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So, I thought that Gertie had given me a hickie / hicky.  (She is extremely affectionate and has latched on powerfully a few times.  I am a little wiser and quicker now and ready... to pull her off in case.)  However, I began to realize that the "hicky" wasn't getting smaller or fading. 

I have ringworm. 

Ha ha ha - who's laughing at me?  

 Gertie and Ollie were much more comfortable in church on Sunday!  Getting used to the building, all the people.  Yesterday Roland was holding Gertie and she wanted to get down so she would have two hands to clap to the music.

They got training wheels on their bikes now and even though they still don't have the hang of it - they LOVE it!  Oliver has been walking around in his coat and bike helmet (he won't  take it off) since 10:30 this morning.  I keep showing him the rain... he does not care.

For those of you concerned... I am dressed now. 

And my house is ALMOST clean Hallelujah!

I am still in my pajamas at 1:30.  Yes, emabarassing to admit. 

Gertie cried a lot last night so we decided that she can drag her blankies and pillows and sleep in our room.  At least then we won't feel like haggard sleepless parents of a new born.  I was up many hours last night and I was thinking:  wow, sleep depravation = insanity.  I'm such a baby.

So thankful for my night away last night with my choir family.  It's like "ahhhhhhhhhh"  - LOVE YOU GUYS.

Claire prayed for a ton of snow last fall.  I am thinking that if I have a prayer request I will have her pray for me.  I am so waiting to open my windows and play outside without the mess of muddy shoes and coats and mittens.   Ohhhh I am whiny today.

Every day we wake up and go through the day and Gertie and Ollie are realizing: this is life, nothing is changing, mom and dad love us...

I am so grateful.  Each day is steps forward.  We are having fun.  Claire and Gertie and Ollie and Simon are really bonding.  Roland is gone tonight - flying home... and Claire and Simon took the initiative to put Gert and Ollie to bed.  Tight squeezes and "yes, yes, yes" - is so precious to my heart to see and hear.  They are doing so well.

I am so sick of this weather.  Gertie and Yabi think it's funny.  They call it "flabba" even though they have never seen snow before.  Roland is in New Mexico today.  He was supposed to be there last week but it was postponed thank goodness.  Last night was we had musical beds.  Claire changed rooms because Gertie snores.  Yabi spent a few hours in ours because he fell out of bed.  Oh, it was not fun.  Then at 4:00 Gertie joined us after crying for Claire.  How did she even know she wasn't in the top bunk? 

Trying to get that laundry done still.  I think I may have conquered it for about half a day since we've been home.  How can two people DOUBLE the load?

Oh Tracy!!! And all Tiemeyers!!! Thank you so much for the picture bible.  We got through the frist day when God said "let there be light" and there was light!  It was soooooo good.  We covered our eyes for "dark" and we kept turning on the light swtich:  "on" "off" "dark" "light."  Thank you soooooo much!!!

There is so much excitement in new words.  We liked the chicken Aunti Robertta made for us BUT "knife" and "fork" were minutes of excitement.  Dibora and Yabi kept repeating over and over:  "momma! knife!  fork!  knife! fork!nha ha ha ha ha."  then she gets up from the table and I know she is heading for a spoon.  She comes around the corner and shouts excitedly:  "Spla-oon"  We say:  "spoon"   Gertie says:  "yes Spla-oon!"  We repeat the correct pronounciation and she shouts "spla-oon"  Yabi is saying the same.  And round and round we go.

Happy Easter!  What an amazing message to carry to everything we go through.  Choir you were incredible - you bless me.  How fantastic to come to church and worship, truly stand in awe of God and realize all He has done for us as I held Gertie and Ollie.  Gertie responded to the music right away and clapped her hands. 

It has been such a journey filled with ups and downs.  I am trying to focus on the big picture and not that few minutes when I am having to discipline or deal with pouty attitudes. Gertie is so frustrated by the language barrier.  She is so intellengent that the frustration at times makes her shut down and go silent.  This morning we worked on "please mom may I have..."  she giggled. She LOVES to learn. 

I ran out for a little after dinner and Gertie bawled in the driveway.  I went back and assured her I was only gone for a bit.  Wow.  At least I can't be replaced.  I am thankful to say that we are actually having fun.  It is work - but these kids are amazing.  Roland is feeling so much better today.  Praise God.  I was almost getting mad at him.  I know that makes no sense - but I had about had it.  (I scored a 0-1 on the SHAPE test for Mercy and compassion.  Sorry.)  However God has granted me great patience for Gertie's tears.  We really are doing so very well and so in love with all our children.