they could be mean, but never experienced it first hand.  Once we got the Swan on our side, she protected us from the geese.  Honestly, I think it was self preservation... she wanted the bread for herself!  I'm okay with this ulterior motive 'cause it kept us from getting "goosed!" 

  

After we were far enough away from the nesting geese and our bread was all gone, the other geese allowed us to enjoy some time on the swing!  Isn't this a sweet picture of my little people!?!

They were quite excited to find all kinds of places to pose for pictures!  Even adventurous to get to some of the places.  Confession:  I did video them getting there in case they fell in so we could send it to AFV... the mistake was telling them that.  Kate was "trying" to fall in after that!  Seriously stopped and said I'm jumping in now!

Afterwards we headed downtown; sure love this area of town!  We found a fountain area (this is not it) that the kids could play in.  We had to leave because it was too much torture watching the other kids in their swimsuits.  You know us, being the mean parents we are, would not allow them to get drenched while fully dressed!  I'm sure they will work through it in counseling some day! ;0)

Still learning to slow down and enjoy the wait.  But yesterday it was a little easier!

Little Pumpkin's Field Trip

Little Pumpkin's class went on a field trip to the local library.  She was so excited!!!  Upon arriving at the library she was greeted by a new friend with a huge hug and being called by name.  I think she is adjusting well.

 Waiting very patiently for all our friends to arrive. They were so good and quiet walking in that the librarians didn't even know we were there!  With 3 classes of 4&5 year olds, that's impressive!!

The puppet show was a take on Little Red Riding Hood....it was quite interactive and probably the loudest children's time at a library I've ever been too!  The kids loved it!!!  My ears did not.  ;o)

I had to slip out after the puppet show, but Little Pumpkin enjoyed a tour of the children's department and the best part...they got to walk the three to four blocks back to school!  And there was pizza involved!  Needless to say she loves her new school.  (I'm sure having 7 girls out of the 12 kids helps too!)

From our Family to Yours

We pray you had as Merry a Christmas as we did!!!

Take a guess!

What could she possibly be eating that caused this much of a mess, you ask?!? You tell me what you think!

Dinner & a Show

Sunday I went to dinner and the Beauty & the Beast performance with some very special little people: Little Lion, Little Lamb, Alligator, and Little Pumpkin!

My idea of sitting outside so I'm not worried about how loud they were, backfired just a tad with the wind and the four trains that went by in the time we ate lunch! ;o)

Some time to kill before the show, so we headed to the park! What a beautiful day it was!!! I think my children need to take some lessons on taking pictures! These girls had great smiles in every picture I took...

Best Friends Forever

Sorry Doc, I couldn't resist how precious it was...

They were actually holding hands because of being in the parking lot, but they just kept on! One we can put in the wedding album someday! ;o)

1 Peter 5:7

After a week of talking with realtors, moving companies, lenders, inspectors etc... the reality that we are moving is sinking in! It was a rough weekend at the Lion's Den. Mostly for Mommy and Daddy Lion. I'm praying the kids don't pick up on the stress and anxiety that comes with a move.

AND with that prayer, GOD has answered me in confirming all that HE is doing in our lives. Even to the simplest details. As I stood in front of the 20 or so kids in Kid's Church today, I was really preaching to myself: "WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON GOD."

What a reminder for me right now. GOD is moving us...HE is in control...HE will take care of the details.... HIS timing is perfect. I am CONFIDENT of this, that HE who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus! (Phil 1:6)

So here I am, casting my anxieties on HIM!

I'm not carrying them anymore!!! :o)

ROME, GEORGIA.... Here we come!

Five? Really?!?!

So today my little pumpkin turned 5! This boggles my mind...where does the time go? While praying with her last night I thanked Jesus for her and asked that she would enjoy her "last sleep as a four year old!" Apparently that was a mistake... after finishing praying I hear her sniffling:

MommyLion: Kate, why are you sad?

Little Pumpkin: I like being four!

ARE YOU KIDDIN' ME?!? ;o)

She didn't seem to mind celebrating all day long and is looking forward to her pajama party on Friday! ;o) Happy Birthday Little Pumpkin! We love you more than you'll ever understand!!!

Dual Air Control!

So we finally said goodbye to our ol' sport! It served us well for TEN years! Here's to a new decade of driving. I'm happy to have a Mazda again! ZOOM - ZOOM!!!

(Someday when I get it cleaned again I'll take a picture!)

Can you guess who was driving?!? ;o)

Anyone Surprised?

So today was D-day, well C-day....

Little Pumpkin got her hard cast today. She had been struggling with what color she was going to choose, I thought she was joking, but I think she just really wasn't sure! There are so many choices these days.

And everyone had an opinion: Daddy wanted Orange (go Beavs), Blake wanted Lime Green (the color of choice these days), someone recommended doing Pink & Purple (would have solved all our problems, but alas cannot be done)!

Even this morning while getting ready she seemed distraught..."I just want to make everyone happy." I assured her that it was HER choice and she was the one who had to look at it for the next 5 weeks!

OUT with the OLD!

Daddy Lion and Mommy Lion had an idea of what color she might pick. So even though she had only black and white on today, Mommy Lion still chose this bow! ;o)

It's healing well! Maybe it's just me, but it still looked a little bent. She did so well, AGAIN!

IN with the NEW!

oh, and if you by chance call to ask her about her pink cast...you have been forewarned:

"It's not pink, it's BRIGHT pink!" ;o)

So we will be sporting pink, excuse me, BRIGHT pink for the next 4 weeks! Pinkalicious!

Welcome Home Daddy...

So, Mark's been out of town for the last *two weeks (*home on weekends). We were all anxiously awaiting his arrival Friday night. Mommylion frantically cleaning the kitchen, Little Lion and Little Pumpkin playing in Little Lion's room. I thought Little Lion was reading to Little Pumpkin... when all the sudden I hear her crying.

I ran in the room to find Little Pumpkin laying on her right side crying and Little Lion sitting nearby saying..."I'm not sure what she tripped on." As I rolled her over, it was very apparent she had a broken arm! WOW! This was a first for me, for them...small panic begins, then reality...calmly I call my good friend Magnum 'cuz her hubs is in the know being Doc and all!

So Doc talks me through how to get her into the car. I'm sending Little Lion for different things, namely a small pillow, which was apparently hard to find. (We did find it today safely keeping a doll comfy in her stroller.) Anyway, about the time I got up to go look for it, Daddy Lion was standing in the doorway of the room. "Welcome home Daddy, we're going to the E.R!"

Little Pumpkin was so BRAVE and STRONG! I could not be more PROUD of her!!!

Not even a tear when the I.V. was put in and look she was still smiling for pics after being poked and taped and squeezed! I'm sure the morphine was starting to kick in a little. (I happened to have my camera in my purse with school starting this week... a blog for another time now!)

This is her arm! No Photoshop work here!

And after it was all said in done still the best patient EVER! I will admit seeing her sedated in a twilight stage was a little hard for Mommylion, just really odd. But SO glad she has no memory of it!

Some of the better parts of being hurt... sweet cards from some very sweet friends! Gator and Little Lamb made these cards with Little Lion today (he ended up at their house for a impromptu sleep over!). The empty spaces included sweet treats like a coloring book, lip gloss and a candy bar!

More perks ~ Lolly and Pop came over with goodies! A necklace that she will always remember getting when she broke her arm. And more sweet treats ~ my chocolate lover was in heaven today! ;o)

But the best part of having a broken arm you ask?

"Only having to wash one hand!" ~ Little Pumpkin

Too much to say...

So Daddy Lion proves he is the better blogger! I've struggled with knowing exactly what to blog about... everything seem so insignificant after a trip to China! So I'll share with you some of my favorite pics from China and I'll be happy to answer any questions! *smile*

This is Mandy (Su Chen Ting), she was my translator for the first week! I am so excited to already be keeping in contact with her via e-mail! Praying one day she gets to come see me and more importantly that she gets to know my Heavenly Father!

Here is Lily, me and Julie! Lily and Julie were both 15, so they are no longer available to adopt! *frown* However, with Mandy's help I plan to stay in contact with them and hopefully encourage them! Who knows one day they may just be with me on golden streets! *SMILE*

When we went to the beach, it was very cold. So I was among the ones who played in the sand instead of the water! *grin* Lily, along with some other translators taught us how to play Chinese hopscotch! It was quite challenging! This is my roommate and newest friend, Ashley!

We were never underfed! This is the table at breakfast time! We had the same dishes give or take one or two every morning. I had no problems with the food! Although, breakfast was harder than the others. I stuck with the hard boiled eggs (and the cereal bars I brought!).

These next few pictures are of some of the cuties that could be yours! I don't remember all their names, but I could very easily find all the info you need should you feel led to bring one home! This one was so sweet! I have a sweet video of him giggling with his American buddy, Amanda!

Who can resist this sweet, mischievous smile?!? *grin* Another sweet boy!

This my friends is Tom! Talk about sweet and SMART! I'm not sure he will be available long. His American buddy, Rai is advocating for him for sure! He melted her heart!

Okay, so maybe I have a bit of a mischievousness streak in me too! This is my buddy, Jack, from week two after I gave him a piece of candy... a warhead that is! *giggle* He finished it!

ATTENTION: Cuteness alert!!! This is my other buddy from week two, Tim. He IS available for adoption! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this sweet boy. He rarely stopped smiling and was SO brave! I'm really praying that someone I know is called to be his forever family!

Family group picture from week two. Tim, me, Jack, and Danyang (my translator). Danyang is studying at University of Iowa, so hopefully she will be visiting at Christmas time this year!

Saying good-bye was hard just as expected! I love this picture. Reminds me that even the toughest kids who seem to not want to be at camp, really do enjoy it and make connections with you! Praying for Jack and his situation...his mom is unable to care for him, but alive so he is not available for adoption.

Would love to share more details if you've made it this far and are still interested! *smile* If you are local and interested in finding out more about adoption, we will be having a meeting on Wednesday night. I'll get you details if you contact me!

Continue to join me in prayer for these kids! I'm praying and saving for next summer already!!!

Day Fifteen

We've finally made it! Mommy Lion is somewhere between Dallas and our house. It sounds like everything went well!

Little Pumpkin took a three hour nap today after sleeping in until 7 this morning! What a difference a nap makes when she doesn't have friends like Little Lamb to keep her distracted. She had a great day, but we're ready for MOMMY!

Little Lion had a birthday this morning and Little Pumpkin got to tag along. Little Red can put out quite the spread! I had to tell both kids to quit eating candy and eat fruit...then the cookie cake came out and I got over-ruled! That's what Birthdays are all about.

Even I got a nap today! It probably helped me out a bit too. I got all the laundry done, bags are packed except for Mommy Lion's for our R&R tomorrow. I asked RJ to clean up and get the lawn done, we'll see how he does....

Tonight was the last presentation of Willie Wonka. Little Red brought all her chicks and we changed seats to sit togther. Her youngest...let's see, gotta do a name... , we'll have to call him "502", he learned to wave this week and it was FANTASTIC to wave Bybe-Bye to him and have him wave back. Super fun.

We got stuffed at the party this morning, neither kid wanted to eat lunch. We had some jerky and peaches on the way to the play at 5:30, and Lolly & Pop took the kids to DQ for Blizzards while I grabbed Jammies at the house then met them there. The last day of Mommy Lion's trip is ironically the very worst nutrition day of the two weeks!

Just waiting for the magic phone call now from Mommy Lion to jump in the car, buckle in the kids, and go get kissed!

Day Fourteen

I got Little Pumpkin back tonight from Magnum & Doc, we all met at Little Lion's Willy Wonka Program. I think the little girl had run for just about as long as she could run; meltdown pending. What a mess Friday evening, crying, kicking, wall-eyed fit! It was one of those where, if we weren't with family, I probably would have taken her home.

Speaking of home, Mommy Lion is coming home; should be back about 10PM CST. She's really excited, I've got to try to get some things in order before she shows. Little Lion heads to his second and final performance Saturday night. He really did a great job, pretty cute, a little distracted, but trying his guts out to follow along.

Saturday is a birthday party, lawn mowing, final clean up, the big show, packing for a 3 day R&R trip, and a couple of store returns. It pretty much adds up to a trip to pick up Mommy at around ten.

Dinner was chicken nuggets for for Little Lion, Chicken sandwiches for me. Then both kids ate again after Little Lion's show, a taco and a Mexican hot dog (with all the tortillas both could stuff down)!

Thanks to all our friends and family who joined us, it made the evening a whole lot more fun!

Day Thirteen

Went to lunch with a couple of guys today. Good guys, guys I've never been to lunch with. Might have been the highlight of my day! Turns out we all went school together, two of us didn't realize it. One guy was from work, another from church. Had fish taco's...don't know it till you try it.

Tonight was dinner at Doc's again. Chicken and rice, leftover pizza, strawberry & spinach salad, even green beans. The girls were a glorious, playful mess! I'm hoping this is something Little Pumpkin will remember forever. I certainly will.

I also got to hit a bucket of balls with Doc, then we went to check out his new place. Super cool; except for hitting the golf balls - didn't do too well...again...or should I say still.

Little Lion finished VBS tonight, he did tee ball. Maybe not the next Silver Slugger - not sure what position he'd play...maybe he could be the announcer, the color man. That kid can talk, but I'm afraid he'd be all over the place, commenting on the airplanes and wondering what was for dessert.

Last day alone tomorrow, and Little Lion's big day, the play is at 6:30, cast call at 5:30, and I'm doing his make-up!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day Twelve

This just seems to drag on...

Today was not such a great day, did some things I wish I hadn't, and didn't do some things I wish I had.

Got to Skype with Mommy Lion tonight for a few minutes, she looked really tired and worn down. I tried to talk some about exciting things happening this weekend and next, but I think she's just got too much going on to think that far ahead.

Little Lion got to bed about 9:30 tonight, tomorrow should be a tough morning for him. It's last days for Camp Bravo, Last Day for VBS also.

For all of you going to the big play this weekend, the school sent home a paper today stating that they had sold the exclusive rights to the show and that no video camera's would be allowed. Capitalism at it's finest! They will be selling DVD's for $25 a piece!!!!!

Dinner tonight was taco salad, just Little Lion and I. We came back home after camp instead of going to Doc's. It gave us a chance for some quiet time together. Little Lion got to talk to his mom during dinner which was, I think, good for both of them.

Sleep well in China, or where ever you are...

Day Eleven

Another day in paradise. I finally got my pizza for dinner, and even got to video chat with Mommy Lion for a few minutes.

Little Pumpkin was so wrapped up in her friends, I think I was fortuante to get a goodbye kiss tonight. What a joy to see my children happy and playing with friends. Oh to be four again! (Little Pumpkin would remind me that she's 4 1/2)

Today is 14 years of the Lion Den. There's some point where we crossed the imaginary lines this year we cross two. The Lions Den has been with Little Lion for longer than we've been without him. He was born in 2003, we were married in 1997. This year we became "with" him for seven years; we were "without" him for six years before that.

So for Mommy Lion and I, today marks 14 years of marriage. Mommy Lion was 15 years old when I first heard her name. I was a mere 19 at the same time. It's safe to say that we have now known each other for longer than, well, we were clueless.

Happy anniversary to my bride. I already confessed to her that I had dinner with another woman tonight (and her husband, and their three kids, and my two kids, but another woman none the less!) Kiss the one you love tonight, if you're anything like me, they've changed your life forever!

July 19, 1997

Day Ten

Some good news today! My blood pressure is the lowest it's been this year, not saying that has anything to do with being single. Honestly, I'd expect my BP to be raised a little as a single parent. Now, before you freak out, my BP has been something like 124/81 or 121/78 or 120/84. Not terribly bad, but higher than where I want it to be (below 120/80). Today though, I hit 117/74!!!

I've gotten this mommy thing figured out too. It's really not that hard once I eliminated the source of variation. It's all about the kids. Get rid of the kids...and being a mom is maybe the easiest job in the world. Soon I'll be eating bon-bons in my bath robe and slippers, feet up on the couch, watching the "O" network. I just need someone to watch the kids...hey, has anyone seen my kids?

Little Lion is spending the night with Little Red, Little Pumpkin is spending the night with Magnum, and I'm here with...well...RJ, and we're down three cans of Chili (by we, I actually mean HE, and yes the voluntary ingestion of three cans of chili does appear to be both humanly possible and gastrointestinal predictable. I have a feeling he's going to have a LONG night..

So today, Little Lion got dropped off at the Crayola's, she took him the camp, then I grabbed him from camp at 4 and we headed to Magnum & Doc's for dinner. She made dinner for everyone (see low blood pressure above) and I got my adult conversation out of my system (so I I monopolized there friends!). There was shrimp fettuccine Alfredo, steamed broccoli, and bread.

Little Lion and I raced out the door to VBS where I once again got left alone at the sign in table by a little boy far to excited to run a play with his friends. Being a mom is tough sometimes, I had to bribe Little Pumpkin with chips, before dinner, just to get a hug and a kiss today.

Mommy Lion and I celebrate 14 years tomorrow (or today since she's in China). This is the first year I haven't brought home flowers or taken her out of town, or to dinner, or tried to plan something really big that costs next to no money as a surprise for her (see low blood pressure above) !

Sleep well all, I'm off to bed with no kids and no baths. Happy mothers day to me!!!

Day Nine

Nearly forgot to post today! Little Pumpkin went to Magnum's house after lunch today with Lolly, Pop, and seemingly half of our church!!! That left me with four boys, that's right, ditch one get three. We did things today that every boy should, but no mother should should ever know about. The was couch jumping, king of the couch, couch forts, and the occasional nauseous couch emission which no one was silling to claim, but all four were willing to blame.

VBS tonight with our frinds at LCC. It was hot! They gave out prizes for the first three families done. Our four family family came in...drum roll please...dead last. That's right, when we got to our last station, they had already closed and had to drag out their supplies for us again!

So week two starts tomorrow, Little Pumpkin will be out most of the week, but I hope to get to see her daily for dinners. Little Lion will be sleeping over tomorrow night at the Little Red Hen's house, and I'm back to work.

I got to Skype with Mommy Lion today. Sound quality was terrible and I couldn't make out what she was saying, so I just tried to say as much as I could and let her listen. She could hear fine, but regularly cut out in the middle of her sentences.

Lunch today was at Newks. I'd definitely order things differently if I had it to do over again, but none of my five kids complained. Snack before VBS was apples and cheese sticks, goldfish crackers, and PB&J's. Not the greatest, but most of the major food groups were represented!

Day Eight

One week down, one week to go.

I asked the kids today what they missed about Mommy Lion. Neither could nail down anything specific, but we were all resolute that we did miss her a bunch!

The day started with waffles, we went to Wal-Mart and did a bit of shopping, then stopped at Burger King for ICEE's. Amazingly, everyone got Cola even with the option of cherry! I think that may have been a highlight of their day, at least based on prayer time tonight.

Both kids took naps, well, Little Lion doesn't do naps anymore but he plays quietly in his room. I got the remainder of my weekly time cards entered and got to start on dinner which we shared with the Brazilian's. I'm seriously indebted to those people for all their help this last week!!!

Dinner tonight was tacos, soft, both corn and flour, and everyone ate everything! I even got to chop some fresh cilantro to use on mine....so good! It was fantastic to see everyone ask for seconds! They got to play here for a while afterwards, then baths for Lions Den and to bed. It's 9pm and they're BOTH still awake in their beds!!

Tomorrow things go crazy again with kids split and church plus VBS in the evenings for Little Lion. Thanking the Lord for great friends who love my kids, at times, more than I do.