Looks like lover-boy has some explainin' to do!

You see that shirt on Ricky?

I guess it is my own fault...leading him into such a life. By the way, I would never have let any of my other boys wear that shirt. It was just somehow okay for Ricky...until now.

I've been trying to figure out just what was wrong with Ricky. Feeling YUCKY for soooo long. The culprit ..."the kissing disease" .......................MONONUCLEOSIS!

Looks like Stas and I better watch out!!!! We might be next!

I love company, especially Uncle Matt!

He has a way of making everything just a little more fun. Okay, a lot more fun. He is also Stas' godfather.

Ricky has been sick for a while and not eating. I think Uncle Matt had the knack for getting his appetite back :-)

 And today I did just a little bit of shopping. I didn't have anything that I set out for. No doorbusters! I just woke up, everyone was sleeping and I decided it was a great time to sneak out while 13 other people at my house were sleeping. (And that was one meal, and one blown-out diaper which I didn't have to fix or clean up after--- ----YAY!)

This is what I got! I thought Ricky would run away from it....

I guess he had enough of it though!

Way to go Stasi!

Fun, Oops, Ouch and Grrr!

Jenny donning Ricky for the outdoors to play!  FUN!

She is my sweet little caretaker for little kids..she loves the boys!

Ready to go...except the boots.

Jenny getting Ricky's boots on.

Off they went to play.... meanwhile back in the kitchen...there was Stas....that's the oops part!

Do you see he seems to be bothered by something with his tongue? Poor  boy.

He MAY have learned about putting his tongue on cold metal  :-(

Ouch! One more reason to keep the refrigerator/freezer doors tied closed...not just so Ricky doesn't steal food from the refrigerator.

 GRRRR.....from me.

 On a good day...yesterday WAS one of them...this is what my laundry room looks like...

 I heard sounds coming from the laundry room and just had a bad feeling.......the kind that says two boys have been naughty....

GRRRR!!!

More GRRRR!

Do you see any remorse in that look?

You know how they say the laundry is never done? Well I know that is true at my house! The problem is Ricky loves "folding" laundry and Stas loves throwing loud plastic things around. A bad mix in my laundry room!

Look what we saw today :-)

Don't your kids steal green beans from the refrigerator to watch TV?

I put it in a bowl so it seemed more like a snack.

Guess what Stasi saw this morning...

SNOW!!!

I wonder if he was ever able to look out the window in the orphanage...

Then I found him at the door...

And then at the window...

And then I looked outside...

Look what I saw out the window...

Beautiful swans. They have been hanging out the last few days. We were horrified to see one of our sons with a bow and arrow heading down to the lake a few days.....lesson learned!!!!!  (I think...we certainly were LOUD and clear!)

And what do you have to say about THAT??

The boy loves to dance!!

Ricky loves music. If he is sad...play music. If he is sick...play music. If he asks for music...PLAY MUSIC! Dan was in Detroit and went to a John Ondrasik concert..(Five for Fighting writer/singer) and this guy singing was the warm up...Matt Hires. All music needs Ricky's approval. He was a little cautious at first...uncertain...and then he busted out the moves. Stas was actually dancing a little on his own too (not just playing with the plastic plate). That move Ricky does where it looks like something must smell.....that is his version of the submarine move! It happens to be the same thing he makes a stinky smell so it cracked me up when I saw it.

 

PS: Stas is walking a lot now!! Hoot hoot! He makes me let go of his fingers so he can do it on his own. Not bad! Video to come soon. My boy is really taking off in so many ways....did I mention I just love him sooooo much!

A Lizzy posting...her Anya (Anne Marie) tribute

Lizzy keeps busy with school. Who doesn't, right? Well she came across this song and just cried because it reminded her so much of sweet little Anya. She had some short, but ever so precious time with her. Bless her heart....she has a good one. She proved it to me yet again today by a very selfless decision....

http://blessedtobebrothers.blogspot.com/2010/11/matthew-west-save-place-for-me.html

 Thanks for your good heart LIZZY!

"New addition to busy brood brings blessings and abundant joy" -- an article about my boys

Here is an article written for our Archdiocesan newspaper. The woman who interviewed us was lovely. Thanks Julie! I hope others can see and feel how blessed we are. In reality, no words describe how these two little boys being in our family have nourished our lives...more importantly...nourished our SOULS! But we can try to explain, and hope and pray others are drawn to bring one of these little loves into their home.

These children need someone to love them, but you know something, WE really need them, too! The world would be a better place if we all had one of these special people in our lives (or two or three)!

International adoption may seem like a daunting process.... it was awesome.... especially in hindsight!

http://thecatholicspirit.com/special-sections/adoption/new-addition-to-busy-brood-brings-blessings-and-abundant-joy/

My honeys!

Go find yourself a little honey!!! 

www.ReecesRainbow.org

Mystery solved!!

I figured out who keeps opening the pantry!!!!!

What a cute little prowler!!!