Monday, January 30, 2012
All Of Me...
We're still here...
Oh how I love this boy so much!
Sometimes I feel like such a failure as his mother.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
catching up...randomness
Sean is recovering amazingly well from his surgery. I must eat my words...he hasn't been that bad of a baby at all! He even took the boys out for a little over an hour today so I could do some turbo cleaning! It was wonderful and I forget how much I can get done when I'm not taking care of children in the process. :)
My voice has been almost gone and really raspy sounding these last 2 days because of a cold. Tate has looked at me at least once a day these last 2 days and said, "Mommy, you sound like Cassie." Ha. I kind of do, but I don't think her voice is this raspy all the time. It's driving me nuts!
We had DeCooks over last night and ate pizza and wings and just hung out. Lora and I even drank decaf with yummy creamer and whipped cream on top. MMMMM! :) It was nice to just hang out and the kids played and played and then CRASHED in the livingroom while watching a movie. Well, not Tate. However, he made James carry him to bed and then never made a peep again and went right to sleep. That's rare for him.
Have you ever drank Vanilla Coke Zero?!?!!!! Oh my...you should, it's Sean and my new favorite. YUM-O!
We got whole house DVR the other day...it's kind of amazing. Loving it!
Someone anonymously came over to our house to snowblow our walkway and sidewalks yesterday while we were not home. Seriously, SO NICE! And if whoever did it is reading this...you have NO IDEA how much that helped us. THANK YOU!!!
I think that is all for tonight...
Thursday, January 19, 2012
6 years of blogging!
Starting this blog is something I will never regret and something I am SO thankful I did! I reference back to things on here all the time and have documented so many events, thoughts, feelings and stories that I would have likely otherwise forgotten. Sometimes I even read things I wrote and think, "I can't believe I wrote that...I don't remember feeling that way" or even sometimes I don't even recall writing certain posts! Ha. :)
In the last 6 years, Sean and I have (in no particular order) sold a house, lived in 5 different homes (yikes!), Sean has started and completed Nursing school, we've grown our family through adoption, made so many new friends, gained several nieces/nephews, moved from Colo to Des Moines and then from Des Moines to Davenport, I left a job to stay at home with Tate for a little over a year, I got a job at Wells Fargo, Sean got a his first nursing job and I left my job at Wells Fargo to stay home again, Tate started preschool, Sean's had 2 surgeries, Tate's had 1 surgery, I've still had NO surgeries, we have started and stopped the adoption process and then became a licensed foster family and began the adoption process again, our eyes have been opened to so many things that we were blind of 6 years ago, we have changed our spending habits, started living on a strict budget, started giving so much more to causes we believe in and completely healed from our pain of enduring infertility when we were blessed with the adoption world! Whew! That's a lot of things in 6 short years! And each of these events, plus 100's more are all documented on this blog. Almost every thought and fear and joy and pain and story is all right here...6 years of our life documented.
So grateful I chose to start this blog and have kept at it for 6 years. And so grateful that this blog has allowed me to meet so many of you wonderful cyber friends (some turned real friends!) and that all of you other family members and friends have continued to show an interest in our family.
Won't it be crazy when I can post about my blog's 10 year anniversary?!?! I honestly can say that I cannot imagine not having this blog, so I look forward to many more anniversaries here on A Peakin To Our Lives! :)
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
I thought the date was for Tate...
We talked and talked and laughed and danced to the music that was playing and skipped around the whole place and held hands and just had the time of our lives for about 2 hours! I loved it as much (if not more) than him!
I mentioned that Daddy might take him on a date next. At first he said, "no, I only want to do dates with you, mommy", then out of no where a bit later he said, "maybe Daddy can take me on a breakfast date to IHOP"...Ha! He is too cute!
Can't wait for another date night with my little Tater Tot!
Monday, January 16, 2012
sick kids, surgery and a date!
1 is on the mend, the other is fine...just a nasty cough. Sean has been working nights so during all of this, I've been home to deal with it alone. Then, he sleeps all day and I've still managed to pick up the house and have dinner for him when he wakes up so he can eat before work. He is working just as hard as I am and I completely adore that man lately! I mean, I've alway adored him, but let's be real here...we've had our ups and downs. :) This last month he has been amazing and helpful and kind and it's almost like I've fallen in love with him all over again. Oh, and he has a very uncomfortable (becoming painful) hernia that he is getting surgically repaired on Wednesday and so I'll have another "kid" to take care of after that. He's off work for 2 weeks after surgery and I've been told that the first week can be rough. Now that I've bragged about him a bit, I will tell you that he is a total baby and I anticipate his recovery won't be fun for any of us. Sorry, babe...it's true!
On another note...I gained a few pounds over the holidays. I knew I would. I am okay with it...really. I needed to indulge a bit in order to make it. Ha. Anyway, I've already lost half of the weight I gained in the last few days. Whew. I'm really wishing I had time and the weather was nice enough to run though. I guess forgetting to eat half the time will do. :) Ha.
So Tate has had some major changes happen in his life since we embarked on a new journey in our family. He had a bit of a meltdown over the holiday, but by the way he's been acting since, I am thinking that was at least half because he was tired. Anyway, he deserves to be doted on a bit and to have all of my attention for a bit. He's been so amazing and sweet and I am just so proud of him. So tomorrow, we are going on a date! He cannot stop talking about it! He is so excited to go on a date with Mommy! I love it...I love that boy so much it hurts. Not sure yet what we're doing for our date though. I really want to do something he'll be totally excited about...maybe Incredible Pizza? Golden Corral? I know...he's strange, he LOVES Golden Corral! Ha. Bowling just he and I? A movie? I don't know yet. I'm sure I'll post all about it afterwards!
Goodnight all! Hopefully tonight I'll get uninterrupted sleep!!! I sure hope so. :)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Yummy Salmon recipe...
Thankful...even on days like today!
Tate has never been a puker. I think he's only had 2 times when he had a stomach bug and during each bug, I think he only threw up once. Last night was a different story. Yikes! Sorry for too much information, but there was way too much puke than should be coming out of a little guy! Praying Tate doesn't get it too!
So today we are having a pajama party! I am doing lots of laundry (thanks to puke all over the sheets!), cleaning and disinfecting. There are sweet sounds of our Praise Baby DVD's playing in the livingroom (love.) and Tate is being truly angelic today! When he wants to, he can be the sweetest kid in the world! I just wish he wanted to more often! Ha. :) Man I love these boys that fill my house!
This is what is playing in my livingroom right now...
I was born to worship You my King
I was born to lay down everything
To make my life a living sacrifice
so I'll sing for You
I was born to worship
I will live my life for You alone
I will make my very heart Your home
so Your glory all the world will see
and so I'll sing for You
I was born to worship
Halleluja, Halleluja, Halleluja
I was born to worship
So funny how I've heard that song a MILLION times, but the words seemed to be so much more loud and clear to me today. Man, it is so often easy to forget that I was born to make my life a living sacrifice and to live my life for Him ALONE! I love these little reminders He gives me. They're coming like a flood lately. :) I know I will be rewarded someday if I live my life for Him alone and make my life a living sacrifice...and this life may be hard the entire time I am on this earth, but knowing that I will have everlasting life in heaven is more of a reward than I could ever dream of.
So despite the germs and sickness in our house today, I am feeling overwhelmingly calm and taken care of and BLESSED! I say it all the time, I know...I am blessed, in the hard times and the good times.
At Christmas this year, my family did something for Jesus. Each family member wrote down on a peice of paper a "gift" we were going to give Jesus this year. Afterall, Christmas IS His birthday! We didn't share our gifts with each other, rather, we sealed them in a container to be looked at next year and see if we followed through with our gifts. I wrote down a couple of things I was going to do for Jesus this year. One of my gifts to Him was to remember to praise Him and thank Him even in the difficult or bad moments in my life. To thank Him when all I want to do is be angry or beg Him to make things better. Last night was a hard night, today is going to be difficult with 2 tired kiddos who don't feel great. However, all I can think of is how thankful I am that God gave us these 2 kids to raise and love and care for forever. So yes, even today and last night...we are SO BLESSED! I thought in these moments, I would have to remind myself to thank God and praise Him. Honestly though, it's like I put that "gift" to him in my heart and it's just come naturally. I didn't have to remind myself today that He is the reason these boys are in my life, that He has given me the incredible joy of raising them, that He is the reason for everything good and wonderful in my life. I know this. I am so thankful to him...especially today!
Happy Sunday!
Friday, January 13, 2012
I know this...I believe it fully...
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Let's talk about STOVES!
From The Adventure Project website: "These stoves are revolutionary, allowing families to breathe easier, cook faster, and increase their income by saving on fuel costs. The money saved is money used to send their kids to food, start small businesses, and eat more nutritious food. The stoves are produced locally in Port au Prince and sold by women entrepreneurs. It's a sustainable business model providing a life-saving product."
Today The Adventure Project is asking for supporters to step up their engagement and ask others to do the same. The hope of this particular campaign is that supporters like me each convince two friends to each buy a stove, hop on board and convince two of their friends to buy a stove. The impact would be pretty amazing and if anyone can do it, The Adventure Project can.
I know their are so many opportunities out there to give and I know many people struggle to trust certain organizations. I know the co-founder of The Adventure Project personally and your money is going where they say it's going!
$20 is nothing...it's not even a dinner out, it's not even half a tank of gas, please consider supporting this cause.
I am asking YOU...yes, I am talking to you. :) I have SO MANY amazing friends and family who read this blog and even wonderful people who have been so supportive to our family when we do not even know them outside of the cyber world. I know I will get more than 2 of my wonderful friends to support this as well. It's hard to ask you all for things, but I believe in this cause. DONATE HERE! And then let me know you did...maybe I'll do a little something for you. ;)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
a peace
My family and friends are amazing and all care for us more than we deserve. I know that any opinions or rash remarks are just given to us out of love...I DO know this. And I also know that as much as I want someone out there to make big decisions for us and just tell us what to do when we just don't know, no one can. At least no earthly being can. I know who is making the decisions in our life...why do I keep trying to make them on my own?!?! I know that when a door opens, we need to explore it and pray about it and God will give us the answer...I just forget in the heat of the moment sometimes. :) I also know that many times, the "right" decisions are definitely not the "easy" path. Boy do I wish it were! I think that so many times I have made a decision that would possibly make my life a lot harder or more stressful or more work, but the fullfillment I have gotten out of that decision being made much outweighed the risk. And I also know that I cannot count on anyone on earth to tell me what the right decision for our family is. No one knows aside from us. In fact, WE don't even know! Only God knows. I think we're handed these obstacles and big decisions as a way to be forced to lean on Him. I am leaning on Him more than ever right now. And somehow, in the midst of all of the worry and stress and fear, I feel a peace like I have never felt before. A peace that no matter what decisions we are making, God is in control and will help us. I am listening to Him more than I ever have before and it is so amazingly comforting.
We are so blessed by the support we have from so many people...even people who think we're out of our minds! :) As I've said many times before, I wish I could be completely open and honest about what's going on with us. I promise that I AM documenting all of these events in a private location to be posted on here when all is said and done. It may be 6 months from now, it may be a year from now, but I will share details when I can. Thank you for all of your love and support despite the fact that many of you don't know what's going on.
We can already tell that 2012 is going to be a crazy (crazy GOOD, we hope!) year for us!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Tate's Hawkeye Snowman...
He wrote it all by himself...
He was so proud!
Birthdays Galore!
Ayla likes being naked...so this is normal...
And she takes blowing out the candles very seriously!
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Maybe I should write stuff...
This time in our life is such an important, wonderful time and I hate that I can't share about it all. I look forward to the day when I can. :)
This week will be busy...as is my life. Sean and I were speechless about a very generous gift we were given and also have an overwhelming amount of love and support that has been given to us by all of our loved ones. The blessings we are receiving are humbling and making us realize our downfalls and how much more we can and need to do for others.
On another note...my diet MUST be in full force again. For reals...I gained a few pounds over Christmas. Fully expected that to happen because I gave myself a break and WAY over indulged, but I am back at it now. Planning on joining the Y, not only will I use the Y for some exercise for myself, but I know the family will use it as well...the little ones especially! Hoping I can join and get to using that membership in the next month or so. It's just crazy busy right now!
We had the Burback kids last night. It was so much fun. Seriously, LOVE having them all stay! They are amazingly well behaved and sweet and loving and fun and hilarious. We went out to dinner and dessert and had a dance party when we got home, played some xbox, watched a movie, slept all over the livingroom and then had donuts for breakfast and played all day today. Oh my goodness it was a blast!
I have really been good about implementing a much earlier bedtime these last several days. And on that note...goodnight! :)
Abby's 1st Birthday Party!
And of course, she had an Abby Cadabby birthday party!
Poor thing only smashed her cake this much. Cake eating time fell right at nap time and Abby was DONE by then, so she fell asleep instead. :)
It wasn't long though when she woke up smiling!
Abby and Tyler...
Abby and her mommy...
All the kids had fun at the party at Happy Joe's!
Kayla...
Leah...
That darn blob...
Pure talent...
Kayla is a professional in training...
Tate obviously doesn't have the Peakin genes...
At not even 1 year old, Abby will likely be a professional one day too...
Friday, January 06, 2012
Neglect and an update...
Tate is struggling a bit with some of our family changes as well as his return to preschool. Could you pray for him?
Sean is having hernia surgery on January 18th and his body is wishing it were sooner. He'll be off for 2 weeks after his surgery. Should be interesting and different having him home with us all the time. I'll enjoy it. :)
We're getting whole house DVR...totally excited about this. :) It's the little things, people.
My house is a disaster...I have a feeling this won't be changing anytime soon as I still have much to get the hang of due to our family changes that have occurred. I'll figure it out...hopefully sometime in 2012 I'll figure it out.
I honestly don't know how I'm going to be able to do my photography stuff anymore. Not sure how I'll manage to find editing time. This makes me a little sad and concerned. We'll see if Jennie Peakin Photography is still up and running later this spring. I am praying I'll be able to figure something out to make it work, but in this moment, I am concerned it might be too much right now. :(
Tate got an iPod for Christmas and he is ADDICTED! He has his headphones on constantly and dances all over the house. He's so cute...he loves to dance almost more than anything else.
It feels like spring here. For reals...I wore a 3/4 length sleeved shirt yesterday with no coat and was comfortable. I would be fine with no snow this year...totally fine.
My showers are becoming shorter and fewer. I like long showers. :(
We have the best family and friends ever. Period.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
I just couldn't resist...
Booner...
Who I rung in 2012 with...
This may be a bit more realistic...
Or maybe this one...
And Brenda's face just cracks me up in this one!
With a toast and lots of kisses, 2012 began...
Girls Day...New Years Eve (before the festivities!)
He is an amazing artist and did an unbelievable cover of one of Brenda's tattoos and then did an awesome tattoo on my sister too!
You can't tell in this picture, but she got her nose pierced too. It's totally cute and her.
Stewart Christmas 2011
I couldn't pick between these next 2 pics. Almost all the kids got Owl jammies and so we captured a few of them in a picture. Oh my I love each of these kiddos so much and they are all just so sweet!!!
Tate got an Orange iPod from my parents...he was ecstatic! He loves music and dancing and cannot wait to listen to his iPod with his new Iron Man headphones he got with it. :)
Happy boy!