Merry Christmas 2016

We had a wonderful Christmas. The boys got some really fun toys and we had so much fun all day long! Dinner turned out great (ham in the crock pot). I am so blessed. I can't even explain how full my heart is. This year has had a couple rough spots but we made it through, and I'm just so thankful for my family. I am still in awe that God let me adopt three beautiful boys from Russia. My little extra special surprises fill me with such pride. Jimmy turned 30 this year, and to think that, at the time he was born, the adoption seed was planted in my heart. It only grew and grew. Getting my Master's degree in Special Education was huge for me, but it pales in comparison to my adoptions. There is never a day, that I don't think of where they could have been, and where they are now. Thank you goes to Jimmy for his little something extra, and to Ben for being such an amazing kid and up for anything, when it came to my wild ideas. Now, as I look back over this year, I smile at all of the love that we have under one roof, and also the love that lives in Ohio with Ben and the beautiful family he has with his darling wife Shelby, and their fur babies. It will only continue to grow and grow. And now, on to our Christmas pics. Thank you Jesus!

This picture does not do the canvas, justice. It turned out very nice!

Jimmy saw "Max Goldman" socks at the store and just had to have them. LOL

Elijah and Liam looking to see what's inside.

Liam and his hats, kill me. :)

Lambchop, #3. LOL

Caleb got his walkie talkies!

Happy New Year!! May it be filled with Jesus and love.

Visiting Ben and Shelby and meeting my friend Cathy :)

Cathy is one of my dear Facebook friends, and she lives about an hour from Ben and Shelby, so we decided to get together. :) Her brother Steve, was born in 1959, with Down syndrome. Thirty years ago, their mother died, and Steve came to live with Cathy. They had a very beautiful bond and were inseparable.  Steve died earlier this year, and Cathy has had a very hard time without him. :(

My heart aches for her. Seeing the boys, I hope, helped comfort her some. She loves them and they instantly too to her. She is a lovely lady, that I hope we can get together with again one day.

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Caleb took a selfie

My sweet boy is growing up fast!

Caleb and Cathy being silly!

Group photo. 

Jimmy wasn't too happy to get up and pose for pictures,

 when he still had his hamburger to eat. LOL

Elijah, the stinker who had his tongue out,

 in all the pictures. LOL

Liam thought it was funny to wiggle,

 during all of the pics. LOL

Christmas at Ben and Shelby's house

We had a very nice time!

And then, there was a snowstorm on the way home. 

Took a couple hours longer to get home, 

but we made it safely. 

God is Good.

A Special Visit from Sean

My younger brother Sean lives in Florida, and every few years, he flies up to visit the boys and me. This year, he flew up during one of the coldest weeks we've had. High's mostly in the teens and twenty's and lows around 0°. We also have about 10 inches of snow right now. LOL But, we didn't let that stop us. We still went Christmas shopping, and made a trip to the mall, to find the smurfs who were out on their annual shopping trip with their classes. We watched movies: A Year Without A Santa Claus, Grumpy Old Men and Fred Claus. We frosted Christmas cookies and played with the dogs (all 5 of them, including Kane and Kaya). And he got to finally meet Shelby, so that was awesome! It was sad to see him go. We miss him very much. It was definitely a treat to have him here.

Elijah got his BIG SNOW :)

Frosting cookies

They were delicious too!

Jimmy and Uncle Sean

Uncle Sean, Caleb and Jared 

My baby brother and me. 

I love you Sean, thank you so much,

 for coming to spend time with us. 

I miss you.

OMG! IT'S SANTA! I KNOW HIM!!

A fun time was had by all at the annual Ds Christmas party. Lots of delicious pasta, cookies, a chocolate fountain and more. There were crafts and friends, and of course, the big man himself......SANTA!

Caleb and his buddy Nick

Ho Ho Ho!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I love this time of year. The Christmas tree is my absolute favorite. We get a real one every year, but I'm tempted to put up an artificial one, maybe next year. That way, I can put it up the day after Halloween. LOL Right now, Jimmy and I go out each year and get one, the week after Thanksgiving. The smurfs are in school, so it's something special, just for us to do together.

Caleb's new Peppa Pig ornament

Elijah, building with the ornament boxes. :)

Ben was five, and Jimmy was ten. 

That Santa looks familiar!

This little snowman was made with a sock. 

Liam made it last year.