A Visit with Santa

So this weekend the girls got all dolled up and we went to see Santa.  So fun!

 

Olivia, isn't she getting so big.  Every time we do her hair now she says look mommy I have long hair. She has wanted long hair from the moment we brought her hone.  Her hair grows so fast, unlike Grace.  Their hair is about the same length and poor Grace's has been growing for 2 years.  She has beautiful hair and is just a gorgeous little girl.  She is growing up so fast and learning so much.

 

 

 

 and my Gracie - isn't she just adorable?.  She has so much personality.  She will keep you in your toes and laughing.  Never a dull moment with this girl.  She is getting so tall and thin.

 

 

So sweet, look at them holding hands, totally unscripted

 



 

They truly bring each other so much joy

 



 

 Love it, big squeeze by Grace

 

 

And then off to the mall to see Santa.  They had a great Santa and cool Ice Age exhibit.  Grace is a big Ice Age fan

 

Such cheese-ers

 





 

And last but not least - SANTA!

OMG My Baby is 18!

I still can not believe it and honestly don't let myself emotionally go there my baby, my first born, Jonathon, turned 18 years old on December 5.  This boy is so my heart and we have had a connection since birth.  He is his mom made over so we have also had our clashes.  But omg do I love this boy.  He has a huge heart and is strong and compassionate.    He is a good kid.  He is honest and works hard.  He is in his senior year and come June when this boy walks across the stage and graduates I know I will be in a puddle of tears. I remember just like yesterday when he was born and my little boy, now he is a man.  Just hard to believe.  Hold on to those babies ladies, before long you too will have one on the verge of manhood.

 

So Allie his girlfriend woke up super early on his birthday and surprised him with an in person wake up call.

 

 

and she brought balloons, cupcakes she made, a homemade card and later gave him his gift an Afghan that had their picture together on it.  Can you tell my boy is still half asleep?

Then off to Chickfla they went for breakfast before school.  Later that evening he got his card from us.  Love the joy he had in reading it.

 

 

 and then cupcakes and Happy Bday singing of course

 

Because Johnathon's bday fell during the week we went out Sunday night for his bday to his favorite -Tsunami Japanese Steak House.  I am sure we came close to getting kicked out with our wild crew but hey we had a life to celebrate right?

 

Then Saturday we went and got his gift - are you ready?  Yes I said yes to this.. Jonathon got the tattoo he has wanted for some time now.  He is 18 right?  And he put it in a discrete place - his rib cage (also one of the most painful places to have a tattoo - and Jonathon can vouch for that for sure) and he put God's Word on his body. 

 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 

Jonathon, Allie and I getting ready for the big moment

Can you say ouch?

Yes he squeezed her hand the whole time.

 

He is so happy with it.  I'd say it was a great week of honoring a great kid.  I love you Jonathon and am so honored and humbled that God chose me to be your mom!

Check out that Smile!!!

So last week I took Chritian to get his braces off - after almost 2 years, he was very excited.

 

Before

 

 

After

 

Now is that one pretty smile or what?!

Oh my Olivia...

I just wanted to share two things for a moment on Olivia -

1.  Last week as we sat down to do her home study we started as we always do reminding her of the Scripture that they are incorporating in to their studies at school.  But this week something different happened.  When I said Olivia you are studying Joshua - (that was as far as I got and this sweet 6 year old little girl, here in the US for 9 months said) yes Joshua 1:9 H ave I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Yes  tear fell from this momma's eye - so proud

2.  I am just so excited that Olivia has a friend from China that she is keeping up with.  The only one she really ever talked about was Cheng Cheng (now John Frances).  John is  4 like Grace.  They have skyped and are now writing each other, sending pictures and drawing each other photos.  It is so cute.  It is neat to hear the memories Olivia has of him.  She told me this week she did not have any family in China just one brother. I said you had a brother and she said yes Cheng Cheng.  I said oh, who told you he was your brother and she said the (phonetically spelling here) IEs. These were the nannies there. I thought this was odd.  I said what about the other kids and she said no just Cheng Cheng.  Interesting huh?  Anyway it is amazing how these two adore each other.  I cant' wait for them to see each other on U.S. soil!

check out this journal entry for late last year of a video I got with Olivia and John Francis.  cute

http://dawnandguyfisher.blogspot.com/2011/12/video-of-olivia-counting-in-english-and.html

A Trip to the Library

The girls and I made a trip to the library for some books on Navajo Indians for a project Olivia has for school.  We got there just in time for story time.  As you can see the girls really enjoyed that.

 

 

Giving Back

It is so great to be part of a school that gives back.  This weekend Logan, Olivia, Grace and I went over and joined other families from Olivia's school to make sandwiches for the homeless.

 

 the girls were such good helpers

 

 Olivia had the job of placing the ham on the bread

 

Logan spreads the mayo

 

all the kiddos with the sandwiches they prepared



Pajama Day

Olivia headed back to school last week with a great recovery from her surgery.  She was so excited.  Not only that but one day was pajama day and she got to wear pjs and slippers and bring a stuffed animal (her new favorite - the bear she got in the hospital ).  She has had a great report all around in her healing and just blown the doctors away.  She even had some warts that we were trying an experiment with some meds on in hopes they would not need to be surgical removed and went for followup last week to show the doctor the great results - once again blew the  doctors away. This girl has the hand of God on her and he is healing her ! Love it!