Thanksgiving at the Cabin

Did you notice....?

The lush GREEN grass...yep that is our backyard! After weeks of work and mud...we finally have a yard to hang out in!
Thanks Scott, Dad, Tyler, and David!

Snap Shot

Just trying to capture some sweetness

Its been a long couple of weeks......

It started off with Garrett getting a cold…then Reagan… and then Scott. I was lucky to never catch it. The cold made two rounds in our house, so when both kids woke up yesterday happy and snot free I was excited to get some of the things done that I needed to like, grocery shopping and going to the gym …normal stuff like that. But after breakfast I noticed Garrett’s fever and snot were back…. canceling all plans of having a “normal day.” I attempted to ease my stir craziness with an outside art/water project. Which quickly blew up in my face…b/c neither of them felt like playing. So when both kids were happy today and seemingly getting better…I was ecstatic and my list of naptime chores began to form once again. Garrett is asleep…check…. Reagan in bed…. check…I get to eat lunch today in peace…check! Until I hear Reagan scream and start crying…I of course run into her room to find…. throw up all over her bed!
Now my naptime list is:

1. Get Reagan settled on the floor…and hope she naps
(I make a bed on the floor when the kids are barfy…it makes for easier and faster clean up.)

2. Try and teach a 2 year old to aim for the bucket!

3. Do a load of laundry

4. And attempt to eat before one of the kids wakes up!

I would really like a sick free house! **sigh** well there is my rant…I am off to attempt to clean up the kitchen!

~Pics of the kids enjoying the toasty Nov. weather~

Moments Made for Laughing......

Is there something in my mouth?

Hmmmm....

Reagan got stuck trying to climb out her window!
Now what??

Mama...I am ready to go!
This is the outfit she picked out, complete with purse and headband....but missing some key things like pants and a shirt!

Hoops of Hope

Scott is participating in this years Hoops of Hope event. He has pledged to shoot 1,000 free throws to raise money for AIDS/HIV ravaged children in sub-Saharan Africa. The event is Dec. 6th, 2008 Please join us in supporting this organization and this event.

For more info on Hoops of Hope go to: http://www.hoopsofhope.org/

To support Scott please go to his web page: http://www.firstgiving.com/scothomas2

This is a great organization entirely led by students; please help us support their efforts.
Thanks!
Scott, Amber, Reagan and Garrett

Adoption Update

Ok so I can’t even tell you how much I HATE dealing with USCIS a.k.a immigration. During our initial process I was annoyed now I am super annoyed.

Here is what is happening: We were given an envelope in Ethiopia and told not to open it; the immigrations officer at point of entry has to break the seal. We followed these instructions and turned our son’s life paper work over to an immigration officer. This officer was to fill out a form and submit it to immigration…this is how you get your child’s green card. Well as you know I was half dead at this point from like 27 hours of travel and didn’t catch the mistake on the form, and signed it…. making it official.

Garrett’s legal name at the moment is Desta Thomas. That is the name on his birth certificate and his passport. Except that his green card came in the mail with the name Pesta Thomas!!! Now this is not the end of the world…. right? Wrong! Now I am forced to spend hours and hours dealing with immigration. And to top it off we cannot re-adopt him here in the states until his name is correct. **Sigh** There are so many things that need done for us to finalize his adoption and to make him a citizen, all of which is on hold until I can get his name changed from Pesta back to Desta.

On a personal note Garrett is attaching to us very well, he still has rough days but they are getting less and less. And now we know how to deal with him in those moments to keep him from slipping and shutting us out. We are actually going to church this weekend, the first time in 3 months Woo Hoo! This may not seem like that big of a deal, but we have not left him ANYWHERE or with ANYONE for 3 months. It’s a big step in the Thomas family and for Garrett. We are finally getting to a place where we are lightening up with his strict routine and schedule…and I have to say it’s really nice!

Just Because......

New Beds All Around

Yaya made Garrett a new bumper for his new big boy crib!
He has been sleeping in a pack 'n play...so he is loving his new big bed with all kinds of room to roll around in.

And Reagan finally got her bedding made....I had aspirations to make it myself, but my sewing skills are…. well I have no sewing skills! So Yaya came over today to rescue me from my project, and made her duvet cover. Thanks Yaya, the bedding looks great!

Trick or Treat