Party Time!

Christi is a brave soul!  She scheduled birthday parties for Sophi and Cali on the same day.  Sophi from 3-5.  Cali from 6:30-10:00.  Both came off beautifully.  Sophi had a "P" party, with pajamas, princesses, pizza and all things "P."  Cali's was particularly fun.  Christi took 12 girls to the mall and sent them in two groups on a scavenger hunt.  They had to get physical items (a french fry you didn't pay for, earrings for Cali, etc.).  They also had to get several different things on video (a random person singing happy birthday in a different language, all the girls in the group eating dessert together, etc.)  They had a ball!  Here are some pics:

What Happens When Jer Is In the Doghouse...

(It was pretty effective!)

-Jeremy

Dressin' Up!

Crazy Hair Day:

Halloween:

Ghost!

Princess:)

Taylor and Parker wore costumes they had when they were three years old!

???

Ninja!

Cutest Cheetah Ever!

Mulan:)

Ready to Trick or Treat!

Evil Princess?

Evaluations

Parents often lament that kids do not come with a manual.  I think every parent could use an all-encompasing resource book that covered every possible question, situation and area of concern.  Alas, this magic text does not exist.  So we all do the best we can with what we have.  Sometimes I get so caught up in the day to day responsibilities of life that I forget just how important being a father is.  However, there are often little experiences that remind me once again that, second to husband, my most important title is Dad.  This morning I had one of those little moments.

Taylor has started basketball practice.  Gym time is hard to come by, so his team practices at 6:30am on Satudays.  (BLEECH!)  It has helped me to get up early on the weekend and get in some exercise of my own.  In the car after practice we had a short conversation that made my day.  I mentioned to him that due to a work conflict, I wouldn't be at home for the BCS National Championship game in January.  You would have thought I had told him he was grounded for the next six months.  He was so disappointed.  He spent the rest of the drive trying to come up with creative ways to change my work schedule.

What a reward as a father.  To know that he cared that much made me feel like I had passed an impromptu exam with flying colors.  I'm so grateful for my kids and the relationships I have with them. They are amazing.

-Jer

Note:  After we got home I was talking to Parker.  I thought I'd see if I could go two for two.

Me:  "I just found out I won't be here to watch the BCS National Championship game with you this year.

Parker:  "Oh."

You win some, you lose some:)

Parker and Sophi Were Playing on Photo Booth...

Sophi's Song

Today in the car Sophi  was singing made-up songs with made-up tunes.  Imagine her singing her little heart out with a melody that wanders all over the place without realizing she had an audience:

It's OK that I don't have any arms

Because I am fabulous

And high fashion

Like Jesi.

And when I grow up, I think I will have three kids

Not 100,000 kids.

Because that is too many to take care of and to feed.

Actually, maybe I will have four or five or even eight, 

but not one hundred thousand.

Cuz' that will be too many.

:)

Conner Part Two

I just wanted to add my thoughts and feelings to Christi's post from yesterday.  It has been such a difficult past few months with regard to Conner.  The uncertainty we have felt has been so different from all of our other adoptions.  A large part of this uncertainty has been focused around what Conner would want.  Would he really want to start his life all over with a new family, a new culture, a new language and a new home?  It was such a beautiful experience for me to view his two short videos yesterday.  To hear him say himself that he wanted to be adopted and to have a mom and a dad!  And to have him say it with such a beautiful and genuine smile!  It erased any final doubts I had.  I am SO excited to go get this young man and bring him home!  We love you Conner!  See you soon:)

-Dad